Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated from the matrix resin diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and novel tetrafunctional epoxy resins N,N,N′,N′-tetraglycidyl-2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane and N,N,N′N′-tetraglycidyl-1,1 ′-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]cyclohexane using diaminodiphenyl methane as curing agent. Mechanical properties and chemical resistance of the composites were determined. Significant improvements in the mechanical properties were observed by adding epoxy fortifier to the resin-curing agent mixtures before fabrication of composites.     

Glass fibre reinforced composites of triglycidyl-p-aminophenol

Glass fibre reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated from the matrix resins diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and triglycidyl-p-aminophenol (TGAP) using diethylene triamine as curing agent. The epoxy laminates were evaluated for their mechanical properties, dielectrical properties and chemical resistance. Significant improvement in fiexural strength but a slight deterioration in dielectrical properties were observed on incorporation of an epoxy fortifier into the resin system before fabricating the composites.     

纤维增强环氧树脂基复合材料的研究进展

综述了纤维增强环氧树脂基复合材料的应用及研究进展,其中包括玻璃纤维(GF)增强、碳纤维(CF)增强,芳纶纤维,混杂纤维及植物纤维增强等。     

Dynamic mechanical analysis of fibre‐reinforced plastic composites based on carboxyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) adipate modified epoxy and E glass fibre

Fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites prepared from E glass woven fabrics as reinforcing agent and carboxyl terminated poly(ethylene glycol) adipate (CTPEGA) modified epoxy as a matrix, were subjected to dynamic mechanical thermal analysis at a fixed frequency of 5 Hz. The volume fraction of glass was about 0.45. The concentration of CTPEGA in the matrix was varied gradually from 0 to 40 phr (phr stands for parts per hundred parts of resin), to investigate the effect of CTPEGA concentration on the dynamic properties of the composites. It was found that the tan δ peak temperature and storage modulus gradually decrease with incorporation of CTPEGA. However, the tan δ peak value increases up to 20 phr of CTPEGA concentration and decreases thereafter. The same trend was obtained in the case of impact strength. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of silicon carbide filler on mechanical and dielectric properties of glass fabric reinforced epoxy composites

Fiber‐reinforced polymeric composites (FRPCs) have emerged as an important material for automotive, aerospace, and other engineering applications because of their light weight, design flexibility, ease of manufacturing, and improved mechanical performance. In this study, glass‐epoxy (G‐E) and silicon carbide filled glass‐epoxy (SiC‐G‐E) composite systems have been fabricated using hand lay‐up technique. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, flexural strength, and hardness have been investigated in accordance with ASTM standards. From the experimental investigations, it has been found that the tensile strength, flexural strength, and hardness of the glass reinforced epoxy composite increased with the inclusion of SiC filler. The results of the SiC (5 wt %)‐G‐E composite showed higher mechanical properties compared to G‐E system. The dielectric properties such as dielectric constant (permittivity), tan delta, dielectric loss, and AC conductivity of these composites have been evaluated. A drastic reduction in dielectric constant after incorporation of conducting SiC filler into epoxy composite has been observed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs of the fractured samples revealed various aspects of the fractured surfaces. The failure modes of the tensile fractured surfaces have also been reported. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Mechanical and thermal performances of epoxy resin/graphitic carbon nitride composites

In this paper, a series of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) was synthesized under different thermal oxidation etching temperatures and epoxy/g-C₃N₄ composites were prepared via solution blending. The morphology and structure of g-C₃N₄ were investigated by transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The tensile fracture morphology and structure of epoxy resin (EP) composites were demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy and XRD, respectively. Mechanical properties of EP composites were characterized by tensile testing, and the thermal performances were investigated by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis. The results revealed that the active groups on g-C₃N₄ sheets increased under thermal oxidation etching and the C to N ratio of g-C₃N₄ decreased from 0.94 to 0.76 with the increasing etching temperature. Noticeably, the tensile strength of EP composites was enhanced by 58% with the addition of C₃N₄-NS-500 and the thermal properties were also improved significantly, including T_0.5 (the decomposition temperature at the mass loss of 50%) increased by 21.5 °C and glass transition temperature improved by 8 °C. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48598.     

