Abstract
Carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) is now widely used in aerospace structural applications, particularly in industry, due to their high specific strength and stiffness characteristics. If curing conditions in CFRP laminate are not within the specified tolerances, voids may be formed in matrix and result in significant reductions in matrix dominated strength such as transverse tension, flexure and shear. In this study, tests were performed for more detailed understanding about the effect of voids on matrix dominated strengths using the specimen with intentionally included voids. Transverse strength test and short beam strength test was performed. These specimens were observed by X-ray computed tomography (CT) to understand the relationship voids and strength reduction.
