Print Email Facebook Twitter The effects of different cure cycles on the mechanical performance of thick-walled composites Title The effects of different cure cycles on the mechanical performance of thick-walled composites Author Alleman, Guyonne (TU Delft Aerospace Engineering) Contributor Teuwen, Julie J.E. (mentor) Benedictus, R. (graduation committee) van Campen, J.M.J.F. (graduation committee) Struzziero, G. (graduation committee) Degree granting institution Delft University of Technology Programme Aerospace Engineering Date 2018-05-16 Abstract A composite wind turbine blade is partially thick-walled to comply with high strength criteria. When the manufacturer’s recommended cure cycle (MRCC), which is designed for thin-walled components, is used for thick-walled components it can lead to high levels of residual stress. This experimental research investigates different cure cycles for thick-walled glass-fibre epoxy composites made by vacuum infusion with the objective of minimising residual stresses and cycle time. It is found that a two-dwell cure cycle with a low second dwell temperature will significantly decreases the exothermic peak temperature, increases the maximum shear stress, decreases the acoustic emission activity and reduces time compared to the single dwell MRCC. Subject thick-walled compositescure cycle optimisationresidual stress To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:d0dc6e14-8613-4005-a078-456f0d9f288f Part of collection Student theses Document type master thesis Rights © 2018 Guyonne Alleman Files PDF Report_Guyonne_Alleman_final.pdf 13.3 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:d0dc6e14-8613-4005-a078-456f0d9f288f/datastream/OBJ/view