Interlaminar Fracture of CF/EP Composites Modified with Nano-Silica
Fracture toughness and other mechanical properties of epoxies modified with nano-slica particles were measured to elaborate effects of nano-additives on fracture behaviour of the modified epoxies. Interlaminar fracture behaviours of the nano-silica modified CF/EP composites were subsequently investigated by conducting Mode-I and Mode-II interlaminar fracture toughness tests as well as transverse tension tests. It was found that the fracture toughness of the nano-silica modified epoxies and the interlaminar fracture toughness of nano-silica modified CF/EP composites have been increased significantly (>50%), while the strength and modulus of the materials remain unchanged or slightly higher. In particular, the nano-silica modified epoxies showed only very little reduction in the glass transition temperature (Tg).