Numerical simulation of thermal expansion process for thermoset composite laminates using silicone rubber tools

In thermal expansion process tooling design is very important for the time of applying pressure and the generation of pressure by silicon rubbers, and determines the quality of cured composites. In this paper, a finite element model was developed to simulate the thermal expansion process for thermoset composite materials using silicone rubber tools. Simulations and experiments were carried out on the thermal expansion course of a kind of silicone rubber and the model predictions agree well with the experimental measurements. Furthermore, simulations were performed on the cure course of composite laminates using silicone rubber thermal expansion process and the compaction pressure exerted by the rubber with different process gaps was predicted. The results indicate that there is a close relationship between the process gaps and the thermal expansion pressure, as well as the time of applying the consolidation pressure on the laminate during the process.