A combined optical-thermal model for near-infrared laser heating of thermoplastic composites in an automated tape placement process

A combined optical-thermal model is presented for near-infrared laser heating of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites in an automated tape placement process. For the first time a three dimensional ray tracing model is presented for a near-infrared laser tape placement process which captu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Composites. Part A, Applied science and manufacturing Applied science and manufacturing, 2015-08, Vol.75, p.104-115
Main Authors: Stokes-Griffin, C.M., Compston, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A. Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs)
Anisotropy
Automation
B. Optical properties/techniques
C. Finite element analysis (FEA)
E. Thermal analysis
Laser beam heating
Mathematical models
Placement
Polymer matrix composites
Thermoplastic resins
Three dimensional
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Summary:A combined optical-thermal model is presented for near-infrared laser heating of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites in an automated tape placement process. For the first time a three dimensional ray tracing model is presented for a near-infrared laser tape placement process which captures the unique anisotropic scattering behaviour of the composite. Predicted irradiance distributions on the composite are subsequently applied to a 2D non-linear finite element thermal model. It is shown that a shadow is present in the process and causes a significant drop in temperature prior to the consolidation zone. The effect of various source and surface model simplifications was also studied. The modelled temperature profiles agree well with experimental data. Substrate fibre orientation was investigated and found to have only a small influence on the temperature history.
ISSN:1359-835X
1878-5840
DOI:10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.08.006