Next-generation veils for composite interleaves

The project follows recent and current PhD studies in the School investigating the use of nonwoven textiles, or 'veils', as reinforcements in carbon-fibre polymer composites for aerospace and automotive applications. Through systematic experimental studies, we have previously shown that veils can be used to increase the interlaminar fracture toughness of these composites; further, we have established relationships between fibre dimensions, veil weight, fracture toughness and impact resistance & damage tolerance in composites. These properties are important as they are required to build future aircraft and cars which are lighter, and hence more fuel-efficient, whilst retaining the strength and toughness required for safe operation.

The current project will follow our previous work with TFP and will involve experimental work to investigate how the mechanical properties of veils, and hence composites, can be modified by incorporating electrospun nanofibrous structures as a surface layer on them. The work will involve making composites in the laboratory and testing these to see how strong they are when deformed in different ways. We will use theory developed in the group to interpret the observed behaviours.

EPSRC research areas: Materials Engineering - composites; Performance and inspection of mechanical structures and systems; Polymer materials.