Evaluation of interfacial, dispersion, and thermal properties of carbon Fiber/ABC added epoxy composites manufactured by VARTM and RFI methods

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of activated bamboo charcoal (ABC) for improving thermal and interfacial properties in carbon fiber (CF) reinforced epoxy. Two manufacturing methods, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process (VARTM) and resin film injection (RFI) processes were compared. Tensile and flexure properties of ABC added epoxy (EP), with different ABC weight fractions were evaluated. Comparative dispersion of ABC was evaluated using two dimensional (2D) electrical resistance (ER) and weight mappings for two manufacturing processes. Specimen using RFI process exhibited more stable ER than VARTM. Both interlaminar and interfacial shear strengths (ILSS & IFSS) of the CF/ABC-EP composites were consistent. RFI process was better suited for manufacturing ABC added fiber reinforced composite than VARTM process. For both at initial case and after 30 days thermal degradation, 10 wt% ABC added CF/EP composite was determined for maximum mechanical, interfacial and thermal properties due to suitably-dispersed ABC with stress transfer uniformly.