Title: THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE PLATES MANUFACTURED BY AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT (AFP): PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION FOR HYBRIDIZATION

Authors: Luck T. Haviland, José L. Colón Quintana, Roberto A. Lopez-Anido, Keith Sharp

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.23.0152

Abstract: The application of Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) for the manufacturing of thermoplastic composite materials has been increasing in recent years. This work investigates and develops a new approach for applying this technology. The goal is to develop a hybrid composite where glass fiber reinforced polyethylene terephthalate glycol (GF/PETG) unidirectional (UD) tapes are placed using the AFP process onto an additive manufactured (AM) substrate. This paper presents the first step of the project, where GF/PETG plates were consolidated using a compression molding machine to serve as a baseline for comparison with the AFP process. The processing temperature, dwell time, and pressure were varied to identify the highest possible bonding strength of the consolidated plates determined through lap shear tests. Tension and compression strengths were then found based on these parameters. A second step consisted of laying GF/PETG material using an AFP machine and a Humm3 system as the heating source onto a metal caul plate substrate. These plates were then tested the same way as in step one. Results were compared to determine the strength of plates made via the AFP process versus the compression molding process. Depending on the layup tested the comparison shows the moduli of the AFP specimens can be within 1% of the theoretical tensile modulus calculation based on the compression molded process. Conversely, it can be up to 80% lower than the theoretical compressive modulus calculation. Recommendations for using this knowledge to lay up a plate using GF/PETG UD tape onto a CF/PETG AM substrate will be discussed.

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Conference: SAMPE 2023

Publication Date: 2023/04/17

SKU: TP23-0000000152

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00