Effects of fiber length on the tensile strength of epoxy/glass fiber and polyester/glass fiber composites

In discontinuous fiber-reinforced composites, the shear strength at the fiber–matrix interface plays an important role in determining the reinforcing effect. In this paper, a method was devised to accurately determine this shear strength, taking the strength distribution of glass fiber into consideration. Calculated strength values based on the shear strenght obtained by the method were in better agreement with the experimental observations than those calculated by employing the shear strength obtained on the assumption that the fiber strength was uniform. The tensile strength of composites increases with increasing aspect ratio of the reinforcing fibers. This trend is almost the same regardless of the kind of matrix, the nature of interfacial treatment, and the environmental temperature. When composites are reinforced with random-planar orientation of short glass fibers of 1.5 times the mean critical fiber length, the tensile strength of composite reaches about 90% of the theoretical strength of composites reinforced with continuous glass fiber. Reinforcing with glass fibers 5 times the critical length, the tensile strength reaches about 97% of theoretical. However, from a practical point of view, it is adequate to reinforce with short fibers of 1.5–2.0 times the mean critical fiber lenght.     

Ionic interphase of glass fiber/polyamide 6,6 composites

Interfacial polymerization to polyamide 6, 6 followed by introduction of ionic groups was performed on the surface of short glass fibers. The ionic interphase-modified fibers were used with poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (DuPont Surlyn) to prepare composites with specific fiber-matrix interactions. Fiber treatment increased composite tensile and bending properties. An increase in the average fiber length was observed, which was attributed to a decrease in the fiber attrition during mixing. The effect of increasing temperature on the composite mechanical properties was studied. Different behavior was observed before and after the glass transition temperature, T_g, of the matrix. The dynamic mechanical measurements showed an increase in the T_g of the matrix after the treatments, which is attributed to a decrease in chain mobility at the interface resulting from increased interactions of the treated fiber surface with the polymer. Scanning electron microscopy of fractured composites after tensile tests revealed a smooth fiber surface with no polymer at the surface for the untreated composites. Adhered polymer was clearly observed on the surface of treated fibers, indicating better fiber wetting by the matrix. This improved adhesion was attributed to the grafted nylon molecules at the glass fiber surface.     

Toughening mechanisms in rubber-modified glass fiber/unsaturated polyester composites

An important case of composite failure is the leakage of pipes and pressure vessels subjected to internal pressure. The primary damage mechanism leading to leakage is transverse cracking parallel to the fibers. Effects of matrix toughening on transverse cracking strains were therefore investigated for GF/UP cross-ply laminates with matrices of different liquid rubber content. The strain to the first transverse crack was increased from 0.2 to 0.6% with 10 wt% rubber. Debonding occurred at similar strains in GF/UP and GF/UP-rubber. However, whereas debonding was almost simultaneous with transverse cracking in GF/UP, gradual growth of debonds to short cracks took place initially in GF/UP-rubber. This was followed by slow extension of short cracks to a critical flaw size corresponding to unstable growth.     

Preparation and properties of silicon nitride/glass fiber/epoxy composites

Silicon nitride/glass fiber (Si₃N₄/GF) hybrid fillers are performed to prepare the Si₃N₄/GF/epoxy composites. Results showed the thermal conductivities of the Si₃N₄/GF/epoxy composites that are improved with the addition of Si₃N₄, and the thermal conductive coefficient λ is 1.412 W/mK with 38 vol% modified Si₃N₄/GF hybrid fillers (30 vol% Si₃N₄ + 8 vol% GF), seven times higher than that of pure epoxy resin. The flexural strength and impact strength of the composites are optimal with 13 vol% modified Si₃N₄/GF hybrid fillers (5 vol% Si₃N₄ + 8 vol% GF). The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of the composites are increased with the increasing addition of Si₃N₄. For a given Si₃N₄/GF hybrid fillers loading, the surface modification can further improve the thermal conductivities of the Si₃N₄/GF/epoxy composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1338–1342, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fabrication and characterization of novel zirconia filled glass fiber reinforced polyester hybrid composites

Novel hybrid glass fiber reinforced polyester composites (GFRPCs) filled with 1‐5 wt % microsized zirconia (ZrO₂) particles, were fabricated by hand lay‐up process followed by compression molding and evaluated their physical, mechanical and thermal behaviors. The consumption of styrene in cured GFRPCs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The potential implementation of ZrO₂ particles lessened the void contents marginally and substantially enhanced the mechanical and thermal properties in the resultant hybrid composites. The GFRPCs filled with 4 wt % ZrO₂ illustrated noteworthy improvement in tensile strength (66.672 MPa) and flexural strength (67.890 MPa) while with 5 wt % ZrO₂ showed 63.93% rise in hardness, respectively, as compared to unfilled GFRPCs. Physical nature of polyester matrix for composites and an improved glass transition temperature (T_g) from 103 to 112 °C was perceived by differential scanning calorimetry thermograms. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal stability of GFRPCs was remarkably augmented with the addition of ZrO₂. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43615.     

