Processing and mechanical performance of 3D Cf/SiCN composites prepared by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis

The processing of 3D carbon fiber reinforced SiCN ceramic matrix composites prepared by polymer impregnation and pyrolysis (PIP) route was improved, and factors that determined the mechanical performance of the resulting composites were discussed. 3D C_f/SiCN composites with a relative density of ∼81% and uniform microstructure were obtained after 6 PIP cycles. The optimum bending strength, Young's modulus and fracture toughness of the composites were 75.2 MPa, 66.3 GPa and 1.65 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The residual strength retention rate of the as-pyrolyzed composites was 93.3% after thermal shock test at ΔT = 780 °C. It further degraded to 14.6% when the thermal shock temperature difference reached to 1180 °C. The bending strength of the composites was 35.6 MPa after annealing at 1000 °C in static air. The deterioration of the bending strength should be attributed to the strength degradation of carbon fibers and decomposition of interfacial structure.     

Influence of adding Mesocarbon Microbeads into C/C composites on microstructure and properties during carbonization

This work tests the effect on microstructure, flexural strength, flexural moduli, plus the electrical and thermal conductivity of carbon/carbon composites with Mesocarbon Microbeads (MCMBs) content ranging 0–30% by weight during carbonization. These composites were reinforced by oxidative PAN Base fiber felts, and matrix precursor was resol‐type‐phenolic resin. MCMBs with a weight fraction of 0–30% were added to the matrix to elucidate the effect. Liquid‐phase impregnation was applied to reinforce matrix carbon. Cured composites were stabilized at 230°C, then heat‐treated at 400, 600, 800, 900 and 1000°C for carbonization. The measured flexural strength after heat‐treated at 1000°C was 51.20, 49.59, 43.55, and 38.76 MPa for MCMBs with 0, 10, 20, and 30% added to composites; mean flexural moduli were l.73, 1.24, 0.73, and 0.57 MPa, respectively. Adding MCMBs reduced both strength and modulus because of cracks and avoids caused by different shrinkage between resin and MCMBs; adding 30 wt % MCMBs raised thermal conductivity of C/C composites from 1.55 to 1.78 W/mK and reduced electric resistivity from 1.8 × 10^?2 to 5.97 × 10^?3 Ω cm. effect. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3102–3110, 2006     

Spark plasma sintering and high-temperature strength of B6O–TaB2 ceramics

Tantalum diboride – boron suboxide ceramic composites were densified by spark plasma sintering at 1900 °C. Strength and fracture toughness of these bulk composites at room temperature were 490 MPa and 4 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Flexural strength of B₆O–TaB₂ ceramics increased up to 800 °C and remained unchanged up to 1600 °C. At 1800 °C a rapid decrease in strength down to 300 MPa was observed and was accompanied by change in fracture mechanisms suggestive of decomposition of boron suboxide grains. Fracture toughness of B₆O–TaB₂ composites showed a minimum at 800 °C, suggestive a relaxation of thermal stresses generated from the mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion.Flexural strength at elevated temperatures for bulk TaB₂ reference sample was also investigated.Results suggest that formation of composite provides additional strengthening/toughening as in all cases flexural strength and fracture toughness of the B₆O–TaB₂ ceramic composite was higher than that reported for B₆O monoliths.     

Effect of poly(etherimide) chemical structures on the properties of epoxy/poly(etherimide) blends and their carbon fiber‐reinforced composites

Poly(etherimide)s (PEIs) with different chemical structures were synthesized and characterized, which were employed to toughen epoxy resins (EP/PEI) and carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites (CF/EP/PEI). Experimental results revealed that the introduction of the fluorinated groups and meta linkages could help to improve the melt processability of EP/PEI resins. The EP/PEI resins showed obviously improved mechanical properties including tensile strength of 89.2 MPa, elongation at break of 4.7% and flexural strength of 144.2 MPa, and good thermal properties including glass transition temperature (T_g) of 211°C and initial decomposition temperature (T_d) of 366°C. Moreover, CF/EP/PEI‐1 and CF/EP/PEI‐4 composites showed significantly improved toughness with impact toughness of 13.8 and 15.5 J/cm², respectively. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

High-temperature properties and interface evolution of C/SiBCN composites prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis

