Effects of near-infrared heating and high frequency induction roller heating in continuous tape layup molding of CFRTP

Abstract

Automated thermoplastic tape laying (ATL) and automated fiber placement (AFP) are high-potential manufacturing methods for continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) composites which can ensure operational safety even in highly loaded components such as aircraft wing skins and fuselages or construction large scaled structures. This study aimed to reveal the heating behavior of CFRTP in continuous tape layup molding. The material used for the experiment was unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced polyamide 6 (CF/PA6) prepreg tape. The effects of processing conditions such as output of infrared heater, feed speed of prepreg tapes and heating temperature of pressure rollers on the tape laying behavior of prepreg tape were investigated. In the case of only near infrared heating, it was revealed that the difference in temperature between the upside and downside prepreg tape was increased significantly. Then, the joining strength was decreased significantly compared with using the infrared heater, because the moisture in the prepreg tapes was not removed completely. On the other hand, when the near infrared heater and heating roller were used, the difference in temperature between the upside and downside prepreg tape was decreased considerably. It was also revealed that the surface temperature of CF/PA6 prepreg tape and singe lap tensile strength tends to increase with decreasing the feed speed of prepreg tapes.