Development of in-situ monitoring systems for the thermoforming of pre-preg composite laminates

Land, Patrick; Branson, David T.; Crossley, Richard J.; Ratchev, Svetan

Abstract

Recent developments in automated composite manufacturing technologies, such as Automated Fibre Placement, AFP, and Automated Tape Layup, ATL, have enabled larger components to be produced efficiently, leading to an increased use of prepreg composites in aerospace. These processes are limited in the geometry that may be produced and therefore secondary forming processes are commonly required for implementation. There is, therefore, a need to improve reliability and increase forming capability using these processes, whilst ensuring that defects in the laminate are limited. Thermoforming of composite and polymer materials is a well-known forming method for use with polymers and polymer based materials. This paper will discuss the monitoring methods and results used in a typical thermoforming process based on experimental results from a composite material during Thermal Roll Forming (TRF). The focus of this testing is to characterise the effect of temperature and dynamic contact forces on the composite against the real-time development of defects such as wrinkles during TRF forming.

Citation

Land, P., Branson, D. T., Crossley, R. J., & Ratchev, S. Development of in-situ monitoring systems for the thermoforming of pre-preg composite laminates. Presented at MS&T16 Materials Science & Technology

• Conference Name: MS&T16 Materials Science & Technology
• End Date: Oct 27, 2016
• Acceptance Date: Jun 27, 2016
• Publication Date: Oct 24, 2016
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 10, 2017
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: Composites, Roll forming, In-situ Monitoring
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/822032
• Related Public URLs: http://www.matscitech.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MST16_final-program_lo-res.pdf
• Additional Information: No online proceedings, CD copy only.
• Contract Date: Mar 10, 2017