Effect of Molding Condition on the Resin Impregnation and Mechanical Properties of Plain-Woven Carbon Fabric Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyimide Composites

Abstract

The effect of molding condition on the resin impregnation behavior and associated mechanical properties were investigated for plain woven carbon fabric reinforced thermoplastic polyimide composites. Resin impregnation was accelerated with increasing molding temperature and pressure. At molding temperatures above 410ºC, resin impregnation remained unchanged with change in temperature. Tensile test results indicated that modulus and strength increased with resin impregnation. Resin impregnation was predicted using analytical models and it was found that the analysis could successfully predict the impregnation behavior, despite the difference in molding pressure and temperature.