Carbon Fibre Reinforced Carbon Matrix Composites
The Laboratory of Engineering Materials is developing methods for producing continuous fiber reinforced carbon-carbon (C-C) composites from thermoplastic matrix precursors with the objective of providing alternatives to conventional manufacturing processes, reducing production cost and time, while incorporating automation through additive manufacturing. 3D printed C-C composites take advantage of a novel 3D printing process of continuous fiber reinforced composites to produce complex geometrical parts with oriented fibers. When subjected to high pressures and temperatures, these 3D printed preforms result in a low porosity and well consolidated C-C composite.