Consolidation of glass-fiber/polypropylene towpregs by compression molding

• Type: Article in International Conference Proceedings Book
• Date: 2005

Authors

Nunes, JP (Author) Other; Silva, JF (Author) Other; António Torres Marques (Author) FEUP

Conference proceedings International

Title: Annual Technical Conference - ANTEC, Conference Proceedings

Pages: 304-308

Society of Plastics Engineers Annual Technical Conference 2005, ANTEC 2005

Boston, MA, 1 May 2005 through 5 May 2005

Indexing

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-007-F7T

Abstract (EN): Compression tests were carried at different temperatures and constant press pressures on unidirectional GF/PP towpreg preforms. The experimentally determined displacement/time curves were compared to the simulations obtained from a theoretical model that assumes an isothermal process and two different fiber/polymer packing arrangements, one triangular and the other hexagonal. Discrepancies were found between the experimental results and theoretical simulations as consequence of the difficulties found in establishing the real fiber/polymer arrangement and polymer flow conditions during consolidation. This work presents an empirical equation, which includes two constants to be determined experimentally, that allows reducing those discrepancies and predicting with higher accuracy the relationship between the material properties (polymer viscosity and fiber and polymer particle dimensions) and the operational compression molding conditions (press pressure and consolidation time).

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific