Experimentation exploring the movement of voids within carbon fiber reinforced plastics was performed using fluorescent dye infused into the laminates observed through a transparent mold under ultraviolet light. In situ photography was used as an inspection method for void content during Resin Transfer Molding for these laminates. This in situ inspection method for determining the void content of composite laminates was compared to more common ex-situ quality inspection methods i.e. ultrasonic inspection and cross-section microscopy. Results for localized and total void count in each of these methods were directly compared to test samples and linear correlations between the three test methods were sought. Test coupons were then cut from these laminates and were used to calculate the interlaminar shear strength at certain locations throughout the laminates. Although this research did not adequately observe correlations between results obtained from ultrasonic C-scans, cross-sectional microscopy and in situ photography of the surface, it was seen that the fluid dynamics of the thermosetting epoxy used in this experimentation correlated to results obtained from previous experimentation performed by students at Brigham Young University using vegetable oil as a substitute for resin.

No / An extensive study of the fibre orientation structures developed in a transverse ribbed plate during injection moulding, and the use of these structures to investigate the effect of local fibre orientation state on crack initiation resistance, is reported. The fibre orientation results for the ribbed plate, measured using large area image analysis system developed at Leeds University, showed that after an initial settling down period, the central core region, where the fibres are aligned perpendicular to the flow direction, decreased in size monotonically, with an associated monotonic increase in the outer shell regions, where the fibres are aligned preferentially along the injection direction. Interestingly, the level of orientation in the two regions remained almost constant: only the proportions of the two regions were found to change with flow length. Across the plate, close to the gate, the central core region was found to have a lens-like shape, while at the other end of the plate the core was thinner and also consistent in thickness across the sample width. The transverse rib was found to cause little disturbance to the fibre orientation of the base plate. The different proportions of the shell and core regions at different locations over the ribbed plate provided an ideal case to test the proposition of Friedrich that the crack resistance of a short fibre reinforced material depends on the number of fibres that are perpendicular to the crack tip. The impact test results gathered in this way confirmed this hypothesis of Friedrich.

Increasing mechanical, economic and environmental requirements lead to multi material designs, wherein different classes of materials and manufacturing processes are merged to realize lightweight components with a high level of functional integration. Particularly in automotive industry the use of corresponding technologies will rise in the near future, as they can provide a significant contribution to weight reduction, energy conservation and therefore to the protection of natural resources. Especially the use of continuous fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) with thermoplastic matrices offers advantages for automotive components, due to its good specific characteristics and its suitability for mass production. In conjunction with isotropic materials, such as steel or aluminum, optimized lightweight structures can be produced, whose properties can be easily adapted to the given component requirements. The present paper deals with the development of innovative hybrid laminates with low residual stresses, made of thin-walled steel sheets and glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic (GFRP) prepregs layers. Thereby the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) was increased by an optimization of the FRP/metal-interfaces, carried out by examining the influence of several pre-operations like sanding, cleaning with organic solvents and applying primer systems. Based on these findings optimized compound samples were prepared and tested under realistic Cathodic dip paint conditions to determine the influence on the ILSS.

This work correlates the chemistry of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins, its functionalities with their microstructural and mechanical properties in composite materials. The main focus is put on the development of the pores in dependence on the chemical composition of the resins and their influence on the structure of the material. Chemical characteristics of the synthesized resins are analyzed and physical/mechanical properties of the matrices based on PF resins are determined. Differences in the chemical properties are detected e.g. by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. They indicate the existence of similar molecular basic structure units, but different network conditions of the resins. DSC investigations point on different reaction mechanisms and temperatures; they reveal also their changed thermal behavior. The bulk matrix behavior differs from that of the composite based on the same resin due to the three dimensional stress and strain fields in the composites. The structure of the CFRP composites is strongly depended on the fiber/matrix interaction. The fiber matrix bonding (FMB) strength controls the load transfer via shear forces and therefore the segmentation of the fiber bundles.

