Speaker
Description
Continuous carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have gained significant attention in the design of lightweight structural components due to their excellent mechanical performance. The advancements in 3D printing technology based on fused deposition modeling have further accelerated the manufacturing of CFRP composites. Previous research (1), (2) has demonstrated the effectiveness of carbon fiber composite materials with fibers aligned in the direction of principal stress. However, there are several challenges associated with generating the necessary fiber orientation data, as well as a lack of reliable experimental data to validate simulation models with high accuracy. This study focuses on evaluating the mechanical performance of CFRP open-hole specimens with fibre paths aligned along the principal stress direction, considering variations in CFRP volume fraction, fibre location, and the w/D ratio. A "Fibre Path Generator" implemented using Excel is developed to deploy the fibre path, while an embedded element technique is used to create a finite element (FE) model. CFRP specimens are fabricated using the Anisoprint Composer A4 3D printer, and tensile tests are conducted according to ASTM D5766 standards. The mechanical performance of CFRP specimens is evaluated based on the maximum tensile load and stress concentration in the matrix. The results demonstrate that the mechanical performance depends not only on the CFRP volume fraction but also on the fibre location, as well as the w/D ratio of the specimen, even when the CFRP volume fraction remains the same. The simulation results are validated by comparing the maximum tensile load of the 3D-printed specimens with the FE analysis results. This study provides valuable insights for engineers involved in designing structures with complex shapes using CFRP composites. By aligning the fibre paths with the principal stress direction, the mechanical properties of CFRP composites can be maximized. The use of 3D printing technology enables precise control over fibre placement, allowing for tailored mechanical performance.
References
(1) Z. Hou, X. Tian, J. Zhang, Z. Zheng, L. Zhe, D. Li, A.V. Malakhov, A.N. Polilov, Optimization design and 3D printing of curvilinear fibre reinforced variable stiffness composites, Composites Science and Technology 201 (2021).
(2) A. Avanzini, D. Battini, L. Giorleo, Finite element modelling of 3D printed continuous carbon fibre composites: Embedded elements technique and experimental validation, Composite Structures 292 (2022).
| Keywords | Continuous fibre, carbon fibre reinforced plastic, Principal stress optimisation, 3D printing |
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