Improving the Mechanical Properties of the Air-Conditioning Pipe Using Composite Materials

Air-conditioning pipes made from composite materials have a unique set of mechanical properties that differ from traditional metal pipes. Composite materials are made by combining two or more different materials to create a new material that has improved properties. These materials are used in a variety of applications, including air conditioning systems. The mechanical properties of composite air-conditioning pipes depend on the type and amount of materials used in their construction. Composite materials offer several advantages over traditional metal pipes, including higher strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and greater flexibility. They are also easier to install and maintain than traditional metal pipes. The strength of composite air-conditioning pipes depends on the type of reinforcement used, such as carbon fibers or fiberglass, and the matrix material that binds the reinforcement together. The stiffness of the pipes is determined by the type of matrix material used, such as epoxy or polyester resin. In addition to their mechanical properties, composite air-conditioning pipes also offer thermal insulation properties that reduce heat loss and improve the efficiency of the air conditioning system. This reduces the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable temperature in the building, leading to lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint. Overall, composite air-conditioning pipes offer a range of mechanical and thermal properties that make them an attractive alternative to traditional metal pipes. They are ideal for use in applications where strength, flexibility, and corrosion resistance are critical, such as in buildings with high humidity or exposure to harsh environmental conditions. The mechanical properties of air-conditioning pipes made from composite materials make them ideal for a range of applications. The mechanical properties of composite air-conditioning pipes make them an attractive alternative to traditional metal pipes in a wide range of applications. Their unique combination of strength, flexibility, corrosion resistance, and thermal insulation properties make them ideal for use in harsh environmental conditions, such as in buildings, industrial applications, automotive, aerospace, and marine applications. The CFRP pipe with ideal complex layup has higher outrageous impediment in bowing than various plans with layups of (45 degree) 28 layer and (90 degree) 56 layers. Experiments show near effects of composite layup on the manageable direct of models. Tests combined with numerical simulations give more complete perception of the winding behavior of gigantic scaled composite lines [1]. Based on Winkler base, a mathematical model of the motion of pipelines transporting fluid flow is created that takes into account lumped masses, axial forces, internal pressure, and the viscous qualities of the material used to build the structures and pipeline bases. It was discovered that a drop-in critical flow rate is caused by an increase in the viscosity parameter, the parameters of lumped masses, and internal pressure [2]. By investigating pipeline vibration problems caused by pulsating gas and fluid flows through composite-material pipelines, and by considering the viscosity properties of the structure material, axial forces, internal pressure, and Winkler's viscoelastic base, a dynamic model of motion of pipelines conveying pulsating fluid flow supported by a Hetenyi's basis is developed. The critical flow rate will increase when the singularity parameter, Winkler base parameter, continuous base layer rigidity parameter, and Reynolds number increase [3]. Vacuum assisted resin infusion method (VARIM) is a method for fabricating large composite structures like the skins of airplane wings and fuselages. Simulation is used to investigate the VARIM filling process for composite fuselage skin and to determine the best position for resin inlet ports. The simulations revealed that it is advisable to decrease the filling time by selecting the best places in addition to increasing the resin inflow quantity [4]. The Extrusion Deposition Additive Manufacturing (EDAM) process for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites is modelled using the process simulation tool Additive3D, without the need for additional calibration, validation studies with defined material properties demonstrate excellent agreement between predicted and measured part deformation states with relative errors under 7% [5]. Along with having high specific mechanical properties, composite materials also offer characteristics that make it possible for them to be used in corrosive, high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT), and deep-water environments. Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors (PWAS), which can send or receive guided waves for active health monitoring in a pitch-catch configuration, were utilized to instrument a FRP pipe sample [6]. Experimental evaluations of numerous laminated composite samples with varying lay-ups were conducted. After then, the experimental results were compared to what the traditional laminate theory predicted. The consistency of the results supports the use of the integral approach to determine residual stresses in laminated composite materials [7]. The split-disk test method was used to experimentally determine the hoop tensile strength of a composite pipe. The split-disk test was then simulated using finite-element modeling, and the maximum load that the ring specimen representing the hoop tensile strength can support was predicted using progressive damage modeling. The resulting stress was compared to the outcomes of the numerical simulation, and it was discovered that the approach for determining stresses without using finite-element modeling was accurate [8]. The impact of several filament-winding factors, such as mandrel diameter and cooling conditions are examined using numerical and experimental methods. The simultaneous impacts of the chilling conditions and the addition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were also thoroughly examined. The experimental results demonstrate that increasing the diameter, using a delayed cooling setting, and employing MWCNTs as matrix reinforcement reduce residual stresses during the process [9]. Compression molded bits of chopped unidirectional prepreg tape are the basis for prepreg platelet molded composite (PPMC). The meso-structure that forms during processing gives a stochastic PPMC its unique characteristics. A nonlinear, explicit finite element (FE) solver was used to develop an anisotropic viscous constitutive model in order to predict the distributions of fiber orientation caused by flow. By using optical microscopy and CT-based orientation measurements, the expected orientation state was confirmed. It was discovered that the global orientation state had a significant impact on the composite's tensile performance [10]. The two-phase orthotropic integrated flow-stress (IFS) process model is expanded to a three-phase model, with the third phase considering the presence of gas in the composite material system. An L-shaped unidirectional composite laminate's debulking and curing processes are modeled numerically. The residual porosity distribution over the laminate's domain and process-induced deformations are used to evaluate the model's performance [11]. A computational simulation model of the active pulsed thermography technique was used to assess the detection limit of the absence of adhesive flaws in GFRP adhesive composite joints. The results revealed that the pulsed thermography approach would be able to find adhesive flaws in this kind of composite joint that are placed up to 8.5 mm deep [12]. The statistical distributions of the local distortions that determine the final consolidated meso-structure were obtained by analyzing the compaction deformations in a thermoplastic composite system formed from chopped prepreg platelets. In-platelet fiber waviness, out-of-plane platelet undulations, and predicted platelet thickness distribution were shown to be in good agreement with experimental observations. The compaction simulation was used to determine the volume of resin pockets [13]. Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBC) on periodic Representative Volume Elements (RVE) in Finite Element (FE) solvers based on dynamic explicit time integration are introduced using a novel methodology. The multiscale simulation of composite materials serves as a demonstration of the methodology. A showcase for computational micromechanics and another for computational meso-mechanics are both provided [14].

