Warp Analysis due to cure shrinkage of thermosetting resin

PlanetsX provides Curing Reaction Analysis as an optional feature. This feature analyzes the curing reaction of a thermosetting resin in all phases of the injection molding process including; filling, holding-pressure and cooling. Generation of heat and increase in viscosity and curing shrinkage due to curing reaction are analyzed to produce an accurate prediction of thermal flow. The following section introduces Warp Analysis due to cure shrinkage (output of Polymer Flow-Injection Analysis) of thermosetting resin.

Analysis model and mesh model

Analysis model(3D geometry model) and mesh model are shown below. Pre-processing on PlanetsX can be used essentially as functions of Workbench. It allows creation of a mesh model using a variety of methods.

Fig.1: Imported parasolid file

Fig.2: Mesh model

yAnalysis result 1z Hardening shrinkage and curing reaction rate

Shrinkage of thermosetting resin (Epoxy) from gel point to mold release is shown below as Fig. 3. Shrinkage result can be obtained from "gel point - room temperature", "pressure=0 - release mold" and "pressure=0 - room temperature". It is possible to obtain the output of the curing reaction rate as it changes over time (Fig. 4).

Fig.3: Hardening shrinkage of Epoxy

Fig.4: Curing reaction rate of Epoxy

yAnalysis result 2z Warpage result of thermosetting resin

On PlanetsX, factors of warpage, such as initial strain, are obtained from the shrinkage rate and the temperature load. The shrinkage rate and the temperature load are obtained from the difference between temperature at mold release and room temperature. The starting point of warpage of initial strain can be chosen as "gel point" or as "pressure=0" when using thermosetting resin. Fig.5 indicates warpage results based on shrinkage from gel point to mold release as initial strain, followed by results based on temperature load after mold release.

Fig.5: Warpage result of Epoxy