MATERIALS TESTING, vol.59, pp.366-372, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have significant potential for applications in many engineering fields in place of metallic materials, due to their low density, high strength to weight ratio, high stiffness, better corrosion resistance and durability. The fabrication of these composites requires careful design and appropriate process developments to improve the mechanical properties. This study aims to investigate the effect of the post-cure heat treatment on the tensile and impact toughness of FRP composites. FRP composites were fabricated by using woven carbon and glass fiber fabric plies and their respective hybrid laminates. Hand lay-up using vacuum bagging method was used for manufacturing the laminated composites. After curing, the specimens were subjected to the post-curing process at temperatures of 25, 62.5 and 100 degrees C for 1 hour. Impact toughness and tensile strength of post-cured FRP composite specimens were investigated by the Charpy impact test and tensile test, respectively. Statistical analyses were also performed to compare the effect of both, the post-curing temperature and the FRP type, on the mechanical properties of composite specimens by using two-way ANOVA analysis. The results showed that post-curing has a favorable effect on energy absorption capacity and tensile properties of FRP.