Tailored Fiber Placement-Mechanical Properties and Applications

Abstract

Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) is a new automated textile process for the production of reinforcing structures. This process allows the consistent transfer of calculated locally optimum fiber quantities and orientations into fiber preforms. The mechanical properties achieved with TFP reinforced carbon fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy are compared with tape and fabric reinforced composites. Generally, static mechanical properties of TFP-laminates are better than fabric laminates and close to tapes. However, the ultimate compression strength of carbon/epoxy TFP is lower than comparable tape composites. Fatigue behaviour of a cross-ply carbon/epoxy TFP is compared with a fabric reinforced laminate. The advantages and possibilities of TFP are demonstrated by means of typical applications like bicycle components.