Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Components Research Articles

Corner cutting accuracy for thin-walled CFRPC parts using HS-WEDM

Carbon Fiber-Reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite parts with thin-walled corners are in great demand in aircraft, cars, and precision instruments. Nonetheless, the fabrication of these parts is difficult due to their low stiffness. High-speed WEDM is an advanced technique for cutting thin CFRP components as it is a non-contact method for removing materials. Nonetheless, testing results demonstrate an unavoidable deformation in the thin-walled corners of the CFRP composite. The objective of this study is to improve the accuracy of corners in thin-walled CFRP composite parts. The research utilized a Taguchi L16 orthogonal array to investigate the influence of various process parameters, including pulse-on duration (Pon), pulse-off duration (Poff), and input current (I), as well as the parameter CFRP plate thickness (T), on corner inaccuracy. The CFRP thickness varied between 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm, and the corner angles examined were 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120°. Additionally, a second-order polynomial regression model was used to determine the correlation between the process parameters and corner inaccuracy at various corner angles. Also, a multi-response optimization technique using a composite desirability coupled with a generalized reduced gradient were used to find the optimal process combination across various CFRP thicknesses. According to the research findings, the most relevant process parameters impacting corner accuracy at different angles were the pulse-on duration and input current. To achieve accurate corners with different angles, the optimal process parameters were identified: Pon (40µs), Poff (15µs), and I (4A) for CFRP thicknesses 0.5 and 1.0mm, and Pon (45μs), Poff (30μs), and I (2A) for thicknesses 1.5 and 2.0mm.

Adaptive ultrasonic full-matrix imaging of internal defects in CFRP laminates with arbitrary stacking sequences

The phased-array-based ultrasonic full-matrix imaging of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates with total focusing method (TFM) is promising yet challenging due to the layered configuration and strong anisotropy. Traditionally, the precise a priori knowledge of ultrasonic ray paths in anisotropic CFRP laminates are required for accurate TFM imaging, making the inspection process complicated and time consuming. In this work, an adaptive ultrasonic-imaging method is proposed for arbitrarily anisotropic CFRP laminates through full-matrix capture (FMC) and TFM. Firstly, the elastic constants are derived from the FMC data, upon which the 3D group-velocity profiles of ultrasonic waves in CFRP laminates with arbitrary stacking sequences can be calculated. The anisotropic effect is then adaptively corrected for TFM. To verify the effectiveness of proposed method, simulations and experiments are conducted on different anisotropic CFRP laminates with mimicked defects, such as delamination, cracks, voids, etc. The simulated and experimental results well agree with each other, indicating that the proposed method can accurately reconstruct the internal defects of different types. This work provides a convenient and comprehensive avenue towards the ultrasonic inspection of arbitrarily anisotropic CFRP laminates, which markedly benefit the quality control of CFRP components in various fields.

Advancing Carbon Fiber Composite Inspection: Deep Learning-Enabled Defect Localization and Sizing via 3-Dimensional U-Net Segmentation of Ultrasonic Data.

In Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE), accurately characterizing defects within components relies on accurate sizing and localization to evaluate the severity or criticality of defects. This study presents for the first time a deep learning methodology using 3-Dimensional (3D) U-Net to localize and size defects in Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composites through volumetric segmentation of ultrasonic testing data. Using a previously developed approach, synthetic training data closely representative of experimental data was used for the automatic generation of ground truth segmentation masks. The model's performance was compared to the conventional amplitude 6 dB drop analysis method used in industry against ultrasonic defect responses from 40 defects fabricated in CFRP components. The results showed good agreement with the 6 dB drop method for in-plane localization and excellent through-thickness localization, with Mean Absolute Errors (MAE) of 0.57 mm and 0.08 mm, respectively. Initial sizing results consistently oversized defects with a 55% higher mean average error than the 6 dB drop method. However, when a correction factor was applied to account for variation between the experimental and synthetic domains the final sizing accuracy resulted in a 35% reduction in MAE compared to the 6 dB drop technique. By working with volumetric ultrasonic data (as opposed to 2D images) this approach reduces pre-processing (such as signal gating) and allows for the generation of 3D defect masks which can be used for the generation of computer aided design files; greatly reducing the qualification reporting burden of NDE operators.

