Title: Preliminary Study of In-Plane Shear Strength of Carbon Nanofiber Z-Threaded Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates After Extreme Elevated Temperature Exposure

Authors: Ryna Warren, Will Dollison, Jordan Thomas, Kuang-Ting Hsiao

DOI:

Abstract: In previous studies, carbon nanomaterial z-threads have shown to improve some performance capabilities of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates after thermal degradation of the matrix due to extreme temperature exposure. Z-threads reinforce the through-thickness of a composite by introducing aligned carbon nanomaterial perpendicular to the fiber array. Improved flammability capabilities and interlaminar shear strength retention after thermal degradation of the matrix have been observed in carbon nanofibers (CNF) z-threaded CFRP (ZT-CFRP) in comparison to traditional CFRP. This study examined the retention of in-plane shear strength of traditional CFRP and ZT-CFRP after epoxy matrix degradation caused by extreme temperature exposure. Test specimens were exposed to 400 ˚C for 180 seconds and then allowed to return to room temperature. Testing in accordance with ASTM D3518 to determine the in-plane shear strength was then conducted on untreated (i.e., as-produced) and heat-treated samples for both CFRP and ZT-CFRP. For untreated samples, ZT-CFRP specimens exhibited the highest in-plane strength, which is 25.286% higher than the traditional CFRP specimens. After extreme heat treatment, ZT-CFRP still had an in-plane shear strength nearly equivalent to the as-produced traditional CFRP. On the other hand, the traditional CFRP samples lost virtually all strength and were severely delaminated after the catastrophic extreme temperature exposure. It is believed that the novel reinforced microstructure of ZT-CFRP allowed for better strength retention capabilities as carbon nanofibers remained threaded through the reinforcing fiber arrays as the matrix degrades away.

References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Hsiao, K.-T., et al., Effect of Carbon Nanofiber Z-Threads on Mode-I Delamination Toughness of Carbin Fiber Reinforced Plastic Laminates. Composites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2016. 91(7). Kirmse, S., et al., Effects of Carbon Nanofiber Z-Threads on the Longitudinal Compressive Strength of Unidirectional CFRP Laminates, in SAMPE 2019. 2019: Charlotte, NC. Kirmse, S., B. Ranabhat, and K.-T. Hsiao, Experimental and analytical investigation on the interlaminar shear strength of carbon fiber composites reinforced with carbon nanofiber z-threads. Materials Today Communications, 2020. 25. Scruggs, A., K. Henderson, and K.-T. Hsiao, Characterization of Electrical Conductivity of a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Laminate Reinforced With Z-Aligned Carbon Nanofibers, in CAMX 2016 (The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo). 2016: Anaheim, CA. Scruggs, A.M., S. Kirmse, and K.-T. Hsiao, Enhancement of Through-Thickness Thermal Transport in Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic Laminates due to the Synergetic Role of Carbon Nanofiber Z-Threads. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2019: p. 113. Hasan, O., R. Warren, and K.-T. Hsiao, INVESTIGATE THE IN-PLANE SHEAR PROPERTIES IMPROVEMENT OF CARBON FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER LAMINATE ENHANCED WITH CARBON NANOFIBER Z-THREADS BY USING DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION SYSTEM in SAMPE. 2025: Indianapolis, IN. Hsiao, K.-T., et al., Flammability Characterization of Carbon Nanofibers and Nanotubes Z-THREADED CFRP LAMINATES, in CAMX- The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo. 2022: Anaheim, CA. Warren, R.A., O. Hasan, and K.-T. Hsiao, Experimental Study of ILSS Failure Performance of Carbon Nanofibers Z-THreaded CFRP During Extreme Heat Exposure, in SAMPE. 2025: Indianapolis, Indiana. Warren, R.A., O. Hasan, and K.-T. Hsiao, Experimental Evaluation of Interlaminar Shear Strength of Carbon Nanomaterial Z-Threaded Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates After Exposure to Extreme Elevated Temperatures, in International Conference on Composite Materials. 2025: Baltimore, Maryland. 10. ASTM, ASTM D3518: Standard Test Method for In-Plane Shear Response of Polymer Matrix Composite Materials by Tensile Test of a 645° Laminate. 2025. 11. 12. 13. 14. Quintiere, J.G., R.N. Walters, and S. Crowley, Flammability Properties of Aircraft Carbon-Fiber Structural Composite, U.S.D.o. Transportation, Editor. 2007, Federal Aviation Administration. Bazli, M. and M. Abolfazli, Mechanical Properties of Fibre Reinforced Polymers under Elevated Temperatures: An Overview. Polymers, 2020. 12(11): p. 2600. Hegde, S., B.S. Shenoy, and K.N. Chethan, Review on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and their mechanical performance. Materials Today: Proceedings, 2019. 19: p. 658-662. Nguyen, T.-C., et al., Time-dependent behaviour of steel/CFRP double strap joints subjected to combined thermal and mechanical loading. Composite Structures, 2012. 94(5): p. 1826-1833. 15. Nema, A., et al., Effect of temperature on flexural and interlaminar shear strength properties of carbon-epoxy composites: Experiment and modeling. Polymer Composites, 2024. 45(10): p. 9139-9155.

Conference: SAMPE 2026

Publication Date: 2026/04/27

SKU: 176

Pages: 15

Price: $30.00