Mechanical properties of carbon fibre reinforced aluminium laminates using two different layering pattern for aero engine application

Abstract

ABSTRACT The properties of carbon reinforced fibre with aluminium alloy 2024-T3 sheets of different sequence were studied. The aim of the research is to analyse and compare the mechanical properties of two different layering sequences of the composite. The composites uses hand lay-up method in its fabrication in a mould. Tensile, compressive and flexural strength were investigated in the study using an Instron 3382 Universal Testing Machine according to their ASTM standard. There is about 11%, 7% and 53% increase on tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break for carbon fibre reinforced aluminium laminates with aluminium alloy at front and rear face. This was also true for flexural strength of the two composites; where a greater value was obtained for the aluminium alloy at front and rear face of the composite with the same compressive strength and lower difference on compressive modulus. Therefore, the study show that the two composites have good mechanical properties that can withstand a load in fire designated zone of an aircraft engine.