INEGI Main Technical Achievements M36

In the past few months, INEGI developed multifunctional and multiscale CFRPs with improved mechanical performance aiming to be used on the demonstrator production: an energy absorber for the automotive industry (manufactured by Dallara).

According to the mechanical characterization performed, the introduction of different loadings of block copolymers (BCPs) in the epoxy matrix resulted in nanocomposites having enhanced tensile and impact strength up to 64 and 25 %, respectively. Based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images below, it is possible to observe the formation of nanostructured BCP spheres that are homogeneously dispersed in the matrix and the roughness of the fractured surface of the tensile specimens, evidencing the presence of toughening paths.

Multiscale pre-impregnated materials and CFRPs were also prepared using modified matrices with BCPs for double cantilever beam (DCB) tests. In Figure 2, it is visible a scheme of the production of prepreg materials, CFRP consolidation in an autoclave and a DCB test. The modified CFRP composites with 2.5 and 5.0 wt. % BCP exhibited impressive improvements on the interlaminar fractured toughness between 55 and 83 %, respectively.