Tensile properties and meso-scale mechanism of weft knitted textile composites for energy absorption

The investigation on large deformation tensile properties and the relevant meso-scale mechanisms of weft knitted textile composites is presented. The correlation between fabric structure (e.g. loop height and width, number of wale or course per unit length, etc.), matrix damage and material properties are described. Weft knitted fabrics with 1×1 interlock structure were used as the preform for the composites. The materials studied include knitted nylon fabric/unsaturated polyester resin and co-knitted polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polypropylene (PP) textile composites. The results show that all the nylon/polyester thermoset textile composites samples displayed an ideal bi-linear character in their tensile stress–strain curves, whilst the tensile curves of PET/PP co-knitted thermoplastic samples along the wale, course and 45° directions are all significantly non-linear. The tensile behavior is superior in the wale direction to those in the course and 45° directions. The deformation mechanisms in meso-scale were identified experimentally by in-situ observation of large deformation process for both thermoset matrix and thermoplastic matrix textile composites. For the nylon/polyester composite samples, the non-linear properties mainly come from the change in the configuration of the fabric structure during extension. For the PET/PP co-knitted textile composite samples, the inelastic properties are attributed to the damage evolution in the matrix, interface damage between fiber bundle and matrix, sliding between the wales of the knitted fabric, as well as the change in the configuration of the fabric structure during loading.     

A damage model for knitted fabric composites

A progressive damage model is presented for the prediction of the overall non-linear tensile behaviour of knitted fabric composites. The model is an extension of a recently developed inclusion method for textile composites, taking into account the major damage modes of knitted fabric composites simultaneously. Matrix non-linearities, playing an important role in the behaviour of knitted fabric composites, are implemented using the secant stiffness method. Whereas, non-linearities can be attributed to different sources, depending upon the resin toughness, only some limited yielding was currently investigated. Yarn/matrix debonding, predominantly responsible for the knee behaviour of knitted fabric composites, is investigated using a simple interfacial failure criterion. A selective degradation scheme based upon a finite set of interfacial damage state variables is employed in the reduction of the inclusion stiffness. Finally, a Hoffman criterion is used for yarn failure. The model was used to simulate the tensile behaviour of knitted fabric E-glass/epoxy composites, showing the ability to predict the material response with reasonable accuracy in the region before ultimate failure.     

三维角联锁机织铝基复合材料面内拉伸力学行为与失效机制

针对真空压力浸渗法制备的三维角联锁机织铝基复合材料,采用细观力学有限元模拟与试验结合的方法研究了其面内拉伸变形损伤与断裂力学行为。结果表明:复合材料拉伸应力-应变曲线的计算与试验结果吻合较好,经(纬)向拉伸初始弹性模量、极限强度和断裂应变的计算误差分别为3.96%(1.11%)、1.40%(6.86%)和?5.49%(3.73%);经向拉伸载荷作用下,经纱界面及其邻近基体合金先后发生损伤,随拉伸应变增加损伤累积和交互作用依次引发界面、基体和纬纱失效,变形后期经纱的断裂最终导致复合材料经向拉伸失效;纬向拉伸变形前期,经纱界面和经纬纱之间薄弱的基体合金相继产生损伤和失效现象,经纱在变形中期即出现横向破坏,起主要承载作用的纬纱轴向断裂是纬向拉伸的主要失效机制,由于三维角联锁机织体中纬纱体分远低于经纱,复合材料纬向拉伸模量和强度分别仅为经向的81.8%和56.5%。      

Geometrical and mechanical aspects of fabric bonding and pullout in cement composites

Fabric reinforced cement composites are a new class of cementitious materials with enhanced tensile strength and ductility. The reinforcing mechanisms of 2-D fabric structures in cement matrix are studied using a fabric pullout model based on nonlinear finite difference method. Three main aspects of the composite are evaluated: nonlinear bond slip characteristic at interface; slack in longitudinal warp yarns, and mechanical anchorage provided by cross yarn junctions. Parametric studies of these key parameters indicate that an increase in the interfacial bond strength directly increases the pullout strength. Grid structures offering mechanical anchorage at cross yarn junctions can substantially increase the pullout resistance. Presence of slack in the yarn geometry causes an apparently weaker and more compliant pullout response. The model was calibrated using a variety of test data on the experimental pullout response of AR-Glass specimens, manufactured by different techniques to investigate the relative force contribution from bond at interface and from cross yarn junctions of alkaline resistant glass fabric reinforced cement composites.     

