Projects per year
Abstract
An experimental technique was developed to obtain 3D microstructural information on two typical lay-up features that often appear in automated fibre placement (AFP) or automated tape laying (ATL). Parallel-ply gaps between adjacent courses and ply-drop gaps needed to change the thickness of composite laminates were studied. Using a lab-based CT scanner, the different squeezing and bleeding mechanisms were observed while the manufacturing process was occurring. The initially large gaps were closed by fibre and/or resin flow, with the parallel-ply gap consolidating faster and reaching a lower porosity level than the ply-drop gap. However, after reaching a minimum porosity, previously consolidated voids reappeared and remained locked into the final microstructure. The in-situ CT data was helpful to identify opportunities for future process model developments. Overall, lab-based in-situ micro-CT was proven to be an effective and accessible technique to study how composite features evolve through the manufacturing process.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 106180 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing |
Volume | 140 |
Early online date | 28 Oct 2020 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors would like to acknowledge the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council ( EPSRC ) for their support of this research through Investigation of Fine-Scale Flows in Composites Processing [ EP/S016996/1 ]. PhD studentship for P. Galvez-Hernandez was supported through the Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Centre at the University of Bristol. EngD studentship for L.R. Pickard was supported through the Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Manufacture [EP/K50323X/1] and the National Composites Centre. The authors would like to thank Katie Smith for supporting the experimental campaign.
Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for their support of this research through Investigation of Fine-Scale Flows in Composites Processing [EP/S016996/1]. PhD studentship for P. Galvez-Hernandez was supported through the Rolls-Royce Composites University Technology Centre at the University of Bristol. EngD studentship for L.R. Pickard was supported through the Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Manufacture [EP/K50323X/1] and the National Composites Centre. The authors would like to thank Katie Smith for supporting the experimental campaign.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- E. Prepreg processing
- D. CT analysis
- C. Process simulation
- E. Automated fibre placement (AFP)
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Lab-based in-situ micro-CT observation of gaps in prepreg laminates during consolidation and cure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Investigation of fine-scale flows in composites processing
Rendall, T. C. S. (Principal Investigator)
1/04/19 → 31/03/23
Project: Research
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Investigation of new 'pressure testbed' system and application to composites testing and manufacture
Pickard, L. R. (Principal Investigator)
1/11/13 → 31/10/17
Project: Research
Student theses
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Towards Efficient Composites Manufacture Through In-Process Monitoring and Knowledge Management
Pickard, L. R. (Author), Partridge, I. (Supervisor), Potter, K. (Supervisor), Kells, D. (Supervisor) & Shakspeare, P. (Supervisor), 25 Jun 2019Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Engineering Doctorate (EngD)
File
Datasets
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In-situ CT gaps
Allegri, G. (Creator), Hallett, S. (Creator), Partridge, I. (Creator), Clegg, H. (Creator), Kratz, J. (Contributor), Hartley, J. (Creator), Zhang, B. (Creator), Meiro, A. (Creator) & Hernandez, P. G. (Creator), University of Bristol, 20 Oct 2020
DOI: 10.5523/bris.cpunp7ml1s5t2owhutk6hj7gd, http://data.bris.ac.uk/data/dataset/cpunp7ml1s5t2owhutk6hj7gd
Dataset