An integrated experimental–numerical–kinetic framework for predicting the tensile behavior of carbon fiber reinforced composites at different temperatures

Abstract

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and structural engineering applications owing to their high specific strength and stiffness. However, their tensile performance deteriorates significantly under elevated temperatures, which may lead to premature structural failure during service. To address this challenge, this study proposes a hybrid predictive framework that integrates experimental tensile testing, finite element (FE) simulation, and Arrhenius-based lifetime modeling to evaluate the temperature-dependent tensile behavior and predict the service life of CFRPs. Tensile tests were conducted at room temperature, 50 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C. Tensile tests were conducted at room temperature, 50 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C to evaluate the thermo-mechanical behavior of the CFRP composites. The experimental results showed that the tensile strength decreased by 33.33%, 61.92%, and 57.94% at 50 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C, respectively, compared with room temperature. Finite element simulations showed good agreement with the experimental results, with prediction errors below 5% at room temperature and 50 °C, and were subsequently used to predict the tensile behavior up to 200 °C. Furthermore, the Arrhenius kinetic model was employed to establish the relationship between thermal degradation kinetics and tensile strength degradation, enabling the prediction of the service life of CFRPs under elevated-temperature exposure. The proposed integrated framework provides a reliable and efficient methodology for predicting the tensile strength degradation and service life of CFRPs over a wide range of operating temperatures, thereby supporting their design and long-term reliability in high-temperature applications.