Braided thermoplastic composites from powder‐coated towpregs. Part III: Consolidation and mechanical properties

Abstract Carbon fiber/nylon 6 powder coated and commingled tows were braided into biaxial braids with a ±45° braid angle. Consolidation experiments were carried out to study the influence of consolidation conditions on the properties of the laminates using a 2³ full factorial experimental design. The consolidation studies reveal that commingled tows require more severe consolidation conditions than powder coated tows to obtain comparable properties. The dependence of powder‐coated laminate qualities like void content and fiber volume fraction on the consolidation conditions is reported. The ±45° braided laminates are tested for tensile properties. Although the dominant mode of failure of the laminates is shear failure between the fibers and the resin, the failure is non‐brittle because of fiber interlacement in the braided preforms.