Abstract
Issues related to process-induced internal stresses are very important in processing semi-crystalline thermoplastic composites. Internal stresses have potential impact on the processing outcomes as well as the performance of composite materials. The effect of processing parameters on the factors leading to internal stresses was considered in this study. Morphological gradients and residual stress profiles in semi-crystalline thermoplastic composites were evaluated using the Process Simulated Laminate technique that has been applied to poly-ether-ether-ketone/carbon fiber (PEEK/CF). The thermoplastic composite materials investigated in this study were polyethylene-terephthalate/carbon fiber (PET/CF) and poly-ether-ketone-ketone/long discontinuous carbon fiber (PEKKLDFTM), in comparison with other material systems. It is shown that the Process Simulated Laminate technique can be used to examine the processing characteristics of polymeric composites and can provide a rational methodology for comparison of different material systems.
