Effects of tackifier on liquid composite molding processes and mechanical properties of non-crimp fabric composite

The effects of bismaleimide tackifier with different contents on the styling effects, liquid composite molding processes and mechanical performances of the 0°/90° biaxial non-crimp fabric (NCF) were mianly studied. The thickness springback and C type springback researches were used to characterize the styling effects. The thickness compress and the bias extension test methods were used to characterize molding processes of NCF. And three-point bending experiment and interlaminar shear test were conducted on the mechanical properties of NCF. The experimental results show that bismaleimide tackifier plays significant styling effects on preform. The in-plane shear properties and the resistance of shear deformation of NCF with tackifier are obviously improved. The addition of tackifier has little effects on mechanical properties of the 0°/90° biaxial NCF. Tackifier can improve the performances of liquid composite molding processes of NCF, and preserve mechanical properties of the composites at the same time.