Abstract: In the process of automated tape laying (ATL), tack and drape are two characteristics that describe the suitability of prepreg for lay-up. Tack and drape researched individually can help us understand placement suitability of prepreg better. This paper aims at drape of prepreg. Firstly, the meaning of prepreg's drape was discussed and the existing measurement methods and quantitative characterization of prepreg's drape were summarized; Secondly, using“Max. bending force”quantitatively characterizing the drape of prepreg was proposed and viscoelasticity of prepreg and influence of the main processing parameters of ATL, such as lay-up velocity, humidity, hot-air temperature, aging time etc., on prepreg's drape were researched by three point bending test. The experimental results indicate that prepreg's drape increases with the higher temperature and humidity, but decreases with the longer aging time and lower velocity of lay-up; Finally, the engineering significance of drape test was summarized, which provides a reference for the control of the processing parameters on ATL.

Key words: drape, prepreg, processing parameter, automated tape laying(ATL), characterization method