TY - JOUR
T1 - MANUFACTURING MULTI-MATRIX COMPOSITES:
T2 - OUT-OF-VACUUM BAG CONSOLIDATION
AU - Radhakrishnan, Arjun
AU - Georgilas, Ioannis
AU - Hamerton, Ian
AU - Shaffer, Milo S.P.
AU - Ivanov, Dmitry
N1 - The work has been supported by the EPSRC through the ACCIS Doctoral Training Centre [EP/G036772/1]. This work was also supported by the EPSRC through the Future Composites Manufacturing Research Hub [EP/P006701/1] as part of the Core Project “Manufacturing for structural applications of multifunctional composites.”
PY - 2023/11/30
Y1 - 2023/11/30
N2 - The formation of porosity is a major challenge in any composite manufacturing process, particularly in the absence of vacuum assistance. Highly localised injection of polymer matrix into regions of interest in a dry preform is a route to manufacturing multi-matrix fibre-reinforced composites with high filler concentrations, which are otherwise difficult to achieve. Unlike traditional composites, such multi-matrix fibre-reinforced composite systems, which combine multiple resins in continuous form, offer improved structural performance around stress concentrators and multifunctional capabilities. As the process lacks vacuum assistance, porosity becomes a primary issue to be addressed. This paper presents a rheo-kinetic coupled rapid consolidation procedure for optimising the quality of localised matrix patches. The procedure involves manufacturing trials and analytical consolidation models to determine the best processing program for minimal voidage in the patch. The results provide a step towards an efficient manufacturing process for the optimal design of multi-matrix composites without the need for complex vacuum bag arrangements, thus reducing cost and time while opening avenues to improve overall composite performance.
AB - The formation of porosity is a major challenge in any composite manufacturing process, particularly in the absence of vacuum assistance. Highly localised injection of polymer matrix into regions of interest in a dry preform is a route to manufacturing multi-matrix fibre-reinforced composites with high filler concentrations, which are otherwise difficult to achieve. Unlike traditional composites, such multi-matrix fibre-reinforced composite systems, which combine multiple resins in continuous form, offer improved structural performance around stress concentrators and multifunctional capabilities. As the process lacks vacuum assistance, porosity becomes a primary issue to be addressed. This paper presents a rheo-kinetic coupled rapid consolidation procedure for optimising the quality of localised matrix patches. The procedure involves manufacturing trials and analytical consolidation models to determine the best processing program for minimal voidage in the patch. The results provide a step towards an efficient manufacturing process for the optimal design of multi-matrix composites without the need for complex vacuum bag arrangements, thus reducing cost and time while opening avenues to improve overall composite performance.
U2 - 10.1115/1.4063091
DO - 10.1115/1.4063091
M3 - Article
SN - 1087-1357
VL - 145
JO - Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering
JF - Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering
IS - 11
M1 - 111003
ER -