P. Olivier et M. Cavarero, Comparison between longitudinal tensile characteristics of thin and thick thermoset composite laminates: influence of curing conditions, COMPUT STRU, 76(1-3), 2000, pp. 125-137
In a previous study we set up an optimization procedure for thick laminate
cure cycles. This procedure enabled us to determine an optimized cure cycle
for manufacturing two 31.5 mm thick laminates with different stacking sequ
ences. We also analyzed their physical characteristics which were found to
be uniform throughout the laminate thickness except for the fiber Volume fr
action. The next stage consisted of comparing the longitudinal tensile mech
anical behavior of 31.5 mm thick and thin laminates with similar stacking s
equences and physical characteristics. The tests performed on thick (252 pl
ies) and thin (28 plies) laminates prove the validity of the optimized cure
cycle, since the difference between thin and thick laminates mechanical ch
aracteristics was shown to be highly dependent on the testing conditions. (
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