Simulation of mold temperature distribution in a running process autoclave

• DOI: 10.1007/s13726-015-0384-6
• Publication Date: 2015-09-21T15:50:37Z
• Authors: Fei Chen; Lihua Zhan; Yongqian Xu
• Keywords: Autoclave; Molding (decorative); Transfer molding; Thermosetting polymer

Composite materials have become increasingly more popular in aviation because of their good characteristics. One of the ways to fabricate composite products is through autoclave process. Due to the fact that in the molding process of the thermosets the performance and quality of composite products depend on mold temperature distributions, it would be necessary to analyze the heat transfer behavior on large size molds. A simulation was performed using finite element softwares to obtain temperature distributions on mold surfaces. The measured values were basically in good agreement with the simulated results. The simulation on the temperature stability was also studied and the simulated results of the temperature distribution, in the stabilized stage, were analyzed. The increases in temperature and simulation of the results of stabilization could provide guidance for the mold design. The novelty of the research is taking into account the influence of gravity and the real atmosphere considered as the environment of simulation. The K-epsilon turbulence model, which corresponds more exactly with the real conditions, was selected. Besides that, unstructured mesh was applied, because it accommodated well to complex geometrical shapes and generated suitable boundary layer.