Journal
COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
Volume 106, Issue -, Pages 65-73Publisher
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2013.05.051
Keywords
Carbon nanotubes; Composite materials; Structural failure; Mode I testing; Mode II testing; Fracture toughness
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Funding
- Bombardier
- Royal Academy of Engineering
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A novel approach for introducing aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a carbon-fibre composite pre-impregnated (prepreg) laminate, to improve the through-thickness fracture toughness, is presented. Carbon nanotube (CNT) 'forests' were grown on a silicon substrate with a thermal oxide layer, using a chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process. The forests were then transferred to a pre-cured laminate interface, using a combination of pressure and heat, while maintaining through-thickness CNT alignment. Standard Mode I and four-point bend end-notched flexure Mode II tests were undertaken on a set of specimens and compared with pristine specimens. Mode I fracture toughness for T700/M21 laminates was improved by an average of 31% while for T700/SE84LV specimens, an improvement of 61% was observed. Only T700/M21 specimens were tested in Mode II which yielded an average fracture toughness improvement of 161%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed good wetting of the CNT forest as well as evidence of penetration of the forest into the adjacent plies. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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