Pultrusion simulation modeling

Dow has developed a pultrusion simulation modeling (PSM) service designed to help fabricators achieve higher levels of productivity and reliability. Process variables such as pull speed, part and die temperature, heater output and pulling force can affect the quality of pultruded components. The PSM tool allows fabricators to predict processing performance for specific applications, and is accurate to within 10% of actual performance. The tool has been validated in customer trials and allows the pultrusion process to be optimized quickly. 

Joshi SC, Lam YC. Integrated approach for modelling ciue and crystallization kinetics of different polymers in 3D pultrusion simulation. J Mater Process Technol 2006 174 178-82. 

Carlone and Palazzo (2008) developed a computational modelling of microwave assisted pultrusion. This model is based on an electromagnetic submodel, meant to evaluate the electric field distribution and the heat generation rate due to the microwave source and on a thermochemical submodel, used to determine the temperature and degree of cure distributions. The performed simulations revealed the relevance of design of the microwave cavity, the curing die, and the importance of the dielectric properties of the materials in microwave pultrusion process. 

A numerical model has been developed by Viola etaL (1990) to optimize the operating parameters of a pultrusion line. Their model incorporates a onedimensional finite difference simulation of the pultrusion process. Based on given target parameters, the model primarily optimizes the temperature set points along the die. 

The use of a numerical heat transfer model and a design optimization procedure to simulate and synthesize the heater configuration in a laboratory-scale pultrusion die was developed and studied by Awa and West (1992). A two-dimensional steady-state conduction heat transfer model was developed to compute the temperature profile within the laboratory-scale die. 

According to the curing kinetics and the heat transfer theories, Chen et al. (2010) established the models for unsteady field of temperature and curing. The finite element method (FEM) and FDM were combined, and the indirect decoupling method based on ANSYS was adopted to simulate the temperature profile in pultrudate composites during pultrusion. 

Liu, X. L. (2003b), Iterative and transient numerical models for flow simulation of injection pultrusion , 12th International Conference on Composite Structures, UK. 

Models for simulating the entire pultrusion process are primarily the same as with thermoset polymers (a) Heat Transfer Submodel, (b)Pressure Submodel for consolidation inside the taper, (c) Pulling Force Submodel. In contrast however, there are new difficulties such as non-Newtonian matrix flow, crystallization rate and matrix melting and solidification that must be accounted for. 

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