Renewable energy sources such as wind energy—together with energy-efficient technologies—are essential to meet global demands and address climate change. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites, their superior structural properties (e.g., high stiffness-to-weight) that allow lightweight robust designs, play a significant part in the design manufacture of modern turbines, especially turbine blades, for demanding service conditions. However, current growth onshore/offshore farm installations (with...

This work investigates the impact response, associated damage, feasibility of repair and strength recovery infusible thermoplastic based carbon fibre reinforced composites. Impact behaviour laminates is studied using drop tower tests at three energy levels i.e. 40 J, 30 J 20 resulting in delamination as primary damage mode lower with evidence breakage J. Repair performed by thermally re-consolidating damaged specimens under vacuum a temperature above glass transition matrix. X-ray micro...

ABSTRACT A comparative study is presented on the fracture toughness of carbon fiber/PEEK composites manufactured by autoclave and laser‐assisted automated tape placement (LATP). Formation a good inter‐laminar bond always concern in ATP due to short time available for intimate contact development polymer healing, yet our double cantilever beam (DCB) tests reveal 60–80% higher Mode I LATP processed specimens than specimens. This magnitude difference was unexpected, so were further examined via...

Turbine blades form the main component for energy generation in renewable technologies such as wind and tidal energy. Non-crimp fabric (NCF) based fibre reinforced composite materials, with E-glass carbon fibres have been widely used materials blades. However, sustainable composites using naturally derived basalt, are being developed to reduce environmental impact. Basalt require no chemical additives, solvents or hazardous production recyclable. little information is available literature on...

This study investigates the mechanical properties (interlaminar shear and flexural strength) failure modes of a basalt/epoxy composite, manufactured using non-crimp-fabric (NCF) with vacuum assisted resin infusion process. Under bending, damage initiated on compression side between 20 50% peak load progressed from ply to increasing load. Failure at tension surface bending specimen was confined bottom evident only close final failure. Fiber kinking dominant mechanism whereas fiber breakage...

This study aims to evaluate the flexural properties and associated failure mechanisms of a reactive thermoplastic relative traditional thermosetting resin systems (polyester, vinylester, epoxy) for potential application in marine vessels over 50 m length, as part H2020 FIBRESHIP project. All are compatible with vacuum assisted liquid infusion manufacturing technique commonly used small/medium size shipyards. Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates were manufactured, test samples...

Abstract This study evaluates various quasi‐static mechanical properties of an in‐situ polymerizable thermoplastic and a bio‐based thermosetting composite comprising non‐crimp fabric reinforcement for potential use in the next generation Offshore Wind Tidal Power platforms. Mechanical are characterized under tensile, flexural, in‐plane shear interlaminar loading. Results reveal that evaluated differ based upon matrix type. Fractographic evidence from scanning electron microscopy is used to...

Abstract Composite materials are enjoying an increasing use in aircraft structures. As more fleets transition from metal to composite aircraft, the practice of maintenance is also adjusting. Handling, inspection and repair composites following non-visible or barely visible damage among areas concern, due associated cost safety implications. A pilot study was performed explore level awareness understanding aviation practitioners around these issues. In addition, this research project sought...

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Automated tape placement is seen as a promising technique for the manufacture of net-shape dry fibre preforms using carbon tapes. However, most tapes (DFT) available on market are proprietary and aimed mainly at aerospace sector. In current study, two different binders (polyurethane phenoxy water based binder) were used to coat hence stabilise tows. A net shaped preform was manufactured Laser-Assisted Dry Fibre Tape Placement (LDFTP) subsequently infused by vacuum assisted liquid resin...

Failure analysis in non-crimp fabric (NCF) based fibre reinforced composite materials is challenging due to the complexity associated with multiaxial architectures and interaction of different failure modes. In this study an in-situ 3-point bend test under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been performed analyse behaviour a NCF basalt epoxy manufactured by vacuum assisted resin transfer moulding (VaRTM) technique. The mechanisms observed during are compared those from standard (ex-situ)...

This study evaluates the effect of post-cure schedules and cure initiator form on mechanical properties Glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates manufactured using an infusible reactive thermoplastic resin. Tensile, flexural, shear dynamic analysis tests were conducted. Fractography was also performed. Specimens fabricated liquid subjected to elevated temperature control specimens. Ambient cured specimens decreased by no more than 12% in case tensile (modulus 90° specimens) < 14.3%...