改性空心玻璃微珠/环氧树脂复合材料力学性能研究

采用偶联剂对玻璃微珠表面进行改性处理,借助超声波振动,使改性空心玻璃微珠在环氧树脂中均匀、稳定分散,增强了玻璃微珠与环氧树脂之间的相容并探讨了改性空心玻璃微珠对环氧树脂力学性能的影响。结果表明,复合材料中改性空心玻璃微珠添加质量分数为3%时,其拉伸强度达到最大值68.54 MPa,与空白样相比提高了20.3%;冲击强度达到最大值24.42 kJ/m2,比纯环氧树脂提高了166%;KIC(断裂韧性)达到最大值2.338 MPa/m2,是空白试样的2.27倍,增韧效果较为明显。     

New polythiourethane hardeners for epoxy resins

New mercaptan‐terminated polythiourethanes were synthesized from low‐molecular‐weight dimercaptan oligomers and diisocyanates. The characteristic bands in the FT‐IR spectra, and the specific peaks in the ¹H‐NMR spectra correlate rather well with the proposed structures of these polymers. Chemical analysis of the epoxy group conversion and swelling measurements were conducted in order to determine the crosslink densities of the cured epoxy resins. The curing characteristics and thermal behaviour of the formulated curing mixtures indicate that the epoxy/polythiourethane stoichiometry and thermal history during cure may greatly affect the curing mechanism and final properties of the epoxy networks. Mechanical studies indicated that the application of polythiourethane hardeners improves the flexibility with increasing tensile strength and impact toughness. The prepared polythiourethane hardeners have an acceptable odour and give a perfectly homogeneous system with the epoxy resins and have good storage stability with other coreactants such as diamines. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Biolignin™ based epoxy resins

Wheat straw Biolignin? was used as a substitute of bisphenol‐A in epoxy resin. Synthesis was carried out in alkaline aqueous media using polyethyleneglycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) as epoxide agent. Structural study of Biolignin? and PEGDGE was performed by solid‐state ¹³C NMR and gel permeation chromatography, respectively, before epoxy resin synthesis. Biolignin? based epoxy resins were obtained with different ratios of Biolignin? : PEGDGE and their structures were analyzed by solid‐state ¹³C NMR. The crosslinking of PEGDGE with Biolignin? was highlighted in this study. Properties of Biolignin? based epoxy resins were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic load thermomechanical analysis as well as compared with those of a bisphenol‐A epoxy‐amine resin. Depending on the epoxy resin formulation, results confirmed the high potential of Biolignin? as a biosourced polyphenol used in epoxy resin applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Cure behaviour of epoxy resin matrices for carbon fibre composites

The cure behaviour of two resin formulations (with high and low curing agent content respectively) of an epoxy resin system, used as matrix for carbon fibre composites, was studied through calorimetric analysis. The aim of this work is to investigate the kinetics of this specific epoxy system in order to be able to choose a proper set of processing parameters which will give good composite material properties. The shape of the conversion curves gives evidence of the differences in the cure kinetics of the two systems. Furthermore, the values of the activation energies were determined both for formulation in the conversion range where vitrification occurs, following a phenomenological approach. These values give an indication of the differences in the curing mechanisms, when varying the content of curing agent. In particular, for both systems, the same reaction represents the onset of the cure process, ie the autocatalytic epoxy ring opening through addition reaction to the primary amine. This reaction dominates the entire cure process of the epoxy formulation at high curing agent content. Conversely, in the formulations with a low curing agent content, after depletion of the primary amines, different reactions may take place (with secondary amines and hydroxyl groups), depending on the cure temperature and the resin viscosity. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Epoxy-functionalized polysiloxane reinforced epoxy resin for cryogenic application

The poor cryogenic mechanical properties of epoxy resins restrict their extensive application in cryogenic engineering fields. In this study, a newly synthesized epoxy-functionalized polysiloxane (PSE) is used to improve the cryogenic mechanical properties of bisphenol-F epoxy resin. The Fourier transform infrared spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance confirm the formation of epoxy-functionalized –Si–O–Si– molecular chain. The surface free energy test results show that the PSE has a better compatibility with epoxy resin. The mechanical test results show that the cryogenic tensile strength, failure strain, fracture toughness, and impact strength of epoxy resin is improved significantly by adding the suitable amounts of PSE. Compared to the neat epoxy resin, the maximum tensile strength (196.92 MPa, an improvement of 11.2%), failure strain (2.97%, an improvement of 33.8%), fracture toughness (3.05 MPa·m^1/2, an improvement of 30.7%) and impact strength (40.55 kJ m⁻², an improvement of 14.8%) at cryogenic temperature (90 K) is obtained by incorporating 10 wt % PSE into the neat epoxy resin. Moreover, the results also indicated that the tensile strength, Young's modulus, and fracture toughness of epoxy resin with the same PSE content at 90 K are higher than that at room temperature (RT). © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 46930.     

