Role of matrix modification on interlaminar shear strength of hybrid resole based carbon fiber/graphene nanocomposites

Interlaminar shear properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites are important in many structural applications. Matrix modification is an effective way to improve the composite interlaminar shear properties. In this work, nano graphene is employed to modify the resole type phenolic resin matrix. Unmodified and modified resole resins are used for fabricating carbon fiber reinforced composites by a hot-press process. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the hybrid phenolic resin/carbon fiber/graphene nanocomposites is investigated and the results indicate that introduction of graphene obviously enhances the ILSS. In particular, the addition of 1 wt% graphene leads to the 23.02% increase in the ILSS for the carbon fiber reinforced composite. The fracture surface photographes of the fiber reinforced composites is showed that type of failure occurred was interlaminar shear and graphene inclusion could increase after failure force in which shear delamination is occurred.

Keywords:

Nanographene , phenolic Resin , Carbon Fiber , Progressive Failure , Interlaminar shear