• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.72 no.3
• /
• pp.305-312
• /
• 2019

This paper investigates the effect of utilizing vacuum bagging process to enhance the bond behavior between fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites and concrete substrate. Sixty specimens were prepared and tested using double-shear bond test. The effect of various parameters such as vacuum, fiber type, and FRP sheet length and width on the bond strength were investigated. The experimental results revealed that utilizing vacuum leads to improve the bond behavior between FRP composites and concrete. Both the ultimate bond forces and the maximum displacements were enhanced when applying the vacuum which leads to reduction in the amount of FRP materials needed to achieve the required bond strength compared with the un-vacuumed specimens. The efficiency of the enhancement in bond behavior due to vacuum highly depends on the fiber type; using carbon fiber showed higher enhancement in the bond strength compared to the glass fiber when vacuum was applied. On the contrary, specimens with glass fiber showed higher enhancement in the maximum slippage compared to specimens with carbon fibers. Utilizing vacuum does not affect the debonding failure modes but lead to increase in the amount of attached concrete on the surface of the debonded FRP sheet.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.304-310
• /
• 2018

Autoclave process has been remaining as one of the most robust and stable process in fabricating structural composite part of aerospace industry. It has lots of advantages, however exhibits some disadvantages or limitations in capital investment and operation. Recently, there have been various Out-of-Autoclave process being researched and developed to overcome those limitations. In this study, laminate specimens were fabricated using LCM (Liquid Composite Molding) process, regarded as one of potential OoA process. DB (Double bagging), CAPRI (Controlled Atmospheric Pressure Resin Infusion), VAP (Vacuum Assisted Process) and Autoclave process were used for laminate specimens. Void content, Thickness, Tg (Glass Transition Temperature), ILSS (Interlaminar Shear Strength) and Flexural strength properties were evaluated for comparison. It is verified that Autoclave based specimen has uniform thickness distribution, the lowest void content and outstanding mechanical properties. And, CAPRI based specimen exhibits relatively good physical and mechanical properties over DB and VAP based specimen and comparable mechanical properties with autoclave based specimen.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2001

Autoclave curing using the vacuum bagging method is widely used for the manufacture of advanced composite prepreg airframe structures. Due to increasing use of advanced composites, specific techniques have been developed to repair damaged composite structures. In order to repair the damaged part, it is required that the damaged areas be removed, such as skin and/or honeycomb core, by utilizing the proper method and then repairing the area by laying up prepreg (and core) then curing under vacuum using the vacuum bagging materials. It shall be cured either in an oven or autoclave per the original specification requirements. Delamination can be observed in the sound areas during and/or after a couple times exposure to the elevated curing temperature due to the repeated repair condition. This study was conducted for checking the degree of degradation of properties of the cured parts and delamination between skin prepreg and honeycomb core. Specimens with glass honeycomb sandwich construction and glass/epoxy prepreg were prepared. The specimens were cured 1 to 5 times at $260^{circ}F$ in an autoclave and each additionally exposed 50, 100 and 150 hours in the $260^{circ}F$ oven. Each specimen was tested for tensile strength, compressive strength, flatwise tensile strength and interlaminar shear strength. To monitor the characteristics of the resin itself, the cured resin was tested using DMA and DSC. As a results, the decrease of Tg value were observed in the specific specimen which is exposed over 50 hrs at $260^{circ}F$. This means the change or degradative of resin properties is also related to the decrease of flatwise tensile properties. Accordingly, minimal exposure on the curing temperature is recommended for parts in order to prevent the delation and maintain the better condition.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2003

When the wind turbine is used in cold regions, the mechanical properties and dimension stability of the blade will be changed. The proposal of this paper is to test the durability of the blade for wind turbine. It is necessary to select the most comfortable materials and fabrication processes for more stable wind turbine blade in cold regions. To select the most comfortable materials and processes, the static strength has to know through the tensile static tests at the severe condition as cold regions. First, the tensile static specimens made by RIM (Resin injection molding) process & vacuum bagging process with reinforcement materials and resin. Tensile static tests were carried out on three laminate lay-ups (carbon prepreg, carbon fiber dry fabric and glass fiber dry fabric) at different test temperature($24^{\circ}$, $-30^{\circ}$), determining properties such as the mechanical strength, stiffness and strain to failure. At different test temperature, in order to test the tensile strengths of these specimens used the low temperature chamber. Next, the results of this test were compared with each other. Finally, the most comfortable materials and fabrication processes can select based on these results. The results show the changes in the static behavior of three laminate lay-ups at different test temperatures. At low temperatures, the static strengths are higher than the ones at room temperature.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.196-201
• /
• 2003

When the structures are used in cold regions, the mechanical properties and dimension stability of the blade will be changed. The proposal of this study is to test the durability of the structures in cold regions. It is necessary to select the most comfortable materials and fabrication processes for more stable structures in cold regions. To select the most comfortable materials and processes, the static strength has to know through the tensile static tests at the severe condition as cold regions. First, the tensile static specimens made by RIM (Resin injection molding) process & vacuum bagging process with reinforcement materials and resin. Tensile static tests were carried out on three laminate lay-ups (carbon prepreg, carbon fiber dry fabric) at different test temperature($24^{\circ}C$, $-30^{\circ}C$), determining properties such as the mechanical strength, stiffness and strain to failure. At different test temperature, in order to test the tensile strengths of these specimens used the low temperature chamber. Next, the results of this test were compared with each other. Finally, the most comfortable materials and fabrication processes can select based on these results. The results show the changes in the static behavior of three laminate lay-ups at different test temperatures. At low temperatures, the static strengths are higher than the ones at room temperature.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.33-37
• /
• 2002

Recently, composites have been widely applied in the sporting goods, automobile, aerospace industry. As the use of advanced composites increase, specific techniques have been developed to repair damaged composite structures. In order to repair the damaged part, it is required that the material in the damaged area be removed first by utilizing the proper method, and prepreg be laid up in the area and cured under vacuum using the vacuum bagging materials. In curing process, either in an oven or autoclave is to be delamination can be occurred in the sound areas during and/or after the exposure to the elevated curing temperature in case that the repair process is repeated. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the degree of degradation of properties of the cured parts and how it affects to the delamination phenomenon between laminated skin and honeycomb core.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.17-21
• /
• 2004

Tape-wrapped structures have been generally used in nozzle parts of guided missiles. A continuous band of woven composite material is wrapped around a mandrel that is designed to produce real products. After going through a vacuum bagging process, this woven composite material is cured in a high-pressure autoclave or hydroclave. However, tape-wrapped structures are difficult to analyze because of its large thickness and inclined lay-up. The present study investigates the method of analysis and failure prediction of tape-wrapped structures. The four-point bending test and its finite element analysis were performed to study how to model tape-wrapped structures and investigate their failure characteristics.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.42-47
• /
• 2013

In this study, an economical and effective processing technique to form multiple dimples on the surface of a composite part, which are known to be useful to improve aerodynamic performance and heat dissipation. Forming dimples on the surface using molds is an expensive processing because forming multiple tiny positive spheres on the surface of the mold requires much time and effort. In this study, plates with multiple round holes are utilized as a core to form dimples on the carbon/epoxy composite skin covering the core. A vacuum bagging process is used to apply pressure on the surface while curing. Composite parts which have multiple dimples on the surface can be utilized in the field which needs high aerodynamic performance and heat dissipation ability such as high speed sports car bodies.