Study on the Transverse Properties of T800-Grade Unidirectional Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Composite Materials

Background:

• Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are advanced materials with anisotropic properties.
• Understanding transverse mechanical behavior is crucial for structural applications.
• T800-grade CFRPs are widely used, necessitating detailed property characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the transverse tensile and compressive mechanical properties of T800-grade unidirectional (UD) CFRPs.
• To investigate the failure mechanisms under transverse loading conditions.
• To validate experimental findings using micromechanical finite element analysis (FEM).

Main Methods:

• Experimental: Transverse tensile and compressive tests on UD composite laminates.
• Experimental: Fractography to analyze fracture morphologies.
• Computational: Micromechanical FEM simulations to predict failure processes and properties.

Main Results:

• Experimental transverse tensile properties: modulus 8.7 GPa, strength 64 MPa, strain 0.74%.
• Experimental transverse compressive properties: modulus 8.4 GPa, strength 197.1 MPa, strain 3.43%.
• FEM simulations showed good agreement with experimental results for stress-strain curves, properties, and failure morphologies, with minor deviations.

Conclusions:

• T800-grade CFRPs exhibit distinct brittle tensile and plastic compressive failure modes.
• FEM simulations effectively captured the transverse mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms.
• The study provides valuable data for the design and application of T800-grade CFRPs in engineering.