Poly(ether ether ketone)/wrapped graphite nanosheets with poly(ether sulfone) composites: Preparation,mechanical properties,and tribological behavior

Antiwear composites with extraordinary tribological performances and good mechanical/thermal properties were developed by the dispersion of poly(ether sulfone) (PES) wrapped graphite nanosheets (GNSs) inside a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) matrix via melt blending. The tribological behaviors and the mechanical/thermal properties of the composites were carefully investigated. Compared with pure PEEK and PEEK/GNS composites, the PEEK/wrapped GNS composites exhibited considerable enhancements in those performances; these were attributed to the eliminated layer of PES; this elimination not only eliminated the GNS aggregation inside the PEEK matrix for homogeneous distribution inside the PEEK matrix but also enhanced the interfacial adhesion between the PEEK and wrapped GNSs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41728.     

Thermal conductivity,electrical resistivity,mechanical, and rheological properties of thermoplastic composites filled with boron nitride and carbon fiber

Hybrid composites consisting of boron nitride (BN) platelets and carbon fibers (CF) in a polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) matrix were melt‐compounded, and their thermal and electrical conductivity, tensile, and rheological properties were investigated. While it does not lead to an enhancement in thermal conductivity with respect to PBT/BN composites, the results indicate that a combination of BN and CF in PBT can significantly reduce electrical conductivity of the composites compared to that of PBT/CF composites. The relative low thermal conductivity of the hybrid composites is attributed to CF breakage that occurred during the extrusion and alignment of CF in melt flow direction, which is normal to the heat flow encountered during the thermal conductivity tests induced by injection molding. The hybrid composites were, however, found to have better tensile properties and processibility than PBT/BN composites at the same total filler content. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:66–73, 2005. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Carbon‐fiber‐reinforced acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate composites: Mechanical and rheological properties and electrical resistivity

The aim of this study was to improve the mechanical properties of an acrylonitrile–styrene–acrylate copolymer (ASA) with the help of carbon fibers (CFs). Additionally, the effects of the CFs on the morphology, rheological properties, dynamical mechanical properties, electrical resistivity, and heat resistance of the ASA composites were studied with scanning electron microscopy, rotational rheometry, and dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA). The mechanical properties of the ASA composites were enhanced largely by the CFs. The maximum tensile strength of the ASA/CF composites reached 107.2 MPa. The flexural strength and flexural modulus also reached 162.7 MPa and 12.4 GPa, respectively. These findings were better than those of neat ASA; this was attributed to the excellent interfacial adhesion between the CFs and ASA resin. Rheological experiments proved that the viscosity and storage modulus (G′) values of the ASA/CF composites did not increase until the CF content reached 20%. The DMA outcomes confirmed that the glass‐transition temperature of the ASA composites was elevated from 120.6 to 125°C. Importantly, the G′ values of the composites with 20 and 30% CFs showed a large increase during heating. In addition, the ASA/CF composites exhibited excellent conductivity and heat resistance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43252.     

Mechanical,Thermal and Electrical Resisitivity Properties of Thermoplastic Composites Filled with Carbon Fibers and Carbon Particles

Composites consisting of carbon fibers (CF) and carbon particles (CP) in polypropylene (PP) matrix were melt-compounded. Composites were analyzed for their mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. Results indicate that the addition of these fillers improved the mechanical properties of the composites. Thermal conductivity was enhanced as the concentration of fillers was increased. Carbon fibers render the composites electrically conductive so we observed a percolation threshold near 10 wt.% of CF for PP/CF (PP and CF composite) and near 25 wt.% of CP for PP/CP (PP and carbon particle composite). All the results indicated that carbon fibers are more effective in improving the properties as compare to the carbon particles.     

The effect of filler concentration on the electrical,thermal, and mechanical properties of carbon particle and carbon fiber‐reinforced poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) composites

Composite materials of poly (styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (luran) matrix with carbon fibers (CF)/carbon particles (CP) were prepared and their properties were evaluated. The mechanical and thermal properties of these composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Although, by increasing the filler concentration no significant difference was found in melting and crystallization temperatures of the luran. The storage and tensile modulus of the composites increased linearly with filler concentration up to 40 wt % that was approximately three times higher than that of the virgin luran. There is a shift in glass transition temperature of the composite with increasing the filler concentration and the damping peak became flatter that indicated the effectiveness of the filler–matrix interaction. The volume resistivity and thermal conductivity (TC) of the composites were also measured. At a given carbon filler content the CF–Luran composites have much less volume resistivity as compared to CP–Luran composites. The decreased percolation threshold and volume resistivity in case of CF–Luran composites indicated that conductive paths existed in the composites. The conductive pathways were probably formed through interconnection of the carbon fillers. The volume resistivity was also decreased as a function of temperature. The thermal conductivity was increased linearly as a function of temperature with increasing filler concentration up to 40% of CF and CP. This increase was more profound in case of CF–Luran as compared to CP–Luran composites. This was owing to greater thermal networks of fibers as compared to particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:186–197, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

