Thermal and Mechanical Response of a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composite to a Transverse Impact and In-Plane Pulsed Electromagnetic Loads

Abstract

Thermal and mechanical response of a carbon fiber polymer matrix composite plate subjected to a transverse impact and in-plane pulsed electromagnetic loads is studied. Heat transfer analysis in the electrified composite plate for the electric currents of various waveforms (direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and pulsed) is conducted, and the effects of the waveform parameters (characteristic time, peak, etc.) on the current-induced heating in the composite are investigated. The results show that pulsed electric currents cause significant temperature rises only in the regions immediately adjacent to the electric contact (composite-electrode interface). As for the mechanical response of the composite plate, it is found that the characteristics of the electromagnetic field (waveform, duration of application, and intensity) can significantly reduce deflection and stresses in the plate, and concurrent application of a pulsed electromagnetic load can effectively mitigate the effects of the impact load in the electrically conductive composites.