the 10th International Conference on Textile Composites (TEXCOMP10), Date: 2010/10/26 - 2010/10/28, Location: Lille, France

Publication date: 2010-01-01
Pages: 173 - 180
ISSN: 978-1-60595-026-6
Publisher: DESTECH PUBLICATIONS, INC

Proc. TEXCOMP-10, 10th International Conference on Textile Composites, Recent Advances in Textile Composites

Author:

Gorbatikh, Larissa
De Greef, Niels ; Ding, Y ; Ivanov, Dmitry ; Godara, A ; Mezzo, L ; Lomov, Stepan Vladimirovitch ; Verpoest, Ignace ; Binetruy, C ; Boussu, F

Keywords:

Science & Technology, Technology, Materials Science, Composites, Materials Science, Textiles, Materials Science, MATRIX, EPOXY

Abstract:

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted a lot of interest in recent years as an additional reinforcing component in conventional fiber-reinforced composites. Potential of CNTs in this class of materials is mainly seen in improving their damage resistance. The focus of the present study is to investigate the effect of CNTs (that are introduced in the matrix) on the onset and development of transverse cracking in woven fiber-reinforced composites. Results are presented for carbon fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy composites produced with the resin transfer molding (RTM) and tested under static tensile loading in the fiber direction. The tests are accompanied by acoustic emission registration and full-field strain measurements. Damage patterns are examined with X-ray and SEM. The study concludes that while CNTs do not alter mechanisms of damage development that are typical for composites with woven architectures, they do have a hindering effect on the formation and propagation of microcracks. This observation may be important in research efforts aiming at improving fatigue life of fiber-reinforced composites.