4.8 Article

Self-interlocked MXene/polyvinyl alcohol aerogel network to enhance interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fibre/epoxy composites

Journal

CARBON
Volume 201, Issue -, Pages 60-70

Publisher

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbon.2022.08.081

Keywords

Carbon fibres; Hybrid composites; Interlaminar fracture toughness; Cohesive failure; Synergism

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In this work, the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites has been enhanced by the self-interlocked network arisen from Ti3C2Tx/polyvinyl alcohol aerogel. The results show that the surface-modified MXene effectively improved the mechanical properties of the aerogels. The enhanced fracture toughness can be attributed to cohesive failure at the interface facilitated by stitching-like effect of the aerogel, deflection and twisting of the main crack, and the generation of numerous microcracks.
Interlaminar delamination is the most prevalent failure mode for carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CF/EP) composites, which limits its applications. In this work, the interlaminar fracture toughness of CF/EP composites has been enhanced by the self-interlocked network arisen from Ti3C2Tx/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) aerogel (TPA). The failure mode and toughening mechanism of interlocked TPA/CF/EP laminates has been explored from crack path behaviour and fracture morphology. The results show that the surface-modified MXene effectively improved the mechanical properties of TPA aerogels. The optimized loading of Ti3C2TX (7.69 wt%) and TPA areal density (27 g/mm(2)) can significantly enhance the G(IC Init), G(IC Prop) and G(IIC) by 76%, 40% and 32%, respectively, without appreciably reducing the in-plane mechanical properties. The enhanced fracture toughness can be ascribed to cohesive failure at the interface facilitated by stitching-like effect of TPA, deflection and twisting of the main crack, the generation of numerous microcracks and pull-out of TPA skeleton and Ti3C2Tx, etc. Compared with the traditional interleave toughening, interlocked TPA not only achieves a comprehensive balanced mechanical enhancement of CF/EP laminates, but also avoids the toxicity of organic solvents.

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