Thermal and morphological studies of additively manufactured CFRP composites under thermal loadings

The aim of this experimental work is to study the thermal and morphological properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) as polymeric composites printed using additive manufacturing via material extrusion. The printed samples were exposed to prolonged temperatures at 65◦C, 145◦C, 0◦C and -20◦C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was performed to analyze the thermal properties of CFRP composites and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) was utilized to study the morphological structure of the sample groups after thermal treatment. The specimens subjected to cyclic heating at hot temperatures have higher glass transition temperature (Tg) values than the prolonged groups. The visual examination of the morphological structure at the surface showed a slight deterioration in the morphological surface before and after thermal treatment at above-zero degrees Celcius. The higher the magnitude of the temperature treatment at above-zero degrees, the more damage is possessed in the polymer parts.