Water Jet Erosion Performance of Carbon Fiber and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers

Abstract

Complex engineering challenges are revealed in the wind industry; one of them is erosion at the leading edge of wind turbine blades. Water jet erosive wear tests on carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass-fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) were performed in order to determine their resistance at the conditions tested. Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP) was used to obtain the composite materials. Eight layers of bidirectional carbon fabric (0/90°) and nine glass layers of bidirectional glass cloth were used to manufacture the plates. A water injection platform was utilized. The liquid was projected with a pressure of 150 bar on the surface of the specimens through a nozzle. The samples were located at 65 mm from the nozzle at an impact angle of 75°, with an exposure time of 10, 20 and 30 min. SEM and optical microscopy were used to observe the damage on surfaces. A 3D optical profilometer helped to determine the roughness and see the scar profiles. The results showed that the volume loss for glass fiber and carbon fiber were 10 and 19 mm3, respectively. This means that the resistance to water jet erosion in uncoated glass fiber was approximately two times lower than uncoated carbon fiber.

Effect of Eco-Friendly Peanut Shell Powder on the Chemical Resistance, Physical, Thermal, and Thermomechanical Properties of Unsaturated Polyester Resin Composites

“…Thermogravimetric analysis data for the UPR/PSP composites. 1 Temperature of 1% mass loss; 2 Temperature of 5% mass loss; 3 Temperature of 10% mass loss; 4 Temperature of 50% mass loss; 5 Maximum decomposition temperature; 6 Mass Change; 7 Residual Mass.…”

“…The quality of composites depends on the selection of the constituent materials. In recent years, the most frequently exploited fillings for composites were glass or carbon fibers [1][2][3]. To minimize the environmental pollution due to the use of synthetic composites, scientists' present focus is on natural fillers.…”