composite materials in automotive application and resistance to division

摘要

A curable composite material that may be used in applications where both high mechanical performance and high electrical conductivity are required. The curable composite material includes two or more layers of reinforcement fibers that have been infused or impregnated with a curable matrix resin and an interlaminar region containing carbon nanomaterials, e.g. carbon nanotubes, and insoluble polymeric toughening particles. The carbon nanomaterials are significantly smaller in size as compared to the polymeric toughening particles. The polymeric toughening particles are substantially insoluble in the matrix resin upon curing of the composite material, and remain as discreet particles at the interlaminar region after curing. Methods for fabricating curable composite materials and cured composite structures are also disclosed.