Influence of adsorption behaviour of a silane coupling agent on interlaminar fracture in glass fibre fabric-reinforced unsaturated polyester laminates

The relationship between the interphase consisting of physisorbed and chemisorbed silane on glass fibres and the resultant composite Mode I delamination fracture toughness in glass fibre fabric laminate, was studied. The Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of the laminate specimen was obtained by using a double cantilever beam (DCB) specimen. The delamination resistance of the laminate specimen finished with two silane concentrations and washed in methanol solvent, is discussed on the basis of the interlaminar fracture toughness. In order to determine the amount of physisorbed and chemisorbed silane on the glass fibre, the amount of total carbon was determined using an analysis instrument. The physisorbed silane migrated into the resin matrix and influenced the mechanical properties and interlaminar fracture of the laminate specimen. The amount of unsaturated polyester resin blended with a silane coupling agent was measured using dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, and a DCB specimen for mechanical properties and fracture toughness.     

Role of Interface Modification on the Mode I and Mode II Fracture Behavior of Glass Fabric / Vinyl Ester Composites

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of five different combinations of silane coupling agents on the Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness and strength of woven glass fabric / vinyl ester composite laminates. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) and End Notch Flexure (ENF) tests were conducted to estimate the influence of surface treatment of glass fabric wilh methacryl silane and methanol washing, on the Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness, respectively. The results were compared with those of a conventional epoxy silane coated composite. It was found that an increasing content of methacryl silane (0.01 wt.% to 1.0 wt.%) reduced the Model fracture toughness and enhanced the Mode II fracture toughness values. Methanol washing after treatment with melhacryl sitane resulted in an increase of both Mode I and Mode II fracture toughness values.     

Monitoring of delamination onset and growth during Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture tests using guided waves

A delamination monitoring method was proposed to characterize Mode I and Mode II delamination onset in carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminates through interrogation of guided waves activated and captured using piezoelectric actuators and sensors in a pitch–catch configuration. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture tests were conducted using double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notch flexure (ENF) specimens to evaluate the proposed method. The changes in wave propagation velocity and wave magnitude (or attenuation), and the degree of waveform similarity between excitation and response signals, were calculated as delamination-sensitive wave parameters and plotted versus displacement recorded using a materials testing system. The kink points determined from wave parameter–displacement curves agreed well with the deviation from linearity (NL), visual observation (VIS) and maximum load (Max) points, which are often used in conventional methods for determining interlaminar fracture toughness. The propagation characteristics of the A₀ wave mode in a low frequency range were demonstrated to have high sensitivity to Mode I and in particular Mode II delamination onset in CF/EP composite laminates. It was concluded that the guided waves propagating in the DCB and ENF specimens were capable of determining Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness, complementing current practices based on visual inspection or trivial interrogation using load–displacement curve alone.     

Interlaminar fracture (model II) of commingled yarn-based GF/PP composites

A 5050 wt % mixture of commingled glass/polypropylene fibre system was selected to study the correlations between the morphological details, mode II interlaminar fracture toughness and corresponding failure mechanisms. Mode II interlaminar fracture tests were performed by using the end-notched flexure test procedure. Compared to conventional composite laminates, mode II interlaminar crack extension in these commingled yarn-based composites was very stable, and extensive fibre nesting occurred along the main crack plane. Crack jumping and non-broken matrix links were observed.R-curve behaviour for these materials was identified and the toughness for initiation was much lower than that for propagation. Compared to mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, similar trends in effects of cooling rates and isothermal crystallizations on mode II interlaminar fracture toughness were observed. However, the effects were not as significant as those found for mode I interlaminar fracture toughness.Alexander von Humboldt Fellow.     