聚醚醚酮/碳纤维复合粉末的制备及性能

将热处理改性的聚醚醚酮(PEEK)粉末和碳纤维(CF)共混制备了PEEK/CF复合粉末。采用表观密度测试、扫描电子显微镜、电子万能试验机、热重分析、差示扫描量热法等对复合粉末材料的微观形貌、力学性能和热性能进行分析。结果表明,热处理后的PEEK粉末表观密度最高可达0.286 g/cm3。与纯PEEK相比,复合粉末的玻璃化转变温度、熔融温度和分解温度都有较大的提高;随着CF质量分数逐渐增加,复合粉末材料的拉伸强度、弯曲强度、弯曲弹性模量、热变形温度和维卡软化温度逐渐增大,冲击强度逐渐减小。改性PEEK/CF复合粉末材料为选择性激光烧结技术提供了高强度、高耐热性能的粉末材料,从而应用于汽车工业、电器工业、医疗器械和航空航天等领域。     

Influence of carbon nanotubes on the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of poly(ether ether ketone)/glass fiber laminates

Novel poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/glass fiber laminates incorporating polysulfone as a compatibilizing agent were fabricated by melt-blending and hot-press processing. Their morphology, mechanical, thermal and electrical properties were investigated and compared with the behavior of similar non-compatibilized composites. Scanning electron micrographs demonstrated better SWCNT dispersion for samples with polysulfone. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a remarkable improvement in the thermal stability of PEEK/glass fiber by the incorporation of SWCNTs wrapped in the compatibilizer, ascribed to a significant thermal conductivity enhancement. Differential scanning calorimetry showed a decrease in the crystallization temperature and crystallinity of the polymer with the addition of both wrapped and non-wrapped SWCNTs. The laminates exhibit anisotropic electrical behavior; their conductivity out-of-plane is lower than that in-plane. Dynamic mechanical studies revealed an increase in the storage modulus and glass transition temperature in the presence of polysulfone. Mechanical tests demonstrated significant enhancements in stiffness, strength and toughness by the incorporation of wrapped nanofillers, whilst the mechanical properties of non-compatibilized composites only improved marginally. Samples with laser-grown SWCNTs exhibit enhanced overall performance. This investigation confirms that SWCNT-reinforced PEEK/glass fiber compatibilized composites possess excellent potential to be used as multifunctional engineering materials in industrial applications.     

A comparative study on the influences of whisker and conventional carbon nanotubes on the electrical and thermal conductivity of polyether ether ketone composites

In this study, the electrical and thermal conductivity of polyether ether ketone (PEEK)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different types, namely whisker CNTs (Wh-CNTs) and conventional CNTs were compared. PEEK/CNTs composites were melt mixed in PEEK via two screw extrusion technology. Moreover, the effects of different methods for mixing of PEEK/Wh-CNTs, namely, dry mixing, wet mixing and melt mixing, were compared. The electrical and thermal properties were analyzed. A high thermal conductivity value of about 0.741 W/(m K) could be obtained upon loading with 10 wt% Wh-CNTs and the PEEK/Wh-CNTs composites had low volume resistivity value of 10.96 Ω cm at 10 wt% loading via melt mixing. Thermal conductivity values of 1.066 W/(m K) (out-of-plane) and 1.50 W/(m K) (in-plane) were achieved with 10 wt% loading by wet mixing. Experimental results of out-of-plane thermal conductivity were more consistent with the Nan model. PEEK/Wh-CNTs composites prepared by wet mixing exhibited higher thermal conductivity than the composites mixed using the two other methods. As the content of Wh-CNTs in wet mixed PEEK/Wh-CNTs nanocomposites increased, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) was improved. The PEEK/Wh-CNTs composites were 0.6 mm thick and showed an EMI SE of 21.5 dB.     

