Composites made by hand lay-up are directed influenced by some fabrication factors, e.g. the stacking sequence, fiber volume fraction, as well as the cure process This study takes into consideration an E-glass/epoxy plain weave woven fabric composite made by hand lay-up. After the stacking sequence is completed, three sets of plates are selected and each one is cured differently. The three selected cure processes are: cure on air, cure vacuum assisted, and cure under compression. A variance study based on stiffness from ASTM D 3039/3039M tensile tests is performed to check the statistical differences caused by the cure processes. Additionally, a microscopic analysis is performed to identify the voids formation rate. The coupling between macro and micro-mechanical analysis is done by a non-dimensional coefficient which is able to capture the rate of defects generated by each cure process.
Composite materials; micro-mechanics; macro-mechanics; manufacturing quality control evaluation
