As part of the final task, we became acquainted with the process of vacuum infusion, followed by processing in autoclave. Our intention was to determine the best production parameters for the achievement of good mechanical properties of composite.
The main objective of the task was to determine the optimal ratio of carbon fibre and epoxy resin and to define the contribution of the autoclave to improving the bending strength of the composite sample thus produced. In addition, microscopy was used to determine the impact of the autoclave on the porosity of composite, both on the surface and after the cross-section.
Mechanical properties were checked by a three-point bending test. We found that by increasing the resin volume to a certain volume ratio after the vacuum infusion process, the mechanical properties of composite improved. However, when the autoclave was used, smaller amount of resin was required to achieve the same mechanical properties of the composite. Autoclave also had a positive effect on the porosity rate in the composite, as it decreased in all samples compared to samples manufactured without autoclave.
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