CNT-PAN hybrid nanofibrous mat interleaved carbon/epoxy laminates with improved Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness

Interleaving laminated composites with electrospun nanofibrous mats comes out as a promising micro--scale strategy to strengthen interlaminar regions of laminated composites. The aim of this study is to evaluate the synergetic contribution of nano- and micro-scale mechanisms on interlaminar delamination. For this, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun hybrid mats were successfully fabricated and utilized as interleaves within the interlaminar region of carbon/epoxy laminated composites. The Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness values were enhanced up to 77% by introducing CNTPAN nanofibrous interleaves. Specifically, the nano-scale toughening mechanisms such as CNTs bridging, CNTs pull-out, and sword-sheath increased the Mode I fracture toughness by 45% with respect to neat PAN nanofibrous interleaves. The related micro- and nano-scale toughening mechanisms were evaluated based on the fracture surface analysis. Atomic force microscopy was also utilized to quantify the magnitude of surface roughness changes on the interlaminar region with respect to multi-scale interleaving reinforcement and correlate surface roughness changes due to crack deflection to increased fracture toughness.