Welding process study for integration of peek/carbon fiber composite for aeronautical applications

Abstract

The development of advanced polymer composites technology has as one of its functions the union of materials that combine characteristics such as: high mechanical strength and stiffness combined with low density. One of the main problems of use of polymer composites in structural applications is in its effective union for integration components. In this sense, recent studies show that the electrical resistance welding technique is one of the most promising methods for joining composites, because is a fast method and requires little surface preparation. This work has as main objective to evaluate the best welding parameters by electrical resistance to PEEK laminates [poly (ether ether ketone)] with aeronautical applications. For this purpose, it will be evaluated the most suitable parameters (through statistical process control) in relation with the time, the electric current and the pressure and three different types of resistive elements in the welding process. The characterization of the welded materials will be carried out through mechanical tests (Lap Shear, Iosipescu, ENF and CST), thermal analysis (DMA and TMA), evaluation of the influence of environmental constraints (UV radiation, humidity and salinity), analysis morphological and resulting fractures from mechanical tests by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During this development work, heat transfer will also take place at the interface region (welded area) as well as the crystallization kinetics induced in this region, which is an unpublished study for this kind of technology. (AU)