Review of the mechanical properties of carbon nanofiber/polymer composites

In this paper, the mechanical properties of vapor grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF)/polymer composites are reviewed. The paper starts with the structural and intrinsic mechanical properties of VGCNFs. Then the major factors (filler dispersion and distribution, filler aspect ratio, adhesion and interface between filler and polymer matrix) affecting the mechanical properties of VGCNF/polymer composites are presented. After that, VGCNF/polymer composite mechanical properties are discussed in terms of nanofibers dispersion and alignment, adhesion between the nanofiber and polymer matrix, and other factors. The influence of processing methods and processing conditions on the properties of VGCNF/polymer composite is also considered. At the end, the possible future challenges for VGCNF and VGCNF/polymer composites are highlighted.     

Effect of a multiscale reinforcement by carbon fiber surface treatment with graphene oxide/carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of reinforced carbon/carbon composites

An effective carbon fiber/graphene oxide/carbon nanotubes (CF-GO-CNTs) multiscale reinforcement was prepared by co-grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) onto the carbon fiber surface. The effects of surface modification on the properties of carbon fiber (CF) and the resulting composites was investigated systematically. The GO and CNTs were chemically grafted on the carbon fiber surface as a uniform coating, which could significantly increase the polar functional groups and surface energy of carbon fiber. In addition, the GO and CNTs co-grafted on the carbon fiber surface could improve interlaminar shear strength of the resulting composites by 48.12% and the interfacial shear strength of the resulting composites by 83.39%. The presence of GO and CNTs could significantly enhance both the area and wettability of fiber surface, leading to great increase in the mechanical properties of GO/CNTs/carbon fiber reinforced composites.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of well-dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes/epoxy composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated by using ultrasonication and the cast molding method. In this process, MWCNTs modified by mixed acids were well dispersed and highly loaded in an epoxy matrix. The effects of MWCNTs addition and surface modification on the mechanical performances and fracture morphologies of composites were investigated. It was found that the tensile strength improved with the increase of MWCNTs addition, and when the content of MWCNTs loading reached 8 wt.%, the tensile strength reached the highest value of 69.7 MPa. In addition, the fracture strain also enhanced distinctly, implying that MWCNTs loading not only elevated the tensile strength of the epoxy matrix, but also increased the fracture toughness. Nevertheless, the elastic modulus reduced with the increase of MWCNTs loading. The reasons for the mechanical property changes are discussed.     

Effects of functional group of carbon nanotubes on mechanical properties of carbon fibers

The effects of surface functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the mechanical properties of carbon fibers (CFs) have been investigated. The surface functionalization of CNTs was carried out with a diazonium reagent. Compared to pure PAN, only the fluoro phenyl functionalized CNTs (F-Ph-CNT) incorporated PAN composites showed a significant increase up to 22 °C of T_g and displayed the second peak due to the interfacial interaction between F-Ph-CNT and PAN. Among the samples, 0.5wt% of F-Ph-CNT reinforced CFs exhibited a 46% increase in tensile strength (4.1 GPa) and a 37% increase in modulus (302 GPa), respectively compared to that of pure CFs.     

Free-standing functional graphene reinforced carbon films with excellent mechanical properties and superhydrophobic characteristic

In this work, we reported a simple method to fabricate novel free-standing stiff carbon-based composite films with excellent mechanical properties and superhydrophobic behaviors. The free-standing stiff carbon composite films based on reduced graphene oxide/glassy carbon (rGO/GC) were prepared by the combination of in-situ polymerization and carbonization process. The obtained composite films exhibited excellent mechanical properties by the addition of rGO nanosheets. It was found that incorporating 0.5 wt.% of rGO sheets in GC precursors resulted in enhancements of 99% in strength (202.6 MPa) and 184% in modulus (33.8 GPa), respectively. More interestingly, carbon nanoarrays were uniformly grown on the surface of composite films by the incorporation of rGO sheets. Superhydrophobic surfaces of carbon films were subsequently formed through functionalizing carbon nanoarrays with Trichloro(1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyl)silane. Contact angle (CA) analysis suggested that superhydrophobic surfaces with a CA as high as 155° could be formed through optimizing the fabrication process.     

Effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) content on the mechanical properties of CNT-reinforced aluminium composites

The interest in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcements for aluminium (Al) has been growing considerably. Efforts have been largely focused on investigating their contribution to the enhancement of the mechanical performance of the composites. The uniform dispersion of CNTs in the Al matrix has been identified as being critical to the pursuit of enhanced properties. Ball milling as a mechanical dispersion technique has proved its potential. In this work, we use ball milling to disperse up to 5 wt.% CNT in an Al matrix. The effect of CNT content on the mechanical properties of the composites was investigated. Cold compaction and hot extrusion were used to consolidate the ball-milled Al–CNT mixtures. Enhancements of up to 50% in tensile strength and 23% in stiffness compared to pure aluminium were observed. Some carbide formation was observed in the composite containing 5 wt.% CNT. In spite of the observed overall reinforcing effect, the large aspect ratio CNTs used in the present study were difficult to disperse at CNT wt.% greater than 2, and thus the expected improvements in mechanical properties with increase in CNT weight content were not fully realized.     

Evaluating the mechanical properties of reinforced LDPE composites made with carbon fibres recovered via solvothermal processing

Carbon fibre was recovered from a thermoset composite via a solvo-thermal process and used as reinforcement in low density polyethylene (LDPE). The oxidized recovered carbon fibres have shown better properties than original non-oxidized fibres. The best interactions between the continuous and dispersed phases were found using 3-aminopropyl-trimetoxysilane and experimentally synthesized polyalkenyl-polymaleic anhydride based polymers. The tensile strength of the prepared composites nearly doubled when 3-aminopropyl-trimetoxysilane was used as compatibilizer, in comparison to the composites prepared without additives. Based on infrared analysis, a chemical reaction has been proposed between –COOH groups of compatibilizers and the –OH groups of the carbon fibre surface for the best composites.     

Growth of carbon nanotubes on carbon fibre substrates to produce hybrid/phenolic composites with improved mechanical properties

Carbon nanotubes were grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on different carbon fibre substrates namely, unidirectional (UD) carbon fibre tows, bi-directional (2D) carbon fibre cloth and three dimensional (3D) carbon fibre felt. These substrates were used as the reinforcement in phenolic resin matrix to develop hybrid CF–CNT composites. The growth morphology and other characteristics of the as grown tubes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal gravimetry (TGA) which confirmed a copious growth of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) on these substrates. The mechanical properties of the hybrid composites was found to increase with the increasing amount of deposited carbon nanotubes. The flexural strength (FS) improved by 20% for UD, 75% for 2D and 66% for 3D hybrid composites as compared to that prepared by neat reinforcements (without CNT growth) under identical conditions. Flexural modulus (FM) of these composites also improved by 28%, 54% and 46%, respectively.     

Enhanced mechanical properties of multiscale carbon fiber/epoxy composites by fiber surface treatment with graphene oxide/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Graphene oxide (GO) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) grafted carbon fiber (CF) was demonstrated to reinforce the mechanical properties of fiber composites. Such a fiber composite was prepared by grafting POSS onto the CF surface using GO as the linkage. The presence of GO linkage and POSS could significantly enhance both the area and wettability of fiber surface, leading to an increase in the interfacial strength between fibers and resin. Compared with the desized CF composites, the grafted CF composites fabricated by compression molding method exhibited 53.05% enhancement in the interlaminar shear strength. The changed surface morphology, surface composition and surface energy were supposed to be related with the interfacial performance of unidirectional composites, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, dynamic contact angle test and X-ray photoelectron microscopy charaterizations.     

Influence of the filament winding tension on physical and mechanical properties of reinforced composites

In this experimental investigation the influence of the applied tow tension during filament winding on the physical and mechanical properties of glass-fibre reinforced polymeric composite tubulars, was studied. Pressure retaining tubular products used in the transportation/storage of fluids are generally subjected to a variety of loading conditions during their service life; thus tubular specimens were tested under different biaxial loading ratios. The stress/strain response was recorded and functional and structural failure envelopes were developed. These envelopes indicate the leakage and final failure characteristics of the components, respectively. The mechanical properties were analysed in conjunction with the measured physical properties: ‘fibre volume fraction’ and ‘effective wall thickness’. Experimental findings demonstrate that the component strength depends on the degree of fibre tensioning. Under fibre-dominated loading conditions, higher winding tension leads to an improved resistance against failure of tubular components, whereas under matrix-dominated loading failure is delayed by reduced fibre tensioning.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of phenolic-based composites reinforced by carbon fibres and multiwall carbon nanotubes

