Efficient Spatial and Temporal Modelling of Material Temperatures within Self-reinforced Polypropylene Sheets during IR Radiation

Abstract Polymer composites of self-reinforced fibres and a matrix composed of the same plastic material display an outstanding mechanical performance and an excellent recyclability. Hence, these materials are suitable for many practical applications. One disadvantage, however, is the narrow processing window that is caused by a strong pressure and temperature sensitivity of the self-reinforced fibres. In this paper, an approach to efficiently model the spatial and temporal temperature evolution is presented. Advanced empirical modelling techniques from the design and analysis of computer experiments are fitted to experimental data. It is shown that only a small set of experiments has to be performed in order to predict the temperatures with the desired accuracy. The required enhancements with respect to the design of experiments and the empirical models are presented.