Textile composite heat transfer
TexGen has been used to model steady-state thermal conduction in textile composites.
The objectives of the work are to predict the effect of the finer preform geometry on heat transfer and to offer a quantitative demonstration of the natural variability of physical properties in textile composites. In this case the physical phenomenon that is modelled is simple and the associated mathematical apparatus is well resolved. This allows stronger emphasis on the geometry of the preform and its effects.
Beyond the different textile architectures the exact configuration taken by individual yarns within the dry textiles was prescribed, as opposed to being determined from mechanistic models or through appropriate observation techniques. Precise yarn sections and paths were varied systematically for non-crimp fabrics [1] and weaves [2]. Simulation results show the way in which parameters such as the yarn cross section aspect ratio, section shape, yarn thickness, yarn spacing and others affect the thermal conductivity. Furthermore, changes in conductivity were seen within cases of varying yarn fibre volume fraction, where the overall fibre volume fractions was kept constant. As such, the variability in conductivity at constant overall volume fraction could be quantified.
Applications for the work range from carbon composite tooling for aerospace application and NRC/IAR (Ottawa) proprietary Smart Tooling technology, to thermal shielding and aircraft structural repair. Validation is ongoing for coupons using Hukseflux Thasys & Thisys apparatus, and for aircraft structures.
References
- ↑ S. Hind, D. Raizenne, F. Robitaille. "Prediction of the effective transverse thermal conductivity of carbon based textile composites with varying constituent properties and reinforcement geometry", Proc. Canada Japan Worshop on Composites, Toronto, Canada, 2006.
- ↑ S. Hind, F. Robitaille, D. Raizenne. "Parametric unit cell modelling of the effective transverse thermal conductivity of carbon plain weave composites", Proc. International Conference on Textile Composites (TEXCOMP-8), Nottingham, UK, 2006.