Most of earlier research investigations focused on composite materials and their applications. In order to clearly demonstrate the improvement in mechanical properties, this research article focuses on investigating these composite materials and how to employ them in the context of air conditioning from various aspects.

These equations and their description were obtained from the ANSYS program [15].

The governing equations for linear structural static analysis in ANSYS are based on the principles of linear elasticity, which describe the behavior of materials under small deformations. The equations are derived from the equations of equilibrium, strain-displacement relationships, and constitutive laws, which relate stresses and strains to material properties. The governing equations for linear structural static analysis in ANSYS are then obtained by combining the equations of equilibrium, strain-displacement relationships, and constitutive law, and applying the finite element method to discretize the equations into a set of algebraic equations that can be solved numerically. The finite element method involves dividing the structure into a set of discrete elements, and using the equations of equilibrium, strain-displacement relationships, and constitutive law to formulate a system of equations for each element. These equations are then assembled into a global system of equations for the entire structure, which can be solved numerically to obtain the displacements and stresses in the structure. the governing equations for linear structural static analysis in ANSYS are derived from the principles of linear elasticity, and are based on the equations of equilibrium, strain-displacement relationships, and constitutive law. These equations are discretized using the finite element method and solved numerically to obtain the displacements and stresses in the structure.

The overall equilibrium equations for linear structural static analysis are:

$[K]\{u\}=\{F\}$                (1)

or

$[K]\{u\}=\left\{F^a\right\}+\left\{F^r\right\}$                                  （2）

where,

[K]= $\sum_{m=1}^N\left[K_e\right]$=total stiffness matrix (N/m)

{u}=nodal displacement vector (m)

N=number of elements

$\left[K_e\right]$=element stiffness matrix (described in Element Library) (may include the element stress stiffness matrix (described in Stress Stiffening)) (N/m)

$\left\{F^r\right\}$=reaction load vector (N)

$\left\{F^a\right\}$, the total applied load vector, is defined by: (N)

$\left\{F^a\right\}=\left\{F^{n d}\right\}+\left\{F^{a c}\right\}+\sum_{m=1}^N\left(\left\{F_e^{t h}\right\}+\left\{F_e^{p r}\right\}\right)$                                    (3)

where,

$\left\{F^{n d}\right\}$=applied nodal load vector (N)

$\left\{F^{a c}\right\}=-[M]\left\{a_c\right\}$=acceleration load vector (m²/s)

$[M]=\sum_{m=1}^N\left[M_e\right]=$total mass matrix (kg)

$\left[M_e\right]$=element mass matrix (described in Derivation of Structural Matrices) (kg)

$\left\{a_c\right\}$=total acceleration vector (defined in Acceleration Effect) (m²/s)

$\left\{F_e^{t h}\right\}$=element thermal load vector (described in Derivation of Structural Matrices) (N)

$\left\{F_e^{p r}\right\}$=element pressure load vector (described in Derivation of Structural Matrices) (N).

The process of improving the tube of the air conditioning system was carried out by adding fiber materials that improve the mechanical properties in terms of arranging the fiber layers at different angles. Whereas gas leakage issues have developed into one of the most significant issues in air conditioning organizations, the solution to these issues looks forward to improving the gas connection pipes in air conditioning companies and enhancing their durability. The goal of the study presented in this research paper is to improve gas pipes by adding insulating and supporting layers to increase the pipe's durability, such as layers of carbon and fiber. Through Simulation, materials have been added at various angles and directions to determine the best accessible condition to improve the condition of the ionization tube. The most important results showed that the condition of arrangement 45,0,90 is the best state reached by the deformation, where the distortion was 0.0157 m, as for the most deformation reached. It is the order of 45,0,0, where the deformation reached 0.0474 m, which is the worst case. As for the stresses, the most stressful condition is in the case of the least distortion, where the stress reached 362.2 MPa, and the least stress was borne by the tube is in the order 45,0,0 where the stress was reduced to 147.7 MPa.  A study has shown the effectiveness of increasing the thickness in improving the resulting deformations. The least deformation occurred in the order of 45,0,90 at thickness 3 mm, where the stress reached 79.188 MPa. The value of the distortions reached 0.002 m, which is the lowest value of distortion that has been reached compared to the remaining cases. Where the author recommends, in future works, to apply the parameters and results obtained experimentally and compare them with the numerical aspect to benefit from them in real applications.