Electrical and mechanical properties of some polymeric composites

Two unsaturated polyester resins based on poly[propylene‐phthalate‐hexane‐maleate] (PE1) and poly[oxydiethylene‐phthalate‐hexane‐maleate] (PE2) were prepared and crosslinked with styrene monomer. The structure of the prepared polyesters was detected using IR and NMR. The thermal behavior of the styrenated polyesters was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The dielectric properties for the PE1 and PE2 styrenated polyesters and their mixtures with different ratios were also studied with a frequency range of 100 Hz to 100 kHz at room temperature (≈25°C). The mixture containing a 50/50 ratio of PE1/PE2 possessed the most promising dielectric properties. Thus, this sample was chosen along with the two separate styrenated polyesters to be loaded with three different types of fillers: calcium carbonate, clay, and quartz. This investigation led to the conclusion that the sample containing 50/50 PE1/PE2 loaded with 60–70% clay possessed the most promising dielectric properties. The compressive and tensile strength values were also studied for PE1, PE2, and their 50/50 mixture filled with the three types of fillers with the recommended concentrations (60 and 70%). The results indicated that the quartz composite (60%) had the best mechanical properties with respect to the clay and calcium carbonate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1167–1180, 2002     

Dynamic mechanical properties of some epoxy matrix composites

Dynamic mechanical properties of some epoxy matrix composites have been studied, comparing experimental data with theoretical models. The matrix in all composite samples was Shell Epon 828, a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, cured with meta-phenylenediamine. Fibrous composite samples were made with glass and graphite fibers. Particulate composite samples were made with glass microspheres, atomized aluminum, powdered silica, alumina, asbestos, mica, carbon black, and graphite. The dynamic elastic modulus and damping of these samples were measured at temperatures between 85° and 345°K by a free-free flexural resonance technique. The dynamic modulus of parallel fiber composites follows the linear rule of mixtures for low fiber volume fractions; deviations from linearity at higher volume fractions appear to be due to defects caused by the sample fabrication technique. Dynamic moduli of the particulate composites conform, within experimental error, to the static modulus theory of Wu up to filler volume fractions of 0.35 to 0.40. Deviations from Wu's theory at higher volume fractions may be due to agglomeration of filler particles. The damping of particulate composites with quasi-spherical filler particles appears to follow the rule of mixtures. In particulate composites with needle- and flake-type fillers, and in fibrous composites, the fillers are more highly stressed; with more of the strain energy in the low-damping fillers, overall damping is reduced. Damping greater than that attributable to the matrix and filler may be due to slippage at the interface between them. In addition to supporting Wu's theory of the elastic modulus of a particulate composite, this study demonstrates the utility of the nondestructive free-free flexural resonance techniques for obtaining a large body of reliable data in a short time from relatively few small samples. This greatly facilitates the experimental testing of theoretical models and the evaluation of fillers, matrix materials, and fabrication techniques.     

Surface resistivity and mechanical properties of rotationally molded polyethylene/graphite composites

Antistatic polymers are required to dissipate static charges safely from component surfaces. Our overall objective has been to develop cost‐effective flame‐retarded and antistatic polyethylene compounds suitable for rotomolding. This communication considers the surface resistivity and mechanical properties of rotationally molded linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE)/graphite composites containing natural Zimbabwean graphite, expandable graphite, or expanded graphite. Dry blending and melt compounding were employed to obtain antistatic composites at the lowest graphite contents. Dry blending was found to be an effective mixing method for rotomolding antistatic LLDPE/graphite composites, thereby eliminating an expensive compounding step. Dry‐blended Zimbabwean graphite composites showed the lowest surface resistivity at all graphite contents, with a surface resistivity of 10⁵ Ω/square at 10 wt% loading. Although rotomolded powders obtained following the melt compounding of Zimbabwean graphite exhibited higher resistivity values, the variability was much lower. Injection molding resulted in surface resistivity values above 10¹⁴ Ω/square for all compositions used. The rotomolded composites exhibited poor mechanical properties, in contrast to injection‐molded composites. The Halpin‐Tsai model showed good fits to the tensile modulus data for injection‐molded Zimbabwean and expandable graphite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 19:258–270, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Processing and mechanical properties of new hierarchical metal-graphene flakes reinforced ceramic matrix composites

Hierarchical tantalum-graphene flakes reinforced zirconia (3Y-TZP) ceramic matrix composites were fabricated by wet processing route and freeze drying followed by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated. The results show that graphene and Ta particles are homogeneously dispersed in the ceramic matrix and the optimum sintering temperature for complete densification of composites and thermal reduction of the graphene oxide is 1500 °C. The addition of dual reinforcements of tantalum microflakes and graphene nanoflakes results in significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the ZrO₂ matrix. Approximately a 30% increase in flexural strength vs the zirconia-Ta composite and a 175% increase in fracture toughness vs the monolithic zirconia have been achieved by introducing 0.5 vol% GO and 20 vol% Ta particles.     

