Abstract

Abstract

Abstract

This work investigated the feasibility of the use of a novel infusible thermoplastic resin (Elium 150 from Arkema) for composite laminate manufacture by resin infusion methods and possible application in the shipbuilding sector. We compared the properties of Elium glass-fibre laminates with those of laminates infused with state-of-the-art thermosetting epoxy and urethane acrylate resins. The Elium laminates matched the mechanical performance (flexure and interlaminar shear strength) of the epoxy and surpassed that of the urethane acrylate counterpart. However, the mechanical performance of the Elium laminates after immersion in water at 35 oC for 28 days deteriorated compared to urethane acrylate, but was comparable in flexural properties to that of the epoxy. The combination of superior mechanical performance coupled with acceptable environmental resistance and comparable composite laminate manufacturing conditions makes the infusible thermoplastic a possible future candidate matrix over commercial thermosetting resin options.

Abstract

In this work, we conducted an extensive comparative study of the water absorption behavior and retention of mechanical properties of a group of GRP composite laminates manufactured with a range of infusible thermosetting and thermoplastics resins. All laminates were manufactured by Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM; the most relevant manufacturing technique in shipbuilding) with a range of state-of-the-art thermosetting resins (Urethane acrylate Crestapol 1210, Epoxy SR1125, Bio-epoxy Supersap CLR, Phenolic Cellobond J2027X) and a novel infusible acrylic thermoplastic resin (Acrylic Elium 150). The reinforcement of choice for each laminate was a unidirectional glass fabric of 996 gsm. Sample preparation for water immersion studies was according to ASTM D5229. This study was part of a comprehensive down-selection of commercially available resins in terms of their suitability for shipbuilding applications, as part of the EU H2020 project FIBRESHIP2 .  A selection of relevant properties of the laminates with different resin systems is presented in this paper including fibre volume fraction, apparent interlaminar shear strength (dry and wet condition), flexural strength (dry and wet condition) and flexural modulus (dry and wet condition).

Abstract

Glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GRP) composite materials are the most widely adopted amongst fibrereinforced polymer composites globally, with approximately 1 million tons produced annually in the EU alone. GRP’s find very wide use and application in a number of industrial sectors (e.g. land & waterborne transport1 , marine, construction) due to their excellent balance between good performance and low cost compared to fibre reinforced polymers utilising other commercially available fibres (e.g. carbon, aramid). Particularly in marine applications, durability of composites and their ability to exhibit unchanged performance and stability in a marine context and environment is a crucial factor in order to select the most appropriate combination of polymer matrix and reinforcement. Ideally, a composite would retain its mechanical and thermo-mechanical profile even when exposed to a marine environment for extended periods. In this work, we conducted an extensive comparative study of the water absorption behavior and retention of mechanical properties of a group of GRP composite laminates manufactured with a range of infusible thermosetting and thermoplastics resins. Sample preparation for water immersion studies was according to ASTM D5229. This study was part of a comprehensive down-selection of commercially available resins in terms of their suitability for shipbuilding applications, as part of the EU H2020 project FIBRESHIP2 . All laminates were manufactured by Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM; the most relevant manufacturing technique in shipbuilding) with a range of state-of-the-art thermosetting resins (Urethane acrylate Crestapol 1210, Epoxy SR1125, Bio-epoxy Supersap CLR, Phenolic Cellobond J2027X) and a novel infusible acrylic thermoplastic resin (Acrylic Elium 150). The reinforcement of choice for each laminate was a unidirectional glass fabric of 996 gsm. A selection of relevant properties of the laminates with different resin systems is presented in this paper including fibre volume fraction, apparent interlaminar shear strength (dry and wet condition), flexural strength (dry and wet condition) and flexural modulus (dry and wet condition). For the wet condition, samples were immersed in distilled water for 28 days at 35 oC (wet state) in accordance with classification society guidelines. The quality of the laminates (void content, fibre-matrix adhesion) was examined by scanning electron microscopy on fracture surfaces. The effects of water absorption on the microstructure, mechanical, thermal & thermomechanical properties of the laminates were studied. The average water absorption percentage varied across all resins systems from 0.19 to 1.37% in the interlaminar-shear specimens, and from 0.25 to 1.59% in the flexure specimens. The phenolic laminate was the one absorbing most water in both cases but the mechanical properties were relatively unaffected. Fibre volume fraction was in the range 0.56 to 0.6 for all of the laminates. The majority of the tested GRP laminates showed good retention of their flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength under the testing conditions. The laminate that appeared to be most adversely affected was the infusible thermoplastic, showing a reduction in flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of 17.3% and 37.5%, respectively (in comparison to the dry state values). However, the water absorption for the Elium 150 was not excessive, ranging from 0.40 to 0.42% for the ILSS and flexure samples, respectively.

