NOVEL CARBON FIBRE PREFORM

The objective of this project is to develop a concept for a process for the preparation of carbon fibre preforms that eliminate the intermediate steps used with current methods of converting carbon fibre to pre-impregnated fabric.

Carbon Fibre fabrics are used in preforms for RTM moulding. This project aims to develop a novel method for producing Carbon Fibre fabrics which will reduce the fabric cost by approximately 50%, by eliminating non-value-added process steps and unnecessary packaging and handling.

Lead Chief Investigator

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR MINOO NAEBE

Other Chief Investigators & Partner Investigators

PROF. ADRIAN MOURITZ

PROF STUART BATEMAN

MR RICHARD TAUBE

Project Team

QUANXIANG (SULLEY) LI

VISHNU UNNIKRISHNAN

Project Partners

Technical Case

Conventional methods of converting carbon fibre tow into fabric and then into preforms are slow and done in multiple separate steps, often by different companies in the supply chain, adding unnecessary cost to the process. This project will demonstrate a novel concept for the production of preforms targeted for automotive needs.

Project Progress

100%

Other Themes

Design and Advanced Structures

Lightweight Materials

Integrated Multi-Material Structures