PhD title for Dennis Brands

Dennis Brands successfully defended his PhD research "Forming Simulations for Unidirectional Thermoplastic Composites - Improving In-Plane Shear Characterization and Modeling” on January 31st. The PhD research was performed at TPRC in close cooperation with the Production Technology research group of Prof. Dr. ir. Remko Akkerman and Dr. ir. Wouter Grouve at the University of Twente.

The doctoral research aims to enhance the prediction of deformations and wrinkling defects in fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composites by improving the material description during press forming. While this material is highly effective for lightweight construction and cost-efficient manufacturing, defect-free production becomes challenging for complex structures.

Press forming experiments were performed with two different unidirectional TPC materials, in which local deformations and wrinkles were observed in detail. This allowed an in-depth validation of the simulation models. Discrepancies were identified and related to the material models for in-plane shear, bending, and ply-ply friction. Finally, a strategy for the successive enhancement of material characterization and modeling was proposed. Hence, the outcomes of this doctoral research provide a strong foundation for more accurate forming simulations of unidirectional TPCs.

This PhD research was performed as part of the PERFECT project, which aims to improve simulation software for hot press forming to contribute to first-time-right and defect-free manufacturing of UD ply-based TPC parts. A special word of thanks goes to NWO (Dutch Research Council) for financing and supporting this project.

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