Preform-based toughening technology for RTMable high-temperature aerospace composites

Xiao Su Yi, Qun Feng Cheng, Zhi Zhen Liu

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This article describes the efforts that led to the development of surface-loaded preforms that may be used to significantly improve the compression-after-impact strength of high-temperature composites and correspondingly to dramatically reduce the area of damage because of impact. Moreover, by matching the toughening polymer surface-loaded and design of the surface pattern, in-plane mechanical properties are unaffected or even improved over laminates made from the identical materials. The proprietary preforms, so-called ES™-Fabrics, may be handled and infused with the high-temperature RTMable resins such as bismaleimide and polyimide in exactly the same manner as traditional fabrics without surface modification. The RTM conditions for the preform-based toughening is fully compatible with the traditional process procedure, making the technology cost-effective in production. This technology represents a key enabler for the use of low-cost RTM processes for high-temperature resins to supplant prepreg as the building-block material of choice for aeronautical composite structures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2255-2263
Number of pages9
JournalScience China Technological Sciences
Volume55
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bismaleimide
  • Fracture toughness
  • Impact damage
  • Polyimide
  • Preform-based toughening
  • Surface loading

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • General Engineering

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