Modeling approaches for the decomposition behavior of preconsolidated rovings throughout local deformation processes

Abstract. This paper investigates two modeling approaches for the simulation of the deformation and decomposition behavior of preconsolidated rovings above the thermoplastic matrix’ melting temperature. This is crucial for capturing the local material structure after processes introducing highly localized deformation such as mechanical joining processes between metal and fiber reinforced thermoplastics (FRTP). A generic finite element (FE) model is developed, incorporating interfaces discretized through either cohesive zone (CZ) elements or Coulomb friction-based contacts. The material parameters for the FE elements are derived from the initial stiffness of a statistical volume element (SVE) at micro scale modelled with an Arbitrary-Lagrange-Eulerian method for three load cases. The CZ properties calculated are based on the shear viscosity of the composite. The CZ and contact modelling approaches are evaluated using three load cases of the SVE, comparing force-displacement curves. Under simple loading conditions, such as normal pressure tension and bending, both methods produce similar results; however, in complex load cases, the CZ approach shows clear advantages in handling interface interactions and shows robust simulations. The CZ approach thus presents a promising method for simulating roving decomposition in FRTP-metal joining applications above the matrix’ melting temperature.