Abstract
A carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer composite was fabricated using plainwoven carbon fiber and a thermoplastic polyimide (CF/PI). Bending properties at elevated temperature and the bending creep behavior of the CF/PI material were studied and compared with those of a carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composite (CF/EP). Additionally, the same tests were performed using 130ºC cured CF/EP. The CF/PI bending modulus remained almost constant under 240ºC, until a decrease was observed at 250ºC, which coincided with the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polyimide. Bending creep tests were performed at various elevated temperatures to obtain the creep compliance master curves. It was found that the Arrhenius-type time–temperature superposition principle was applicable to the CF/PI. Comparing this material with CF/EP, CF/PI has advantageous bending properties at elevated temperatures and a lower creep deformation.
