Sun, XiaochuanCook, LawrenceBelnoue, Jonathan P-H.Tifkitsis, Kostas I.Kratz, JamesSkordos, Alexandros A.2024-09-262024-09-262024-12-01Sun X, Cook L, Belnoue JP-H, et al., (2024) Manufacturing thick laminates using a layer by layer curing approach. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Volume 187, December 2024, Article number 1084891359-835Xhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108489https://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/22971The work presented in this paper puts forward a manufacturing strategy for the processing of thermosetting composites based on Layer by Layer (LbL) curing. The process operates additively with sublaminates placed in a heated press, partially cured while consolidating, followed by loading of the next sublaminate and repeating the cycle until part completion. Coupled consolidation-cure simulation was utilised to design the process and establish its capabilities showing that halving the cure time is possible for thick parts. Mechanical testing showed that for pre-cure of placed layers below the gelation degree of cure, interlaminar properties are equivalent to those of conventionally manufactured material. A trial was carried out demonstrating successfully the LbL process. On-line measurements of temperature and compaction matched the predictions of the simulation, whilst the quality of the material produced is equivalent to that of conventionally produced composites.enAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Materials4016 Materials engineering4017 Mechanical engineeringArticle553644108489https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.26165311