Injection repair of CFRP using a multi-Wall carbon nanotubes-modified epoxy resin: Flexural and compression behavior

Abstract

This study presented the details of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-modified resin injection repair aiming to enhance the mechanical properties, considering the flexural and compression behavior. The resin injection of epoxy resin dispersed with MWCNTs (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 wt.%) as low viscosity resin that delaminated composite structure repair was conducted using a developed vacuum-based resin injection system at 80°C with constant injection pressure. The quasi-static indentation (QSI) method with a circular window was applied to create the barely visible impact damage (BVID) in the laminate specimen and thus obtain the delamination damage with reproducibility. The flexural strength and compression after impact (CAI) test were conducted on repaired carbon fiber reinforced laminates to assess the effect of the dispersion of the MWCNTs in the epoxy resin injection approach compared to neat epoxy resin. The mechanical test results exhibited that the recovery rate was better improved in the case of the modified resin infiltration approach in laminate composites dispersed with nanoparticles. It was attributed to their more enhanced strengthening mechanisms under effective interaction in mixed interface of fiber-matrix-MWCNTs, mainly attributing to bridge connection and stronger interfacial adhesion properties.