Effects of degree of cure, direction of heat flow and temperature on thermo-physical properties of out-of-autoclave carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg
Date
2014-04-25Author
Legesse, Ephriem T.
Advisor
Keshavanarayana, Suresh R.Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Legesse, Ephriem T. 2014. Effects of Degree of Cure, Direction of Heat Flow and Temperature on Thermo-physical Properties of Out-Of-Autoclave Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Prepreg. -- In Proceedings: 10th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. Wichita, Ks: Wichita State University, p. 123
Abstract
Thermal conductivity is an essential parameter considered by engineers when selecting composite materials for aerospace applications. It mainly is a function of temperature, direction of heat flow and degree of cure (DOC). In this study, thermo-physical properties of 5320-8HS carbon fiber-epoxy prepreg and samples with DOC of 95%, 83%, 67%, 33% and 2% were determined by the Laser flash technique. Measurements were taken along 0, 90 and through-the-thickness (TT) directions and the effects of DOC, temperature and direction of heat flow on thermo-physical properties was studied. Thermal conductivity along t-t direction remained constant regardless of temperature change while it increased in 0 and 90 directions. Conductivity along 0 direction is 4.8 times that of TT direction whereas the diffusivity is 5.5 times that of TT direction. The diffusivity in 0 direction can approximately be equated with 90 direction. Further, thermal conductivity and diffusivity increased with an increase in DOC.
Description
Presented to the 10th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) held at the Heskett Center, Wichita State University, April 25, 2014.
Research completed at Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering