THE FABRICATION AND PERFORMANCE OF RING-STIFFENED CYLINDERS MANUFACTURED BY A COMBINED IN SITU AUTOMATED THERMOPLASTIC FILAMENT WINDING AND TAPE LAYING PROCESS

摘要

In situ filament winding for hoop (90°C) and off-axis (±θ°C) plies, and automated tapelaying for axial (0°C) plies have been combined on the same machine center to fabricate carbon fiber/polyetherketone thermoplastic cylinders. The process produces well-consolidated microstructure with almost no layer waviness and thus superior compression properties compared to thermoset filament winding. Ring-stiffened [0°C/90°C] cylinders have been commercialized for submersible applications. Monocoque [0°C/90°C/±θ°C] cylinders have been fabricated with superior surface toughness. Finally, [0°C/90°C/±θ°C] cylinders up to 244cm in diameter have been fabricated for ballistic applications.