Consolidation of Thermoplastic Composites

Abstract

The consolidation of CETEX® glass-PEI prepreg has been investigated at a micro level, which is the flattening of the prepreg layers and the inherent establishing of intimate contact between two adjacent layers. The consolidation phenomena were investigated by C-scanning of 2-layer laminates, in which the standard deviation was taken as an indication of the presence of voids within the laminate and of the homogeneity in laminate thickness. The decrease in standard deviation with pressure and temperature is for a large extent caused by straightening of the fabric. A further increase in pressure and temperature, therefore, does not result in a large decrease of standard deviation. The increase of the standard deviation above the critical temperature is most likely to be caused by matrix flow.