The thermal, mechanical and ablation properties of carbon fibre/phenolic composites filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were investigated. Carbon fibre/phenolic/MWCNTs were prepared using different weight percentage of MWCNTs by compression moulding. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), flexural tests, thermal gravimetric analysis and oxyacetylene torch tests. The thermal stability and flexural properties of the nanocomposites increased by increasing MWCNTs content (wt% ⩽1), but they decreased when the content of MWCNTs was 2 wt%. The linear and mass ablation rates of the nanocomposites after modified with 1 wt% MWCNTs decreased by about 80% and 52%, respectively. To investigate the material post-test microstructure, a morphological characterization was carried out using SEM. It was shown that the presence of MWCNTs in the composite led to the formation of a strong network char layer without any cracks or opening.     

Superior mechanical and electrical properties of multiwall carbon nanotube reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene high performance composites

In-house synthesized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been dispersed in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) using a micro twin-screw extruder with back flow channel. The electrical and mechanical properties of MWCNTs in ABS with different wt% have been studied. Incorporation of only 3 wt. % MWCNTs in ABS leads to significant enhancement in the tensile strength (up to 69.4 MPa) which was equivalent to 29% increase over pure ABS. The effect of MWCNTs on the structural behaviour of ABS under tensile loading showed a ductile to brittle transition with increase concentration of MWCNTs. The results of enhanced mechanical properties were well supported by micro Raman spectroscopic and scanning electron microscopic studies. In addition to the mechanical properties, electrical conductivity of these composites increased from 10⁻¹² to 10⁻⁵ Scm⁻¹ showing an improvement of ∼7 orders of magnitude. Due to significant improvement in the electrical conductivity, EMI shielding effectiveness of the composites is achieved up to −39 dB for 10 wt. % loaded MWCNTs/ABS indicating the usefulness of this material for EMI shielding in the Ku-band. The mechanism of improvement in EMI shielding effectiveness is discussed by resolving their contribution in absorption and reflection loss. This material can be used as high-strength EMI shielding material.     

Multi-walled carbon nanotube/nanostructured zirconia composites: Outstanding mechanical properties in a wide range of temperature

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/nanostructured zirconia composites with a homogenous distribution of different MWCNT quantities (ranging within 0.5-5 wt.%) were developed. By using Spark Plasma Sintering we succeeded in preserving the MWCNTs firmly attached to zirconia grains and in obtaining fully dense materials. Moreover, MWCNTs reduce grain growth and keep a nanosize structure. A significant improvement in room temperature fracture toughness and shear modulus as well as an enhanced creep performance at high temperature is reported for the first time in this type of materials. To support these interesting mechanical properties, high-resolution electron microscopy and mechanical loss measurements have been carried out. Toughening and creep hindering mechanisms are proposed. Moreover, an enhancement of the electrical conductivity up to 10 orders of magnitude is obtained with respect to the pure ceramics.     

Effect of the temperature on surface modification of silica and properties of modified silica filled rubber composites

The modified silica at different temperature (MSaDT) with bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT), and MSaDT filled solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) composites were prepared to investigate the effect of temperature on surface modification of silica. The results showed that TESPT was successfully bonded on the surface of silica by chemical bonds. The grafting degree (K) of MSaDT of 50 °C was 62.2% and higher than that at the other temperatures. The thermal weight loss and the size distribution of MSaDT showed that the silanol of TESPT hydrolysates reacted with the surface hydroxyl groups of silica, decreasing the average size and agglomeration of modified silica. For 50 °C modified silica/SSBR composite, the static mechanical properties and rubber–filler interaction of the composite were better than those of the others. As far as dynamic mechanical properties are concerned, the 50 °C modified silica/SSBR composite owned a best combination of low rolling resistance and high wet skid resistance.     

Surface structures of PAN-based carbon fibers and their influences on the interface formation and mechanical properties of carbon-carbon composites

Defects and microvoids in the surface region not only influenced the tensile strength and strain of carbon fibers but also affected the interface formation with pyrocarbon. The interface formation in carbon-carbon composites was closely correlated to rearrangement of carbon atoms and the evolution of surface structure of carbon fiber. Half-open elliptic microvoids or edge planes at the fiber surface were beneficial to the mechanical interlocking as well as chemical bonding with pyrocarbon, contributing to a compatible interface with high interlaminar shear strength of the composites. The closed microvoids in the surface region of carbon fiber would hardly open up to bond with pyrocarbon, which brought negative effects to the mechanical properties of composites. Carbon fiber without obvious microvoids or surface defects tended to have better tensile strain but form weak interface with pyrocarbon, leading to a better pseudo-ductility and ability to absorb more fracture energy under load.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of carbon short fiber reinforced barium aluminosilicate glass–ceramic matrix composites

