Abstract:
The uniformity of the temperature field distribution in the autoclave during the curing process has an important impact on the structural performance and strength of composite materials. This paper took the frame molds that were widely used in the aerospace manufacturing industry to produce complex large structural parts as the research object. In COMSOL, the unsteady three-dimensional temperature field of the autoclave frame molds during the curing process was established. On the mold conditions of different ribs thickness, ventilation hole size, and existence of heat dissipation holes, the influence of the temperature field uniformity on the mold surface was studied. By comparing the temperature standard deviation curves of molds with support rib thicknesses of 10 mm, 8 mm, 6 mm, and 4 mm, it is found that reducing the thickness of the support ribs can increase the uniformity of the temperature field on the profile, but the overall stability of the mold becomes thinner with the thickness of the ribs decreases rapidly. If it decreases rapidly, pressure instability is more likely to occur. Comparing the mold temperature standard deviation curves with longitudinal ventilation hole sizes of 130 mm×220 mm, 150 mm×220 mm, 170 mm×220 mm and 190 mm×220 mm, it is found that: appropriately widening the ribbed ventilation hole size can increase temperature field uniformity on the profile, but the curves with widths of 170 mm and 190mm basically overlap, so the impact is no longer obvious; similarly, the existence of heat dissipation holes can indeed increase the uniformity of the temperature field on the profile.