Author(s)

S. Enoki, K. Iwamoto, R. Harada, K. Tanaka & T. Katayama

Abstract

In the automobile industry, reduction of car weight is needed to deal with environmental issues. Recently, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP) is expected to be used for lightweight component parts. The application of CFRP will become possible to reduce car weights, because CFRP has higher specific strength and specific rigidity. However the cost of CFRP is so high that the use of CFRP does not increase. In addition, it is expected to use thermoplastics as a matrix of CFRP in consideration of recyclability. To mold Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (CFRTP), it is necessary to impregnate carbon fiber with thermoplastic resin by heating the materials. There are electromagnetic induction heating and direct resistance heating for heating method. The electromagnetic induction heating has a high production cost because of complicated equipment. On the other hand the direct resistance heating is performed with a simple piece of equipment and low consumed power. It is better to use direct resistance heating for low-cost CFRTP molding. We propose a method of CFRTP molding process using direct resistance heating of carbon fibers in n on crimp fabric (NCF). In this paper, the resistance heating characteristic of NCF and the influence of resistance heating upon mechanical properties of carbon fiber were discussed. The temperature distribution of 0° and 90° layer were sufficient and it took 70s to reach to 250°C on temperature history when heat is applied to the NCF [0°/90°] using direct resistance heating. From the results of tensile tests of single carbon fiber, tensile strength was not decreased by resistance heating at 300°C for 300s. Keywords: carbon fiber, non crimp fabric (NCF), direct resistance heating.

Keywords

carbon fiber, non crimp fabric (NCF), direct resistance heating.