A Comparative Study on the Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites Developed by Hand Layup and Vacuum Bagging Molding Techniques

The present study addressed the fabrication of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites using two different techniques: manual layup and vacuum bagging molding. The purpose was to compare their unique properties. CFRP composites employ woven roving mat carbon fiber as a reinforcing material, combined with an epoxy matrix consisting of Araldite and hardener. The resin to fiber ratio has been maintained at a 1:1 ratio, while the resin to hardener ratio has been maintained at a 10:1 ratio by weight. Various stacking sequences of carbon/epoxy composites (0/90) were made using both approaches. Optimization of several process parameters was carried out to enhance the mechanical properties of the polymer composites. Every laminate was composed of four to eight layers. Various carbon/epoxy composite orientations were subjected to testing until failure using a universal testing machine, in accordance with the relevant applicable standards (ASTM-D3039), in order to determine the ultimate tensile strength, % elongation (or ductility), and elastic constant. Furthermore, the adhesion intensity between the fiber and resin was assessed by conducting microstructural studies using a scanning electron microscope. The results demonstrated that the samples fabricated using the vacuum bagging mold technique exhibited superior tensile strength compared to the samples fabricated using the hand layup approach.