The synergistic effects on enhancing thermal conductivity and mechanical strength of hBN/CF/PE composite

In this work, a simple and novel method was applied to prepare polymer composites by taking the advantage of melt flow shear force driving orientation of the fillers. By using this method, hexagonal boron nitride/polyethylene (hBN/PE) and hexagonal boron nitride/carbon fibers/polyethylene (hBN/CF/PE) composites were fabricated to be possessed of high thermal conductivity and mechanical properties. A high thermal conductivity of 3.11 W/mK was realized in the composite containing 35 wt% hBN and 5 wt% CF, which was over 1,200% higher than that of unfilled PE matrix. Under this component, the compressive strength and modulus of hBN/CF/PE composite were determined to be 30.1 and 870.9 MPa, respectively, which were far higher than that of unfilled PE accordingly. The bending performance was also somewhat enhanced. Meanwhile, the bulk resistivity of the composite material reached 2.55 × 10¹¹ Ω·cm, which was basically the same as that of pure PE. The novel composites with high thermal conductivity, excellent mechanical properties, and controllable electrical insulation could be a potential thermal management material for electrical and electronics industries.     

Effects of alkali and alkali/silane treatments of corn fibers on mechanical and thermal properties of its composites with polylactic acid

Different chemically modified (including treatments with alkali alone and a combination of alkali and silane coupling agent) corn fibers (CFs) have been used as reinforcements in polylactic acid (PLA) matrix to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the CF/PLA composites. A comparative study has been made to find out how the two treatments affect the mechanical and thermal properties such as tensile, flexural, and impact strengths and glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallinity, and heat deflection temperature (HDT) of the CF/PLA composites. Scanning electron microscopy analyses have been conducted to evaluate the fiber–matrix adhesion. It has been observed that the treatment with a combination of alkali and silane is more efficient in strengthening fiber–matrix bonding, and thus more significantly improving the tensile and flexural strengths, crystallinity, T_g, and HDT of the CF/PLA composites than the treatment with alkali alone. However, alkali treatment produces the optimal impact strength. Mechanisms have been proposed to interpret the observed changes in mechanical and thermal properties as a result of fiber treatments. It is inferred that the surface treatment of CFs with a combination of alkali and silane may also be applied in other CF–polymer composite systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3499–3507, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Poly(ether ether ketone) composites reinforced by short carbon fibers and zirconium dioxide nanoparticles: Mechanical properties and sliding wear behavior with water lubrication

Poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composites reinforced by short carbon fibers (SCFs) and nanoscale zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂) particles were prepared by twin‐screw extrusion compounding and subsequently injection molding. The effects of SCFs and ZrO₂ nanoparticles on the mechanical properties and wear behavior of PEEK composites with water lubrication were investigated. The mechanical properties of the composites were dramatically enhanced by the incorporation of SCFs. The addition of nano‐ZrO₂ also promoted efficient improvements in the stiffness and hardness but degraded the impact strength. The compounding of the two fillers remarkably improved the wear resistance of the composites under aqueous conditions and especially under high pressures. The excellent wear resistance of the PEEK/carbon fiber (CF)/ZrO₂ composites under aqueous conditions was revealed to be due to a synergy effect between the ZrO₂ nanoparticles and CFs. The SCFs carried the majority of the load during a sliding process and prevented severe wear of the matrix. The incorporation of nano‐ZrO₂ efficiently inhibited CF failure by reducing the stress concentration on the CF interface and the shear stress between two sliding surfaces via a positive rolling effect of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, a linear correlation was found between the wear rate and some mechanical properties of the composites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

PA6/CF/EG导电复合材料的制备与性能

采用熔融共混法制备了不同碳纤维/热膨胀石墨(CF/EG)比例的尼龙6/碳纤维/热膨胀石墨(PA6/CF/EG)导电复合材料并研究其性能。结果表明,CF的加入能显著提高复合材料的力学性能;而随着EG含量的提高,复合材料的导电性能和导热性能显著提高,但力学性能在一定程度上得到降低。当CF质量分数为20%时,复合材料具有最优的力学性能,当EG质量分数为20%时,复合材料体积电导率可显著提高至0.262 S/m,热导率可达1.3379W/(m·K)。     

Improvement of interfacial interactions in CF/PEEK composites by an s-PSF/graphene oxide compound sizing agent

The interfacial interactions of carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced polymer composites is a key factor affecting the overall performance of the material. In this work, we prepared a sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)–graphene oxide mixed sizing agent to modify the interface of CF/PEEK composites and improve the interfacial properties between the PEEK matrix and CF. Results showed that the mechanical and interfacial properties of CF/PEEK composites are improved by the sizing agent. Specifically, the flexural strength, flexural modulus and interlaminar shear strength of the materials reached 847.29 MPa, 63.77 GPa, and 73.17 MPa, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed markedly improved adhesion between the resin matrix and fibers. This work provides a simple and effective method for the preparation of high-performance CF/PEEK composites, which can improve the performance of composites without degrading the mechanical property of pristine CF.     

