Effect of microfibrillated cellulose on mechanical properties of plain-woven CFRP reinforced epoxy

This investigation concerns about study the effect of natural fiber on high performance composite. Effect of addition microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) as natural fiber to plain woven carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CF) reinforced epoxy on mechanical and thermal properties has been investigated. CF/epoxy composites with addition 0.5, 1 and 2 wt.% of MFC were characterized by different techniques, namely tensile, DMA, fracture toughness (mode I) test and SEM. The results reveal that at 2 wt.% of MFC, initiation and propagation interlaminar fracture toughness in mode I improved significantly by 80% and 44% respectively. Although there is slight tendency to increase tensile strength and Young's modulus with addition MFC up to 2%, it is still not significant with those low contents of MFC. With addition 2 wt.% MFC, the glass transition temperature increased by about 12 C compared to neat CF/epoxy composite indicating better heat resistance with addition of MFC. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.