Tomasz Osiecki

Experimental Test and FEA of a Sheet Metal Forming Process of Composite Material and Steel Foil in Sandwich Design Using LS-DYNA

A structural concept in multi-material design is used in the automotive industry with the aim of achieving significant weight reductions of conventional car bodies. In this respect, the specific use of steel foils and continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics represents an interesting material combination for the production of hybrid parts in sandwich design. This contribution deals with the experimental and numerical analysis of a conventional sheet metal forming process using a composite material based on Polyamide 6 (PA6) with unidirectional endless glass fiber reinforcement and HC220Y+ZE steel foil. A unidirectional composite plate is positioned between two steel foils in sandwich design and formed under appropriate temperature conditions. For the numerical analysis of the forming process the software LS-DYNA is used.

Validation of the FEA of a Sheet Metal Forming Process of Composite Material and Steel Foil in Sandwich Design

A multi-material concept in sandwich design using two steel foils and continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastics represents a promising structural approach to the production of hybrid parts. This contribution deals with the experimental and numerical analysis of a conventional sheet metal forming process using a composite material based on Polyamide 6 (PA6) with unidirectional endless glass fiber reinforcement and HC220Y+ZE steel foil. A unidirectional composite plate is positioned between two steel foils in sandwich design and formed into the hybrid part under appropriate temperature conditions. Afterwards, the forming process is analysed numerically with the software LS-DYNA and for verification of the FEA the geometry of the hybrid part is measured optically with ATOS system of the company GOM.

Combined Injection Molding Technology for Dynamically Stressed Multi-Material Coupling Elements

The manufacturing of high load components in automotive and mechanical engineering demands for an increased usage of combined plastics processing procedures. In practice, full plastic hybrid components are produced in a series of individual processes such as thermoforming or injection molding. The constructive implementation has often only material-substituting character wherein the high potential for lightweight anisotropic fiber composites is exploited only to a limited extent. Based on the application of a coupling brace in a vehicle, a new component design for function-integrated interface elements is enabled by an integrated injection molding technology. The targeted transfer of high local stresses by load-bearing insert elements regarding contoured metal sheets or Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites (TP-FRC) semi-finished products with endless fiber reinforcement enables efficient dimensioning of components. This fusion of technologies to a Multi Material Design (MMD) form the basis for novel weight-optimized, as well as cost-effective applications and lead to a high bending stiffness and high strength of structures. The composite strength of MMD components is increased by a variation and optimization of the thermoplastic/TP-FRC respectively thermoplastic/metal-interfaces. This objective will be achieved by highly efficient and integrated process flows and by the new entire construction of the component.

Composite Sandwich with Aluminum Foam Core and Adhesive Bonded Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Cover Layer

The combination of metals and fiber reinforced plastics is also known as hybrid metal composites. They offer the fusion of the good static mechanical properties of the fiber reinforced plastics and the good dynamic mechanical properties of the metal. For that reason, parts made of hybrid metal composites are predestined for the use as load relevant parts. The purpose of this study was to develop new technologies for semi finished hybrid metal composite materials. Thermoplastic Fiber-Reinforced Composites (TP-FRC) were arranged with new, isotropic, closed pore Aluminum Foam (AF) structures to an Extrinsically Combined Composite Sandwich (ECCS) by adhesive bonding. They form the basis for novel weight-optimized as well as cost-effective applications. The entire manufacturing process for the continuous semi-finished product was examined and verified according DIN EN 2563. This was done with regard to subsequent characterization by the specific bending modulus and specific bending stiffness. The examinations show a high bending stiffness and high strength structures combined with excellent damping properties at high damage tolerances. These are the most requested in automotive applications.