Effects of sizing materials on the properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced polyamide 6,6 composites

This article aims to study the effect of the sizing materials type on the mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of carbon fiber (CF)‐reinforced polyamide 6,6 (PA 6,6) composites. For this purpose, unsized CF and sized CFs were used. Thermogravimetric analysis was performed, and it has been found that certain amounts of polyurethane (PU) and PA sizing agents decompose during processing. The effects of sizing agent type on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of all the composites were investigated using tensile, Izod impact strength test, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Tensile strength values of sized CF‐reinforced composites were higher than that of unsized CF‐reinforced composites. PA and polyurethane sized CF‐reinforced composites exhibited the highest impact strength values among the other sized CF‐reinforced composites. PU and PA sized CF‐reinforced composites denoted higher storage modulus and better interfacial adhesion values among the other sizing materials. Scanning electron microscope studies indicated that CFs which were sized with PU and PA have better interfacial bonding with PA 6,6 matrix among the sized CFs. All the results confirmed that PA and PU were suitable for CF's sizing materials to be used for PA 6,6 matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1583–1590, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Thermal,mechanical, and dielectric properties of aluminum silicate fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate–poly(ether sulfone) layered composites

In this study, a novel aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄) heat‐resistant layer reinforced with aluminum silicate fiber (ASF) was successfully compounded on a poly(ether sulfone) (PES) matrix via the preparation process of high‐temperature heat treatment and vacuum hot‐pressing sintering technique. The influence of the ASF content on the morphology, thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of the as‐fabricated aluminum silicate fiber reinforced aluminum phosphate–poly(ether sulfone) (ASF/AlPO₄–PES) layered composite was investigated. The results reveal that the incorporation of aluminum silicate fiber/aluminum phosphate (ASF/AlPO₄) heat‐resistant layer can significantly improve the thermal stability and mechanical performances of the PES matrix composites. Compared with the pristine PES, the ASF/AlPO₄–PES layered composite containing 8.0 wt % ASF exhibited better high‐temperature resistance properties (300 °C) and a lower thermal conductivity (0.16 W m^?1 K^?1). Furthermore, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent of this PES matrix composite decreased to 2.16 and 0.007, respectively. Meanwhile, the frequency stability of the dielectric properties for the ASF/AlPO₄–PES layered composites was remarkably enhanced with increasing ASF addition at frequencies ranging from 10² Hz to 5 MHz. This was attributed to the existence of microscopic pores within the ASF/AlPO₄ layer and the strong interfacial bonding between the ASF/AlPO₄ layer and the PES matrix. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45542.     

Ethylene–(vinyl acetate) copolymer/carbon fiber conductive composite: effect of polymer–filler interaction on its electrical properties

Ethylene–(vinyl acetate) (EVA)/carbon fibre (CF) composites were prepared by changing the content of CF in the composite. To investigate the effect of the interaction between EVA and CF on the electrical properties of the composite, the CF was treated in nitric acid. The interaction between EVA and CF was examined by a solvent-extraction method. It was found that the interaction of EVA with CF was enhanced due to the chemical absorption of EVA on CF. The correlation of CF content, electrical properties and the formation of polymer–filler gel for the composite with oxidized CF was studied. Although the composites filled with treated CF exhibit a slightly higher resistivity than those filled with untreated CF at room temperature, they show the improved electrical properties, including elimination of the negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) effect, high electrical reproducibility after thermal cycles, and independence of the conductivity on time, which improves the practical applications of positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) materials. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improvement in mechanical,electrical, and shape memory properties of the polystyrene-based carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites containing carbon nanotubes

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers based on polystyrene matrix containing elastomer and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced by compression molding. The effects of carbon fabric (CF) concentration and silane treatment on the morphology, mechanical, electrical, and shape memory properties of the multilayer composites were investigated. The SEM analyses showed that fibers of the silane-treated CFs were more homogeneously covered with the polymer layers than the untreated CFs. The tensile strength and modulus of the composites increased by 521% and 125%, respectively, with an increasing number of CF plies from one to five. Upon silane treatment, the tensile strength of the multilayer composite improved by 26%, and the tensile modulus decreased by 18.4%. Electrical conductivities of the composites were in the semiconductor region due to the presence of both CNTs and CFs. 100% shape recovery less than a minute recovery time was obtained for all the composites with electrically triggered bending test.     

