Effects of novolac resin modification on mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites

The epoxy resin matrix of carbon fiber (CF)‐reinforced epoxy composites was modified with novolac resin (NR) to improve the matrix‐dominated mechanical properties of composites. Flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and impact strength were measured with unfilled, 7 wt% NR, 13 wt% NR, and 18 wt% NR filled to epoxy to identify the effect of adding NR on the mechanical properties of composites. The results showed that both interfacial and impact properties of composites were improved except for flexural property. The largest improvement in ILSS and impact strength were obtained with 13 wt% loading of NR. ILSS and impact strength were improved by 7.3% and 38.6%, respectively, compared with the composite without NR. The fracture and surface morphologies of the composite specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Intimate bonding of the fibers and the matrix was evident with the content of 7–13 wt% NR range. Decrease of crosslinking density and formation of NR transition layer were deduced with adding NR. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and thermal properties of hierarchical composites enhanced by pristine graphene and graphene oxide nanoinclusions

Epoxy resin nanocomposites incorporated with 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 wt % pristine graphene and modified graphene oxide (GO) nanoflakes were produced and used to fabricate carbon fiber‐reinforced and glass fiber‐reinforced composite panels via vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding process. Mechanical and thermal properties of the composite panels—called hierarchical graphene composites—were determined according to ASTM standards. It was observed that the studied properties were improved consistently by increasing the amount of nanoinclusions. Particularly, in the presence of 4 wt % GO in the resin, tensile modulus, compressive strength, and flexural modulus of carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites were improved 15% (21%), 34% (84%), and 40% (68%), respectively. Likewise, with inclusion of 4 wt % pristine graphene in the resin, tensile modulus, compressive strength, and flexural modulus of carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites were improved 11% (7%), 30% (77%), and 34% (58%), respectively. Also, thermal conductivity of the carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites with 4% GO inclusion was improved 52% (89%). Similarly, thermal conductivity of the carbon fiber (glass fiber) composites with 4% pristine graphene inclusion was improved 45% (80%). The reported results indicate that both pristine graphene and modified GO nanoflakes are excellent options to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of fiber‐reinforced polymeric composites and to make them viable replacement materials for metallic parts in different industries, such as wind energy, aerospace, marine, and automotive. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40826.     

Mechanical properties of carbon fiber composites modified with nano-SiO2 in the interphase

The performance of carbon fibers-reinforced composites is dependent to a great extent on the properties of fiber–matrix interface. To improve the interfacial properties in carbon fibers/epoxy composites, nano-SiO₂ particles were introduced to the surface of carbon fibers by sizing treatment. Atomic force microscope (AFM) results showed that nano-SiO₂ particles had been introduced on the surface of carbon fibers and increase the surface roughness of carbon fibers. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that nano-SiO₂ particles increased the content of oxygen-containing groups on carbon fibers surface. Single fiber pull-out test (IFSS) and short-beam bending test (ILSS) results showed that the IFSS and ILSS of carbon fibers/epoxy composites could obtain 30.8 and 10.6% improvement compared with the composites without nano-SiO₂, respectively, when the nano-SiO₂ content was 1 wt % in sizing agents. Impact test of carbon fibers/epoxy composites treated by nano-SiO₂ containing sizing showed higher absorption energy than that of carbon fibers/epoxy composites treated by sizing agent without nano-SiO₂. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of impact fracture surface showed that the interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix was improved after nano-SiO₂-modified sizing treatment. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that the introduction of nano-SiO₂ to carbon fibers surface effectively improved the storage modulus of carbon fibers/epoxy.     

Synthesis and properties of fluorinated graphene oxide bisphenol a epoxy nanocomposites

