Prediction of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion for CFRTP Using Numerical Material Testing

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to predict the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) having temperature dependency and anisotropy by employing the strain transformation matrix and numerical material testing (NMT) based on the homogenization theory. The accuracy of the proposed technique was verified through comparisons between the calculated and measured values. Firstly, the CTE value for CFRTP in the principal direction was calculated through NMT based on the homogenization method. The CTE value for CFRTP in an arbitrary direction was then calculated by incorporating the strain transformation matrix. Measurement of CTE values for CFRTP with plain woven textile was conducted along the longitudinal direction and at an angle of forty-five degrees. The CTE value calculated for the principal direction by employing NMT and the CTE value calculated for an arbitrary direction by incorporating the strain transformation matrix are found to be in good agreement with the CTE values measured along the longitudinal direction and at an angle of forty-five degrees, respectively. The aforementioned results thus corroborate that the CTE value for CFRTP having temperature dependency and anisotropy in the principal and arbitrary directions can be effectively predicted by applying the strain transformation matrix and NMT.