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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• 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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

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

Destekleyen Kurum

Türk Havacılık ve Uzay Sanayi A.Ş.

Etik Beyan

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.

Teşekkür

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.

Kaynakça

1. Olofin, I. ve Liu, R., The Application of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Cables in Civil Engineering Structures, International Journal of Civil Engineering, 2, 7, 1–5, (2015).
2. Zhao, Q., Zhang, K., Zhu, S., Xu, H., Cao, D., Zhao, L. ve ark., Review on the Electrical Resistance/Conductivity of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, Applied Sciences, 9, 11, 2390, (2019).
3. Xi, X., Öztürk, M., Cai, J., Wang, L., Zhao, Z., Chu, H. ve ark., First study of quantitative relationship between electric polarization and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness of CFRP, Carbon, 225, 119095, (2024).
4. Zhou, G., Zhang, Z., Yin, W., Chen, H., Wang, L., Wang, D. ve ark., Surface defect detection of CFRP materials based on infrared thermography and Attention U-Net algorithm, Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation, 39, 2, 238–257, (2024).
5. Fujisawa, Y., Sato, T., Hirano, Y., Kamiyama, S. ve Ogasawara, T., Nonlinear electrical conductivity characteristics under high impulse current and applications to lightning strike damage simulation for CFRP laminates, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 183, 108230, (2024).
6. Li, X., Zhou, Y., Kamiyama, S., Okada, T. ve Yokozeki, T., Intrinsically conductive resin as a functional repair for ECF/CFRP against simulated lighting strike: An experimental study, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 177, 107933, (2024).
7. Ergün, Y. A., Modeling of Electrical Conductivity of Unidirectional CFRP Composite Materials in Thickness Direction, Science and Technology, (2019).
8. Atescan-Yuksek, Y., Mills, A., Ayre, D., Koziol, K. ve Salonitis, K., Comparative life cycle assessment of aluminium and CFRP composites: the case of aerospace manufacturing, The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 131, 7–8, 4345–4357, (2024).

