Producing composite parts using low-cost processes such as resin transfer moulding
(RTM) has received much interest in the aerospace industry. RTM manufactured components
require near net shape preforms which closely fit mould cavities. To reduce labour
costs associated with composite production, automated preforming processes must be
utilized. However, obtaining reproducible high quality preforms is required for manufacturing
consistent high quality parts. Stitched multilayer 3D non crimp fabric preforms
are well suited for automation and an investigation into quality and performance of
components manufactured from these preforms is required.
This thesis provides an initial evaluation of quality and mechanical properties of components
made from stitched multilayer 3D non crimp fabric preforms using RTM. Similar
sized flat plates of varying fibre volume fractions were manufactured to evaluate flexural
modulus and strength, short beam shear strength and drop weight impact resistance of
the material. Also, integral reinforced panels (IRPs) featuring a reinforcing section joined
to a flat plate of varying laminating sequences were manufactured to evaluate debonding
strength between sections. Optical microscopy was performed on component samples to
determine quality based on void content and was found to be within acceptable limits
for production composites. Flexural moduli were found to be comparable with theoretical
expected values, however flexural strength was limited by the presence of transverse
stitches. Short beam shear strength results showed high consistency between specimens,
however were lower than comparable values found in literature. Impact specimens showed
consistency among specimens, with greater damage resistance than comparable values
found in literature. Determining debonding strength proved difficult as different failure
modes were observed between IRPs, however, initial baseline values were acquired.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/31691 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Audette, Scott |
| Contributors | Robitaille, François |
| Publisher | Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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