Defect Control and Curing Process Simulation for T700/603 Composites

Abstract

The autoclave curing process of advanced grid-stiffened MT300/603 composite has been simulated based on heat-conducting/curing-reaction and resin-flowing/fiber-compaction. The fiber volume fractions and internal defects were evaluated and investigated in term of the curing temperature, brazing time, pressure applying point and molding pressure, which were used to set up the defect control and process improvement. Furthermore, the ?1 m grid stiffened cylinder was prepared to verify the availability for this process optimization method. The results show that increasing pressure and enhancing pre-bulking can significantly improve the internal quality and load-carrying ability of ?1 m specimen.

Keywords

• MT700/603 composite
• defect control
• process simulation
• advanced grid-stiffened