Carbon nanotube – Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites with extended fatigue life. (1st May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boroujeni, Ayoub Yari; Al-Haik, Marwan
• Is Part Of: Composites. Number 164(2019)
• Page Start: 537
• Page End: 545
• Publication Date: 2019-05-01
• Subjects: Composite materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.11.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-8368

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, uniform and patterned multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) forests were grown over carbon fiber fabrics utilizing a relatively non-destructive synthesis technique; graphitic structures by design (GSD). Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy polymer composites (CFRPs) were fabricated based on the carbon fibers with surface grown MWCNTs and examined under monotonic tensile tests. The fabricated composites were also examined under a tension-tension fatigue loading at three stress levels of 85, 90 and 95% of their monotonic strength using a cyclic stress ratio of 0.10 to investigate the effects of the various topologies of the surface grown MWCNTs on the fatigue damage progression and life of the CFRPs. Results revealed that the fatigue life of the CFRPs with patterned growth of MWCNTs exhibited a significant fatigue life improvement of 150%. The fractography analysis elucidated the role of MWCNTs in protecting the fiber yarn against the matrix cracks leading to significant fatigue life improvement.