Film performance and UV curing of epoxy acrylate resins

Radiation curing technology has encountered increased applications in recent years. The Asian geographical vicinity has and will be an expensive territory for years to succeed. There has been heightened governmental obligation to progress towards diminishing solvent practice to preserve the environment.

In the present study, the novolac as well as bisphenol-A based epoxy acrylates (or vinyl ester resins, VERs) were synthesised and extent of reaction and polymerisation was studied. It was observed that the above prepared oligomer when used with monofunctional/polyfunctional diluents can be cured in seconds time. Evaluation of film performance was also carried out.     

Preparation of hyperbranched epoxy resin containing nitrogen heterocycle and its toughened and reinforced composites

Low‐viscosity hyperbranched epoxy resin‐containing nitrogen heterocycle (HTPE) is synthesized from epichlorohydrin (ECH), dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), and tris(2‐hydrooxyethyl)‐isocyanurate. The structure and properties of HTPE are characterized by FTIR, GPC, and molecular simulation. The performance of HTPE/diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) composites first increase and then decrease with the increase of the content and molecular weight of HTPE. Compared to those of pure DGEBA, the impact strength, fracture toughness, tensile, and flexural strength of HTPE‐2/DGEBA composite can be enhanced by about 192%, 39%, 18%, and 23%, respectively. The absence of microphase separation and the presence of lots of “protonema” on the fracture surface of the composites are explicated by an in situ reinforcing and toughening mechanism. The intramolecular cavity of HTPE and the strong interaction between HTPE and DGEBA are two key factors to toughening and reinforcing DGEBA. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Nanoclay and long-fiber-reinforced composites based on epoxy and phenolic resins

In this study, high-performance thermoset polymer composites are synthesized by using both long fibers and nanoclays. Epoxy and phenolic resins, the two most important thermoset polymers, are used as the polymer matrix. The hydrophobic epoxy resin is mixed with surface modified nanoclay, while the hydrophilic phenolic resin is mixed with unmodified raw nanoclay to form nanocomposites. Long carbon fibers are also added into the nanocomposites to produce hybrid composites. Mechanical and thermal properties of synthesized composites are compared with both long-fiber-reinforced composites and polymer- layered silicate composites. The optimal conditions of sample preparation and processing are also investigated to achieve the best properties of the hybrid composites. It is found that mechanical and thermal properties of epoxy and phenolic nanocomposites can be substantially improved. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

The effect of traditional flame retardants,nanoclays and carbon nanotubes in the fire performance of epoxy resin composites

The effectiveness of distinct fillers, from micro to nano‐size scaled, on the fire behaviour of an epoxy resin and its carbon fibre reinforced composites was assessed by cone calorimetry. The performance was compared not only regarding the reaction to fire performance, but also in terms of thermal stability, glass transition temperature and microstructure. Regarding the fire reaction behaviour of nanofilled epoxy resin, anionic nanoclays and thermally oxidized carbon nanotubes showed the best results, in agreement with more compact chars formed on the surface of the burning polymer. For carbon fibre reinforced composite plates, the cone calorimeter results of modified resin samples did not show significant improvements on the heat release rate curves. Poorly dispersed fillers in the resin additionally caused reductions on the glass transition temperature of the composite materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic mechanical analysis of FRP composites based on different fiber reinforcements and epoxy resin as the matrix material

