Colloquium: Arastu Sharma (ASM)

This thesis analyzed the out-of-autoclave process for manufacturing a CF/PEKK thermoplastic wing rib, aiming to improve process robustness. The rib was produced using a two-sided heated tool, and its quality was evaluated through dimensional and non-destructive inspections. The thermal behavior of the tool was studied to identify temperature outliers, but it was found that optimizing pressure application, rather than the temperature cycle, was key to improving part quality. Due to the non-inspectable nature of the rib root radius region using conventional NDI techniques, it was unknown what the effect of defects in the filler/radius interface was on the structural integrity of the part. Samples manufactured from the ribs were tested under tensile loading. The tests showed that defects in the filler/flange radius interface reduced the performance of the rib t-joint.

Supervisor: ir. J. Sinke