D1: Characterization and modelling of the thermomechanical material behavior of 3D textilereinforced aluminium matrix composites (3D DF/Al-MMC)

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Werner Hufenbach
• Subject Area: Materials in Sintering Processes and Generative Manufacturing Processes ; Engineering Design, Machine Elements, Product Development
• Term: from 2008 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 57157254

In order to exploit the lightweight potential of 3D textile-reinforced carbon-fibre aluminium composites (3D CF/Al-MMC) for thermomechanical loadings, both robust manufacturing technologies and reliable methods for structural and failure analyses are requested. Goal of the project is the development of a modified gas pressure infiltration (mGPI) technology suitable for prototype and small-batch production as a complement to die-casting technology for large-batch production. For a novel mGPI unit, a refined process control, enabling reduced temperature exposures, adapted fibre preform preheating and higher cooling rates, is developed to ensure a reproducible high-quality manufacture of CF/Al-MMC on the basis of specially coated textile preforms (non-crimp knitted fabrics) and modified Alalloys. For a future structural analysis and proof of strength of CF/Al-MMC lightweight components, the development and experimental validation of material and structural models as well as failure criteria on a mesoscopic and macroscopic scale, taking into account the heterogeneous and anisotropic material characteristic, are aimed at. Material properties and model parameters required for the material and failure models are determined in single and multi-axial stress experiments using in-situ tomography on planar and tubular specimens at different temperatures.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Participating Person: Professor Dr.-Ing. Maik Gude