PhD title for Rens Pierik

We welcome another brand new Doctor of Philosophy in our midst!

On Friday November 1st, Rens Pierik successfully defended his PhD research titled 'Transient ply-ply friction of unidirectional thermoplastic composites in melt ’, achieving the distinction of cum laude. His thesis addresses the understanding and modeling of the transient ply-ply friction response of unidirectional (UD) thermoplastic composites.

During hot press forming of thermoplastic composites, excessive friction between the sliding of adjacent plies can lead to defects. With process simulation software, these defects can be mitigated or even avoided beforehand, but this requires an accurate description of, amongst others, the ply-ply friction. Rens’s thesis presents a better understanding of the transient ply-ply friction response of UD thermoplastic composites, resulting in a more advanced friction model that accurately describes the transient response.

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 defect-free manufacturing of UD ply-based thermoplastic composite parts. A special word of thanks goes to NWO (Dutch Research Council) for financing and supporting this project. Wouter Grouve and Remko Akkerman from the Production Technology research group at University of Twente supervised the project and the research was performed in close cooperation with TPRC.

The TPRC is delighted that Rens will remain on board with the TPRC in his new role as Senior Research Associate. His research experience in hot press forming of thermoplastic composites broadly enriches TPRC's knowledge. Check out this TPRC story about Rens, which was written in the beginning phase of Rens's PhD journey.

Feel free to contact us for more information on this or other subjects in thermoplastic composite technology.