Characterization of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites by the nanoindentation technique

The mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced resin composites (CFRP) including the epoxy matrix, the carbon fiber and the interface of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites were investigated by means of nanoindentation technique. The hardness, Young’s modulus of the components in CFRP were obtained. The results show that the hardness and Young’s modulus have a gradient variation from the epoxy matrix to carbon fiber.