Advanced Composites with Multi-Functionality Enhanced by Nanoparticles

Abstract

Continuous fibre (carbon or glass) composite laminates with an epoxy matrix modified by nanoparticles (nanosilica of 25 nm or nanocarbon of 35 nm) were fabricated using a vacuum assisted resin infusion technique, aided by hot pressing, that produces high performance composites of a fibre fraction over 60 vol%. The presence of nanoparticles enhances fibre-matrix adhesion, the transverse tensile strength, the unidirectional compression strength, and mode I interlaminar fracture toughness. In particular, the GF/EP composites with the conductive nanoparticles allow the in-situ monitoring of damage (e.g. delamination) growth and impact damage assessment using a novel method of electrical resistivity tomography.