Modeling of Wrinkling in Compression Molding of Composites

Abstract

A model has been developed for the prediction of wrinkling during the compression molding process for composites with thick cross sections. The onset of wrinkling is modeled as a localized bifurcation model, which produces additional solutions in the form of wrinkles in a single layer or group of neighboring layers. Average mechanical, thermal, and cure properties of the composite material needed for simulation of compression molding processes are developed.