A micromechanical study of the fatigue behavior of MWCNT-modified carbon fibers/epoxy resin single filament composites subjected to cyclic loadings

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the impact of surface modification of carbon fibers using multiple-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve the load-transfer capacity of the fiber-matrix interface of an epoxy matrix composite subjected to dynamic loads. The single-fiber fragmentation technique (SFFT) was utilized to characterize the length of interfase damage (IDL) produced by quasi-static and dynamic loadings for linear elastic and plastic strains and the residual efficiency of interfacial stress transfer. A finite element model was used to validate the optical measurement and the extent of interfase damage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) corroborated the presence of the MWCNTs on the surface of the carbon fibers. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) increased by approximately 27.5%, attributed to the carbon nanotubes and a more significant fiber-matrix stress transfer. The application of dynamic loads decreased the mechanical properties of the matrix, premature fragmentation of the carbon fiber, and interfacial damage, which led to a reduction in the interfase load-transfer capacity. However, the incorporation of carbon nanotubes in the interface decreased the adverse effects generated by the application of cyclic loads, mainly the propagation of interfacial damage.