Content area
Full text
Keywords: Composite fabrication; injection molding; resin; fiber orientation; thermoset composite; thermoplastic composites; particulate composite; dispersion strengthened composite; hand lay-up process; pre-preg forming; filament winding; pultrusion process; sheet molding compound (SMC); resin transfer molding (RTM); injection molding; extrusion process.
Abstract. The manufacture of a composite structure or component is a complex sequence of operations based on the combination of fibers, resins, cores, adhesives and surfacing materials. Composite processing usually involves mixing and shaping of the resin (matrix) and fiber by using some form of molding technique. The most basic composite processing technique is the hand lay-up process; which involves building up layers of composite fiber in a sequenced layup using a matrix of resin and hardener to form a laminate stack. The shaping step is usually followed by curing. The most basic curing method is simply to allow cure to occur at room temperature; however, curing may be accelerated by use of heat and/or pressure. In order to shape the resin/fiber combination prior to and during curing, a mold tool is required. In general, two types of polymer-based composite are processed: (a) thermoset composite, and (b) thermoplastic composite. Composite structures and components find wide applications in today's modern world, especially in the aerospace and automotive industrial sectors. In particular, aerospace structures (fuselage and wing) constitute a major proportion of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites [1]. Additionally, composite products find applications in military, sports, and general engineering sectors; some examples of composite components include: aircraft fuel tanks, helmets, sport shoes; water-softener systems, compressed air tanks, sail-boat masts, light-poles, compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks, rescue air tanks, and the like. There are many methods of composite processing. This chapter deals with discussions on the processing of fiber-reinforced composites; which include: hand lay-up process, pre-preg forming, vacuum bagging, filament winding, pultrusion process, spray-up method, SMC/compression molding, extrusion; resin transfer molding (RTM), injection molding; and the like.
(ProQuest: ... denotes formulae omitted.)
14.1: Classification of Composite Processing Methods
There is a wide range of methods available to fabricate composite components. The selection of a fabrication method for a composite component depends on the component's design, the material, and the application. The polymer-matrix composite (PMC) materials that are processed may be thermoplastic or thermoset composite. The choice of a fiber...