Static and dynamic mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer with different stacking sequences

Abstract

With the wide application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites, dynamic loading cases are increasingly considered in structural design and analysis. Hence, it is necessary to investigate their dynamic mechanical properties. In this paper, the carbon/epoxy laminates with different stacking sequences prepared by vacuum assisted resin infusion process were studied by quasi-static tension and split Hopkinson tension bar experiments. The loading strain rate is ranged from 2.2 × 10−4 s−1 to 2200 s−1. The results indicate that the composites are strain rate dependent. Four stacking sequence laminates show different strain rate sensitivities, and their mechanical performance differences depend on the strain rate. As the strain rate increases, tensile strength and elastic modulus increase, but failure strain decreases. Therein, the elastic modulus is highly sensitive. The elastic modulus difference of unidirection/cross-ply or unidirection/quasi-isotropic decreases but that of unidirection/angle-ply increases with increasing strain rate. The failure strain difference of unidirection/angle-ply decreases significantly with increasing strain rate. These experimental data and research results could provide some insight for epoxy matrix CFRPs.