Synthesis of novel heterocyclic polyimides containing trimellitimide acid moieties

4‐Nitrobezoyl chloride (2) was reacted with isoeugenol in chloroform in the presence of triethyl amine and ester (4) was obtained in high yield. Ester (4) was reacted with SnCl₂·2H₂O to give amine‐ester (5), and subsequently was reacted with trimellitic anhydride (6) and novel isoeugenol ester‐imide derivative (7), as a new monomer was obtained in quantitative yield. Compound (7) was characterized by high‐field ¹H–NMR, IR, and elemental analysis and then was used for the preparation of model compound (9) and polymerization reactions. 4‐Phenyl‐1,2,4‐triazoline‐3,5‐dione (PhTD) (8) was allowed to react with compound (7). The reaction is very fast and gives only one double adduct (9) via Diels–Alder and ene pathways in excellent yield. The polymerization reactions of novel monomer (7) with bistriazolinediones [bis(p‐3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐ylphenyl)methane (10) and 1,6‐bis(3,5‐dioxo‐1,2,4‐triazolin‐4‐yl)hexane (11)] were carried out in N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at room temperature. The reactions are exothermic, fast, and gave novel heterocyclic polyimides (12) and (13) via repetitive Diels–Alder‐ene polyaddition reactions. Some structural characterization and physical properties of these novel heterocyclic polyimides are reported. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 1716–1725, 2001     

高密度聚氨酯硬泡塑料／玻纤粉复合材料的研究

以聚醚多元醇、PAPI、催化剂、发泡剂和玻璃纤维等为原料,制备高密度聚氨酯硬泡及它与磨碎玻纤粉的复合材料。研究了不同密度硬泡的强度及磨碎玻纤粉粒径、预处理及其含量对复合材料强度的影响,不同复合材料的热稳定性。结果表明,随着密度的增加,硬泡的各种强度值总体上均呈逐渐增加趋势,其中500kg/m^3的聚氨酯的拉伸强度比200kg/m^3的提高了104．74％,冲击强度提高了194．84％;400目粒径的玻纤粉可使复合材料具有更高的拉伸强度、弯曲强度及压缩强度;玻纤的加入将降低材料的强度值,但偶联剂预处理可使它们有所改善;加入磨碎玻纤粉后,材料的热稳定性增加,且采用偶联剂KH550对玻纤粉进行预处理可进一步改善复合材料的耐热性能。     

Improving the properties of LDPE/glass fiber composites with silanized-LDPE

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is a widely used thermoplastic. The dispersion of inorganic fillers in thermoplastic matrices such as polyethylene has been largely employed to improve some of its properties. However, interaction between both components is a major issue so the presence of a coupling agent is usually necessary to increase the interaction among the phases. In this study, LDPE chemically modified with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was used as a coupling agent in glass fiber-reinforced LDPE. The composites were prepared in a mixing chamber and subsequently analyzed by tensile tests, rotational rheometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were significantly increased by the use of small amounts of the coupling agent. Moreover, the rheological behavior and the SEM micrographs showed higher interaction between the matrix and the reinforcing phase in the composites containing LDPE modified with VTES, confirming the suitability of using this coupling agent in these systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of polyphenylene sulfide containing amino unit on thermal and mechanical properties of polyphenylene sulfide/glass fiber composites

Three kinds of high‐molecular‐weight compatibilizers [copoly(1,4‐phenylene sulfide)‐poly(2,5‐phenylene sulfide amine)] (PPS‐NH₂) containing different proportions of amino units in the side chain) were synthesized by the reaction of dihalogenated monomer and sodium sulfide via nucleophilic substitution polymerization under high pressure. The intrinsic viscosity of the obtained copolymers was 0.354–0.489 dL/g and they were found to have good thermal performance with melting point (T_m) of 271.3–281.0 °C and initial degradation temperature (T_d) of 490.0–495.7 °C. There was an excellent physical compatibility between PPS‐NH₂ and the pure industrial PPS. The results of dynamic mechanical analysis and macro‐ and micromechanical test showed that the selective compatibilizer PPS‐NH₂ (1.0) (1.0% mol aminated ratio) can improve the mechanical and interfacial properties of polyphenylene sulfide/glass fiber (PPS/GF) composite. The macro‐optimal tensile strength, Young's modulus, bending strength, and notched impact strength of 5%PPS‐NH₂ (1.0)/PPS/GF composite raised up to 141 MPa, 1.98 GPa, 203 MPa, and 6.15 kJ/m², which increased 12.8%, 9.4%, 4.1%, and 13.8%, respectively, comparing with the pure PPS/GF composite (125 MPa, 1.81 GPa, 195 MPa, and 5.40 kJ/m², respectively). © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45804.     

