Manufacturing of an aileron rib with advanced thermoplastic composites

In this work, the manufacturing technology for an aileron rib for a civil aircraft with advanced CF/PEI thermoplastic composite materials was investigated. In particular, the compression molding method was applied and continuous-carbon-fiber fabric-reinforced polyetherimide (PEI) composite materials were used. The study was focused on the optimization of processing conditions which led to the production of high-quality aileron ribs with CF/PEI thermoplastic composites. The design of processing molds and the relationships among the processing conditions, microstructures and mechanical properties (flexural stiffness and strength) of the produced composite parts were presented. The sample quality in relation to processing conditions was evaluated by C-scan, microscopic examination, void content measurement, and mechanical test programs.