A lubrication approach to friction in thermoplastic composites forming processes

Friction is an important phenomenon that can dominate the resulting product geometry of thermoplastic composites upon forming. A model was developed that predicts the friction between a thermoplastic laminate and a rigid tool. The model is based on the Reynolds equation for thin film lubrication and assumes hydrodynamic lubrication on a meso-mechanical level. The frictional properties are calculated, solely based on the rheological properties of the matrix constituent and the fabric weave geometry. The results have been validated against pull-out experiments of a 2 × 2 twill polypropylene (Twintex) weave at melt temperatures.