玻璃纤维增强复合材料的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性

介绍了玻璃纤维增强复合材料Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性“RoundRobinTest”的结果随着偶联剂浓度的改变，Ⅰ型裂纹的扩展方式从稳态向非稳态转变这类断裂韧性强烈地依赖界面性能关键词##4界面性能;;Ⅰ型断裂韧性;;裂纹扩展;;稳态;;非稳态     

Numerical investigation to prevent crack jumping in Double Cantilever Beam tests of multidirectional composite laminates

During the experimental characterization of the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of multidirectional composite laminates, the crack tends to migrate from the propagation plane (crack jumping) or to grow asymmetrically, invalidating the tests.The aim of this study is to check the feasibility of defining the stacking sequence of Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens so that these undesired effects do not occur, leading to meaningful onset and propagation data from the tests. Accordingly, a finite element model using cohesive elements for interlaminar delamination and an intralaminar ply failure criterion are exploited here to thoroughly investigate the effect of specimen stiffness and thermal residual stresses on crack jumping and asymmetric crack growth occurring in multidirectional DCB specimens.The results show that the higher the arm bending stiffness, the lower the tendency to crack jumping and the better the crack front symmetry. This analysis raises the prospect of defining a test campaign leading to meaningful fracture toughness results (onset and propagation data) in multidirectional laminates.     

Composite toughness enhancement with interlaminar reinforcement

An experimental investigation of a newly proposed through-thickness reinforcement approach aimed to increase interlaminar toughness of laminated composites is presented. The approach alters conventional methods of creating three-dimensional fiber-reinforced polymer composites in that the reinforcing element is embedded into the host laminate after it has been cured. The resulting composite is shown to possess the benefits of a uniform surface quality and consolidation of the original unreinforced laminate. This technique was found to be highly effective in suppressing the damage propagation in delamination double-cantilever beam (DCB) test samples under mode I loading conditions. Pullout testing of a single reinforcing element was carried out to understand the bridging mechanics responsible for the improved interlaminar strength of reinforced laminate and stabilization and/or arrest of delamination crack propagation. The mode I interlaminar fracture of reinforced DCB samples was modeled using two-dimensional cohesive finite-element scheme to support interpretation of the experiments.     

Mode II interlaminar fracture properties of Moso bamboo

Bamboo is a kind of biological composites reinforced by unidirectional long fiber. Once there exists crack, the propagation of delamination is controlled by the interlaminar fracture toughness instead of by strength. In this paper, the end notched flexure (ENF) beam specimen was used to test the Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness G_IIC along grain of Moso bamboo internode and the fracture surface was analyzed. The results were obtained that the Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness G_IIC calculated by the experiment parameter substitution method was more accurate and the value was 1303.18 J/m² (coefficient of variation = 8.96%) which was about three times higher than the value of Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness; the crack propagation of Mode II interlaminar fracture was mainly self-similar cracking, but the fracture surface was rougher. Ground tissue in the zone of Mode II crack propagation was characterized by hackle shearing deformation. The SEM photos showed that ground tissue separated from fiber along middle lamella under shear stress and as the increasing of the dislocation of upper and lower layer, the thin-walled ground tissue would fracture transversely by tension, while to thick-walled fiber cell, only middle lamella and primary wall were torn then debonded, fragments remained.     

PBO纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料层间Ⅰ型断裂韧性的DIC技术测量

Ⅰ型双悬臂梁(DCB)试验通常用于单向复合材料的层间抗拉性能研究,目标是测量Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性,其可作为复合材料分层扩展及失效机制研究的重要输入参数。在DCB试验中必须经常暂停试验以实现多次测量裂纹长度,这不仅会对裂纹传播产生潜在影响,造成测量误差且多次反复试验的时效性较差。数字图像相关(DIC)测试技术应用于裂纹扩展长度测量具有实时跟踪、精确定位的优点,可有效提高Ⅰ型断裂韧性试验的测量效率,但应用于非连续变形行为仍存在局限性,且易受到图像噪声的干扰,产生测量误差。本文发展了一种基于DIC测试技术的实时获取裂纹长度的检测方法,通过图像匹配算法获取试件的非连续变形位移场,并提出一种根据全局横向位移离散程度的辨别方法,实现了裂纹尖端的实时捕捉。再通过DCB试验,与传统测量方式对比,裂纹长度的测量误差平均不超过2.76%,验证了该方法的准确性和高效性,同时也克服了聚对苯撑苯并双噁唑(PBO)/环氧树脂复合材料侧表面毛糙、散斑质量较差及纤维桥接对测量结果的干扰,最终获取了有效的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性初始值及稳态扩展值。     

