Adhesive repair of bismaleimide/carbon fiber composites with bisphenol E cyanate ester

The adhesive strength and repair efficiency of bisphenol E cyanate ester (BECy) is investigated for the injection repair of high temperature polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) by lap shear (LS), short beam shear bending (SBSB), and double-cantilever beam (DCB) tests. Bismaleimide/carbon fiber (BMI-cf) composites were chosen as a model substrate. The BECy resin showed similar strength at room temperature to a benchmark epoxy adhesive and outperformed the epoxy at high temperature (200 °C) in all mechanical tests performed. The influence of moisture content of the PMC substrate on the adhesive strength of BECy was systematically investigated. Drying of PMC before repair was necessary for excellent repair performance. Both the flexural strength of repaired SBSB specimens and the inter-laminar fracture toughness of repaired DCB specimens were significantly higher than that of the control composites and stable over a broad temperature range.     

Nondestructive evaluation of forced delamination in glass fiber-reinforced composites by terahertz and ultrasonic waves

Glass fiber-reinforced composite laminates in polyetherimide resin have been studied via terahertz imaging and ultrasonic C-scans. The forced delamination is created by inserting Teflon film between various layers inside the samples prior to consolidating the laminates. Using reflective pulsed terahertz imaging, we find high-resolution, low-artifact terahertz C-scan and B-scan images locating and sizing the delamination in three dimensions. Furthermore, terahertz imaging enables us to determine the thicknesses of the delamination and of the layers constituting the laminate. Ultrasonic C-scan images are also successfully obtained; however, in our samples with small thickness-to-wavelength ratio, detailed ultrasonic B-scan images providing quantitative information in depth cannot be obtained by 5 MHz or 10 MHz focused transducers. Comparative analysis between terahertz imaging and ultrasonic C-scans with regard to spatial resolution is carried out demonstrating that terahertz imaging provides higher spatial resolution for imaging, and can be regarded as an alternative or complementary modality to ultrasonic C-scans for this class of glass fiber-reinforced composites.     

Polymer matrix,polymer ribbon-reinforced transparent composite materials

Composites of a polymer–matrix reinforced by polymer ribbon monofilaments are investigated as mechanically robust, transparent composite materials. Transparent nylon monofilaments are mechanically worked to form flattened nylon ribbons, which are then combined with index-matched epoxy resin to create transparent composites. A range of optical and mechanical experiments are performed on composites and surrogate systems in order to quantify properties and guide system design. The results show that these polymer–polymer composites provide good transparency over a wide temperature range, and superior ballistic penetration resistance compared to monolithic transparent polymers.     

Interlaminar reinforcement of glass fiber/epoxy composites with graphene nanoplatelets

This work investigated the ability of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) to improve the interlaminar mechanical properties of glass-reinforced multilayer composites. A novel method was developed for the inclusion of GnPs into the interlaminar regions of plain-weave, glass fabric fiber-reinforced/epoxy polymer composites processed with vacuum assisted resin transfer molding. Flexural tests showed a 29% improvement in flexural strength with the addition of only 0.25 wt% GnP. At the same concentration, mode-I fracture toughness testing revealed a 25% improvement. Additionally, low-velocity drop weight impact testing showed improved energy absorption capability with increasing concentration of GnPs. Ultrasonic C-scans and dye penetration inspection of the impact- and back-sides of the specimens qualitatively support these results. Finally, the impact damage area was quantified from the C-scan data. These results showed that the impact-side damage area decreased with increasing concentration of GnP, while the back-side damage area increased.     

