Compaction, Nesting and Image based Permeability Analysis of Multi-layer Dry Preforms by Computed Tomography (CT)

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

123 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Textile preforms have a multi-scale hierarchy of fibres, tows and plies; geometry at each scale influences the manufacturing processes, the permeability of the textile to resin as well as the mechanical properties of the finished laminate. High-fidelity structural models for textile composites require accurate non-idealised tow geometry as well as changes to this geometry during processing. This paper presents a CT-based experimental technique for capturing the realistic meso-scale geometry of individual tows in a 2D fabric layer and the nesting or ply shifting between fabric layers in a multi-layer stack during a simulated consolidation process. In-situ compression loading mechanism has been implemented in order to capture multi-layer preform geometry under loading conditions to simulate the vacuum infusion process (up to 1 bar pressure). Inter-tow and inter-ply void geometry has been captured in 3D due to high x-ray contrast between the fibres and the air. Degree of ply nesting and the connectivity between adjacent voids have been assessed at each stage of the compaction process. An image-based flow analysis has been performed on the extracted 3D realistic void geometry and effect of layer nesting on resin flow has been evaluated. Image-based prediction of permeability values have been in good agreement with experimental values found in the literature when normalised as a function of fibre volume fractions.
Original languageEnglish
Article number113676
Pages (from-to)113676
JournalComposite Structures
Early online date11 Feb 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Feb 2021

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Compaction, Nesting and Image based Permeability Analysis of Multi-layer Dry Preforms by Computed Tomography (CT)'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this