Cryogenic microcracking of nanoclay reinforced polymeric composite materials

Layered inorganic clays were incorporated in the matrices of carbon fiber/epoxy composites to determine their effect on the response of these materials to cryogenic cycling. Several different concentrations of clays were used in this study in addition to traditional, macro-scale filters. No significant change in laminate mechanical properties was seen in any of the nanoclay-modified systems studied. It was found that the laminates containing nanoclay reinforcement in the proper concentration exhibited considerably less microcracking than the unmodified or macro-reinforced materials as a response to cryogenic cycling. Lower nanoclay concentrations resulted in a slight microcrack density reduction and higher concentrations displayed a traditional filler effect.