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J. Compos. Sci., Vol. 8, Pages 535: Effect of Heat-Shrinkable Tape Application on the Mechanical Performance of CFRP Components Obtained by a Filament Winding Process
Journal of Composites Science doi: 10.3390/jcs8120535
Authors: Iacopo Bianchi Archimede Forcellese Tommaso Mancia Chiara Mignanelli Michela Simoncini Tommaso Verdini
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and other sectors for their high strength-to-weight ratio and adaptability. In order to reach high mechanical performance and quality for CFRP components in which a thermosetting resin is used, the curing process plays a key role, and the optimal conditions have to be identified. In this context, the present study aims to study the effect of heat-shrinkable tape application on the mechanical performance of CFRP tubular components obtained by a filament winding process. To this purpose, CFRP hoop-wound components were realized with a laboratorial filament winding machine. Half of them were directly cured in a muffle oven, while the other half were cured after the application of heat-shrinkable tape around the external surface of the component. To evaluate the effect of the heat-shrinkable tape use on the mechanical properties of the CFRP wound parts, ring specimens, obtained by the tubular components according to the ASTM D2290 standard, were subjected to ring tensile tests. The thickness uniformity and void content of the components were evaluated by means of X-ray computed tomography, whilst the fracture surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that the heat-shrinkable tape application around the external surface of the CFRP tubular components allows for improved mechanical performance of the wound parts due to the enhanced material compaction, resulting in stronger and more cohesive structures characterized by a uniform thickness and reduced void content.