原位聚合碳纤维增强聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯基复合材料损伤与修复研究

基于热塑性复合材料易修复的特性,开展了碳纤维增强聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)基复合材料修复技术研究。研究了工艺温度、压力和时间对复合材料力学性能的影响规律。结果表明：在200℃、0.75 MPa压力下保持10 min可以获得优化的复合材料力学性能。引入低速冲击损伤,使用热压修复工艺修复碳纤维增强PMMA基复合材料的损伤。通过X射线断层扫描测试、超声波无损检测技术和断面摄像方法评估了此复合材料的损伤行为和修复效果。结果表明：低速冲击对碳纤维增强PMMA基复合材料的损伤分为低变形量区域的纵向开裂与分层和高变形量区域的纤维断裂与基体失效的混合模式。碳纤维增强PMMA基复合材料损伤试样经过热压修复后,损伤外形恢复良好,损伤区域大小显著减少,内部的开裂和分层等损伤恢复良好,复合材料压缩强度从140 MPa恢复至263 MPa,达到未损伤复合材料压缩性能(307 MPa)的85.7%。     

联苯聚芳醚酮-双马来酰亚胺复合树脂的分相行为和流变行为

离位复合增韧技术是本征脆性的热固性树脂基纤维复合材料提高韧性的有效解决方案,为了更好地结合离位增韧技术和树脂传递模塑(RTM)工艺制备高性能双马来酰亚胺(BMI)树脂基复合材料,本文面向新型热塑性联苯聚芳醚酮(PAEK-B),研究了PAEK-B在BMI树脂及碳纤维复合材料中的分相行为及PAEK-B/BMI复合树脂的流变特性。结果表明,PAEK-B在BMI树脂的注射窗口温度保持一定时间后会发生分相行为,并在RTM工艺制备的碳纤维(CF)/PAEK-B/BMI复合材料中保持了分相结构。BMI树脂的注射温度会影响到PAEK-B在其中的溶解特性,注射温度升高会使BMI树脂的初始黏度变小,但PAEK-B/BMI复合树脂的黏度拐点时间会缩短;PAEK-B/BMI复合树脂符合Winter-Chambon准则,复合树脂的tanδ对频率没有依赖性,且复合树脂的凝胶活化能随着PAEK-B含量的增加逐渐增大。      

Mechanical and electrical response of carbon nanotube-based fabric composites to Hopkinson bar loading

The numerous structural applications of composites, coupled with their complex, rate-dependent mechanical behavior necessitate research into their mechanical response under dynamic loading scenarios. While the damage mechanisms of composites under dynamic compression loading are well-understood, measuring the occurrence of damage in a non-invasive manner is challenging. Toward this end, we investigate the electrical response of an embedded percolating carbon nanotube network in woven fabric/epoxy composites to dynamic compression loading. The percolating network is established through the use of a non-uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes, achieved using a fiber sizing agent. The resulting conductive network is sensitive to delamination and damage occurring near the fiber surfaces. The dynamic mechanical response of the composite specimens is explored using Hopkinson bar methodology. Definite increases in baseline resistance of the conductive composite specimens are seen after repeated impacts demonstrating the ability of the carbon nanotube network of these conductively modified composites to respond electrically to damage induced during dynamic loading.     

Using thin-plies to improve the damage resistance and tolerance of aeronautical CFRP composites

Thin-ply composites are currently receiving specific attention from researchers due to their capabilities to delay matrix cracking. In this paper, the aim is to design a hybrid laminate that contains both thin- and normal plies. The objective is to improve the tolerance of normal plies by adding thin-plies to the composite in different configurations. Two alternatives were designed, tested, and compared to the specimens made of traditional plies. Impact and compression after impact tests were conducted on each configuration at different impact energies. After being impacted, the specimens were c-scanned to define the delamination pattern. Results showed that surrounding each normal ply with two thin-plies improved the delamination threshold by 15% as compared to the specimens made all of normal plies. Under compression, 15% improvements in the compression after impact strength were obtained. By using thin-plies, the size of each individual delamination was reduced, resulting in small threads instead of peanut delaminations.     