Integrated composite electrothermal de-icing system based on ultra-thin flexible heating film

Icing is a serious threat to the flight safety of aircraft. Lightweight and efficient electrothermal de-icing systems for carbon fiber reinforced polymer components are expected to contribute to the lightweighting and electrification of aircraft. This study presents the development and test of a novel, integrated, multifunctional composite electrothermal ice protection system. The system achieves this by incorporating a carbon-based ultra-thin flexible heating film into a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite laminate. T700 and M40 carbon fiber prepregs were used. The system composition and configuration were designed based on the anisotropic mechanical and thermal properties of the carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite. The effects of ply stacking sequence, presence of insulation layer, ply angle, heating area, and prepreg type on thermal response and de-icing performance were investigated. Thermal response experiments were carried out in both room temperature and low temperature environments. A one-dimensional thermal response analysis model was developed for a representative heating structure. Comparative de-icing experiments were conducted on different samples in a low-temperature test chamber. A numerical model, based on the modified enthalpy-porosity method, was developed to simulate the de-icing process, and showed good agreement with the experimental results. Experiments and numerical calculations show that the arrangement of the heater close to the deicing surface improves the performance of the electrothermal deicing system while maintaining the overall mechanical properties of the multi-layer structure. While the insulation layer helps marginally with heat loss during de-icing, it significantly increases the system’s thermal inertia, which delays the de-icing’s start. It is recommended to minimize or eliminate insulation layer thickness. Rapid de-icing effects, combined with energy conservation, can be achieved through a short-term, high-power heating strategy.

A new probe‐based electromagnetic non‐destructive testing method for carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers utilizing eddy current loss measurements

AbstractEddy current testing (ECT) is a widely used technique for detecting defects in carbon fiber‐reinforced polymers (CFRPs) at high frequencies. However, designing high‐frequency systems can be challenging, and high noise levels can be problematic. To address these issues, non‐destructive testing (NDT) methods that can detect CFRP defects at lower frequencies must be explored. In this study, a novel NDT method for detecting defects in CFRP at low frequencies was proposed. This method is an alternative to pulsed eddy current thermography and can achieve similar detection and imaging results at low frequencies. Furthermore, the developed method has a simpler structure and is easier to implement. This method uses the eddy current loss to characterize the thermal power of the eddy current in CFRP. A new probe was used to detect the eddy current loss to inspect the CFRP. The effectiveness of the proposed method was experimentally verified using different types of CFRP samples based on the C‐scan technology. The scanned images demonstrate that the developed method can provide appropriate detection results up to a frequency of 750 kHz. Furthermore, rotation experiments were performed to detect the fiber direction; the proposed method successfully detected the fiber direction up to 750 kHz. Thus, the proposed method can improve the detection of defects and enhance the longevity of CFRP components. Future work will focus on enhancing the sensitivity of this method at even lower frequencies.

A Flexible Conformal Piezoresistive Sensor Based on Electrospinning for Deformation Monitoring of Carbon Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer

Carbon fiber‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials are widely applied in various areas as key structure components. The structural health monitoring of the CFRP components is crucial to prevent catastrophic failure. However, the nonplane surfaces of CFRP components hinder the attaching of monitoring sensors with hard substrates. Therefore, the substrate conditions for sensor preparation are mainly considered in this study. To adapt the proposed sensors to the curved substrate, including nondevelopable surfaces, electrospinning method is used to prepare conformal piezoresistive fiber films, in which polymethyl methacrylate is served as the matrix and carbon nanotubes are utilized as the conductive filler. The piezoresistive fibers covered on CFRP substrates have a gauge factor up to 207.95 and can response to the strain less than 0.05%. Moreover, the sensor also has high durability and the ability to follow the dynamic excitation signals with as high as 50 Hz.

