Filament winding process technology

As shown in Fig. 7.2 the main steps of the filament winding process chain are the material supply, tension build-up, heating and consolidation. Depending on the individual winding equipment configuration and winding head technology several different setups are possible. 

The first step in a filament winding process chain is the material rack. The fiber material, whether already impregnated, that is tape material, or not, that is, roving material, delivered on spools is mounted here. The number of spools depends on the winding head technology used and the components dimension. In addition to the material storage, a spool creel can also be... 

Activation of the surface by fluorination for adhesion with the reinforcement resin27 This is a cost-effective mass production technology, which does not interfere with the overwrapping production processes, e.g., filament winding (see Figure 16.5). 

The winding process per se is equal to the commingled yarns and fully consolidated winding process. Heating technologies where reflection is possible by the filaments cannot be used with pre-melted powder filaments. Due to different heat absorptions (polymer and fibers) a homogeneous temperature cannot be reached. 

Henninger, F. and Friedrich, K., Thermoplastic filament winding with online-impregnation. Part A Process technology and operating efficiency . Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2002,33(11), 1479. 

Filament winding is also the process that has benefited the most from computer technology and robotics. Nowadays, filament winding systems are available for complex axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric components. 

J. P. Nunes, J. F. Silva, N. Crainic, A. T. Marques (2001) Technological developments to produce low-cost thermoplastic reinforced composites by filament winding, Proc. 7 European Conf. Advanced Materials and Processes-EUROMAT 2001, Rimini, Italy. 

At present, the research efforts at Brussels University (V.U.B.) are concentrated on formation of MIP at atmospheric pressure and low temperature between room temperature and 100 C. A series of polymers have been developed and tested for different properties. MIP can be prepared from powders, grains, pastes or liquids, and can thus be manufactured with processes as pressing, extrusion and casting. Composite materials technologies, such as lamination and filament winding, can also be used. 

There are also TP equivalents, such as high performance carbon/PEEK tapes, in which continuous filament and matrix have been closely combined by a form of pultrusion process and require only placing in position (often by winding or layering) and heating, to fuse the TP matrix. Technology extending the principle to continuous filament and PP matrices is also available. 

The process mainly consists in the winding of continuous filaments coated with resin on a rotating body, called a mandrel, whose shape corresponds to the geometry of the part to be produced. Resin solidification is obtained by placing the component in an oven or autoclave. The fundamental factors underlying this production technology which strongly impact the properties conveyed to the final composite product are ... 

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