Title: Effects of Layup Sequence on Thermoplastic Resistance Weld Fatigue Performance

Authors: Waruna P. Seneviratne, John Tomblin, Brandon L. Saathoff, and Mark Walthers

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.22.0810

Abstract: High-performance thermoplastic resin systems can be reinforced with high strength structural fibers along with a coupling agent in order to expand the use of thermoplastics into primary structural applications. In addition to impact, chemical, and flame resistance, thermoplastic material systems offer several attractive benefits for aircraft structural applications because of their resistance to aggressive environments such as high humidity, high temperature, and saltwater exposure as well as less stringent cleanroom requirements and no shelf life. Because of these advantages, reinforced thermoplastics (RTP) are now being considered for key aircraft structural applications and integration into automated manufacturing. One of the challenges with the use of RTP for structural applications is that they are extremely sensitive to processing variables. Due to numerous key processing parameters that contribute to final material characteristics, certification of thermoplastic structures is challenging. Resistance welding process specification was developed, and various parametric studies were conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of process parameters on the weld quality. Both quasi-static as well as fatigue tests were conducted to evaluate the joint performance. This paper discusses the layup dependency of thermoplastic resistance welds on fatigue performance of joints.

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Conference: SAMPE 2022

Publication Date: 2022/05/23

SKU: TP22-0000000810

Pages: 14

Price: $28.00