Tensile Properties of Carbon Fiber Composites with Different Resin Compositions at Cryogenic Temperatures

In this study, the tensile properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with different resin compositions were investigated in order to develop advanced composite materials for cryogenic use. Thermo-mechanical cyclic loading (up to 6 cycles) was applied to CFRP unidirectional laminate specimens from room temperature to -150 degrees C. Tensile tests were then performed at -150 degrees C using an environmental test chamber. In addition, matrix-dominant properties such as the transverse and in-plane shear characteristics of each composite model were measured at -150 degrees C to examine the effects of resin formulation on their interfacial properties. The tensile tests showed that the composite models with large amounts of bisphenol-A epoxy and CTBN modified rubber in their resin composition had good mechanical performance at cryogenic temperatures (CTs). (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2010