Numerical investigation of thermal field expansion in fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

The research is devoted to problems of heat transfer in a multicomponent body with anisotropic thermal properties, such as polymer composite materials with fiberfill and other layered systems. Aim: The aim of this study is the determination of a temperature gradient on a heating surface and the heat transfer evaluation between components of a simulated body. Materials and Methods: Analytical modeling methods are complicated by very laborious computations due to an anisotropy of composites structure and properties. Numerical simulation methods have a wide tool package, which allows to avoid many assumptions, to reduce computation time and visualize conclusions. Results: In the paper discussed a thermal field formation of the annular heat source in plane and space dimensions, that allows to evaluate the process of thermal development in single layer of material and in their connecting. Presented results of numerical modeling establish locations of maximum and minimum temperature of the heated body. Thermophysical body anisotropy leads to asymmetrical distribution of heat. Clearly expressed undulating temperature profile was detected on the heated surface, moreover, temperature in some sectors of outermost layer significantly exceeds the average temperature of the heated surface. The existence of the described temperature gradient has been confirmed in the previous experimental study of the author. In order to simplify a structure of the model and reduce computation time for following or similar tasks has adopted an attempt to translate the anisotropic body to isotropic by adjusting of thermal properties. The resulting isotropic model has a high degree of correlation to the original, but it is less informative and should be corrected by special coefficients.