A study of the influence of processing parameters on steering of carbon Fibre/PEEK tapes using laser-assisted tape placement

Laser-assisted Automated Tape Placement (LATP) in-situ consolidation of thermoplastic composites has significant potential to produce repeatable and accurate components more efficiently than conventional processing methods. In addition, LATP can process Variable Angle Tow (VAT) laminates, that allow modification of load paths within the laminate to result in more favourable stress distributions and improved laminate performance. Previous studies have reported dry fibre placement and thermoset pre-preg tape placement processed VAT laminates. This work investigates the processing parameters required to produce VAT laminates from carbon fibre (CF)/polyether ether ketone (PEEK) tapes using LATP. Testing was carried out to examine the effect of lay-down speed and steering radii on defect frequency and bond strength. Measurements showed that the width and thickness of the CF/PEEK tapes changed as a result of steering. In addition, bond strength, determined using a novel wedge peel rig for steered tape, was found to be a function of lay-down speed.