Mathematical modeling of the pultrusion of epoxy based composites

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Abstract
The thermokinetic and rheological behavior of epoxy based composites during the pultrusion of carbon fiber composites is analyzed using a mathematical model accounting for the heat transfer and the heat generation characteristics of polymerizable systems. An energy balance and a kinetic expression for the chemical reaction are simultaneously solved to calculate the temperature and degree of reaction profiles. Afterwards the viscosity as a function of the degree of reaction is computed applying a theoretical model. The dimensionless mathematical model is applied to the description and optimization of the process variables. General optimization criteria are identified and applied to compute, through a tailored numerical simulation, the optimum set of processing conditions for different case studies corresponding to different die temperatures, pulling speeds, and composite thicknesses.