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Due to the intrinsic brittleness, low velocity impact (LVI) causes internal invisible damages that drastically degrade the structural qualities of carbon/epoxy composites. The addition of pre-formed immiscible thermoplastic filler in thermoset matrix offers various advantages over miscible phase separated thermoplastic filler. In this work, poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) micro particles were used to improve the toughness of the carbon/epoxy composite. Mechanical stirring was used to disperse the particles. Composite was fabricated using hand lay-up process followed by compression molding. The effect of PEEK particles was assessed using in-plane v-notched rail shear characteristics, drop weight impact, and compression after impact strength. The addition of PEEK particles significantly improved the in-plane shear strength and damage tolerance of the carbon/epoxy composite, according to the results.

The inherently brittle nature and the susceptibility to impact damage hinder the use of carbon/epoxy composite in some areas. In this study, poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) microparticles were incorporated to increase the resistance to delamination and interlaminar fracture toughness. A hand lay-up technique followed by compression molding was used to fabricate composite. The influence of PEEK particles was evaluated by tensile, flexural, short beam shear (SBS), compression, and Charpy impact test. The Barcol hardness, density, fiber volume fraction, and void content were also determined. According to the result, a maximum improvement in the tensile and flexural strength was observed for 2% incorporation of PEEK particles. However, there is downturn found in the flexural modulus. Moreover, a notable increment in the matrix-dominated properties (short beam shear, compression, and Charpy impact strength) was found with the addition of the PEEK particles.

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