Abstract
The fundamental mechanisms which govern impregnation and consolidation processes and thus the material qualities as well as the resulting mechanical properties of composite parts made out of powder impregnation bundles (GF/PP 320 tex and CF/PEEK 3K/6K-FIT{reg_sign}) are investigated. Microscopy of cross-sections and density measurements helped to examine the quality of impregnation and consolidation. An impregnation model for the qualitative description of the consolidation behavior in laminates made out of these materials is generated. The relationships between processing temperature, holding time and applied pressure required to reach full consolidation are evaluated. Effects of variations in bundle geometry on impregnation are discussed. Results of transverse flexural tests are used to correlate the mechanical properties with the impregnation quality, in particular the void content in the laminates. Finally, the optimum processing windows for manufacturing of composite laminates out of these material preforms are suggested.