Geometrical deformations of the framed-mould in autoclave processing for composite structures

For understanding the influence of deformations of the mould on process-induced deformations of the composite component, the geometrical deformation of framed-mould in autoclave processing was studied. A finite element model was developed to simulate deformations of the mould. And then an experiment was presented to demonstrate the use of the present finite element procedure. Deformations of a plate framed-mould in autoclave processing were studied. The results of numerical simulation show that deformations of the framed-mould depended on not the magnitude of framed-mould temperature but the temperature distribution of the framed-mould. And the maximum framed-mould surface warpage was generated in the middle of the cooling period. It remained about 20 min. At that moment, the temperature in the center of framed-mould surface was the highest, and in the circumambiency the temperature was the lowest.