Stress distribution of CF/EP laminated composites under supercritical conditions

Abstract

Enormous amounts of wastes have been produced due to extensive use of carbon fiber/epoxy resin (CF/EP) composites. The fact that the supercritical fluid can be used to recycle these composites efficiently has attracted widespread concerns. A three-dimensional model of CF/EP laminates considering the interfacial layers was established. The internal stress distribution of laminates was simulated based on a heat transfer model; and the change of shear stress with supercritical temperature and pressure was investigated. The results show that the shear stress concentration was located in the interfacial layers; the maximum shear stress can be expressed by a curve of convex parabola to the temperature; and the most serious damage occurred in interfacial layers when temperature approached the glass-transition temperature of resin.