Strain rate-dependent deformation behaviors of multi-layer carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates

This paper focuses on the contributions of diversities of strain rate and orientations for aggravating the diversities of micro failure behaviors on carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. A miniature horizontal type tensile tester is employed to conduct experiments with strain rate ranging from 2.6 × 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ to 2.6 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹. The CFRP laminates are obtained based upon a thermoset toughened epoxy matrix (termed CF/Epoxy) with ply orientations of (0°/0°) and (0°/90°). Significant differences in deformation behaviors of CFRP laminates are determined through tests. The study clearly reveals the strain rate-dependent deformation modes of CFRP laminates, involving pure fiber fracture, epoxy crack with stepped surface and interface failure with residual voids, determines the “low-high-low” variation tendency of Young's modulus and strength as a function of strain rate. Ply orientation-dependent differences in deformation behaviors are also investigated via severe interfacial shearing effect. A unified model consisted of four deformation modes to is clarified to analyze the complexity of CFRP laminates failure mechanism.     

Comparison of models for notched strength of carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminates

Abstract

A modified point stress criterion has been used for evaluating the tensile fracture strength of AS-4 carbon–984A1 epoxy [0/90]_4S and [0/±45/90]_2S composite laminates with various hole diameters and specimen widths. The results correlate well with the existing test results, and with those predicted from an effective crack growth model.     

Fracture behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer composite

Chopped strand glass fiber reinforced particle-filled polymer composite beams with varying notch-to-depth ratios and different volume fractions of glass fibers were investigated in Mode I fracture using three-point bending tests. Effects of polyester resin content and glass fiber content on fracture behavior was also studied. Polyester resin contents were used 13.00%%, 14.75%, 16.50%, 18.00% and 19.50%, and glass fiber contents were 1% and 1.5% of the total weight of the polymer composite system. Flexural strength of the polymer composite increases with increase in polyester and fiber content. The critical stress intensity factor was determined by using several methods such as initial notch depth method, compliance method and J-integral method. The values of K_IC obtained from these methods were compared.     

Microstructural characterization of short glass fiber and PAN based carbon fiber reinforced nylon 6 polymer composites

Microstructural characterization of nylon 6/short glass fiber (SGF) and nylon 6/polyacrolonitrile based carbon fibers (PAN‐CFs) of 10 to 40 wt% has been performed by positron lifetime technique (PLT). The positron lifetime parameters viz., o‐Ps lifetime (τ₃), o‐Ps intensity (I₃), and fractional free volume (F_v) of nylon 6/SGF and nylon 6/PAN‐CF composites are correlated with the mechanical properties viz., tensile strength and Young's modulus. The F_v shows negative deviation with the reinforcement of 10 to 40 wt% of PAN‐CF and show positive deviation in nylon 6/SGF from the linear additivity relation. The negative deviation in nylon 6/PAN‐CF composite suggests the induced molecular packing due to the chemical interaction between the polymeric chains of nylon 6 and PAN‐CF. The positive deviation in nylon 6/SGF composite indicates the formation of interface between the polymeric chains of nylon 6 and SGF. The increased crystallinity of nylon 6/SGF and nylon 6/PAN‐CF composites shows the improved mechanical properties of the composites. The hydrodynamic interaction parameter (h), which shows more negative values in nylon 6/SGF than nylon 6/PAN‐CF composites. However, the extent of chemical interaction in nylon 6/SGF is less compare to nylon 6/PAN‐CF composites. This is evident from Fourier transform infrared spectrometry studies. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1428–1437, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enhancement of fracture toughness of carbon fiber laminated composites using multi wall carbon nanotubes

In this paper, the effect of Multi Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWNT) as a toughening agent of laminated composites is experimentally investigated. Carbon fiber laminates were manufactured by resin film infusion technique in which the resin flows in the through-the-thickness direction. The modified polymer systems showed 17% improvement in the stress intensity factor (K_Ic), whereas the laminated composites showed up to 48% improvement in Mode I and 143% improvement in Mode II fracture toughness. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was then used to study the fractured surface and to explain the contrasting behavior of the MWNT-modified polymers when compared to the laminates.     

