Influence of graphite fillers in mechanical and thermal property of carbon fiber epoxy resin composites

Abstract

The paper is an experiment and study on the fabrication and analysis of mechanical and thermal properties of carbon fiber epoxy composites with variations in proportion of graphite powder as its filler material. The composition of selected carbon fiber reinforced materials can be for the aircraft structures, space station and space vehicles applications. The material has been tested for the mechanical behavior of specimens under tensile loads and also tested for thermal withstand capability of material with heat deflection temperatures. Increase in thermal capability of carbon fiber composite is observed with increase in graphite weight proportion. The method of preparation of carbon fiber composite is by Hand lay-up process. The specimens were cut to obtain ASTM standards and tested. The comparison of carbon Fiber laminates with and without graphite along with epoxy resin is detailed in this research. The results obtained are represented in the form of graphical data and analysed in this paper. The research indicates that the thermal property of carbon fiber epoxy composite is increases on the addition of graphite in composite.