Effect of new epoxy matrix for T800 carbon fiber/epoxy filament wound composites

A new epoxy resin matrix with good adherence to T800 carbon fibers (T800 CFs) in filament winding was developed by addition of hardener and resin diluter. Interfacial behavior of the T800 CF/epoxy composites was analyzed according to the Naval Ordnance laboratory (NOL) ring test, short-beam-shear test and fracture surface observation. Meanwhile, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used in analysis of the interfacial behavior. The interfacial properties of the T800 CF/epoxy filament wound composites were improved by optimizing the matrices through increasing the toughness and reducing the viscosity, which is an important factor in influencing the wettability of T800 CFs. The Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the unidirectional T800 CF/epoxy composites and the tensile strength of NOL-ring in this work reached to 123 and 2570 MPa, respectively. Also, the interfacial adhesion was much improved by the chemical reactions between the new matrix and the sizing on the T800 CFs.