Finite element modeling of thermoforming and its experimental verification of textile green composites

Abstract

A new finite element model of textile green composites is proposed to simulate thermoforming process in this study. The model is assembled with actual configuration of the green composites and the interface between yarn and matrix has certain GAP. The mechanical behavior of yarn was considered by using truss element. To verify these models, deep drawing tests were performed with experiment. As a result, orientation of yarn and thickness of drawn cup agreed with experiment well. After this process, strength of drawn cup was evaluated with compression test in both finite element method (FEM) and experiment. In FEM, to remove GAP between yarn and matrix, tied contact method that adjust the unconformity of mesh was used. The deformation behavior of the drawn cup agreed with experiment. The effectiveness of thermoforming process to design products with FEM was verified.