열가소성 수지 복합재료에서의 수지 함침

The Impregnation of Thermoplastic Resin into a Unidirectional Fiber Bundle

Impregnation of molten thermoplastic resin into continuous unidirectional fiber bundles was investigated. The degree of impregnation is defined as the ratio between the number of impregnated fibers and the total number of fibers of a bundle. The degree of impregnation was modeled as a function of time, impregnation pressure, temperature and tow size assuming the radial inward flow through the fiber bundle is governed by the Darcy's law. The permeability was assumed to be constant. Experiments were performed to evaluate the validity of the medel. Today's T300 graphite fiber bundles and Polyetheretherketone(PEEK) resin was used. A fiber bundle and resin powder were put into a mold and pressure and temperature were applied. After a predetermined time, the sample was taken out and microphotographs of the cross-section were taken. From the microphotographs, the number of impregnated fibers was counted and then the degree of impregnation was determined. Experiments were also performed for different tow sizes. Good agreements were found between the model and the experiments rendering a confidence in the model.