CFRP structural capacitor materials for automotive applications

In this paper, an approach towards realising novel multifunctional polymer composites is presented. A series of structural capacitor materials made from carbon fibre reinforced polymers have been developed, manufactured and tested. The structural capacitor materials were made from carbon fibre epoxy prepreg woven lamina separated by a polymer film dielectric separator. The structural capacitor multifunctional performance was characterised measuring capacitance, dielectric strength and tearing force. The developed structural carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) capacitor designs employing polymer film dielectrics (PA, PC and PET) offer remarkable multifunctional potential.