Processing technique and high fracture toughness of carbon/thermoplastic composites.

Trial processing of carbon/thermoplastic (APC-2) composites is conducted. An accurate control of temperature at an adhesion phase and a cooling phase is very important for better properties. Desirable mechanical properties of APC-2 are shown through experiments. Transverse failure strain is much higher than that of CF/epoxy. Interlaminar fracture toughness tests by DCB specimens demonstrate extremely high GIc, more than 20 times of CF/epoxy. Multiple heating and pressing processes onto DCB specimens give only a little degradation in GIc. Tensile tests of ±45°specimens exhibit good damage tolerance and high energy absorption properties.