Numerical simulation of rapid heating induced delamination growth of composite laminates after moisture absorption

In order to investigate the delamination phenomenon of composite laminates after moisture absorption, finite element model for the delamination of composite laminates after moisture absorption caused by rapid heating was established, and ABAQUS finite element software was second developed, the delamination growth under the local high pressure loading effect induced by the vaporized water after moisture adsorption when rapid heating as well as the load applied process were simulated through UAMP subroutine. Then, the delamination phenomenon of saturated moisture absorbed T650-35/HFPE-II-52 carbon fiber polyimide composite laminates when rapidly heating to 310℃ was predicted by the model, and the numerical simulation and reference experimental results were contrasted. Finally, the influences for the moisture content of resin and the aggregate volume of resin in resin rich area on the delamination damage area were analyzed by the model. The results show that the finite element model established is valid. After rapid heating, the delamination damage area increases with the moisture content of resin increases. When the aggregate volume of resin in resin rich area is relatively small, the influence of it on delamination damage area of laminates after rapid heating is relatively small, while when the aggregate volume of resin in resin rich area increasing to a certain value, the delamination damage area increases significantly with the aggregate volume of resin in resin rich area increasing. The conclusions obtained show that the finite element model established by UAMP subroutine of ABAQUS can analyze the delamination phenomenon of moisture absorbed composite laminates due to rapid heating effectively.