• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.249-253
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• 2015

This paper reports a study on a method for achieving lightweight thermoplastic laminate composites referred to as tow spreading technology. Thickness of an unspread 12 K carbon fiber tow is reduced by increasing the tow width from 7 mm to 20 mm. The polypropylene (PP) film was used to stabilize and impregnate the spread tow, covering it into a partially consolidated prepreg: 12 K carbon fiber spread tow/PP. Laminates were fabricated from the spread tow prepreg and control laminate composites were produced from unspread tow prepreg consisting of 12 K carbon fiber and PP. The void content, tensile and flexural properties of the composite laminates were investigated. Consequently, the spread tow laminate composite exhibited lower void content and improved mechanical properties.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Propulsion Engineers
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.94-101
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• 2017

Tow Prepreg is the intermediate material for filament winding process that has been "pre-impregnated fiber tow" with resin system. As "dry filament winding" process emerges as a reliable alternative to conventional filament winding (called "wet filament winding") process, interest in tow prepreg as a material for dry filament winding is rising as well. In this article, we have reviewed the recent research trends in carbon fiber tow prepreg for high-performance rocket motor cases, fuel tanks for hydrogen vehicles and other high-quality commercial pressure vessels.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.341-345
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• 2020

We propose a measurement method for evaluating constituent contents of carbon fiber/epoxy composites through a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The sample used in the test was taken from a strand specimen made of carbon fiber/epoxy tow prepreg, and the change in weight of the sample over time was measured in real time. Using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), we examine the thermal damage condition of the carbon fiber depending on whether resin was removed or not. We find that it was possible to test even a small amount of sample when using TGA vis-à-vis using a conventional muffle furnace. In addition, TGA enables the temperature and exposure time to be controlled, allowing the constituent contents of composite materials to be efficiently and quantitatively evaluated.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.315-320
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• 2020

In this study, when strand specimens were manufactured using an automatic winding device to obtain uniform strand specimens, analysis and test were conducted to investigate the effect of thermal expansion of the mandrel on strand specimens. Also, necessity of changing materials and mandrel configuration was checked. According to the results, strand specimen received unintended tension that was created by thermal expansion of the mandrel and this unintended tension depended on the curing temperature and position of specimens. Tensile test was conducted to check that initial tension affected on the performance of carbon fiber tow prepreg. All other conditions were fixed and only the initial tension was controlled at 40 N, 60 N, and 80 N. From the results of analysis and test, neither additional tension and tension deviation due to the thermal expansion of the mandrel and the initial tension difference had a significant effect on tensile test results, because carbon fiber had sufficiently high strength compared with tension. Therefore, it was confirmed that the change of the mandrel material and configuration of the automatic winding device was unnecessary.