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Analysis of institutional authors

Fernandez, AntonioAuthorGuemes, AlfredoAuthor

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Advanced Thermoplastic Composite Manufacturing by In-Situ Consolidation: A Review

Publicated to:Journal Of Composites Science. 4 (4): - 2020-01-01 4(4), DOI: 10.3390/jcs4040149

Authors: Martin, Isabel; Saenz del Castillo, Diego; Fernandez, Antonio; Guemes, Alfredo;

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Abstract

This article provides an overview of the evolution of the in-situ consolidation (ISC) process over time. This evolution is intimately linked with the advancements in each of the steps of the ISC manufacturing process, is additive in nature, and is limited by the orthotropic nature of composite materials and the physicochemical behavior of the thermoplastic matrix. This review covers four key topics: (a) Thermal models-simulation tools are critical to understand a process with such large spatial gradients and fast changes. Heating systems once marked a turning point in the development of industrial ISC systems. Today, lasers are the most recent trend, and there are three key issues being studied: The absorption of energy of light by the material, the laser profile, and the laser focusing. Several approaches have been proposed for the distributed temperature measurements, given the strong temperature gradients. (b) Adhesion-this refers to two subsequent mechanisms. In the first place, the process of intimate contact is one by which two surfaces of thermoplastic pre-impregnated composite materials are brought into contact under pressure and temperature. This enables closure of the existing gaps between the two microscopic irregular surfaces. This process is then followed by the healing or diffusion of polymer molecules across the interface. (c) Crystallinity-mostly influenced by the cooling rate, and strongly affects the mechanical properties. (d) Degradation-this refers to the potential irreversible changes in the polymer structure caused by the high temperatures required for the process. Degradation can be avoided through adequate control of the process parameters. The end goal of the ISC manufacturing process is to achieve a high product quality with a high deposition rate through an industrial process competitive with the current manufacturing process for thermoset composites.

Keywords

Aircraft structuresAutomated fiber placementAutomatic laminationCarbon fibre/peek compositesCooling rate influencesHeat-transfer analysisIn-situ consolidationLaser assisted tape placementMatrix compositesMechanical-propertiesOnline consolidationResidual-stressesTape-placementThermal contact resistanceThermoplastic composites

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Journal Of Composites Science, Q4 Agency Scopus (SJR), its regional focus and specialization in Ceramics and Composites, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations from Scopus Elsevier, it yields a value for the Field-Weighted Citation Impact from the Scopus agency: 3.6, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 9.35 (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-01, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 7
  • Scopus: 67
  • OpenCitations: 56

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-01:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 158.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 152 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 4.4.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 5 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: Last Author (GUEMES GORDO, JESUS ALFREDO).