Enhancement of shear mechanical properties of woven E-glass/epoxy composites using carbon nanofibers

In the present research, effects of adding carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the shear properties of woven E-glass/epoxy composites, including shear modulus and shear strength, have been investigated. Shear tests haves been performed based on ASTM D3518 standard and shear specimens were made of 16 layers of glass woven fabrics in ±45 degree direction, with a fiber volume fraction of 42%. A 0.25 wt.% CNF/epoxy blend was used as the matrix of woven E-glass/epoxy composites. The effect of adding 0.25 wt.% CNFs on the specimen has been assessed by comparing the shear elastic modulus and shear strength of reinforced and unreinforced composite specimens. Experimental results show that by adding 0.25 wt.% CNFs in the specimens both shear modulus and shear strength improved up to 7.4 % and 5.60 %, respectively. Finally, by implementing a micromechanical approach, the shear modulus of woven E-glass/CNFs/epoxy hybrid composites has been predicted. A comparison between predicted and experimental results shows the capability of the micromechanical model.

Keywords:

Woven Composites , Carbon Nanofibers , Epoxy , Shear Modulus , Shear Strength