Effect of electrospun fibers on the interlaminar properties of woven composites

Ajit D. Kelkar, Ram Mohan, Ronnie Bolick, Sachin Shendokar

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Failure by delamination of composite laminates due to low velocity impact damages is critical because of the subsurface nature of delamination. Traditional methods such as stitching and Z-pinning, while improving interlaminar properties in woven composites, lead to a reduction of the in-plane properties. To alleviate these problems, use of Tetra Ethyl Orthosilicate (TEOS) nano fibers manufactured using electrospinning technique in fiber Glass-Epon composite laminates is investigated for their potential to improve the interlaminar properties. Electrospun coated fiber glass woven mats are impregnated with epoxy resin using Heated-Vaccum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (H-VARTM) process. The interlaminar properties of the nano engineered hybrid composites obtained using ASTM Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests and short beam shear tests are compared with those without the presence of electrospun fiber layers, to study their influence. The short beam shear tests revealed a 20% improvement due to presence of TEOS interlaminar electrospun nanofibers. It is also noteworthy that fibers cured at different temperature levels had variation in performance as observed in MSBS test results.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMulti-functional Materials and Structures - International Conference on Multifunctional Materials and Structures
PublisherTrans Tech Publications
Pages1031-1034
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)0878493786, 9780878493784
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
EventMulti-functional Materials and Structures - International Conference on Multifunctional Materials and Structures - Hong Kong, P.R., China
Duration: Jul 28 2008Jul 31 2008

Publication series

NameAdvanced Materials Research
Volume47-50 PART 2
ISSN (Print)1022-6680

Conference

ConferenceMulti-functional Materials and Structures - International Conference on Multifunctional Materials and Structures
Country/TerritoryChina
CityHong Kong, P.R.
Period07/28/0807/31/08

Keywords

  • DCB
  • Electrospinning
  • Interlaminar properties
  • Short beam shear
  • VARTM

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