• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.27 no.8
• /
• pp.1338-1346
• /
• 2003

Three-dimensional formability of the thermoplastic laminar composite was studied according to manufacturing conditions. Five different types of the plain weave fabric were used as reinforcement with PET matrix. The square blank was made by press consolidation technique and formed in the type hemisphere. B-factor defined as the ratio of width of yarn and distance between yarns was used as the factor of formability in the type of plain weave fabric. The formability of PET/Glass fabric laminar composite was estimated in terms of forming rate and B-factor with the thickness distribution, area ratio of blank, and intra-ply shear angle. The thickness distribution across hemisphere was strongly affected by the B-factor, forming rate and blank thickness. The area ratio of blank was increased with B-factor, forming rate and blank thickness. Also, it was found that the intra-ply shear angle depends on the B-factor and forming rate.