Mesoscale Characterisation on the Mechanical Properties of CFRP after Hygrothermal Ageing

doi:10.3901/JME.2025.08.107

Abstract

Abstract: Carbon fibre reinforced polymer(CFRP) is widely used in aerospace, marine engineering, automobile industries, due to its outstanding mechanical properties including high specific strength, high specific modulus, low thermal expansion coefficient and good structural stability. However, during the long-term service period of CFRP structures, CFRP materials can be degraded due to the existence of hot and humid environment, which leads to significant impact on the reliability and durability of the structure. A nanoindentation-based experimental method is proposed to characterise the mechanical properties of CFRP. The cross section of hygrothermally-aged CFRP was tested under nanoindentation, and the mesoscale modulus and hardness of CFRP matrix with different moisture concentrations are obtained. It is found that higher moisture concentration leads to lower residual mechanical property. Furthermore, the elastic modulus derived from representative volume element(RVE) simulation and obtained from nanoindentation testing are compared, proving the validity of the experimental method proposed. The presented mesoscale characterisation can thus provide reliable material parameters for multiscale modelling of CFRP. It is also suitable for the characterization of many other composite materials at the microscale.

Key words: composites, hygrothermal ageing, nanoindentation, reduced modulus, multiscale modelling

CLC Number:

TH114

ZHANG Jiahao, HAN Xiao, ZHANG Yuxiang, MA Jianli, WU Chengwei, GUO Xinglin. Mesoscale Characterisation on the Mechanical Properties of CFRP after Hygrothermal Ageing[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2025, 61(8): 107-115.

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