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Mixed Modes Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of CFRP Laminates Toughened with CNF Interlayer

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Abstract

In the present paper, the influence of carbon nanofiber on interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRP investigated using MMB(Mixed Mode Bending) tests. Vapor grown carbon fiber VGCF and VGCF-S, and multi-walled carbon nanotube MWNT-7 has been employed for the toughener of the interlayer on the CFRP laminates. In order to evaluate the fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio ofit, double cantilever beam (DCB) tests, end notched fracture (ENF) tests and mixed mode bending (MMB) tests have been carried out. Boundary element analysis was applied to the CFRP model to compute the interlaminar fracture toughness, where extrapolation method was used to determine the fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio. The interlaminar fracture toughness and mixed mode ratio can be extrapolated by stress distribution in the vicinity of the crack tip of the CFRP laminate. It was found that the interlaminar fracture toughness of the CFRP laminates was improved inserting the interlayer made by carbon nanofiber especially in the region where shear mode deformation is dominant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shinshu University, 4-17-1, Wakasato, Nagano-shi, Nagano, 380-8553, Japan

    Masahiro Arai, Tatsuya Sasaki, Satoshi Hirota & Hiroaki Ito

  2. Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoi-cho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 263-8522, Japan

    Ning Hu

  3. University of Padova, Stradella San Nicola 3, 36100, Vicenza, Italy

    Marino Quaresimin

Authors
  1. Masahiro Arai
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  2. Tatsuya Sasaki
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  3. Satoshi Hirota
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  4. Hiroaki Ito
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  5. Ning Hu
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  6. Marino Quaresimin
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Correspondence to Masahiro Arai.

Additional information

This research was supported by the Program for Fostering Regional Innovation in Nagano, granted by MEXT, Japan.

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Arai, M., Sasaki, T., Hirota, S. et al. Mixed Modes Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of CFRP Laminates Toughened with CNF Interlayer. Acta Mech. Solida Sin. 25, 321–330 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0894-9166(12)60029-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0894-9166(12)60029-9

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