Numerical modeling of the mechanics of pultrusion

Abstract

This chapter concerns numerical modeling of the mechanics of pultrusion processes, with a focus on the physics that takes place inside the pultrusion die. The following topics are covered: (1) impregnation mechanisms of saturated and unsaturated flow to predict the resin impregnation and pressure rise in straight and tapered impregnation chambers; (2) thermochemical (TC) modeling, which concerns the development of temperature and degree of cure throughout the pultrusion die; (3) TC-mechanical modeling for analyzing process-induced shape distortions and associated stresses and strains; and finally (4) methods for estimating the required pulling force to achieve the desired profile-advancing pulling speed.