The effect of adding carbon nanotubes to glass/epoxy composites in the fibre sizing and/or the matrix

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were integrated in glass fibres epoxy composites by either including CNTs in the fibre sizing formulation, in the matrix, or both. The effects of such controlled placement of CNTs on the thermophysical properties (glass transition temperature and coefficient of thermal expansion) and the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of the composites were studied. The present method of CNT-sizing of the glass fibres produces an increase of almost +10% in the glass transition temperature and a significant reduction of ?31% in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the composites. Additionally, the presence of CNTs in the sizing resulted in an increased resistance of crack initiation fracture toughness by +10%, but a lowered crack propagation toughness of ?53%. Similar trends were observed for both instances when CNTs were introduced only in the matrix and in combination of both matrix and sizing.     

Electrospun nanofibre toughened carbon/epoxy composites: Effects of polyetherketone cardo (PEK-C) nanofibre diameter and interlayer thickness

Polyetherketone cardo (PEK-C) nanofibres were produced by an electrospinning technique and directly deposited on carbon fabric to improve the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon/epoxy composites. The influences of nanofibre diameter and interlayer thickness on the Mode I delamination fracture toughness, flexure property and thermal mechanical properties of the resultant composites were examined. Considerably enhanced interlaminar fracture toughness has been achieved by interleaving PEK-C nanofibres with the weight loading as low as 0.4% (based on weight of the composite). Finer nanofibres result in more stable crack propagation and better mechanical performance under flexure loading. Composites modified by finer nanofibres maintained the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the cured resin. Increasing nanofibre interlayer thickness improved the fracture toughness but compromised the flexure performance. The T_g of the cured resin deteriorated after the thickness increased to a certain extent.     

Interlaminar fracture toughness and associated fracture behaviour of bead-filled epoxy/glass fibre hybrid composites

To investigate enhancement of matrix-dominated properties (such as interlaminar fracture toughness) of a composite laminate, two different bead-filled epoxies were used as matrices for the bead-filled epoxy/glass fibre hybrid composites. The plane strain fracture toughness of two different bead-filled epoxies have been measured using compact tension specimens. Significant increases in toughness were observed. Based on these results the interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture behaviour of hybrid composites, fabricated using bead-filled epoxy matrices, have been investigated using double cantilever beam and end notch flexure specimens for Mode I and Mode II tests, respectively. The hybrid composites based on carbon bead-filled matrix shows an increase in both G _IC initiation and G _IIC values as compared to a glass fibre reinforced plastic laminate with unmodified epoxy matrix. The optimum bead volume fraction for the hybrid composite is between 15% and 20%. However, the unmodified epoxy glass-fibre composite shows a higher G _IC propagation value than that of hybrid composites, due to fibre bridging, which is less pronounced in the hybrids as the presence of the beads results in a matrix-rich interply region.     

Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness properties of advanced textile fibreglass composites

The Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness properties of vinyl ester-based composites reinforced with fibreglass manufactured by the advanced textile technologies of braiding, knitting, stitching and through-the-thickness weaving are assessed in comparison to a variety of traditional composites made from fibreglass such as unidirectional or woven rovings. The interlaminar fracture toughness (G_Ic) of braided and knitted composites are higher than traditional composites by factors of more than two and four, respectively. Toughening in these textile composites was caused by extensive crack branching as the interlaminar crack was forced to follow a tortuous path through the complex fibre architectures. The G_Ic values of the composites reinforced in the through-thickness direction by weaving or stitching were higher than traditional composites by factors of nearly two and three, respectively, with the main toughening mechanism being crack bridging by the through-thickness binder yarns/stitches. A review of Mode I interlaminar fracture data collected from papers shows that advanced textile techniques are capable of manufacturing composites with substantially improved delamination resistance.     

