Simultaneous binding and toughening concept for textile reinforced pCBT composites: Manufacturing and flexural properties

Simultaneous binding and toughening concept is proposed for an efficient and qualified manufacturing of textile reinforced pCBT composites. A more eco-friendly Thermoplastic Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion (T-VARI) manufacturing process was developed and evaluated by characterizing the thermal and mechanical properties of the manufactured textile reinforced pCBT composites. The proposed concept was achieved successfully with the developed T-VARI manufacturing process using bindered textile preforms. The influencing mechanism of the process parameters on the flexural properties of the textile reinforced pCBT composites were investigated using single factor analysis. The results indicate that the flexural strain and flexural strength were significantly improved without impairing other flexural properties such as the flexural modulus, illustrating a great potential of the proposed concept in toughening of textile reinforced pCBT composites.