VICTREX AE~TM 250- A NOVEL POLYARYLETHERKETONE POLYMER SUITED TO AUTOMATED TAPE PLACEMENT AND OUT OF AUTOCLAVE PROCESSING

摘要

A Polyaryletherketone (PAEK) polymer from Victrex Ltd, Thornton-Cleveleys, UK has been created for automated lay-up and out of autoclave (OoA) consolidation. VICTREX AE~TM 250 is a co-polymer based on polyetheretherketone (PEEK). It is a semi-crystalline polymer with mechanical properties and chemical resistance typical for this class of polymer. Combined with reinforcing carbon fibres it provides mechanical properties that are consistent with the requirements for structural aerospace applications. Oven processed laminates (so called Out of Autoclave) made from stacked unidirectional tapes are shown to be well consolidated, substantially void free and with mechanical properties that are consistent with press consolidated product, opening a broader range of manufacturing options for aerospace parts including automated layup.