The effects of polymeric binders on the processability and properties of composites made by suspension prepregging
<p>This thesis concerns the production of thermoplastic/carbon fiber composites via aqueous suspension prepregging. Suspension prepregging requires the use of a binder dispersant: i) to disperse the polymer particles so as to get good fiber-matrix distribution in the prepreg, and ii) to improv...
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| Format: | Others |
| Language: | en |
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Virginia Tech
2014
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10919/44873 http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-09192009-040513/ |
| Summary: | <p>This thesis concerns the production of thermoplastic/carbon fiber composites
via aqueous suspension prepregging. Suspension prepregging requires the use of a
binder dispersant: i) to disperse the polymer particles so as to get good fiber-matrix
distribution in the prepreg, and ii) to improve the handling characteristics of the
prepreg, by holding the matrix to the fibers and the fibers to themselves. The effects of
the binder on the processability, properties, and performance of composites were
assessed.</p>
<p>
It was found that the addition of the binder can affect both the matrix and the
composite performance depending on the binder concentration and chemistry. For
example an increase of 250 % on the complex dynamic viscosity of LaRC TPI matrix
was measured upon the addition of 21.3 wt% of imidized LaRC TPI polyamic acid
binder at a frequency of 1 Hz. The greatest fiber-matrix adhesion was observed for
PEEK composites when BisP BTDA polyamic acid was used as a binder.
A preliminary, qualitative study on the possibility of using suspension
prepregging as means of manufacturing thermoplastic/carbon fabric composites was
performed. Good penetration of PEEK polymer particles into the fabric was obtained
when the fabric was previously desized by acid digestion.</p>
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A preliminary study was made on the binding and dispersing capabilities of a
novel copolymer poly(pyridine ether-eo-ether ether ketone). The addition of the
copolymer to PEEK drastically increased the melt viscosity due to an ionomer effect.
This resulted in poorly consolidated panels with high void volumes. === Master of Science |
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