Enhancement of Crack Resistance of Phthalonitrile-Based Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics by Introducing Polyamide Nonwoven Materials

The effect of introduction of polyamide nonwoven materials on the thermal and mechanical properties of polymer composite materials based on phthalonitriles and a carbon fabric is studied. It is shown that the addition of 3 wt % of polyamide nonwoven material causes a 44% increase in the specific work of delamination. At room temperature elastic mechanical characteristics, such as compressive strength and compressive modulus, for the composite modified with the nonwoven material increase by 12 and 100%, respectively. According to dynamic mechanical analysis, upon reaching 169°C the melting of polyamide occurs; however, there remains the possibility to use the composites above this temperature, as confirmed by mechanical tests performed at 200°C.