Space Radiation Effects on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic

Degradation behavior of the mechanical properties of CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) under electron beam irradiation in various conditions has been studied, with a view to doing simulation experiments in space. It was observed that the flexural strength of notched specimens of CFRP decreased more rapidly with the increase of the dose in air than in vacuum. Some decrease in flexural strength was observed with the increase of the dose at elevated temperatures. The lower dose rate resulted in a further decrease in flexural strength when compared with the same total dose. Volatile byproducts from CFRP during radiation in vacuum were measured by GC (gas chromatography) and GC/MS (gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry) analysis. The chemical components extracted from irradiated specimens were analysed by means GPC (gel permeation chromatography). The degradation of epoxy resin was characterised by FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analyser) spectra. Based on these analyses, the degradation mechanisms of irradiated CFRP are discussed in this paper.