Abstract
Non-crimp fabric (NCF) composites combine the superior in-plane properties of unidirectional pre-impregnated tape (UDPT) and excellent out-of-plane properties of woven fabrics without their associated drawbacks of high manufacturing cost and crimping respectively. Research on such novel composite materials have mostly been parochial and focused on improving either the matrix or the reinforcement. The aim of this thesis is therefore to present a holistic and multifaceted study (in a life cycle vision of the composite) addressing the critical factors of matrix modification, dispersion quantification, testing optimisation and fibre reclamation from waste...
D.Phil. (Mechanical Engineering)