The thermoplastic laser-assisted consolidation process-mechanical and microstructure characterization

The laser-assisted consolidation process can produce high-quality continuous-fiber composite parts in a single consolidation and winding step. Parts fabricated using this process were characterized for void content, crystallinity, and interlaminar strength and toughness. Optimum interlaminar properties were obtained at intermediate laser powers. Interlaminar properties were poor at high laser powers because of resin degradation. At low laser powers, poor properties were most likely caused by insufficient molecular interdiffusion. The void content of parts fabricated using this process was less than 2 percent, and the bulk crystallinity of 29% was not significantly different from that of the original prepreg tape.