Paper Title
Mechanical Properties and Bend Ability of a Plain-Woven Carbon Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic Sheet

Abstract
The mechanical properties of a carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) sheet were evaluated, which is composed of plain-woven carbon fibre fabrics impregnated with polypropylene matrix resin. Using the specimens whose longitudinal direction is parallel to or inclined at 45 degrees from the fibre direction, uniaxial tensile tests, three-point flexural tests, and Charpy impact tests were performed to investigate the anisotropy of mechanical characteristics. In addition, cold and warm V-bending tests were performed to investigate the bend ability of the CFRTP sheet. The effectiveness of a novel technique of bending a CFRTP sheet sandwiched between highly ductile sheets was confirmed in terms of reducing the spring back angle. Keywords - Carbon fibre reinforced plastic, thermoplastic composite, mechanical property, V-bending, spring back, warm forming