In Situ 4D Synchrotron Imaging of Thermoset and Thermoplastic Prepreg Compaction for Porosity Evolution Analysis

This proposal aims to perform in situ 4D synchrotron imaging to monitor the compaction of prepreg laminates. Both thermoset and thermoplastic composites’ consolidation is a topic of investigation. To do so, the home-based improved InCODETO [1] hot press is used to capture multi-scale porosity evolution, generating quantitative curves of pore radius changes throughout the thermo-mechanical cycle. The experiment includes pre- and post-compaction scans, followed by in situ curing/consolidation with strategic stops at key phases to elucidate pore nucleation, growth, and reduction mechanisms. This work provides critical insights into the porosity mechanisms and supports advanced manufacturing process optimization. The data obtained will be used to recalibrate and validate micro/meso-scale numerical models for porosity prediction, selecting a representative volume from the scanned domain.