Dense BaSi₂Al₂O₈ (BAS) and Ba_0.75Sr_0.25Si₂Al₂O₈ (BSAS) glass–ceramic matrix composites reinforced with carbon short fibers (C_sf) were fabricated by hot pressing technique. The microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture behavior of the composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and three-point bend tests. The carbon fibers had a good chemical compatibility with the glass–ceramic matrices and can effectively reinforce the BAS (or BSAS) glass–ceramic because of associated toughening mechanisms such as crack deflection, fiber bridging and pullout effects. Doping of BAS with 25 mol% SrSi₂Al₂O₈ (SAS) can accelerate the hexacelsian to celsian transformation and result in the formation of pure monoclinic celsian in C_sf/BSAS composites, which can avoid the undesirable reversible hexacelsian to orthorhombic transformation at 300 °C and reduce the thermal expansion mismatch between the fiber and matrix.     

Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber composites by fiber surface modification with poly(amidoamine)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was grafted onto carbon fiber surface using poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) as a novel coupling agent at mild reaction conditions. Firstly, the reinforcement was designed with propagation of PAMAM on the fiber surface by in situ polymerization to improve the surface activities of carbon fiber. Secondly, the POSS further grafted on the fiber could significantly enhance fiber surface energy and wettability, which would greatly increase the interfacial strength of fiber-matrix. The microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber and the resulting composites were investigated. The results indicated that PAMAM and POSS, which could significantly increase the surface roughness and wettability of carbon fiber, were successfully grafted on the fiber surface. Compared with the desized fiber composites, the interlaminar shear strength and the interfacial shear strength of the modified carbon fiber composites increased by 48% and 89%, respectively.     

Mechanical properties of epoxy composites filled with silane-functionalized graphene oxide

In this work, the effects of as-produced GO and silane functionalized GO (silane-f-GO) loading and silane functionalization on the mechanical properties of epoxy composites are investigated and compared. Such silane functionalization containing epoxy ended-groups is found to effectively improve the compatibility between the silane-f-GO and the epoxy matrix. Increased storage modulus, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, tensile and flexural properties and fracture toughness of epoxy composites filled with the silane-f-GO sheets are observed compared with those of the neat epoxy and GO/epoxy composites. These findings confirm the improved dispersion and interfacial interaction in the composites arising from covalent bonds between the silane-f-GO and the epoxy matrix. Moreover, several possible fracture mechanisms, i.e. crack pinning/deflection, crack bridging, and matrix plastic deformation initiated by the debonding/delamination of GO sheets, were identified and evaluated.     

Hybrid multi-scale epoxy composite made of conventional carbon fiber fabrics with interlaminar regions containing electrospun carbon nanofiber mats

Herein we report the development and evaluation of hybrid multi-scale epoxy composite made of conventional carbon fiber fabrics with interlaminar regions containing mats of electrospun carbon nanofibers (ECNs). The results indicated that (1) the interlaminar shear strength and flexural properties of hybrid multi-scale composite were substantially higher than those of control/comparison composite without ECNs; in particular, the interlaminar shear strength was higher by ∼86%; and (2) the electrical conductivities in both in-plane and out-of-plane directions were enhanced through incorporation of ECNs, while the enhancement of out-of-plane conductivity (∼150%) was much larger than that of in-plane conductivity (∼20%). To validate the data reduction procedure, a new shear stress formula was formulated for composite laminates, which took into account the effect of layup and inter-layers. The study suggested that ECNs could be utilized for the development of high-performance composites, particularly with the improved out-of-plan properties (e.g., interlaminar shear strength).     

Investigation of structure,mechanical and tribological properties of short carbon fiber reinforced UHMWPE-matrix composites

Structural, mechanical and tribological properties of composite materials based on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene reinforced with carbon fibers were investigated. The effect of surface modification of carbon fibers on the interaction at the fiber–matrix interface in UHMWPE based composites was studied. It was found that the thermal oxidation of carbon fibers by air oxygen at 500 °C can significantly enhance the interfacial interaction between the polymer matrix and carbon fibers. This allowed us to form composite materials with improved mechanical and tribological properties.