Vacuum-bag-only co-bonding prepreg skins to aramid honeycomb core. Part II. In-situ core pressure response using embedded sensors

Abstract

Miniature pressure sensors were embedded into the honeycomb core of sandwich panels featuring both tool-side and bag-side skins. The pressure response was measured throughout the vacuum hold and elevated temperature processing stages of both oven and autoclave manufacturing. The elevated temperature processing measurements validated the honeycomb core pressure model presented in Part I, confirming that gas flow primarily occurs through the bag-side skin in semi-infinite panels. Aramid core panels showed much higher honeycomb core pressures than aluminum cores during elevated temperature processing. Higher core pressures during processing led to more gas flow and as a result, cured skins with interconnected porosity. The best sealed aramid core honeycomb skins were processed under one atmosphere of positive pressure with a vented vacuum bag, avoiding the continuous extraction of gas through the skins by the vacuum pump while the resin was highly mobile.