Improving CAE Reliability for Composite Materials
—Three-Point Bending Impact and High-Speed Compression Testing of Composite Materials—
Evaluation of Speed Dependence and Temperature Dependence of CFRTP (3-Point Bending Impact Tests)
Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTP) are characterized by their high specific strength and specific stiffness. As a result, they are used in vehicles to improve fuel consumption by reducing weight. In the case of automobiles, temperature properties are important because the vehicles are used in cold climates and deserts. Evaluation of the impact characteristics is also important because the material could be subjected to a large instantaneous force in an accident.
Here 3-point impact tests were performed on CFRTP samples.
This research was performed as part of the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry—NEDO project “Research and Development of Innovative Structural Materials” (2014 onwards). In particular, we are grateful to Toray Industries, Inc., which supplied the materials.
- Tests can be performed over a wide range of speeds from 0.0001 m/s to 20 m/s (72 km/h).
- The hydraulic control reduces speed attenuation during testing compared with dropped weight testing.
- Testing can be performed over the range of -40 to 150 °C (optional).
- A mechanism to restrain the test samples with springs is incorporated into the jigs so that the samples do not move due to impact.
