Residual Stress and Warpage

A flat laminate cured on a flat tool: ply stresses and the shape after release

1Layup

Layup
Equations and sourcesModels and sources
A thin carbon-fiber panel curled up off a flat aluminum tool plate
Manufacturing

Why a flat part comes off the tool curved

The plies shrink differently along and across the fibers. A layup that is not symmetric stores a bending moment while it cures, and curls when it is released.

Select Run simulation.

After release

In service

PliesTransverse stress σ₂topMPa