Flow and heat transfer analysis during tape layup process of APC-2 prepregs

An investigation of tape layup process of a thermoplastic composite (APC-2) using a nitrogen torch is conducted. The distribution of heat transfer coefficient along the surfaces of the composite is estimated via a three-dimensional flow analysis, and the surface temperature of the composite is obtained through a two-dimensional heat conduction analysis using the finite element method (FEM). The heat transfer coefficient and the surface temperature are so interrelated that it poses a conjugate heat transfer problem. Thus, the heat transfer coefficient and the surface temperature of the composite are sought simultaneously in an iterative fashion. The computational results are presented for a specific case.