Enhancement of mechanical properties of carbon fiber epoxy composites using methylmethacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell nanoparticles

This work investigates the use of readily dispersed methylmethacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell nanoparticles to improve the mechanical properties of carbon fiber epoxy (CF/EP) composites. Through the vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process, CF/EP composites were manufactured with varying MBS particle loadings from 1 wt. to 7 wt. %. The mechanical properties of the composites were determined via three-point bending, Charpy impact, short-beam shear, and Mode-I fracture toughness tests, adhering to the relevant ASTM standards. The results show that the addition of MBS particles significantly increased Mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness (G_Ic), with the highest increase observed at 7 wt. % particle loading, demonstrating a nearly 177% improvement over the reference composite. The flexural modulus of composites slightly decreased with 1 wt. % MBS nanoparticles, indicating increased flexibility, while a synergistic effect at 7 wt. % MBS enhanced stiffness and structural reinforcement. The incorporation of MBS nanoparticles in CF/EP composites also enhanced Charpy impact strength and damping properties, with the highest impact strength observed at 7 wt. % MBS. Higher MBS content reduced the storage modulus, while the glass transition temperature remained relatively unchanged.