Composites Laboratory

Composite parts and specimens are manufactured in the ACRU Composites Laboratory for undergraduate final year and postgraduate research and design projects in the fields of composite materials and structures, using the hot press (thermoplastic matrix composites), vacuum bagging (hot and cold curing), and autoclave (thermoset matrix composites).

Hot Press

American Autoclave

Vacuum Bagging

CFRP rib stiffened panel co-cured in the autoclave

Testing Facilities

Mechanical testing of composite structural components and material specimens is performed using universal (Instron, Shimadzu, JJ Lloyd), fatigue, and impact testing machines.

Shimadzu testing machine

Bending test

Failed Composite Specimen

CFRP sandwich panel – progressive failure

Composite panel bending test

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