Numerical simulation of the thermoelectric behavior of CNTs/CFRP aircraft composite laminates

The present paper focuses on the development of a model for simulating the thermoelectric behavior of CNTs/CFRP Organic Matrix Composite (OMC) laminates for aeronautical applications. The model is developed within the framework of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes and implemented into commercial ABAQUS Finite Element software and validated by comparison with experimental thermoelectric tests on two types of composites materials, namely Type A with Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) and Type B without CNT. A simplified model, neglecting heat conduction, is also developed for simplifying the identification process. The model is then applied for FEM numerical simulation of the thermoelectric response of aircraft panel structures subjected to electrical loads, in order to discuss the potential danger coming from electrical solicitations. The structural simulations are performed on quasi-isotropic stacking sequences (QI) [45/-45/90/0]s using composite materials of type A and type B and compared with those obtained on plates made of metallic material (aluminum). For both tested cases-transit of electric current of intermediate intensity (9A) and electrical loading on panels made of composite material-higher heating intensity is observed in composites materials with respect to the corresponding metallic ones.