Structure and properties of a multilayer composite material for cryogenic applications: From laboratory to industrial scale

Abstract

Glass-epoxy composites are a type of structural material widely used in the aerospace, automotive, wind energetics and construction industries. This study provides a thorough analysis of the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of a glass-epoxy composite produced under industrial conditions, based on testing at room and cryogenic temperatures. The industrial-scale composite exhibited significantly lower thermal conductivity than the laboratory-prepared sample across the entire temperature range. We attribute this difference to qualitative or quantitative changes in the glass reinforcement. Cyclic loading tests showed only minor degradation of Young's modulus, with values increasing to ∼30–31 GPa under cryogenic conditions. The composite exhibited significant improvements in tensile strength (638 MPa, +54 %), flexural strength (1030 MPa, +87 %), and nearly doubled fracture toughness (42.2 MPa√m), while maintaining comparable impact resistance. These results highlight the excellent mechanical performance and reliability of the material at −196 °C, confirming its suitability for cryogenic applications. This study also evaluates the environmental impact of different composite material manufacturing processes via life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis. The findings suggest that, while the hydraulic press method offers excellent mechanical performance, it has the greatest environmental impact due to its high energy consumption, significant waste generation and contribution to climate change. These results contribute to the development of sustainable composite technologies and may serve as a foundation for further research or for comparing different materials to determine the most suitable option.