Mode-I interlaminar fracture of aramid and carbon fibers reinforced epoxy matrix composites at various SiC particle contents

The Mode-I interlaminar fracture characteristics of aramid fabric andcarbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites along with the influence of SiC particle content were explored. Double cantilever beam (DCB) tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D 5528 for the purpose of examining the behavior of Mode-I delamination. The results showed that, the adhesion strength of an SiC particle within an aramid/ epoxy composite system was better than that within a carbon/epoxy composite system. The highest values of Mode-I fracture toughness of an aramid fabric/epoxy specimen and a carbon fabric/epoxy specimen were 1391 J × m-2 and 701 J × m-2 with SiC particle contents of 10 wt.-% and 5 wt.-%, respectively. The micrographs from optical and scanning electron microscopes verified the enhancements of Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness behavior.