9. Maruthuvakudi Venkatram, N., Alsabeeha, S., Weston, N. R., Liu, Z. ve Mavris, D. N., Life Cycle Assessment and Risk Evaluation of CFRP in Aerospace, AIAA SCITECH 2024 Forum, Orlando, FL, (2024).
10. Muflikhun, M. A. ve Fiedler, B., Comprehensive evaluation of CFRP laminates using NDT methods for aircraft applications, Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 32, 395–409, (2024).
11. Ravikiran, N. K., Venkataramanaiah, A., Bhat, M. R. ve Murthy, C. R. L., Detection and Evaluation of Impact damage in CFRP Laminates Using Ultrasound C-Scan and IR Thermography, Proceedings of the National Seminar on Non-Destructive Evaluation, (2006).
12. Jia, Z., Fu, R., Wang, F., Qian, B. ve He, C., Temperature effects in end milling carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites, Polymer Composites, 39, 2, 437–447, (2018).
13. Akcin, Y., Karakaya, S. ve Soykasap, O., Electrical, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of CNT Treated Prepreg CFRP Composites, Materials Sciences and Applications, 7, 9, 465–483, (2016).
14. Kamiyama, S., Okada, T., Hirano, Y., Sonehara, T., Miyaki, H. ve Ogasawara, T., Clarifying the mechanisms of edge glow generation in CFRP laminates exposed to simulated lightning currents, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 177, 107932, (2024).
15. Kiçeci, E. C. ve Salamci, E., Uçak - Yıldırım Etkileşimi, European Journal of Science and Technology, 177–187, (2020).
16. Brown, S. C., Robert, C., Koutsos, V. ve Ray, D., Methods of modifying through-thickness electrical conductivity of CFRP for use in structural health monitoring, and its effect on mechanical properties – A review, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 133, 105885, (2020).
17. Gagné, M. ve Therriault, D., Lightning strike protection of composites, Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 64, 1–16, (2014).
18. Genna, S., Salvi, D. ve Ucciardello, N., Copper‐graphene coatings for improving thermal shielding of CFRPs through electrodeposition techniques, Polymer Composites, pc.29083, (2024).
19. Mongioì, F., Selleri, G., Maria Brugo, T., Maccaferri, E., Fabiani, D. ve Zucchelli, A., Multifunctional composite material based on piezoelectric nanofibers and Cu-CFRP electrodes for sensing applications, Composite Structures, 337, 118076, (2024).
20. Chen, L., Rong, Y., Wu, H., Li, W., Xu, J., Huang, Y. ve ark., Variable frequency selective structure (CFRP/Cu/CFRP) micro blind hole laser high-quality drilling method guided by acoustic emission technology, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 224, 111972, (2025).
21. Zhang, D., Ye, L., Deng, S., Zhang, J., Tang, Y. ve Chen, Y., CF/EP composite laminates with carbon black and copper chloride for improved electrical conductivity and interlaminar fracture toughness, Composites Science and Technology, 72, 3, 412–420, (2012).
22. Lin, Y., Gigliotti, M., Lafarie-Frenot, M. C., Bai, J., Marchand, D. ve Mellier, D., Experimental study to assess the effect of carbon nanotube addition on the through-thickness electrical conductivity of CFRP laminates for aircraft applications, Composites Part B: Engineering, 76, 31–37, (2015).
23. Arockia Jaswin, M., Florence, A., Thirumal Azhagan, M. ve Mathialagan, S., Influence of graphene oxide nano particle and aluminum powder on mechanical and thermal behavior of carbon fiber epoxy composite, Materials Today: Proceedings, 72, 2358–2368, (2023).
24. Sarkar, L., Saha, S., Samanta, R., Sinha, A., Mandal, G., Biswas, A. ve ark., Recent Progress in CNT-Reinforced Composite and FGM for Multi-functional Space Applications and Future Directions, Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series D, 105, 1, 527–541, (2024).
25. Vartak, D. A., Ghotekar, Y., Bhatt, P. M., Makwana, B., Shah, H. ve Vadher, J., A review: carbon nanotubes composite to enhance thermal & electrical properties for the space applications, Australian Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 22, 3, 566–574, (2024).
26. Gao, R. X. K., Lee, H. M., Ewe, W. B., Tay, S. W., Thitsartarn, W., Yang, Z. ve ark., Electromagnetic Characterization and Measurement of Conductive Aircraft CFRP Composite for Lightning Protection and EMI Shielding, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 72, 1–11, (2023).
27. Lin, W., Wang, Y., Yousefpour, K., Park, C. ve Kumar, V., Evaluating the Lightning Strike Damage Tolerance for CFRP Composite Laminates Containing Conductive Nanofillers, Applied Composite Materials, 29, 4, 1537–1554, (2022).
28. Khamidullin, O. L., Gabdrakhmanova, G. M., Bubnov, D. A., Andrianova, K. A. ve Amirova, L. M., Conductive Powder Binders for Production of Carbon Composites, Russian Aeronautics, 67, 3, 709–717, (2024).
29. Liu, Z., Zhou, Z. ve Hou, Q., Improvement on Electric Conductivity of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Composites, 2021 IEEE 5th Information Technology, Networking, Electronic and Automation Control Conference (ITNEC), 632–635, Xi’an, Çin, (2021).
30. Jang, D., Choi, B. H., Yoon, H. N., Yang, B. ve Lee, H. K., Improved electromagnetic wave shielding capability of carbonyl iron powder-embedded lightweight CFRP composites, Composite Structures, 286, 115326, (2022).
31. Zhu, H., Fu, K., Huang, T., Liu, H., Yang, B., Zhou, Y. ve ark., Highly conductive CFRP composite with Ag-coated T-ZnO interlayers for excellent lightning strike protection, EMI shielding and interlayer toughness, Composites Part B: Engineering, 279, 111448, (2024).
32. Wang, Q., Ma, M., Duongthipthewa, A., Zhang, W., Lang, Y., Luo, G. ve ark., “Totally-additive-manufacturing”-functionalized carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites with an ultrasensitive self-sensing network, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 189, 108596, (2025).
33. Kalaitzidou, K., Fukushima, H. ve Drzal, L. T., A Route for Polymer Nanocomposites with Engineered Electrical Conductivity and Percolation Threshold, Materials, 3, 2, 1089–1103, (2010).
34. Li, M., Gao, P., Li, G., Zhao, Z., Zhang, Q., Zhang, J. ve ark., Fabrication and electrical properties of carbon fiber, graphite and nano carbon black conductive cement-based composites, Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 60, 104834, (2024).
35. Huang, T. ve Bobyr, M., A Review of Delamination Damage of Composite Materials, Journal of Composites Science, 7, 11, 468, (2023).
36. Bozkurt, Y. T., Bulut, M., Erkliğ, A. ve Özbek, Ö., SiO nanoparticle modified CFRP composites effecting on mechanical and vibration damping properties, Polymer Composites, 45, 1, 169–180, (2024).
37. Shahabaz, S. M., Mehrotra, P., Kalita, H., Sharma, S., Naik, N., Noronha, D. J. ve ark., Effect of Al2O3 and SiC Nano-Fillers on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Composites, Journal of Composites Science, 7, 4, 133, (2023).
38. Korkees, F., Morris, E., Jarrett, W. ve Swart, R., Characterization of moisture absorption and flexural performance of functionalized graphene modified carbon fiber composites under low energy impact, Polymer Composites, 44, 6, 3325–3340, (2023).
39. Shebaz Ahmed, J. P. ve Meenakshisundaram, O., Flexural and dynamic response of carbon/epoxy laminates with graphene nanofillers and Al6061 alloy, Engineering Research Express, 4, 2, 025021, (2022).
40. Kaftelen‐Odabaşı, H., Odabaşı, A., Özdemir, M. ve Baydoğan, M., A study on graphene reinforced carbon fiber epoxy composites: Investigation of electrical, flexural, and dynamic mechanical properties, Polymer Composites, 44, 1, 121–135, (2023).
41. Gungor, A., The physical and mechanical properties of polymer composites filled with Fe‐powder, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 99, 5, 2438–2442, (2006).
42. Bishay, I. K., Abd-El-Messieh, S. L. ve Mansour, S. H., Electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of polyvinyl chloride composites filled with aluminum powder, Materials & Design, 32, 1, 62–68, (2011).
43. Chaubey, A., Konda Gokuldoss, P., Wang, Z., Scudino, S., Mukhopadhyay, N. ve Eckert, J., Effect of Particle Size on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Al-Based Composite Reinforced with 10 Vol.% Mechanically Alloyed Mg-7.4%Al Particles, Technologies, 4, 4, 37, (2016).