Moisture sorption of a three‐dimensional braided carbon fiber–epoxy composite under different media

A three‐dimensional braided carbon fiber–epoxy (C_3D/EP) composite was prepared by the vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) technique. Its moisture absorption behavior under different media was characterized and compared with a unidirectional composite. Similar to the unidirectional composite, diffusion in the 3D composite obeys Fick's second law of diffusion when immersed in distilled water and phosphate‐buffered saline. In HCl and NaOH solutions, no Fickian behavior was observed. The similarity between the unidirectional and 3D composites suggests that fiber structure does not change diffusion pattern. However, the two composites showed different diffusion parameters (k, D, and M_e) in each medium studied. The 3D composite showed lower k, D, and M_e values because of its stronger hindrance effect to transport of moisture molecules. Diffusion in PBS is slower than that in distilled water because of the presence of heavy ions, but the diffusion pattern remains unchanged. In HCl, the diffusion behavior of the two composites cannot be described by Fick's law. In addition, the k value calculated from the initial linear part of the moisture sorption curve is much lower than that in distilled water. Diffusion in NaOH is unusual; the uptake initially increases rather rapidly but quickly drops, which is likely caused by the extensive solubility of the polymer matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 507–512, 2005     

Bulge forming of braided thermoplastic composite tubes under axial compression and internal pressure

In this study, the bulge forming of fiber reinforced thermoplastic (FRTP) composite braided tubes was studied as a new forming technique utilizing fiber orientation rearrangement (the trellis effect) at temperatures near the matrix melting point. It is shown that free bulge forming with the trellis effect can easily result in high expansion without buckling only by axial compression. This is when the stress of the matrix is small enough to rearrange the fiber orientation of the braid. To improve the surface quality and dimensional accuracy, bulge forming with closed dies and internal pressure was also examined experimentally. The appropriate conditions for axial penetration and internal pressure are established. The kinematics of braid is also considered, and calculations from the model are evaluated from experiments. In addition, the kinematic state of braid after deformation is simulated by calculation from the geometric braid model. It is found that the “normalized profile” of the bulged tube does not change during the process and the thickness of the matrix depends on changing fiber orientation.     

Tribological behavior of three‐dimensional braided carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone composites

Three‐dimensional (3D) braided carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (denoted as CF_3D/PEEK) composites with various fiber volume fractions were prepared via hybrid woven plus vacuum heat‐pressing technology and their tribological behaviors against steel counterpart with different normal loads at dry sliding were investigated. Contrast tribological tests with different lubricants (deionized water and sea water) and counterparts made from different materials (epoxy resin, PEEK) were also conducted. The results showed that the incorporation of 3D braided carbon fiber can greatly improve the tribological properties of PEEK over a certain range of carbon fiber volume fraction (V_f) and an optimum fiber loading of ∼54% exists. The friction coefficient of the CF_3D/PEEK composites decreased from 0.195 to 0.173, while the specific wear rate increased from 1.48 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.78 × 10⁻⁷ mm³ Nm⁻¹ with the normal load increasing from 50 to 150 N. Abrasive mechanism was dominated when the composites sliding with GCr15 steel counterpart under dry and aqueous lubrication conditions. Deionized water and sea water lubricants both significantly reduced the wear of the CF_3D/PEEK composites. When sliding with neat PEEK counterpart, the CF_3D/PEEK composites possess lower friction coefficient than those against epoxy resin and GCr15 steel counterparts. In general, CF_3D/PEEK composites possess excellent tribological properties and comprehensive mechanical performance, which makes it become a potential candidate for special heat‐resisting tribological components. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2174–2183, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Experiments and progressive damage analyses of three‐dimensional full five‐directional braided composites under three‐point bending

