ABSTRAGT Models were developed which describe the curing process of composites constructed from continuous fiber-reinforced, thermosetting resin matrix prepreg materials. On the basis of the models, a computer code was developed, which for flat-plate composites cured by a specified cure cycle, provides the temperature distribution, the degree of cure of the resin, the resin viscosity inside the composite, the void sizes, the temperatures and pressures inside voids, and the residual stress distribution after the cure. In addition, the computer code can be used to determine the amount of resin flow out of the composite and the resin content of the composite and the bleeder. Tests were performed measuring the temperature distribution in and the resin flow out of composites constructed from Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite epoxy prepreg tape. The data were compared with results calculated with the computer code for the conditions employed in the tests and good agreement was found between the data and the results of the computer code. A parametric study was also performed to illustrate how the model and the associated computer code can be used to determine the appropriate cure cycle for a given application, which results in a composite that is cured uniformly, has a low void content, and is cured in the shortest amount of time.

ABSTRAGT Models were developed which describe the curing process of composites constructed from continuous fiber-reinforced, thermosetting resin matrix prepreg materials. On the basis of the models, a computer code was developed, which for flat-plate composites cured by a specified cure cycle, provides the temperature distribution, the degree of cure of the resin, the resin viscosity inside the composite, the void sizes, the temperatures and pressures inside voids, and the residual stress distribution after the cure. In addition, the computer code can be used to determine the amount of resin flow out of the composite and the resin content of the composite and the bleeder. Tests were performed measuring the temperature distribution in and the resin flow out of composites constructed from Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite epoxy prepreg tape. The data were compared with results calculated with the computer code for the conditions employed in the tests and good agreement was found between the data and the results of the computer code. A parametric study was also performed to illustrate how the model and the associated computer code can be used to determine the appropriate cure cycle for a given application, which results in a composite that is cured uniformly, has a low void content, and is cured in the shortest amount of time.

Moisture absorption of graphite-epoxy composites immersed in liquids and in himid air were investigated. The moisture content as a function of time and temperature was measured for three materials: Fiberite T300/1034, Hercules AS/3501-5 and Narmco T300/5208. Tests were performed a) with the materials immersed in No. 2 diesel fuel, in jet A fuel, in aviation oil, in saturated salt water, and in distilled water (in the range of 300 to 322 K) and b)with the materials exposed to humid air (in the range 322 to 366 K). The results obtained were compared to available composite and neat resin data.

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Composites made of feather fiber (Ff), kraft pulp fiber (Pf), polypropylene (PP), and maleic anhydride modified polypropylene (MaPP) were tested in tension and three-point bend tests. Composite panels were compression molded from multiple plies of nonwoven, fabric-like prepreg manufactured with wetlay papermaking equipment. Composites containing all four materials were manufactured with MaPP substitutions for PP of 0 -10 wt % at 2 wt % increments. The best mechanical properties were observed with a substitution of 8 wt % MaPP. Composites containing either Pf or Ff were manufactured with MaPP substitutions for PP of 0, 4, and 8 wt %; mechanical properties improved with increases in MaPP content. The improvements in mechanical properties were attributed to fiber/ matrix interface improvement by the addition of MaPP. Scanning electron microscopy revealed evidence of improved interfacial bonding on the tensile fracture surfaces.