Thermal Expansion of Composite System Epoxy Resin/Recycled Carbon Fibers

Abstract

This experimental study deals with the problematics of thermal expansion α [10-6/K] of the composite systems based on recycled carbon fibres reinforced epoxy resin. The epoxy resin CHS – EPOXY 520 (EPOXY 15), cured with the hardener P11 (Districhem, s.r.o.), was chosen as a sample matrix. Recycled carbon fibres with a diameter of 7 μm and a length of 100 μm (Easy Composites Ltd.) were the filler. In the experiment, samples with the fulfilment of 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 90 and 100 phr were prepared. The samples were being poured into silicone molds, cured at an overpressure of 0.7 MPa and a temperature of 23 ± 2 °C for 24 hours. A thermomechanical analyzer was used to determine the thermal expansion of composite systems. The addition of recycled carbon fibers to epoxy resin can reduce the coefficient of linear thermal expansion at 20°C in half, from the original α = 45 to 55 × 10-6/K for non-filled epoxy resin to α = 25 to 27 × 10-6/K for filled epoxy resin. Optimal filling is at the level of 40 phr, with higher filling there is no further reduction of the linear thermal expansion coefficient.