Multiscale carbon fibre–reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites containing carbon nanotubes with tailored interfaces

• Published in: Fatigue & fracture of engineering materials & structures 2019-07, Vol.42 (7), p.1521-1533
• Main Authors: Santos, Raquel M., Vale, Diogo, Rocha, Jéssica, Martins, Carla I., Mould, Sacha T., Rocha, Nuno
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cantilever beams; Carbon; Carbon fiber reinforced plastics; Carbon nanotubes; Composites; Cycloaddition; Formulations; Fracture toughness; Multi wall carbon nanotubes; Multifunctionality; Organic chemistry; Percolation threshold; Polymer matrix composites; Science & Technology; Tensile properties
• ISSN: 8756-758X; 1460-2695
• DOI: 10.1111/ffe.13006

Pristine and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with tailored interfaces were efficiently dispersed in an epoxy matrix using a three-roll mill and further reinforced with carbon fibres. 1.3-Dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides was used for the chemical modification of MWCNTs by a solvent-free approach. The influence of different loadings and types of MWCNTs on the final properties of the epoxy matrix was studied. Moreover, the most promising formulations were selected for manufacturing of prepreg sheets. The transversal tensile properties and the interlaminar fracture toughness under mode I loading (G ) of multiscale carbon fibre–reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites were characterized. The results point out that it is not straightforward to transfer the remarkable intrinsic properties of MWCNTs to the composite level, although an overall positive trend was found. Double cantilever beam experiments showed that G of CFRP composites was improved 44% at ultralow content of functionalized MWCNTs (0.043 wt%). IC IC H2020 - Horizon 2020 Framework Programme(685844)The authors would like to acknowledge funding from project MODCOMP, Modified cost effective fibre based structures with improved multifunctionality and SANTOS ET AL. 11 performance (Project ID: 685844), financed and supported by European Union, and project PTDC/CTM‐POL/4607/2014 “Nano‐MFC High performance multifunctional composite materials based on self‐assembly approaches” by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) cofinanced by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (NORTE2020), through Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER). The authors also thank Raul D. F. Moreira, Filipe G. A. Silva, and Bruno A. Sousa for the experimental help on the GIC analysis.