Kinetics of autohesion of thermoplastic carbon-fiber prepregs

The kinetics of autohesion of continuous carbon-fiber thermoplastic-matrix prepregs above the glass transition temperature was studied by the measurement of the DC electrical contact resistance of the joint between two plies in real time during autohesion at various constant temperatures. The resistance decreased as autohesion progressed. The rate of decrease in resistance was used as an indicator of the rate of autohesion. The activation energy was 21.2 kJ/mol for both Nylon-6 and polyphenylenesulfide carbon-fiber prepregs.