Induction Heating of Carbon-Fiber Composites: Electrical Potential Distribution Model

摘要

Mechanisms of heat generation and distribution in carbon-fiber-based composites subjected to an alternating magnetic field are considered. A model that predicts the strength and distribution of these heat sources in the plane of the cross-ply laminate configurations has been developed and verified. In this analysis, the fibers in a cross-ply pair are treated as a grid of conductive loops in the plane. Each such conductive loop uses the alternating magnetic field to produce a rotational electromotive force that induces electric fields in the polymeric regions. Induced electromagnetic energy is converted into thermal energy through dielectric losses in polymeric regions between the carbon fibers in the adjacent orthogonal plies that the conductive loops comprise. Each possible conductive loop is accounted for, and the resulting superposition of potential differences at the nodes leads to the in-plane profile of the electric field in the polymeric regions. Data from AS4 graphite- reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) laminate surface temperature measurements using liquid crystal sheets compare qualitatively with the theory.