Investigation of damage mechanisms in carbon fiber epoxy resin composites under laser irradiation

With the continuous advancement of laser technology, investigating the damage mechanisms of carbon fiber epoxy resin composites (CFRP) under laser irradiation has become increasingly significant. This study explores how varying parameters of laser irradiation, including different power densities and energy distributions within the laser spot, influence the effects on CFRP. The damage mechanisms of CFRP were analyzed through micro-morphological examination, thermal analysis, and computed tomography (CT). The results indicate that the damage degree of CFRP increases with increasing incident laser densities. Furthermore, Gaussian laser spot with the same power density result in more severe thermal damage compared to Uniform laser spot. In addition, a finite element model was developed to simulate the laser irradiation process of the carbon fiber epoxy resin composites. The simulated results demonstrated excellent agreement with experimental outcomes. This study effectively addresses the knowledge gap concerning the impact of laser energy distribution within the laser spot on the damage to composite materials, offering new insights into the field. Moreover, it provides theoretical support for enhancing the safety of CFRP in laser-intensive environments. Highlights: Analyze damage mechanisms of CFRP through CT scanning technology. The degree of damage of CFRP increases with increasing incident laser densities. Study influence of laser energy distribution in spot on laser irradiation effect. Develop a finite element model to simulate the laser irradiation process.