Predicting FAIlure in Thermoplastic Composites (FaITH)
2018 - 2022
Summary:
The automotive industry is in urgent need of further lightweighting its car fleet to meet the governmental regulations on carbon emissions. Thermoplastic Composites (TPCs) yield a possible solution, due to the combination of lightweight, flexibility of design, reduced processing cycle times and recyclability. Despite this high potential, the introduction of fiber reinforced polymer composites in mass-produced components proceeds rather slowly. An important factor is that TPC components are generally aimed at load-bearing applications, where structural integrity and long-term reliability are of utmost importance. Hence, the ability to predict the mechanical performance during service is essential in the design and optimization of such components. Unfortunately, the mechanical performance of TPC’s is intimately linked to the processing and service conditions, and, at the moment, there are no adequate predictive methods available. Consequently, the reliability of these materials can only be warranted after full-scale testing of actual products. This procedure is costly, time-consuming, and hampers product optimization and a flexible response to market demands.
The aim of this project is the development of new analytical design tools that allow direct prediction of the short-term (impact), and long-term (fatigue, impact after ageing) performance of load-bearing TPC’s, taking into account the influence of design, processing, storage and service conditions. Such tools will enable optimization in various stages of design, leading to lighter, more reliable products with short time-to-market and an enhanced service life.
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