In-situ consolidation automated fiber placement of thermoplastic composites (ICAT) offers a promising alternative to traditional manufacturing methods, potentially reducing both cost and energy consumption. This study investigates the interlaminar bonding of carbon fiber/low-melt Polyaryletherketone (CF/LM-PAEK) composites using four routes: (1) ICAT at slow speed, (2) ICAT at fast speed, (3) annealing after fast ICAT above the matrix’s cold crystallization temperature, and (4) compression molding (CM) after fast ICAT above the matrix’s melting temperature. Rapid cooling and crystal formation during ICAT hindered polymer chain interdiffusion, resulting in suboptimal interlaminar properties (mode I and II fracture toughness, and short beam shear). Annealing after fast ICAT reduced voids and cold crystallized the quenched amorphous regions, thereby producing behavior similar to that of slow ICAT.
Pour en savoir plus : Interlaminar bonding in thermoplastic composites: A comparative analysis of laser AFP and post-processing