Joining of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates by a novel partial cross‐linking process

Direct joining of partially cross‐linked and freshly infiltrated carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin plates made from HTA/RTM6 is investigated as function of the partial curing degree. Partial cross‐linking maintains a certain chemical reactivity of the thermosetting resin which can be used for bonding to a second, freshly infiltrated resin part. A final curing cycle guarantees complete cross‐linking of the joined component. The bonding behavior and the interface morphology of the joined plates are analyzed by mechanical testing, acoustic emission analysis and microscopy. A significant dependence of the bonding and interfacial properties on the partial curing degree is found. Very low and very high partial curing degrees (below 70% and above 80%) result in low fracture toughness and discontinuous crack propagation. Intermediate curing degrees between 70% and 80% mainly show high fracture toughness, stable crack propagation and a ripple like interface morphology. The latter is created by the surface morphology of the partially cross‐linked plate with the typical peel‐ply imprint and results in a high contact surface and mechanical interlocking. The combination of chemical reactivity and high contact surface seems to be advantageous for the enhanced fracture toughness and the improved failure mode of samples with intermediate partial curing degree. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42159.     

Weldline strength in glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66

Presence of weldlines introduces an element of uncertainty to the performance of injection molded parts. Weldlines are particularly problematic in reinforced plastics because, unlike molecular orientation in neat polymers, the flow induced fiber orientation does not relax. This paper deals with the structure and mechanical behavior of weldlines in glass fiber reinforced nylon 66, a plastic known for excellent fiber-matrix adhesion. Two molds were used to generate weldlines: a double gated tensile sample shaped cavity in which the weldline is formed by a head-on collision of melt fronts flowing in opposite directions and a film gated rectangular plaque with a circular insert in which the weldline formation behind the insert is followed by additional flow. In both cases the weldline zone is several millimetres wide: in the plane where the melts fronts have met fibers are oriented parallel to this plane (random-in-plane in the double-gated cavity and unidirectional in the cavity with insert). The transition zone between the weldline plane and the rest of the sample is characterized by an increased presence of microvoids. Weldline tensile depends little on the fiber concentration and on the sample shape or thickness: values close to the matrix strength are found: in samples without weldlines strength increases with the fiber content. However, in instrumented impact penetration test during which the material is subjected to multiaxial loading, the weldline effect appears negligible.     

A theory for the flexural strength of steel fiber reinforced concrete

A theory is presented to predict the flexural tensile strength of concrete reinforced with short, discontinuous steel fibers randomly oriented and uniformly dispersed in a cement-based matrix. The theory is based on a dual criterion of crack control and composite mechanics. The first crack in the fibrous composite occurs due to bond slip. The fracture process consists of progressive debonding of fibers during which slow crack propagation occurs. Final failure occurs due to unstable crack propagation when fibers pull out and the interfacial shear stress reaches the ultimate bond strength. The theory is supported by test data on fiber reinforced concrete, mortar and paste.     

Impact of multiwall carbon nanotubes on the fatigue strength of adhesive joints

This paper presents the results of research undertaken to determine the possibility of improving the fatigue properties of peel-loaded adhesive joints by dispersing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into epoxy-based adhesives. The fatigue strength tests were carried out on an electromagnetic inductor with the resonance frequency of the adhesively bonded joint specimen. The tests were conducted for three types of epoxy adhesives whose properties were modified through the introduction of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, into their structure. Carbon nanotubes were synthesized by means of the Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) method with Fe-Co catalysts. A quantity of 1 wt.% of the dried material was dispersed into the epoxy adhesives. The results of the fatigue strength tests revealed a significant improvement of the fatigue lifetime of adhesive joints due to MWCNT introduction as filler for epoxy adhesives. In the case of the Epidian 57/PAC adhesive composition, a more than twofold increase in the fatigue lifetime was obtained (an increase of 106.8%). For the Bison Epoxy adhesive composition, the fatigue lifetime increased by 69.3%. The fatigue strength for the best result increased by about 13%.     

