Patent Application
20050186390
This invention generally relates to assembly of components using woven preforms and particularly relates to assembly of components in closeout joints using adhesive-infused preforms.
Closeout panels can present problems for manufacturers, in that panels may attach to a substructure without access to the backside of the panel. In the past, these panels have been bolted to the substructure or attached using blind fasteners, such as pull rivets. These methods require expensive and time-consuming drilling and fastening operations and may weaken the structure: More recently, these panels have been co-bonded or secondarily bonded using resin or a thin layer of adhesive.
Typically, laminating resins are used as the matrix material in woven textiles, this also being true for woven preforms used to connect components made of composites or other materials. An example of a commonly used laminating resin is 977-3, available from Cytec Industries, Inc., of West Paterson, N.J. The laminating resin is infused into a textile product and is cured to form a polymer matrix in the finished composite component. When assembling a typical joint using a preform, the preform may be co-cured along with uncured composite components or the components may be cured prior to assembly using an uncured preform. Because of the inferior bonding characteristics of laminating resins, a thin layer of adhesive is often placed between the preform and the components. Generally, an adhesive film is used, which is expensive and adds to fabrication time.
To achieve proper bonding when using a thin layer of adhesive, such as an adhesive film, between pre-cured components, special attention must be paid to the interface at the adhesive layer. This bond line is critical, and, where two surfaces are brought together, the distance between the surfaces must be within a critical tolerance to ensure a proper bonding layer. The thickness of the adhesives is usually about 0.015″ thick with a bond layer tolerance of +/−0.005″. Methods for ensuring proper bonding may include tools, such as molds or vacuum bags, but particular applications may prevent the use of tools due to the inaccessibility of one or both sides of the joint. An example of this type of application is a closeout panel, such as the skin of a wing being bonded to an internal spar.
Z-pins have been used in joints connecting two composite, laminate components in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,863,635, 5,968,639, and 5,980,665 to Childress discloses inserting z-pins into a first composite component to form stubble at a bonding face, then curing the first component. An uncured second component is then bonded to the first component with the stubble extending into and among the fibers of the second component and through the bond line.
As shown in
An alternative method of assembly using z-pins is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,876,540, 5,876,832, 5,935,698 to Pannell and shown in
A need exists for an improved method that reduces the steps in assembly and provides for a strong joint when joining components using a woven preform. A further need exists for a method of joining components in a structural joint that provides for a larger dimensional tolerance between components when using an adhesive at the bond line.
A method uses a three-dimensional, adhesive-infused, woven preform to assemble two components, each component having z-pins extending from bonding surfaces. The woven perform has a thickness at least equal to the sum of the lengths of the protruding portions of the z-pins. The components and preform are assembled with surfaces of the preform contacting surfaces of the components, the z-pins penetrating into the preform. The adhesive in the preform is then cured, adhering the preform to the components and retaining the z-pins within the preform. The adhesive may be cured at room temperature or through heat applied to the outer component. Alternatively, an electron-bearn may be used to cure the adhesive. Use of z-pins in the bond area and an adhesive, instead of a resin, creates a stronger joint, especially with fiber-reinforcement of the adhesive. The thickness of the compressible, three-dimensional weave provides for a larger dimensional tolerance at each bond line.
The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Various resin systems are sold under the terms “laminating resins” and “adhesives,” though there is no “bright-line,” industry-standard definition by which to distinguish one from the other. The term “adhesive,” as used herein, is meant as a resin system that has a lower modulus of elasticity and/or a higher strain-to-failure than the resin forming the matrix of the parts to be adhered. The combination of these characteristics is described as higher toughness, and adhesives have a higher toughness than laminating resins, which tend to be more brittle and have lower crack-formation loads.
