MAT Seminar: Examples of Robust Process Design of Composite Manufact..

Speaker: Hatice Sinem Sas

Title: Examples of Robust Process Design of Composite Manufacturing

Date/Time: May 16, 2018  /  14:40-15:30

Place: SUNUM G111

 

Abstract: In Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) processes, preforms are placed in a mold cavity and a liquid resin is introduced to cover the remaining empty space to form a composite by curing the resin. The fiber preform permeability plays a key role in the filling pattern of the mold, which dictates if there will be any voids in the composites. The variability in the permeability due to the variation in the preform or its placement in the mold can influence the quality of the part being manufactured. The permeability map of a preform specifies the values of permeability tensor at various locations of the preform. The objective of this work is to create a permeability map that will ensure filling to achieve manufacturing success despite the variability of the filling pattern, which is a requirement of robust process design. As permeability plays a central role, first, a characterization methods to measure permeability are established. Then, a methodology will be introduced to create a permeability map for a given mold geometry along with inlet and vent locations which will allow the mold to completely fill despite the variations in the preform and the flow disturbances caused due to its placement. A discrete optimization algorithm is adapted to conduct this optimization of the preform permeability. Then, another process model application will be introduced for the Compression Resin Transfer Molding with particle-filled resin to serve as a tool to obtain uniform particle distribution for the composite parts. Finally, a process model is suggested for the pultrusion process which composes of two parts: injection and curing. The model for the pultrusion will be presented with a suggested process window for both successful injection and uniform curing.

Bio: Hatice S. SAS is currently working as a researcher in Integrated Manufacturing Technologies at Sabanci University. Prior to joining Sabanci University, she worked as a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Abdullah Gül University. She received her Ph.D. degree in processing of composite materials from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware while working as a research assistant at the Center of Composite Materials under the advisement of Prof. Suresh G. Advani. Her Ph.D. studies are on process design in Liquid Composite Molding (LCM) processes for advanced composite manufacturing, characterization of the fibrous materials, and flow and cure modeling to optimize the composite manufacturing processes. She obtained her B.S. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Her master’s studies focus on development of a mathematical model and performing numerical solution for particle filled resin flow through fibrous preform in LCM applications.

Contact: Selmiye Alkan Gürsel