Composites Forming | Mechanical Engineering | Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET)

Close-up of a composite material

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The course covers the forming mechanisms and characterization for fiber composites, in connection to modelling and analysis of the forming processes. Testing and simulation of composite materials forming are discussed as well, as are forming technologies for various composite material forms ranging from dry textiles to thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg, moulding compounds and composite/metal laminates.

Individual assignments are chosen by the participants in concurrence with the instructor. On an individual basis, the student collects the information necessary to fulfil the assignment. A short but concise research report is prepared, describing the context and the specific research objective, the specific approach and its results, a discussion and conclusion. Relevant literature needs to be considered and cited.

Why this course: The overall goal of this course is the understanding of forming processes of highly anisotropic materials. In more detail, after successful completion of the course, the following knowledge and skills are developed:

Translation of a physical process phenomenon, which happens during manufacturing of a composite part, to the underlying elementary deformation mechanisms. Instead of a phenomenon directly encountered during processing, this may also concern an idealized situation envisaged to take place during a characterization experiment, designed to measure an appropriate material property;
Quantification of this in terms of the relevant balance laws;
Identification of the appropriate material properties;
Preparation of a quantitative description of the phenomenon.

Depending on the state-of-the-art of the specific topic considered, some of these context-specific aspects will receive more emphasis than others.

Course highlights: Research oriented course with individual assignment and supervision. Integration of mechanics, advanced materials, design & manufacturing, and processing simulations. On the forefront of current science & technology in fibre composites, resulting in a research paper and presentation.

For whom: Professionals with a Bachelor level in Mechanical Engineering. Besides, knowledge on composites is required. This knowledge can be gained in the course ‘Composites’.