Modeling the Residual Stress in Woven Thermoset Composites Parts for Aerospace Applications Using Finite Element Methods

Process induced residual stresses in thermoset composite parts is one of significant issue faced by the industry. Its Modelling is a coupled multiphysics phenomena. Precise information about the chemical shrinkage, thermal expansion coefficient, cure kinetics, heat transfer and constitutive equation are required for an accurate simulation. In this article, spring-in angle induced in woven carbon/epoxy composite bracket is modelled by solving the thermo-kinetics and thermo-mechanics coupling simultaneously in a commercial finite element software. The obtained values of spring-in angle using numerical simulation are compared with those found in the literature and both are found in agreement.