Effect of Impact Modifiers on Strength and Fracture Toughness of CFRPs

The aim of this work is to study the effect of core-shell rubbers on the mechanical properties of CFRPs.For the preparation of composites, two types of resins were used, a three-component Araldite resin (resin-hardener-accelerator system in proportions of 100-90-0,5 by weight respectively), and MX 156, which contains 25 % core-shell elastomers and 75 % Araldite resin. Depending on the mechanical test, two types of carbon fibre fabrics (UD C415, G0926) are used with corresponding number of layers. The composites were prepared by vacuum infusion and cut to the appropriate dimensions by water-cutting. They were tested for mechanical performance, by bending, shearing, tensile, impact and fracture toughness tests, to compare the properties of CSR-containing composites and reference CFRPs. Fracture analysis of specimens was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results exhibited a 50% increase in impact strength while the energy absorbed during the fracture toughness test was 4 times greater on specimens with CSR than reference.