Experimental and numerical studies on the bending properties of three‐dimensional full five‐directional (3DF5D) braided composites are presented in this article. Three‐point bending tests of the braided specimens with different braiding angles were first preformed. Then, the full‐scale specimen model was constructed and a strength analysis method based on repeated unit‐cell (RUC) model was established to describe the strength characteristics of the 3DF5D braided composites. The differences between yarn configurations in corner, surface and interior RUCs were considered and continuum damage models were introduced into the components such as yarns and matrix of the RUCs in the method. This linked the macroscopic nonlinear response with the damages in the microstructures. Good agreements were achieved in the load‐deflection curves and damage morphology between experimental and numerical results. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2478–2493, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Fatigue behavior of filament‐wound glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite tubes under tension/torsion biaxial loading

A study of filament‐wound glass fiber/epoxy composite tubes under biaxial fatigue loading is presented. The focus is placed on fatigue lives of tubular specimens under tension/torsion biaxial loading at low cycle up to 100,000 cycles. Filament‐wound glass‐fiber/epoxy tubular specimens with three different lay‐up configurations, namely [±35°]_n, [±55°]_n, and [±70°]_n lay‐ups, are subjected to in‐phase proportional biaxial cyclic loading conditions. The effects of winding angle and biaxiality ratio on the multiaxial fatigue performance of composites are discussed. Specimens are also tested under two cyclic stress ratio: R = 0 and R = −1. The experimental results reveal that both tensile and compressive loading have an influence on the multiaxial fatigue strength, especially for [±35°]_n specimens. A damage model proposed in the literature is applied to predict multiaxial fatigue life of filament‐wound composites and the predictions are compared with the experimental results. It is shown that the model is unsuitable for describing the multiaxial fatigue life under different cyclic stress ratios. POLYM. COMPOS. 28:116–123, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Nanogrooved carbon microtubes for wet three‐dimensional printing of conductive composite structures

Recent advances in three‐dimensional (3D) printing have enabled the fabrication of interesting structures which are not achievable using traditional fabrication approaches. The 3D printing of carbon microtube composite inks allows fabrication of conductive structures for practical applications in soft robotics and tissue engineering. However, it is challenging to achieve 3D printed structures from solution‐based composite inks, which requires an additional process to solidify the ink. Here, we introduce a wet 3D printing technique which uses a coagulation bath to fabricate carbon microtube composite structures. We show that through a facile nanogrooving approach which introduces cavitation and channels on carbon microtubes, enhanced interfacial interactions with a chitosan polymer matrix are achieved. Consequently, the mechanical properties of the 3D printed composites improve when nanogrooved carbon microtubes are used, compared to untreated microtubes. We show that by carefully controlling the coagulation bath, extrusion pressure, printing distance and printed line distance, we can 3D print composite lattices which are composed of well‐defined and separated printed lines. The conductive composite 3D structures with highly customised design presented in this work provide a suitable platform for applications ranging from soft robotics to smart tissue engineering scaffolds. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Shear properties of three‐dimensional woven composite reinforcements

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study and detailed mechanistic interpretations of the shear deformation of three‐dimensional (3D) reinforcements. Six types of 3D angle interlock glass fiber preforms (3DAP) were fabricated using a range of weave parameters including the fabric density, fabric layer, and yarn linear density. A modified picture frame was developed to ensure a pure shear load during the test. Through a series of comprehensive tests, our results demonstrated that the fabric density played a key role in the mechanical properties of 3DAP and that the reinforcements with low fabric density and yarn linear density were easy to shear. The shear deformation mechanism was analyzed based on the meso‐structure. It is expected that this research will provide preliminary work for building a theoretical model of 3D woven preform. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:244–251, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Tribological behaviors of aligned carbon nanotube/fullerene‐epoxy nanocomposites

The tribological properties of aligned CNT/fullerene‐epoxy nanocomposites were studied by nanoscratch, nanowear, and nano‐indentation tests. Compared with neat epoxy, aligned CNT/fullerene‐epoxy nanocomposites showed lower friction coefficient in scratch tests, a reduction of 38.1 and 26.2%, respectively. In addition, the aligned CNT‐epoxy composite showed better wear resistance and its hardness and Young's modulus increased by 29.4 and 16.8%, respectively. In contrast, for a fullerene‐epoxy nanocomposite with 10 wt% fullerenes, the hardness decreased by 50% and the Young's modulus decreased by more than 60% when compared with the neat epoxy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Sensing of damage in carbon nanotubes and carbon black‐embedded epoxy under tensile loading

