Fibers 2015, 3(2), 134-150; doi:10.3390/fib3020134
Improvement by Nanofibers of Load Transfer in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites
1
Normandie Université, F-14032 Caen, France
2
UNICAEN, CIMAP, F-14032 Caen, France
3
ENSICAEN, CIMAP, F-14050 Caen, France
4
CNRS, UMR 6252 CIMAP, F-14032 Caen, France
5
CEA, UMR 6252 CIMAP, F-14032 Caen, France
6
UNICAEN, LMNO, F-14032 Caen, France
7
CNRS, UMR 6139 CIMAP, F-14032 Caen, France
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Academic Editor: Jonathan Phillips
Received: 11 February 2015 / Accepted: 14 April 2015 / Published: 29 April 2015
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Carbon Fibers)
Abstract
This paper focuses on the load transfer improvement caused by nanofibers (NF) in carbon fiber reinforced composites. Load transfer is defined as the ability to transfer the mechanical loading between two adjacent fibers through the surrounding matrix. NF action is explored with a finite element model representing two carbon fibers separated by a layer of a NF reinforced matrix. It appears that the role of the NF network is to strengthen the matrix by increasing matrix shear rigidity, and thus to improve the load transfer between the carbon fibers. NF network morphology, defined by NF orientation, NF spatial distribution or NF diameter, governs the NF network efficiency. View Full-Text
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
Vivet, A.; Leclerc, W.; Doudou, B.B.; Chen, J.; Poilâne, C. Improvement by Nanofibers of Load Transfer in Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites. Fibers 2015, 3, 134-150.