Three-ply composite laminates prepared from E-glass or N-glass chopped strand mats (CSMs) and jute (J) fabrics as reinforcing agents and amine-cured epoxy resin as the matrix material were subjected to dynamic mechanical thermal analysis at a fixed frequency of 1 Hz over a temperature range of 30–180°C. The volume fraction of fibers ranged between 0.21 and 0.25. The reinforcing effect for the three fibers is in the order E-glass > N-glass ≫ jute. Glass-reinforced composites show a higher storage modulus (E′) than that of jute-reinforced composites. The E′ values of glass-jute hybrid composites lie between those of glass-reinforced and jute-reinforced composites. Odd trends in temperature variability of the loss modulus (E′) and the damping parameter, tan δ, and in the glass transition temperature (T_g) for the three different unitary and four different hybrid composites are interpreted and understood on the basis of odd differences in (1) the chemical nature and physical properties of the three different fibers (E-glass, N-glass, and jute), (2) the void content and distribution, (3) the thermal expansion coefficients of the main phases in the composites, (4) the degree of matrix stiffening at or near the fiber-matrix interface, and (5) the extents of matrix softening in the zone next to the interface. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2467–2472, 1997     

Preparation and thermal,electrical, and morphological properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubeand epoxy composites

Multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/epoxy composites are prepared, and the characteristics and morphological properties are studied. Scanning electron microscopy microphotographs show that MWCNTs are dispersed on the nanoscale in the epoxy resin. The glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of MWCNT/epoxy composites is dramatically increased with the addition of 0.5 wt % MWCNT. The T_g increases from 167°C for neat epoxy to 189°C for 0.5 wt % CNT/epoxy. The surface resistivity and bulk resistivity are decreased when MWCNT is added to the epoxy resins. The surface resistivity of CNT/epoxy composites decreases from 4.92 × 10¹² Ω for neat epoxy to 3.03 × 10⁹ Ω for 1 wt % MWCNT/epoxy. The bulk resistivity decreases from 8.21 × 10¹⁶ Ω cm for neat epoxy to 6.72 × 10⁸ Ω cm for 1 wt % MWCNT/epoxy. The dielectric constant increases from 3.5 for neat epoxy to 5.5 for 1 wt % MWCNT/epoxy. However, the coefficient of thermal expansion is not affected when the MWCNT content is less than 0.5 wt %. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1272–1278, 2007     

Preparation and evaluation of nano‐epoxy composite resins containing electrospun glass nanofibers

In this study, electrospun glass (structurally amorphous SiO₂) nanofibers (EGNFs) with diameters of ～ 400 nm were incorporated into epoxy resin for reinforcement and/or toughening purposes; the effects of silanization treatment (including different functional groups in silane molecules) and mass fraction of EGNFs on strength, stiffness, and toughness of the resulting nano‐epoxy composite resins were investigated. The experimental results revealed that EGNFs substantially outperformed conventional glass fibers (CGFs, with diameters of ～ 10 μm) in both tension and impact tests, and led to the same trend of improvements in strength, stiffness, and toughness at small mass fractions of 0.5 and 1%. The tensile strength, Young's modulus, work of fracture, and impact strength of the nano‐epoxy composite resins with EGNFs were improved by up to 40, 201, 67, and 363%, respectively. In general, the silanized EGNFs with epoxy end groups (G‐EGNFs) showed a higher degree of toughening effect, while the silanized EGNFs with amine end groups (A‐EGNFs) showed a higher degree of reinforcement effect. The study suggested that electrospun glass nanofibers could be used as reinforcement and/or toughening agent for making innovative nano‐epoxy composite resins, which would be further used for the development of high‐performance polymer composites. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Development of rubber pressure molding technique using butyl rubber to fabricate fiber reinforced plastic components based on glass fiber and epoxy resin

A rubber pressure molding (RPM) technique is developed to prepare fiber reinforced plastic components (FRP) using glass fiber and epoxy resin. The technique is based on the matching die set, where the die is made of hard metal like steel and the punch from flexible rubber like materials. The use of flexible rubber punch helps to intensify and uniformly redistribute pressure (both operating pressure and developed hydrostatic pressure due to the flexible rubber punch) on the surface of the product. A split steel die and rubber punch were designed and fabricated to prepare the FRP components. The same split die was also used to cast the rubber punch. Butyl rubber was used to prepare a rubber punch in this investigation. Burn test, coin test, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical tests like interlaminar fracture toughness, interlaminar shear test, tension test, etc were carried out to know the fiber content, void content, presence of delamination, bonding between fiber and resin, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the composite materials. These properties were also compared with FRP components made by the conventional technique to evaluate its performance in the structural applications. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1095–1102, 2006