Interlaminar fracture toughness properties of hybrid glass fiber-reinforced composite interlayered with carbon nanotube using electrospray deposition

Abstract

The electrospray deposition (ESD) method was used to deposit carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto the surface of glass fiber (GF). The morphology of the hybrid CNTs-GF was analyzed using a field emission scanning electron microscope, and the images indicated that the CNTs were uniformly and homogenously deposited onto the GF’s surface. Laminated composite based on GF and hybrid CNTs-GF were then fabricated via vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. The mode I interlaminar fracture toughness was measured using the double cantilever beam test method. The hybrid CNTs-GF showed a 34% increase in fracture toughness relative to the control sample. The mechanism of interlaminar fracture toughness enhancement was elucidated via fractography, where fiber bridging, adhesive and cohesive failures, hackles, and coarse matrix surface were observed along the crack pathways.

Maximizing Interlaminar Fracture Toughness in Bidirectional GFRP through Controlled CNT Heterogeneous Toughening

“…One of the key factors for interlaminar toughening is the selection and design of toughening layers [7][8][9]. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered as ideal fillers for enhancing, toughening, and functionalizing composites, due to their large aspect ratio, high specific surface area, good chemical stability, and excellent mechanical and electrical properties [10][11][12][13][14].…”