氧化石墨烯改性玄武岩纤维及其增强环氧树脂复合材料性能

为了改善玄武岩纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的界面性能,通过偶联剂对氧化石墨烯进行改性,并将改性后的氧化石墨烯引入到上浆剂中对玄武岩纤维进行表面涂覆改性,同时制备了氧化石墨烯-玄武岩纤维/环氧树脂复合材料.采用FTIR表征了氧化石墨烯的改性效果;运用SEM分析了改性上浆剂处理对玄武岩纤维表面及复合材料断口形貌的影响和作用机制.结果表明:偶联剂成功接枝到氧化石墨烯表面;玄武岩纤维经氧化石墨烯改性的上浆剂处理后,表面粗糙度及活性官能团含量增加,氧化石墨烯-玄武岩纤维/环氧树脂界面处的机械齿合作用及化学键合作用增强,界面黏结强度得到改善,玄武岩纤维的断裂强力提高了30.8%,氧化石墨烯-玄武岩纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的层间剪切强度提高了10.6%.     

激光改性纤维对其增强环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响

利用激光对玻璃纤维、玄武岩纤维和碳纤维进行表面改性后,以环氧树脂为基体,分别制备三种纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料。利用SEM和万能试验机对表面改性前后的碳纤维形态、力学性能及三种纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能和断面形貌进行表征,研究了纤维激光表面改性对三种纤维及其增强环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响。结果表明:激光表面改性对碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能提升最高,其拉伸强度最大提高了77.06%,冲击强度最大提高了31.25%,玄武岩纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能提升次之,而玻璃纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能有所下降。因此,激光进行表面改性适用于碳纤维和玄武岩纤维。     

Basalt fiber–epoxy laminates with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Cross-ply laminates reinforced with basalt fibers and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated from unidirectional epoxy prepregs. MWCNTs with varied surface conditions were prepared by oxidization or esterification, and then dispersed into a DGEBA epoxy system. The dispersion of the MWCNTs in the epoxy was improved by surface modification, resulting in improved composite mechanical properties as well. Significant increases in elastic modulus and strength were observed for epoxies with functionalized MWCNTs, especially for esterified species. When MWCNT – filled epoxies were used as matrices for basalt fiber/epoxy laminates, however, the reinforcement effects of MWCNTs on the composite elastic modulus exceeded micromechanics based semi-empirical predictions and were independent of surface functionalization. SEM morphological observations and the results of the micromechanical model revealed that nanotube re-distribution and orientation during processing was responsible for the enhancement of fiber-dominated mechanical properties. This work demonstrated the feasibility of in situ alignment and dispersion of functionalized nanotubes in multi-scale composite laminates.     

功能化MWCNTs网格/环氧树脂复合材料的制备及性能

采用正压过滤法制备了多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）网格（巴基纸）,并采用真空辅助RTM工艺制备了MWCNTs网格/环氧树脂复合材料。通过SEM、FTIR、拉伸测试等对MWCNTs网格的微观形貌和性能进行了表征,并研究了MWCNTs网格/环氧复合材料的拉伸性。结果表明,所制备的功能化MWCNTs网格比较均匀,拉伸强度在22~32 MPa之间,拉伸模量约为1 GPa,相比未功能化处理的MWCNTs网格,强度最大提高了约167%。功能化MWCNTs网格/环氧树脂复合材料的拉伸强度和拉伸模量可达到152 MPa和6.48 GPa,相比空白环氧树脂提高了约1倍以上,拉伸试样断面SEM表明,环氧树脂对功能化MWCNTs网格的浸润效果良好,界面结合紧密,有效地提高了复合材料的力学性能。     

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 silane-modified carbon nanotubes on flexural and fracture behaviors of carbon nanotube-modified epoxy/basalt composites

We investigated the effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) modification with silane on the flexural and fracture behaviors of modified carbon nanotube epoxy/basalt (CNT/epoxy/basalt) composites. Flexural and mode I fracture tests were performed using acid-treated and silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites, respectively. FT-IR analysis was conducted to determine the chemical change on the surface of basalt fiber due to the silane modification. After the fracture tests, the fracture surfaces of the CNT/epoxy/basalt composites were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to investigate the fracture mechanisms of the CNT/epoxy/basalt composites, depending on the CNT modification. The results show that the flexural modulus and strength of silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites are ～10% and ～14% greater, respectively, than those of acid-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites. The fracture toughness G_Ic of silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites was ～40% greater than that of acid-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites. SEM examination revealed that the improvement in the flexural and fracture properties of silane-treated CNT/epoxy/basalt composites occurred due to enhanced dispersion and interfacial interaction between the silane-modified CNTs and the epoxy.     

