Research Summary
Role of Prepreg Interlayer Permeability on Void Reduction During Oven Vacuum Bag Processing of Thick Thermoplastic Composites
Authors: Danning Zhang (Ph.D MSEG), John W. Gillespie, Jr
Research Goal
• Investigate the interlayer permeability properties of prepreg stack
• Investigate the feasibility of manufacturing thick TP laminates through OVB processing
• Investigate the volatile removal based on diffusion and interlayer permeability mechanisms
Thermoplastic Composites and Oven Vacuum Bag (OVB) Processing
• High performance thermoplastic composites (TPCs) as primary structural materials
• OVB processing - potential cost effective alternative of autoclave
• Void dynamics and consolidation mechanisms are not fully understood!
Void Volatile Removal Governs Void Reduction
In-Plane Air Permeability of TP Prepreg Stacks - Experimental Set-Up
Directionally Dependent In-Plane Air Permeability
Results of In-plane Air Permeability Parameters
Consolidation Experiments for Thick and Thin Laminates
Void Results
Non-Isothermal Diffusion with Real Temperature Profile
Characteristic Time
Summary
Acknowledgements
• Faculty Advisor: Prof. J. W. Gillespie, Jr.
• Committee Members: Prof. Suresh. G. Advani, Prof. Dirk. Heider, Prof. Michael Mackay
• CCM Researchers and Technician:
Pavel Simacek, John Tierney, John Thiravong
• Funding: EADS
