| Abstrakt: |
Thermoplastics are increasing in popularity for structural aerospace applications. Historically, assembling large thermoset composite aerospace structures required mechanically fastening or adhesively bonding components together. Both joining methods are labor intensive and have their challenges in manufacturing to ensure a robust and reliable joint. Thermoplastics, due to their melt-processability, can be joined by fusion bonding. Fusion bonding involves heating the interface between the detail parts to be bonded, followed by the application of pressure, and cooldown. There are many thermoplastic material systems and methods to fusion bond. This paper will focus on welding of carbon fiber unidirectional tape Low Melt (LM) PAEK thermoplastic composites. In this method, an electromagnetic field interacts with the conductive carbon fiber in the material to generate heat. Our research focuses on the effect of induction weld process parameters on the weld interface quality. The varied parameters include temperature, weld rate, and manufacturing conditions. Ultrasonic inspection, crystallinity, and lap shear testing are used to compare the different processing parameters on the joint strength. These findings establish the current processing window for our induction weld process and drive future improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
