Analysis of the Influence of Fiber Orientations in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites on their Structural Properties Based on Eddy Current Measurements

Abstract

Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) are a type of composite material consisting of a reinforcing structure and a plastic matrix. When compared to traditional construction materials, FRP has higher strength and stiffness due to the high mechanical properties of reinforcing fibers such as carbon or glass. However, the properties of FRP are dependent on the alignment of fibers within the composite, with deviations leading to reduced strength and stiffness. Eddy current testing is a non-destructive technique used to visualize carbon fibers in the composite and assess the impact of local fiber orientation on the structural properties of FRP. This study aims to understand the influence of local fiber orientation on tensile strength and elastic modulus by producing composites with defined fiber orientations, analyzing them with eddy current testing, and assessing their mechanical properties through tensile tests. The measured fiber orientations are then used to validate a finite element model, in which the actual, measured fiber orientation is applied to the simulation and correlated with the mechanical properties. In contrast to previous published studies measured fiber orientation is used, which as shown in this work, differs from the theoretically implemented fiber orientation.