Hybrid Modification of Epoxy Resin with Micro-Fibrillated Cellulose and Rubber Nanoparticle: Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Carbon Plain-Weave Reinforced Composites

The paper presents the effect of hybrid modification of epoxy resin with micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) and nitrile-butadiene rubber nanoparticles (NBR) on the mechanical properties of carbon plain weave textile composites. Twelve different combinations of MFC and rubber nanoparticles were tested. Their influences on the quasi-static mechanical properties of the composites were measured performing tensile and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations were also conducted to identify the difference in failure modes at fibers level. The experimental results revealed that ILSS increased more than 32% for 0.1% MFC and 3% NBR, while the tensile strength increased 10% for 0.3% MFC and 3% NBR. On the other hand, the Young’s modulus can be considered unaffected. The SEM images showed that the matrix deformability became evident with increasing the MFC and NBR contents. It can be related to the fillers capacity to enhance the adhesion between fiber and matrix and the matrix ductility. These results allowed the selection of some hybrid modifications of the epoxy resin to preliminary investigate the tensile-tensile cyclic response of the carbon plain weave textile composites.