Microstructure and tensile properties of carbon-epoxy laminates produced by automated fibre placement: Influence of a caul plate on the effects of gap and overlap embedded defects

Type Article
Date 2015-11
Language English
Author(s) Lan Marine1, Cartie Denis2, Davies PeterORCID3, Baley Christophe1
Affiliation(s) 1 : Univ South Brittany, LIMATB, F-56000 Lorient, France.
2 : Coriolis Composites SAS, F-56350 Queven, France.
3 : IFREMER, Ctr Bretagne, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
Source Composites Part A-applied Science And Manufacturing (1359-835X) (Elsevier Sci Ltd), 2015-11 , Vol. 78 , P. 124-134
DOI 10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.07.023
WOS© Times Cited 53
Keyword(s) Carbon fibre, Defects, Mechanical properties, Automated fibre placement (AR)
Abstract Automated fibre placement (AFP) enables the trajectory of unidirectional composite tape to be optimized, but laying down complex shapes with this technology can result in the introduction of defects. The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the influence of gaps and overlaps on the microstructure and tensile properties of carbon-epoxy laminates. First, a comparison between a hand-layup and AFP layup, draped and cured under the same conditions, shows equivalent microstructures and tensile properties. This provides the reference values for the study. Then, gap and overlap embedded defects (more or less severe) are introduced during manufacturing, on two cross-ply layups [(0°/(90°)5/0°] and [(90°/0°)2/90°]. Autoclave cure without a caul plate results in local thickness variation and microstructural changes which depend on the defect type. This has a strong influence on mechanical performance. Use of a caul plate avoids these variations and in this case embedded defects hardly affect tensile properties.
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Lan Marine, Cartie Denis, Davies Peter, Baley Christophe (2015). Microstructure and tensile properties of carbon-epoxy laminates produced by automated fibre placement: Influence of a caul plate on the effects of gap and overlap embedded defects. Composites Part A-applied Science And Manufacturing, 78, 124-134. Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2015.07.023 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00275/38609/