Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer CFRP materials have the potential to meet high structure-mechanical and complex functional requirements, improving efficiency of lightweight structures. However:

• Thick-walled composite components are required but exhibit manufacturing defects
• Complex components limit the possibilities for a cost-efficient manufacturing
• Recycled high performance CFRP is a need for environment and society
• Loading conditions (thermomechanics, acoustics) are complex.

This project develops an integrated computational approach to optimize the process and design of thick-walled composite components, by:

• Combining high pressure SMC process and autoclave curing for cost efficiency
• Developing a process simulation tool dedicated to thick-walled components
• Developing data-driven stochastic multi-scale simulation tools for complex components

• Implementing a comprehensive life cycle analysis to drive the selections

Considering a composite brake calliper as demonstrator.

• GD Tech
• MSC Software Belgium S.A.
• Université Liège
• IPoint Austri
• Graz University Technology
• JKU linz IPPE
• Hinsteiner Group
• Fagor Arrasate S. Coop.
• Ruimoldes 2012 S.L.

• Developments relate.d to the material, as well as to improve the design methodologies related to compression moulding of SMC
• SMC material characterization and modelling.