Finite Element Analysis of Temperature Induced Stresses and Deformations of Polymer Composite Components

Due to the heterogeneous nature of composite materials, residual stresses build up during manufacture of composite products. Such stresses can change the final shape of a component from the tool shape. Temperature induced stresses and deformations of thick cylindrical parts have been studied by a number of researchers using analytical approaches. However these approaches cannot solve a thick composite component with arbitrary geometry. Finite-element-method (FEM) analysis was conducted in this study using ABAQUS. Mechanical and thermal properties of composite materials were determined through microstructure analysis. Different element types were compared with respect to their prediction accuracy. The technique of application of FEM is discussed in the paper. Spring-in values of 90° angles with varying curvature at the corner are predicted. Reasonably good agreement between the prediction and the measurement is achieved.