A point of major concern in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites is the interface between the carbon fibers (CFs) and the polymer matrix, which acts as the weakest link. Researchers have tried to work around this drawback by modifying the fiber or the matrix via the addition of nanofillers or using chemical treatment methods. In this review, the progress made in the last decade for enhancing the mechanical performance of CFRP composites by applying the aforementioned methods has been covered. Another aspect of CFRP composites that has limited their adaptability is their susceptibility both at sub-zero and at elevated temperatures. In the later part of this review, the co-relation between different service temperatures and the various mechanical properties of CFRP composites and has been elaborated upon. A better understanding of temperature dependent mechanical response would empower us to tailor the properties of CFRP composites depending on the in-service temperature conditions.

Two methods of enhancing the mechanical performance of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites, namely the formation of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of two thermoset polymers (epoxy and vinyl ester) and the addition of nanofillers (nano Al2O3) have been implemented simultaneously. The content of nano Al2O3 (0.1, 0.4, and 0.7 wt% of the polymer matrix) in the glass fiber reinforced epoxy‐vinyl ester IPN (GEVIPN) composite significantly affected its mechanical performance. Incorporation of 0.1 wt% nano Al2O3 in GEVIPN composite exhibited 17.69% and 27.64% improvement in flexural strength and toughness, respectively. Additionally, when the composites were subjected to elevated temperature testing, their mechanical performance was drastically affected. However, the test results revealed that nano Al2O3/GEVIPN composites possessed significantly improved mechanical degradation resistance at elevated temperatures. This new composite material could be utilized as structural materials in the civil, automotive, and marine industries. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis was performed to assess the composites' thermomechanical behavior. Fractography analysis of tested samples revealed the underlying phenomena, which dictate the mechanical performance at each testing temperature. A constitutive deformation model assessed the reliability of this new material at ambient and elevated test temperatures.

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) for decorating carbon fibers (CFs) was established to augment the interface of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites and thereby their mechanical performance. In the current work, graphene carboxyl (G‐COOH) was grafted on to CF surface via EPD technique at three different deposition times, that is, 30, 45, and 60 min. The laminates obtained from these modified CFs were subjected to short beam shear (SBS) tests at room temperature (RT) and different elevated temperatures, that is, 70, 100, and 120°C. The effect of deposition time on mechanical behavior at various temperatures was evaluated. Modified composites showed a maximum improvement of ∼25%, ∼16%, and ∼13% in interlaminar shear stress (ILSS) values over neat composite at RT, 70, and 120°C, respectively. However, interestingly 100°C modified composites showed inferior shear behavior in comparison with neat composite. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the tested samples to find out the dominant mode of failure.

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