Automotive Component Finite Element Analysis Applying Material Characteristics of 40% Glass-Reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide

Finite Element Analysis has become increasingly important to the automotive industry due to the emphasis towards reduced product design and development time. Meanwhile, plastics are becoming more widely used because they are satisfying other automotive objectives, such as cost and weight reduction, and thus are replacing metals in many applications. It follows that finite element analysis and plastics can be combined to reduce the time, weight and cost associated with developing and producing parts.

This paper discusses modelling of a 40% glass fiber reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS) compound by the Finite Element Method. Good reliability of this method requires a detailed understanding of the behavior and properties of the material. For example, fiber reinforced plastics exhibit anisotropic behavior, and thus require special consideration. Stress-strain characteristics in tension and compression are used to illustrate the effects of polymer chain and glass fiber orientation and environmental factors. Non-linear stress-strain behavior is also considered. Selection of material properties for use in a linear isotropic static finite element analysis is discussed. The reliability of the results and potential for error is evaluated. A typical part design is presented as an example.