Mode I delamination behaviour of short fibre reinforced carbon fibre/epoxy composites following environmental conditioning

Carbon fibre laminates based on Newport Adhesives NCT-301 uniaxial pre preg were prepared for Mode I DCB testing. Polyamide and Polyolefin web materials supplied by Spunfab Ltd and Toyobos’ Zylon HM fibres were applied to the interlaminar region to enhance fracture toughness. Three of each specimen type were “treated”, subjected to immersion in 95 °C water for a period of 600 h. Two “untreated” control specimens of each type were aged at 21 °C and 40-95% relative humidity. Specimen weight gains in the order of 2% were found to occur in all immersed samples. Fracture toughness increases were evidenced in all treated samples with the exception of the Polyamide Web sample. Average G_Ic increases in treated samples were 250–300%. Untreated samples were found to have exclusively interlaminar crack propagation. Untreated samples containing Polyamide or Polyolefin Web reinforcement displayed increased fracture toughnesses. These toughness increases were attributed to improved interlaminar bonding.     

Delaminationsverhalten von langfaserverstärkten thermoplastischen UD-Verbunden hergestellt aus unterschiedlichen Hybridgarnstrukturen

Characterisation of the delamination behaviour of thermoplastic UD-composites made by different hybrid yarn structures In order to determine delamination behaviour of glass-fibre-reinforced polyamid composites the compression shear test and the DCB (Double Cantilever Beam)-, SEN- and NBT-test for mode-I- and the ENF (End Notched Flexure)-test for mode II-loading were used. By these tests the energy release rate G respectively K and the R cure (crack resistance curve) have been measured which characterise the crack resistance of the material against delamination. The composites were made by different hybrid yarn structures produced by air texturing (commingled yarn: COM), side-by-side arrangement (SBS), friction spinning (FS), Kemafil (KEM)- and Schappe(SCH)-technology. The influence of different glass fibre sizings was investigated. The results demonstrate the significant influence of different hybrid yarn structures and glass fibre coatings on fracture thoughness during crack propagation along the fibre/matrix interface. The best values were obtained for composites produced on the basis of commingled yarn structure.     

Comparison of Interlaminar Fracture Toughness in Unidirectional and Woven Roving Marine Composites

This paper investigates the effect of fibre lay-up and matrix toughness on mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (G_Ic and G_IIc) of marine composites. Unidirectional and woven roving fibres were used as reinforcements. Two vinyl ester resins with different toughness were used as matrices. Results from both modes showed toughness variation that is consistent with matrix toughness. Values of G_Ic were not significantly influenced by fibre lay-up except at peak load points in the woven roving/brittle-matrix composite. Each peak load point, caused by interlocked bridging fibres, signified the onset of unstable crack growth. For unidirectional specimens, crack growth was stable and G_Ic statistically more reliable than woven roving specimens, which gave fewer G_Ic values due to frequent unstable crack growth. Mode II tests revealed that, except for crack initiation, G_IIc was higher in woven roving composites. This was due to fibre bridging, perpendicular to the crack growth direction, which encouraged stable crack growth and increased energy absorption. Mode II R-curves were obtained for the woven roving specimens. These R-curves provide additional information useful for characterising delamination resistance. The paper concludes that composites with woven roving fibres show similar mode I delamination characteristics to the unidirectional composites; but their mode II delamination characteristics, after crack initiation, are quite different.     

