Influence of microfillers addition on the flexural properties of carbon fiber reinforced phenolic composites

Abstract

The effects of microfiller addition on the flexural properties of carbon fiber reinforced phenolic (CFRP) matrix composites were investigated. The CFRP was produced using colloidal silica and silicon carbide (SiC) microfillers, 2 D woven carbon fibers, and two variants of phenolic resole (HRJ-15881 and SP-6877). The resins have the same phenol and solid content but differ in their viscosities and HCHO (formaldehyde) content. The weight fractions of microfillers incorporated into the phenolic matrix are 0.5 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, and 2 wt.%. Flexural properties were determined using a three-point bending test and the damage evolution under flexural loading was investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the reinforcement of phenolic resins with carbon fibers increased the flexural strength of the HRJ-15881 and SP-6877 by 508% and 909%, respectively. The flexural strength of the CFRP composites further increased with the addition of SiC particles up to 1 wt.% SiC but decreased with further increase in the amount of SiC particles. On the other hand, the flexural modulus of the CFRP composites generally decreased with the addition of SiC microfiller. Both the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the CFRP did not improve with the addition of colloidal silica particles. The decrease in flexural properties is caused by the agglomeration of the microfillers, with colloidal silica exhibiting more tendency for agglomeration than SiC. The fractured surfaces revealed fiber breakage, matrix cracking, and delamination under flexural loading. The tendency for failure worsened at microfiller addition of ≥1.5 wt.%.