On prepreg properties and manufacturability

Abstract

This study considers the effect of prepreg properties<br/>on the manual layup process. Commercial prepregs<br/>were characterised in terms of shear behaviour, tack<br/>and flexural rigidity. The materials were then laid up<br/>by professional laminators on a series of<br/>increasingly challenging moulds, and the time taken<br/>to lay up each material was used as a metric of layup<br/>performance. It was found that there is a positive<br/>correlation between shear angle and layup time.<br/>Considerable differences (up to a factor of 2) in time<br/>taken to lay up different materials were also seen.<br/>The measured properties were used as predictors in a<br/>linear model to determine layup time, where it was<br/>found that shear energy and tack are significant.<br/>Lastly, some implications for the design and<br/>manufacture of composite components are<br/>discussed.