Title: Effect of cure pressure on the behaviour of woven carbon/epoxy composite materials

Authors: W.W. Li, A. Crosky

Addresses: School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South, Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia. School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South, Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia

Abstract: The effect of cure pressure on the behaviour of woven carbon fibre/epoxy composites was investigated. Laminates were made by curing prepreg impregnated with Ciba-Geigy Fibredux 924 and 914 resin systems at three different pressures, 0.69 MPa, 0.31 MPa and 0.10 MPa. Tension, interlaminar shear and fracture toughness properties were determined under ambient and hot/wet conditions. The results indicated that changing the cure pressure changed both the physical and mechanical properties. The effect was similar for both environmental conditions, but was different for the two resin systems.

Keywords: composite laminates; cure pressure; environmental condition; interlaminar shear; tension.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMPT.2003.002511

International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, 2003 Vol.19 No.3/4, pp.275-283

Published online: 19 Jul 2003 *

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