Experimental and Numerical Study of Heating Characteristics of Discontinuous Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Composites

This study explores the resistive heating characteristics of discontinuous carbon fiber (CF)-epoxy composites. Test samples including 1, 3, and 5 wt.% CF were fabricated using sonication and cast molding processes. For heating performance characterization, DC currents were applied to the composite samples, and surface temperatures were evaluated visually and quantitatively using an infrared camera. To estimate the thermal performance of composites and verify the experimental results, finite element analyses were performed. The resistive heating mechanism was investigated in connection with CF loading and applied voltages. Resistive heating efficiency increased proportionately with CF concentration and applied voltage. To obtain homogeneous temperature distribution of the samples, high degree of CF dispersion is required.