Effect of the position of defined local defect on the mechanical performance of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics

Abstract

Considering their energy and resource efficiency, fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs) have been displacing metals and metal alloys for lightweight constructions. During the semiautomated manufacturing process of FRPs, and in particular during the laying of reinforced fabric layers, foreign bodies are enclosed within them, which in turn reduce the mechanical performance of FRPs. The research project presented in this article investigated if the loss in mechanical properties, such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths, depends on the position of defined local defects, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) in this case, in the thickness direction of FRPs. In order to achieve this aim, PTFE was placed in different layers of reinforcing fabric before infusion. Subsequently, the mechanical performance of the fabricated FRPs was tested and evaluated. On the basis of the experiment, it can be concluded that the loss in mechanical properties was maximal if PTFE was laid in the middle position of FRPs in the thickness direction.