Interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fibre composites with electrospun nanofibrous interleaves of polystyrene and cellulose nanocrystals

Abstract Polystyrene nanofibres reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals have been produced by electrospinning. Two different orientations of the were produced, namely aligned and random, these nanofibrous interleaves investigated both as-spun after thermal treatment. Aligned exhibited a 2500% increase in their Young’s modulus compared to randomly orientated materials, while ultimate tensile strength increased up 300%. It is also demonstrated that crazing occurs nanofibres, which thought enhance fracture properties materials. Interleaves then included carbon fibre-reinforced polymer laminate. The toughness laminate was determined under mode I II testing. No increases observed. was, however, found composite (from 1.9 ± 0.3 2.7 0.2 kJ m ?2 ). This be due combination nanofibre bridging formation microcracks resin applied shear load.