Results from ASTM tests can be used to distinguish, generally, between laminating resins and adhesives. High-strength, structural laminating resins have a peel strength rating generally ranging up to 15 pounds per linear inch, whereas the peel strength of adhesives is greater than 15 pounds per linear inch. For example, the Bell Peel test (ASTM D3167 “Standard Test Method for Floating Roller Peel Resistance of Adhesives”) shows that the peel strength of FM® 300 adhesive is 23-29 pounds per linear inch at room temperature, but the peel strength of 977-3 laminating resin, which is used to laminate the parts, is up to 6 pounds per linear inch. In addition, laminating resins generally have a tensile strength greater than 7500 pounds per square inch (psi) as tested using ASTM D638 (“Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics”), with high-strength resins ranging to 12000 psi. Adhesives generally have tensile strengths less than 6500 psi. Thus, in the present application, “adhesives” also means resin systems with tensile strengths less than 6500 psi and a peel strength greater than 15 pounds per linear inch. “Laminating resins” is used to mean resin systems having tensile strengths greater than 7500 psi and a peel strength of less than 15 pounds per linear inch.
To provide higher strain-to-failure characteristics, epoxy-based adhesives usually have rubber modifiers added to them. The higher strain capability improves load distribution through the preform, reducing the crack formation at the outer edges of the bond lines and in the weave that can lead to catastrophic failure of the joint at loads less than those which would cause failure of the parts. Also, adhesives usually have a higher viscosity than laminating resins. Laminating resins easily saturate woven components, whereas adhesives require an infusion process to wet-out the fiber bundles.
The preforms can be infused with adhesive in many ways. For example, one method is by hot-melt infusion, in which adhesive films are laid adjacent to the preform, and heat is applied to cause adhesive to wick into preform. Another method involves drawing preforms through a tank containing adhesive dissolved in a solvent, usually acetone or toluene. The preforms are immersed in the solution, then removed from the tank. The solvent is allowed to evaporate, or “flash off,” leaving the adhesive in the preform. To completely wet-out the preforms, this process may be repeated several times. The preform is saturated with the adhesive and is laid up while uncured. The parts, or components, to be joined may be formed from cured or partially cured composites or may be formed from other materials, e.g., plastics, metals, etc. Additional methods of infusion include resin-transfer molding (RTM) and vacuum-assist resin-transfer molding (VARTM).
Referring to the figures,
A cured, pi-shaped, woven preform 41 is bonded to spar 35, preform being woven from fibers using a three-dimensional (3-D) weave pattern. Preform 41 preferably has a matrix formed form laminating resin. Preform 41 has a base 43 having a continuous bonding surface 45, and a pair of spaced-apart legs 47 extend vertically from base 43. Each leg 47 is at a position that is offset from, but near to, the center of base 43. In this embodiment, legs 43 are parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to base 43. In the installed position, the inner surfaces of legs 47 face each other to form a slot 49 for receiving spar 35. A plurality of z-pins 51 are inserted into base 43 through bonding surface 45 prior to curing of preform 41. The pattern and areal density of z-pins 51 are preferably approximately the same as those for z-pins 37 in panel 33. Preform 41 may be secondarily bonded to spar 35 after curing of preform 41 or may be co-bonded to spar 35. Alternatively, if spar 35 is formed from composites, spar 35 and preform 41 may be co-cured.
An adhesive-infused, woven preform 53 has a rectangular cross-section and opposed bonding surfaces 55, 57 and is woven using a 3-D weave pattern to have a selected thickness t. Preform 53 is used to connect panel 33 to preform 41 by bonding surface 39 of panel 33 to surface 55 and surface 45 of preform 41 to surface 57. Preform 53 preferably has at least two warp-fiber layers and thickness t of about 0.050″-0.060″ or may have additional layers, providing an increased thickness t.
Z-pins 37 protrude substantially the same length L1 from bonding surface 39. Z-pins 51 protrude approximately the same length L2 from bonding surface 45. In the preferred embodiment, protrusions lengths L1 and L2 are equal to each other, however, they could differ. Preferably, thickness t of perform 53 at least equals the sum of protrusion lengths L1 and L2. Preferably, for a thickness t of 0.060″, protrusion lengths L1 and L2 are each slightly less than 0.030″. In the example shown, thickness t is shown an exaggerated amount greater than the sum of protrusion lengths L1 and L2. Consequently, after components 33 and 43 are joined, as shown in
Z-pins 37 are spaced quite closer to each other, typically being only about 1/10″ apart from each other. Similarly, z-pins 51 are closely spaced to each other. Making the thickness of woven perform 53 at least equal to the protrusion lengths L1, L2 avoids the ends of some of z-pins 37 striking some of the ends of z-pins 51. If z-pins 37 strike and interfere with z-pins 51, components 33 and 43 possibly may not move into tight engagement with the opposite sides of perform 53.