References: 1 Summerscales J, Marine applications of advanced fibre reinforced composites, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2016 2 H2020 project FIBRESHIP, funded by the European Commission under GA 723360 (www.fibreship.eu)

Abstract

Conference Abstract: This work investigated the feasibility of the use of a novel infusible thermoplastic resin (Elium 150 from Arkema) for composite laminate manufacture by resin infusion methods and possible application in the shipbuilding sector. We compared the properties of Elium glass-fibre laminates with those of laminates infused with state-of-the-art thermosetting epoxy and urethane acrylate resins. The Elium laminates matched the mechanical performance (flexure and interlaminar shear strength) of the epoxy and surpassed that of the urethane acrylate counterpart. However, the mechanical performance of the Elium laminates after immersion in water at 35 ^oC for 28 days deteriorated compared to urethane acrylate, but was comparable in flexural properties to that of the epoxy. The combination of superior mechanical performance coupled with acceptable environmental resistance and comparable composite laminate manufacturing conditions makes the infusible thermoplastic a possible future candidate matrix over commercial thermosetting resin options.

Abstract

FIDAMC(Fundación para la Investigación, Desarrollo y Aplicación de Materiales Compuestos) ,  has been investigating different technologies, under the frame of several research projects funded by Clean Sky initiatives and Spanish governmental entities, in order to demonstrate that  thermoplastic can be directly manufactured via automation without autoclave consolidation and the full integration of the structure by co-consolidation method fusing together the skin and stringers in only one melting step. Our Center is currently involved in an interesting project with a complete manufacturing solution of a thermoplastic wing skin using Automatic Fiber Placement (AFP) with assisted laser system as heating source techniques. This new Out-of-Autoclave procedure will be validated with ground/flying tests in 2020. This paper provides an overview of several research projects aimed to develop the automated lamination and in-situ co-consolidation technology and includes a review of automated methods to lay up PEEK prepreg from the first AFP head, in cooperation  with the Spanish supplier MTORRES and installed six years ago in FIDAMC, the evolution of this machine and the up-to-the minute configuration of new Multi-tows head to produce the feasibility demonstrator panel with co-consolidated "T" shaped stringers and scale up the methods to the final stiffened wing panel to incorporate in Clean Sky 2 as Flight test Bed developed by Airbus.

Abstract

Airbus Defence and Space está desarrollando procedimientos de fabricación fuera de autoclave factible para estructuras en fibra de carbono con resina termoplástica en términos de impacto ambiental, coste, cadencia de producción y rendimiento.

Este objetivo se centra en la deposición automática de fibras y la consolidación in situ de preimpregnados termoplásticos, incluida la co-consolidación con larguerillos previamente consolidados mediante un proceso conformado continuo. La integración de componentes y la reparabilidad de las estructuras resultantes se beneficiarán de las características de reprocesamiento y soldadura de los polímeros termoplásticos.

Para desarrollar y demostrar la potencialidad de estas tecnologías y su aplicabilidad a los aviones militares y civiles, se están realizando varios demostradores: fabricabilidad, pruebas y especímenes para ensayo; estructura primaria y secundaria y demostradores de reparabilidad. El más ambicioso de ellos es actualmente el revestimiento superior de un cajón de torsión de estructura primaria que se instalará en una plataforma C295 junto con otras tecnologías emergentes dentro de Airframe Integrated Technology Demonstrators de Clean Sky 2.

Esta conferencia mostrará una visión global de la hoja de ruta del desarrollo termoplástico dentro de Airbus Defence and Space.

Abstract

Nowadays, the aeronautical sector use composite materials reinforced with high performance fibers. In this field, the composites of thermoplastic matrix (TPCs) is reinforced with continuous carbon fibers wich combine both high strength and lightness thus offering a great potential to replacement, at least partially, the metal alloys. The thermoplastic matrix allows reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing recycling problems. The integration of TPCs sometimes forces to combine pieces which are very different in composition, forming a multimaterial.

During the development of the research , the manufacturing and physical-mechanical characterization of the CF-PEEK composite material and the union of said material with titanium was carried out.

Firstly, the characterization and optimization of the press forming process of the monolithic CF-PEEK has been developed. The characterization was carried out through DSC and TGA tests, mechanical tensile tests according to the standard UNE-EN 527-5 and microscopic analysis.

Then, the CF-PEEK-Ti joints were made and evaluated.In order to improve the quality of the joints has been used Ti-6Al-4V with two surface treatments (shot blasting and laser texturing) and enrich the surface with PEEK film.The mechanical characterization was carried out through the SLJ (Single Lap Joint) test according to the standard ASTM D5868.

The results have shown how the laser treatment improves the quality of the joint, achieving the highest efficiency by enriching the surface with PEEK film. The viability of multi-material joints has been demonstrated through direct production in the press.