Influence of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube on Interfacial Fatigue Performance of Glass Epoxy Polyvinyl Chloride Core Sandwich Composites

Abstract

Fatigue performances of glass epoxy PVC core sandwich composites with and without multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) are investigated through modified DCB specimen subjected to tension-tension cyclic load under different frequencies (1Hz, 2 Hz and 3 Hz) and several loading ratio (0.1 and 0.25). Results demonstrate increase in static fracture load values as well as significant retardation in crack initiation and propagation in samples with MWCNT over those of the conventional samples under predominantly mode I cyclic load tested at or below 75% of static fracture loads of conventional samples. Sandwich samples were prepared with MWCNT dispersed resin system through sonication and vacuum resin infusion (VRI) technology. The results are supported by high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) analysis and fracture micrograph of field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) investigation.