Abstract
The interlaminar toughening of a carbon-fibre reinforced composite by incorporation of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes was explored in this work. The electrospinning process of low and high molecular weight PVDF was optimised to form nanofibres free of defects with diameters averaging several hundred nanometres. The nanofibres were electrospun directly onto commercial pre-impregnated carbon fibre materials and under these optimised conditions, PVDF primarily crystallised in its β phase polymorphic form but significant variations were observed between samples. There is strong evidence from DMTA analysis to suggest that a partial miscibility between the amorphous phases of the PVDF nanofibres and the epoxy exists. The improved plastic deformation at the crack tip after inclusion of the nanofibres was directly translated to a 57% increase in the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (in-plane shear failure). Conversely, the fracture toughness in mode I (opening failure) was slightly lower than the reference by approximately 20%, and the results were interpreted from the complex micromechanisms of failure arising from the changes in polymorphism and molecular weight of the PVDF.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
