Numerical Analysis of Thermoplastically Welded CFRP Structures

Abstract

Carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic polymers (CFRTP) are of particular interest to the aerospace industry. The possibility of thermoplastic welding as a joining method makes CFRTP an enabler in the pre-installation of systemic functionalities and cabin elements. This can be achieved by dust-free joining. In this work, thermoplastically welded joining zones are numerically analysed and evaluated for their failure behaviour. Finite element models for the evaluation of the peel strength (L-pull) are defined. In particular, the respective beginning of the damage as well as the damage propagation within the thermoplastic joining zone are of interest in order to identify the critical regions and to derive possibilities for design improvements.