Variation of Tow Geometry for Polymer Foam-Composite Sandwich Structures during Forming

플리머 포움-복합재료 샌드위치 구조의 성형 중 토우 구조의 변화

This paper aims to investigate the micro-mechanical behaviour of tow geometry with forming pressures and densities of foams during the curing process of plain weave carbon fibre fabric prepregs onto polymer foams. In order to find out and compare deformation patterns between different forming conditions, tow parameters such as amplitude and crimp angle etc. are investigated. From the observation results, geometric difference in the tow architecture with respect to forming conditions and foam characteristics were found. To observe the micro-deformation of the fabric structure, appropriate specimens from carbon fibre-foam sandwich structures are sectioned and observed under the microscope.