Nondestructive Evaluation of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Using Microwave Techniques: A Review

Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) is widely acknowledged as a leading advanced material structure, offering superior properties compared to traditional materials, and has found diverse applications in several industrial sectors, such as that of automobiles, aircrafts, and power plants. However, the production of CFRP composites is prone to fabrication problems, leading to structural defects arising from cycling and aging processes. Identifying these defects at an early stage is crucial to prevent service issues that could result in catastrophic failures. Hence, routine inspection and maintenance are crucial to prevent system collapse. To achieve this objective, conventional nondestructive testing (NDT) methods are utilized to inspect CFRP components. However, the restricted field penetration within the CFRP makes conventional NDT approaches ineffective. Recently, microwave techniques have been developed to address the challenges associated with CFRP inspection by providing better material penetration and more precise results. This paper offers a review of the primary NDT methods employed to inspect CFRP composites, emphasizing microwave-based NDT techniques and their key features.

Effect of carbon nanofibre orientation on fatigue properties of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers

Nano-reinforcements in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) have proven to enhance the mechanical properties considering quasi-static, as well as fatigue load and, are a promising option with regard to CFRP performance optimisation. While general knowledge about the nanofiller content and its influence in CFRP is well documented, the use of alignment techniques for a specific orientation of the nano-reinforcements is still insufficiently studied. In this work, the influence of oriented carbon nanofibres (CNF) on the mechanical properties of bidirectional CFRP is investigated. CFRP was produced CNF-reinforced with and without orientation using a hot press, where an electric field was applied during curing. The laminates were characterised with respect to dispersion quality, pore volume, quasi-static properties (tensile and bending tests) and dynamic properties (fatigue tests). Electrical resistance measurement was applied together with digital image correlation and in situ computed tomography to generate knowledge about the fatigue-related damage evolution and evaluate the sensors for viable use of condition monitoring. Results show that the orientation of CNF has a significant impact on both quasi-static and fatigue properties, increasing the strength while reducing and slowing down the introduced damage. Orientation of nanofillers thus shows large optimization potential of mechanical properties of CFRP components.

Machining inclination selection method for surface milling of CFRP workpieces with low cutting-induced damage

Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) are being extensively employed in the manufacturing of complex curved components in the aerospace industry owing to their high specific stiffness and designable properties. Curved CFRP components need to be surface-milled using ball-end mill cutters to ensure the performance of the connection assembly between curved composite materials. Machining inclination is a key parameter in the formation of burr damage in CFRP parts milled using ball-end mill cutter, due to the particularity of the tool structure. In this study, the influence mechanism of machining inclination on the burr damage of CFRP components was analyzed theoretically. To machine a surface with low burr damage, an innovative method for machining inclination selection considering the anisotropy and cascade characteristics of CFRP was proposed. The influence of machining inclination on material damage was revealed, and the reliability of the method was verified by conducting experiments on flat and curved laminates. This paper puts forward reasonable suggestions for selecting the machining inclination in ball-end mill cutters employed for CFRP laminates.

Thermal Effects on Mechanical Strength of Additive Manufactured CFRP Composites at Stable and Cyclic Temperature.

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques can be applied to produce carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) elements. Such elements can be exposed to different environmental factors, e.g., temperature, moisture, and UV radiation, related to their operational conditions. From a variety of environmental factors, the temperature is one of the most typical. Temperature strongly influences matrix material joining together CFRP components, resulting in material strength reduction. Therefore, it is important to understand processes in the composite material caused by temperature. This experimental work investigated the thermal effects on the performances of AM CFRP composites. Specimens with unidirectional (UD) alignments of the fiber reinforcement were printed using the fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique. The printed specimens were subjected to two different thermal conditions: stable continuous at 65 °C and cyclic temperature between 50 and 70 °C. Tensile testing was performed to study the mechanical strength and Young's modulus of AM UD-CFRPs. In order to investigate the morphological structure on the surface of AM specimens, an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and digital microscope were utilized. Untreated (intact) samples attained the highest average tensile strength value of 226.14 MPa and Young's modulus of 28.65 GPa. The ultimate tensile strength of the sample group subjected to stable heat treatment decreased to 217.99 MPa, while the thermal cycling group reduced to 204.41 MPa. The Young's modulus of the sample group subjected to stable thermal exposure was decreased to 25.39 GPa, while for the thermal cycling group, it was reduced to 20.75 GPa. The visual investigations revealed that the intact or untreated specimen group exhibited lateral damage in top failure mode (LAT), the thermally stable group underwent edge delamination in the middle (DGM) as the nominated failure mode, and the explosive breakage at gauge in the middle (XGM) failure mode occurred in the sample from the thermal cycling group. Based on morphological observations at the microscale, the delamination, fiber pull-out, and matrix cracking were the dominant damages in the 3D-printed tensile-tested specimens. The molecular chains of the polymer changed their structure into an amorphous one, and only local motions of stretching occurred when the specimens were exposed to stable heating (prolonged). In the case of thermal cycling, the strain gradients were accumulated in the matrix material, and the local stresses increased as a result of the reheating and re-cooling exposure of the polymeric composites; the molecular motion of the long-range polymer structure was reactivated several times. Micro-cracking occurred as a result of internal stresses, which led to material failure and a reduction of the mechanical properties.

