Methods for the post-consolidation of high-speed-wound, thermoplastic CFRP tubes
Topic(s) : Manufacturing
Co-authors :
Yannis GROHMANN (GERMANY), Jonas VON HEUSINGER (GERMANY)Abstract :
Highly efficient manufacturing techniques play a decisive role in the industrial production of fibre-reinforced composites. In the field of manufacturing technologies for cylindrical CFRP components with a thermoplastic matrix, laser assisted tape winding is currently state of the art. Such cylindrical components can be found in the form of pipes or struts for several applications, for example in the medical sector, in the oil and gas industry or in aerospace.
This article is dedicated to the investigation of different methods for the post-consolidation of thermoplastic CFRP tubes, which are produced in high-speed winding processes. Resistance heating, also known as Continuous Resistance Heating Technology (CoRe HeaT), is used for the pre-consolidation of the specimens regarded in this work. In comparison to conventional laser-insitu winding processes, it offers the possibility of much higher winding speeds. Furthermore, a cost-effective expansion to a larger number of tapes, which can be processed in parallel, can be done easily. However, this technique requires subsequent post-consolidation. Compared to in-situ layup, a process consisting of pre- and post-consolidation allows the temperature profile of the post-consolidation to be selected solely on the basis of the required material properties. Hence, crystallinity and pore content can be improved with regard to the final application of the part, which improves the structural integrity and mechanical properties.
In order to determine a suitable process chain for the production of high-speed wound thermoplastic tubes, this work addresses novel approaches for the post-consolidation process. The focus of this study is to compare different consolidation methods: shrink tape, vacuum and the combination of those two. This study is done in order to determine their suitability for achieving the best possible consolidation quality at acceptable costs in terms of time and resources. The use of an autoclave, which is common for consolidating CFRP components, could be avoided when good consolidation quality can be achieved in an out-of-autoclave process.
Micrographs are used to examine the consolidation quality of the tube samples produced to find out about how the different consolidation methods affect porosity and fiber waviness. In addition, the mechanical properties are assessed using Apparent Hoop Tensile Strength tests based on ASTM D2290. These investigations help to understand how different consolidation methods affect the mechanical properties of the composites produced.
The results of this research contribute to understanding the potential of CoRe HeaT in the high-speed production of wound structures. They provide a differentiated analysis of the post-consolidation methods and their effects on the material and mechanical properties. These findings are crucial for improving the efficiency and quality of high-speed manufacturing processes for the production of fibre-reinforced composites.
This article is dedicated to the investigation of different methods for the post-consolidation of thermoplastic CFRP tubes, which are produced in high-speed winding processes. Resistance heating, also known as Continuous Resistance Heating Technology (CoRe HeaT), is used for the pre-consolidation of the specimens regarded in this work. In comparison to conventional laser-insitu winding processes, it offers the possibility of much higher winding speeds. Furthermore, a cost-effective expansion to a larger number of tapes, which can be processed in parallel, can be done easily. However, this technique requires subsequent post-consolidation. Compared to in-situ layup, a process consisting of pre- and post-consolidation allows the temperature profile of the post-consolidation to be selected solely on the basis of the required material properties. Hence, crystallinity and pore content can be improved with regard to the final application of the part, which improves the structural integrity and mechanical properties.
In order to determine a suitable process chain for the production of high-speed wound thermoplastic tubes, this work addresses novel approaches for the post-consolidation process. The focus of this study is to compare different consolidation methods: shrink tape, vacuum and the combination of those two. This study is done in order to determine their suitability for achieving the best possible consolidation quality at acceptable costs in terms of time and resources. The use of an autoclave, which is common for consolidating CFRP components, could be avoided when good consolidation quality can be achieved in an out-of-autoclave process.
Micrographs are used to examine the consolidation quality of the tube samples produced to find out about how the different consolidation methods affect porosity and fiber waviness. In addition, the mechanical properties are assessed using Apparent Hoop Tensile Strength tests based on ASTM D2290. These investigations help to understand how different consolidation methods affect the mechanical properties of the composites produced.
The results of this research contribute to understanding the potential of CoRe HeaT in the high-speed production of wound structures. They provide a differentiated analysis of the post-consolidation methods and their effects on the material and mechanical properties. These findings are crucial for improving the efficiency and quality of high-speed manufacturing processes for the production of fibre-reinforced composites.