Conductive overbraid of continuous fiber thermoplastic composite tows. (1st June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lavorata, Jessica; Mansson, Jan-Anders E.
• Is Part Of: Composites. Number 258(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06-01
• Subjects: 3-dimensional reinforcement -- Electrical properties -- Thermal properties -- Tow; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2023.110678
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: To meet the increasing demand for lightweight materials with multifunctional capabilities, a new high-rate manufacturing method and material system, referred to as M-TOW® (multifunctional-tow) is introduced. Overbraiding is used to incorporate highly conductive wire onto the continuous fiber reinforced tow (M-TOW®), offering a solution for integrating thermal and electrical conductivity into hybrid-molded composite structures. The conductivity performance of different wire configurations are compared before and after forming the M-TOW®, measuring electrical conductivities up to 5.5 x 10 5 S / c m and thermal conductivities up to 21 W / m K . Results conclude that the integration of conductive wires into thermoplastic preforms is a viable means of expanding the functionality of lightweight, high strength composite structures.