Distributed cracking and stiffness degradation in fabric-cement composites

Formation of distributed cracking and the associated degradation in the stiffness of fabric-cement composites under tensile loading were studied. Composites made from low modulus woven polyethylene fabric and bonded Alkali Resistant (AR) glass mesh were manufactured by means of pultrusion technique. The influence of fabric type, matrix modification and curing as well as the pressure applied after pultrusion were studied using tensile stress strain response. Three distinct measures of damage including quantitative crack spacing by image analysis, stiffness degradation, and microstructural observation by optical and scanning electron microscopy are evaluated. The evolution of crack spacing as a function of applied strain was correlated with the tensile response as well as with the stiffness degradation for various composites. Also, the microstructure of the different composites was characterized and correlated with their mechanical properties using optical and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the mechanical properties as well as crack spacing and composite stiffness were significantly affected by the matrix formulation, curing procedure, and the intensity of the pressure applied after the pultrusion process. The best tensile performance was achieved for glass fabric composites with a high content of fly ash.     

Meso-Scale Progressive Damage Behavior Characterization of Triaxial Braided Composites under Quasi-Static Tensile Load

Based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM), a sophisticated 3D meso-scale finite element (FE) model is proposed to characterize the progressive damage behavior of 2D Triaxial Braided Composites (2DTBC) with 60° braiding angle under quasi-static tensile load. The modified Von Mises strength criterion and 3D Hashin failure criterion are used to predict the damage initiation of the pure matrix and fiber tows. A combining interface damage and friction constitutive model is applied to predict the interface damage behavior. Murakami-Ohno stiffness degradation scheme is employed to predict the damage evolution process of each constituent. Coupling with the ordinary and translational symmetry boundary conditions, the tensile elastic response including tensile strength and failure strain of 2DTBC are in good agreement with the available experiment data. The numerical results show that the main failure modes of the composites under axial tensile load are pure matrix cracking, fiber and matrix tension failure in bias fiber tows, matrix tension failure in axial fiber tows and interface debonding; the main failure modes of the composites subjected to transverse tensile load are free-edge effect, matrix tension failure in bias fiber tows and interface debonding.     

Effects of fabric parameters on the tensile behaviour of sustainable cementitious composites

The mechanical behaviour of fabric-reinforced composites can be affected by several parameters, such as the properties of fabrics and matrix, the fibre content, the bond interphase and the anchorage ability of fabrics. In this study, the effects of the fibre type, the fabric geometry, the physical and mechanical properties of fabrics and the volume fraction of fibres on the tensile stress–strain response and crack propagation of cementitious composites reinforced with natural fabrics were studied. To further examine the properties of the fibres, mineral fibres (glass) were also used to study the tensile behaviour of glass fabric-reinforced composites and contrast the results with those obtained for the natural fabric-reinforced composites. Composite samples were manufactured by the hand lay-up moulding technique using one, two and three layers of flax and sisal fabric strips and a natural hydraulic lime (NHL) grouting mix. Considering fabric geometry and physical properties such as the mass per unit area and the linear density, the flax fabric provided better anchorage development than the sisal and glass fabrics in the cement-based composites. The fabric geometry and the volume fraction of fibres were the parameters that had the greatest effects on the tensile behaviour of these composite systems.     

