Influence of consolidation pressure on interfacial properties of AM components

This study extends the analysis of current research on partially cured components behaviour of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers, with the aim of decreasing the amount of scrapped parts generated by an unsustainable manufacturing production, lowering the processing time, and allowing the creation of thicker and more complex shapes while reducing the risk of generating thermal gradients and residual stresses across the thickness of the component. It has been recently demonstrated that the mechanical interfacial properties are retained as long as the level of partial cure of the layers bonded is below the gelation point. This project aims at addressing how the adhesive fracture toughness is influenced by both degree of cure and consolidation pressure. This is investigated through mode I delamination tests and concurrently, thermo-mechanical simulations are developed to validate both the curing cycles chosen for the manufacturing of the specimens and the peel-off analysis. The outcomes of the project point out that an increase in consolidation pressure for the configuration where one uncured layer is bonded with a partially cured one at 20% of degree of cure can have beneficial effects on the mechanical properties of the material.