Fiber content measurement of hybrid carbon and glass fiber reinforced thermoset composites

Abstract

Hybrid carbon fiber and glass fiber reinforced thermoset composites are commonly used in structural applications throughout the energy, aerospace, automotive, and marine industries. The differing fiber types can be combined into a hybrid composite with the intent to efficiently utilize the beneficial properties of each type of reinforcement. The fiber fraction of each individual fiber type influences the mechanical properties of the overall composite. Measurement of the fiber fraction of each individual fiber type allows understanding and prediction of the mechanical properties as well as a method of quality control in manufacturing. A combination of a carbonization in nitrogen method for the measurement of fiber content in carbon fiber reinforced composites and an oxidation method to measure the glass fiber content are used for the first time. It has been demonstrated that the approach is effective at measuring the carbon fiber and glass fiber contents in hybrid glass and carbon fiber thermoset composites in both epoxy and vinyl ester resin systems.