Enhanced Tensile and Wear Properties of CFRP Composites Manufactured Using Vacuum Infusion Process

Abstract

The properties of a composite are depending on the manufacturing process, fiber and its configuration, epoxy used etc. The present research deals with the tensile and wear behaviour of the composites manufactured using Hand Layup (HL) and Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP) with structural and non-structural epoxy combination. 4-layerd (all the layers are oriented in the longitudinal direction) unidirectional CFRP was manufactured using VIP and those results were compared with the HL made samples. The addition of structural epoxy in the resin mixer have shown a significant effect on its fiber volume fraction, tensile and erosion properties. The effect of vacuum pressure in mould cavity on the tensile strength of the CFRP composite was also studied. The morphologies of the CFRP composites made with VIP and HL were studied with the help of the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The CFRP composites manufactured through VIP have shown a greater tensile strength but it was poor in wear resistance. The addition of structural adhesive to the resin system enhanced the wear resistance. Hence it made the VIP a recommended process for composite manufacturing where both tensile and wear properties are required.