Effects of emulsion sizing with nano-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on interfacial properties of carbon fibers/epoxy composites

Nano-SiO₂ particles were used to modify epoxy emulsion sizing of carbon fibers to improve the interfacial properties of carbon fibers reinforced epoxy composites. The mechanical interfacial strength between fibers and matrix was investigated by the single fiber fragmentation test and the 3-point short beam shear test, respectively. Dynamic contact angle analysis (DCAA), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were performed on the carbon fibers with unmodified sizing and nano-SiO₂ modified sizing. The results indicated that modified sizing with nano-SiO₂ slightly increased the surface energy, the hydroxyl functional group and the surface roughness of carbon fibers compared to unmodified sizing, so that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the single fiber composites and the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of composites were enhanced. SEM images of fracture sections of composites proved powerfully that the interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix was improved after nano-SiO₂ modified emulsion sizing treatment.     

MWCNTs对环氧树脂及多尺度MWCNTs-碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响

通过对胺基化多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs-NH₂）进行改性,得到改性MWCNTs悬浮液（MWCNTs-NH₂（M））。分别将羧基化MWCNTs （MWCNTs-COOH）和MWCNTs-NH₂（M）分散在环氧树脂（EP）中,采用热熔法制备了多尺度MWCNTs-碳纤维（CF）/EP复合材料。研究了MWCNTs对EP模量、韧性及EP与CF之间界面黏结强度的影响,并分析了MWCNTs与CF上浆剂的作用,评价了多尺度MWCNTs-CF/EP复合材料的力学性能。结果表明：官能团化的MWCNTs可对EP的模量和韧性起到更好的增强作用。MWCNTs接枝的-COOH或-NH₂可与CF上浆剂中的环氧基团发生化学反应,提高EP与CF之间的界面剪切强度。MWCNTs-NH₂（M）对多尺度MWCNTs-CF/EP复合材料力学性能的增强效果优于MWCNTs-COOH,当MWCNTs-NH₂（M）的含量为1wt%时,多尺度复合材料的0°压缩强度、90°压缩强度、弯曲强度、弯曲模量、冲击后压缩强度（CAI）分别提高了16.7%、16.3%、40.9%、30.3%、20.6%。     

Carbon nanotube modification using gum arabic and its effect on the dispersion and tensile properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy nanocomposites

In this study, the effects of a MWCNT treatment on the dispersion of MWCNTs in aqueous solution and the tensile properties of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. MWCNTs were treated using acid and gum arabic, and MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated with 0.3 wt.% unmodified, oxidized and gum-treated MWCNTs. The dispersion states of the unmodified, oxidized, and Gum-treated MWCNTs were characterized in distilled water. The tensile strengths and elastic modulus of the three nanocomposites were determined and compared. The results indicated that the gum treatment produced better dispersion of the MWCNTs in distilled water and that gum-treated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites had a better tensile strength and elastic modulus than did the unmodified and acid-treated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscope examination of the fracture surface showed that the improved tensile properties of the gum-treated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were attributed to the improved dispersion of MWCNTs in the epoxy and to interfacial bonding between nanotubes and the epoxy matrix.     

Influence of ultrasonic dual mixing on thermal and tensile properties of MWCNTs-epoxy composite

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) reinforced epoxy based composites were fabricated by using an innovative ultrasonic dual mixing (UDM) process consists of ultrasonic mixing with simultaneous magnetic stirring. The effect of addition of varying amount of MWCNTs on thermal stability and tensile properties of the epoxy based composite has been investigated. It is found that the thermal stability, tensile strength and toughness of the epoxy base improves with the increase of MWCNTs addition up to 1.5 wt.% and UDM processing at certain capacity of the system. Tensile tests and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on each group of composites containing different amount of MWCNTs to determine their mechanical and thermal properties respectively. The dispersion of 1.5 wt.% MWCNTs fillers in epoxy nanocomposites was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as well as by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) applied on their tensile fracture surface.     

