ScienceDirect Advanced molds and methods for the fundamental analysis of process induced interface bonding properties of hybrid, thermoplastic composites (original) (raw)

AN INVESTIGATION ON HYBRID INTERFACE USING ON-LINE MONITORING EXPERIMENT AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSES

In this work, the hybrid interface between metal and thermosetting polymer matrix composite was studied via experimental and numerical investigations. Hybrid laminates, whose constituents are aluminum foil, carbon fabric and epoxy matrix, were manufactured using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process. Chromic anodization was used to treat the surfaces of the aluminum foil prior to fabricating the hybrid laminates. The mode-I dominated delamination behavior was studied using the double cantilever beam tests at both room (25oC) and elevated (60oC) temperatures. Distributed strain profiles were measured on both the top and bottom of the specimen using Rayleigh backscattering fiber optics technique. Finite element analysis was performed to assist with the analysis and interpretation of experimental results. Load-displacement and strain profiles measured from experiments were compared with values obtained numerically. Good agreements between the experimental and numerical results were observed.

A review of welding technologies for thermoplastic composites in aerospace applications

Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management, 2012

Reinforced thermoplastic structural detail parts and assemblies are being developed to be included in current aeronautic programs. Thermoplastic composite technology intends to achieve improved properties and low cost processes. Welding of detail parts permits to obtain assemblies with weight reduction and cost saving. Currently, joining composite materials is a matter of intense research because traditional joining technologies are not directly transferable to composite structures. Fusion bonding and the use of thermoplastic as hot melt adhesives offer an alternative to mechanical fastening and thermosetting adhesive bonding. Fusion bonding technology, which originated from the thermoplastic polymer industry, has gained a new interest with the introduction of thermoplastic matrix composites, which are currently regarded as candidate for primary aircraft structures. This paper reviewed the state of the art of the welding technologies devised to aerospace industry, including the elds that

Towards high-quality multi-spot-welded joints in thermoplastic composite structures

2017

Ultrasonic welding is a promising assembly technique for thermoplastic composites and it is wellsuited for spot welding. In this study, two typical welding process control strategies, i.e. displacementcontrolled and energy-controlled welding, were selected to manufacture spot-welded joints. The influence of different boundary conditions, provided by different welding jigs, on the welding process and the performance of thus-created welded joints were investigated. The optimum input energy was found dependent on the welding jigs, while the optimum displacement was consistent for achieving the maximum weld strength in both welding jigs. Therefore, displacement-controlled welding showed more potential in producing consistent welds in sequential multi-spot welding.

Towards high-quality multi-spotwelded joints in thermoplastic composites structures

2017

Ultrasonic welding is a promising assembly technique for thermoplastic composites and it is wellsuited for spot welding. In this study, two typical welding process control strategies, i.e. displacementcontrolled and energy-controlled welding, were selected to manufacture spot-welded joints. The influence of different boundary conditions, provided by different welding jigs, on the welding process and the performance of thus-created welded joints were investigated. The optimum input energy was found dependent on the welding jigs, while the optimum displacement was consistent for achieving the maximum weld strength in both welding jigs. Therefore, displacement-controlled welding showed more potential in producing consistent welds in sequential multi-spot welding.

Interfacial Engineering Methods in Thermoplastic Composites: An Overview

Polymers

The paper critically analyzed different interfacial enhancing methods used in thermoplastic composites. Although the absence of cross-linked polymer chains and chemical bonds on solidification enables the thermoplastics to be remelted, it creates weak interfacial adhesion between fibre reinforcements and the thermoplastic matrix. The weak fibre-matrix interface bonding reduces the efficiency with which the applied load can be transferred between these composite constituents, causing the composite to fail prematurely. Their need for high-temperature processing, poor compatibility with other polymer matrices, and relatively high viscosity render thermoplastics challenging when used to manufacture composite laminates. Therefore, various methods, including nanoparticles, changing the polarity of the fibre surface by plasma etching, chemical treatment with ozone, or an oxidative attack at the fibre surface, have been applied to improve the fibre/matrix bonding in thermoplastic composites...

Hybrid welding of carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy based composites

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

The approach for joining thermosetting matrix composites (TSCs) proposed in this study is based on the use of a low melting co-cured thermoplastic film, added as a last ply in the stacking sequence of the composite laminate. During curing, the thermoplastic film partially penetrates in the first layer of the thermosetting composite, leading to macro-mechanical interlocking as the main connection mechanism between the thermoplastic film and the underlying composite. After curing, the thermosetting composite joints with the thermoplastic modified surface can be assembled by welding. Welding of the TSC-TSC joints is performed by ultrasonic and induction welding. The weld strength is investigated by morphological characterization of cross sections and failure surfaces and by mechanical testing. The effect of the thermoplastic film thickness on the welding process and on its outcome is also analyzed. Both induction and ultrasonic welding mostly result in good-quality welded joints. The welding process used as well as the initial thickness of the 2 thermoplastic film are found to have a significant effect on the final thickness of the weld line and on the location of failure. Thicker thermoplastic films are found to ease the welding processes.

Resistance welding of thermoplastic composites-an overview

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2005

... Resistance welding of thermoplastic composites skin/stringer joints. ... A special specimen geometry, the skin/stringer configuration, was used to represent a typical reinforced aerospace structural joint. The specimens consisted ...

Joining of Thermoplastic Composites with Metals Using Resistance Element Welding

Applied Sciences, 2020

Joining is a key enabler for a successful application of thermoplastic composites (TPC) in future multi-material systems. To use joining technologies, such as resistance welding for composite-metal joints, auxiliary joining elements (weld inserts) can be integrated into the composite and used as an interface. The authors pursue the approach of embedding metal weld inserts in TPC during compression moulding without fibre damage. The technology is based on the concept of moulding holes by a pin and simultaneously placing the weld insert in the moulded hole. Subsequently, the composite component can be joined with metal structures using conventional spot welding guns. For this purpose, two different types of weld inserts were embedded in glass fibre reinforced polypropylene sheets and then welded to steel sheets. A simulation of the welding process determined suitable welding parameters. The quality of the joints was analysed by microsections before and after the welding process. In ad...

Comparative analysis of in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical behaviour of spot-welded and mechaincally fastened joints in thermoplastic composites

2016

Ultrasonic welding is a promising assembly technique for thermoplastic composites and it is wellsuited for spot welding. In this paper, the in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical behaviour of ultrasonically spot-welded and mechanically fastened joints are investigated by double-lap shear and pull-through tests, respectively. Special attention was paid to the comparison of onset failure load and joint stiffness of both types of joints in either type of test. Fractography was utilized to analyse the teste specimens. Failure of welded specimens was found limited in the joints but catastrophic damage was introduced into composite substrates of mechanically fastened specimens. The possibility of the substitution for mechanically fastened joints by spot-welded joints is discussed.