This study thoroughly studied the implements of fluorosilane modified graphene oxide (GO) on the mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of the epoxy composites built up by specific content of modified GO. Fluorosilane graphene oxide (GOSiF) was analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffractometer. The epoxy composites tensile and bending modulus were increased by 11.46% and 62.25% with 0.1 and 0.5 wt% GOSiF loading, respectively. The good interfacial interaction was observed between epoxy matrix and GOSiF nanosheets under scanning electron microscopy. The thermal stability increases with GOSiF loading. Epoxy composite with 0.3 wt% GOSiF shows 5 °C increases in the T_10%. The residual weight raised by 58.67% with 0.3 wt% GOSiF content. The water absorption study revealed small water uptake was obtained for all GOSiF composites. With 0.3 wt% loading of GOSiF, the maximum water content drops from 4.97% for neat epoxy to 1.98%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1250–1257 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Morphology,thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy adhesives containing well-dispersed graphene oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) is prepared and introduced into epoxy resins through a wet-transfer migration technique using a three-roll mill. The results of TEM, XRD and digital microscope observation show that good dispersion of GO is achieved without using any additives. The mechanical and thermal properties of GO/epoxy (GO/EP) adhesives are enhanced with GO incorporated. A 10.2% increase in Young's modulus and a 56.3% increase in elevated-temperature (120 °C) lap shear strength (LSS) was observed on addition of 1.0 wt% GO, compared to the neat epoxy adhesive. Increased glass transition temperature and improved thermal stability of the GO/EP adhesives are also observed in the DMA and TG analysis. Moreover, the toughness of the GO/EP adhesives is improved and much rougher fracture surface can be observed compared with the neat epoxy adhesive. No GO agglomeration can be observed in the SEM images of GO/EP adhesive with 1.0 wt% loading.     

Grafting of epoxy chains onto graphene oxide for epoxy composites with improved mechanical and thermal properties

Epoxy composites filled with both graphene oxide (GO) and diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A functionalized GO (DGEBA–f–GO) sheets were prepared at different filler loading levels. The correlations between surface modification, morphology, dispersion/exfoliation and interfacial interaction of sheets and the corresponding mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were systematically investigated. The surface functionalization of DGEBA layer was found to effectively improve the compatibility and dispersion of GO sheets in epoxy matrix. The tensile test indicated that the DGEBA–f–GO/epoxy composites showed higher tensile modulus and strength than either the neat epoxy or the GO/epoxy composites. For epoxy composite with 0.25 wt% DGEBA–f–GO, the tensile modulus and strength increased from 3.15 ± 0.11 to 3.56 ± 0.08 GPa (∼13%) and 52.98 ± 5.82 to 92.94 ± 5.03 MPa (∼75%), respectively, compared to the neat epoxy resin. Furthermore, enhanced quasi-static fracture toughness (K_IC) was measured in case of the surface functionalization. The GO and DGEBA–f–GO at 0.25 wt% loading produced ∼26% and ∼41% improvements in K_IC values of epoxy composites, respectively. Fracture surface analysis revealed improved interfacial interaction between DGEBA–f–GO and matrix. Moreover, increased glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the DGEBA–f–GO/epoxy composites were also observed in the dynamic mechanical properties and thermo-gravimetric analysis compared to those of the GO/epoxy composites.     

Incorporation of hyperbranched polyamide‐functionalized graphene oxide into epoxy for improving interfacial and mechanical properties

The incorporation of hyperbranched polyamide‐functionalized graphene oxide (HPA‐GO) into epoxy was proposed to improve the interfacial and mechanical properties. Benefiting from improved dispersion and strengthened interfacial interaction, epoxy composites with HPA‐GO showed significant improvements in mechanical and thermomechanical properties at low GO loading. The interaction at the HPA‐GO/epoxy interface was investigated to confirm the occurrence of chemical bonding. Strong interfacial bonding improved the stress transfer and distribution of HPA‐GO/epoxy interface. Accordingly, the overall strength of epoxy composites was effectively improved on account of the uniform dispersion of HPA‐GO and interfacial chemical interaction between HPA‐GO and epoxy. Compared with neat epoxy resin, the inclusion of 0.10 wt% HPA‐GO led to 310.5 and 37.2% increase in impact strength and tensile strength, respectively. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improved thermomechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite using amino functionalized XDCNT

Carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites (CFEC) are fabricated infusing up to 0.40 wt % amino‐functionalized XD‐grade carbon nanotubes (XDCNT) using the compression molding process. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and thermomechanical properties of these composites are evaluated through short beam shear and dynamic–mechanical thermal analysis tests. XDCNTs are infused into Epon 862 resin using a mechanical stirrer followed by sonication. After the sonication, the mixture was placed in a three roll milling processor for three successive cycles at 140 rpm for uniform dispersion of CNTs. Epikure W curing agent was then added to the resin using a high‐speed mechanical stirrer. Finally, the fiber was reinforced with the modified resin using the compressive mold. ILSS was observed to increase by 22% at 0.3 wt % XDCNT loading. Thermal properties, including storage modulus, glass transition temperature, and crosslink density demonstrated linear enhancement up to the 0.3 wt % XDCNT loading. Scanning electron microscopy revealed better interfacial bonding in the CNT‐loaded CFEC. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40709.     

