Abstract

Within the high-performance composite manufacturing industry, there exists a need to improve the reliability of LCM (Liquid Composite Molding) manufacturing processes in producing composite parts that better approach the quality and consistency of pre-impregnated composite tapes that are cured in autoclaves with cost being a driving factor of this need. One obstacle to that end is the phenomenon of void formation during the LCM infusion processes. The formation of these voids through different mechanisms leads to composite parts with lower mechanical properties and consistency than their pre-impregnated autoclave cure counterparts. The objective of this research is to investigate the different mechanisms through which voids form during LCM processes as well as potential actions that can be taken to reduce the total percent volume of voids that form during the infusion. This research also aims to investigate the correlation of the void content observed at the tool-ply interface compared to the void content through the thickness of composite laminates. Finally, this research investigates the effect that chemical modification of the wettability of carbon fiber fabrics has on void formation during infusions.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering; Manufacturing Engineering

Rights

https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/