Carbon-epoxy composites are used extensively for high performance applications and they come in contact with varied kind of environments. Many applications require their use in conjunction with metals. In the presence of the electrolyte, galvanic coupling forms and carbon-epoxy composite degrades due to cathodic reactions. In the present study, the effect of this degradation on the interlaminar mechanical properties of the carbon-epoxy composite is investigated. Samples of carbon plain weave fabric–epoxy matrix composite were potential static exposed at cathodic potential for long duration in a electrochemical cell. Significant reduction in the interlaminar shear strength after cathodic exposure was observed. At the same time, interlaminar fracture toughness was found to be increased for cathodic exposed samples. The changes in the micro mechanisms of failure for the composites after cathodic exposures had been evaluated based on the fractographs of the specimens.

Subject
Materials, Fracture toughness, Degradation, Aluminum, Electrochemical reactions, Crack initiation, Micrography, Mechanical failure, Interfaces, Composites, Fibers, Fracture, Voids
Keywords:
Carbon-epoxy composite, cathodic electrochemical exposure, ILSS, GIc
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2005
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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