Paper number 595

INTEGRATION OF POLYMER AND COMPOSITE MATERIALS FOR ENHANCED DESIGN FREEDOM AND COST-EFFICIENCY

P.-E. Bourban, F. Bonjour, N. Bernet, M.D. Wakeman, J.-A. E. Månson *1

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Laboratoire de Technologie des Composites et Polymères (LTC)
CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

Summary A novel manufacturing route is currently being investigated for polymer composite structures. The objective is the integration of several materials, including reinforced composite preforms and polymers, in order to offer shorter manufacturing times, greater design freedom and multifunctionality. Combinations of processing techniques for the integration of several material transformation steps have been studied. Two approaches were followed in order to produce parts with hybrid reinforcements and parts with selective reinforcement. Combinations of glass mat thermoplastics with unidirectional prepregs and neat polymers were considered in the first approach. The second approach showed how selective placement of composite tows can open interesting perspectives for tailoring mechanical properties and dimensional stability. Furthermore, the placement of the composite preceded the overinjection of a neat polymer which provided the final part geometry and surface finish. Results reveal how the synergy obtained during the combination of the material transformation steps can reduce the production time. Impregnation, consolidation and placement of the composite preforms, injection of the polymer and in-situ bonding of all materials were achieved during the same shortened processing cycle.
Keywords integrated processing, thermoplastic, composite preforms, cost-efficiency, design freedom, consolidation, tow placement.

Theme : Processing, Integrated Design and Manufacturing ; Processing

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