Electromechanical behavior of hybrid carbon/glass fiber composites with tension and bending

To understand the smart (i.e., good memory) characteristics of hybrid composites of carbon fibers (CFs) and glass fibers (GFs) with epoxy resin as a matrix, the changes in the electrical resistance of composites with tension and on bending were investigated. The electrical resistance behavior of composites under tension changed with the composition of the CF/GF, as well as with the applied strain. The fractional electrical resistance increased slowly with increasing strain within a relatively low strain region. However, with further loading it increased stepwise with the strain according to the fracture of the CF layers. The strain sensitivity of the samples increased with increasing CF weight percentage, and the samples incorporating more than 40 wt % CF showed a strain sensitivity higher than 1.54 for a single CF. The changes in the fractional electrical resistance with bending were not so dominant as those with tension. This difference was attributed to the action of two cancelling effects, which are the increasing and decreasing fractional electrical resistance due to tension and compression with bending, respectively. On recovery from a large applied bending, the fractional electrical resistance decreased slowly with unloading because of the increase of contacts between the fibers that resulted from the reorganization of ruptured CFs during the recovery. Even the composites incorporating a relatively small CF content showed an irreversible electrical resistance with both tension and bending. However, the strain sensitivity being larger with tension than with bending is ascribed to the difference in their mechanical behaviors. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2447–2453, 2002     

End‐functionalized thermoplastic‐toughened phthalonitrile composites: influence on cure reaction and mechanical and thermal properties

Phthalonitrile polymers are known for their high thermal stability and good mechanical properties. However, their brittle nature limits their application as structural composites in many critical areas. The present study investigates the feasibility of toughening novolac–phthalonitrile (NPN) resin using chemically modified poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK). A telechelic PEEK bearing a phthalonitrile end group (PEEKPN) was synthesized via nucleophilic substitution of nitrophthalonitrile with the corresponding phenol–telechelic poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEKOH). Different compositions of NPN and PEEKOH–PEEKPN blends with curing agent, i.e. diaminodiphenylsulfone, were investigated for their cure behaviour and mechanical properties of their carbon fabric composites. In NPN–PEEKOH blends, crosslinking of the phthalonitrile groups was facilitated by phenol‐mediated reactions resulting in the reduction of cure temperatures by around 130 °C with substantial improvement in thermal stability. Blending the resin with the thermoplastic enhanced the mechanical properties of the composites. The apparent flexural strength and impact strength of carbon fabric‐reinforced composites were improved by more than 200 and 150%, respectively, on incorporation of 20 wt% PEEKOH in the NPN matrix. However, higher concentration of PEEKOH had a detrimental effect on the properties. Substitution of phenol end groups by phthalonitrile moieties led to integration of the PEEK moieties with the NPN matrix. However, it was not as conducive as PEEKOH for improving the matrix properties. The better performance of PEEKOH is attributed to the formation of polar heterocyclic groups like isoindoline by way of the phenol–nitrile reaction. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improvements in interfacial and heat-resistant properties of carbon fiber/methylphenylsilicone resins composites by incorporating silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The multi-scale reinforcement and interfacial strengthening on carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin (MPSR) composites by adding silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SiO₂-CNTs) were investigated. SiO₂-CNT has been successfully prepared via the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in the presence of acid-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy were carried out to examine the functional groups and structures of CNTs. Then, SiO₂-CNT was incorporated into MPSR matrix to prepare CF/MPSR-based composites by the compression molding method. The effects of the introduced SiO₂-CNT on the interfacial, impact, and heat-resistant properties of CF/MPSR composites were evaluated by short-beam bend method, impact test, and thermal oxygen aging experiments, respectively. Experimental results revealed that the CF/MPSR composites reinforced with 0.5 wt% SiO₂-CNT showed a significant increase 34.53% in the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and 20.10% in impact properties. Moreover, the heat-resistant properties of composites were enhanced significantly by adding SiO₂-CNT hybrid nanoparticles. These enhancements are mainly attributed to the improved matrix performance resulted from the molecular-level dispersion of SiO₂-CNT in MPSR matrix and the strong interfacial adhesion between SiO₂-CNT and matrix resin, which are beneficial to improve the mechanical stress transfer from MPSR matrix to CFs reinforcement and alleviate stress concentrations.