Chemical-thermal and mechanical coupling model for the cure of a thermosetting matrix: Application to FEM simulation

The general aim of this work is to provide a numerical tool devoted to the description of thermosetting matrix properties evolutions all over the cure. The study is related to quality of cure and residual stress state topics, especially for thick matrix. A formulation as simple as possible of some important basic couplings that occur during the cure of a class of structural thermosetting matrix is proposed. A methodology of linking thermal, diffusion and mechanical phenomena together is presented. First FEM results of cure simulation are presented and compared with experimental data of the cure.