Effect of cure pressure on the behaviour of woven carbon/epoxy composite materials

The effect of cure pressure on the behaviour of woven carbon fibre/epoxy composites was investigated. Laminates were made by curing prepreg impregnated with Ciba-Geigy Fibredux 924 and 914 resin systems at three different pressures, 0.69 MPa, 0.31 MPa and 0.10 MPa. Tension, interlaminar shear and fracture toughness properties were determined under ambient and hot/wet conditions. The results indicated that changing the cure pressure changed both the physical and mechanical properties. The effect was similar for both environmental conditions, but was different for the two resin systems.