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Effect of Notch Root Radius on the Apparent Fracture Toughness in CNT and Carbon Fiber Reinforced, Epoxy-Matrix Hybrid Composite

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Abstract

Significantly improved fracture resistance (in terms of fracture toughness) can be imparted to monolithic materials by adopting composite design methodology based on fiber and nano particulate reinforcement technology. The present work describes the fracture behaviour of one such reinforced material; in this case, carbon fiber (Cf)- and carbon nanotube (CNT)- reinforced epoxy composite. The Cf and CNT reinforced, epoxy-matrix hybrid composite in longitudinal and transverse orientations with varied finite notch root radii (in the range of 120–750 μm) are subjected to mode-I (tensile) fracture. The fracture toughness/resistance (KQ) of the material is then evaluated and analyzed by investigating the influence of varying notch root radii in longitudinal and transverse orientations. Such an analysis has revealed that the present unidirectional epoxy hybrid composite exhibits a critical notch root radius of 270 μm in longitudinal and 390 μm in transverse orientation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank profoundly Dr. V. G. Sekaran, Distinguished Scientist and Director, ASL for allowing the provision of material processing facilities for the preparation of present hybrid composite. They also wish to acknowledge the active participation of M. Sai Priya and N. Krishna Kanth of MGIT, Hyderabad. One of the authors (NEP) is grateful to Dr. K. Tamilmani, Distinguished Scientist and Chief Executive (Airworthiness), CEMILAC for his kind support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vignan Institute of Technology and Science, Deshmukhi, Hyderabad, 508284, India

    K. Chandra Shekar

  2. Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Gandipet, Hyderabad, 500075, India

    M. Naveen Kumar & P. K. Subramanian

  3. Advanced Systems Laboratory, DRDO, PO Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, 500058, India

    Anil Kumar

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, 500085, India

    B. Anjaneya Prasad

  5. Regional Centre for Military Airworthiness (Materials), CEMILAC, DRDO, PO Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, 500058, India

    N. Eswara Prasad

Authors
  1. K. Chandra Shekar
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  2. M. Naveen Kumar
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  3. P. K. Subramanian
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  4. Anil Kumar
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  5. B. Anjaneya Prasad
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  6. N. Eswara Prasad
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Correspondence to N. Eswara Prasad.

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Chandra Shekar, K., Naveen Kumar, M., Subramanian, P.K. et al. Effect of Notch Root Radius on the Apparent Fracture Toughness in CNT and Carbon Fiber Reinforced, Epoxy-Matrix Hybrid Composite. Trans Indian Inst Met 67, 33–39 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12666-013-0312-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12666-013-0312-4

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