Steering of carbon fiber/thermoplastic pre-preg tapes using laser-assisted tape placement

Gearóid Clancy, Daniël Peeters, Vincenzo Oliveri, Ronan O’Higgins, David Jones, Paul M. Weaver

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The weight saving benefits of fiber-reinforced composite materials in structural applications are well established. However, there is an increasing requirement to develop processing techniques that can produce highly repeatable and accurate components more efficiently than using autoclave processing; Laser-assisted Automated Tape Placement (LATP) in-situ consolidation of thermoplastic composites has significant potential to fulfil this requirement. In addition, LATP can process layers with Variable Angle Tow (VAT), an advanced tailoring option that allows modification of load paths within the laminate to result in more favorable stress distributions and improved laminate performance. Studies of VAT laminate manufacture using dry fiber placement and thermoset pre-preg tape placement have been previously reported. This work examines the ability to produce VAT laminates from carbon fiber/PEEK pre-preg tapes using LATP. A VAT laminate was successfully manufactured which had three steering radii of 800 mm, 600 mm and 400 mm with little defects. Characterization and mechanical testing were completed on steered samples to examine the effect of lay-down speed and radius on bond strength of steered tapes. Measurements showed that the width and thickness of the carbon fiber/PEEK tapes were changed during steering. Mechanical testing showed that bond strength was a function of lay-down speed, yet the effect of steering radius was inconclusive due to undesired failures.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials
PublisherAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA
ISBN (Print)9781624105326
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventAIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 2018 - Kissimmee, United States
Duration: 8 Jan 201812 Jan 2018

Publication series

NameAIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 2018

Conference

ConferenceAIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKissimmee
Period8/01/1812/01/18

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