Analysis of gaz pressure effect during the thermoplastic membrane forming using the dynamic finite element method
Fouad Erchiqui, Abdessalem Derdouri, Augustin Gakwaya
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Canada
Keywords: viscoelastic , thermoforming , modelling
In this work, we are interested in modelling and numerical simulation using the dynamic finite element method for the viscoelastic behaviour of a thin, isotropic and incompressible thermoplastic membrane. The viscoelastic behaviour of the Lodge model is considered. The inflation of the membrane is done under the action of a perfect gas. The load in pressure used in modeling is deduced from the law of perfect gases. The lagrangian formulation together with the assumption of the membrane theory is used. The numerical validation is performed by comparing the obtained results with the measured experimental data for the polymeric ABS membrane inflation. Moreover, the effect of the Lodge model behavior on the thickness and on the stress distribution in the membrane are analysed for two different loads. Finally, a simple example of thermoforming a part in HIPS is presented.