EXPERIMENTAL OPTIMIZATION OF ABS CONTENT IN PC FOR ENHANCED SYNERGISM EFFECT OF PC/ABS BLEND IN CFRP COMPOSITES WITH ENHANCED FRACTURE TOUGHNESS

Abstract

Thermoplastic modification of Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA epoxy resin) is commonly performed for achieving enhanced fracture toughness and increased interlaminar strength in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The thermoplastic content required for modification of epoxy usually lies in the range of 15-20 weight percentage (wt.%), making it difficult to be used with hand lay-up and resin infusion techniques. In this study, the synergism effect achieved with the presence of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) blend modified DGEBA is reported for lower wt% of thermoplastic content (1.5wt%). The concentration of ABS in PC is optimized for a positive synergism effect in toughening of the epoxy matrix via melt-mixing and it is critically analyzed using the FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Subsequently, interlaminar fracture toughness and strain energy release rate of unmodified and PC/ABS (90/10) blend modified CFRP are studied using mode I, II, and Mix-mode test and confirms that the blend 90/10 successful improves the interlaminar strength (ILSS) by 84.2%, 72.1%, and 89.4% respectively and enhances the strain energy release rate (SERR) by 218.1%, 103.1%, and 195.8% respectively and a 17.3% increase in elongation at break. It is interesting to find nano web-like morphology in PC/ABS blend modified CFRP resulting in enhanced mechanical, reduced brittle nature, and increased thermal stability. The present study confirms using a 90/10 blend at 1.5wt% to modify CFRP composites with excellent interlaminar strength and reduced brittle nature, supporting future works in developing structural elements, passenger compartments, and body panels in the automobile industry.