Obtaining prepregs by impregnation of thermoplastic polymer with an aqeous suspension

Abstract

The article presents a method for producing thermoplastic prepreg tapes based on unidirectional carbon fiber with a low modulus of elasticity of the brand. UMT42S-3K-EP by impregnation in an aqueous polymer slurry. The granulometric composition of the initial fine components and their mixtures after the grinding and mixing stage was studied, as well as their structure was studied by SEM microscopy and PCMA analysis. Based on the theory of particle interaction on the solid-liquid surface, samples of suspensions based on polyetheretherketone (PEEK) stabilized with anionic and cationic surfactants were prepared. To implement the technology of impregnating carbon fiber with a polymer suspension with constant maintenance of the polymer suspension, a laboratory UPS-5-50-2L unit has been developed and incorporated into a TMA-600 impregnating device. The obtained laboratory samples of thermoplastic tapes were examined by SEM microscopy and PCMA analysis, and the ratio of polymer to reinforcing material was determined. The study shows that the use of surfactants can significantly reduce the hydrophobicity of PEEK to stabilize it in aqueous solution. The developed impregnation unit as part of the TMA-600 line makes it possible to implement the technology of producing thin unidirectional prepreg tapes with a polymer content in fiber of up to 46.8%. It was found that the concentration of cationic surfactant up to 2 wt% is sufficient to ensure the wettability of the PEEK surface.