Mechanical performance of nanocalcite (nano-CaCO3 ) particle reinforced carbon fiber/epoxy (KF/EP) composites under different loading conditions

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of nano calcite (nanoCaCO(3) ) particles on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites manufactured by vacuum -infusion process. For this aim, nano calcite (nano-CaCO3 ) particles at different loading ratios (1wt. %, 3wt. % and 5wt. %) were integrated into the epoxy matrix by pre -dispersion method. Then, reference and nano-CaCO3 reinforced CF/EP composites were manufactured by vacuum -infusion method. Short -beam shear, end -notch flexure (ENF) and Charpy impact tests were carried out on the prepared composite test specimens according to relevant ASTM standards. Additionally, the thermomechanical response of the composite specimens was determined via dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The fractured surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the nano calcite particles could improve interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), Mode -II fracture toughness and Charpy impact strength by 17.4%, 34.1% and 10.0%, respectively, compared to the reference CF/EP composites. For these loading conditions, the optimum nano-CaCO3 amounts were determined as 1%, 5% and 3%, respectively. DMA results showed that the nano-CaCO3 particles had no significant effect on the glass transition temperature (T g ) of the composites.