In the relentless pursuit of stronger, lighter, and more durable materials, researchers at Politecnico di Milano and the German Aerospace Center have made a significant stride. Led by Alessandro Vescovini, a mechanical engineer with a foot in both academic and aerospace worlds, the team has been delving into the behavior of carbon composite materials under impact and compression. Their findings, published in Composites Part C: Open Access, could have profound implications for industries ranging from aerospace to renewable energy.
The study focuses on a novel stacking sequence and manufacturing technique for carbon composites, known as Single-Double (SD) and card-sliding, respectively. The researchers created five sets of specimens, some flat and others tapered, using non-crimp fabrics (NCFs) with varying fiber orientations and areal densities. The goal? To understand how these materials behave when subjected to low-velocity impacts and subsequent compression, a scenario all too common in real-world applications.
Vescovini and his team subjected the specimens to compression after impact (CAI) tests, a standard procedure in the industry. But here’s where things get interesting. They didn’t just stop at the test results. They used an infrared camera and a digital image correlation system to record the thermal transient and displacement of the specimens. This allowed them to observe the damage mechanisms in real-time, providing a level of insight that’s typically hard to come by.
“The ability to visualize the damage progression was crucial,” Vescovini explains. “It allowed us to understand the failure modes and the effect of the tapered cross-section, different NCFs, and the stacking sequence.”
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? Well, think about wind turbines. They’re constantly subjected to impacts from debris and compression from wind forces. The insights from this study could lead to the development of composites that are more resistant to delamination, a common failure mode in composites. This could, in turn, lead to longer-lasting, more reliable wind turbines.
But the potential applications don’t stop at wind turbines. The oil and gas industry, with its need for lightweight, durable materials for offshore structures, could also benefit. And let’s not forget about the aerospace industry, where every gram counts and durability is paramount.
The study also validated Finite Element Analyses with the experimental results, a step that’s crucial for the practical application of these findings. It means that engineers can use these models to predict the behavior of these materials in real-world scenarios, paving the way for their use in actual products.
Looking ahead, this research could shape the future of composite manufacturing. The SD stacking sequence and card-sliding method show promise in mitigating delamination risks and promoting intra-laminar damage, a shift that could lead to stronger, more durable composites. And with the energy sector’s push towards renewable sources, the demand for such materials is only set to increase.
As Vescovini puts it, “This research is just the beginning. The insights we’ve gained could lead to the development of composites that are not just stronger and lighter, but also more sustainable.”
In an industry where innovation is the name of the game, this study is a clear winner. It’s a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research and a beacon for future developments in the field of composites. So, watch this space. The future of composites is looking brighter than ever.
