AMable - FABTHEP Experiment
The project aim is to create a process that uses Additive Manufacturing to apply very thin layers of thermoplastic material on technical fabrics and more specifically on carbon fabrics. This process will be using a high temperature, high strength thermoplastic to 3D print patterns onto the fabric surface at the micron level. The ultimate goal is the creation of a fine interlayer reinforcement which will dramatically increase the fracture toughness of the final composite. Through this innovative 3D printing process, the resulted technical fabrics will offer an increased strength and mechanical performance to multilayer composite structures; the extra micro-reinforcement can contribute to a more effective load transfer within the material, offering increased toughness and high strength and as a result reduced weight to the end product. 3D Printing Technology will support increased volume production of enhanced technical fabrics.
