TEMPERATURE PROFILE OF A FIT TOW PASSING A PREHEATING CHAMBER

Filament winding was applied to produce composite rings using Fiber-Im pregnated Thermoplastic (FIT(R)) tows. Important steps in the processi ng are the infrared (IR) preheating of the tow and the subsequent heat ing by hot air at the consolidation point. IR thermography was used to measure the temperature profile within the preheating chamber. A one- dimensional model for the calculation of the tow temperature is introd uced. It allows one to make conclusions concerning the preheater lengt h, IR power and temperature of the heating air at the consolidation po int to ensure melting of the polymer matrix.