Tensile Property of Carbon Reinforced Epoxy Composites for Different Directions

Abstract

Due to higher chemical stability, higher strength/stiffness, lower density, and good corrosion resistance, carbon fiber-reinforced polymeric composites (CFRPs) have been increased numbers of areas such as aircraft industry, automotive industry, ship making and packing industry, turbines, compressors, wind blades besides implant applications. Epoxy based composites are developed using carbon fiber reinforcements by vacuum controlled resin transfer (VARTM) molding method by Twill carbon fiber [K3T] with 200 gr and Plain carbon fiber [K3P] with 200 gr. Composite plates are produced in the dimension of 500 mm x 500 mm with 0.8 mm thickness. According to the ASTM D3039, standard test samples are cut with CNC machine. Tensile tests are conducted at three different fiber directions like 00-450- 90o, respectively. Their mechanical properties are determined. Experimental results indicated that fiber direction significantly affected the tensile behavior of tested samples. Average tensile strength of CFRPs was obtained around 470 MPa for 0 degree to x-axis, and testing lasted about 44 s. For 90o direction, tensile strength of carbon fiber composites reached to 520 MPa, which is slightly higher than the previous one while trial period was around 50 s. For 45o tested samples, a completely different behavior was observed because stress-strain curve showed the elastic-plastic behavior. Its tensile strength measured was about 120 MPa average value while the trial lasted about 145 s.