U.S.-Germany Cooperative Research: Study of Thermomechanical Property Development during Cure of Thermosetting Resins Used in Composite Parts

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

Investigators

Abstract

9907988 Osswald This award supports Tim Osswald and students from the University of Wisconsin--Madison in a collaboration with Gottfried Ehrenstein of the Department of Materials Research at the University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, Germany. The project will focus on the mechanical and rheological properties of thermosetting polymers during cure. Current models use assumptions that work well only for predicting the thermomechanical behavior of thin parts, but do not work well for thick parts, such as those containing ribs or reinforcing structures. The collaboration funded here will model, analyze, and simulate the thermomechanical behavior of thermoset composite parts. Besides advancing the scientific knowledge in this important area, the results of the collaboration could have implications for industry by developing new materials to save cost, reduce weight, and conserve natural resources.