ASPECTS OF IN-SITU CONSOLIDATION OF THERMOPLASTIC LAMINATES MANUFACTURED BY AUTOMATED TAPE PLACEMENT

摘要

This paper focuses on the manufacturing of thermoplastic composite PEEK parts usingAutomated Tape Placement (ATP) with in-situ consolidation. The choice of the adequateprocessing parameters for the in-situ ATP is critical because no additional autoclave step is usedto correct any manufacturing imperfections created during layup, or to homogenize the laminateconsolidation. The current paper can be considered as a first step towards understanding thedeformation behaviour of APC-2/IM7 (Cytec) in-situ ATP tape material subjected to variousprocessing conditions. Compression analyses performed using a Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer(DMA) show that the material can quickly reach a steady state transverse deformation. Thedeformation behaviour of the pre-impregnated carbon/PEEK tape was investigated using aspecially developed compaction apparatus. Processing parameters such as temperature,consolidation forces, and orientation of the deposited tow were independently controlled and thematerial's steady state deformation was measured by optical microscopy. The processingtemperature was found to have negligible impact within the studied range. The consolidationpressure and ply orientation were found to contribute with similar magnitude to the towdeformation.