Study on Properties of Interlayer Short Fiber Reinforced Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composite Laminates

Abstract

In order to improve the interlaminar delamination resistance of the carbon-fiber/epoxy composite laminates, short fibers were applied between layers. The effects of length, density, type of short fiber on mode I fracture toughness(GIC) and mode II fracture toughness (GIIC) were investigated by three-factor and four-level orthogonal test combined with range analysis and scanning electron microscope observation. Finally, parameter optimization and test verification. The results show that the order of factors influencing GIC and GIIC within the selected parameters are: fiber type, fiber density and fiber length. When Kevlar fibers with a length of 11mm and a density of 20g•m-2 were laid between layers, the GIC was 451.4J•m-2, which was 82.2% higher than that of the specimens without short fibers in the layers. Kevlar fibers with a length of 11 mm and a density of 5g•m-2 were layered with a GIIC of 2034.3 J•m-2, which was increased by 240.5% compared with the specimens without short fibers in the interlayer.