Deconsolidation of thermoplastic prepreg tapes during the heating phase of LAFP: An experimental investigation into the effect of a resin-rich surface and tape pre-tension

Laser-assisted automated fiber placement (LAFP) is a promising additive manufacturing technique for the production of large aerospace components. Thermoplastic prepreg tapes will be placed ply-by-ply on top of a mould and in-situ consolidated. This is beneficial for higher production rates. The mechanical performance of thermoplastic composite...

Thermal deconsolidation of thermoplastic prepreg tapes during Laser-Assisted Fiber Placement

The automation of thermoplastic composite production and the drive towards out-of-autoclave processes, is of great relevance in the aerospace and lightweight composite structures industry. Hence, there is a crucial need for developing the current state of material and process understanding, in order to increase the technology readiness levels of...