Characterization of carbon/epoxy materials for structural repair of carbon/BMI structures

Characterization and compatibility of high-performance epoxy resins were investigated for on site repair of carbon/bismaleimide aircraft structures. First, processing of three bi-component resins was studied. Then, physical and mechanical characterizations were carried out on carbon fabric/repair resin composite laminates (materials A, B and C) before and after ageing and results are presented. One composite (material A) was chosen, according to industrial specifications, the main criterion being the glass transition temperature. The compatibility of this material with the carbon/BMI structures to be repaired was checked with lap shear tests. Compatibility between the selected repair material and carbon/epoxy composites, whose repair procedure is already known, was conducted and considered as reference point. The obtained results allowed to validate material A for on site step structural repair of the carbon/BMI structures of our industrial partner.     

双马树脂基复合材料低速冲击响应及冲击后压缩行为研究EI北大核心CSCD

制备了新型聚醚砜(PES)点阵附载U3160的ES^(TM)-fabric织物,PES附载量分别为15(ES-15),25(ES-25),35(ES-35)g/cm^(2)。采用RTM工艺制备了ES^(TM)-fabric织物增强双马来酰亚胺树脂(牌号:6421)基复合材料(ES^(TM)-fabric/6421),对其进行动态力学热分析(DMTA),还进行了冲击阻抗及冲击后压缩性能研究,并利用荧光显微镜分析其增韧机理,同时研究对比了未增韧U3160织物增强6421树脂基复合材料(ES-0)的性能。DMTA分析结果显示,ES-0仅有一个源于BMI基体树脂的玻璃化转变温度(T_(g)),增韧后复合材料出现了两个T_(g):191~195℃的松弛峰源于增韧剂PES,230~250℃的松弛峰源于BMI基体树脂。低速冲击结果显示,ES-0试样的初始损伤载荷(DTL)降低非常显著。增韧复合材料的DTL远高于ES-0试样,且与最高峰值载荷相同;随着增韧剂增多,DTL增大,冲击损伤面积减小。荧光显微结果显示:ES-0试样的冲击损伤以分层破坏为主。增韧复合材料在压头下方产生了大量层内和层间基体裂纹,且冲击背面的铺层破裂更加严重,其锥形冲击损伤范围要小于ES-0试样。ES-0试样的冲击后压缩强度(CAI)为144.66 MPa,增韧复合材料ES-15,ES-25和ES-35的CAI值分别依次增大为205.85,265.74 MPa和275.14 MPa。ES-0试样经冲击后压缩破坏后结构中出现了大量分层,结构无显著的劈裂;ES-15试样存在大量的纤维铺层劈裂及显著的基体裂纹;ES-25试样和ES-35试样以铺层剪切破坏为主,这些损伤会吸收大量能量,从而导致高的CAI值。     

玻璃纤维/环氧乙烯基酯树脂复合材料的层间增韧及其低温下低速冲击性能

采用真空辅助成型工艺(VARI)制备了四种无纺布(聚酰胺(PA)、聚氨酯弹性体橡胶(TPU)、乙烯-醋酸乙烯共聚物(EVA)、共聚酯(PEs))层间改性的玻璃纤维/环氧乙烯基酯树脂(GF/EVER)复合材料层合板.在温度为20℃下进行落锤冲击实验,对比分析了不同层间改性的GF/EVER复合材料层合板的低速冲击响应特性和...     

Delamination threshold loads for low velocity impact on composite laminates

An investigation of the low velocity impact load level at which a composite laminate will delaminate is presented. The delamination threshold load is described as the load level, obtained from the load–time history or load–displacement plot, at which a sudden load drop occurs due to specimen stiffness loss as a result of laminate level damage. Approximately 500 low velocity impact load–time histories from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Low Velocity Impact Database are used to investigate the delamination threshold load. The database contains laminate impact test data for graphite/epoxy (AS4/3501-6), graphite/PEEK (AS4/APC-2), and graphite/BMI (IM7/5260) material systems. The delamination threshold load observations are compared to C-scan damage measurements of impacted specimens to determine if the sudden load drop corresponds to delamination development.     

