Tailoring Matrix Toughness for High-Performance Composites in Cryogenic Applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Aerospace Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Space exploration demands lightweight materials for extreme thermal conditions.
• Carbon fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are promising but face challenges in cryogenic environments due to brittle epoxy matrices.
• Epoxy matrix cracking under low temperatures and thermal cycling limits CFRP application in space.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the damage tolerance and cryogenic performance of epoxy nanocomposites for CFRPs.
• To investigate biscitraconimide-based (BCI) resin and methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell particles as toughening strategies.
• To identify low-additive formulations compatible with prepreg manufacturing.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene (MBS) core-shell particles into epoxy matrices.
• Evaluation of low additive contents (e.g., 2 wt.% MBS) for compatibility with prepreg manufacturing.
• Production and testing of CFRP laminates with modified epoxy matrices.

Main Results:

• 2 wt.% MBS core-shell particle incorporation significantly improved nanocomposite impact resistance.
• Modified CFRPs maintained tensile properties while increasing interlaminar fracture toughness by 102% (RT) and 122% (CT).
• Low-content matrix toughening proved effective for enhancing cryogenic performance.

Conclusions:

• Matrix modification with low-content MBS core-shell particles is a viable strategy for improving CFRP cryogenic performance.
• Enhanced damage tolerance and fracture toughness enable more resilient composite structures for space applications.
• This approach contributes to developing advanced materials for next-generation space systems.