About the influence of stamping on thermoplastic-based composites for aeronautical applications

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate changes in the mechanical behavior of carbon woven ply PPS laminates, obtained from thermo-compression, for aeronautics purposes. The influence of stamping on mechanical properties (tensile, compressive, in-plane shear, inter-laminar shear) of PPS-based laminates under severe environmental conditions (120 degrees C/hygrothermally aged) has been quantified, as well as for structural testing conditions (bolted joint). From the meso-structure observations, two important phenomena, re-compaction of fiber network and migration of resin melt, can be associated with the re-consolidation process of C/PPS laminates during stamping. This second thermo-compression improves the impregnation of fiber bundles by the PPS matrix and the interlaminar adhesion, which can be correlated with higher mechanical properties of PPS-based laminates under severe conditions. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.