Geometrical deviation analysis of CFRP thin laminate assemblies: Numerical and experimental results

During the cure process, the anisotropic characteristics of composite material, combined with high temperature and high pressure to which the material is subjected, cause the development of residual stresses. Consequently, laminate deformations arise and dimensional and geometrical requirements are not reached. Laminate deformations transfer into product distortions through assembly process. Distortions result in uncertainty in the performance of manufactured goods and they require effective management to ensure correct performance. The present work shows a numerical approach suitable to determine the geometrical deviations of an assembly constituted by thin laminates in composite material. The proposed model considers the geometrical deviations of the assembly parts, due to the manufacturing process, the assembly sequence and the presence of adhesive to put together the parts. The proposed model was experimentally verified by considering a T-shaped assembly constituted by flat and L-shaped components. The obtained results show a good agreement with the experimental ones.