Predicting mechanical properties of multiscale composites

Abstract

The effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) integration in polymer matrixes (two-phase) and fibre reinforced composites (three-phase) was studied. Simulations for CNT/polymer composites (nanocomposites) and CNT/fibre/polymer composites (multiscale) were carried out by combining micromechanical theories applied to nanoscale and woven fibre micromechanic theories. The mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and shear modulus) of a multiscale composite were predicted. The relationships between the mechanical properties of nano- and multiscale composite systems for various CNT aspect ratios were studied. A comparison was made between a multiscale system with CNTs infused throughout and one with nanotubes excluded from the fabric tows. The mechanical properties of the composites improved with increased CNT loading. The influence of CNT aspect ratio on the mechanical properties was more pronounced in the nanocomposites than in the multiscale composites. Composites with CNTs in the fibre strands generated more desirable mechanical properties than those with no CNTs in the fibre strands.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of particulate-filled composites

The relative shear moduli of composites containing glass spheres in a rubbery matrix obey the Mooney equation, analogous to the relative viscosity of similar suspensions in Newtonian liquids. However, when the matrix is a rigid epoxy, the relative shear moduli are less than what the Mooney equation predicts but greater than what the Kerner equation predicts. Relative moduli are less for rigid matrices than for rubbery matrices because (1) the modulus of the filler is not extremely greater compared to that of the rigid matrix; (2) Poisson's ratio is less than 0.5 for a rigid matrix; (3) thermal stresses in the matrix surrounding the particles reduce the apparent modulus of the polymer matrix because of the nonlinear stress—strain behavior of the matrix. This latter effect gives rise to a temperature dependence of the relative modulus below the glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix. Formation of strong aggregates increases the shear modulus the same as viscosity is increased by aggregation. Torsion or flexure tests on specimens made by casting or by molding give incorrect low values of moduli because of a surface layer containing an excess of matrix material; this gives rise to a fictitious increase in apparent modulus as particle size decreases. The mechanical damping can be markedly changed by surface treatment of the filler particles without noticeable changes in the modulus. The Kerner equation, which is a lower bound to the shear modulus, is modified and brought into closer aggrement with the experimental data by taking into account the maximum packing fraction of the filler particles.     

Surface modification of graphene oxide nanoplatelets and its influence on mechanical properties of alumina matrix composites

This paper discusses the effect of modified graphene oxide nanoplatelets (RGO-Al₂O₃) and unmodified graphene oxide nanoplatelets (GO) addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of alumina matrix composites. The sinters were prepared by powder metallurgy processing using Spark Plasma Sintering to consolidate the powder mixtures. Moreover, the influence of applied reinforcing phase on the fracture mechanism was also investigated. Significant improvement of the fracture toughness (60%) for the composites with 0.5 wt.% RGO-Al₂O₃ compared to the reference sample was observed. Moreover, 20% higher K_IC was noticed for RGO-Al₂O₃ reinforced composites than for Al₂O₃-GO.     

Surface structure of silane-treated glass beads and its influence on the mechanical properties of filled composites

The surface treatment of glass beads, chosen as a model filler, was carried out using four different silane coupling agents with multilayer coverage. For this purpose, silanes having an aminopropyl or a methacryloxypropyl group as an organofunctional group with di- or tri-alkoxy structures were used. The amount of silane detected on the bead surface was four to six times that required for a monolayer coverage. The topography of the silane layer on the bead surface was observed using an atomic force microscope. The topography was strongly affected by the composition of the silane solution and the number of alkoxy groups in the silane. The effects of the organofunctional group and the number of alkoxy groups of the silanes on the mechanical properties of bead-filled poly(vinyl chloride), chosen as a typical ductile polymer, were investigated. A higher yield stress was observed for the silane with an aminopropyl group than for that with a methacryloxypropyl group. Furthermore, for each organofunctional group, the yield stress was higher for the silane with a dialkoxy structure than for that with a trialkoxy structure. However, their effects on the elongation-at-break were contrary to the above tendencies.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of thick interlayer composites

A technique is described for producing a thick interlayer composite material composed of an epoxy resin as the matrix and an acrylic-coated fiberglass filler. Through the use of electrostatic forces, the fibers are encapsulated with a controlled, uniform layer(s) of the rubbery acrylic polymer. This coating is then crosslinked. These fibers are subsequently placed into the epoxy matrix, whereby the interfacial properties of the composite become modified. Rapid diffusion of the resin and curing agent results in an interpenetrating network being formed at the glass-epoxy interface. The placement of a uniform latex coating on the fiberglass surface results in improvements in the mechanical properties of the composite. Increases in damping, impact strength, and tensile properties are described.     