In situ sensing of damage in epoxy embedded separately with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB) microparticles is investigated under quasi‐static uniaxial tensile loading. Three different weight fractions of CNTs (0.1, 0.3%, and 0.5%) and one‐weight fraction of CB (10%) are used to generate a conductive network in epoxy. A modified four circumferential ring probes technique is employed and a constant current was applied through the outer probes. The resulting voltage drop between the inner probes is measured using a high‐resolution electrometer‐based system to determine the resistance change associated with nonlinear deformation, damage initiation, and growth in the material. As the generated conductive network is different with changing weight fractions of CNTs, the resulting electrical response was identified to be significantly different between composites. The nonlinear deformation associated with the unfolding of entangled polymer chains and further straightening of them, decreased the distance between neighboring CNTs, resulting in improved electron hopping. For CB‐embedded epoxy, a very high percentage increase in resistance is noticed when compared to CNTs case owing to induced microcracks associated with agglomerated CB particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Glass fiber/carbon nanotubes/epoxy three‐component composites as radar absorbing materials

The use of micro or nano‐fillers to optimize the properties of epoxy resins has become a common practice. The Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are considered excellent fillers because of their strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity, electrical capacity, and thermal stability, along with large electromagnetic wave absorption capability in the microwave range. In this work, electromagnetic absorption properties and dynamic‐mechanical response obtained with the incorporation of CNT into glass fiber/epoxy composites have been studied. A novel procedure to disperse and deposit CNT onto glass fiber fabrics has been developed to reach high overall content of CNT in the composite (4.15 wt%). Storage modulus increased with the incorporation of CNT, especially when they had also been incorporated into the epoxy, and for higher frequency (3 Hz). The response of the composites to electromagnetic radiation has shown an increasing trend for higher CNT content (up to 2 wt%), reaching an excellent attenuation value of up to −18.3 dB (98.5% of absorption). POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2277–2284, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties of nanosilica/polypropylene composites under dynamic compression loading

This article presents results on the dynamic mechanical properties of PP‐SiO₂ nanocomposites, with nanosilica contents of 1, 3, and 5% by weight, at various strain rates using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus. The specimens were prepared using a hot compression technique. The dynamic mechanical characteristics, of PP‐SiO₂ nanocomposites, are illustrated in terms of stress–strain curves, up to nearly 1100 s⁻¹ of strain rates. From the results, the yield stress, compression modulus, and compressive strength of the composites, were significantly influenced by the strain rates and nanosilica contents. The values of strain rate sensitivity, and dissipation energy of the composites at various strain rates, were also determined. It was found that the strain rate sensitivity, and the dissipation energy, increased with increasing strain rates. In addition, it was observed that the composites experienced more severe damage under a high strain rate loading, compared to a low strain rate loading. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and three‐body abrasive wear behaviour of SiC filled glass‐epoxy composites

Fiber/filler reinforced polymer composites are known to possess high strength and attractive wear resistance in dry sliding conditions. How these composites perform in abrasive wear situations needs a proper understanding. Hence, in this research article the mechanical and three‐body abrasive wear behaviour of E‐glass fabric reinforced epoxy (G‐E) and silicon carbide filled E‐glass fabric reinforced epoxy (SiC‐G‐E) composites are investigated. The mechanical properties were evaluated using Universal testing machine. Three‐body abrasive wear tests are conducted using rubber wheel abrasion tester wherein two different loads and four varying abrading distances are employed. The results showed that the wear volume loss is increased with increase in abrading distance and the specific wear rate decreased with increase in abrading distance/load. However, the presence of SiC particulate fillers in the G‐E composites showed a promising trend. The worn surface features, when examined through scanning electron microscopy, show higher levels of broken glass fiber in G‐E system compared to SiC‐ filled G‐E composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Characterization of three‐dimensional braided polyethylene fiber–PMMA composites and influence of fiber surface treatment