Modelling and evaluation of carbon fibre composite structures using high-frequency eddy current imaging

The mechanical performance of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is determined by the stacking sequence of specifically orientated ply lamina layers. In these multi-layer structures, global ply misalignment and local fibre waviness can occur during the manufacturing process, leading to reduced performance and structural failure during operation. High-frequency eddy-current testing (ECT) has previously demonstrated its capability for detecting orientation-related features, including fibre orientation and waviness. However, accurate sensor optimisation and inversion of orientation & material structure cannot be achieved without proper, validated modelling techniques to simulate CFRP features. The lack of suitable models is in part due to CFRP exhibiting highly-complex electromagnetic interactions between fibres, lamina and the ECT sensors, which are challenging to integrate. This work proposes a novel finite element modelling approach to simulate the ECT response to planar multi-layered CFRP components. The fibre tow structure of each unidirectional ply is modelled using orientation dependant 2D conductivity tensor waveforms, and virtual 2D ECT scans are simulated by shifting the waveforms within the model mesh. The results demonstrate that idealised electromagnetic characteristics of the CFRP structure can be successfully modelled compared with experimental data and that 2D ECT data of complex CFRP layers structures can be simulated with improved computational speeds, up to 5x faster compared to standard approaches. Automated data-analysis tools, including Radon transform (RT) and 2D FFT, are employed to validate the simulated 2D scan data through the characterisation of fibre orientations and simulated 2D scans used to evaluate the orientation inversion techniques. The results demonstrate that RT analysis detects fibre orientations with better accuracy, precision and consistency than equivalent 2D FFT analysis techniques. The simulation also demonstrates the reduced resistivity losses compared with isotropic materials caused by the different heterogeneous and multi-layer structures. It predicts high current densities at interfaces of plies with orthogonal orientations, resulting in an effective interface skin-depth.

Improving surface integrity when drilling CFRPs and Ti-6Al-4V using sustainable lubricated liquid carbon dioxide

In the quest for decreasing fuel consumption and resulting gas emissions in the aeronautic sector, lightweight materials such as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) and Ti-6Al-4V alloys are being used. These materials, with excellent weight-to-strength ratios, are widely used for structural applications in aircraft manufacturing. To date, several studies have been published showing that the use of metalworking fluids (MWFs), special tool geometries, or advanced machining techniques is required to ensure a surface quality that meets aerospace component standards. Conventional MWFs pose a number of environmental and worker health hazards and also degrade the mechanical properties of CFRPs due to water absorption in the composite. Therefore, a transition to more environmentally friendly cooling/lubrication techniques that prevent moisture problems in the composite is needed. This research shows that lubricated LCO2 is a viable option to improve the quality of drilled CFRP and titanium aerospace components compared to dry machining, while maintaining clean work areas. The results show that the best combination of tool geometry and cooling conditions for machining both materials is drilling with Brad point drills and lubricated LCO2. Drilling under these conditions resulted in a 90 % improvement in fiber pull-out volume compared to dry machined CFRP holes. In addition, a 33 % reduction in burr height and a 15 % improvement in surface roughness were observed compared to dry drilling of titanium.

