A comparison of CFRP composite laminated joints fabricated with vacuum assisted resin transfer molding

Abstract

The objective of this study is to improve the mechanical performance of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) adhesive joints, called ‘laminated joints’. The laminated joints are made by stacking two dry carbon fiber fabric halves together and molding using vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. An improved design of this joint was fabricated by overlapping the two half fabrics and adding extra carbon fiber fabric pieces. Four joints are considered in this work: a conventional laminated joint, two laminated joints with overlap, and a multiple-covers laminated joint. The composite joints are characterized in terms of static flexural and impact strength and fatigue performance. In addition, post-fracture analysis is performed using optical microscopy to identify the dependence of failure modes and its propagation in composite joints.

Keywords

• Polymer composites
• CFRP adhesive laminate joints
• Mechanical properties