LAUSR

Nylon 6/6 nanofibers of diameter 80–100 nm were electrospun on bidirectional E-glass fabric. The fabric with nanofibers on one surface was used to fabricate glass/epoxy structural composites, through resin film infusion. Mechanical properties of composites with interleaved nylon 6/6 nanofibers were found to be substantially improved from that of the control specimens fabricated under identical conditions, but without nanofibers. Compressive strength of composites showed over 30% increase, while interlaminar shear strength improved by 17% with nylon nanofibers of an areal density as low as 0.4 gsm. Residual compressive strength of laminates after a low-velocity impact event also showed a promising improvement with interleaved electrospun nanofibers.