Wang Bo, Wen Lihua, Xiao Jinyou, Wang Shiyu, Ren Ping, Wang Liqiang, Zu Lei, Hou Xiao
School of Astronautics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.
Xi'an Institute of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, Xi'an 710025, China.
Materials (Basel). 2023 Sep 13;16(18):6187. doi: 10.3390/ma16186187.
The automated fiber placement (AFP) process faces a crucial challenge: the emergence of out-of-plane buckling in thermoplastic prepreg tows during steering, significantly impeding the quality of composite layup. In response, this study introduces a novel approach: the development of equations for wrinkle-free fiber placement within composite pressure vessels. The investigation encompasses a detailed analysis of prepreg trajectories in relation to shell geometry, accompanied by an in-depth understanding of the underlying causes of wrinkling on dome surfaces. Moreover, a comprehensive model for shell coverage, grounded in placement parameters, is meticulously established. To validate the approach, a simulation tool is devised to calculate press roller motions, ensuring the uniform fiber dispersion on the mandrel and achieving flawless coverage of the shell without wrinkles. This innovative strategy not only optimizes the AFP process for composite layup but also remarkably enhances the overall quality of composite shells. As such, this research carries significant implications for the advancement of composite manufacturing techniques and the concurrent improvement in material performance.
自动纤维铺放（AFP）工艺面临着一个关键挑战：在转向过程中，热塑性预浸料丝束会出现面外屈曲，这严重阻碍了复合材料铺层的质量。对此，本研究引入了一种新方法：开发用于在复合材料压力容器内进行无褶皱纤维铺放的方程。该研究包括对与壳体几何形状相关的预浸料轨迹进行详细分析，并深入了解穹顶表面起皱的根本原因。此外，还精心建立了一个基于铺放参数的壳体覆盖综合模型。为了验证该方法，设计了一种模拟工具来计算压辊运动，确保纤维在心轴上均匀分散，并实现壳体无褶皱的完美覆盖。这种创新策略不仅优化了复合材料铺层的AFP工艺，还显著提高了复合材料壳体的整体质量。因此，本研究对复合材料制造技术的进步以及材料性能的同步提升具有重要意义。
