Effect of fiber tension on physical and mechanical properties of filament wound carbon/epoxy composite specimen

Composite pressure vessels and shells for aerospace applications demand enhanced structural performance with lesser inert mass. Optimum fiber tension during filament winding can significantly improve their structural performance; therefore, the fiber tension effect is studied on the carbon/epoxy composite specimen level. Fiber tension is varied from 0.5 to 6.0 kg during filament winding of composite specimens. Naval ordnance laboratory (NOL) ring and cylindrical shell specimens are made at different fiber tensions. The physical and mechanical properties of these specimens are investigated. Fiber volume fraction and hoop tensile strength of NOL ring specimens are increased by around 26% and 29%, respectively, at 4 kg fiber tension compared to 1 kg. The mass and thickness of the composite shells are reduced by around 19.5% and 24.5%, respectively, at 4 kg fiber tension compared to that of 1 kg. The experiment and result conclude an optimal fiber tension of 4 kg/ tow for efficient filament wound carbon/ epoxy composite specimen.