Abstract
Epoxy multi-scale composites were produced using woven carbon fibre (CF) fabric coated with an aqueous dispersion of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in an epoxy binder. The reinforcement of the CF-epoxy interface increased inter-laminar fracture toughness (ILFT) in mode I by 234 ± 13% and in mode II by 106 ± 2%. These increases were attributed to both the binder, which alone (cured without MWCNT) increased ILFT by 87 ± 8% for mode I and 40 ± 10% for mode II, and to MWCNT pull-out and fracture. The uncured binder caused plasticisation of the matrix, which was addressed somewhat by crosslinking of the binder and further by the addition of MWCNTs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 109-119 |
Journal | Composites. Part B: Engineering |
Volume | 165 |
Early online date | 26 Nov 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 May 2019 |
Keywords
- Carbon fibres
- Carbon nanotubes
- Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
- Delamination
- Fracture toughness