The wide range of applications of microwave technology in manufacturing industries has been well documented (NRC, 1994; Thuery, 1992). In this paper, a new way of joining fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites with or without primers is presented. The microwave facility used is also discussed. The effect of power input and cycle time on the heat affected zone (HAZ) is detailed together with ...

High strain loading response of high-performance aerospace grade polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and toughened epoxy carbon fibre-reinforced composites has been investigated in pre-impregnated laminates having identical fibre volume fraction, i.e. nearly 65%. Tensile cyclic tests have carried out on the with [±45°]8S stacking sequence, order to characterise inelastic (plasticity) parameters for t...

The main advantage of multidirectionally reinforced composites is the freedom to orient selected fiber types and hence derives the benefits of varying fibre volume fractions and there by accommodate the design loads of the final structure of composites. This technology provides the means to produce tailored composites with desired properties. Due to the high level of fibre integrity with throug...

Reinforcement of flexible fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites with standard textile fibres is a potential low cost solution to less critical loading applications. The mechanical behaviour of FRPs based on mechanically bonded nonwoven preforms composed of either low or high modulus fibres in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix were compared following compression moulding. Nonwoven pr...

Due to the high cost of laboratory testing, many researchers are considering developing methods predict behavior unreinforced and reinforced wood beams. This work aims create either numerical or analytical models useful for extrapolating already conducted tests other schemes/materials used as reinforcement. In case timber structures, due complexity timber, this task is difficult. The first part...

(2002) Numerical and experimental studies on the fracture behavior of rubber-toughened epoxy in bulk specimen and laminated composites. ABSTRACT To study the toughening mechanisms of liquid rubber (LR) and core-shell rubber (CSR) in bulk epoxy and composite laminate, experimental and numerical investigations were carried out on compact tension (CT) and double-cantilever-beam (DCB) specimens und...

The contemporary Formula 1 racing car makes extensive use of advanced composite materials in its construction. The design, manufacture, and ultimate performance under compression of composite suspension push-rods that typically could be used in a Grand Prix racing car are described in this present paper. An aerofoil cross section has been used based on different lay-ups of carbon/epoxy composit...

In recent years, a strongly growing demand of aeronautic industry for light weight materials like carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) motivated by economic and environmental issues is observed. The main interest of using CFRP composites is based on weight reduction, and on the high fatigue resistance capabilities. The next generation aircrafts, as the Airbus A350 XWB aim to be made of more ...

Structural health monitoring of composite structures may be accomplished by measuring strains with embedded optical fibre sensors. In this paper, we present the performance of Bragg grating sensors, which are imbedded into a carbon composite laminate and them bonded to the structure in analyse. The paper will briefly discuss the results and compare them with a free fibre Bragg grating bonded in...