Modeling and analysis of heat transfer in fiber placement process of thermoplastic composites

Fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite fiber placement technology is an in situ consolidation process that can significantly reduce consolidation process time and save equipment costs. The temperature and its lasting time directly affect the final quality. A numerical model of heat transfer was developed to predict temperature distribution within laminates and between top ply and substrate. The highest heating temperature that could be applied to the laminate is determined. Diversity of the edge and the middle in the tape caused by circular heat source was also analyzed and the condition to determine the temperature of heat source was put forward. The prediction of the temperature distribution enables proper selection of processing variables.