Thermal Aging of CFRP Composites for Marine and Aeronautical Applications

The paper provides an insight on the evolution of mechanical properties of CFRP materials for aeronautical and marine applications, when exposed to specific environmental conditions, i.e. cyclical variation of temperature. In particular GG205PIMP530R43% pre-preg fabric (43% resin content) produced by Impregnatex was used for the production of the specimens: the fabric is a carbon fiber plain weave 3K, while the resin is an epoxy-based system modified for achieving stable mechanical proprieties also when subjected to thermal cycles. Specimens were subjected to thermal cycles with a range of -20°C and 80°C, maintaining both temperature levels for 12 hours each. This study is carried out by means of the experimental characterization of static compression, three point bending and interlaminar shear, at different ageing levels, generating results on fibers and matrix resistance and on the mechanical properties of the composite.