CO2-Flex: thermoplastic composite structures

Hollow thermoplastic composite structures with a flexible and geometrically complex pre-form

'Weft' knitting is the most appropriate technique to produce 3D textile structures used to reinforce complexly shaped composites. Because of its deformability, knitwear is specially suited for applications in which resistance to impact and energy absorption are the most important criteria.

However, because of its poor mechanic properties, the use of knitwear as composite reinforcement is limited.

This project aims at increasing the mechanic performances of thermoplastic composites by improving the action of the knitted pre-form while preserving the integrity of the reinforcement during the consolidation phase.

The project's phases are :

• determination of limits and criteria of the design in view of two applications: reservoir and switch
• perfection of 'hybrid' yarns for their application in thermoplastic composites
• perfection of production protocol for the textile pre-form and consolidation phase
• realisation of prototypes for both envisaged industrial applications
• experimental validation of the improved performances