A MODEL OF FILAMENT-WOUND THIN CYLINDERS

A model was developed for simulating the manufacturing process of filament-wound cylinders made of a thermoset matrix composite. The model relates the process variables (winding speed, fiber tension, applied temperature) to the parameters characterizing the composite cylinder and the mandrel. The model is applicable to cylinders for which the diameter is large compared to the wall thickness. The model was implemented by a user-friendly computer code suitable for generating numerical results. The model and the corresponding code provide the following information as a function of time and position inside the composite cylinder and the mandrel during the winding and the subsequent oven curing: 1. (i) temperature throughout the cylinder and mandrel, 2. (ii) degree of cure throughout the cylinder, 3. (iii) viscosity throughout the cylinder, 4. (iv) fiber positions, 5. (v) fiber tensions, 6. (vi) stresses and strains throughout the cylinder and mandrel, and 7. (vii) porosity throughout the cylinder. © 1990.