Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation
This study presents a comprehensive and insightful investigation into the thermal degradation and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates exposed to continuous wave laser irradiation with a Gaussian beam profile. The effects of laser power, beam diameter, and...
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| Format: | Article |
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Elsevier
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Composites Part C: Open Access |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666682025000489 |
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| author | Patrick K. Kamlade Jojibabu Panta Max Mammone Richard (Chunhui) Yang Richard P. Mildren John Wang Matthew Ibrahim Rodney Thomson Y.X. Zhang |
| author_facet | Patrick K. Kamlade Jojibabu Panta Max Mammone Richard (Chunhui) Yang Richard P. Mildren John Wang Matthew Ibrahim Rodney Thomson Y.X. Zhang |
| author_sort | Patrick K. Kamlade |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study presents a comprehensive and insightful investigation into the thermal degradation and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates exposed to continuous wave laser irradiation with a Gaussian beam profile. The effects of laser power, beam diameter, and exposure time were explored to reflect practical scenarios such as material processing, maintenance, and damage assessment. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was first carried out in both nitrogen and air environments to understand the thermal stability and degradation behaviour of the CFRP material. Initial laser tests were conducted at 30 W and 40 W using a beam diameter of 3.46 mm to assess early-stage damage. These results informed a more intensive study using a higher laser power of 98 W with beam diameters of 3.18 mm and 5.70 mm, where specimens were irradiated until complete perforation. Thermal imaging was used to monitor surface temperature evolution on both front and back sides during irradiation. For the 98 W cases, the larger beam diameter required a 53 % longer exposure time to achieve perforation, highlighting the role of power density in damage progression. Post-irradiation analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultrasonic C-scans, and micro-focused X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) revealed fibre sublimation, matrix decomposition, cone-shaped perforations, and interlaminar cracking. The results provide valuable insights into how CFRP materials respond to high-intensity laser exposure and can support the development of strategies to mitigate damage and improve structural performance in real-world applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b82b51c2384b448599854e707a2c6965 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-6820 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Composites Part C: Open Access |
| spelling | doaj-art-b82b51c2384b448599854e707a2c69652025-08-20T03:07:35ZengElsevierComposites Part C: Open Access2666-68202025-07-011710060510.1016/j.jcomc.2025.100605Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiationPatrick K. Kamlade0Jojibabu Panta1Max Mammone2Richard (Chunhui) Yang3Richard P. Mildren4John Wang5Matthew Ibrahim6Rodney Thomson7Y.X. Zhang8Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, AustraliaCentre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, AustraliaCentre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, AustraliaCentre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, AustraliaMQ Photonics Research Centre, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW 2109, AustraliaPlatforms Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, Melbourne, VIC 3207, AustraliaPlatforms Division, Defence Science and Technology Group, Melbourne, VIC 3207, AustraliaAdvanced Composite Structures Australia Pty Ltd, 19 Rocklea Drive, Port Melbourne 3207, AustraliaCentre for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia; Corresponding author at: School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.This study presents a comprehensive and insightful investigation into the thermal degradation and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates exposed to continuous wave laser irradiation with a Gaussian beam profile. The effects of laser power, beam diameter, and exposure time were explored to reflect practical scenarios such as material processing, maintenance, and damage assessment. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was first carried out in both nitrogen and air environments to understand the thermal stability and degradation behaviour of the CFRP material. Initial laser tests were conducted at 30 W and 40 W using a beam diameter of 3.46 mm to assess early-stage damage. These results informed a more intensive study using a higher laser power of 98 W with beam diameters of 3.18 mm and 5.70 mm, where specimens were irradiated until complete perforation. Thermal imaging was used to monitor surface temperature evolution on both front and back sides during irradiation. For the 98 W cases, the larger beam diameter required a 53 % longer exposure time to achieve perforation, highlighting the role of power density in damage progression. Post-irradiation analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultrasonic C-scans, and micro-focused X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT) revealed fibre sublimation, matrix decomposition, cone-shaped perforations, and interlaminar cracking. The results provide valuable insights into how CFRP materials respond to high-intensity laser exposure and can support the development of strategies to mitigate damage and improve structural performance in real-world applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666682025000489Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP)DamageDegradation behaviourLaser irradiationMaterial characterisationThermal stability |
| spellingShingle | Patrick K. Kamlade Jojibabu Panta Max Mammone Richard (Chunhui) Yang Richard P. Mildren John Wang Matthew Ibrahim Rodney Thomson Y.X. Zhang Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation Composites Part C: Open Access Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) Damage Degradation behaviour Laser irradiation Material characterisation Thermal stability |
| title | Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation |
| title_full | Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation |
| title_fullStr | Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation |
| title_short | Degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation |
| title_sort | degradation behaviour and damage mechanisms of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composite laminates subjected to laser irradiation |
| topic | Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) Damage Degradation behaviour Laser irradiation Material characterisation Thermal stability |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666682025000489 |
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