Study on Mechanical & Cryogenic Properties of Carbon Epoxy Composites

Abstract

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers are composite materials. In this case the composite consists of two parts: a matrix and reinforcement. In CFRP the reinforcement is carbon fiber which provides the strength. The matrix is usually a polymer resin such as epoxy to bind the reinforcements together. The material properties depend on these two elements. The reinforcement will give the CFRP its strength and rigidity measured by stress and elastic modulus respectively. Unlike isotropic materials like steel and aluminium CFRP has directional strength properties. The properties of CFRP depend on the layouts of the carbon fiber and the proportion of the carbon fibers relative to the polymer. This paper deals with the studies done on cryogenic treatment (Liquid Nitrogen) of composites having different fiber and matrix composition. In this work studies are done to find the effects caused by the liquid nitrogen on composites mechanical properties and change in properties due to different fiber and matrix composition in composites. It was observed that due to cryogenic treatment there was changes in the physical properties of the specimens. The specimens had deformed in their shape. The more deformation was seen in 60:40 specimen which was treated for 48 hrs and tensile strength of the composites at cryogenic temperature had higher values than that normal temperature for 70:30 specimen which was treated for 24hrs. The flexure strength of the composites at cryogenic temperature had higher values than the normal temperature for all the specimens. The flexure strength is more for 70:30 specimen which was treated for 48hrs. � Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.