A smart repair system for polymer matrix composites

The widespread use of polymer composites is still caveated with concerns about the loss in structural performance that can result from impact damage. Such events give rise to delaminations which may not be easily detectable by eye. This paper describes a technique for ‘smart’ repair of delaminations in polymer composites. This involves the filling of hollow fibres with a resin, which is released into the damaged area when the fibre is fractured. A two-part epoxy resin is used as the repair medium, the two components being diluted with solvent and infiltrated into different plies of a composite based on ‘Hollex’ S2-glass fibre. Compression strength after impact tests were used as a measure of the effectiveness of the repair technique, and a potential improvement was noted after application of heat and vacuum to the damaged composite. Resin release from the fibres was noted by microscopy. A more comprehensive study is required to verify the improvement in post-impact strength, and the use of larger internal diameter fibres would enhance the amount of resin released.     

Zirconium tungstate/cyanate ester nanocomposites with tailored thermal expansivity

The dimensional stability of polymer matrix composites can be enhanced by reducing the mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the high CTE polymer matrix and low CTE fiber reinforcements, which leads to development of residual stresses and matrix microcracking. A potential strategy to diminish these residual stresses involves development of polymer nanocomposites with well dispersed nanoparticles that reduce the extent of mismatch in CTE. In this work, we explore the potential for development of bulk polymer nanocomposites with tailored thermal expansivity through incorporation of zirconium tungstate nanoparticles that are characterized by a negative CTE in a unique low viscosity bisphenol E cyanate ester (BECy) thermosetting polymer matrix. Incorporation of up to 10 vol.% whisker-like nanoparticles, synthesized by a hydrothermal method, results in a 20% reduction in the CTE of the polymer matrix. However, the nanoparticles exert a dramatic catalytic effect on the cure reaction of BECy resin and subsequently decrease the onset temperature of the glass transition for the cured polymer network, at high filler loadings.     

2D and 3D imaging of fatigue failure mechanisms of 3D woven composites

A detailed investigation of the failure mechanisms for angle-interlocked (AI) and modified layer-to-layer (MLL) three dimensional (3D) woven composites under tension–tension (T–T) fatigue loading has been conducted using surface optical microscopy, cross-sectional SEM imaging, and non-destructive X-ray computed tomography (CT). X-ray microCT has revealed how cracks including surface matrix cracks, transverse matrix cracks, fibre/matrix interfacial debonding or delamination develop, and has delineated the complex 3D morphology of these cracks in relation to fibre architecture. For both weaves examined, transverse cracks soon become uniformly distributed in the weft yarns. A higher crack density was found in the AI composite than the MLL composite. Transverse cracking initiates in the fibre rich regions of weft yarns rather than the resin rich regions. Delaminations in the failed MLL specimen were more extensive than the AI specimen. It is suggested that for the MLL composite that debonding between the binder yarns and surrounding material is the predominant damage mechanism.     

Mechanical properties of a self-healing fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Inspired by biological systems in which damage triggers an autonomic healing response, a polymer composite material that can heal itself when cracked has been developed. In this work, compression and tensile properties of a self-healed fibre reinforced epoxy composites were investigated. Microencapsulated epoxy and mercaptan healing agents were incorporated into a glass fibre reinforced epoxy matrix to produce a polymer composite capable of self-healing. The self-repair microcapsules in the epoxy resin would break as a result of microcrack expansion in the matrix, and letting out the strong repair agent to recover the mechanical strength with a relative healing efficiency of up to 140% which is a ratio of healed property value to initial property value or healing efficiency up to 119% if using the healed strength with the damaged strength.     

Low velocity impact properties of intra-ply hybrid composites based on basalt and nylon woven fabrics

In this paper, the low velocity impact behavior of homogenous and hybrid composite laminates reinforced by basalt–nylon intra-ply fabrics was experimentally investigated. Epoxy resin was used as matrix material. The purpose of using this hybrid composite is to combine the good mechanical properties of basalt fiber with the excellent impact resistant of nylon fiber. Five different types of woven fabrics were used as reinforcement with different volume percentages of nylon (0%, 25%, 33.3%, 50% and 100%). The effect of nylon/basalt fiber content on maximum force, maximum deflection, residual deflection, total absorbed energy, elastic energy, size and type of damage were studied at several low velocity impact nominal energy levels (16, 30 and 40 J). The results indicate that impact performance of these composites is significantly affected by the nylon/basalt fiber content. The visual inspection and ultrasonic C-scan of the impact damaged specimens reveals that content of nylon/basalt fiber controls the type and size of damage.     

