Victrex and Coriolis Composites have formed a partnership to improve thermoplastic unidirectional tape (TP UDT) prepreg lay-up and consolidation and improve the manufacturing efficiency of composite parts. The companies have tested using automated fiber placement (AFP) process with Victrex’ AE 250 UDT for aerospace applications. The results of the study show improved lay down speed at acceptable porosity levels for TP UD laminates and can compete with automated fiber placement/automated tape laying (AFP/ATL) deposition rates for thermosets without the necessary lengthy autoclave consolidation time required for thermoset UDT (TS UDT). ‘We developed a set of conditions that demonstrated time and energy savings, indicating the potential benefits of the deployment of AE 250 UDT composites for large scale structural aircraft parts,’ said Dr Justin Merotte, composites project engineer at Coriolis Composites.
This story uses material from Victrex, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
