LAUSR

Abstract The axial compressive strength of continuous fibres reinforced composite laminates is a key design parameter. The mechanism at stake is the micro-buckling instability of fibres, which is contained by the shear stiffness of their neighbourhood, and particularly that of the matrix. Adding nano-fillers to polymer matrices increase this property. Therefore, the compressive strength should in turn be enhanced. In this study, we exhibit some limits of this statement by studying two epoxy resins and two carbon fibres. We show that in some cases premature damage may occur close to the fibre/matrix interface. We provide qualitative and quantitative explanations supported by failure analyses and compressive strength estimations.