A multiscale consolidation model for press molding of hybrid textiles into complex geometries

Modeling the consolidation of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites at the part level presents a formidable computational challenge due to the multi-scale nature of the process. In this article, a method to bypass the multi-scale problem by homogenizing the micro scale and describing the medium with characteristic parameters is described....

Multiscale Characterisation of Staple Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers

The aim of this study was to characterise the microstructural organisation of staple carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites and to investigate their mechanical properties. Conventionally, fibre-reinforced materials are manufactured using continuous fibres. However, discontinuous fibres are crucial for developing sustainable structural...

A model for the consolidation of hybrid textiles considering air entrapment, dissolution and diffusion

A new model is proposed for the consolidation of hybrid textiles, in which air entrapment and dissolution are considered. One of the key parameters is tow permeability, which is described by the analytical model of Gebart and validated at very high fibre volume fractions by direct tow permeability measurement. The model also takes into...

In Situ Characterization of the Reaction-Diffusion Behavior during the Gradient Interphase Formation of Polyetherimide with a High-Temperature Epoxy System

This study presents two novel methods for in situ characterization of the reaction-diffusion process during the co-curing of a polyetherimide thermoplastic interlayer with an epoxy-amine thermoset. The first method was based on hot stage experiments using a computer vision point tracker algorithm to detect and trace diffusion fronts, and the...

Novel tooling for direct melt impregnation of textile with variotherm injection moulding: Methodology and proof of concept

Thermoplastic compression resin transfer moulding coupled with injection moulding is an appealing process for the production of thermoplastic composites. However, its implementation at an industrial scale remains challenging as variotherm injection moulding could prevent solid skin formation in the parting line, making cavity sealing...