As surfaces 39, 55 and 45, 57 are moved toward each other, Z-pins 37, 51 penetrate preform 53 until surfaces 39, 55 and 45, 57 contact each other, the length of z-pins 37, 51 being less than thickness t of preform 53. Bond layers form at the interfaces of surfaces 39, 55 and 45, 57, connecting panel 33 to preform 41, which is bonded to spar 35. Because the adhesive is infused in preform 53 having selected thickness t, the bond layer dimensional tolerance is increased, preform 53 allowing for a larger variation in distance between surfaces 39, 45. Without preform 53, the distance between surfaces 39, 45 must be within a critical tolerance to ensure a proper bonding layer. Additionally, use of preform 53 allows for some misalignment of panel 33 in relation to preform 41 when bonding and can accommodate dimensional variations in surfaces 39, 45.
Mechanical pressure is all that is required to push panel 33 towards preform 41 during curing, compressing preform 53 and ensuring continuous bondlines between surfaces 39, 55 and 45, 57. If the adhesive is a heat-cured adhesive, heat is applied to the outer surface of panel 33 to cause the rapid curing of the adhesive. Alternatively, adhesives used in preform 53 may be cured by other types of cure mechanisms, for example, electron-beam curing.
During assembly, panel 33 and preform 41 are fabricated to desired dimensions and shapes, then z-pins 37, 51 are inserted prior to curing of panel 33 and preform 41. Preform 41 may be bonded to spar 35 during or after curing of preform 41. Preform 53 is fabricated to have a selected thickness t, then infused with an adhesive. Preform 53 is positioned between panel 33 and base 43 of preform 41, then panel 33 is moved toward preform 41, with z-pins 37, 51 penetrating preform 53. Panel 33 is moved toward preform 41 until surface 39 contacts surface 55 of preform 53 and surface 45 contacts surface 57, then mechanical pressure is applied to the outer surface of panel 33 for compressing preform 53 during curing of the adhesive.
When fabricating preform 53, thickness t may be increased to ¼″ or beyond and may involve the use of thicker fibers. However, the weight of the extra adhesive used in a thicker preform would likely mean that thicker preforms would be reserved for applications where minimization of weight is not a primary concern, for example, in construction of boats.
During assembly, panel 33 and preform 59 are fabricated to desired dimensions and shapes, then z-pins 37, 67 are inserted prior to curing of panel 33 and preform 59. Preform 59 is fastened to spar 35 using fastener 65. Preform 53 is fabricated to have a selected thickness t, then infused with an adhesive. Preform 53 is positioned between panel 33 and base 61, then panel 33 is moved toward preform 59, with z-pins 37, 67 penetrating preform 53. Panel 33 is moved toward preform 59 until surface 39 contacts surface 55 of preform 53 and surface 69 contacts surface 57, then mechanical pressure is applied to the outer surface of panel 33 for compressing preform 53.
The advantages of the present invention include the increased strength from the addition of z-pins in the bond area and using an adhesive, rather than a resin, within a 3-D woven preform used to connect components. Another advantage is the reduction of steps needed to complete the assembly. By infusing the adhesive into preforms, pieces can be joined without the need for a separate adhesive film being inserted between a resin-infused connector and the pieces to be joined. Also, the thickness of the preform allows for a larger dimensional tolerance at the bond line, while providing the strength of fiber-reinforced adhesive. Making the thickness of the perform equal or greater than the protrusion lengths of the z-pins assures that the z-pins from one component do not strike the z-pins from the other component.
While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/212,339, filed Aug. 5, 2002.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10212339 | Aug 2002 | US |
| Child | 11096297 | Apr 2005 | US |
