This experimental study is focused on identification of tribological mechanisms acting during forming of polymer composites. The range of relevant processes includes fibre placement, tape lay-up, moulding, draping, and RTM. Two types of tribological experiments, relying both on simultaneous application of compression and shear loadings, are carried out. Firstly, model macromechanical tests are undertaken on plastic rods of millimetric diameter immersed in a viscous liquid, representing composite fibres and matrix, respectively. By careful simulation of forming conditions, this experiment helps to identify the friction phenomena occurring in real composites. On the other hand, the micromechanics of forming processes is studied through a microscopic experiment on real carbon fabric. This material is clamped between two glass plates and pulled in opposing directions in the plane of the fabric. It is hypothesized that the evolution of contact area due to shearing that can be measured in this experiment is an essential feature of the tribology of forming processes, a topic which hitherto has not been investigated.
Understanding lightning strike induced damage mechanism of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites: An experimental study