Fracture mechanisms of epoxy filled with ozone functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes

This work focused on the fracture mechanisms and reinforcing effects of ozone-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in epoxy matrix. Ozone functionalization of MWCNTs was found to be of help for a better dispersion and stronger interfacial bonding with epoxy matrix, which in turn improve the strength and fracture toughness of the resin. The MWCNT/epoxy composites showed complicated failure modes than the conventional fibrous composites, which have been quantitatively investigated and correlated with the fracture toughness of the nanocomposites studied.     

碳纳米管纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的界面剪切强度及微观结构

研究了碳纳米管纤维的微观结构和拉伸性能,并进一步分析了其与环氧树脂形成界面剪切强度及微观结构。采用单丝断裂试验测试了碳纳米管纤维/环氧树脂复合材料体系的界面剪切强度,结合单丝断裂过程中的偏光显微镜照片、复合材料的拉曼谱图和断口扫描电镜照片,研究了碳纳米管纤维/环氧树脂复合材料界面的微观结构。结果表明: 碳纳米管纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的界面剪切强度约为14 MPa;在碳纳米管纤维和环氧树脂形成界面的过程中,环氧树脂可以浸渍纤维,形成具有一定厚度的复合相,这种浸渍过程和界面相的形成都有利于碳纳米管纤维与基体之间的连接。     

Electrodeposition of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets onto carbon fibers and properties of their epoxy composites

Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet (xGnP)/copper (Cu) coated carbon fibers were fabricated by electrophoretic deposition under different applied voltages. The electrical and mechanical properties of individual fibers and composites made from these fibers and epoxy resin were investigated. The electrical resistivity of xGnP/Cu coated single carbon fiber is lower than that of the uncoated control sample and decreases with increase in the applied voltage. The xGnP and metallic Cu were simultaneously deposited on the carbon fiber surface as a result of the electrochemical cell configuration. The interfacial shear strength decreases with applied voltage up to 30 V but increases with applied voltage of over 30 V. The interfacial shear strength for the coated samples except the 50 V treated sample is lower than that of control sample. The flexural strength and modulus of xGnP/Cu coated carbon/epoxy composites is higher than those of control sample due to the reinforcing effect of xGnP/Cu coated on the carbon fibers.     

Strengthening of basalt fibers with nano-SiO2–epoxy composite coating

Coatings, which were made from pure epoxy and SiO₂ nanoparticle modified epoxy composite, respectively, were applied onto the basalt fiber rovings. The SiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol–gel method and modified using coupling agent. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses indicated the formation of modified SiO₂ nanoparticles. The SiO₂ nanoparticle–epoxy composite coating gave rise to a significant increase in the tensile strength of the basalt fibers as compared with the pure epoxy coating, and also the coating endowed the basalt fiber with a promising interfacial property in the basalt fiber reinforced resin matrix composite. The coating modification was an effective way in improving the mechanical properties of basalt fibers and the properties of basalt fiber/epoxy resin composites.     

Fracture toughness and electrical conductivity of epoxy composites filled with carbon nanotubes and spherical particles

The attainment of both high toughness and superior electrical conductivity of epoxy composites is a crucial requirement in some engineering applications. Herein, we developed a strategy to improve these performances of epoxy by combining the multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and spherical particles. Two different types of spherical particles i.e. soft submicron-rubber and rigid nano-silica particles were chosen to modify the epoxy/MWCNT composites. Compared with the binary composites with single-phase particles, the ternary composites with MWCNTs and spherical particles offer a good balance in glass transition temperature, electrical conductivity, stiffness and strength, as well as fracture toughness, exhibiting capacities in tailoring the electrical and mechanical properties of epoxy composites. Based on the fracture surface analysis, the complicated interactions between multiscale particles and the relative toughening mechanisms were evaluated to explain the enhancement in fracture toughness of the ternary composites.     

三维编织超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/碳纤维/环氧树脂混杂复合材料力学行为及混杂效应

采用复合处理工艺对三维混杂超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/碳纤维编织体进行表面处理, 通过RTM工艺制备了环氧树脂基混杂复合材料（UHMWPE/CF/ER）, 并研究了其力学性能及混杂效应。结果表明, 在纤维总体积分数一定的情况下, 随着超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/碳纤维混杂比的减小, 复合材料的弯曲强度、 弯曲模量及压缩强度增大, 而其纵向剪切强度及冲击韧性降低。三维编织混杂复合材料的断裂机制由混杂纤维的混杂比及其性质决定, 通过调节混杂比可实现对复合材料力学性能的有效调控。      

