Finite Element Analysis and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer

Abstract

Human understanding of materials keeps increasing at an accelerating rate and this accounts for the wide range of synthetic and naturally occurring materials which have been used across different fields for industrial, domestic and other applications. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) materials through computational modeling using SolidWorks for component design and MATLAB for simulation and analysis. The aim is to explore the advantages of CFRP as a potential alternative material for structural applications, considering its lightweight properties and enhanced performance. For the models developed, the maximum stress values observed for Cast Alloy Steel were 121.1 N/mm2 (MPa) for the connecting rod and 95.9 N/mm2 (MPa) for the cam shaft, whereas CFRP exhibited slightly lower values of 113.1 N/mm2 (MPa) and 87.8 N/mm2 (MPa) respectively. The maximum stress values for Aluminum Alloy in the propeller were 162.1 N/mm2 (MPa), while CFRP showed a slightly lower value of 161.4 N/mm2 (MPa). These results from the computational analysis of CFRP materials showcases their superior mechanical characteristics when compared to Alloy Steel and Aluminum, also providing valuable insights into the potential benefits of CFRP as a lightweight and high-performance material, supporting its consideration as an alternative option in structural engineering applications.