Electrical and thermal behavior of Im7/977-3 Carbon fiber polymer matrix composites subjected to time-varying and steady electric currents

Characterization of carbon fiber polymer matrix composites subjected to simultaneous application of electric current pulse and low velocity impact

“…The deflection of the plate was determined to decrease with increasing electric current magnitude, and it was concluded that the impact event could be counterbalanced by the application of the electromagnetic field . The works of the previously mentioned authors motivated the thesis work of Zantout (2009) The experimental methods of Zantout (2009) and Deierling (2010) are discussed in detail in section 2.2, as they are the foundation of the current work. In order to build upon the accomplishments of the former authors, an outline of objectives was planned.…”

“…The works of Deierling (2010) and Zantout (2009) studied the effects of application of DC current on carbon fiber polymer matrix composite materials quite extensively. The experimental setup developed by the abovementioned authors was utilized for DC current tests in this work, as outlined below.…”

“…Surface roughness, surface corrosion, small contact area, and dissimilar electrical properties all contribute to contact resistance (Braunovic, 2007). In the case of contact between a copper electrode and a carbon fiber polymer matrix composite, the main contributor to contact resistance is the surface roughness of the carbon fiber specimens (Deierling, 2010). In these experiments, the surface roughness was developed during the process in which the 6 x 6 inch specimens were cut from a larger plate.…”

“…The works of Zantout (2009) and Deierling (2010) utilized the application of a thin layer of Duralco 120 silver-filled epoxy to the edges of the composite specimens that contacted the electrodes. The rationale in applying a layer of electrically conductive epoxy to the composite specimen is to smooth the surface of the composite so that a greater area of the composite comes in flush contact with the electrode, and thus contact resistance would decrease.…”

“…A semi-automated trigger had previously been developed through the work of Deierling (2010). The previously developed trigger provided a 5 to 0 V falling edge signal to the current pulse generator through a PIC microcontroller.…”