A study was undertaken to determine if light-weighting orbital launch vehicles (rockets) improves lifetime environmental impacts of the vehicle. Light-weighting is performed by a material substitution where metal structures in the rocket are replaced with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP’s). It is uncertain whether light-weighting the rocket in the same way as traditional vehicles are light-weighted would provide similar environmental benefits. Furthermore, the rocket system is significantly different from traditional vehicles and undergoes an atypical lifecycle, making analysis non-trivial. Seventy rocket configurations were sized using a Parametric Rocket Sizing Model (PRSM) which was developed for this research. Four different propellant options, three staging options, and eighteen different lift capacities were considered. Each of these seventy rockets did not include CFRP’s, thus establishing a baseline. The seventy rockets were then light-weighted with CFRP’s, making a total of seventy pairs of rockets. An environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed on each of the rockets to determine lifetime environmental impacts. During the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI), a Carbon Fiber Production Model was developed to determine the environmental burdens of carbon fiber production and to address issues identified with carbon fiber’s embodied burdens. The results of the LCA were compared across all rockets to determine what effects light-weighting had on environmental impact. The final conclusion is that light-weighting reduces lifetime environmental impacts of Liquid Oxygen-Rocket Propellant 1 and Nitrogen Tetroxide-Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine rockets, while it likely benefits Liquid Oxygen-Liquid Hydrogen rockets. Light-weighting increases lifetime environmental impacts of Solid Propellant rockets.

Seitdem Faser-Kunststoff-Verbunde (FKV) als Leichtbauwerkstoffe für Hochleistungsanwendungen im Luftfahrzeug-, Automobil- und Sportgerätebau eingesetzt werden, erfolgt dies vorrangig mit Hilfe multiaxialer Mehrlagenlaminate. Vergleichsweise neue Fertigungstechnologien, wie die Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP-)Technologie, eröffnen jedoch die Möglichkeit einer gekrümmten, auch als variabelaxial bezeichneten, Ablage von Verstärkungsfäden. Der zugewonnene Freiheitsgrad, den Verstärkungsfasern an jeder beliebigen Stelle eine neue Richtung zuweisen zu können, bedingt aber auch ein komplexes Verständnis für eine beanspruchungsgerechte Auslegung von Faserverbundbauteilen. Ziel ist es dabei, die Fäden so zu orientieren, dass sie die angreifenden mechanischen Lasten mit einer möglichst gleichmäßigen Beanspruchung übertragen und das notwendige Matrixmaterial nur geringen Belastungen ausgesetzt ist. Nach einer Analyse bestehender theoretischer Auslegungsstrategien werden Vor- und Nachteile von reinen Materialoptimierungsansätzen bzw. in Kombination mit einer vorgeschalteten Topologieoptimierung diskutiert. Experimentelle Nachweise werden am Beispiel einer Zugscheibe mit ungleich breiten Einspannbereichen und einem steifigkeitsdimensionierten Fahrradbauteil (Brake Booster) erbracht. Dabei wird insbesondere das hohe Leichtbaupotential einer topologisch optimierten variabelaxialen FKV-Struktur gegenüber einer multiaxialen Laminatgestaltung herausgestellt. Anhand der TFP-Prozesskette wird deutlich gemacht, dass für eine numerische Auslegung variabelaxialer Strukturbauteile neue Softwarewerkzeuge sowie ein hinreichend genaues Analysemodell notwendig sind. Mit Hilfe des in der vorliegenden Arbeit entwickelten Softwarewerkzeugs AOPS kann die Auslegung beanspruchungsgerechter Strukturbauteile zukünftig effizienter erfolgen. Einen wesentlichen Bestandteil bildet dabei der vorgestellte Modellierungsansatz für die Finite Elemente Analyse. Damit ist es erstmals möglich ausgehend von einem beliebigen TFP-Ablagemuster, die spätere Struktursteifigkeit eines komplexen variabelaxialen TFP-Bauteils vorauszusagen. Der entwickelte Modellansatz konnte anhand der durchgeführten experimentellen Untersuchungen erfolgreich validiert werden.

ABSTRACT The repair and strengthening of concrete bridge members with CFRP has become increasingly popular over recent years. However, significant research is still needed in order to develop more robust guidelines and specifications. The research project aims to assist with improving design prosedures for damaged concrete members with the use of CFRP. This document summarizes the analysis and testing of full-scale 40’ foot long prestressed concrete (PSC) bridge girders exposed to simulated impact damage and repaired with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) materials. A total of five AASHTO type II bridge girders fabricated in the 1960’s were taken from an existing bridge, and tested at the Florida Department of Transportation FDOT structures lab in Tallahassee, Florida. The test specimens were tested under static loading to failure under 4-point bending. Different CFRP configurations were applied to each of the girders. Each of the test girders performed very well as each of them held a higher capacity than the control girder. The repaired girders 5, 6 and 7 surpassed the control girder’s capacity by 10.88%, 15.9% and 11.39%. These results indicate that repairing laterally damaged prestressed concrete bridge girders with CFRP is an effective way to restore the girders flexural capacity.

