Author(s)

K. Tanaka, R. Harada, T. Uemura, T. Katayama & H. Kuwahara

Abstract

Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) with thermo-setting resin are usually used in aerospace applications and racing cars. However, considering moulding time and recyclability, it is desirable to use thermoplastics resin for the matrix. In our previous study, Non-woven Stitched Multi-axial Cloth (NSMC) was developed as moulding semi-product of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTP). In this study, the rapid pipe moulding process of CFRTP components by means of high-frequency direct resistance heating, in combination with NSMC, was invented. This method allows heating of the mould surface rapidly by using high-frequency direct resistance heating. NSMC makes the lamination process easy, due to the fact that the non-crimp fabric of carbon fibre and the non-woven fabric of thermoplastics resin are stitched to one sheet, so production cycle time can be reduced. The invented high-speed moulding technique is expected to apply to CFRTP pipes. This moulding method can also reduce production cycle times, and therefore the cost to manufacture composite parts can also be reduced. CFRTP pipe had been successfully moulded in the size of 300 mm in length, 47 mm in diameter and 3 mm in thickness by this moulding method. Keywords: carbon fibres, thermoplastic resin, pipe moulding, non-woven fabric, non-woven stitched multi-axial cloth (NSMC), high-frequency direct resistance heating.

Keywords

carbon fibres, thermoplastic resin, pipe moulding, non-woven fabric, non-woven stitched multi-axial cloth (NSMC), high-frequency direct resistance heating