Nanomechanical mapping of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites using atomic force acoustic microscopy

In this work, a dual‐frequency resonance tracking (DFRT) method was applied on atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) and high‐resolution, quantitative nanomechanical mapping of a glass fiber–reinforced polymer composites (GFRP) was realized. Results show that even using the single‐frequency AFAM, the fiber, and epoxy can give very good contrast in amplitude images. The modulus mapping result on GFRP by DFRT AFAM was compared with that by dynamic nanoindentation, and it is found that DFRT AFAM can map the elastic modulus with high spatial resolution and more reliable results. The interface of GFRP was especially investigated using a 2 μm × 2 μm scanning area. Finite element analysis was implemented to investigate the effect of tip radius and the applied pressing force on the interface measurement using a sharp “interface”. By setting a linear‐modulus‐varied interface with finite width in finite element analysis (FEA), similar comparison between FEA and AFAM experimental results was also implemented. The average interface width is determined to be 476 nm based on the high‐resolution modulus image, indicating that AFAM is a powerful method for nanoscale interface characterization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39800.     

Mixed-mode fracture behavior of glass fiber reinforced polymer concrete

Fracture toughness of chopped strand glass fiber reinforced particle-filled polymer composite beams was investigated in Mode I and Mode III loading conditions using three-point bend tests. Effects of crack angles on fracture behavior were also studied. The specimens, which have inclined crack at an angle θ to the axis of the specimens, were used to carry out the tests. The specimens were tested with inclination angles 30°, 45°, 60° and 75°. The results are compared with the values of K_IC obtained using conventional (θ=90° ) specimens. In addition, J integrals were also determined. J_IC increases continuously with increasing in crack angle from θ=30° to θ=90°. In contrast, J_IIIC decreases with the crack inclination angle θ from 30° to 90°.     

Improvement of thermo-electrical properties of polymer composites filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes decorated carbon fillers

To enhance the thermo-electrical properties of liquid silicone rubber (LSR) in applications, the carbon fibres (CFs) modified by multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on the surfaces were used as the fillers. The MWCNT-modified CFs (MPCFs) were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron micrograph and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It was found that MWCNT were successfully adsorbed onto the surface of CFs. The MPCFs functioned as conductive fillers in LSR for thermal and electrical conductivity application and exhibited significant enhancement. The effects of MPCFs loading on thermal conductivity and volume resistivity of LSR composites were investigated in detail. Results of this work revealed that the MPCFs/LSR composites possessed a thermal conductivity of 0.73?W?m^?1?K^?1 with 14?vol.-% filler loading, approximately 3.48-fold higher than that of pure LSR substrate. And with the increase of MPCFs loading, the least volume resistivity of MPCFs/LSR composites is 10?Ω?cm. Besides, compared with that of neat LSR, the tensile strength of MPCFs/LSR composites increased 0.913?MPa.     

Rheological behavior of polypropylene nanocomposites with tailored polymer/multiwall carbon nanotubes interface

Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA‐g‐PP) or polypropylene (PP) was noncovalently coated onto acid functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (f‐MWNT) through solution mixing. These coated f‐MWNTs and pristine MWNT (p‐MWNT) were melt microcompounded with neat PP to form PP/f‐MWNT and PP/p‐MWNT nanocomposites at 0.1–1 wt% MWNT concentration. Complex viscosity and tan δ (ratio of loss modulus to storage modulus) behavior of these systems were studied using dynamic frequency sweep test, while relaxation time, activation energy, and melt homogeneity were also calculated and compared. Among the three types of samples, PP/f‐MWNT masterbatch‐based nanocomposite demonstrated not only the presence of interphase but also good processability. As a consequence, increase of both the crystallization rate in the presence of shear and the melt elasticity during annealing were found only in the masterbatch‐based samples but not in the PP/p‐MWNT. The mechanism of such increased melt elasticity was attributed to the formation of the space‐spanning network, which is consistent with the Cole–Cole plot showing similar behavior to the branched polymers in the literature. This has implications in polymer processing due to suggested changes in the balance between melt strength and polymer flow. Nanocomposite rheological behavior has also been correlated with the mechanical properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1763–1777, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Strength degradation and fractographic analysis of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite laminates with square / circular hole using scanning electron microscope micrographs

