Axial Compressive Properties of Carbon/Glass Thermoplastic Epoxy Hybrid Composite Rods

Abstract

In this study, the axial compressive properties and fracture behavior of car-bon/glass thermoplastic epoxy hybrid composite rods were investigated. The hybrid composite rods are cut, then glass fabric/epoxy-composite wrapping is applied by the wet hand layup method at each end of the specimens. The results show that the induced strain is linearly proportional to the applied stress until failure. This test method is effective in evaluating the axial compressive properties of the hybrid composite rods. The test results reveal an increase in the axial compressive modulus and strength of the hybrid composite rods as the volume fraction of the carbon fiber increases. However, a decrease in the volume fraction of the voids resulted in an increase in the axial compressive strength and thereby an increase in the Weibull shape parameter. The observed fracture surfaces showed shear cracks of the matrix at the fiber bundle intersections due to the braiding structures. Observing the internal fractures also revealed the occurrence of the micro-buckling and fiber kinking of the carbon fiber bundles.