Particle erosion on carbon nanofiber paper coated carbon fiber/epoxy composites

Carbon fiber (CF) woven fabric (52% by weight) reinforced epoxy composite and carbon nanofiber (CNF, 12% by weight) paper coated on the surface of the CF/epoxy composite were fabricated by resin transfer molding (RTM). The surface erosion characteristics of molded CF composites were investigated by sand erosion test using silica particles with a size around 150 μm as the erodent. The eroded surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and weight loss. The CNF paper was able to provide a much stronger erosion resistance compared to the CF reinforced epoxy composites, which is attributed to the high strength of CNFs and their nanoscale structure. Finite element (FE) computer simulations were used to qualitative interpret the underlying mechanisms.