Effect of channel configuration on electrothermal behavior of CFRP self-resistance heating

doi:10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.11.023

Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science)

2026, Vol. 60

Issue (11): 2546-2554 DOI: 10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.11.023

Effect of channel configuration on electrothermal behavior of CFRP self-resistance heating

Yongjie BAO(

),Qinghua ZHAO,Zhi ZHENG,Yuxin MA,Yuxing YANG*(

)

Marine Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, Dalian 116026, China

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Abstract

Self-resistance heating experiments of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) were conducted to investigate the effects of channel configuration on electrothermal behavior. Six current channel configurations of two types, namely cross-channel and straight-channel, were designed. The temperature distribution and heating characteristics of CFRP laminates under different energization strategies were studied using thermocouples and infrared thermography. The results showed three main findings: First, cross-channel configurations exhibited temperature non-uniformity due to localized overheating caused by transverse high resistance, with the central temperature of cross-channel A reaching 108.3 ℃ and a temperature difference of 64 ℃ within 10 mm. Second, straight-channel configurations demonstrated favorable electro-thermal performance, with a heating rate of 11.3 ℃/min and a steady-state temperature of 81.7 ℃ at 1.2 A. By comparison, double straight-channel A achieved a heating rate of 12.5 ℃/min and a steady-state temperature of 87.6 ℃ at 2.0 A, with relatively uniform temperature distribution. Third, a positive feedback effect induced by resistance increase was observed when the current increased from 0.8 A to 1.0 A in straight-channel configurations, resulting in a steady-state temperature increment twice that of other intervals; a similar effect occurred in double straight-channel configurations within the current range of 1.8?A to 2.0?A. The results provide experimental data to support the design of CFRP self-resistance heating systems for low-temperature applications.

Key words： carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminated structure electric heating self-resistance heating temperature uniformity temperature rise efficiency

Received: 11 October 2025 Published: 16 October 2026

CLC:

TM 241.2

Fund: 国家重点研发计划资助项目（2023YFC2809704）；国家自然科学基金资助项目（52571280, 52301359）.

Corresponding Authors: Yuxing YANG E-mail: yongjie@dlmu.edu.cn;yangyuxing@dlmu.edu.cn

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Cite this article:

Yongjie BAO,Qinghua ZHAO,Zhi ZHENG,Yuxin MA,Yuxing YANG. Effect of channel configuration on electrothermal behavior of CFRP self-resistance heating. Journal of ZheJiang University (Engineering Science), 2026, 60(11): 2546-2554.

URL:

https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/10.3785/j.issn.1008-973X.2026.11.023 OR https://www.zjujournals.com/eng/Y2026/V60/I11/2546

CFRP自阻加热的通道构型影响电热行为研究

开展碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料（CFRP）自阻加热试验，探究不同通道构型对电热行为的影响. 设计6种电流通道构型分成交叉通道和直通道2个类别，利用热电偶与红外热成像测温方法，研究不同通电策略下CFRP层合板的温度场分布规律与温升特性. 结果表明，交叉通道构型因横向高电阻引发局部过热而表现出温度非均匀性，交叉通道A中心温度达到108.3 ℃，10 mm范围内温差为64 ℃. 直通道构型表现出良好的电热性能，直通道在1.2 A电流下温升速率为11.3 ℃/min，稳态温度为81.7 ℃；双直通道A在2.0 A电流下温升速率提升至12.5 ℃/min，稳态温度达87.6 ℃，温度分布比直通道的更均匀. 直通道构型下当电流从0.8 A增至1.0 A时，电阻增加引发正反馈效应，稳态温度增幅达其余区间的2倍；双直通道构型类似效应的电流区间为1.8~2.0 A. 该结果为CFRP在低温环境下的自阻加热设计提供了试验数据支撑.

关键词： 碳纤维增强复合材料(CFRP), 层合结构, 电加热, 自阻加热, 温度均匀性, 温升效率

Tab.1 Performance parameters of carbon fiber/epoxy resin prepreg

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of specimens with different thicknesses and curing mold design

Fig.2 Experimental setup and channel configurations for CFRP self-resistance heating

Tab.2 Single-layer parameter settings for self-resistance heating experiments

Fig.3 Schematic of interlaminar conductive microstructure

Fig.4 Temperature evolution curve and temperature field distribution under optimal current for each cross-channel

Fig.5 Temperature evolution patterns of straight channel under different currents and thermal images

Fig.6 High-temperature failure diagram of resin

Fig.7 Temperature evolution pattern and optimal temperature field distribution of double straight-channel A under different currents

Fig.8 Temperature evolution curve and temperature field distribution of double straight-channel B under optimal operating current

Fig.9 Temperature rise rates between straight-channel and double straight-channel A across different current intervals

Tab.3 Steady-state temperature at temperature measurement points of straight-channel under different currents

Tab.4 Steady-state temperature at temperature measurement points of double straight-channel A under different currents

Tab.5 Parameter settings for self-resistance heating experiments on specimens with different thicknesses

Tab.6 Optimal response parameters of specimens with different thicknesses

Fig.10 Thermal characteristics of straight-channel under optimal current with varying layers

Fig.11 Thermal characteristics of double straight-channel A under optimal current with varying layers

Fig.12 Steady-state temperature versus current for specimens of different thicknesses


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