Effect of Nanosized Filler on Matrix Dominated Properties of Fiber Reinforced Epoxy

In this study, a high-intensity ultrasonic liquid processor was used to obtain a homogeneous molecular mixture of epoxy resin and carbon nano fiber. The carbon nano fibers were infused into the part A of SC-15 (diglycidylether of Bisphenol A) through sonic cavitations and then mixed with part B of SC-15 (cycloaliphatic amine hardener) using a high-speed mechanical agitator. The trapped air and reaction volatiles were removed from the mixture using high vacuum. Nanophased epoxy with 2 wt.% CNF was then utilized in a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) set up with carbon fabric to fabricate laminated composites. The effectiveness of CNF addition on matrix dominated properties of composites has been evaluated by compression, open hole compression and inter-laminar shear. The compression strength, open hole compression strength and ILS were improved by 21%, 23% and 15%, respectively as compared to the neat composite.