Preparation of polypropylene fiber/banana fiber composites by novel commingling method

Short natural fiber thermoplastic composites are usually fabricated by melt mixing or solution mixing followed by conventional methods like injection molding or compression molding. In melt mixing, the fibers are subjected to high shear and this damage the natural fiber. In solution mixing, the use of the organic solvent is essential and its use is hazardous. Development of a novel method commingling to prepare polypropylene (PP)/short natural fiber composite is the main objective of this study. The influence of fiber loading on the mechanical properties of the composites prepared by the above method has been evaluated. The applications and limitations of several equations to predict physical properties such as tensile strength and modulus of the composites have been described. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of different glass fiber sizings on selected mechanical properties of PET/glass composites

The properties of fiber-reinforced plastics are considerably influenced by fiber-matrix interaction. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of glass fiber surface treatments on the morphology of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and on selected mechanical properties of unidirectional PET/glass fiber composites. The materials used here were E-glass fibers treated with model sizings including aminosilane as a coupling agent and polyurethane and epoxy resin dispersions as film formers and PET as the matrix. For identification of the degree of crystallinity of the PET matrix, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used. To study the influence of the different sizings on the mechanical properties, the following tests were performed: interlaminar and intralaminar shear tests and a transverse tensile test. Dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to characterize the behavior of the composites under dynamical load. The DSC results show that the overall crystallinity and the melting behavior of the PET matrix were hardly influenced by the glass fiber surface treatments used. The various strength properties of the composites are influenced not only by the silane coupling agent, but also by the type of film former. With an epoxy resin dispersion, the mechanical properties were enhanced compared with a polyurethane dispersion. These results were confirmed by characterization of the composites by DMA.     

Mechanical properties of glass fiber/organic fiber mixed–mat reinforced thermoplastic composites

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of different types of fibers on the mechanical properties of hybrid composite materials. Long and short glass fibers (GF) and different types of organic fibers, viz. aramid fiber, DuPont Kevlar‐49 (KF), liquid crystalline polymer (LCP), and vinylon (VF) in hybrid composites, were used to reinforced the high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix. The long fiber hybrid composites were prepared in a “fiber separating and flying machine,” while the short fiber hybrid composites were prepared in an “elastic extruder.” The total amount of fibers used in both long and short fiber hybrid composites was fixed at 20 vol%. The influence of fiber content, length, and mixing ratio on mechanical properties, such as tensile, bending, Izod and high rate impact strength, as well as viscoelastic propertics in the solid state, was studied. Fracture surfaces of the materials were also examined using a scanning electron microscopy.     

Properties of novel polyimides containing bismaleimide and cyclic phosphine oxide

New polyimide polymers with phosphorus in the main chain were obtained from synthesized bismaleimide (EPBMI) cured with three types of curing agents: 4,4′-bismaleimidodiphenylmethane (BDM), 4,4′-bismaleimidodiphenyl- ether (BDE), and 4,4′-bismaleimidodiphenylsulfone (BDS). In addition, the compositions of the new polymers synthesized with these three curing agents (BDM, BDE, and BDS) were used to compare the curing reactivity and thermal properties of EPBMI to conventional bismaleimide (EBMI). The reactivities were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the polymers, obtained through the curing reactions between EPBMI and the three curing agents mentioned also demonstrated excellent thermal properties and a high char yield compared to the EPBMI homopolymer.     

Polymerization compounding composites of nylon‐6,6/short glass fiber

Nylon‐6,6 was grafted onto the surface of short glass fibers through the sequential reaction of adipoyl chloride and hexamethylenediamine onto the fiber surface. Grafted and unsized short glass fibers (USGF) were used to prepare composites with nylon‐6,6 via melt blending. The glass fibers were found to act as nucleating agents for the nylon‐6,6 matrix. Grafted glass fiber composites have higher crystallization temperatures than USGF composites, indicating that grafted nylon‐6,6 molecules further increase crystallization rate of composites. Grafted glass fiber composites were also found to have higher tensile strength, tensile modulus, dynamic storage modulus, and melt viscosity than USGF composites. Property enhancement is attributed to improved wetting and interactions between the nylon‐6,6 matrix and the modified surface of glass fibers, which is supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The glass transition (tan δ) temperatures extracted from dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) are found to be unchanged for USGF, while in the case of grafted glass fiber, tan δ increases with increasing glass fiber contents. Moreover, the peak values (i.e., intensity) of tan δ are slightly lower for grafted glass fiber composites than for USGF composites, further indicating improved interactions between the grafted glass fibers and nylon‐6,6 matrix. The Halpin‐Tsai and modified Kelly‐Tyson models were used to predict the tensile modulus and tensile strength, respectively.     

