Influence of matrix modulus on the mechanical and interfacial properties of carbon fiber filament wound composites

Abstract

The effect of epoxy resin matrix modulus on the mechanical and interfacial properties of T700 carbon fiber and T800 carbon fiber filament wound composites was investigated. Different aromatic amine curing agents were selected to change the modulus of the same kind of resin matrix. The mechanical properties of carbon fiber filament wound composites were characterized through Naval Ordinance Laboratory-ring (NOL) burst tests, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA) were used to characterize the failure surfaces and interfacial properties of the resulting composites. The results showed that, even if carbon fibers were fully impregnated with epoxy resin, the mechanical properties of composites and the mode of interfacial failure were closely related to the modulus of the resin matrix. The resin matrix with a high modulus was found to be an essential prerequisite to excellent mechanical and interfacial properties of the resulting composites.