C/SiBCN composites with a density of 1.64 g/cm³ were prepared via precursor infiltration and pyrolysis and the bending strength and modulus at room temperature was 305 MPa and 53.5 GPa. The precursor derived SiBCN ceramics showed good thermal stability at 1600 °C and the SiC and Si₃N₄ crystals appeared above 1700 °C. The bending strength of the composites was 180 MPa after heat treatment at 1500 °C, and maintained at 40 MPa-50 MPa after heat treatment for 2 h at 1600 °C–1900 °C. In C/SiBCN composites, SiBCN matrix could retain amorphous up to 1500 °C and SiC grains appeared at 1600 °C but without Si₃N₄. The reason for no detection of Si₃N₄ was that the carbon fiber reacted with Si₃N₄ to form an interface layer (composed of SiC and unreacted C) and a polycrystalline transition layer (composed of B and C elements), leading to the degradation of the mechanical properties.     

Mechanical and Thermal Performances of Roselle Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Polyurethane Composites

The aim of this paper is to present research findings on the measurements of mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of Roselle fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane composites. The Roselle fiber/thermoplastic polyurethane composites were prepared with fibers of different sizes such as 125?µm and lower, 125–300 and 300–425?µm by internal mixer and hot press at 170°C. The results show that mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact properties) of the composites were improved with the increase in fiber sizes. The highest tensile (10.45?MPa), flexural strength (6.93?MPa), and impact strength (20.22 kJ/m²) was obtained from composites with 300–425?µm fiber size of Roselle fiber/thermoplastic polyurethane composites. Morphological properties of dispersion fiber and tensile fracture surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscope. Thermal properties of the composites were studied using thermogravimetric analyses and results showed that the thermal decomposition effect was almost similar for all compositions.     

Light‐weight thermal insulating fly ash cenosphere ceramics

Light weight fly ash cenosphere (FAC) ceramic composites were developed by simple slip casting method. Thermal properties, Bulk density, Microstructure, flexural strength, and phase analysis of the FAC ceramic composites were measured. The results proved that the FAC have ability to lower bulk density and thermal conductivity effectively. The lowest thermal conductivity achieved for FAC ceramic composites (0.27 W/m.K) was further reduced 0.21 W/m.K by adding combustible additives ie activated charcoal and corn starch. The flexural strength, bulk density and thermal conductivity of FAC ceramic composites reduced consistently with an increase in FAC content. The maximum flexural strength of 13.45 MPa was achieved with 50% FAC and the minimum flexural strength of 4.07 MPa was obtained with 80% FAC. The open porosity increased from 35.51% to 43.76% and 38.19% with an addition of 15% activated charcoal and corn starch, respectively, when compared to no additives. The bulk density of 699, 619, and 675 kg/m³ was achieved with 80% FAC, 80% FAC with the addition of 15% activated charcoal and corn starch, respectively. The 80% FAC ceramic composite shows low thermal expansion coefficient 6.54 × 10^?6/°C at the temperature of 50°C then it varies between 3.7 and 5 × 10^?6/°C in the temperature range above 100°C. These results prove that the developed light weight FAC ceramic are excellent low‐cost thermal insulating materials.     

Elevated temperature strength and thermal shock behavior of hot-pressed carbon fiber reinforced TiC composites

In order to improve the elevated strength and thermal shock resistance of TiC materials, 20vol% short carbon fiber-reinforced TiC composite (C_f/TiC) was produced by hot pressing. With carbon fiber addition, the strength and fracture toughness of TiC is increased remarkably, and the elastic modulus and thermal expansion coefficient are decreased. The strength value of C_f/TiC composite is 593 MPa at room temperature and 439 MPa at 1400°C, and the fracture toughness value at room temperature is 6.87 MPa m^1/2. The thermal stress fracture resistance parameter, R, thermal stress damage resistance parameter, R^IV, and thermal stress crack stability parameter, R_st, are all increased. The residual strength decreases significantly when the thermal shock temperature difference, ΔT, is higher than 900°C, and the residual strength is 252 MPa when ΔT is 1400°C. Carbon fiber reinforced-TiC composite exhibits superior resistance to thermal shock damage compared with monolithic TiC. The catastrophic failure induced by severe thermal stresses can be prevented in C_f/TiC composite.     

