Bachelor thesis or Master thesis
Short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics are suitable for use in semi-structural applications due to their good mechanical properties combined with economical processing in injection moulding. The static and dynamic loads occurring here can lead to a variety of different stresses, which differ qualitatively in terms of the type of stresses and the stress velocity. The complex flow behavior of the melt during injection moulding also leads to the formation of layers with different fiber orientations, which causes anisotropy in the material. The combination of load qualities and fiber orientations manifests itself in various damage mechanisms at the micro level, which significantly influence the macroscopic strength of the material.
© IKVThe work is related to this research project:
While the stiffness of short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics can be reliably derived from the microstructure using established analytical or empirical methods, a closed analytical theory for describing the strength is still lacking. This is strongly dependent on the fiber orientation distribution in the component, which induces complex, multi-axial stress states. The interaction of differently oriented fiber layers in particular makes a direct transfer of known approaches difficult. Based on the current state of research, new testing and modeling methods are therefore being developed in order to better predict and evaluate the strength of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics in the future. As part of the working group, you will contribute to the systematic preparation of these methods and open up new research perspectives.
Objective:
The aim of your thesis is to review current research on the strength of short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastics through systematic research. In particular, the influences of different types of loading and the resulting stress states are to be analyzed on the basis of published studies. In addition, the influence of the fiber orientation in relation to the direction of action, as well as the dependence on the loading rate and duration, is considered. Existing modeling approaches for describing strength as a function of load are also recorded and classified. Moulds of your work are methods of source and literature management which enable you to create a structured overview. Finally, the knowledge gained will be used to derive open questions for future work.
Your task:
| For your Bachelor's thesis you will work on the following tasks | For your Master's thesis you will work on the following tasks |
| Familiarization with methodologies for the processing of literature and source and knowledge management | Familiarization with methodologies for the processing of literature and source and knowledge management |
| Conducting a systematic literature review on the strength of SFT | Conducting a systematic literature review on the strength of SFT |
| Evaluation of different experimental methods for determining strength | Evaluation of different experimental methods for determining strength |
| Analysis of the relationships between microstructure and macroscopic behavior | Analysis of the relationships between microstructure and macroscopic behavior |
| Critical summary and classification of the results found | Critical summary and classification of the results found |
| Derivation of open questions and hypotheses for future research work |
Your profile
- Ideally initial experience with the processing of plastics
- Degree in natural sciences or engineering
- Independent and quality-conscious way of working
- Interest in experimental work and scientific data analysis
- Preferred study programs:
- Mechanical engineering / industrial engineering, specialising in mechanical engineering
- Automation technology
- General mechanical engineering
- Computational Engineering Sciences (CES)
- Simulation Sciences
- Materials science
- Industrial engineering specializing in materials and process engineering
- Environmental engineering
- Applied chemistry
- Applied Polymer Science