U.S.-New Zealand Cooperative Research: The Behavior and Application of Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheets

该奖项将支持R.拜伦·派普斯 复合材料中心进行合作 研究与博士. Debes Bhattacharyya的部门 奥克兰大学机械工程系。的 研究的主要目标是建立一个基础， 可集成的纤维增强热塑性复合材料 工程实践。热塑性聚合物可以经历 从固体到液体的可逆相变， 成型和连接工业方法的发展 对于传统的金属材料。也是 可以结合各种类型的纤维增强， 适合成型产品的最终用途。的潜在的处理 热塑性塑料的优点导致了 热成形工艺以及采用片材成形 典型的用于金属材料的技术。这 研究将调查纤维增强热塑性塑料 图纸可以转换为三维模型， 现有的金属成型设备，只需最小的改造。 主要研究人员的研究领域是 互补和合作工作应产生 实质性成果。巴塔查里亚博士是一位专家， 常规金属材料的片材成形。Pipes教授 是复合材料加工领域公认的权威。 的 Bhattacharyya博士前往复合材料中心 在特拉华州的项目是由新西兰农业部资助的。 研究、科学和技术（MORST）。

This award will support the travel by Prof. R. Byron Pipes of the Center for Composite Materials to conduct collaborative research with Dr. Debes Bhattacharyya of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Auckland. The principal goal of the research is to establish a base for fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites that can be integrated into engineering practice. Thermoplastic polymers can undergo a reversible phase change from solid to liquid thereby enabling the development of shaping and joining industrial methods analogous to those for conventional metallic materials. It is also possible to incorporate various types of fiber reinforcement to suit the end use of the formed product. The potential processing advantages of thermoplastics have led to the development of thermoforming processes and to the adoption of sheet forming techniques typical of those used with metallic materials. This research will investigate ways fiber-reinforced thermoplastic sheets can be converted into three-dimensional models using existing metal-forming equipment with minimal modification. The research areas of the principal investigators are complementary and the cooperative work should produce substantial results. Dr. Bhattacharyya is an expert in the sheet forming of conventional metallic materials. Prof. Pipes is a recognized authority in composites processing. The travel of Dr. Bhattacharyya to the Center for Composite Materials in Delaware is funded through the New Zealand Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MORST).