Thermomechanical and Morphological Studies of CFRP Tested in Different Environmental Conditions

Abstract

The present work describes the mechanical characterization combined with the thermal degradation kinetics of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP). The thermal degradation kinetics of CFRP have never been studied in the past. In that regard, the present work focuses on studying the thermal degradation kinetics of CFRP tested mechanically at different environmental conditions. Tensile tests were performed on the specimens with different lay-ups at room temperature, elevated temperature (71 °C), and cryogenic conditions (−54 °C), and the same specimens were used for thermal degradation kinetic studies. Mechanical tests show different responses respect to the different environmental conditions and different fibers orientation. On the other hand, the thermogravimetric results, mass loss, and derivative mass loss, show no significant difference in the degradation of CFRP tested at different temperatures. However, the thermal degradation kinetics shows more insight into the degradation pattern of the materials. The activation energy of degradation shows that the degradation of materials subjected to elevated conditions increases rapidly in the later stages of degradation, suggesting the formation of high char yield. The varying activation energy has been related to different degradation mechanisms. Lastly, the morphology of the materials was studied under SEM to understand the structural change in the material after tested in different weather conditions.

Study on Tensile Properties of CFRP Plates under Elevated Temperature Exposure

“…Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) composites are increasingly applied for strengthening and repairing existed structures in varying forms, including FRP plates, FRP cloths, FRP bars et al It is divided into carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced plastics (GFRP), aramid fiber reinforced plastics (AFRP) and basalt fiber reinforced plastics (BFRP) from the nature of the material. This is because FRP materials have advantages of high strength-to-weight ratio, good resistance to electrochemical corrosion, and convenience for installation [1,2,3,4,5]. The FRP material usually needs to be externally bonded to the surface of the concrete structures and steel structures by adhesives.…”

Characterization Techniques of Polymer Aging: From Beginning to End

“…Some advanced SEM techniques have been developed continuously. Environmental SEM in combination with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), high-angle annular-dark-field scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF-STEM), and in situ SEM under loading conditions were developed for the aged polymers. Wu et al performed an in situ SEM imaging for the epoxy polymer under the different stress loading levels .…”

Behaviour under Moving Distributed Masses of Simply Supported Orthotropic Rectangular Plate Resting on a Constant Elastic Bi-Parametric Foundation

“…Gbadeyan and Dada [14] found the natural frequency of rectangular plates traversed by moving concentrated masses. Barlie [15] carried out the thermo-mechanical morphological study of CFRP in different environmental conditions. Guo [16,17] examined the fatigue lif of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with CFRP under beading load.Hosseini [18] investigated the roadway metallic bridge using non-prestressed bonded and prestressed unbonded CFRP plate.…”