Beylergil, BertanTanoglu, MetinAktas, EnginTanoğlu, Metin2023-11-092023-11-092019291229-93671598-623310.12989/scs.2019.31.2.113https://doi.org/10.12989/scs.2019.31.2.113http://standard-demo.gcris.com/handle/123456789/305Aktaş, Engin/0000-0002-5706-2101; Beylergil, Bertan/0000-0002-3204-6746In this study, carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites were interleaved with aramid nonwoven veils with an areal weight density of 8.5 g/m(2) to improve their Mode-I fracture toughness. The control and aramid interleaved CF/EP composite laminates were manufactured by VARTM in a [0]4 configuration. Tensile, three-point bending, compression, interlaminar shear, Charpy impact and Mode-I (DCB) fracture toughness values were determined to evaluate the effects of aramid nonwoven fabrics on the mechanical performance of the CF/EP composites. Thermomechanical behavior of the specimens was investigated by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). The results showed that the propagation Mode-I fracture toughness values of CF/EP composites can be significantly improved (by about 72%) using aramid nonwoven fabrics. It was found that the main extrinsic toughening mechanism is aramid microfiber bridging acting behind the crack-tip. The incorporation of these nonwovens also increased interlaminar shear and Charpy impact strength by 10 and 16.5%, respectively. Moreover, it was revealed that the damping ability of the composites increased with the incorporation of aramid nonwoven fabrics in the interlaminar region of composites. On the other hand, they caused a reduction in in-plane mechanical properties due to the reduced carbon fiber volume fraction, increased thickness and void formation in the composites.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccesscomposite structurescrackfiber reinforced polymers (FRPs)fracture/fracture criteriadelaminationbending and shear strengthaxial compressionArticle312113123WOS:000464609300001N/AN/A