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A Comparison of the Properties of Carbon Fiber Epoxy Composites Produced by Non-autoclave with Vacuum Bag Only Prepreg and Autoclave Process

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Abstract

The non-autoclave curing technique with vacuum bag only (VBO) prepreg has been conceived as a cost-effective manufacturing method for producing high-quality composite part. This study demonstrated the feasibility of improving composite part’s performances and established the effective mitigation strategies for manufacturing induced defects, such as internal voids and surface porosity. The experimental results highlighted the fact that voids and surface porosity were clearly dependent on the resin viscosity state at an intermediate dwell stage of the curing process. Thereafter, the enhancement of resin flow could lead to achieving high quality parts with minimal void content (1.3%) and high fiber fraction (53 vol.%). The mechanical testing showed comparable in-plane shear and compressive strength to conventional autoclave. The microscopic observations also supported the evidence of improved interfacial bonding in terms of excellent fiber wet-out and minimal void content for the optimized cure cycle condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hyundai Automotive Research & Development Division, 772-1, Jangduk-Dong, Hwaseong-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, 445-706, South Korea

    Sang Yoon Park & Chi Hoon Choi

  2. Department of Materials Engineering, Korea Aerospace University, 76, Hanggongdaehak-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-Do, 10540, South Korea

    Won Jong Choi & Seong Soon Hwang

Authors
  1. Sang Yoon Park
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  2. Chi Hoon Choi
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Correspondence to Sang Yoon Park.

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Park, S.Y., Choi, C.H., Choi, W.J. et al. A Comparison of the Properties of Carbon Fiber Epoxy Composites Produced by Non-autoclave with Vacuum Bag Only Prepreg and Autoclave Process. Appl Compos Mater 26, 187–204 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-018-9688-y

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