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The use of CFs in automotive industry due to the need for lightweight, durable components has led to significant improvements in vehicle efficiency and safety. Despite initial predominance in luxury sports vehicles, the automotive CF market is rapidly expanding. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs), addressing issues like poor through-thickness properties and interfacial properties crucial for load transfer. This work strategy involves incorporating block copolymers (BCPs) into thermoset matrices and modifying fiber surfaces to improve mechanical integrity and durability. A novel compression molding manufacturing method, aim to streamline production processes, making CFRP energy absorbers feasible for broader automotive applications. Mechanical testing reveals promising results, with modified materials showing enhancements in interlaminar shear strength and energy absorption performance.

The aim of this work is to study the effect of core-shell rubbers on the mechanical properties of CFRPs.For the preparation of composites, two types of resins were used, a three-component Araldite resin (resin-hardener-accelerator system in proportions of 100-90-0,5 by weight respectively), and MX 156, which contains 25 % core-shell elastomers and 75 % Araldite resin. Depending on the mechanical test, two types of carbon fibre fabrics (UD C415, G0926) are used with corresponding number of layers. The composites were prepared by vacuum infusion and cut to the appropriate dimensions by water-cutting. They were tested for mechanical performance, by bending, shearing, tensile, impact and fracture toughness tests, to compare the properties of CSR-containing composites and reference CFRPs. Fracture analysis of specimens was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results exhibited a 50% increase in impact strength while the energy absorbed during the fracture toughness test was 4 times greater on specimens with CSR than reference.