Thermal shock resistance of Al2O3/SiO2 composites by sol-gel

In this paper, the SiO₂ ceramic matrix composites were reinforced by the two-dimensional (2D) braided Al₂O₃ fibers by sol-gel. To develop the high performance aeroengine with excellent resistance to thermal shock for advanced aerospace application, two different thermal shock temperatures (1100?°C and 1300?°C) and three different thermal shock cycles (10, 20 and 30 cycles) were tested and compared in this paper; besides, the thermal shock resistance of Al₂O₃/SiO₂ composites was investigated in air. Our results suggested that, the flexural strength of the untreated composites was 78.157?MPa, while the residual strength of Al₂O₃/SiO₂ composites under diverse thermal shock cycles and temperatures had accounted for about 95% and 50% of the untreated composites, respectively. Meanwhile, the density and porosity of the composites were gradually increased with the increase in test temperature. Moreover, the changes in fracture morphology and micro-structural evolution of the composites were also observed. Our observations indicated that, the fracture morphology of the composites mainly exhibited ductile fracture at the thermal shock temperature of 1100?°C, whereas brittle fracture at the thermal shock temperature of 1300?°C. Additionally, Al₂O₃/SiO₂ composites belonged to the Oxide/Oxide CMCs, so no new phase was formed after thermal shock tests. Above all, findings of this paper showed that Al₂O₃/SiO₂ composites had displayed outstanding thermal shock resistance.     

Ambient and elevated temperature mechanical properties of hot-pressed fused silica matrix composite

The ambient and elevated temperature mechanical properties of two kinds of hot-pressed fused silica matrix composites, SiO₂+5 vol.% Si₃N₄ and SiO₂+5 vol.% Si₃N₄+ 10 vol.% C_f, were investigated. Si₃N₄ additions greatly enhanced the ambient strength and fracture toughness, while, further incorporation of chopped carbon fibers only but sharply increased the fracture toughness value from 1.22 to 2.4 MPa m^1/2. The strength of the two composites synchronously exhibited anomalous gains at certain elevated temperature range especially from 1000 to 1200 °C, and reached their maximum values at 1000 °C, 168.9 and 130.6 MPa, which were 77.0 and 77.4% higher than their ambient strength, respectively. The two composites exhibited catastrophic fracture even at 1000 °C, but manifested prominent plastic deformation at 1200 °C and usually no fracture occurred during the strength test. Vickers’ indentation crack propagation behavior, combined with fractographs studies, suggested that toughening from carbon fiber was attributed primarily to the fiber bridging, pull-out and crack deflection.     

High‐temperature tensile strength and fracture behavior of ZrB2‐SiC‐graphite composite

The tensile behavior of ZrB₂‐SiC‐graphite composite was investigated from room temperature to 1800°C. Results showed that tensile strength was 134.18 MPa at room temperature, decreasing to 50.34 MPa at 1800°C. A brittle‐ductile transition temperature (1300°C) of ZrB₂‐SiC‐graphite composite was deduced from experimental results. Furthermore, the effect of temperature on the fracture behavior of ZrB₂‐SiC‐graphite composite was further discussed by microstructure observations, which showed that tensile strength was controlled by the relaxation of thermal residual stress below 1300°C, and was affected by the plastic flow during 1300°C and 1400°C. At higher temperature, the tensile strength was dominated by the changes of microstructures.     

Preparation and characterization of reduced graphene oxide-reinforced boron carbide ceramics by self-assembly polymerization and spark plasma sintering

A self-assembly polymerization process was used to prepare graphene oxide/boron carbide (GO/B₄C) composite powders, spark plasma sintering (SPS) was used to fabricate reduced graphene oxide/boron carbide (rGO/B₄C) composites at 1800 °C and 30 MPa with a soaking time of 5 min. The effects of rGO addition on mechanical properties of the composites, such as Vickers hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness, were investigated. The results showed that GO/B₄C composite powders were successfully self-assembled and a network structure was formed at high GO contents. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of rGO/B₄C composites were 643.64 MPa and 5.56 MPa m^1/2, respectively, at 1 and 2.5 wt.% rGO content, corresponding to an increase of 99.11% and 71.6% when compared to B₄C ceramics. Uniformly dispersed rGO in rGO/B₄C composites played an important role in improving their strength and toughness. The toughening mechanisms of rGO/B₄C composites were explained by graphene pull-out, crack deflection and bridging.     

