Print Email Facebook Twitter On the interlayer toughening of carbon fibre/epoxy composites using surface-activated ultra-thin PEEK films Title On the interlayer toughening of carbon fibre/epoxy composites using surface-activated ultra-thin PEEK films Author Quan, D. (TU Delft Structural Integrity & Composites; Shandong University) Wang, Guilong (Shandong University) Zhao, Guoqun (Shandong University) Alderliesten, R.C. (TU Delft Structural Integrity & Composites) Date 2023 Abstract The exceptional mechanical properties of Polyether-ether-ketone(PEEK) polymers make them ideal candidates for interlayer toughening of carbon fibre/epoxy composites. Herein, ultra-thin PEEK films with a thickness of 8μm, 18μm and 25μm were used for interlayer toughening of an aerospace-grade carbon fibre/epoxy composite. The mode-I and mode-II fracture behaviour of the interleaved laminates were investigated, with the fracture mechanisms being investigated. The surfaces of the PEEK films were treated by a UV-irradiation technique to enhance their intrinsically low surface activities. This significantly increased the adhesion at the interface between the PEEK interlayers and the composite matrix. A topography analysis on the fracture surfaces revealed extensive damage of the PEEK interlayers during the fracture process of the laminates. Owing to the exceptional properties of the PEEK films, significant enhancements in the mode-I and mode-II fracture properties of the laminates were obtained, i.e. the mode-I and mode-II fracture energies were significantly increased by 227% and 441%, respectively. Overall, the UV-treated PEEK films proved superior effectivenesses for laminate toughening when compared to the other state-of-the-art interlayer materials. Subject Fracture toughnessInterlayer tougheningPolymer-matrix composites (PMCs)Ultra-thin films To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c5440135-3b33-4507-a6c9-e9c8f253cbae DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2022.116309 Embargo date 2023-10-19 ISSN 0263-8223 Source Composite Structures, 303 Bibliographical note Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public. Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights © 2023 D. Quan, Guilong Wang, Guoqun Zhao, R.C. Alderliesten Files PDF 1_s2.0_S0263822322010418_main.pdf 4.42 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:c5440135-3b33-4507-a6c9-e9c8f253cbae/datastream/OBJ/view