Effect of the characteristics of nylon microparticles on Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon-fibre/epoxy composites

Interleaving a laminated composite with thermoplastic particles is known as an effective method to improve the interlaminar fracture toughness. In this work, to provide useful insight into what particle characteristics are the most critical to the toughening effect, the interlaminar fracture behaviours of carbon fibre/epoxy composites interleaved with different types of nylon 6 and 12 particles were investigated in the same range of particle areal weights. The results showed the particle size affects the toughness only when the particle–matrix interfacial bonding is well established, which is related to the curing temperature relative to the melting temperature of the particle. High interfacial bonding strength allowed the particles to be plastically deformed while bridging the crack, and smaller particles were more effective due to the increased density of particle bridging. It was also found that both the particle size and shape affect thickening of the interlayer, which can cause a knockdown of in-plane laminate properties due to the reduced fibre volume fraction.