ANALYSIS OF THE ONLINE CONSOLIDATION PROCESS IN THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITE TAPE PLACEMENT

The main objective of the present study is to establish the relationsh ips between the process variables and the quality of thermoplastic com posite laminates fabricated by tape placement. The quality parameters considered in the process modeling ale interlaminar bond strength, wei ght loss through thermal degradation, and crystallinity. Stress, heat transfer, crystallization, degradation, and bonding models are develop ed. These models relate the process parameters (e.g., roller velocity, roller pressure, heat input) to temperature, stress, and crystallinit y distributions, degradation weight loss, and degree of bonding within the composite. These relationships are used to develop a process wind ow to ensure product quality. The process parameters are then optimize d to reduce the lay-up time.