Multi-scale interlaminar fracture mechanisms in woven composite laminates reinforced with aligned carbon nanotubes

Aligned nanoscale fibers have been shown to provide inter and intralaminar reinforcement of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. In one hierarchical architecture, aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on advanced microfibers in a woven ply creates a ‘fuzzy fiber’ reinforced plastic (FFRP) laminate. Here, the mechanisms of Mode I fracture toughness enhancement for such laminates are elucidated experimentally by varying the type of epoxy and...