The thickness effect of psf nanofibrous mat on fracture toughness of carbon/epoxy laminates

Journal article (2021)

Authors

Hamed Saghafi Saghafi Tafresh University, Amirkabir University of Technology
Ali Nikbakht Nikbakht Amirkabir University of Technology
Reza Mohammadi Amirkabir University of Technology
D. Zarouchas Structural Integrity & Composites - Aerospace Engineering
Research Group
Structural Integrity & Composites (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 Hamed Saghafi, Ali Nikbakht, Reza Mohammadi, D. Zarouchas
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14133469
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Aerospace Structures & Materials

Research Group

Structural Integrity & Composites

Abstract

The geometrical features of nanofibers, such as nanomat thickness and the diameter of nanofibers, have a significant influence on the toughening behavior of composite laminates. In this study, carbon/epoxy laminates were interleaved with polysulfone (PSF) nanofibrous mats and the effect of the PSF nanomat thickness on the fracture toughness was considered for the first time. For this goal, the nanofibers were first produced by the electrospinning method. Then, double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens were manufactured, and mode-I fracture tests were conducted. The results showed that enhancing the mat thickness could increase the fracture toughness considerably (to about 87% with the maximum thickness). The toughening mechanism was also considered by presenting a schematic picture. Micrographs were taken using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).