Design, Analysis, Fabrication and Testing of CFRP with CNF Composite Cylinder for Space Applications

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) have been widely used in numerous applications where high specific stiffness and strength offer structural weight reduction and fuel efficiency. RVS (re-entry vehicle system) structural protection to the weapon system during re-entry. These kinds of structures are realized using filament winding process. In this paper mechanical characterization of CFRP with Carbon Nano-fiber has been prented. Studies are carried out to characterize the strength and Youngs modulus of the composite structure. Carbon Nano-fibers are among the greatly potential reinforcing additives for polymeric composites due to their high axial Youngs modulus, high aspect ratio, large surface area, and excellent thermal and electrical properties. Various studies can be found in the literature regarding the incorporation of CNFs in polymeric matrices and the final mechanical and/or electrical properties of these materials. To prove the technology a composite cylinder having size Length of 600mm, Diameter 300mm and thickness 1.5mm is considered for experimental study. In the present work a method has been developed to analyze composite shell using Layered 46. In addition, 3D layered analysis of composite cylinder with end metallic plates have been performed to predict the Buckling behavior of the Composite shell. Composite shell were fabricated & tested with buckling load condition to verify the design and analysis procedure. It has been observed that the experimental results are in close agreement with the finite element analysis results, also the design stresses were within safe limits. Based on test results, the Longitudinal Strength of CFRP with CNF is achieved 1860 MPa, Youngs modulus is 118 GPa and improvement against CFRP with epoxy resin (LY556).