Mechanical properties of carbon fiber/fullerene-dispersed epoxy composites

This study examined the effect of fullerene dispersion on the mechanical properties of carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites (CFRPs). Mechanical properties such as tension, compression, open-hole compression, comparession after impact (CAI), binding, short beam shear, and interlaminar fracture toughness were evaluated for [0](8), [90](16), [45/0/-45/90](2S) laminates. Tension and compression strengths increased 2-12% by dispersing 0.5% of fullerene into the matrix resin. Furthermore, interlaminar fracture toughness of the composite was improved by about 60%. It was revealed that a small amount of fullerene (0.1-1 wt.%) increased the failure strain of epoxy resin itself, thereby improving the CFRP strength. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.