Influence of CNT Filler in Polymer Matrix on Impact Damage Propagation in the Volume of Carbon Fiber Laminates

The addition of nano-sized fillers into the polymer matrix of carbon fiber laminates is considered today as one of the ways of increasing the strength and resistance of the material to mechanical loads. The paper considers the effect of the addition of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the development of impact damage in laminates. Studies of the volume microstructure and its damage were carried out using high-resolution ultrasound imaging. The effect of damage propagation in laminates with an increase in the concentration of CNTs from 0 to 0.5 wt% was shown. The addition of CNTs decreased the area of damage in the upper and lower part of laminates but increased the area of damage in the middle plies. The results were discussed in combination with data on impact histories of laminates.