Rapid multifunctional composite part manufacturing using controlled in-situ polymerization of PA6 nanocomposite.

Gupta, Ranjeetkumar; Staknevicius, Rokas; Pancholi, Ketan

Abstract

Currently, mass composite manufacturing is dominated by the fiber-reinforced thermosets due to the ease of its processing. However, the addition of multifunctionality to the thermoset composite requires an additional step of manufacturing. This work presents the single-step rapid manufacturing of bespoke designed multifunctional nanocomposite PA6 components. In this method, firstly, the liquid PA6 nanocomposite containing inorganic nano-inclusions was infused into a glass or carbon fibre matrix placed within the mould. Subsequently, the multifunctional composite component was formed via the anionic in-situ synthesis route. The flexibility of this method presented is akin to that of a polymer moulding process, which ensures a reduction in the manufacturing cycle times and increases the production efficiency of the bespoke component. The in-situ reaction is optimised by setting the specific volume of the activator, initiator and including polymer chain terminator, PEG. To prepare the polymer with at least 50% and above crystallinity, the most suitable activator-initiator combination was found to be 0.143 ml and 0.096 ml respectively, with 0.1 g of PEG-6000 for 5 g sample preparation. Such thermoplastic-based components can be easily recycled, present better impact resistance and can be easily formed or fused with heat; eliminating the cost and time associated with the assembly of composite part, unlike thermoset components.

Citation

GUPTA, R., STAKEVICIUS, R. and PANCHOLI, K. 2019. Rapid multifunctional composite part manufacturing using controlled in-situ polymerization of PA6 nanocomposite. Procedia CIRP [online], 85: proceedings of 2nd CIRP conference on composite material parts manufacturing (CIRP-CCMPM 2019), 10-11 October 2019, Sheffield, UK, pages 61-65. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2019.10.003

• Journal Article Type: Conference Paper
• Conference Name: 2nd CIRP conference on composite material parts manufacturing (CIRP-CCMPM 2019)
• Conference Location: Sheffield, UK
• Acceptance Date: Aug 9, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Dec 30, 2019
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jan 7, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 7, 2020
• Journal: Procedia CIRP
• Print ISSN: 2212-8271
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 85
• Pages: 61-65
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procir.2019.10.003
• Keywords: Composite; Thermoplastic; PA6 polymer; Rapid manufacturing; In fusion
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/823140