Investigation of the Thermal and Surface Properties of Glass-Carbon Hybrid Fiber Epoxy Composite

The modern world has seen a rapid surge in the usage of composite materials in recent times for their widespread applications and versatility. This study investigated thermal properties and the surface morphology of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite fabricated by vacuum infusion molding (VIM) process. Lee's and Charlton's method for thermal conductivity of bad conductors proved its poor thermal conductivity, where the value was found 0.52 Wm-1K-1. Coefficient of thermal expansion was measured by Thermomechanical analysis (TMA), which also revealed that the thermal expansion occurred in multiple stages and subsequently resulting in multiple coefficient of thermal expansion. The thermogravimetric analysis disclosed the degradation rate, glass transition temperature, onset temperature, degradation steps, and their possible causes. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to characterize its surface properties which showed the composite's internal structure. All of the tests displayed promising results in terms of it's potential in high-temperature applications, such as in the aerospace industry.