In this study, the fracture behavior of a thermoplastic-modified epoxy resin reinforced with continuous carbon fibers for two levels of fiber-matrix adhesion was performed. A carbon fiber with commercial sizing was used and also treated with a known silane, (3-glycidoxy propyl trimethoxysilane) coupling agent. Toughness was determined using the double cantilever test, together with surface analysis after failure using scanning electron microscope. The presence of polysulfone particles improved the fracture behavior of the composite, but fiber-matrix adhesion seemed to play a very important role in the performance of the composite material. There appeared to be a synergy between the matrix modifier and the fibermatrix adhesion coupling agent.

• H.J. Carrillo-Escalante(Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C. (CICY), Unidad de Materiales, C.P. 97200, Mérida, Mexico. InstitutoTecnológico de Zacatepec, Calzada Tecnológico, C.P. 62780, Morelos, Mexico)
• A. Álvarez-Castillo(InstitutoTecnológico de Zacatepec, Calzada Tecnológico, C.P. 62780, Morelos, Mexico)
• A. Valadez-González(Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C. (CICY), Unidad de Materiales, C.P. 97200, Mérida, Mexico)
• P. J. Herrera-Franco(Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, A.C. (CICY), Unidad de Materiales, C.P. 97200, Mérida, Mexico) Corresponding Author