考虑时间和温度影响的复合材料开孔层板压缩失效分析

鉴于复合材料性能的时间-温度相关性,对固化后的树脂基体(5228A)进行了动力学分析(Dynamic Mechanical Analysis,DMA),得到了试验窗口中不同温度下的储能模量曲线片段,利用封闭平移(Closed Form Shifting,CFS)方法对其进行扩展,建立了主曲线并得到了曲线片段对应的平移因子。根据加速试验方法(Accelerated Testing Methodology,ATM),分别以两种铺层的准各向同性开孔层板(CCF300/5228A)为研究对象,建立了匀应变率(Constant Strain Rate,CSR)压缩强度主曲线。借助微距拍摄和超声波C扫描,对其渐进损伤过程和不同温度下的破坏形貌进行了观测。结果表明:即使温度低于玻璃态转变温度,树脂基体动态力学性能也会随时间的增加而降低;单层较厚的开孔层板压缩强度对时间和温度更加敏感,而单层较薄的开孔层板则具有更好的损伤容限性能;温度升高、加载速率降低时,开孔层板压缩最终破坏主导因素从分层损伤趋于纤维屈曲。     

Flexural and compression response of woven E-glass/polyester–CNF nanophased composites

A significant improvement in fiber reinforced polymeric composite (FRPC) materials can be obtained by incorporating a very small amount of nanofiller in the matrix material. In this work, an ultrasonic liquid processor was used to infuse carbon nanofiber (CNF) into the polyester matrix which was then mixed with catalyst using a mechanical agitator. Both conventional and CNF-filled glass-fiber reinforced polyester composites (GRPC) were fabricated using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Excellent dispersion of CNFs into the polyester resin was observed from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs. Flexural and quasi-static tests were performed for investigating the mechanical responses. Fracture surface was examined using optical microscopy (OM) and SEM. Flexure tests performed on the conventional GRPC, 0.1–0.4 wt.% CNF-filled GRPC showed up to 49% and 31% increase in the flexural strength and modulus, respectively, compared to the conventional one with increasing loading of CNFs up to 0.2 wt.%. Similar trend was seen in quasi-static compression properties. SEM evaluation revealed relatively less damage in the tested fracture surfaces of the nanophased composites in terms of matrix failure, fiber breakage, matrix–fiber debonding, and delamination, compared to the conventional one. This might be the result of better interfacial interaction between matrix and fibers, due to the presence of CNFs.     

A mechanism-based multi-scale model for predicting thermo-oxidative degradation in high temperature polymer matrix composites

This paper describes a mechanism-based multi-scale model for life prediction of high temperature polymer matrix composites (HTPMC) under thermo-oxidative aging conditions. The multi-scale model incorporates molecular level damage such as inter-crosslink chain scission in a thermoset polymer due to thermo-oxidative aging of the polymer resin. The degradation of inter-laminar stress depends on remaining inter-crosslink density of thermo-set polymer in fiber/matrix interface region subjected to thermo-oxidative aging environment. The degradation of inter-laminar shear stress of thermo-oxidatively aged unidirectional IM-7/PETI-5 composite specimens at 300 °C was modeled using an in-house test-bed FEA code (NOVA-3D). A micromechanics based viscoelastic cohesive layer model was used to model delamination. The model is fully rate dependent and does not require a pre-assigned traction-separation law. Viscoelastic regularization of the constitutive equations of the cohesive layer used in this model not only mitigates numerical instability, but also enables the analysis to follow load-deflection behavior beyond peak failure load. The model was able to successfully simulate delamination failure in thermo-oxidatively aged unidirectional IM-7/PETI-5 composite, and the model predictions were verified using test data.