In this article, experimental study has been carried out to obtain comparative information intended for designing and assembly of structural components made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite. Investigation on tensile strength has been done on unidirectional CFRP composite laminates with hole. Effect of stacking sequence, hole size, and hole shape on tensile strength has been examined independently by open hole tensile (OHT) test. Reduction in OHT strength is observed when stacking sequence is changed from [0]₈ to [0/90]_2s and when the hole size is increased. However, OHT strength is noticed to get increased when hole shape is changed from circular to square. Laminates containing square shaped hole demonstrate less sensitiveness towards tensile strength and show negligible effect of stacking sequences on the normalized strength than the circular hole. Fractographic analysis figures out the failure mechanism of tested specimens by correlating their mechanical properties. SEM micrographs and data analysis reveal that axial splits and local delamination effectively blunt the stress concentration around the hole resulting in higher OHT strength and less notch sensitiveness towards tensile strength.     

Impact damage sensing in glass fiber reinforced composites based on carbon nanotubes by electrical resistance measurements

In this article, we report an interesting employment of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as a filler in the epoxy matrix of a glass fiber reinforced composite (FRP). The intrinsic electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes made the development of a nanocomposite with enhanced electrical properties possible. The manufactured nanocomposite was subsequently employed in the production of a glass FRP. Due to the high aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes, very small amounts of these particles were sufficient to modify the electrical properties of the obtained glass fiber composites. Basically, a three‐phases material was developed, in which two phases were electrically insulating—epoxy matrix and glass fiber—and one phase highly conductive, the carbon nanotubes. The main goal of this study was to investigate the possibility of developing a glass fiber reinforced nanocomposite (GFRN), which is able to provide measurable electrical signals when subjected to a low‐velocity impact on its surface. Following this goal, the drop in the mechanical performance of the composite was evaluated before and after the impact. At the same time, the variation in its electrical resistance was measured. The results have shown that it is possible to associate the increase in electrical resistance of the composite with the formation of damages caused by impact. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Modulus of short carbon and glass fiber reinforced composites

A theoretical model for a short fiber reinforced composite is proposed. The composite is assumed to consist of an aggregate of sub-units, each sub-unit possessing the elastic properties of a reinforced composite in which the fibers are continuous and fully aligned. The elastic constants of a partially oriented composite are then calculated by the Voigt and Reuss averaging procedures, giving upper and lower bounds respectively for the composite modulus. Comparison is made with experimental data for such composites. The measured modulus of glass and carbon fiber composites is found to be given by the Reuss or lower bound, to a good approximation compared with the difference between the bounds, for fiber orientations ranging from almost isotropic to highly aligned.     

Fatigue of glass and carbon fiber reinforced engineering thermoplastics

Cyclic tension fatigue S-N curves are given for injection moleded Nylon 6/6, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, and poly(amide-imide) matrices with glass and carbon fibers as well as for unreinforced material. The S-N curves for most composites appear linear, with no evidence of a fatigue limit up to 10⁶ cycles. Some nonlinearity is evident with the Nylon 6/6 composities, and these appear to fail at a cumulative strain similar to the ultimate static strain. The remainder of the composites appear to fail by a crack propagation mechanism. The glass reinforced materials all degrade at a similar rate in fatigue, while the carbon reinforced materials with brittle matrices degrade more slowly than do those with ductile matrices. The latter effect may be due to greater integrity of the cracked regions for brittle matrix systems.     

Enhancement of surface adhesion between thermoplastic resin and carbon fiber using polymer colloids

To enhance the interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and thermoplastic resin, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were adsorbed on the carbon fiber. It was found that positively charged PMMA particles were readily adsorbed on the carbon fiber, and the interfacial shear strength between the modified carbon fiber and the resin was enhanced. In addition, the interaction between the carbon fiber coated with particles to the PMMA resin would be improved, and the surface adhesion between them was strengthened.