Experimental investigation of the effect of fabric wrapping method and autoclave curing on the mechanical and thermal degradation of carbon nanotube doped and undoped carbon composite pipes

Abstract

AbstractAlthough it is seen in the literature that composite pipes are produced by filament winding, there are limited number of studies on the use of fabric wrapping and autoclave. In this study, in order to fill this gap and contribute to the literature and industry, composite pipes were produced using fabric wrapping and autoclave methods together and their mechanical and thermal properties were investigated. The effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforcement on these properties was also investigated. According to low velocity impact (LVI) test, 10%–25% impact strength increase was observed with CNT reinforcement. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that mass loss decreased by ⁓10% and the degree of thermal degradation increased by ⁓10%. In dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), it is observed that epoxy glass transition temperature (Tg) increased by 11% with CNT reinforcement. At the end of the study, the mechanical and thermal properties of the pipes produced by autoclave and fabric wrapping methods were improved compared to the literature and contributed to science and therefore to the increased use of prepreg carbon pipes in the industry.Highlights Composite carbon pipes were produced by applying prepreg fabric wrapping and autoclave curing methods together. The mechanical and thermal properties of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced and unreinforced carbon composite pipes were investigated. According to TGA, it was observed that the mass loss decreased. Thermal decomposition temperature increased for MWCNT reinforced and unreinforced samples. According to DMA, Tg of epoxy decreased for MWCNT unreinforced sample and increased for MWCNT reinforced sample.