In a new paper researchers from Cardiff University (UK) and Haydale Ltd. explore techniques for component-scale manufacture of hierarchical composites by liquid infusion, using both carbon nanotube and graphene materials. A unique plasma process, developed by Haydale Ltd., was adopted for controllable functionalization of large batches of nanocarbons (100s of grams) prior to mixing with epoxy resin.

Using these developed nanocomposite resins a resin infusion under flexible tooling (RIFT) technique was developed. Resin flow studies informed an optimum setup that facilitated full wet-out of large area UD carbon fibre laminates and the resulting materials showed significant improvements in mechanical properties, demonstrating up to ~50% increase in compression after impact (CAI) properties. The RIFT process and tooling were further developed to enable the manufacture of I-section stiffeners and the production of component-scale (0.9x0.55m) stiffened panels was demonstrated.

The scalability of the Haydale graphene plasma functionalization technique, resin mixing and resin infusion processes were demonstrated by the manufacture of component-scale stiffened composite panels. The advances in composite material strength and stiffness will be of considerable interest to the aerospace and automotive industry in particular.
For a copy of this study please visit www.haydale.com/developing-component-scale-composites-using-nanocarbons or contact Haydale Ltd. on +44-1269-842946 / info@haydale.com.

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