OUTDATED PRE-PREG CARBON FIBER COMPOSITES FOR LOW COST SOCCER SHIN GUARD MANUFACTURING

摘要

Carbon fiber composites are extensively used in manufacturing of shin guards and other sportive goods. The purpose of this research was to improve the impact resistance of soccer shin guards which were made of outdated pre-preg carbon fiber composites. These composites are needed to be tested for impact damages for designing and manufacturing of shin guards and analyzed for the reduction of any damages to the legs and tissues of soccer players. The composite panels of the unidirectional and plain weave woven carbon fibers were separately cured under a vacuum and high temperature. Prior to the curing process, a layer of silicon rubber layer (0.1 inches) was placed on the pre-preg composites to eliminate impact damages for players. Composite panels consisting of 14-16 plies were impact tested using a low velocity impactor, and inspected by C-scan to measure the damage areas and depths of the indentations on these unidirectional and woven composites. These composite panels were impacted with standard tup (1 inch diameter) and energy level (1500 in-lb./in). The test results showed that the impact damages were dependent on the types of composite structures and silicon rubber layers which may be critical for designing and manufacturing of the composite shin guards. The test results may be helpful to improve the applications of the outdated pre-preg carbon fiber composites in sports and other industries.