Meso-Scale Damage Simulation of 3D Braided Composites under Quasi-Static Axial Tension

The microstructure of 3D braided composites is composed of three phases: braiding yarn, matrix and interface. In this paper, a representative unit-cell (RUC) model including these three phases is established. Coupling with the periodical boundary condition, the damage behavior of 3D braided composites under quasi-static axial tension is simulated by using finite element method based on this RUC model. An anisotropic damage model based on Murakami damage theory is proposed to predict the damage evolution of yarns and matrix; a damage-friction combination interface constitutive model is adopted to predict the interface debonding behavior. A user material subroutine (VUMAT) involving these damage models is developed and implemented in the finite element software ABAQUS/Explicit. The whole process of damage evolution of 3D braided composites under quasi-static axial tension with typical braiding angles is simulated, and the damage mechanisms are revealed in detail in the simulation process. The tensile strength properties of the braided composites are predicted from the calculated stress-strain curves. Numerical results agree with the available experiment data and thus validates the proposed damage analysis model. The effects of certain material parameters on the predicted stress-strain responses are also discussed by numerical parameter study.     

Mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polyamide composites

The purpose of this work is to compare tensile, compressive and interlaminar shear properties of different carbon reinforcement/polyamide composites obtained by interfacial polymerization and hot compression molding techniques. Two types of composite matrices were studied: polyamide 6 and polyamide 6/6, both reinforced by fabric and unidirectional carbon fibers. The effects of the fiber volume fraction and the matrix on mechanical properties were analyzed through tensile, interlaminar shear and compressive tests. In general, the results have shown a slight increase of the composite elastic modulus, tensile and compressive strength with the increase of carbon fiber content. The microscopic damage development within selected composites during the loading has been observed through optical and scanning electron microscope techniques and has shown that shear failure at the fiber/matrix interface has been mostly responsible for damage development, initiated at relatively low stress.     

单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸行为

采用细观力学方法对单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料的单轴拉伸应力-应变行为进行了研究。采用Budiansky-Hutchinson-Evans（BHE）剪滞模型分析了复合材料出现损伤时的细观应力场,结合临界基体应变能准则、应变能释放率准则以及Curtin统计模型三种单一失效模型分别描述陶瓷基复合材料基体开裂、界面脱粘以及纤维失效三种损伤机制,确定了基体裂纹间隔、界面脱粘长度和纤维失效体积分数。将剪滞模型与3种单一失效模型相结合,对各个损伤阶段的应力-应变曲线进行模拟,建立了准确的复合材料强韧性预测模型,并讨论了界面参数和纤维韦布尔模量对复合材料损伤以及应力-应变曲线的影响。与室温下陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸试验数据进行了对比,各个损伤阶段的应力-应变、失效强度及应变与试验数据吻合较好。     

A model for the transverse strain response of unidirectional ceramic matrix composites during tensile testing

A comprehensive micromechanical model relating the longitudinal stress and transverse strain of unidirectional fibre toughened ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) is presented. The model uses different cylindrical unit-cells to describe the composite throughout a tensile test and considers all relevant damage mechanisms. The proposed model takes into account the Poisson contraction of fibre and matrix, the relief of thermal residual stresses upon damage development, and the build-up of compressive radial stresses at the interface due to mismatch between fibre and matrix after debonding and sliding. Thus the modelled transverse strain response depends on a wide range of microstructural and micromechanical parameters. The approach is checked by comparing the experimentally observed and simulated response of a unidirectional SiC/CAS composite of which all constituent properties were determined experimentally. The agreement between experiment and theory is excellent.     

PTFE及纳米粒子改性环氧树脂基聚酯织物增强复合材料的拉伸及摩擦学性能

为了研究填料(纳米粒子和PTFE)对聚酯织物增强复合材料的拉伸及摩擦学性能(轴向及偏轴方向)的影响,使用手糊成型的方法制备了四种环氧树脂基聚酯织物增强复合材料.根据拉伸应力-应变曲线和断口形貌图讨论了拉伸断裂机理.使用环-块式结构的Amsler摩擦磨损试验机测试织物增强复合材料的摩擦学性能.结果表明:对于纯环氧树脂/织物增强复合材料来说,聚酯织物在整个织物增强复合材料的拉伸和摩擦磨损测试中起到了主要的抗拉和耐磨作用;但当在环氧树脂中加入填料后,环氧树脂基体在抗拉和耐磨性方面起到了越来越重要的作用.拉伸性能的提高是由于纤维-基体间界面的改善;由于填料具有优异的摩擦磨损性能,从而使织物增强复合材料的摩擦学性能得到了提高;并且纳米粒子和PTFE对于织物复合材料性能的提高起到了协同的作用.织物增强复合材料偏轴方向的拉伸性能和摩擦学性能与其在轴向的拉伸性能和摩擦学性能不同.     