A novel energy‐based framework for characterizing the strain‐softening behavior of CFRP composites using cyclic loading

AbstractComplex failure modes of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites create significant challenges for CFRP components' progressive damage analysis (PDA). Though important in PDA, the phenomenological strain‐softening model (SSM) for characterizing the degradation behavior in the fiber‐parallel direction (dominated by fiber breakage) of CFRP is difficult to be constructed by current approaches due to the poor toughness of carbon fibers. The work aims to obtain a refined SSM of plain woven CFRP composites through experimental methods and apply it to the PDA of corresponding components. A novel phenomenological cyclic‐loading‐based strain‐softening model (CLSSM) was proposed based on the theory of equivalent dissipation energy during static and cyclic loading. Firstly, the release behavior of dissipation energy during the cyclic loading process was researched. Secondly, a newly designed search algorithm taking degraded mechanical properties during cyclic loading as input and taking the static strain‐softening curve as output was utilized to build up CLSSM. Thirdly, a three‐point bending test was conducted and a corresponding numerical model was constructed for comparison to verify the proposed model. The entire framework is highly programmatic, and results show that CLSSM is fast for characterizing the strain‐softening behavior, and effectively simulates the progressive failure process of CFRP components.

Improvement of Heating Uniformity by Limiting the Absorption of Hot Areas in Microwave Processing of CFRP Composites.

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are integral to today’s industries. Curing or consolidation are vital processes for manufacturing CFRP components. Microwave processing has many advantages compared with conventional processing technologies using ovens or autoclaves; however, the uneven temperature distribution caused by the non-uniform microwave field has a significant influence on the quality of the cured products. In this study, we propose a new idea to solve this problem, i.e., limiting the absorption of hot areas. Under such circumstances, cold ones can catch up with them more easily. To adjust the absorbing capability of the CFRP laminate, periodically arranged metallic resonance structures supported by a dielectric spacer are introduced on its surface. The dielectric spacer, made of epoxy matrix and strontium titanate particles, is designed to possess a dielectric constant positively related to temperatures. In this situation, the microwave absorption (2.45 GHz) of the metal-dielectric-CFRP configuration is changed from 97.6% at room temperature to 55.9% at 150 °C continuously. As a result, a reduction of 43.1% in maximum temperature difference and 89% in standard deviation has been achieved.

Zone-regulated microwave heating of CFRP laminates via ultrathin and flexible resonance structures with different working frequencies

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are integral to today's industries. Curing is a vital process for manufacturing CFRP components. Recently, great attention has been devoted to curing CFRP components via controllable temperature gradients, taking their geometries and structures into consideration. Here, for the first time, we proposed an idea to regionally manipulate the temperature distribution of the CFRP laminate through frequency-selective absorption. Specifically, two kinds of periodically arranged metallic resonance structures (18 μm thick) working at 915 MHz and 2.45 GHz were designed and fabricated. Frequency-selective absorption and thus zone-regulated microwave heating have been realized by introducing these ultrathin and flexible resonance structures on the CFRP laminate. On this basis, two applications have also been demonstrated, including a dynamically patterned thermal display and a uniform heating process on laminates with non-uniform thickness.

Standardised quantification of structural efficiency of hybrid reinforcement systems for developing concrete composites

Various types of materials and technologies have been developed either for reinforcing or strengthening concrete structures. However, there is no uniform methodology to quantify and compare the mechanical characteristics of different reinforcement systems. Residual stiffness of flexural elements is the suggested measure of the reinforcement’s structural effectiveness, involving concrete into composite action. This manuscript proposes a new testing layout designed to form multiple cracks in a small laboratory specimen and a simplified analytical approach to quantifying the flexural stiffness of the standardised test samples. The achieved analytical solution to the stiffness problem requires neither iterative calculations nor the loading history description. That makes it acceptable for quantifying and comparing the residual stiffness of elements with various combinations of reinforcement materials. The proposed analysis procedure also enables determining the mechanical performance decay under repeated and long-term loading conditions without a loss of the calculation adequacy. Flexural tests illustrate the application of the proposed technique—the 38 specimens were mechanically loaded until failure. Several composite reinforcement schemes, including steel and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, externally bonded carbon fibre (CF) sheets, and near-surface mounted (NSM) carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) strips in various combinations, are considered. The analysis reveals an exceptional efficiency of hybrid reinforcement systems, combining steel and CFRP components.

