PRACTISE

Högpresterande kolfiberförstärkta termoplastkompositer för flygplansstrukturer

Project idea

The purpose of the project is to gain knowledge of thermoplastic based composite materials and their application in the Swedish aerospace industry, SAAB as an OEM and Aston Harald as an SME, with the aim to establish a manufacturing framework for production of complex shaped high-performance composite structures. The work within the project will centre around the development, manufacturing and testing of a scaled-down aerospace demonstrator, representing an airplane cargo door structure. There are several advantages with thermoplastic resin systems over thermoset resin systems. They can have a short manufacturing cycle times, have superior properties in weldability, mechanical and thermal toughness and chemical resistance, along with better recycling opportunities and much longer storage life. The current TRL level of the project idea is estimated to be at TRL 4 for compression moulding and material characterization of aerospace grade thermoplastic materials, the induction welding capability is estimated to currently be at TRL 3. By the end of the project our aim is to increase TRL level for all technical parts of the project to TRL 5.

Project Contribution to the LIGHTer Program Goals

The knowledge gained will enable the introduction of new composite manufacturing solutions for the aerospace industry, as well as development of design methodology required for an efficient industrialization of thermoplastic based composite materials within the Swedish aerospace industry. The innovation themes intended to be addressed by the project are innovation themes 1, 3, and 4. Introduction of compression moulding manufacturing process will lower the manufacturing costs compared to current manufacturing technology. Together with the induction welding capability a cost-effective manufacturing solution can be established for complex structures. This will provide a more flexible and efficient manufacturing solution for high volume production of composites in the aerospace industry. Induction welding capability will enable a more efficient joining technique of multi-material components.

This will contribute to lowering the weight of the structures as it will decrease the need for additional fastener and adhesive bonding of structural components as well as introducing an automated joining technique that will increase precision and quality of the joining process and final structure. Application of thermoplastic composite materials enables the utilization of its superior material properties compared to existing material in use. With its improved weldability, mechanical and thermal toughness, chemical resistance and manufacturing properties, thermoplastic composite materials will enable develop of new innovative lightweight solutions with improved structural and environmental properties.

Project partners

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Projektet delfinansieras av Vinnova.

01 Sep - 2019

Projektstart

31 Aug - 2022

Projektslut

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