Abstract: | Amorphous poly(ether imide) has been used as interlaminar toughening particulate agent in laminated carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Mode I and Mode II delamination fracture toughness was characterized using the double cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched flexure (ENF) specimens. The delamination surface was examined using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate relationships between the morphology and properties. The results revealed that the PEI-modified composites exhibited a significantly increased fracture toughness, which increased with the PEI content. GIC was improved from 165 to 540 J/m2 (at 1 mm/min crosshead speed). GIIC was improved more significantly from 290 to 1300 J/m2. It is believed that these values could be further improved if the processing cycle were to be optimized. |