Characteristics of in-situ automated fiber placement carbon-fiber-reinforced low-melt polyaryl ether ketone laminates part 2: Effect of prepreg composition

Abstract

This paper presents an investigation into prepreg tape composition and its impact on the consolidation quality of in‐situ Automated Fiber Placement-manufactured laminates. Three different prepreg tape materials were investigated in terms of fiber distribution, porosity and surface roughness. Laminates were manufactured using the in-situ Automated Fiber Placement process and subsequently tested using microanalysis and mechanical testing methods. Higher quality prepreg tape material yielded lower porosity laminates and increased mechanical strength results. The best in-situ Automated Fiber Placement-manufactured laminates achieved 82 % and 88 % of hot-pressed reference tensile- and compressive strength, respectively. Prepreg tape with disadvantageous composition for in‐situ consolidation yielded up to 74 % knockdown compared to the best in-situ consolidated laminates. A five-point bending test was successfully used to determine interlaminar shear strength with significant results relating to consolidation quality. A correlation was successfully established between prepreg composition, resulting laminate consolidation quality and mechanical properties.