Process Optimization for Compression Molding of Carbon Fiber–Reinforced Thermosetting Polymer

Abstract

To enhance the quality and mechanical performance of a carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP) workpiece, this paper prepares a polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fiber–reinforced thermosetting polymer (CFRTP) laminated board through compression molding, and carries out orthogonal tests and single-factor tests to disclose the effects of different process parameters (i.e., compression temperature, compression pressure, pressure-holding time, and cooling rate) on the mechanical performance of the CFRTP workpieces. Moreover, the process parameters of compression molding were optimized based on the test results. The research results show that: The process parameters of compression molding can be ranked as compression temperature, pressure-holding time, compression pressure, cooling rate, and mold-opening temperature, in descending order of the impact on the mechanical property of the CFRTP; the optimal process parameters for compression molding include a compression temperature of 150 °C, a pressure-holding time of 20 min, a compression pressure of 50 T, a cooling rate of 3.5 °C/min, and a mold-opening temperature of 80 °C. Under this parameter combination, the tensile strength, bending strength, and the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the samples were, respectively, 785.28, 680.36, and 66.15 MPa.