Study on preparation and mechanical properties of bionic carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite with eagle feather structure

Inspired by the effect of angle between feather shaft and the feather vane on strength enhancement of feather structure, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites with eagle feather structure were prepared successfully. Based on liquid-phase oxidation, wettability of carbon fiber was improved, which enhanced bonding strength between reinforcement and matrix and built material base for mechanical strength of bionic composite. With the increase of carbon fiber content (0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.% and 0.4 wt.%), tensile strength and impact toughness of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites increased first and then decreased. Composites with 0.2 wt.% carbon fiber exhibited optimal mechanical properties, which was used for preparation of bionic composite. Compared with carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite with the traditional vertically arranged structure, the composite material with the bionic structure owned higher tensile strength and impact toughness. The fracture and drawing out of carbon fiber and crack deflection were mechanical mechanism of bionic composite, which provided a new design and preparation method for carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite.