Resin film infusion of stitched stiffened composite panels

Through-thickness stitching followed by resin film infusion (RFI) process is one of the most promising and cost-effective methods of manufacturing stiffened composite panels with higher delamination resistance. The specific benefits of stitching are reduced manufacturing cost with rapid stacking of built-up stitched plies, increased reliability of using stacked plies with predetermined orientations and minimal loss of structural properties with significantly increased delamination resistance and retention of strength after impact. The present paper discusses a stitching and RFI process that was used to fabricate integrated stiffened panels. Plain-weave graphite fabric was used and RFI simulation was performed to obtain the infiltration time for varying pressure. The performance of the stitched stiffened panels under compressive loading and compared with that of the unstitched, stiffened panels. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.