The effects of β-C2S/class H cement mixed fillers on the kinetics and mechanical properties of polymer concretes

The effects of the inclusion of a hydraulic cement-type filler prepared with a beta dicalcium silicate (β-C₂S) to Class H cement ratio of 1:1 on the hydrothermal stability of polymer concrete (PC) containing vinyl-type polymers having carboxylate groups in their molecules was evaluated. Studies were made of the mechanical properties, fracture energy, and kinetics of the cement-filled composites before and after exposure to a 25% simulated geothermal brine at 240°C. Excellent physical properties of the PC, developed by the appearance of a Ca-copolymer complex structure and hydration products formed during exposure to hot brine, were obtained. The results indicated 103.9 MPa compressive strength, 7.3 MPa tensile strength, 6.0 MPa shear bond strength, 4.40 × 10⁴ MPa modulus of elasticity, and 3.15 × 10³ erg/cm² fracture energy. In addition, the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of the Ca-copolymer complex was calculated using an Arrehenius plot method to be 44.0 kcal/mole.     

Effect of hybrid hollow microspheres on thermal insulation performance and mechanical properties of silicone rubber composites

Hollow microspheres (HM) of ceramic, silica, and glass‐filled silicone rubber (SR) composites were prepared, and the effects of hybrid HM on thermal and mechanical properties of composites were investigated. The results indicate that hybrid HM can effectively improve the thermal insulation property of HM/SR composites. Especially, for sample 15S, the thermal conductivity and thermal degradation temperature reached 0.1273 W/m K and 521 °C (45 °C higher than that of neat SR), respectively. Besides, thermal insulation performance was improved, showing as a temperature of 103.2 °C after 15 min heating, which is 37.8 °C lower than that of SR. The tensile strength of composites was enhanced from 1.92 MPa at 11.56 vol % hollow silica microspheres (HSM) loading to 3.08 MPa at 21.88 vol % HSM loading. Moreover, the compressive strength was improved from 3.33 to 5.68 MPa by introducing more hollow ceramic microspheres into the matrix, in this case, from 7.79 to 15.33 vol %. Furthermore, the failure mechanism was analyzed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46025.     

In Situ Processing of Graphene/Leucite Nanocomposite Through Graphene Oxide/Geopolymer

Graphene/leucite nanocomposites (rGO/leucite) were prepared through in situ reduction of graphene oxide/geopolymer (rGO/KGP) composites. The effects of rGO on the microstructure and mechanical properties with respect to the geopolymer matrix after the high‐temperature treatment were investigated systematically. The results show that GO is first partially reduced in the geopolymeric solution and then completely under the post high‐temperature treatment. The rGO sheets undergo no interfacial reactions with the matrix even after thermal treatment. The rGO/geopolymer composites fully transform to rGO/leucite composites after being treated at 1000°C for 30 min in an argon atmosphere. Significant improvements in mechanical properties were achieved through rGO reinforcement giving flexural strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness of 91.1 MPa, 60.5 GPa, and 2.04 MPa·m^1/2, increased by 120%, 8%, and 1.5%, respectively, compared with the leucite matrix alone.     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated poly(etherimide)s toughening for carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites

Novel‐fluorinated poly(etherimide)s (FPEIs) with controlled molecular weights were synthesized and characterized, which were used to toughen epoxy resins (EP/FPEI) and carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites (CF/EP/FPEI). Experimental results indicated that the FPEIs possessed outstanding solubility, thermal, and mechanical properties. The thermally cured EP/FPEI resin showed obviously improved toughness with impact strength of 21.1 kJ/m² and elongation at break of 4.6%, respectively. The EP/FPEI resin also showed outstanding mechanical strength with tensile strength of 91.5 MPa and flexural strength of 141.5 MPa, respectively. The mechanical moduli and thermal property of epoxy resins were not affected by blending with FPEIs. Furthermore, CF/EP/FPEI composite exhibited significantly improved toughness with Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IC) of 899.4 J/m² and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IIC) of 1017.8 J/m², respectively. Flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of the composite were slightly increased after toughening. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis and properties of phthalonitrile terminated polyaryl ether nitrile containing fluorene group

