Technologies

Through Thickness Reinforcement (TTR)

The ADVITAC project will study composite reinforcement using tufting for the creation of one-shot rivet-less fully integrated structures. Investigation of the structural behaviour of tufted composites offers very useful information to allow a greater understanding of the technology and also to provide faster paths to certification of tufted composite structures.

Progress beyond the state of the art expected from the project:

• Optimisation of the distribution and density of Z-reinforcement
• Tool design issues for implementation of TTR
• Investigation of the distribution of the TTR on the interplay between through thickness and inplane permeability
• Investigation of the effects of TTR on infusion
• Failure management with selective use of TTR and/or nano-particles

The first step will be the investigation of the requirements needed to certify a new manufacturing technology like tufting, in collaboration with an industrial partner. The second step will be the manufacture of typical skin to stiffeners joints representative of the structural elements found in a tail cone and the testing of the joints.

Another aspect related to tufting (or stitching) is the development of specialised tooling necessary during the insertion of the through thickness reinforcement and transfer of the structure to the infusion/injection tool. This is described further in the section related to Moulding.