Design considerations for manufacturing carbon-fiber thermoplastic composites using microwave heating
- McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, St. Louis, MO (United States)
In an effort to lower the cost of manufacturing carbon-fiber thermoplastic composites, McDonnell Douglas Aerospace is investigating automated tape and fiber placement manufacturing methods. In these methods, structures are fabricated one ply at a time by applying heat to raise the bond line to the softening point of the thermoplastic and applying pressure to consolidate the ply to the structure being fabricated. Infrared, microwave, radio frequency and laser methods are being considered to quickly heat the thermoplastic resin to its consolidation temperature. The penetration of the heating power is different in each of these methods. We are currently conducting studies to determine if microwave heating has significant advantages over alternate heating methods and if so, how it should be incorporated into an actual manufacturing process. This paper describes the results of our studies concerning how the power density and penetration depth affect the manufacturing process.
- OSTI ID:
- 126925
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950402-; TRN: 95:006086-0989
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 209. American Chemical Society (ACS) national meeting, Anaheim, CA (United States), 2-6 Apr 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of 209th ACS national meeting; PB: 2088 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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