The effect of moulding process parameters on interlaminar properties of CF/PEEK composite laminates

Abstract

Interlaminar properties are one of the most important indicators of thermoplastic composite quality. A series of laminates with different moulding process parameters were prepared by unidirectional carbon fibre-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) prepreg to explore the influence of moulding process parameters on the interlaminar properties of CF/PEEK composite laminates. The influence of the three process parameters, moulding pressure, moulding temperature, and holding time on the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of [0/90]8 laminates was studied. The interlaminar shear failure modes of specimens under different moulding process parameters were compared, and the correlation between the ILSS and interlaminar shear failure modes was analysed. The results showed that the appropriate moulding pressure was 2 MPa, the proper moulding temperature range was 400–420°C and the holding time should not be less than 20 min. The main failure modes were tensile or compression when the laminates were moulded using proper process parameters; interlaminar shear failure might also appear in those moulded by non-optimised process parameters.