Fatigue Life Prediction for Carbon-SMC and Carbon-FRP by Considering Elastic Modulus Degradation

In the automotive industry, being lightweight has become an important design factor with enhancement of environmental regulations. As a result, many studies on application composite materials are in progress. Among them, interest carbon materials, such as sheet molding compound (C-SMC) and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), which have excellent strength stiffness, is increasing. However, CFRP material that makes it difficult to secure economic feasibility due its relatively high manufacturing costs limited mass production, despite mechanical durability. been conducted C-SMC alternative can be easily mass-produced. this regard, study intended conduct evaluating fatigue among properties lack clear failure criteria for design. We investigated tensile strengths CFRP, respectively. case C-SMC, tests were two different width conditions evaluate cutting effect machining methods assess effects edge conditions. To assessment criteria, stiffness drop elastic modulus degradation applied each test result from CFRP. The results confirmed rationality terms life prediction based demonstrated promising results.