An analysis and assessment of the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of carbon fiber/epoxy reinforced microparticles

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AbstractIn the present study, we introduce an innovative procedure to manufacture engineered hybrid composite composed of epoxy resin as the polymeric matrix, carbon fibers, and poly urea‐formaldehyde (PUF) microparticles. An ultrasonic probe was utilized to achieve a uniform molecular combination of the epoxy resin and PUF microparticles. Emulsion polymerization was also used in this research to synthesize micro‐polyurea formaldehyde powders. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile, and three‐point bending assessments were implemented on unfilled, 2, 5, 10, and 13 wt% PUF microparticles filled epoxy resin to identify the loading influence on the diffusion rate, as well as the mechanical and thermal performance of the hybrid composite structure. The results of the flexural test show that both strength and modulus increased with a growing loading proportion of PUF microparticles. Moreover, optimum properties were achieved by adding 10 wt% microparticles. The results of the TGA demonstrate that the thermal behavior of the composite structure is sensitive to the PUF microparticles content. Based on the experimental data, the tensile test has also shown optimum behavioral properties through increasing the level of micro‐particles in the sample E‐40, which is due to the appropriate, uniform, and advanced composition of particles, matrices, and fibers. In addition, we used Fick's Law to determine the gas diffusion and mass transfer rates for samples at different temperatures. The gas absorption test revealed that the enhanced hybrid system behavior can be an obstacle to water and moisture.