Hybrid Thermoset-Thermoplastic Structures: An in-depth study on plasma pretreated continuous fiber-reinforced epoxy specimens

Abstract

Hybrid thermoset-thermoplastic structures can be manufactured by using a 3d robot-based filament winding process, low-pressure plasma and thermoplastic injection molding. This newly hybrid concept is only possible, when a strong interface is created between the two different polymer systems. Low-pressure plasma has the ability to expose the carbon fibers of a cured continuous carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CFRP) structure so that a direct load transfer between the two polymers via the continuous fibers is possible. It also improves the bonding of short glass fiber reinforced polyamide (PA6GF30) to these carbon fiber epoxy structures. It is possible to create load path optimized structural hybrid components in a highly automated manner with this discovery. Therefore, different low-pressure plasma processes, plasma gases, plasma durations and a robot-based specimen production are investigated.

Keywords

• Hybrid thermoset-thermoplastic
• Towpreg
• Filament winding
• Plasma surface treatment
• Injection molding