Performance of Carbon Fiber / Epoxy Composites Interfacial Toughened by PEI Nanofiber Membranes

Based on excellent physical property of Polyetherimide(PEI) and high specific surface area and high porosity of nanofibers, PEI nanofiber membranes with different thickness being bubble-electrospun to be used to improve the interfacial toughness of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites. It is found that when the thickness of membrane is 0. 058 ± 0. 007 mm, the value of G_IC of DCB sample increases by 114. 55% in contrast to that of the untoughened, which is attributed to the nail-anchorage action of the PEI micro-beads at the interface.