B3.3 - Thin Plies in Application for Next Generation Aircraft (TANGA)

Thin plies in application for next generation aircrafts

Thin plies are layers of carbon fibers that are significantly thinner than the thinnest layers used in aircraft construction to date, so-called low grade layers. Low grade material is up to 0.125 mm thin, while thin plie layers can be as thin as 0.02 mm. They can be either pure carbon fiber layers or carbon fiber layers already pre-impregnated with resin, so-called prepreg. The research project will investigate the use of thin plies for the future production of energy-efficient, lightweight and sustainable aircraft. As they offer great potential for reducing structural weight and can thus help to save fuel.

Investigation of the production of thin ply laminates

Ablagevorversuch — Preliminary lay up trial with different speeds

The aim of the research project is to build a bridge from basic research to industrial application. For this purpose the design of the wing or the suction panel is being worked on together with B3.1. Furthermore, the robot-based, automated placement of thin ply prepreg on vertical tools is being investigated. The aim is to improve the lay up quality by manufacturing parameters such as pressure, temperature, the auxiliary materials used or robot-side machine parameters.

To determine the manufacturing parameters, the procedure is carried out in 2 steps. In the first step a series of parameters is determined in a preliminary test. During this test, first values for pressure, temperature and the manufacturing conditions are determined. The second step is to use the determined values for the fiber lay up of a demonstrator component. As demonstrator, a section from the lower wing shell with a maintenance hole, a so-called manhole, is selected.