Novel tape termination method for automated fibre placement: Cutting characteristics and delamination suppression

Gordon, Tharan; Xu, Xiaodong; Wisnom, Michael R.; Kim, Byung Chul

Abstract

A novel tape termination method for tapering the ply end and removing the fibre discontinuity owing to a dropped ply in a tapered composite was demonstrated. The forces required for this process – referred to as tape scarfing – were experimentally investigated with respect to blade speed, scarfing ratio, tape thickness and width. Tensile tests were conducted on unidirectional laminate specimens with a scarfed ply at two different aspect ratios to examine the effect of scarfing ratio on the delamination behaviour of the specimens. The results showed that the ply scarfing ratio is a critical parameter controlling the cutting force and delamination behaviour in a tapered specimen, and upon reaching a certain threshold delamination can be completely suppressed. The method demonstrated has potential for implementation in commercial AFP machines, theoretically realising a more compact cutting mechanism, with the capability of preventing delamination in the ply drop regions.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 16, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jul 4, 2020
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Feb 15, 2021
• Journal: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
• Print ISSN: 1359-835X
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 137
• Article Number: 106023
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2020.106023
• Keywords: Mechanics of Materials; Ceramics and Composites; Prepreg; Delamination; Automated Fibre Placement (AFP); Cutting
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7094432
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Novel tape termination method for automated fibre placement: Cutting characteristics and delamination suppression; Journal Title: Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2020.106023; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.