NON-ISOTHERMAL CONSOLIDATION MODELLING AND MECHANICAL PROPERTY PREDICTION FOR GLASS/POLYPROPYLENE COMMINGLED FABRICS

摘要

A balanced twill weave commingled fabric was consolidated by vacuum forming. Samples were tested in three point bending, and the void content was measured to validate a consolidation model that predicts void content as a function of pressure, time at pressure and temperature. Additionally, voids located in the inter-tow region are also considered. A simple heat transfer model is introduced in the existing isothermal consolidation model to account for the effect of temperature on the consolidation. A microscope image analysis technique was used to investigate the evolution of the microstructure during consolidation and to quantify levels of void content. These measurements were correlated with the mechanical properties of laminates consolidated and two simple stress fracture criteria are used to predict the strength of laminate composites containing voids.