Void reduction of high-performance thermoplastic composites via oven vacuum bag processing

Danning Zhang; Dirk Heider; John W Gillespie

doi:10.1177/0021998317700700

journal article Mar 22, 2017

Void reduction of high-performance thermoplastic composites via oven vacuum bag processing

Danning Zhang Dirk Heider John W Gillespie

Journal of Composite Materials Vol. 51 No. 30 pp. 4219-4230 · SAGE Publications

View at Publisher Save 10.1177/0021998317700700

Abstract

In this study, void reduction mechanisms during oven vacuum bag processing of high-performance carbon fiber thermoplastic composites are investigated. Entrapped air exists within the prepreg tape and between layers during lay-up and must be removed during processing to achieve aerospace quality (<1% void content) Key void reduction mechanisms during oven vacuum bag processing include through-thickness air diffusion and in-plane flow to the laminate edges through the permeable interlayer regions created by the prepreg surface roughness. Interlayer permeability between unidirectional and cross-ply laminates is measured experimentally and is sufficiently high for effective air removal during oven vacuum bag processing. Thick 72-layer carbon fiber/PEEK (poly (ether ether ketone)) laminates were fabricated with oven vacuum bag process under different edge sealing conditions. Void reduction in the laminate with sealed perimeter is dominated by air diffusion through the entire laminate thickness, and the laminate exhibits very high void content levels after oven vacuum bag processing. In the laminates with edges open to vacuum, air diffusion through a single layer and flow through the permeable interlayer lead to essentially void-free laminates. The findings show the importance of the interlayer permeability and edge conditions on the void reduction, and demonstrate that low void content can be achieved in thick section thermoplastic composite laminates via cost effective oven vacuum bag processing.

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Details

Published: Mar 22, 2017
Vol/Issue: 51(30)
Pages: 4219-4230
License: View

Authors

D

Danning Zhang

Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, USA

D

Dirk Heider

Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Delaware, USA

J

John W Gillespie

Center for Composite Materials, University of Delaware, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Delaware, USA

Cite This Article

Danning Zhang, Dirk Heider, John W Gillespie (2017). Void reduction of high-performance thermoplastic composites via oven vacuum bag processing. Journal of Composite Materials, 51(30), 4219-4230. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021998317700700

Void reduction of high-performance thermoplastic composites via oven vacuum bag processing

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