Determination of the influence of stacking structure, float length and pressure time on the flexural properties of satin laminated composite using a factorial design

Abstract In this study, a satin weave composite was prepared by utilizing continuous fiber impregnated thermoplastic (COFIT) prepreg tapes. A 2 3 factorial design was applied to identify the main, two-factor interaction and three-factor interaction effects of stacking structure, float length and pressure time on flexural strength and modulus. It was found that, for the main effect, stacking structure exhibits great influence on the flexural strength of the satin laminated system, followed by pressure time and float length. A slight change in trend is shown by the flexural modulus, where the second important factor is float length and the third factor is pressure time. The sequence of two-factor interaction effects on the flexural strength of the satin laminated system, in ascending order, is pressure time vs. float length