聚乙二醇改性双马来酰亚胺-三嗪树脂/玻璃纤维布复合材料的热性能

聚乙二醇对树脂基玻璃纤维布复合材料增韧具有优良的效果,但其柔性链段的分子结构本质极大影响了复合材料的耐热性能。本文以聚乙二醇为改性剂制备了聚乙二醇/BT树脂/玻璃纤维布复合材料,系统研究了不同分子链长度以及不同含量的聚乙二醇对复合材料热性能的影响。研究结果表明：聚乙二醇的加入降低了复合材料的玻璃化转变温度、5%热失重温度以及800 ℃残炭率。在聚乙二醇相对分子质量为4000时,复合材料的热性能出现最大值。随聚乙二醇含量的增加,复合材料的热稳定性能逐步下降。由于聚乙二醇、BT树脂、玻璃纤维布之间较大的界面结合力,使基体树脂的链运动受到一定程度的限制,一定程度上缓解了由于聚乙二醇的加入而使复合材料的热稳定性能下降的趋势。研究结果为合理添加聚乙二醇而提高复合材料的韧性提供了热性能方面的参考依据。     

Fatigue resistance of continuous glass fiber/polypropylene composites: Temperature dependence

The effect of testing temperature on the fatigue resistance of continuous glass fiber/polypropylene (CGF/PP) composites was studied. Fatigue resistance curves (or S-N curves) were obtained at −40°C, 23°C and 50°C. Both on an absolute stress basis and on a normalized stress basis (with respect to the yield stress at the temperature considered), the S-N curves showed that CGF/PP composites had excellent fatigue performance at 23°C and that their performance was actually improved at −40°C (below T_g of the PP matrix). The S-N curves at 50°C showed that, although the composite flexural strength was reduced because of PP matrix softening, their fatigue performance remained relatively high, as it is controlled by the CGF reinforcement. Comparison with a CGF/thermoset isophthalic polyester composite of identical fiber architecture and similar flexural strength at 23°C indicated that the properties of the thermoplastic PP matrix provided improved fatigue resistance, both on an absolute and a normalized basis, especially below the glass transition temperature. It was concluded that the fact that the fatigue performance of the CGF/polyester composite is only weakly temperature-dependent, while that of the CGF/PP composite is strongly temperature-dependent, does not necessarily mean that it shows superior performance. Polym. Compos. 25:622–629, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Low‐velocity impacts in continuous glass fiber/polypropylene composites

The low‐velocity impact behavior of a continuous glass fiber/polypropylene composite was investigated. Optical microscopy and ultrasonic scanning were used to determine the impact‐induced damage. At low impact energy, the predominant damage mechanism observed was matrix cracking, while at high energy the damage mechanisms observed were delamination, plastic deformation, which produced a residual specimen curvature, and a small amount of fiber breakage at the edge of the indentation on the impacted face of the specimens. The impact load vs. time signals were recorded during impact and showed that the load corresponding to the onset of delamination was independent of the impact energy in the range tested. The load at which the onset of delamination occurred corresponded to the values obtained by performing a linear regression of the delaminated area, obtained by ultrasonic scanning, as a function of the impact force. Tensile and flexural tests performed on impacted specimens showed that the tensile and flexural residual strengths and the flexural modulus decreased with increasing incident impact energy, while the post‐impact residual tensile modulus remained constant. The dynamic interlaminar fracture toughness was evaluated from the critical dynamic (impact) strain energy release rate of specimens with a delamination simulated by an embedded insert. The results are compared with the interlaminar fracture toughness values obtained during subcritical steady crack growth.     

Polypropylene–glass fiber/basalt fiber hybrid composites fabricated by direct fiber feeding injection molding process

Hybrid composites of polypropylene reinforced with glass fibers and basalt fibers were fabricated by vented injection molding machine which is named the direct fiber feeding injection molding (DFFIM) process. Polyamide 6 and maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene has been used as a coupling agent to improve the interfacial bonding between the fibers and matrix. Two types of vented injection molding machines with a different check ring and mold were used for making specimens. The fiber lengths were analyzed to identify the most suitable check ring and mold for the DFFIM process. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites were investigated by tensile, flexural and Izod impact tests. The interfacial morphology of the fractured tensile specimens was studied by using scanning electron microscopy and showed that there is a fiber agglomeration phenomenon that occurs in the hybrid composites, and it has a significant effect on the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45472.     

玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料研究进展

对玻璃纤维增强聚丙烯复合材料的研究近况进行了简单介绍,对其界面改性、增韧增强、结晶行为、长切玻璃纤维增强、材料性能及成型工艺条件进行了较详细的讨论,并对该复合材料今后的研究进行了展望。