Ultra-high three-point bending fatigue performance of nano-silica-reinforced CFRP

The effect of silica nano-particles on the three-point bending fatigue characteristics of plain weave carbon fiber composites (CFRP) was analyzed in the VHCF regime. The addition of silica had a significant effect on the fatigue life of CFRP, which extended the life by multiples. Rigid nano-particles enhanced the connection strength between polymer and carbon fiber, and had a passivating and even blocking effect on the growth of fatigue cracks. The fatigue damage morphologies of nano-particles modified CFRP were closely related to the stress magnitude. The stiffness degradation changed with the evolution of damage morphologies, showing a staged change characteristics.

Automated summary

The addition of silica nano-particles significantly extended the fatigue life of CFRP by enhancing the connection strength between polymer and carbon fiber, and by passivating and even blocking the growth of fatigue cracks. The fatigue damage morphologies of the nano-particles modified CFRP were closely related to stress magnitude, and stiffness degradation exhibited staged change characteristics with the evolution of damage morphologies.