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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S43917/01
Title: DARP: Hybrid Composites and Compressive Strength
Principal Investigator: Potter, Professor K
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Aerospace Engineering
Organisation: University of Bristol
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 April 2004 Ends: 31 March 2007 Value (£): 74,032
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Aerospace, Defence and Marine
Related Grants:
GR/S33994/01 GR/S33956/01 GR/S33932/01 GR/S33970/01
GR/S31549/01 GR/S33963/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Present state of the art reinforcement fabrics (woven and NCF) and resins suitable for RTM processing give an average maximum unidirectional compressive strength in the region of 1200MPa. Composites made from unidirectional, autoclave processed prepreg give compressive strengths in excess of 1500MPa. To achieve the improved compressive strength goal, it is proposed that an examination is made of hybrid processing utilising prepreg combined with RTM. The hybrid processing would involve making preforms of vacuum consolidated but not cured unidirectional prepeg and interleaving with the dry fabric layers making up the remaining structure. The whole assembly would then be completed by RTM with a prepreg compatible resin and cured. The source of fibre wrinkling in current propellers will be investigated, as will the use of novel material forms such as pre-cured carbon fibre rods or unidirectional cloths with low levels of fibre crimp.
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Organisation Website: http://www.bris.ac.uk