TDI改性苎麻纤维增强PE复合材料的性能

以苎麻原麻、纱线、苎麻粗绳、苎麻布为原料,用甲苯-2,4-二异氰酸酯(TDI)进行接枝改性,然后制备出不同苎麻纤维与树脂PE的复合材料。采用扫描电镜(SEM)、电子万能拉伸试验机等分析测试手段对复合材料力学性能和断口进行了测试分析。结果表明:苎麻纤维经过TDI接枝改性后,其复合材料界面性能明显改善。接枝后原麻/PE复合材料复合拉伸性能略有下降,而苎麻绳和苎麻布/PE复合材料拉伸性能明显提高。     

Effect of Interface Properties on Mechanical Behavior of 3D Four-Directional Braided Composites with Large Braid Angle Subjected to Uniaxial Tension

A Representative Volume Cell (RVC) chosen to epitomize the entire three dimensional four-directional braided composites is investigated to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the material by computational micromechanics. In addition to including several damage modes of braid yarn and matrix within the braided composites, the numerical model also takes into account interface damage mode by using a Cohesive Zone Model (CZM). A parametrical study is conducted to evaluate the influence of interface properties on the macro stress-strain curve and the interaction of different failure modes of the braided composites under uniaxial tensile loading. The interface damage evolution of the braided composites with large braid angle is also provided further. Preliminary results indicate that the interface damage, which is one of the key factors to cause the nonlinearity of the stress-strain relationship, can decrease the elastic modulus but not obviously control the ultimate strength of the braided composites with large braid angle.     

连续石墨纤维增强铝基复合材料准静态拉伸损伤演化与断裂力学行为

针对连续石墨纤维增强铝基(CF/Al)复合材料,采用三种纤维排布方式的代表体积单元(RVE)建立了其细观力学有限元模型,采用准静态拉伸试验与数值模拟结合的方法,研究了其在轴向拉伸载荷下的渐进损伤与断裂力学行为。结果表明,采用基体合金和纤维原位力学性能建立的细观力学有限元模型,对轴向拉伸弹性模量和极限强度的计算结果与实验结果吻合良好,而断裂应变计算值较实验结果偏低。轴向拉伸变形中首先出现界面和基体合金损伤现象,随应变增加界面发生失效并诱发基体合金的局部失效,最后复合材料因纤维发生失效而破坏,从而出现界面脱粘后纤维拔出与基体合金撕裂共存的微观形貌。细观力学有限元分析结果表明,在复合材料制备后纤维性能衰减而强度较低条件下,改变界面强度和刚度对复合材料轴向拉伸弹塑性力学行为的影响较小,复合材料中纤维强度水平是决定该复合材料轴向拉伸力学性能的主要因素。     

正交铺设陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸行为

采用细观力学方法对正交铺设陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸应力-应变行为进行了研究。采用剪滞模型分析了复合材料出现损伤时的细观应力场。采用断裂力学方法、 临界基体应变能准则、 应变能释放率准则及Curtin统计模型4种单一失效模型确定了90°铺层横向裂纹间距、 0°铺层基体裂纹间距、 纤维/基体界面脱粘长度和纤维失效体积分数。将剪滞模型与4种单一损伤模型结合, 对各损伤阶段应力-应变曲线进行了模拟, 建立了复合材料强韧性预测模型。与室温下正交铺设陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸应力-应变曲线进行了对比, 各个损伤阶段的应力-应变、 失效强度及应变与试验数据吻合较好。分析了90°铺层横向断裂能、 0°铺层纤维/基体界面剪应力、 界面脱粘能、 纤维Weibull模量对复合材料损伤及拉伸应力-应变曲线的影响。      

Comparison of chemical vapor deposition and chemical grafting for improving the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

