A FEM coupling model for properties prediction during the curing of an epoxy matrix

The curing of epoxies is a complex phenomenon where the thermal, the chemistry and the mechanics are coupled. Corresponding material properties such as mechanical and physics properties are evolving with the curing. This paper focuses on their determination by a finite element modelling approach of the thermal, chemical and mechanical couplings involved by the curing. The second part presents the constitutive model of an epoxy that was considered for the curing. The numerical solving, performed with a specific user subroutine of Abaqus® [Abaqus®/Standard User’s Manual Version 6.5, 2004, [1]], is detailed and allows the study of real three-dimensional structural parts. A comparison between the model and experimental data is presented with the local temperature prediction that fits well with the experiments. An application is then proposed in the fourth part for properties prediction such as degree of cure, thermal and chemical strains, and shear modulus during the curing. An extension to the prediction of internal stress development is then presented in the framework of elasticity.