This work presents a preliminary experimental study into the influence of blank consolidation quality on the final part quality after a hot press forming process. Carbon fiber reinforced poly-phenylenesulphide blanks were manufactured using an automated fiber placement and an autoclave process and subsequently press-formed. The consolidation quality before and after press forming was characterized using void fraction measurements and mechanical testing. It was shown that, despite an initial difference, the final consolidation quality after forming was similar for both blank manufacturing methods.
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