Optimization of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Curing Parameters for Aerospace Application
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The manuscript “Optimization of carbon fibre reinforced plastic curing parameters for aerospace application” studies the interest of multiple properties optimization to determine the best curing cycle as a function of the application and the targeted properties of the CFRP laminates. The paper is interesting, however it suffers from a lack of information. Indeed, for a better understanding of the results, the authors should improve the characterisation part of the paper as porosity levels and microstructures (XRD and SEM) are missing. Moreover, the prediction models to assess strength, hardness and impact toughness of the laminates as a function of the curing cycle are interesting but they have not been validated in this paper.
The corrections are inserted in the document.
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Author Response
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Reviewer 2 Report
In this manuscript, the authors proposed an analysis of curing parameters of a composite in terms of increasing of its impact toughness and hardness by using design of experiment concept and analysis of variance for aerospace applications. The Introduction presents well the investigated problem, however some recommendations for its improvement are provided. In the next section, the authors described materials, investigated curing properties with an analysis of constraints, as well as manufacturing of specimens and their characterization. In section 3, the results of the study were presented, including their statistical analysis and optimization of process parameters. The obtained results were properly justified with the references to the physics of polymer cross-linking and other properties. Based on the obtained results the optimal solution was selected based on analysis of desirability of the investigated process parameters. The study solves well-posed practical problem and is acceptable for a publication after consideration some minor revisions.
1) It is worth to mention why impact toughness is so important for composite structures. In particular, it is worth to mention about damage mechanisms, especially in the case of barely visible impact damage, problems with their detection, and influence on the structural integrity. Rich literature is available in this topic.
2) The problem formulation is generally good, however, it is worth to emphasize the advantages of DOE, i.e. the possibility of using this method in the case when there is small amount of input data (in contrast to DOE, more advanced methods, like neural networks cannot be applied in this case).
3) Please provide the exact information of the manufacturers of used materials and equipment.
4) Please correct Figures 1, 4(b).
5) It is recommended to enlarge a bit Figures 7-11 to increase visibility of details.
6) Wrong numbering of Figure 11, please correct.
7) All variables should be written with italic font.
8) Minor grammar errors need to be corrected.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors have taken into account all the comments of the reviewer. The paper is more readable and can be accepted for publication.
