Modeling heat transfer and transcrystallization kinetics during processing of polymer-based composites materials

Transcrystallization phenomena is a key issue to master for better understanding the role on the fiber-matrix interface in composites materials behavior during and after processing. In this paper, a non-isothermal kinetics model is presented to consider crystallization in fiber-based composite with thermoplastic matrix. The model extends Schneider's formulation to describe the development of transcrystalline layers around fibers. It also mentions the possibility to easily account for shear and flow conditions in addition to the transcrystallinity. Another approach, based on the volume fractions, giving the same results, is also introduced for comparison. Then, a parametric study is proposed in order to demonstrate the relevance of the developed model by comparing its results to well-known expecting behavior from the literature. Finally, an attempt is made to compare this model to the one proposed previously in the literature by Durin and al. after correcting some unclear points in the latter.