Abstract
In this work, a new type of carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite, based on a multiphase epoxy based matrix has been prepared and characterized with respect to the mechanical properties and fracture behavior. Structuring the matrix at micro-scale using a deformable and crystallizable thermoplastic phase is believed to modify the stress distribution and hence damage behavior of the matrix as well as the resulting CFRP composite. In the present study, reaction induced phase separating (RIPS) Polyoxymethylene (POM) micro-phases, were found to be able to improve the fracture properties of the neat epoxy matrix as well as the resulting epoxy based carbon fibre reinforced (CFRP) composites. Microstructural analysis of the fracture surfaces of the two phase matrix systems revealed that the phase separated POM micro-particles are able to significantly deform during the crack growth, hence improving the fracture toughness of the matrix system. As it is shown in this study, as a result of RIPS, POM micro-particles can homogeneously be formed in between fibres. This is believed to improve the tensile properties of the resulting modified CFRP in terms of tensile strength and ultimate strain, by affecting matrix dominant failure mechanisms.
| Original language | English |
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| Pages | 500 |
| Number of pages | 505 |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Jul 2013 |
| Event | 19th International Conference on Composite Materials, ICCM 2013 - Montreal, Canada Duration: 28 Jul 2013 → 02 Aug 2013 |
Conference
| Conference | 19th International Conference on Composite Materials, ICCM 2013 |
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| Country/Territory | Canada |
| City | Montreal |
| Period | 28/07/2013 → 02/08/2013 |
Keywords
- Carbon fibre reinforced composites
- fracture toughness
- Reaction induced phase separation