TY - JOUR
T1 - Ultra-lightweight carbon fibre/thermoplastic composite material using spread tow technology
AU - El-Dessouky, Hassan M.
AU - Lawrence, Carl A.
PY - 2013/7
Y1 - 2013/7
N2 - This paper reports a study of a method for achieving ultra-lightweight thermoplastic composites referred to as tow-spreading technology, whereby a conventional 12k carbon fibre (CF) tow is thinned by increasing the tow width from 5 mm to approximately 25 mm, thereby reducing the weight per unit area by approximately 500%. Using the tow-spreading technology, sheets of unidirectional and/or woven fabric may be produced. Thermoplastic film of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) was used to stabilise and impregnate the spread tow fabric, converting it into a partially consolidated prepreg; woven 12k CF spread tow/PPS (55/45 wt%). A consolidated laminate was then made from the prepreg, and for comparison, a second laminate was produced from a conventional woven prepreg of 3k CF/PPS (60/40 wt%). The spread tow laminate exhibited better fibre packing, lower level of crimp, lower void content and improved mechanical properties.
AB - This paper reports a study of a method for achieving ultra-lightweight thermoplastic composites referred to as tow-spreading technology, whereby a conventional 12k carbon fibre (CF) tow is thinned by increasing the tow width from 5 mm to approximately 25 mm, thereby reducing the weight per unit area by approximately 500%. Using the tow-spreading technology, sheets of unidirectional and/or woven fabric may be produced. Thermoplastic film of polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) was used to stabilise and impregnate the spread tow fabric, converting it into a partially consolidated prepreg; woven 12k CF spread tow/PPS (55/45 wt%). A consolidated laminate was then made from the prepreg, and for comparison, a second laminate was produced from a conventional woven prepreg of 3k CF/PPS (60/40 wt%). The spread tow laminate exhibited better fibre packing, lower level of crimp, lower void content and improved mechanical properties.
KW - A. Fabrics/textiles
KW - A. Thermoplastic resin
KW - B. Mechanical properties
KW - D. Optical microscopy
KW - E. Tow
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84877718606&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.01.026
DO - 10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.01.026
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84877718606
VL - 50
SP - 91
EP - 97
JO - Composites Part B: Engineering
JF - Composites Part B: Engineering
SN - 1359-8368
ER -