Relevance of graphene oxide as nanofiller for geometrical variation in unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composite

Curved geometry in unidirectional CFRP (UD-CFRP) demands ideal shape optimization to attain superior performance while maintaining the desired high strength to weight ratio. Herein, the effect of graphene oxide (GO) as the potential filler to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of flat and curved specimens of UD-CFRP was investigated. The GO was synthesized using Hummer's method and introduced in the epoxy resin by wet transfer technique. Three-point and four-point bending analysis of UD-CFRP showed maximum flexural strength and modulus at 0.3 wt% GO addition in UD-CFRP. The improved interfacial adhesion of 0.3 wt% GO incorporated UD-CFRP was realized by calculating storage modulus, reinforcement efficiency factor (r), C-factor, adhesion factor, cross-linking density, and glass transition temperature (T_g) from dynamic mechanical analyzer. Fracture analysis by scanning electron microscope showed the superior interlocking in carbon fiber, and epoxy polymer at 0.3 wt% GO addition.     

Concentration effect of γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane on the mechanical properties of glass fiber–epoxy composites

In this study, glass fibers were modified using γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane of different concentrations to improve the interfacial adhesion at interfaces between fibers and matrix. Effects of γ‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane on mechanical properties and fracture behavior of glass fiber/epoxy composites were investigated experimentally. Mechanical properties of the composites have been investigated by tensile tests, short beam tests, and flexural tests. The short‐beam method was used to measure the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of laminates. The tensile and flexural properties of composites were characterized by tensile and three‐point bending tests, respectively. The fracture surfaces of the composites were observed with a scanning electron microscope. On comparing the results obtained for the different concentrations of silane solution, it was found that the 0.5% GPS silane treatment provided the best mechanical properties. The ILSS value of heat‐cleaned glass fiber reinforced composite is enhanced by ∼59% as a result of the glass fiber treatment with 0.5% γ‐GPS. Also, an improvement of about 37% in tensile strength, about 78% in flexural strength of the composite with the 0.5% γ‐GPS treatment of glass fibers was observed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of surface modification of aluminum nitride on electrical and thermal characterizations of thermosetting polymeric nanocomposites

Thermally conductive composites and nanocomposites composed of epoxy resin as base matrix and aluminum nitride (AlN) as micro and nanofiller have been studied at variable temperatures and loading of AlN. To improve the dispersion of the filler within the polymer matrix, AlN was surface modified with silane‐coupling agent. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the interfacial bonding of epoxy‐ and silane‐modified AlN. The dielectric properties of epoxy/AlN composites and nanocomposites have been studied at variable percentage of filler. Test result indicated an increase of thermal conductivity of the composites at 20 wt% of AlN. Also, silane‐treated composites exhibited improved electrical conductivity properties, whereas the electrical insulation property decreased in terms of dielectric strength and resistivity. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Barrier properties of thermal and electrical conductive hydrophobic multigraphitic/epoxy coatings

Epoxy composites doped with different content of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and/or carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been manufactured. Their chemical, thermal, electrical, and mechanical behaviors have been studied, evaluating also their performance as coatings of glass fiber composite substrates. It is confirmed that the graphitic nanofillers present different efficiency as nanofillers as a function of their geometry. CNTs are much higher efficient electrical nanofillers than graphene, but an important synergetic effect is determined in the electrical conductivity of hybrid GNP/CNT/epoxy composites. In contrast, the thermal conductivity scarcely depends on the geometry of graphitic nanofillers but on the graphitic nanofiller content. Adding up to 12 wt% GNP and 1 wt% CNT, the thermal conductivity of the epoxy resin can be increased more than 300%. GNP presents high efficiency to increase the barrier properties, reducing the water absorption up to 30%. The stiffness of nanocomposites proportionally increases with graphitic addition, up to 50%, regard to the modulus of the neat epoxy resin. The adherence of coatings over glass fiber composite substrates increases by nanofiller addition due to the nanomechanical anchoring. However, the water uptake induces a higher weakening on nanodoped composites due to the preferential water absorption by the interface.     

