Electrospun Materials for Contrasting Delamination in Composites

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates experienced a considerable diffusion in several application fields, especially where high specific mechanical properties are requested. While such materials are very versatile and contribute to obtaining lightweight and more “sustainable” structures, they potentially suffer from delamination, which poses an important limitation to their even more extensive widespread use. The integration of electrospun materials, especially nanofibers, is a smart solution to reduce such a phenomenon. The present work aims to compare different fibrous and nanofibrous systems that are able to contrast delamination by increasing interlaminar fracture toughness. In particular, the reinforcing effect delivered by electrospun veils made of Nylon 66, Nylon 66 coated with nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), rubber-containing blends (NBR with polycaprolactone, PCL, or with Nomex), and a commercial thermosetting polymer is disclosed.