Consolidation of glass fibre-polypropylene towpregs by compression moulding

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2006

Authors

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

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 1 Citation

Scopus - 2 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-NX6

Abstract (EN): In this work a theoretical model describing the consolidation of glass fibre-polypropylene (GF/PP) towpregs into composites by compression moulding is studied. Such model relates the constant pressure applied by the press to the other processing operational (consolidation time and temperature) and material variables (fibre/polymer content and packing arrangement, matrix viscosity and powder and fibre dimensions). 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 model simulations assuming an isothermal consolidation and two different fibre/polymer packing arrangements, one triangular and the other hexagonal. The results obtained showed that the towpreg consolidation could be successfully predicted using the model under study.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5