Preparation and properties of dopamine reduced graphene oxide and its composites of epoxy

To improve the thermal and mechanical properties and further to expand its applications of epoxy in electronic packaging, reduced graphene oxide/epoxy composites have been successfully prepared, in which dopamine (DA) was used as reducing agent and modifier for graphene oxide (GO) to avoid the environmentally harmful reducing agents and address the problem of aggregation of graphene in composites. Further studies revealed that DA could effectively eliminate the labile oxygen functionality of GO and generate polydopamine functionalized graphene oxide (PDA‐GO) because DA would be oxidated and undergo the rearrangement and intermolecular cross‐linking reaction to produce polydopamine (PDA), which would improve the interfacial adhesion between GO and epoxy, and further be beneficial for the homogenous dispersion of GO in epoxy matrix. The effect of PDA‐GO on the thermal and mechanical properties of PDA‐GO/epoxy composites was also investigated, and the incorporation of PDA‐GO could increase the thermal conductivity, storage modulus, glass transition (T_g), and dielectric constant of epoxy. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39754.     

Experimental investigation and numerical simulation of granite powder filled polymer composites for wind turbine blade: A comparative analysis

This paper describes the mechanical, thermo‐mechanical, and thermal behavior of unfilled E‐glass fiber (10–50 wt%) reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites and granite powder filled (8–24 wt%) GFRP composite in different weight percentages, respectively. The void fraction of unfilled glass epoxy composite is decreased from 7.71% to 3.17% with the increase in fiber loading from 10 to 50 wt%. However, void fraction for granite powder filled GFRP composites show reverse in trend. The granite powder addition in glass‐epoxy composites show significant improvement in hardness (37–47 Hv), impact strength (31.56–37.2 kJ/m²), and stress intensity factor (by 14.29% for crack length of 5 mm) of the composites. The thermo‐mechanical analyses also show strong correlation with the mechanical performance of the composites. The minimum difference of 0.17 GPa in storage and flexural moduli are observed for unfilled 20 wt% glass epoxy composite; whereas, maximum difference of 0.71 GPa is recorded for unfilled 50 wt% glass epoxy composite. Moreover, the numerical and experimentally measured thermal conductivity of unfilled and granite powder filled epoxy composites are within the lower and upper bound values. Hence, a successful attempt is presented for mechanical analysis of full scale model by finite element analysis. The results show that finite element analysis predicted reasonably actual stress value and tip deflection of wind turbine blade. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1335–1352, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Unsaturated polyester‐toughened epoxy composites: Effect of sisal fiber on thermal and dynamic mechanical properties

In the present study, the mechanical and thermal properties of sisal fiber‐reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP)‐toughened epoxy composites were investigated. The sisal fibers were chemically treated with alkali (NaOH) and silane solutions in order to improve the interfacial interaction between fibers and matrix. The chemical composition of resins and fibers was identified by using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The UP‐toughened epoxy blends were obtained by mixing UP (5, 10, and 15 wt%) into the epoxy resin. The fiber‐reinforced composites were prepared by incorporating sisal fibers (10, 20, and 30 wt%) within the optimized UP‐toughened epoxy blend. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the morphological changes of the fibers and the adhesion between the fibers and the UP‐toughened epoxy system. The results showed that the tensile and flexural strength of (alkali‐silane)‐treated fiber (30 wt%) ‐reinforced composites increased by 83% and 55%, respectively, as compared with that of UP‐toughened epoxy blend. Moreover, thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the (alkali‐silane)‐treated fiber and its composite exhibited higher thermal stability than the untreated and alkali‐treated fiber systems. An increase in storage modulus and glass transition temperature was observed for the UP‐toughened epoxy matrix on reinforcement with treated fibers. The water uptake behavior of both alkali and alkali‐silane‐treated fiber‐reinforced composites is found to be less as compared with the untreated fiber‐reinforced composite. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 23:188–199, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Studies on surface energetics of glass fabrics in an unsaturated polyester matrix system: Effect of sizing treatment on glass fabrics

The surfaces of glass fibers were sized by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyester, and epoxy resin types in order to improve the mechanical interfacial properties of fibers in the unsaturated polyester matrix. The surface energetics of the glass fibers sized were investigated in terms of contact angle measurements using the wicking method based on the Washburn equation, with deionized water and diiodomethane as the wetting liquids. In addition, the mechanical behaviors of the composites were studied in the context of the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), critical stress intensity factor (K_IC), and flexural measurements. Different evolutions of the London dispersive and specific (or polar) components of the surface free energy of glass fibers were observed after different sizing treatments. The experimental result of the total surface free energies calculated from the sum of their two components showed the highest value in the epoxy‐sized glass fibers. From the measurements of mechanical properties of composites, it was observed that the sizing treatment on fibers could improve the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion, resulting in improved final mechanical behaviors, a result of the effect of the enhanced total surface free energy of glass fibers in a composite system. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1439–1445, 2001     