Three‐dimensional (3D) braided polyethylene (PE) fiber‐reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), denoted as PE_3D/PMMA, composites were prepared. Mechanical properties including flexural and impact properties, and wear resistance were tested and compared with those of the corresponding unidirectional PE fiber–PMMA (abbreviated to PE_L/PMMA) composites. Both untreated and chromic acid‐treated PE fibers were used to fabricate the 3D composites in an attempt to assess the effect of chromic acid treatment on the mechanical properties of the composites. Relative changes of mechanical properties caused by fiber surface treatment were compared between the PE_3D/PMMA and PE_L/PMMA composites. The treated and untreated PE fibers were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS). SEM observations found that micro‐pits were created and that deeper and wider grooves were noted on the surfaces of the PE fibers. XPS analysis revealed that more hydroxyl (? OH) and carboxyl (? COOH) groups were formed after surface treatment. The physical and chemical changes on the surfaces of the PE fibers were responsible for the variations of the mechanical properties of the PE/PMMA composites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 949–956, 2006     

Mechanical behavior of carbon nanofibre‐reinforced epoxy composites

Epoxy resins are widely used in a variety of applications because of their high chemical and corrosion resistance and good mechanical properties. But few types of epoxy resins are brittle and possess low toughness which makes them unsuitable for several structural applications. In this work, carbon nanofibres have been dispersed uniformly into the epoxy resin at a very low concentration (0.07 vol. %). Improvement of 98% in Young modulus, 24% in breaking stress and 144% in work of rupture was achieved in the best sample. The emphasis is on achieving uniform dispersion of carbon nanofibers into epoxy resin using a combination of techniques such as ultrasonication, use of solvent and surfactants. The fracture surfaces of the specimens were studied under scanning electron microscope to see the fracture mechanism of nanocomposites under tensile load and correlate it to the enhancement in their properties. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Mechanical and electromagnetic interference shielding properties of carbon fiber/graphene nanosheets/epoxy composite

Graphene oxide (GO) was introduced into carbon fiber/epoxy composite using a wet process for impregnating carbon fiber by epoxy added with GO, which resulted in an enhancement in the interfacial performance and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (SE) of composite. To investigate the reinforcing mechanism, we compared the reinforcing effect between graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide through interlaminar shear strength test, microdrop test, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that toughening effect plays the key role for the interfacial improvement of carbon fiber/graphene nanosheets/epoxy composite. By adding only 0.1 wt% GO, the composite achieved an 11% enhancement of interlaminar shear strength at the maximum of 117.45 MPa and a SE improvement about 10 dB in the range of 5–20 GHz in the meantime, giving rise to a highly practicable potential for industrial utilization. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2494–2502, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Hygrothermal degradation of the composite laminates from woven carbon/SC‐15 epoxy resin and woven glass/SC‐15 epoxy resin

The degradation mechanism for hygrothermal aging of woven carbon‐epoxy and woven glass‐epoxy composite laminates was investigated in the micro‐scale. Interlaminar shear and cross laminar flexural tests were performed on notched and unnotched specimens to know the mechanical performance of the composite laminates. The Interlaminar Shear Stress (ISS) for both the composites was also evaluated and correlated with the number of hygrothermal cycles. Four‐point bending and tensile or compression shear loading configurations were also used. The stress at the onset of delamination (Delamination Damage Tolerance, DDT) was identified from the load‐deflection curve of the flexural specimens and correlated with the number of hygrothermal cycles. It was found that both the ISS and DDT decrease with the exposure time. Dimensional stability was almost unchanged throughout the aging process, although there was a very little moisture absorption (∼1.3%) in glass‐epoxy and carbon‐epoxy composite laminates. SEM photomicrographs of the delaminated surface show that failure occurs suddenly in a macroscopically brittle mode by crack initiation and propagation method. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Temperature effect on interfacial bonding property of single‐carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite

The changes in interfacial fracture energy of three kinds of commercially sized carbon fiber (CF)/epoxy resin composites in the range from ambient temperature to 130°C were investigated using the single‐fiber fragmentation test to evaluate the heat resistance of the interphase. The effects of CF sizing on the interfacial bonding property were studied using desized CF/epoxy resin composites. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry of the combination of sizing and matrix were employed to investigate the role of sizing on the variations in the fiber/matrix interfacial property under elevated temperature. The interfacial fracture energy values of all the studied CF composites were found to decrease quickly during the initial stage of temperature rise and drop gradually at higher temperature. At elevated temperature, the desized CF composites had higher heat resistance than the corresponding sized fiber composites. The differences in the interfacial heat resistance among the three kinds of CF composites and the difference in the interfacial thermal stability between the sized and the desized fiber composites were related to different glass transition temperatures of the interphases. The interaction between sizing and the matrix and the chain motion of the crosslink structure of the interphase has been suggested to determine the interfacial heat resistance. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and dynamic mechanical studies of epoxy/VAc‐EHA/HMMM IPN–jute composite systems

Epoxy [50:50 mixture of Di‐Glycidyl Ether of Bis‐Phenol A (DGEBA) and Epoxidized Novolac (EPN)] was solution blended with Vinyl Acetate‐2‐ Ethylhexylacrylate (VAc‐EHA) resin in aqueous medium, in varying weight fractions, with Hexamethoxymethylmelamine (HMMM) as a crosslinker and data was compared with a control. The present work was aimed to optimize the tensile strength, dynamic mechanical strength, impact strength, and toughness by preparing a blend followed by jute composites of a semi‐ and full interpenetrating network (IPN). In control experiments epoxy alone was crosslinked (semi‐IPN), whereas the DGEBA‐EPN and VAc‐EHA/HMMM were crosslinked separately (full‐IPN), using jute as the substrate for making composites. Composites of full‐IPN systems of epoxy/VAc‐EHA system had higher moduli and UTS than the semi‐IPN systems. Dynamic mechanical study showed that full‐IPN systems have higher T_g values than semi‐IPN systems. The impact strength increases with increasing proportions of VAc‐EHA copolymer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 958–963, 2004     

Experimental study on the mechanical behavior and failure mechanism of 3d MWK carbon/epoxy composites under quasi‐static loading

Quasi‐static tensile, out‐of compression, in‐plane compression, three‐point‐bending and shear tests were conducted to reveal the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of three‐dimensional (3D) multiaxial warp‐knitted (MWK) carbon/epoxy composites. The characterization of the failure process and deformation analysis is supported by high‐speed camera system and Digital Image Correlation. The results show that tensile, bending, out‐of‐plane compression, in‐plane compression stress–strain response exhibit obvious linear elastic feature and brittle fracture characteristics, whereas the shear response exhibits a distinct nonlinear behavior and gradual damage process. Meanwhile, 3D MWK carbon/epoxy composites have good mechanical properties, which can be widely used in the fields of engineering. In addition, the failure for tension behaves as interlayer delaminating, 90/+45/−45° interface debonding and tensile breakage of 0° fibers; the damage for out‐of‐plane compression is mainly interlaminar shear dislocation together with local buckling and shear fracture of fibers; the failure pattern for in‐plane compression is 90° fiber separating along fiber/matrix interface as well as 0/+45/−45° fiber shear fracture in the shear plane. The main failure for bending is fiber/matrix interface debonding and fibers tearing on the compression surface, 0° fibers breakage on the tension surface as well as fiber layers delaminating. Although the shear behavior is characterized by a gradually growing shear matrix damage, 90/+45/−45° interface debonding, +45/−45° fibers shear fracture, and final 0° fiber compression failure. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3486–3498, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers