There is an increasing use of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics in various industries. Reinforced polymer composites are being more and more widely used for making load-bearing structural parts, for example in aircraft structure, automotive and industrial applications. Reinforced polymer composite articles comprise one or more reinforcement structures in intimate intermixed contact with a polymer matrix. Commonly, the reinforcement structures comprise one or more fibrous reinforcement structures, such as one or more reinforcing fibers. Reinforcing fibers in polymer composite articles may be arranged in discontinuous forms, e.g., non-associated discontinuous reinforcing fibers (also known as staple reinforcing fibers or chopped reinforcing fibers). Alternatively, Reinforcing fibers in polymer composite articles may be arranged in continuous forms, such as woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, unidirectional tapes, automatic tape laying structures, wound filaments, tailored fiber preforms, fiber layup structures, and shaped-fiber members.
Fiber-reinforced thermoplastics show a time-dependent failure behavior (e.g., “creep behavior” or “fatigue behavior”). The failure behavior is linked to the fiber orientation (e.g., anisotropic failure) of the part. For example, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic exhibits one time-to-failure value when deformed in parallel with the direction of the fiber reinforcement, and may exhibit a much different time-to-failure value when deformed perpendicular to the direction of the fiber reinforcement.
Computer-aided design and simulation (e.g., virtual product development) of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics is also growing extensively, as it reduces time-to-market and reduces physical prototyping. A key step for accurate simulation is providing accurate input material data, however the accuracy of the input material data requires many physical tests to provide an accurate characterization of the anisotropic time-to-failure of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic. Generation of input data sufficient for conducting simulations may include a full characterization of anisotropic failure under creep and fatigue loading conditions, which may include static and dynamic tests at various applied stresses, temperatures, and specimen orientations (i.e., fiber orientations) tailored to the end-product loading conditions. This anisotropic failure characterization usually results in very long experimental time and extremely high costs. Long lead-time and high costs have been deterring the widespread use of anisotropic time-to-failure simulation during the design and development of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic parts. To improve the application development cycle of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic parts, a solution is needed that will reduce the long lead-time and high cost associated with anisotropic time-to-failure simulation.
The present disclosure describes a system and method for an accelerated testing protocol for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, where the accelerated testing protocol is embedded in an integrated simulation framework. This accelerated testing protocol significantly reduces test time associated with anisotropic fatigue and creep failure characterization of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic over a wide range of temperatures, applied loads, and loading angles. This accelerated testing protocol includes a hybrid approach that includes a combination of modeling and experimental testing. In particular, a reduced set of physical tests are combined with thermoplastic structural models (e.g., phenomenological constitutive models) to provide a full characterization of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic. This approach enables predicting the applied stress dependence of the cycle-to-failure and creep time failure. As discussed herein, this stress-induced time-to-failure information may be represented graphically as an S-N or S-T curve, which shows cycles-to-failure (N) or creep time-to-failure (T) as a function of applied stress (S), i.e. maximum applied cyclic stress in case of fatigue testing or constant applied stress in case of creep testing.
In an embodiment, this accelerated testing protocol can significantly reduce the number of tests needed for providing input for simulations, and can significantly reduce the net test time. This accelerated testing protocol can also provide simulated material input data (e.g., virtual material input data) in a broader range of applied stress, temperature, and orientation than measured data (e.g., actual data). Using these various features, this accelerated testing protocol can improve simulation reliability by providing access to a wider range of material data, can reduce simulation time and cost, and can reduce time and costs associated with an accelerated product development cycle.
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. The figures and accompanying descriptions below provide information and example results for testing time-dependent failure behavior, which can include, creep behavior testing, fatigue behavior testing, or a combination thereof.
In an example, the anisotropic failure testing 100 includes an accelerated test protocol 180. The accelerated test protocol 180 takes limited test data 185 and outputs virtual data 175. The accelerated test protocol 180 may be used to generate simulated material data (e.g., virtual fatigue data), and may be used in addition to or as a replacement for the experimental data 170. The accelerated testing protocol 180 uses a hybrid experimental and modeling approach. In an example, the accelerated testing protocol 180 may use initial limited test data to fit parameters of the models, after which the combination of the models can generate the virtual material data across a broad range of test configurations. In an embodiment, the accelerated test protocol 80 provides a significant reduction in a number of tests and a significant reduction in net test time.
As shown in
The linear fatigue performance characterization slope 310 and y-intercept 320 are determined based on various loading angles φ and temperature values T. First, slope m 310 is determined. This slope 310 is based on multiple data points determined using different stresses at loading angle φ° and temperature T ° C., such as the points shown in
The accelerated test protocol is validated using two fiber-reinforced thermoplastic components with different geometric complexities.
To better illustrate the method and apparatuses disclosed herein, a non-limiting list of embodiments is provided here.
Example 1 is a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic anisotropic failure accelerated test protocol system comprising: a test device to: failure test a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component; and generate limited fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data based on the failure testing; and a processor to: receive anisotropic input material data for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component; and generate an anisotropic failure prediction function based on the input material data and the test data, the anisotropic failure prediction function representing virtual data characterizing a functional relationship between a plurality of cycle-to-failure values and a plurality of cyclic stress magnitudes.
In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 optionally includes the processor further to generate a plurality of stress and strain values for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component based on the generated anisotropic failure prediction function.
In Example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-2 optionally include wherein: failure testing the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component includes fatigue testing the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component; and the processor further to generate a linear anisotropic fatigue failure approximation on a double logarithmic scale of the functional relationship between the plurality of cycle-to-failure values and the plurality of cyclic stress magnitudes.
In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-3 optionally include wherein: failure testing the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component includes creep testing the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component; and the processor further to generate a linear anisotropic creep failure approximation on a double logarithmic scale of the functional relationship between the plurality of cycle-to-failure values and the plurality of cyclic stress magnitudes.
In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 2-4 optionally include the processor further to determine a linear approximation slope based on the received fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data.
In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 5 optionally includes the processor further to determine an orientation dependence of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component based on the received anisotropic input material data.
In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 optionally includes wherein the processor determining the orientation dependence of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component is based on an application of a Hill criterion to the received anisotropic input material data over a plurality of different loading angles.
In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7 optionally includes the processor further to determine a temperature dependence of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component based on the received anisotropic input material data.
In Example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-8 optionally include wherein the received anisotropic input material data includes measured material data for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component.
In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-9 optionally include wherein the received anisotropic input material data includes predicted material data for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component.
In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-10 optionally include wherein: the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component includes a uniform reinforcement fiber alignment; and the processor generating the anisotropic failure prediction function is further based on the uniform reinforcement fiber alignment.
In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 1-11 optionally include wherein: the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component includes a nonuniform reinforcement fiber alignment; and generating the anisotropic failure prediction function is further based on the nonuniform reinforcement fiber alignment.
Example 13 is a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic anisotropic failure accelerated test protocol method comprising: receiving limited anisotropic input material data for a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component; receiving fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data from failure testing of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component; and generating an anisotropic failure prediction function based on the limited input material data and the test data, the anisotropic failure prediction function representing a functional relationship between a plurality of failure values and a plurality of stress magnitudes.
In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 optionally includes wherein receiving fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data from failure testing includes receiving fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data from fatigue testing of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component.
In Example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-14 optionally include wherein receiving fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data from failure testing includes receiving fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data from creep testing of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component.
In Example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-15 optionally include wherein: the plurality of failure values includes a plurality of cycle-to-failure values; and the plurality of stress magnitudes includes a plurality of cyclic stress magnitudes.
In Example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-16 optionally include wherein: the plurality of failure values includes a plurality of time-to-failure values; and the plurality of stress magnitudes includes a plurality of constant applied stress magnitudes.
In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-17 optionally include generating a plurality of stress and strain values for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component based on the generated anisotropic failure prediction function.
In Example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-18 optionally include wherein generating the anisotropic failure prediction function includes generating a linear anisotropic failure approximation on a double logarithmic scale of the functional relationship between the plurality of failure values and the plurality of stress magnitudes.
In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 optionally includes wherein generating the linear anisotropic failure approximation includes determining a linear approximation slope based on the received fiber-reinforced thermoplastic test data.
In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20 optionally includes wherein generating the linear anisotropic failure approximation includes determining an orientation dependence of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component based on the received anisotropic input material data.
In Example 22, the subject matter of Example 21 optionally includes wherein determining the orientation dependence of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component is based on an application of a Hill criterion to the received anisotropic input material data over a plurality of different loading angles.
In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 optionally includes wherein generating the linear anisotropic failure approximation includes determining a temperature dependence of the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component based on the received anisotropic input material data.
In Example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-23 optionally include wherein the received anisotropic input material data includes measured material data for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component.
In Example 25, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-24 optionally include wherein the received anisotropic input material data includes predicted material data for the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component.
In Example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-25 optionally include wherein: the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component includes a uniform reinforcement fiber alignment; and generating the anisotropic failure prediction function is further based on the uniform reinforcement fiber alignment.
In Example 27, the subject matter of any one or more of Examples 13-26 optionally include wherein: the fiber-reinforced thermoplastic component includes a nonuniform reinforcement fiber alignment; and generating the anisotropic failure prediction function is further based on the nonuniform reinforcement fiber alignment.
The above Detailed Description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more elements thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Also, various features or elements can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Inventive subject matter can lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The scope of the subject matter of this patent application should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a molding system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects or a requirement of order.
Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implemented, at least in part, such as with a computer or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions to configure an electronic device to perform method steps as described in the above examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, e.g., microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code. Such code can include computer-readable instructions to perform method steps. The code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
Although the subject matter of this patent application has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/445,694, filed on Jan. 13, 2017, the benefit of priority of which is claimed hereby, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2018/050794 | 1/12/2018 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62445964 | Jan 2017 | US |