纳米玻璃粉掺杂双酚A型环氧树脂基复合材料的热稳定性能研究

采用双酚A型环氧树脂为基体,短切玻璃纤维和纳米玻璃粉为填料,通过模压加工工艺制备了双酚A型环氧树脂基复合材料。使用热失重分析仪和扫描电子显微镜分析研究了纳米玻璃粉含量对复合材料热稳定性能的影响,同时利用Kissinger法和Flynn?Wall?Ozawa法求解了双酚A型环氧树脂基复合材料的热分解动力学参数。结果表明,添加短切玻璃纤维后,双酚A型环氧树脂的最大热分解温度从365 ℃提高至369 ℃,而随着纳米玻璃粉的加入,其最大热分解温度进一步提升5 ~16 ℃。且复合材料的残炭率在65.41 %~69.15 %之间,相比双酚A型环氧树脂、短切玻璃纤维增强双酚A型环氧树脂基复合材料分别提高了69.88 %~71.51 %、22.95 %~27.11 %。同时纳米玻璃粉的加入也使得复合材料的热分解活化能得到提升,最高为153.14 kJ/mol,相比双酚A型环氧树脂单体及短切玻璃纤维材料增强双酚A型环氧树脂基复合材料的热分解活化能135.65 kJ/mol、137.46 kJ/mol显著增加。结果表明,纳米玻璃粉的引入改变了双酚A型环氧树脂基复合材料的内部微观结构,从而提高了其热稳定性能。     

Improvement of Interfacial Adhesion of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composite by Using Plasma Polymerized Glass Fibers

This study intends to produce plasma polymer thin films of γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (γ-GPS) on glass fibers in order to improve interfacial adhesion of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. A low frequency (LF) plasma generator was used for the plasma polymerization of γ-GPS on the surface of glass fibers at different plasma powers and exposure times. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and SEM analyses of plasma polymerized glass fibers were conducted to obtain some information about surface properties of glass fibers. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) values and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of composites reinforced with plasma polymerized glass fiber were evaluated. The ILSS and IFSS values of non-plasma polymerized glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composite were increased 110 and 53%, respectively, after plasma polymerization of γ-GPS at a plasma power of 60 W for 30 min. The improvement of interfacial adhesion was also confirmed by SEM observations of fractured surface of the composites.     

Effects of organo‐montmorillonite on the mechanical and morphological properties of epoxy/glass fiber composites

Epoxy composites filled with glass fiber and organo‐montmorillonite (OMMT) were prepared by the hand lay‐up method. The flexural properties of the epoxy/glass fiber/OMMT composites were characterized by a three‐point bending test. The flexural modulus and strength of epoxy/glass fiber were increased significantly in the presence of OMMT. The optimum loading of OMMT in the epoxy/glass fiber composites was attained at 3 wt%, where the improvement in flexural modulus and strength was approximately 66 and 95%, respectively. The fractured surface morphology of the epoxy/glass fiber/OMMT composites was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy. It was found that OMMT adheres on the epoxy/glass fiber interface, and this is also supported by evidence from energy dispersive X‐ray analysis. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Improvements in interfacial and heat-resistant properties of carbon fiber/methylphenylsilicone resins composites by incorporating silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

The multi-scale reinforcement and interfacial strengthening on carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin (MPSR) composites by adding silica-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (SiO₂-CNTs) were investigated. SiO₂-CNT has been successfully prepared via the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in the presence of acid-oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy were carried out to examine the functional groups and structures of CNTs. Then, SiO₂-CNT was incorporated into MPSR matrix to prepare CF/MPSR-based composites by the compression molding method. The effects of the introduced SiO₂-CNT on the interfacial, impact, and heat-resistant properties of CF/MPSR composites were evaluated by short-beam bend method, impact test, and thermal oxygen aging experiments, respectively. Experimental results revealed that the CF/MPSR composites reinforced with 0.5 wt% SiO₂-CNT showed a significant increase 34.53% in the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and 20.10% in impact properties. Moreover, the heat-resistant properties of composites were enhanced significantly by adding SiO₂-CNT hybrid nanoparticles. These enhancements are mainly attributed to the improved matrix performance resulted from the molecular-level dispersion of SiO₂-CNT in MPSR matrix and the strong interfacial adhesion between SiO₂-CNT and matrix resin, which are beneficial to improve the mechanical stress transfer from MPSR matrix to CFs reinforcement and alleviate stress concentrations.