Electrothermics

5.9. Influence of the folds’ orientation

The electromagnetic model allows us to study the influence of a stratified’s weave plan on the induced power.

Simulations show that for an inductive current of 216 A, the power induced in the 13-fold composite is 352 W, whereas that induced in the UD composite is only 52 W, which is only 15% of the power induced in the 13-fold composite. Furthermore, the power induced in the UD material becomes weaker when the fibers are not oriented along the inductor, but in the transversal direction. In this case, the induced power is only 3 W. These trials show that for the same source field, the currents circulating in an orthogonal composite are much greater than in the UD composite, which means an interaction phenomenon between differently oriented folds exist.

To study these interactions between folds in greater detail, we must study the power induced in each fold of the material, rather than the total power induced in the material. Generally speaking, the power distribution in the different folds is strongly conditioned by a large number of parameters such as the weave plan, the inductor’s shape, the frequency, and the plate’s dimensions. Modifying one of these parameters is enough to completely change the power profile.

For example, Figure 5.77 shows the induced power distribution in the folds of the 13-fold composite. The inductor is placed facing the 13th fold.

Figure 5.77. Evolution of the power per unit volume induced in the thickness of a ...