Test Data Input to FE Material Model for SMC
Date
Authors
Type
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Programme
Model builders
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This thesis aims at correlating Carbon Fiber Sheet Moulding Compound (CF-SMC) composite
material tests to a Finite Element (FE) material model. Six different geometrical
objects, in total 28 samples, were cut out from two chassis components and they were all
three dimensional (3D) scanned to obtain a representative computer aided design (CAD)
model. Moreover, they were thermography scanned to detect possible defects or cracks
within the material. Destructive testing was done on the samples and a Digital Image
Correlation (DIC) setup was used to record the surface strain of the components. With
the 3D scanned CAD model of the objects FE models were set up to represent the test.
The models was made in detail to capture the test in whole. Multiple problems were
found in the test setups which had to be adjusted in order to obtain data possible to
compare. Large differences were experienced between the physical tests and FE models
which indicated something was not captured correctly in the model or test. Validation
tests were done on the machine, clamping systems and load application. Further, a test
was done on a stainless steel bracket due to SMC’s complexity in material properties
makes it difficult to model. Not all tests were performed in the timeframe of the thesis
and 13 tests, four objects, were tested. A full correlation were not achieved due to the
problems in the test setups. A conclusion is that something in the FE model or tests, is
not behaving as expected and more eliminations is needed to eliminate errors to reach a
good correlation.
Description
Keywords
Short fiber composite, SMC, material testing, destructive testing, non-destructive testing, FE material model, correlation