Mechanical and fracture performance of carbon fibre reinforced composites with nanoparticle modified matrices

The microstructure and fracture performance of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with an epoxy resin cured with an anhydride hardener containing silica nanoparticles and/or polysiloxane core-shell rubber (CSR) particles were investigated in the current work. Double cantilever beam tests were performed in order to evaluate the fracture energy of the CFRP composites, while the single edge notched bend (SENB) specimen was employed to evaluate the fracture energy of the bulk polymers. Tests were conducted at room temperature and at -80°C. The transferability of the toughness from the bulk polymers to the fibre-composite systems is discussed, with an emphasis on the toughening mechanisms.