Examination of EPDM and carbon fiber-enhanced aluminum and copper composite plates

Composite materials are materials composed of two or more components that result in better properties than when the individual components are used alone. Nowadays, the use of composite materials is becoming increasingly widespread in various fields such as aerospace, defense industry, automotive, construction, etc., due to their high strength, low density, high heat resistance, and economic advantages. This thesis aims to investigate the effects of combining metal and non-metal materials on strength. The goal is to obtain a lightweight and high-strength material for use in the manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UCAVs) in the defense industry, thereby achieving fuel savings and enabling longer range flights in aircraft. Composite materials were produced by combining aluminum (AL-1050-H18), copper (CuCrZr) sheets, carbon fiber plates, and EPDM rubber materials. Layer stacking was performed in specially prepared molds, and the plates were cut into 300x300 mm dimensions and bonded together with high-temperature silicone DHS adhesive. Bulk specimens were obtained according to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards and subjected to tensile, shear, and impact tests to examine their mechanical properties. Data obtained from the tests were used to create graphs and tables, and the results were compared and interpreted. Keywords: Composite material; EPDM rubber; Defense industry.