缝合层合板的I型层间断裂韧性研究

通过缝合的方法改善织物增强复合材料层合板的层间断裂韧性.采用双悬臂梁(DCB)试验测试和研究了缝合层合板的层间断裂韧性与断裂行为.为了评价缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)对层间断裂韧性的影响, 用改进的插入型夹具在实测不同缝合工艺层合板的I型层间断裂韧性值(GIC)的基础上, 分析和阐明了缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)与GIC间的关系; 以提高层合板的平均层间断裂韧性值为目标, 以拉伸和弯曲强度为约束条件优化了缝合工艺; 采用摄影显微镜对分层断裂面进行了观察, 分析和考察了缝合对其它性能的影响.结果表明 改进的插入型夹具可方便地完成缝合层合板的I型层间断裂韧性测试; 缝合后裂纹不连续扩展, 缝合密度对裂纹扩展行为有较大影响; 随着缝合密度的增大, 层间断裂韧性值增大, 但拉伸和弯曲强度降低, 缝合密度存在最佳值.     

缝合复合材料II型层间断裂特性研究

分别采用测量ENF试样加载点位移与测量其端部剪切位移CSD(Crack Shear Displacement)的试验方法,研究了缝合复合材料层合板的II型层间断裂韧性以及缝合密度,缝合线的直径等缝合参数对于缝合复合材料层合板II型层间断裂韧性和分层模式的影响。结果表明,缝合降低了层合板初始分层韧性G_IIi,但对于分层的扩展有良好的抑制作用。缝合参数对此有较大影响。      

Mechanics and mechanisms of delamination in a poly(ether sulphone)—Fibre composite

The interlaminar fracture behaviour of AS4/PES (poly(ether sulphone)) composite has been investigated in Mode I, Mode II and for fixed Mode I to Mode II ratios of 0·84, 1·33 and 2·13. The data obtained from these tests have been analysed using several different analytical approaches. The results obtained show that in Mode I the interlaminar crack growth in double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens is accompanied by fibre bridging behind the crack tip and by splitting at the crack tip, and in Mode II by the formation of a damage zone at the crack tip. These failure mechanisms are shown to increase the value of the interlaminar fracture energy considerably as the crack propagates through the composite, i.e. a rising ‘R-curve’ is measured. It is shown also that the value of the interlaminar fracture energy at crack initiation in Mode I, G_CI (init), increases as the length of the initial precrack is increased. The lowest G_IC (init) value obtained for the poly(ether sulphone) (PES) composite in this study is 0·8 kJm⁻², and this value was ascertained from a specimen with the precrack being grown by about 2 mm ahead of the initial crack (a₀ = 23 mm, a_p = 25 mm). The typical Mode II steady-state propagation energy, G_IIC (s/s-prop), value obtained for the specimens was about 2·0 kJm⁻². The length of the initial precrack had no significant effect on the G_IIC (init) and G_I/IIC (init) values. The Mode II tests gave values of G_IIC (init) = 1·25 kJm⁻² and of G_IIC (s/s-prop) = 1·85 kJm⁻². Finally, the failure loci for the PES composite have been constructed and theoretical expressions to describe these data considered.     

缝合层合板的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性研究

通过缝合的方法改善织物增强复合材料层合板的层间断裂韧性.采用双悬臂梁(DCB)试验测试和研究了缝合层合板的层间断裂韧性与断裂行为.为了评价缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)对层间断裂韧性的影响,用改进的插入型夹具在实测不同缝合工艺层合板的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性值(G_IC)的基础上,分析和阐明了缝合工艺参数(缝合密度)与G_IC间的关系;以提高层合板的平均层间断裂韧性值为目标,以拉伸和弯曲强度为约束条件优化了缝合工艺;采用摄影显微镜对分层断裂面进行了观察,分析和考察了缝合对其它性能的影响.结果表明:改进的插入型夹具可方便地完成缝合层合板的Ⅰ型层间断裂韧性测试;缝合后裂纹不连续扩展,缝合密度对裂纹扩展行为有较大影响;随着缝合密度的增大,层间断裂韧性值增大,但拉伸和弯曲强度降低,缝合密度存在最佳值.