Local thermal non-equilibrium effects on phase transition of fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites with temperature-dependent heat generation

Under the excitation of external fields, fiber reinforced thermoplastic (FRTP) composites can be thermally processed due to the internal heat generation, in which the local thermal non-equilibrium (LTNE) can be significant during the phase transition. In this study, a representative elementary volume scale Lattice Boltzmann model was developed to simulate the phase transition process of FRTP composites with the temperature-dependent internal heat source. The results from LTNE model and local thermal equilibrium (LTE) model were compared in terms of the phase interface evolution and the local temperature difference between fibers and matrix, so that the LTNE effects on phase transition behaviors were examined with different material properties and internal heat sources. It is found that the LTNE effects cannot be ignored in FRTP composites, and the main mechanisms include the dynamic local heat generation, endothermic phase transition of matrix, and relatively high thermal conductivity of fiber. A small heat exchange between the fibers and matrix results in a large local temperature difference and a slow phase transition. A high internal heat generation enhances the phase transition and LTNE effects, but an increase in the temperature range for heat generation leads to a slow phase transition with slight change in LTNE effects. With the increase of matrix fraction, LTNE effects first increase and then decrease due to the combined results of the more internal heat generation and the increase of endothermic mass of matrix and the less heat loss through fibers. This study is significant for guiding the reliable thermal processing of FRTP composites in emerging industrial applications.