THERMOFORMING SIMULATION OF THERMOPLASTIC TEXTILE COMPOSITES
Thermoforming CFRTP prepreg is a fast manufacturing process compared to LCM process or thermoset prepreg forming. The duration of the t rmoplastic forming process can be in the range of one minute. In addition the composites with thermoplastic matrix are more easily recyclable than thermoset materials. A simulation a pproach for thermoforming of multilayer thermoplastic is presented. Each prepreg layer is m odeled by semi discrete shell elements. A lubricated friction model is implemented between th e layers and for ply/tool friction. Thermal and forming simulations are presented and compared to experimental results. The computed shear angles after forming and wrinkles are in good agreement with the thermoforming experiment. It will be shown by the comparison of t wo simulations that the temperature field play an important role in the process quality.