Thermal and thermal stress analyses of the state-change tooling

Using reformable state-change materials to produce tooling for high temperature composite fabrications is under investigation. The system captures the tooling configuration when the material is in a formable (liquid-like) state. After the material changed to a solid state and thermally cured, a semi-permanent tooling can be produced for high-temperature composite fabrication. The tooling has temperature and force resistances. Also it can be subject to a reversed curing process, or being washed out after applications. The objective of this thesis is to study the thermal-mechanical behaviors of the state-change tooling in high temperature applications. The transient temperature fields of the tooling during heating-up and cooling-down curing processes have been simulated by finite element and studied by experiments. Comparisons have been conducted between the mandrels made of the state-change material and Invar. Thermal stresses due to the temperature change are evaluated ensuring the integrity of the tooling. Typical curing profiles, up to maximum temperature of 750°F, are used in this study. The output of this work helps the researchers to understand the unique behaviors of the tooling made of state-change materials comparing to that made of convectional materials. It also provides a guidance to customize the state-change tooling to achieve ultimate performance in specific applications.;KEY WORDS: Tooling Technology, Affordability Technology, High Temperature Composite Materials...