Multiscale Characterisation of Staple Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers

Multiscale Characterisation of Staple Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers

Zweifel, L.Z. (TU Delft Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies; University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland)
Kupski, J.A. (TU Delft Structural Integrity & Composites; University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland)
Dransfeld, C.A. (TU Delft Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies)
Caglar, Baris (TU Delft Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies)
Baz, Stephan (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung)
Cessario, Damian (V-Carbon GmbH)
Gresser, Götz T. (Deutsche Institute für Textil- und Faserforschung)
Brauner, Christian (University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland)

2023

The aim of this study was to characterise the microstructural organisation of staple carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites and to investigate their mechanical properties. Conventionally, fibre-reinforced materials are manufactured using continuous fibres. However, discontinuous fibres are crucial for developing sustainable structural second-life applications. Specifically, aligning staple fibres into yarn or tape-like structures enables similar usage to continuous fibre-based products. Understanding the effects of fibre orientation, fibre length, and compaction on mechanical performance can facilitate the fibres’ use as standard engineering materials. This study employed methods ranging from microscale to macroscale, such as image analysis, X-ray computed tomography, and mechanical testing, to quantify the microstructural organisations resulting from different alignment processing methods. These results were compared with the results of mechanical tests to validate and comprehend the relationship between fibre alignment and strength. The results show a significant influence of alignment on fibre orientation distribution, fibre volume fraction, tortuosity, and mechanical properties. Furthermore, different characteristics of the staple fibre tapes were identified and attributed to kinematic effects during movement of the sliver alignment unit, resulting in varying tape thicknesses and fuzzy surfaces.

computed tomography
computer vision
fibre alignment
staple carbon fibres

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:e0b8867a-b1fe-4ba2-ad05-40953ae46ff1

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs7110465

2504-477X

Journal of Composites Science, 7 (11)

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2023 L.Z. Zweifel, J.A. Kupski, C.A. Dransfeld, Baris Caglar, Stephan Baz, Damian Cessario, Götz T. Gresser, Christian Brauner