Impact properties of carbon fiber/cellulose nanofiber reinforced epoxy composite using asymmetric stacking sequence of non-hydrophobic cellulose nanofiber dispersion layer

Abstract

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are sustainable materials with high specific strengths. To enhance the impact properties of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs), the authors have developed an efficient process for incorporating a non-hydrophobized CNF dispersion layer into CFRPs. In this study, the impact properties of CFRP with asymmetrically stacked CNF dispersion layer was investigated by conducting the instrumented Charpy impact tests. Two types of CNFs were used for comparison. Consequently, by inserting the CNF dispersion layer into the opposite side of the striking surface, the Charpy impact value increased by 26% compared to CFRP without CNF dispersion layer.