Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites

In this study, we develop a methodology based on finite element analysis to predict the weight gain of carbon braided composite materials exposed to moisture. The analysis was based on the analogy between thermal conduction and diffusion processes, which allowed for a commercial code for finite elem...

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Main Authors: S. Laurenzi, T. Albrizio, M. Marchetti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2008-01-01
Series:International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/294681
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author S. Laurenzi
T. Albrizio
M. Marchetti
author_facet S. Laurenzi
T. Albrizio
M. Marchetti
author_sort S. Laurenzi
collection DOAJ
description In this study, we develop a methodology based on finite element analysis to predict the weight gain of carbon braided composite materials exposed to moisture. The analysis was based on the analogy between thermal conduction and diffusion processes, which allowed for a commercial code for finite element analysis to be used. A detailed finite element model using a repetitive unit cell (RUC) was developed both for bundle and carbon braided composites. Conditioning tests were performed to estimate the diffusivity of both the resin and composite. When comparing numerical and experimental results, it was observed that the procedure introduces an average error of 20% and a maximum error of 31% if the RUC is assumed to be isotropic. On the other hand, the average error does not exceed 10% and the maximum error is less than 20% when the material is considered as orthotropic. The procedure is independent of the particular fiber architecture and can be extended to other composites.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-e38e721732294ebf85b1c12f91082ebd2025-08-20T03:26:34ZengWileyInternational Journal of Aerospace Engineering1687-59661687-59742008-01-01200810.1155/2008/294681294681Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided CompositesS. Laurenzi0T. Albrizio1M. Marchetti2Department of Aerospace and Astronautic Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, ItalyDepartment of Aerospace and Astronautic Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, ItalyDepartment of Aerospace and Astronautic Engineering, School of Aerospace Engineering, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via Eudossiana 18, Roma 00184, ItalyIn this study, we develop a methodology based on finite element analysis to predict the weight gain of carbon braided composite materials exposed to moisture. The analysis was based on the analogy between thermal conduction and diffusion processes, which allowed for a commercial code for finite element analysis to be used. A detailed finite element model using a repetitive unit cell (RUC) was developed both for bundle and carbon braided composites. Conditioning tests were performed to estimate the diffusivity of both the resin and composite. When comparing numerical and experimental results, it was observed that the procedure introduces an average error of 20% and a maximum error of 31% if the RUC is assumed to be isotropic. On the other hand, the average error does not exceed 10% and the maximum error is less than 20% when the material is considered as orthotropic. The procedure is independent of the particular fiber architecture and can be extended to other composites.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/294681
spellingShingle S. Laurenzi
T. Albrizio
M. Marchetti
Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites
International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
title Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites
title_full Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites
title_fullStr Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites
title_full_unstemmed Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites
title_short Modeling of Moisture Diffusion in Carbon Braided Composites
title_sort modeling of moisture diffusion in carbon braided composites
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/294681
work_keys_str_mv AT slaurenzi modelingofmoisturediffusionincarbonbraidedcomposites
AT talbrizio modelingofmoisturediffusionincarbonbraidedcomposites
AT mmarchetti modelingofmoisturediffusionincarbonbraidedcomposites