A new manufacturing process for thermoplastic (TP) composite parts has been used to produce conical anisogrid composite lattice structure (ACLS). An out-of-autoclave (OOA) process has been prototyped by using the compaction exerted by a heat-shrink tube after its exposition to heat in oven. Narrow thermoplastic prepreg tapes have been wounded on a metallic conical patterned mold at room temperature; then, the conical structure has been inserted in the heat-shrink tube and heated. TP unidirectional prepreg tapes have been used with polypropylene matrix and glass fibers. After molding, the TP ACLS has been tested under axial and transverse compression. Conical adapters were used in the transverse loading condition to allow uniform application of the load. Density measurement has been also performed to assess the quality of the OOA process. Results of this study show that TP ACLS with complex shape may be produced with OOA solutions without affecting mechanical performance. In fact, porosity levels of the consolidate ACLS are comparable with the initial prepreg despite of the absence of vacuum during molding. Moreover, high compressive stiffness was measured along both directions without observing damages, buckling or cracks in multiple tests. In the future, this kind of technology could be used for larger ACLSs by substituting the heat-shrink tube with a narrow tape to be wound as well after lamination.

Quadrini, F., Iorio, L., Santoro, D., Santo, L. (2021). Conical thermoplastic composite anisogrid lattice structure by innovative out-of-autoclave molding process. In Proceedings of the ASME 2021 16th International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC 2021. American Society of Mechanical Engineers [10.1115/MSEC2021-63821].

Conical thermoplastic composite anisogrid lattice structure by innovative out-of-autoclave molding process

Quadrini F.;Iorio L.;Santoro D.;Santo L.
2021-01-01

Abstract

A new manufacturing process for thermoplastic (TP) composite parts has been used to produce conical anisogrid composite lattice structure (ACLS). An out-of-autoclave (OOA) process has been prototyped by using the compaction exerted by a heat-shrink tube after its exposition to heat in oven. Narrow thermoplastic prepreg tapes have been wounded on a metallic conical patterned mold at room temperature; then, the conical structure has been inserted in the heat-shrink tube and heated. TP unidirectional prepreg tapes have been used with polypropylene matrix and glass fibers. After molding, the TP ACLS has been tested under axial and transverse compression. Conical adapters were used in the transverse loading condition to allow uniform application of the load. Density measurement has been also performed to assess the quality of the OOA process. Results of this study show that TP ACLS with complex shape may be produced with OOA solutions without affecting mechanical performance. In fact, porosity levels of the consolidate ACLS are comparable with the initial prepreg despite of the absence of vacuum during molding. Moreover, high compressive stiffness was measured along both directions without observing damages, buckling or cracks in multiple tests. In the future, this kind of technology could be used for larger ACLSs by substituting the heat-shrink tube with a narrow tape to be wound as well after lamination.
ASME 2021 16th International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC 2021
2021
Manufacturing Engineering Division
Rilevanza internazionale
2021
Settore ING-IND/16 - TECNOLOGIE E SISTEMI DI LAVORAZIONE
English
Conical anisogrid lattice structure
Heat shrink tube
Out-of-autoclave process
Unidirectional thermoplastic composite
Intervento a convegno
Quadrini, F., Iorio, L., Santoro, D., Santo, L. (2021). Conical thermoplastic composite anisogrid lattice structure by innovative out-of-autoclave molding process. In Proceedings of the ASME 2021 16th International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference, MSEC 2021. American Society of Mechanical Engineers [10.1115/MSEC2021-63821].
Quadrini, F; Iorio, L; Santoro, D; Santo, L
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2108/309047
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