Compression-after-impact (CAI) performance of epoxycarbon fibre-reinforced nanocomposites using nanosilica and rubber particle enhancement.

Nikfar, B.; Njuguna, J.

Abstract

One of the problems in the design of automotive structures and body parts made by fibre reinforced composites is that these materials are susceptible to a small energy impact caused by for instance, accidental tool drop during maintenance or stone strike while in operation. This often lead to a barely visible impact damage which causes reduction in compressive strength of the composite part. To increase the impact tolerance of the composites, toughening agents like silica nanoparticles and rubber particles can be utilized to toughen the resin. To understand the effect of the particles enhancement, the impact tolerance was evaluated utilizing Compression After Impact (CAI) test after the impact induced by gas-gun impacting equipment. The results from CAI test after 20 J impact (high energy stone strike) shows about 30% improvement in residual compressive strength for the nanosilica enhanced composite compared to unmodified CFRP. Also C-scan results after 7 J impact shows about 50% smaller delamination area for the nano-enhanced composite.

Citation

NIKFAR, B. and NJUGUNA, J. 2014. Compression-after-impact (CAI) performance of epoxycarbon fibre-reinforced nanocomposites using nanosilica and rubber particle enhancement. IOP conference series: materials science and engineering [online], 64(1), Article 012009. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/64/1/012009

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 4, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Aug 22, 2014
• Publication Date: Dec 31, 2014
• Deposit Date: Dec 16, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 16, 2014
• Journal: IOP conference series: materials science and engineering
• Print ISSN: 1757-8981
• Electronic ISSN: 1757-899X
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 64
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 012009
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/64/1/012009
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1102
• Contract Date: Dec 16, 2014