Investigation of bending properties on carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites used for micro wind turbine blades

Abstract

Composite is material which is made by two or more constituent material. When these materials are combined, produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components. The individual components remain separate and distinct within the finished structure. Metallic materials are most widely used in structure, Automobile industry and in our daily life. Metallic materials also show a good property, but main problem with this is more density which causes heavy weight. This is a big disadvantage in many fields. To overcome the problem metallic materials can be replaced by composite material which has lesser density, less weight, higher stiffness, higher strength and better fatigue resistance. The present study is made on Carbon fiber. Carbon acts a high performance fiber material. It has highest specific modulus and high specific strength of all reinforcing fiber material. Carbon fiber reinforcement composite is a strong, light and very expensive material. High cost of this material is compensated by its excellent strength to weight ratio. The composite consist of Carbon fiber, epoxy resin namely Ly556 and Hardener 951. This study has been done to study the mechanical properties tensile test, compression test, three point bending test etc to be carried out for better understanding of the carbon fiber composite material. In this study three point bending test is discussed and use of carbon fiber and epoxy resin composite in micro wind turbine blade has been studied.