静电植绒法处理多壁碳纳米管改性玻纤织物/环氧树脂复合材料的制备及力学性能

为提高玻纤增强环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能,采用静电植绒法将多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)附着在玻纤织物表面,得到改性的玻纤织物。利用一种低黏度的环氧树脂和所制得的改性织物,采用真空辅助成型工艺(VARI)制备了MWCNTs改性格玻纤织物/环氧树脂复合材料层合板,表征了层合板的力学性能。对进行力学实验后的MWCNTs改性玻纤织物/环氧树脂复合材料试样断口进行了SEM和OPM观察。结果显示:与未添加MWCNTs的玻纤织物/环氧树脂复合材料层合板相比,添加了MWCNTs的层合板的拉伸强度降低了10.24%,弯曲强度降低了13.90%,压缩强度降低了17.33%,拉伸模量和弯曲模量分别提高了19.38%和16.04%,压缩模量提高了13%;MWCNTs与玻纤织物之间的结合较弱,在拉伸作用下,存在明显的脱粘和分层;将改性玻纤织物在200℃下热压处理2h后,制备的MWCNTs改性玻纤织物/环氧树脂复合材料层合板的力学性能均有所提高,热压处理后树脂与玻纤织物之间的界面结合得到改善。     

Toughness,flexural, damping and interfacial properties of hybridized GFRE composites with MWCNTs

As the improved damping in fiber-reinforced composites can affect the other mechanical properties, therefore, the aim of this work is to investigate the effect of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) on the interfacial bond strength, flexural strength and stiffness, toughness and damping properties of hybridized glass-fiber reinforced epoxy (GFRE) composites. Nanophased epoxy resin was used to hybridize unidirectional and quasi-isotropic GFRE composites with [0/±45/90]_s and [90/±45/0]_s stacking sequences. Results from the interfacial characterizations of the hybridized composites showed improvement up to 30% compared to the control laminates. Hybridization of GFRE laminates with MWCNTs leads to decreasing the flexural and storage moduli, increasing flexural strength, toughness, natural frequencies and damping ratio. A high correlation coefficient of 0.9985 was obtained between static flexural and dynamic storage moduli. The highest flexural strength, flexural and storage moduli and natural frequency of quasi-isotropic laminate were observed for [0/±45/90]_s stacking sequence and vice versa for damping ratio.     

Effect of surface modification of bamboo cellulose fibers on mechanical properties of cellulose/epoxy composites

Bamboo cellulose fibers were treated with NaOH aqueous solution and silane coupling agent, respectively, before they were applied into epoxy composites. The effect of surface modification on mechanical properties was evaluated by tensile and impact tests under controlled conditions. Compared with the untreated cellulose filled epoxy composites, the NaOH solution treatment increased the tensile strength by 34% and elongation at break by 31%. While silane coupling agent treatment produced 71% enhancement in tensile strength and 53% increase in elongation at break. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the surface feature of the cellulose fibers and the tensile fractures as well as cryo-fractures of the composites. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was employed to analyze the chemical structure of the cellulose fibers before and after modifications. The results indicated different mechanisms for the two modifications of cellulose. The NaOH solution partly dissolved the lignin and amorphous cellulose, which resulting in splitting the fibers into smaller size. This led to easier permeating into the gaps of the fibers for epoxy resin (EP) oligmer and forming effective interfacial adhesion. Based on the emergence of Si–O–C and Si–O–Si on the cellulose surface, it was concluded that the enhancement of mechanical properties after coupling agent modification could be ascribed to the formation of chemical bonds between the cellulose and the epoxy coupled with the coupling agent.     

Improving the mechanical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites using polymerization in a stirring plasma system

Uniform treatment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by plasma treatment has been investigated using a custom-built stirring plasma system. A thin plasma polymer with high levels of amine groups has been deposited on MWCNTs using a combination of continuous wave and pulsed plasma polymerization of heptylamine in the stirring plasma system. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the plasma polymerization improved the dispersion and interfacial bonding of the MWCNTs with an epoxy resin at loadings of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. The flexural and thermal mechanical properties of plasma polymerized MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were also significantly improved while untreated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites showed an opposite trend. The epoxy with 0.5 wt% plasma polymerized MWCNTs had the greatest increase in flexural properties, with the flexural modulus, flexural strength and toughness increasing by about 22%, 17% and 70%, respectively.