EFFECT OF FILM THICKNESS AND INFUSION PRESSURE ON INTERLAMINAR TOUGHENING OF CFRP LAMINATES TOUGHENED WITH MELT-INFUSED PA-6 FILM INTERLEAVES

Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are extensively employed in high-performance applications because of their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. However, their maximum potential is restricted by their susceptibility to delamination, a critical issue. This study examines the efficacy of melt-infused Polyamide-6 (PA-6) film interleaves in improving the interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRPs. This study observed substantial enhancements in the durability of both Modes I and II fractures by methodically adjusting the infusion pressure and film thickness. For the S_1_60 configuration, [Formula: see text] increased by 568%, reaching 2573.2[Formula: see text]J/m 2 , while [Formula: see text] improved by 596%. For the S_1_60 configuration, [Formula: see text] increased by 352% to 1278.1[Formula: see text]J/m 2 , while [Formula: see text] improved by 363%. Detailed fractographic studies were conducted to analyze the underlying mechanisms, which include plastic deformation, fiber bridging, and fiber pull-out. These results offer valuable insights into the optimization of melt-infusion interleaving to customize the mechanical performance of CFRPs. By controlling the infusion pressure and film thickness, it is possible to develop composite materials that are more resistant to damage and more durable, thereby broadening their potential for use in critical engineering applications in aeronautical, automotive and marine engineering.