Friction measurement on dry fabric for forming simulation of composite reinforcement

Forming processes are highly influenced by all the interface conditions between the tooling and the workpieces. For thermo-mechanical processes like hot forging or cutting friction is widely studied for a long time but for composite parts, it is not the case because the problem is not so crucial: forming forces are generally weak enough to allow the part be realized with any forming device. Nevertheless, friction seems to have an important role when precise simulations are expected. Up to now, few studies have been focused on friction during composite forming processes. The aim of the present study is to make a contribution on that topic for an experimental point of view using a high precision device able to measure small friction forces.