Title: Tensile Strength Uncertainty Quantification in a Prepreg Platelet Compression Molded Composite Considering the Statistical Distribution of Platelets Shape and Size

Authors: Maggie Chong, Hanae Pattery, Jean-Philippe Canart, Adam Smith, Ilyass Tabiai, Martine Dubé, Sergii G. Kravchenko

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.24.0197

Abstract: A meso-scale computational model is developed to investigate the effective tensile properties and progressive failure mechanisms in a discontinuous, long fiber composite produced by compression molding of prepreg tape edge trim (TET). TET is a by-product of the unidirectional carbon-fiber/PEEK thermoplastic prepreg tape manufacturing process, with strong potential for valorization and opportunity for sustainable management of the production waste. During the manufacture of prepreg tape, the tape typically exhibits out-of-spec variations in thickness and resin content at the tape edge, which has to be trimmed off prior to tape rolling. Transforming TET into discontinuous fiber strands (platelets) provides for its utilization as a compression molding compound, rather than disposing of high-performance constituent material as manufacturing waste through traditional landfilling or incineration. TET chopping operation produces trapezoidal chips/platelets of varying size and shape, and the subsequent compression molding process results in a composite system with a random distribution of platelets overlap and fiber orientation. Statistical variability of local meso-structure translates into uncertainty of molded composite mechanical properties. This study presents a computational model that allows for the quantification of the resulting uncertainty in effective tensile properties as a function of the probabilistic input distributions of composite meso-structure descriptors. Continuum damage mechanics and cohesive zone modeling are used to describe the interacting local meso-scale failure mechanisms.

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Conference: SAMPE 2024

Publication Date: 2024/05/20

SKU: TP24-0000000197

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00