Broadband nonlinear elastic wave modulation spectroscopy for damage detection in composites

A non-destructive testing procedure is proposed for damage detection in composites using full wavefield measurement obtained using a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Vibrations are excited using two low-power piezoelectric actuators leading to nonlinear elastic wave modulation at the defect. One actuator is supplied with a broadband chirp signal and the other actuator is supplied with a single-frequency sine signal. First, a time–frequency filtering method is proposed to extract specific nonlinear components of interest (e.g. second higher harmonic and first modulation sideband) without the need for multiple excitation sequences. Next, damage maps are constructed using broadband bandpower calculation of the filtered nonlinear components. It is demonstrated that the modulation sidebands provide an exclusive imaging of defect nonlinearity, and are not affected by potential source nonlinearity. The proposed damage map construction procedure is applied for various carbon fiber reinforced polymer test specimens with different damage features: (1) coupon with quasi-static indentation damage, (2) coupon with artificial delaminations, (3) bicycle frame with impact damage, and (4) stiffened aircraft panel with partially debonded stiffener. The obtained results indicate the high performance of the developed procedure for detection of various defect types in curved and/or stiffened carbon fiber reinforced polymer components.

Multifunctionality of polymer composites based on recycled carbon fibers: A review

Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) offer outstanding lightweight potential and can play a key role for modern energy and mobility concepts. However, production of carbon fibers is energy- and cost-intensive, while at the same time waste rates of common manufacturing technologies are quite high and repair possibilities for damaged parts still limited. Therefore, holistic recycling approaches are urgently required in order to reach acceptable cost-efficiency and sustainability. What makes the recycling so challenging, is the fact that true recycling, i.e. re-usage of fibers in high-performance composites, requires preservation of a high fiber length and enabling of accurate fiber orientation. This generates a trade-off between the best possible exploitation of the fiber properties and the effort to minimize the recycling costs. Hence, this paper does not only give a brief overview of technologies to recover carbon fibers from waste and to process them to new CFRP components. In addition, different approaches are presented, that exploit the specific characteristics of semi-finished products based on recycled carbon fibers, in order to achieve process- or material-related multifunctionality. This includes quasi-plastic deformation behavior (enables deep-drawing or curved tow placement), improved surface quality through reduced fiber print-through, robust resin impregnation through supersaturated nonwovens, and high energy absorption.

Estimation of Contact Resistivity in Lightning Protection Equipotential Bonding Joints of Wind Turbine Blades

Modern lightning protection systems for wind turbine blades with conducting structural elements, e.g., carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) spar caps, contain equipotential bonding joints to prevent sparking during strikes. Significant current levels are experienced through the joints and the characterization of the electrical contact at the bonding regions is essential for reliable protection. Therefore, this article aims to characterize the contact resistivity of several equipotential bonding joints. The proposed methodology first measures the total resistance of the samples, and then the bulk resistance of the conductive elements is computed using the finite-element method. The latter is required to predict the spreading effects in CFRP components due to the strong anisotropic nature of such materials. After that, the contact resistance is calculated by subtracting the predicted bulk resistances from the measured total resistances. The developed procedure was applied to three typical equipotential bonding materials: expanded copper foil (ECF), biaxial (BIAX) CFRP, and unidirectional (UD) CFRP. Both ECF and BIAX CFRP showed superior contact quality than the UD CFRP, with one to two orders of magnitude smaller contact resistivity.

Experimental Characterization of a High-Damping Viscoelastic Material Enclosed in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Components

This work aims to identify the damping properties of a commercial viscoelastic material that can be embedded and cured between the layers of composite laminates. The material may be adopted for reducing the vibration response of composite panels, typically used in automotive and aerospace applications, e.g., as vehicle body shell components. In order to objectively estimate the actual potential to enhance the noise vibration and harshness aspects, the effects of the viscoelastic material on the modal parameters of carbon/epoxy thin panels are quantitatively assessed through experimental modal analysis. Two different experiments are conducted, namely impact hammer tests and shaker excitation measurements. Based on the results of the experimental campaign, the investigated material is confirmed as a promising solution for possibly reducing the severity of vibrations in composite panels, thanks to its high damping properties. Indeed, the presence of just one layer proves to triple the damping properties of a thin panel. An approximate damping model is derived from the measured data in order to effectively simulate the dynamic response of new design solutions, including thin composite panels featuring the viscoelastic material.