TEsting of Fibre Steered Composites (TEFSC)

TEFSC will develop key enablers for wide industrial adoption of Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS), a novel composites manufacturing technology, which allows the placement of wide carbon tapes along curved paths (fibre-steering) without the defects (gaps/overlaps/wrinkles) typically seen with existing Automated Fibre Placement/ Tape Laying technologies (AFP/ATL). RTS has been developed by iCOMAT (Bristol University spin-out) and is already patented in the UK- GB2492594, with 4 more patents pending approval. iCOMAT has recently become the first/only UK automated-machine-supplier by securing the first contract for machine installation at an automotive Tier-1 to develop parts for a major UK OEM.

Current design methods make use of a series of well-established mechanical characterisation tests (ASTM standards) to obtain material allowables data. These test methods are suitable for coupons manufactured using current processes (straight fibres). However, the unique properties and behaviours arising from curved fibre designs mean that new test methods must be developed to provide a thorough understanding of this behaviour as steered composites can lead to effects in the secondary direction. The lack of an established testing method for fibre-steered components prohibits wide adoption of the RTS process due to barriers related to certification, especially for aerospace and space applications, respectively.

The TEFSC project will begin in October 2022 and runs for 6 months, by which point an innovative robust testing method to validate the mechanical properties of steered composites will be developed. Successful completion of TEFSC will pave the way for certification accelerating adoption of RTS in aerospace.