O＇－Sialon－ZrO_2复合材料的显微结构与力学性能的研究

研究了Ｏ＇－Ｓｉａｌｏｎ－ＺｒＯ２复合材料的显微结构与力学性能的关系。结果表明，Ｏ＇－Ｓｉａｌｏｎ形成连续网络编织状结构。ＺｒＯ２加入量较少时充当填充结构骨架的作用；ＺｒＯ２加入量增多时（至４０％），会有更多的ＺｒＯ２形成聚集体。随着ＺｒＯ２引入量的增加，材料的常温抗折强度提高，但高温抗折强度下降。Ｏ＇－Ｓｉａｌｏｎ的编织状结构可能阻碍晶界滑移。这种复合材料的高温抗折强度在１４００℃为１１２～１７３ＭＰａ。     

Fabrication and evaluation of some mechanical and electrical properties of jute‐biomass based hybrid composites

Hybrid composites based on bisphenol‐C‐formaldehyde resin and jute mat with rice, wheat, sugar cane, and jamun husks have been fabricated at 150°C under 30.4 MPa pressure for 2 h. The resin content in composites was 50% of fibers. Tensile strength, flexural strength, electric strength, and volume resistivity of hybrid composites have been evaluated and compared with those of jute‐bisphenol‐C‐formaldehyde composites. It is observed that the tensile strength of composites is found to decrease by 53–72%, which is mainly due to random orientation of sandwiched fibers. Flexural strength has increased by 53–153% except jute–rice husk composite for which it is decreased by 26%. A little change in dielectric breakdown strength (1.89–2.11 kV/mm) is found but volume resistivity of Jute–wheat husk and Jute–jamun husk composites has improved by 437–197% and it is slightly decreased(2.3–25.2%) for the remaining two composites. Thus, hybrid composites possess good mechanical and electrical properties signifying their importance in low strength and light weight engineering applications as well as low cost housing units such as partition and hard boards. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1754–1758, 2006     

Dielectric and mechanical properties of rubber ferrite composites

Abstract

Rubber ferrite composites (RFCs) containing powdered nickel zinc ferrite (Ni_{1 - x}Zn_xFe₂O₄ ) in a natural rubber matrix have been prepared and their mechanical and dielectric properties have been evaluated. Variations in the relative permittivity of both the ferrite ceramics and RFCs have been studied over a range of frequencies, ceramic compositions, ceramic filler loadings, and temperatures, and the results have been correlated. Appropriate mixture equations have been formulated to calculate the dielectric permittivity of the composite from the dielectric permittivity of its constituents. Values calculated using these equations have been compared with experimental data on relative permittivity, and the two have been found to be in good agreement. In the present investigation it was also observed that for x = 0 4 and for the maximum ferrite loading, the composite sample exhibits maximum magnetisation and optimum flexibility.     

Transmittance and mechanical properties of PMMA-fumed silica composites

The transmittance, flexure strength, Young's modulus, and Vickers hardness of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), filled with fumed silica, was measured. Transmittance decreased with increasing content of filler. At 2 vol % filler content, composites had a higher transmittance with a lower surface area of fumed silica (larger primary particle size) because the lower surface area filler was better dispersed. At 4 vol % filler content, composites had a higher transmittance with a higher surface area fumed silica (smaller primary particle size). Flexure strength and Young's modulus of the composites was measured using three point bending. Addition of fumed silica led to a decrease of strength. Also, addition of fumed silica led to an increase of Young's modulus and Vickers hardness. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Surface modification of sisal fibers: Effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of their epoxy composites

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composites as a function of modification of sisal fiber by using mercerization and silane treatments. The changes introduced by the treatments on the chemical structure of sisal fibers have been analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal behavior of both sisal fibers and composites has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Both treatments clearly enhanced thermal performance and also mechanical properties of fibers, being other physical properties also modified. Mercerization, above all when combined with silanization, led to significant enhancement on mechanical properties of composites as a consequence of increasing mechanical properties of fibers and improving fiber/matrix adhesion. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:121–127, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Surface modification of carbon fiber and its effects on the mechanical and tribological properties of the polyurethane composites

To improve the friction and wear behavior of the polyurethane composites, carbon fibers were modified with 2, 4‐diisocyanatotoluene. The mechanical and tribological properties of the reinforced polyurethane composites were studied. Tensile strength of the composites increased with the addition of carbon fibers. The friction and wear experiments were tested on a MRH‐3 model ring‐on‐block test rig at different sliding speeds and loads under dry sliding. Experimental results revealed that carbon fibers with chemical treatment contributed to largely improve the tribological properties of the polyurethane composites. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) investigations showed that the worn surface of the modified polyurethane composite was smoother than pure polyurethane under given load and sliding speed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Compatibility and mechanical properties of gelatin-filled polybutylene succinate composites

Gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) with small size (200 nm) have been prepared by two-step solvent removal method using glutaraldehyde as crosslinking agent. The formation mechanism and characteristics were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Polybutylene succinate/gelatin (PBS/GEL) and polybutylene succinate/nanogelatin (PBS/GNPs) composites by solvent hybridization were prepared. The dispersion of GEL/GNPs in the composites was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the hybrid mechanism of GEL, GNPs, and PBS was explored. The results of FTIR and XPS indicated that the ─OH of GNPs was easier to obtain hydrogen bond with PBS. The swelling test showed that the swelling degree of PBS/GEL, PBS/GNPs reached 253 ± 8.65% and 308 ± 10.3% due to their good compatibility. Compared with pure PBS, especially when the ratio of PBS:GNPs was 1:0.75, the crystallinity of PBS/GNPs composites reached 36.43 ± 5.7%, the elongation at break and tensile strength were 49.0 ± 2.94% and 33.3 ± 2.62 MPa, respectively. Overall, GNPs have played an active role in the heterogeneous nucleation of PBS matrix. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48881.     

Thermal and mechanical properties of aramid-based titania hybrid composites

The sol–gel process has been used to prepare various types of aramid–titania hybrid materials. Specifically, a mixture of m- and p-phenylenediamines was reacted with terephthaloyl chloride to produce linear polyamide chains in a dimethylacetamide solvent. Various proportions of tetrapropylorthotitanate (TPOT) were added, and its subsequent hydrolysis–condensation in the polymer solution produced a titania (TiO₂) network in the aramid matrix. Thin films prepared from these materials were tested for their tensile strength, which was found to decrease with increasing proportions of titania. To remedy this through chemical bonding between the matrix and the inorganic network, a slight excess of terephthaloyl chloride or 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl chloride was added near the end of the polymerization reaction. These aramid chains were thus end-capped with single or double carbonyl chloride groups. This allowed the chains to be further modified, with aminophenyltrimethoxysilane end caps. Chemically bonding the titania network to the aramid chains was then achieved by in situ hydrolysis–condensation of TPOT along with that of aminophenyltrimethoxysilane. In this way, thin transparent and tough films could be obtained with up to 30 wt % titania. The values of the tensile strength in the case of bonded hybrid materials increased with the addition of titania, and the polyamide system with nonlinear end groupings showed larger increases than did those with the linear chains ends. The systems with linear and nonlinear aramid chain ends were able to withstand maximum tensile stresses of the order of 193 and 246 MPa, respectively. This is presumably due to the extensive bonding between the polymeric chain ends and the inorganic phases as compared to the unbonded system. The thermal decomposition temperature of these composites was found to be in the range of 500–600°C and the overall weight loss was found to be minimized in an inert atmosphere. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 70: 297–302, 1998     

Thermal and mechanical properties of chitosan reinforced polyhydroxybutyrate composites

The article reports the results of studies on the effect of chitosan (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt %) on thermal and mechanical properties of poly(hydroxybutyrate) composites. The addition of chitosan causes an increase in the glass transition temperature (T_g) while a decrease in the enthalpy of fusion (ΔH_fus), crystallization (ΔH_cry) and percentage of crystallinity as determined by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The thermogravimetric analysis reveals that high amount of chitosan decreases the thermal stability of the composites. The Young's modulus of the composite increases and is high for the composite having 40 wt % of chitosan. Increase in the amount of chitosan decreases the elongation at break and impact strength of composites. Finally, the Young's modulus of the composites has been compared with the theoretical predictions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

木粉/UPR复合材料的制备及力学性质研究

使用硅烷偶联剂表面处理的木粉(MW)和未改性木粉(UW)填充不饱和聚酯树脂(UPR)制备了复合材料.研究了表面改性处理和木粉粒径对复合材料力学强度的影响.结果表明,相对于未改性的木粉,用硅烷偶联剂处理的木粉对不饱和聚酯树脂有更强的增强作用,添加量为20(wt)％的MW/UPR复合材料的拉伸强度比纯UPR提高74.4％,...     

PVC/高岭土复合材料的制备及其力学性能研究

针对PVC加工过程中韧性差、冲击强度低、热不稳定等问题,制备了PVC/N-十六烷基马来酰胺酸镧(Ⅲ)-高岭土复合材料。通过刚果红实验、傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)、X-射线衍射(XRD)、热重分析(TGA)等表征了其结构与热性能;通过扫描电镜(SEM)观察复合材料表观形貌;研究了插层后的高岭土对PVC材料抗冲击强度的影响。结果表明,插层改性后的高岭土层间距增大;PVC复合材料圆形度得到了提高,外形变得更加规整;获得的复合材料断裂伸长率和冲击强度都有所增强,复合材料的热稳定性能也得到了提高。