Effects of Tensile Prestress Level on Impact Value of 50 vol% Continuous Unidirectional 0 Degree Oriented Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Polymer (CFRP)

Effects of tensile prestress level on Charpy impact value (auc) of 50vol% continuous unidirectional 0 degree oriented carbon fiber reinforced epoxy polymer (CFRP) were investigated. Experimental results showed the auc at mid-fracture probability Pf = 0.50 induced by a large prestress of 17.6MPa (109kJm ¹2 ) was increased 30% over that (84kJm ¹2 ) of slight prestress of 0.25MPa. The statistically lowest impact value as at Pf = 0 calculated by 3-parameter Weibull equation was raised 26% from 73 to 92kJm ¹2 showing increased reliability of part strength. Fracture surface observation showed a flat surface extending through the thickness from the impact side generally extends deeper as prestress level was raised. This may be due to the transition depth in the specimen thickness from compression to tension is deeper during impact as prestress level was increased acting to raise the impact values. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2013278]