Improvement in Impact Energy Absorption of UD-CFRP by Sub-Micron Glass Fiber into Its Matrix

CFRPs have high strength despite low density, but little impact resistance. In addition, the debonding of the interface between reinforcement fiber and matrix causes one of the fractures of FRPs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the interfacial bonding characteristics between the reinforcement fiber and matrix of FRPs, not only under static loading but also under dynamic loading. Moreover, an effective method to improve the impact resistance of FRPs from the viewpoint of interfacial bonding characteristics was proposed. First, two types of UD-FRPs in which the reinforcement fiber was glass fiber or carbon fiber, were prepared to investigate the energy absorption under a bending load. A bending load was applied to the specimen statically and dynamically to measure the energy absorption until failure. The interfacial bonding characteristics between the reinforcement fiber and matrix were measured using a fragmentation method with a single fiber-embedded specimen. A dynamic tensile load was applied to the specimen using a tensile-type split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Test results showed that the energy absorption of UD-CFRP decreased with an increase in strain rate, whereas that of UD-GFRP increased with an increase in strain rate. When the epoxy resin was modified by adding sub-micron glass fiber, both the interfacial shear strength between the carbon fiber and matrix, and the energy absorption of UD-CFRP improved.