Low-velocity impact behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy multiscale hybrid nanocomposites reinforced with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and boron nitride nanoplates

In this article, the mechanical properties and dynamic response of hybrid filler-modified epoxy/carbon fiber multiscale composites were investigated. The hybrid fillers composed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and boron nitride nanoplates were dispersed in epoxy resin and used as matrix material. The multiscale hybrid laminated composites were stacked symmetrically consisting of 10 plies of woven carbon fibers and fabricated by vacuum infusion technique. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were investigated by tensile tests. Impact response and energy absorption capacity were investigated by using weight drop test method and the tests were performed according to ASTM-D-7136 standard with impact energies of 5, 10, and 15 J. The impact force and displacement versus interaction time were measured. The impulsive force, energy absorption capability, and damage formation were also investigated. It is observed that when the resin is modified by nanoparticles, both strength and the % strain at fracture increase considerably. However, it is shown in the subject manuscript that the enhancement of mechanical has not fully transferred to dynamic response and energy absorption capacities of nanocomposites.