The autoclave curing process of the large-scale composite stiffened panel greatly affects the manufacturing quality of the component, especially the curing quality of stiffeners and the bonding quality between stiffeners and the panel. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization method is developed to optimize the curing cycle for the composite T-stiffened fuselage panel, which aims to minimize the temperature difference within the component to achieve better forming quality. The autoclave curing model considering thermal properties of composites is established and verified by the experiment first. The response surface models are then built up with the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The fgoalattain algorithm is applied to solve the multi-objective optimization problem with nonlinear constraints. Results show that the maximum temperature difference of the two groups of monitoring points decreases by 22.91% and 21.42%, respectively. Besides, the total curing time is also reduced by 11 mins.
RajakDPagarDMenezesP, et al.Fiber-reinforced polymer composites: manufacturing, properties, and applications. Polymers2019; 11: 1667.
2.
DeierlingPEZhupanskaOI. Experimental study of high electric current effects in carbon/epoxy composites. Composites Sci Technol2011; 71: 1659–1664.
3.
MiddletonDH. Composite developments in aircraft structures — part 1. Aircraft Eng Aerospace Technol1992; 64: 2–8.
4.
ChandS. Review carbon fibers for composites, J Mater Sci2000; 35: 1303–1313.
5.
AblizDDuanYSteuernagelL, et al.Curing methods for advanced polymer composites - a review. Polym Polym Composites2013; 21: 341–348.
6.
XiePPZhuSShaoYY, et al.Simulation and experimental analysis of autoclave co-curing CFRP hat-stiffened panels with silicone airbag mandrels. Iranian Polym J2019; 28: 505–514.
7.
YoungWB. Three-dimensional modeling of the advanced grid stiffened structures in the co-curing process. Composites Part A: Appl Sci Manufacturing2013; 46: 19–25.
8.
BohneTFrerichTJendrnyJ, et al.Simulation and validation of air flow and heat transfer in an autoclave process for definition of thermal boundary conditions during curing of composite parts. J Compos Mater2018; 52: 1677–1687.
9.
StruzzieroGSkordosAA. Multi-objective optimisation of the cure of thick components. Composites Part A: Appl Sci Manufacturing2017; 93: 126–136.
10.
StarkWJaunichMMcHughJ. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) of epoxy carbon-fibre prepregs partially cured in a discontinued autoclave analogue process. Polym Test2015; 41: 140–148.
11.
MirzaeiSKrishnanKAl KobtawyC, et al.Heat transfer simulation and improvement of autoclave loading in composites manufacturing. Int J Adv Manufacturing Technol2021; 112: 2989–3000.
12.
CzapskiPJakubczakPBieniaśJ, et al.Influence of autoclaving process on the stability of thin-walled, composite columns with a square cross-section – Experimental and numerical studies. Compos Structures2020; 250: 112594.
13.
BoeyFYCLyeSW. Effects of vacuum and pressure in an autoclave curing process for a thermosetting fibre-reinforced composite. J Mater Process Technol1990; 23: 121–131.
14.
BlestDCDuffyBRMcKeeS, et al.Curing simulation of thermoset composites. Composites Part A: Appl Sci Manufacturing1999; 30: 1289–1309.
15.
KoushyarHAlavi-SoltaniSMinaieB, et al.Effects of variation in autoclave pressure, temperature, and vacuum-application time on porosity and mechanical properties of a carbon fiber/epoxy composite. J Compos Mater2012; 46: 1985–2004.
16.
GopalAKAdaliSVerijenkoVE. Optimal temperature profiles for minimum residual stress in the cure process of polymer composites. Compos Structures2000; 48: 99–106.
17.
KlugeNLundströmTLjungA-L, et al.An experimental study of temperature distribution in an autoclave. J Reinforced Plastics Composites2016; 35: 566–578.
18.
KimG-HChoiJ-HKweonJ-H. Manufacture and performance evaluation of the composite hat-stiffened panel. Compos Structures2010; 92: 2276–2284.
19.
LiMWangXMXieFY, et al.Influence of fillers in stiffener core and structural parameters on compaction of t-stiffened skins in autoclave process. Polym Polym Composites2009; 17: 273–280.
20.
OrificiACThomsonRSDegenhardtR, et al.Degradation investigation in a postbuckling composite stiffened fuselage panel. Compos Structures2008; 82: 217–224.
21.
WangXMXieFYLiM, et al.Influence of tool assembly schemes and integral molding technologies on compaction of t-stiffened skins in autoclave process. J Reinforced Plastics Composites2010; 29: 1311–1322.
22.
LiSJZhanLHChangTF. Numerical simulation and experimental studies of mandrel effect on flow-compaction behavior of CFRP hat-shaped structure during curing process. Arch Civil Mech Eng2018; 18: 1386–1400.
23.
HuJZhanLHYangXB, et al.Temperature optimization of mold for autoclave process of large composite manufacturing. J Phys Conf Ser2020; 1549: 032086.
24.
LiHLinYWangLY, et al.A manta-ray-inspired bionic curing mold for autoclave process of composite manufacturing. J Reinforced Plastics Composites2022; 2022: 073168442210934.
25.
ZhuQGeubellePHLiM, et al.Dimensional accuracy of thermoset composites: simulation of process-induced residual stresses. J Compos Mater2001; 35: 2171–2205.
RamisXCadenatoAMoranchoJM, et al.Curing of a thermosetting powder coating by means of DMTA, TMA and DSC. Polymer2003; 44: 2067–2079.
28.
AtarsiaABoukhiliR. Relationship between isothermal and dynamic cure of thermosets via the isoconversion representation. Polym Eng Sci2000; 40: 607–620.
29.
KarkanasPIPartridgeIK. Cure modeling and monitoring of epoxy/amine resin systems. J Appl Polym Sci2000; 77: 1419–1431.
30.
WangLY. Study on the Design and Optimization of Molds Based on the Analysis of Autoclave Process of Composite Materials. Zhejiang University, 2020.
31.
LiuCBaiRXLeiZK, et al.Study on mode-I fracture toughness of composite laminates with curved plies applied by automated fiber placement. Mater Des2020; 195: 108963.
EkrenOEkrenBY. Size optimization of a PV/wind hybrid energy conversion system with battery storage using response surface methodology. Appl Energ2010; 87: 592–598.
34.
WangGGWinnipegMB. Adaptive response surface method using inherited Latin hypercube design points. J Mech Des2003; 125: 210–220.
35.
ZhangJJShaoRHMengXY. Optimization research of mix proportion of frost resistance construction of concrete based on the MATLAB language. Appl Mech Mater2014; 584–586: 1917–1921.
36.
TarafdarAShahiNC. Application and comparison of genetic and mathematical optimizers for freeze-drying of mushrooms. J Food Sci Technol2018; 55: 2945–2954.
37.
HuangKZhuXHChenX, et al.Multi-objective optimization for the efficiency and weight of helicopter transmission planetary gear train. Appl Mech Mater2014; 635–637: 177–180.