Seitdem Faser-Kunststoff-Verbunde (FKV) als Leichtbauwerkstoffe für Hochleistungsanwendungen im Luftfahrzeug-, Automobil- und Sportgerätebau eingesetzt werden, erfolgt dies vorrangig mit Hilfe multiaxialer Mehrlagenlaminate. Vergleichsweise neue Fertigungstechnologien, wie die Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP-)Technologie, eröffnen jedoch die Möglichkeit einer gekrümmten, auch als variabelaxial bezeichneten, Ablage von Verstärkungsfäden. Der zugewonnene Freiheitsgrad, den Verstärkungsfasern an jeder beliebigen Stelle eine neue Richtung zuweisen zu können, bedingt aber auch ein komplexes Verständnis für eine beanspruchungsgerechte Auslegung von Faserverbundbauteilen. Ziel ist es dabei, die Fäden so zu orientieren, dass sie die angreifenden mechanischen Lasten mit einer möglichst gleichmäßigen Beanspruchung übertragen und das notwendige Matrixmaterial nur geringen Belastungen ausgesetzt ist. Nach einer Analyse bestehender theoretischer Auslegungsstrategien werden Vor- und Nachteile von reinen Materialoptimierungsansätzen bzw. in Kombination mit einer vorgeschalteten Topologieoptimierung diskutiert. Experimentelle Nachweise werden am Beispiel einer Zugscheibe mit ungleich breiten Einspannbereichen und einem steifigkeitsdimensionierten Fahrradbauteil (Brake Booster) erbracht. Dabei wird insbesondere das hohe Leichtbaupotential einer topologisch optimierten variabelaxialen FKV-Struktur gegenüber einer multiaxialen Laminatgestaltung herausgestellt. Anhand der TFP-Prozesskette wird deutlich gemacht, dass für eine numerische Auslegung variabelaxialer Strukturbauteile neue Softwarewerkzeuge sowie ein hinreichend genaues Analysemodell notwendig sind. Mit Hilfe des in der vorliegenden Arbeit entwickelten Softwarewerkzeugs AOPS kann die Auslegung beanspruchungsgerechter Strukturbauteile zukünftig effizienter erfolgen. Einen wesentlichen Bestandteil bildet dabei der vorgestellte Modellierungsansatz für die Finite Elemente Analyse. Damit ist es erstmals möglich ausgehend von einem beliebigen TFP-Ablagemuster, die spätere Struktursteifigkeit eines komplexen variabelaxialen TFP-Bauteils vorauszusagen. Der entwickelte Modellansatz konnte anhand der durchgeführten experimentellen Untersuchungen erfolgreich validiert werden.

Durch die Ergänzung von Organoblechen mit gewebten Strukturen aus Metalldrähten können hochbelastbare Bauteile gleichzeitig mit einer abschirmenden Wirkung versehen werden und ermöglichen so Anwendungen wie beispielsweise im Umfeld der Elektromobilität. Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein polypropylen-basierter Schichtverbund aus thermoplastischen Hochleistungsfaserverbunden und Metalldrahtgewebe hinsichtlich seiner Eignung zur Abschirmung elektromagnetischer Wellen für Gehäusestrukturen und seiner Verarbeitbarkeit im Spritzgießen näher analysiert. Die Untersuchungen zeigen den Einfluss von Defekten, wie sie bei der Herstellung realer Bauteile entstehen können, und deren Auswirkung auf die Abschirmwirkung des Bauteils. Darüber hinaus werden mit Vibrations-,Infrarot- und Heißgasschweißen mögliche Fügeverfahren aufgezeigt und hinsichtlich ihrer Abschirmwirkung bewertet, die auch eine elektrische Kontaktierung über die Fügestelle hinweg ermöglichen.:1 Einleitung 2 Grundlagen 3 Experimentelles 4 Analyseverfahren 5 Untersuchungsergebnisse 6 Zusammenfassende Bewertung der Ergebnisse 7 Zusammenfassung / By combining endless glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic semifinished products with embedded metal wire meshes it is possible to produce highly stressable parts, which additionally allow shielding of electromagnetic waves. Therefore these party can be used for electric cars. In this study a multi-layer film, consisting of polypropylene-based organosheets, PPGF30 and metal wire meshes, is analyzed regarding its suitability for shielding against electromagnetic waves and its processability in injection molding. The analysis show the influences defects, which accure during the production of housings, and their impact of the shielding effectiveness. Moreover possible joining technologies, such as infraredwelding, vibrationwelding and ultrasonicwelding, are studied and evaluated whether it’s possible to create a electrically conductive joint.:1 Einleitung 2 Grundlagen 3 Experimentelles 4 Analyseverfahren 5 Untersuchungsergebnisse 6 Zusammenfassende Bewertung der Ergebnisse 7 Zusammenfassung

