Jeffrey Kangas

The composite industry is rapidly growing. With applications for lightweight aircraft, lightweight automobiles that increase fuel efficiency, and some industrial applications. The mechanical behaviors of PMC are usually studied at room temperature rather than higher temperature because they are more economical to test. However, industrial applications have higher temperature applications such as low mass robotic components. With a lower mass and stiffer robotic arm, the motor actuator can move faster with less loading, equating to improved productivity. Additionally, Bulldog Rocketry has applications to further decrease the weight of the rocket. Critical components might be replaced with carbon fiber, such as the motor tube which experiences high temperatures due to the propellant. Prepregnated carbon fiber plates were cured and waterjet cut to size on campus. Afterward, tests were conducted with the MTS 810 Universal Testing Machine at regular temperature intervals from 75 to 600 Fahrenheit. Tensile Strength, Compression Strength, Flexural Strength, and Stiffness was measured following ASTM standards D638, D6641, and D7264. While the Tensile and Compression strength remained close to the same, Flexural strength greatly decreased. The glass transition temperature of the carbon fiber lamina was captured at around 350F as the material failure transitioned from brittle to ductile. These values can then be used to predict the strength and stiffness of the material at any temperature between 75 and 600 Fahrenheit.