Quasistatic and dynamic mechanical characterization of a woven carbon fiber–zinc oxide nanowires–epoxy composite

The ability to engineer the fiber/matrix interface in carbon fiber reinforced polymers (FRPs) can be achieved by introducing a nanophase between the fiber and the matrix, which could functionally‐grade the material properties and enhance the load transfer. Many nanomaterials when employed exhibited significant interfacial improvements such as carbon nanotubes and nanofibers. In lieu of carbon nanomaterials, we suggest growing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires on the interface of woven carbon fibers prior to forming the composite. This study shows that, when grown on the surface of carbon fibers, the ZnO nanowires have enhanced both the on‐axis strength and stiffness by 20 and 7.5%, respectively, and the off axis strength by 14%. The experimental results showed also that the interlaminar shear strength increased by 88% and the damping capabilities by 51%. Furthermore, this novel interface could also offer embedded energy harvesting functionality through the piezoelectric properties of ZnO. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2184–2192, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers