EB processing of braided carbon fibre composite profiles

Abstract

A new type of carbon fibre reinforced composite profile has been developed by applying braiding, a well-known process of textile technology. Pipe and hollow profile composite products can be manufactured this way by using electron beam cross-linking. The fabric-like braided reinforcing structure was manufactured out of carbon fibre roving. A vinylester type epoxy derivative has been used as matrix material for the composite. The EB irradiation of the impregnated system resulted in better mechanical properties than conventional chemical curing. Besides the static mechanical testing, an advanced dynamical testing method, the falling weight crash test has been successfully tried out on those braided composite systems, to be applied later in the transport industry.