Erosion Resistance of CFRP Composite Materials with Different Fiber Weaves Exposed to Cryogenic Treatment

Abstract

Carbon fiber–reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are often exposed to solid particle erosion wear due to small particles moving freely in the atmosphere or in the environment and their impact on aircraft bodies. In this study, fiber weaves of CFRP composite materials of the following types were produced: unidirectional (U), plain weave multidirectional (P), and twill 2 × 2 weave multidirectional (T). Tests that involved three different CFRP composite materials were conducted at room temperature with two groups (pure and exposed to cryogenic liquid nitrogen treatment), at two different fiber directions (0° and 45°), and at four different impingement angles (30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°). Subsequently, erosion wear rate values were calculated and erosion rate–impingement angle graphs were produced for each fiber direction to study the effect of the different environments. Scanning electron microscopy images of surface deformation were compared between the different experimental conditions.