IMPREGNATION, FLOW AND DEFORMATION DURING PROCESSING OF ADVANCED THERMOPLASTIC COMPOSITES

Thermoplastic matrix composites are of increasing technical interest. This new generation of materials is not only comparable to conventiona l thermosetting systems in terms of performance and durability, but al so affords considerable incentive in weight reduction and cost-effecti ve manufacturing. A careful description of the different intermediate material forms is presented in this paper along with their advantages and inherent drawbacks in processing and the manufacturing steps which follow. The micro-mechanics of flow and deformation which, however, h ave to occur are partly different from that known from thermosetting c omposites and metallic materials. Therefore, the flow and micro-deform ation mechanisms, such as resin percolation, transverse flow and inter as well as intra-ply slip will be discussed in detail along with thei r importance to get optimum consolidation of the final components.