A series of phthalonitrile terminated polyaryl ether nitrile oligomers containing fluorene group (BPPENs) were synthesized and cured in the presence of bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)phenyl]sulfone. Additionally, the quartz fiber reinforced composites were prepared by hot‐pressing process. The structure of oligomers was characterized by ¹H‐NMR and GPC. The curing behavior of BPPENs was studied by DSC, IR, and rheological tests in detail. Thermal stability and mechanical properties were also investigated. The results showed that the oligomers showed excellent solubility. BPPENs could be dissolved in common solvents at ambient temperature. TGA and DMA results showed that the cured polymer and composites possessed excellent thermal properties with high residual weight of 72.4% at 1000 °C and 5% thermal degradation temperature (T_5%) of 548 °C under inert atmosphere. The bending strength of quartz fiber reinforced composites was about 500 MPa, exhibiting good mechanical property. The products could be used as high performance polymers or a modifier for heat‐resistant resins. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46606.     

Synthesis and Properties of MoSi2–MoB–SiC Ceramics

MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi₂ matrix composites were synthesized in situ from Mo, Si, and B₄C powder mixtures by self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis (SHS). The SHS MoSi₂–MoB–SiC products were vacuum hot‐pressed (HPed) at 1400°C for 90 min to fabricate high‐density (> 97.5% relative density) bulk composites. Microstructure refinement and improvements in the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the HPed composites were observed with increasing B₄C content in the reaction mixture. The HPed composite of composition MoSi₂–0.4MoB–0.1SiC exhibited grain size of 1–5 μm, Vickers hardness of 12.5 GPa, bending strength of 537 MPa, and fracture toughness of 3.8 MPa.m^1/2. These excellent mechanical properties indicate that MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi₂ composites could be promising candidates for structural applications.     

Influence of alkali fiber treatment and fiber processing on the mechanical properties of hemp/epoxy composites

Industrial hemp fibers were treated with a 5 wt % NaOH, 2 wt % Na₂SO₃ solution at 120°C for 60 min to remove noncellulosic fiber components. Analysis of fibers by lignin analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXRD) and differential thermal/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA), supported that alkali treatment had (i) removed lignin, (ii) separated fibers from their fiber bundles, (iii) exposed cellulose hydroxyl groups, (iv) made the fiber surface cleaner, and (v) enhanced thermal stability of the fibers by increasing cellulose crystallinity through better packing of cellulose chains. Untreated and alkali treated short (random and aligned) and long (aligned) hemp fiber/epoxy composites were produced with fiber contents between 40 and 65 wt %. Although alkali treatment generally improved composite strength, better strength at high fiber contents for long fiber composites was achieved with untreated fiber, which appeared to be due to less fiber/fiber contact between alkali treated fibers. Composites with 65 wt % untreated, long aligned fiber were the strongest with a tensile strength (TS) of 165 MPa, Young's modulus (YM) of 17 GPa, flexural strength of 180 MPa, flexural modulus of 9 GPa, impact energy (IE) of 14.5 kJ/m², and fracture toughness (K_Ic) of 5 MPa m^1/2. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Fiber Reinforced Polyimide Aerogel Composites with High Mechanical Strength for High Temperature Insulation

Glass fiber/polyimide aerogel composites are prepared by adding glass fiber mat to a polyimide sol derived from diamine, 4,4′‐oxydianiline, p‐phenylene diamine, and dianhydride, 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride. The fiber felt acts as a skeleton for support and shaping, reduces aerogel shrinkage during the preparation process, and improves the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the composite materials. These composites possess a mesoporous structure with densities as low as 0.143–0.177 g cm^?3, with the glass fiber functioning to improve the overall mechanical properties of the polyimide aerogel, which results in its Young's modulus increasing from 42.7 to 113.5 MPa. These composites are found to retain their structure after heating at 500 °C, in contrast to pure aerogels which decompose into shrunken ball‐like structures. These composites maintain their thermal stability in air and N₂ atmospheres, exhibiting a low thermal conductivity range of 0.023 to 0.029 W m^?1 K^?1 at room temperature and 0.057to 0.082 W m^?1 K^?1 at 500 °C. The high mechanical strengths, excellent thermal stabilities, and low thermal conductivities of these aerogel composites should ensure that they are potentially useful materials for insulation applications at high temperature.