This work deals with the manufacture and mechanical characterization of natural-fiber-reinforced biobased epoxy resins. Biolaminates are attractive to various industries because they are low-density, biodegradable, and lightweight materials. Natural fibers such as Ixtle, Henequen, and Jute were used as reinforcing fabrics for two biobased epoxy resins from Sicomin®. The manufacture of the biolaminates was carried out through the vacuum-assisted resin infusion process. The mechanical characterization revealed the Jute biolaminates present the highest stiffness and strength, whereas the Henequen biolaminates show high strain values. The rigid and semirigid biolaminates obtained in this work could drive new applications targeting industries that require lightweight and low-cost sustainable composites.

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This work describes the technological and scientific efforts on designing, manufacturing and testing validation for high performance-low cost composite structures for Light Sport Aircrafts (LSA). A Mexican initiative to conceive, manufacture and assembly a Light Sport Aircraft has been developed by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Liquid Composite Manufacturing (LCM). These consolidated techniques are used to characterize novel approaches to manufacturing and assembly carbon-fiber based structural components. As large structures are manufactured via Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion (VARI), impregnation strategies are studied to minimize inner flaws and also to improve the manufacturing time and surface quality of each component. The first case of study, to validate this methodology, involves non-structural components such as the cowling. Control surfaces (ailerons, rudder, elevator and flaps) have been manufactured, each of them having common issues but also unique challenges. As an example, a second case of study, the aileron main beam is analyzed. Furthermore, test portfolio will be developed with the goal to perform 1-to-1 scale mechanical tests for validation in compliance with ASTM standards.

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This study analyses the mechanical and crack growth behavior of woven carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CPRF) with embedded ceramic sensors. The material studied here is 3K-70-P carbon fiber plain weave with EPOLAM 2015® epoxy resin. The composite is manufactured with vacuum bagging procedure. Later on, the composite Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (G IC ) is calculated by means of double cantilever beam tests (DCB) for two layout configurations [0/90] and [±45] with and without embedded sensors. Results give an initial approach of the fracture behavior of an instrumented composite facing an interlaminar crack. The interlaminar fracture toughness for the instrumented specimens is lower compared to the noninstrumented coupons. The presence of the sensor and its wire connection has a considerable impact on the damage tolerance of the woven composite, where the sensors surroundings seem to be the more likely region to be affected by an interlaminar fracture. K E Y W O R D S carbon fibers, delamination, fractography, fracture toughness F I G U R E 5 Load-displacement curve for [±45] double cantilever beam coupons [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] Reference With Peak load = 105 N, Peak load = 45 N, With How to cite this article: Torres M, Tellez RA, Hernández H, Camps T. Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon-epoxy coupons with embedded ceramic sensors.