This work correlates the chemistry of phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins, its functionalities with their microstructural and mechanical properties in composite materials. The main focus is put on the development of the pores in dependence on the chemical composition of the resins and their influence on the structure of the material. Chemical characteristics of the synthesized resins are analyzed and physical/mechanical properties of the matrices based on PF resins are determined. Differences in the chemical properties are detected e.g. by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. They indicate the existence of similar molecular basic structure units, but different network conditions of the resins. DSC investigations point on different reaction mechanisms and temperatures; they reveal also their changed thermal behavior. The bulk matrix behavior differs from that of the composite based on the same resin due to the three dimensional stress and strain fields in the composites. The structure of the CFRP composites is strongly depended on the fiber/matrix interaction. The fiber matrix bonding (FMB) strength controls the load transfer via shear forces and therefore the segmentation of the fiber bundles.:1 Introduction 2 Theoretical Overview 2.1 Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins 2.1.1 Overview 2.1.2 Reactions of phenol-formaldehyde resin 2.1.2.1 Addition reaction 2.1.2.2 Condensation reaction 2.1.2.3 Curing 2.1.3 Application of phenol-formaldehyde resin 2.2 Carbon-Fiber 2.2.1 PAN type carbon fiber 2.2.2 Pitch type carbon fiber 2.2.3 Application of carbon fiber 2.3 Composites 2.3.1 Carbon fiber composites 2.3.2 Matrix 2.3.3. Interfaces 2.3.3.1 Carbon fiber side interface between carbon fiber and matrix 2.3.3.2 Matrix side interface between carbon fiber and matrix 2.3.3.3 Toughening of fiber-reinforced polymer 3 Goal and Works 3.1 Problem and Motivation 3.2 Objective and Works plan 4 Experiments and Methods 4.1 Materials 4.1.1 Chemical reagents 4.1.2 Carbon fiber weave 4.2 Synthesis of Resin 4.3 Fabrication of Matrix 4.4. Measurement methods and Experimental approach 4.4.1 Chemical analysis 4.4.2 Microstructure characterization 4.4.3 Mechanical test 5 Chemical characterization of modified phenol-formaldehyde resin 5.1 Fourier Transformed Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) 5.1.1 Introduction 5.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.1.3 Results and Discussion 5.2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) 5.2.1 Liquid 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy 5.2.1.1 Introduction 5.2.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.2.1.3 Results and Discussion 5.2.2 Solid 13C CP-MAS Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy 5.2.2.1 Introduction 5.2.2.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.2.2.3 Results and Discussion 5.3 Simultaneous Thermal Analysis (STA) 5.3.1 Introduction 5.3.2 Preparation and Measurement 5.3.3 Results and Discussion 5.3.3.1 Simultaneous Thermal Analysis 5.3.3.2 Different Scanning Calorimetry 5.4 Conclusion 6 Microstructural Characterization 6.1 Porosity 6.1.1 Introduction 6.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 6.1.3 Results and Discussion 6.1.3.1 Density 6.1.3.2 Porosity 6.2 Morphology 6.2.1 Introduction 6.2.2 Preparation and Measurement 6.2.3 Results and Discussion 6.2.3.1 Optical Microscopy 6.3.3.2 Scanning Electron Microscopy 6.3.3.2.1 Observation of the bulk matrix 6.2.3.2.2 Structural observation of the composite 6.3 Conclusion 7 Mechanical Properties 7.1 Hardness test 7.1.1 Introduction 7.1.2 Preparation and Measurement 7.1.3 Results and Discussion 7.2 Micro-bending test 7.2.1 Introduction 7.2.2 Preparation and Measurement 7.2.3 Results and Discussion 7.3 Conclusion 8 Summary and Conclusion 8.1 Summary 8.2 Conclusion 9 References