The Effect of aluminum, graphite, and carbon fiber powders on the electrical and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced composites

Abstract

Carbon fiber reinforced composite materials are frequently preferred in the aerospace field due to their outstanding properties such as high mechanical strength, light weight, and high electrical conductivity in the fiber direction. However, their weak electrical conductivity through the thickness limits their areas of application. In this study, it is aimed to enhance the through-thickness electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites, which are used in structural applications in the aerospace industry, by incorporating different powders. As a reference sample, a carbon fiber reinforced composite material was produced by the vacuum bagging method without using any additional filler material. To improve electrical conductivity, samples containing aluminum, graphite, and carbon fiber powders were produced. Subsequently, through-thickness electrical conductivity measurements of the samples were carried out. In addition, changes in the mechanical properties of the samples were investigated by performing tensile, three-point bending, and interlaminar shear tests in accordance with ASTM standards. As a result of the study, it was observed that different powder reinforcements to the matrix increased electrical conductivity by 103%, while mechanical properties decreased by 9% to 24%. Furthermore, the dramatic increase in conductivity can be considered as evidence that the percolation threshold has been exceeded. In this study, the effects of aluminum, graphite, and carbon fiber powders materials for which there is no direct comparison in the literature on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of CFRPs were investigated.

Keywords

• Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites
• Aluminum powder
• Graphite powder
• Carbon fiber powder
• Electrical conductivity
• Mechanical properties

Karbon fiber takviyeli kompozitlerde alüminyum, grafit ve karbon fiber tozlarının elektriksel ve mekanik özelliklere etkisi

Abstract

Karbon fiber takviyeli kompozit malzemeler yüksek mekanik dayanımları, hafiflikleri ve fiber doğrultusunda yüksek elektrik iletkenlikleri gibi öne çıkan özellikleri ile havacılık alanında sıklıkla tercih edilmektedir. Fakat, kalınlıkları yönünde elektriksel iletkenliklerinin zayıf olması kullanım alanlarını kısıtlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada, havacılık endüstrisinde yapısal uygulamalarda kullanılan karbon fiber takviyeli polimer kompozitlerin farklı tozlar ile katkılandırılması ve kalınlıkları boyunca elektriksel iletkenliği arttırılması amaçlanmıştır. Referans numune olarak herhangi bir katkı malzemesi kullanılmadan vakum torbalama yöntemi ile karbon fiber takviyeli kompozit malzeme üretimi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Elektriksel iletkenliğin artırılması amacıyla, alüminyum, grafit ve karbon fiber tozları içeren numuneler üretilmiştir. Ardından, numunelerin kalınlıkları boyunca elektriksel iletkenlik ölçümleri gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ayrıca, ASTM standartlarına uygun olarak yapılan çekme, üç nokta eğme ve tabakalar arası kayma testleri ile numunelerin mekanik özelliklerindeki değişimler araştırılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, matrise yapılan farklı toz takviyelerinin elektriksel iletkenliği %103 oranında arttırdığı görülürken mekanik özelliklerde ise %9 ile %24 arasında azalma tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, literatürde doğrudan karşılaştırması bulunmayan alüminyum, grafit ve karbon fiber tozlarının CFRP’nin elektriksel iletkenliği ve mekanik özellikleri üzerindeki etkileri incelenmiştir.

Keywords

• Karbon fiber takviyeli kompozitler
• Alüminyum tozu
• Grafit tozu
• Karbon fiber tozu
• Elektriksel iletkenlik
• Mekanik özellikler

Supporting Institution

Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayi A.Ş.

Ethical Statement

Çalışmanız “Karbon Fiber Takviyeli Kompozitlerde Alüminyum, Grafit ve Karbon Fiber Tozlarının Elektriksel ve Mekanik Özelliklere Etkisi” etik kurul izni gerektiren çalışma grubunda yer almadığını beyan ederim.

Thanks

Bu çalışmanın TUSAŞ LIFT UP 2024 yılı sanayi odaklı lisans bitirme projeleri kapsamında yürütülmesine sağladıkları maddi ve teknik destekten dolayı Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayi A.Ş.’ye teşekkür ederiz.

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