Estimation of the Molding Thickness of Knitted Fabric Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Produced by Hot-pressing

Based on some assumptions, this study derives an equation that estimates the theoretical molding thickness h c of knitted fabric reinforced thermoplastic composites (KFRTC). This is required for controlling the actual molding thickness of KFRTC that are produced by hot pressing knitted preforms made from reinforcing fiber/matrix fiber commingled yarns. The relationship between the optimum actual molding thickness h that can result in composites with higher tensile strength and lower void content and the theoretical molding thickness h c are also determined experimentally in this study. It is found that the composites produced can have higher tensile property and lower void content when h and h c satisfy h = kh c (0.85 ≤ k ≤ 0.95). This estimation of h contributes to manufacturing KFRTC.