By engineering the fiber/matrix interface, the properties of the composite can be changed significantly. In this work, we increased the effective surface area of the fiber/matrix interface, to facilitate additional stress transfer between fibers and matrix, by grafting carbon nanotubes on to carbon fibers (in the form of carbon fabric) by two different methods: (1) chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and (2) a purely chemical method. With the CVD process, carbon nanotubes (CNT) were directly grown on carbon fiber substrate using chemical vapors. For the chemical method, CNT with carboxyl groups were grafted on functionalized carbon fiber via a chemical reaction. The morphology of CNT/carbon fibers was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) which revealed uniform coverage of carbon fibers with CNT in both of CVD method and chemical grafting method. CNT-grafted woven carbon fibers were used to make carbon/epoxy composites, and their mechanical properties were measured using three-point bending and tension tests which showed that those with CNT-grafted carbon fiber reinforcements using the CVD process has 11 % higher tensile strength compared to those containing carbon fibers modified with the chemical method. Also, composites with CNT-grafted carbon fibers with chemical method showed 20 % higher tensile strength compared to composites with unmodified carbon fibers. The results of tensile test revealed that both CVD and chemical grafting could significantly improve the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber composites.     

Effects of the treatment of attapulgite and filler contents on tensile properties of PTFE and attapulgite reinforced fabric composites

Epoxy based fabric composites containing attapulgite (ATP) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were prepared. Effects of the treatment of ATP, content of ATP and relative content of ATP and PTFE on tensile properties of the fabric composites were investigated. The results showed that the treatment of ATP resulted in the formation of the covalent link between the treated ATP nanorods and the epoxy matrix, which enhanced the tensile properties of the matrix. Also, the fiber–matrix adhesion was improved due to the high surface energy of the ATP nanorods. Thus, the tensile properties of the fabric composites increased due to the above reasons. 16% was the critical overall content of the fillers, exceeding which the fillers had a strong tendency to agglomerate lowering the tensile strength. ATP:PTFE = 1:1 was the optimal relative content ratio, at which ATP and PTFE acted synergisticly to further improve the tensile properties of the fabric composites.     

Modeling Loading/Unloading Hysteresis Behavior of Unidirectional C/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites

The loading/unloading tensile behavior of unidirectional C/SiC ceramic matrix composites at room temperature has been investigated. The loading/unloading stress–strain curve exhibits obvious hysteresis behavior. An approach to model the hysteresis loops of ceramic matrix composites including the effect of fiber failure during tensile loading has been developed. By adopting a shear-lag model which includes the matrix shear deformation in the bonded region and friction in the debonded region, the matrix cracking space and interface debonded length are obtained by matrix statistical cracking model and fracture mechanics interface debonded criterion. The two-parameter Weibull model is used to describe the fiber strength distribution. The stress carried by the intact and fracture fibers on the matrix crack plane during unloading and subsequent reloading is determined by the Global Load Sharing criterion. Based on the damage mechanisms of fiber sliding relative to matrix during unloading and subsequent reloading, the unloading interface reverse slip length and reloading interface new slip length are obtained by the fracture mechanics approach. The hysteresis loops of unidirectional C/SiC ceramic matrix composites corresponding to different stress have been predicted.     

形状记忆合金的力学及界面参数和体积分数对大块金属玻璃基复合材料增韧的影响

采用考虑塑性的超弹性材料模型和基于损伤塑性的准脆性材料模型,建立了三维单胞有限元模型,模拟了形状记忆合金颗粒增韧大块金属玻璃基复合材料的单调拉伸行为。讨论了形状记忆合金的力学参数、体积分数、界面厚度和界面材料参数对金属玻璃增韧效果的影响。结果表明:提高形状记忆合金的相变应变和马氏体塑性屈服应力将显著提高形状记忆合金颗粒增韧大块金属玻璃基复合材料的拉伸失效应变;形状记忆合金弹性模量超过50.0GPa、马氏体塑性屈服应力超过1.8GPa后,复合材料的拉伸失效应变变化不大。能同时兼顾失效应变和失效应力的形状记忆合金体积分数为15%左右。复合材料界面弹性模量和界面屈服应力的增加将提高复合材料的失效应力,但对失效应变影响不大;复合材料界面厚度的增加在提高失效应变的同时,也降低了复合材料的失效应力。