Adhesion to Wood of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers at High Temperatures

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence of carbon fiber composite reinforcements and epoxy resin to wood elements between 20 and 80 °C. To this end, wood samples from Pinus taeda were used, with an average bulk density of 554 kg/m³ and moisture content at room temperature of 12.0%. Carbon fiber cloth with epoxy adhesive was used as reinforcement. The sample consisted of 40 specimens, which were tested at the temperatures of 20, 40, 60 and 80 °C. It was possible to conclude that the reinforcement strength decreases with the increase of temperature, as verified by the rupture at the glue line in all test temperature levels. Still, the analysis of relative strength showed a reduction of 38.3 and 65.3% in the resistance at 60 and 80 °C, respectively, compared to that obtained at 20 °C.

Keywords:
polymeric adhesives; structural reinforcement; temperature.