This study investigates the effect of resin type, degree of cure and nanomaterial type in the aircraft repair patch prepregs for an improved patch performance. For this purpose, a new cure cycle has been developed for one type of resin, and two cure cycles have been implemented for 90% and over 95% cure degrees. Toughening agents were included in the other resin type. For an enhanced nano-integration in the four-component hot-melt epoxy at the industrial production line, a hybrid nano-integration method has been introduced. Oneand two-dimensional nanomaterials (MWCNT, thermally exfoliated graphene oxide) have been utilized, DSC tests together with three-point bending tests are performed on nanocomposite specimens. Carbon fiber prepregs are produced from these two types of resin groups and CFRP panels are manufactured in the autoclave, later their specimens being subjected to short beam strength tests. CFRP panels produced from nano-integrated resin materials show a clear improvement in the stiffness values in both nanomaterial types. It was observed that CNTs enhance the ILSS of CFRPs in a more pronounced way (10%) than the case of toughened epoxy, while TEGO flakes lead to a higher increase in the strain at break (12.9%). Consequently, it can be stated that the choice of patch resin matrix requires a careful assessment of the cure cycle, additives, and nanomaterial type for the tailored performance of the composite structure.
Dr. Serra Topal is currently working as a project manager at Sabanci University Composite Technologies Center of Excellence (CTCE), Istanbul, Turkey. She acquired her M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Gazi University in 2006 and 2013, respectively. She studied thermo mechanical stress analysis of functionally graded materials (metal-ceramic FGMs) and conducted fracture analysis of polymeric graded materials (PGMs), a precursor for additive manufacturing. She visited the University of Surrey, United Kingdom during which she conducted her project on understanding and modeling of 3-D woven fabric composite materials. Dr. Topal’s research project portfolio at Sabanci University includes nano-integrated (graphene) resin and fabric systems for structural composite repair in commercial aviation; atmospheric plasma activation of composites for enhanced bonding systems; highperformance thermoplastics for aerospace applications, and hybrid 3D woven composites for advanced applications. Recently she became the technical leader of Digital Manufacturing Platform project on additive manufacturing.
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