纤维复合材料层合板内埋光纤光栅传感器的保护技术

内埋的光纤Bragg光栅（FBG）传感器的存活率及测试精度是其在线监测纤维增强树脂基复合材料制备和服役状态的重要前提。采用[90₁₁/0₁₁]的碳纤维预浸料铺层方式,在层合板0°和45°方向的典型位置埋入FBG温度和应变传感器,采用模压成型工艺制备复合材料层合板。在异向铺排（光纤光栅方向与碳纤维方向不同）的45°方向光纤光栅传感器内埋于碳纤维预浸料层间的过程中,对其采用4种不同的保护方式。通过对比实验结果发现:当对异向铺排的FBG传感器不采取保护措施时,在加热加压复合材料时光纤光栅容易失活;整层铺设同向预浸料以保护异向铺排的FBG传感器的方式改变了具有特定铺层参数复合材料的力学性能;采用窄长条同向预浸料上下包埋保护FBG传感器的方式增大了应变光栅测量结果的系统误差;采用窄长条同向预浸料上下包埋并在邻近铺层开凹槽的保护方式能明显提高内埋光纤光栅的存活率及测试精度。      

Composite cure simulation scheme fully integrating internal strain measurement

This study proposes a new approach to determine key material parameters for stress/strain calculation of curing composite laminates and validate the simulation. Specifically, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors are embedded in a composite laminate and the two key parameters for simulation, composite shrinkage strain and stiffness change during curing, are simultaneously determined from in-situ measurements by the embedded sensors. Furthermore, the simulation is validated using internal strain change during curing. This paper begins by presenting an overview of the proposed simulation scheme and by comparing it with previous approaches to highlight its advantages. Material parameter determination using a shear-lag effect at the edge of the embedded sensors is then described and the practical procedure to obtain the key parameters is demonstrated using a carbon/epoxy laminate. Finally, cure simulation is conducted for validation. Further extension to more general cases including thermoplastic composites is also discussed.     

In situ strain monitoring of fiber-reinforced polymers using embedded piezoresistive nanocomposites

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) structures and components are highly susceptible to damage due to delamination, matrix cracking, inter-laminar fracture, and debonding, all of which have potential to cause catastrophic structural failure. While numerous sensing technologies have been developed and embedded in FRP composites for monitoring strain, they serve as defects and can promote damage formation and propagation. Thus, in this study, an alternative technique is proposed for in situ strain monitoring of FRP composites via layer-by-layer multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyelectrolyte thin films deposited directly upon glass fiber weaves. To date, these carbon nanotube-based thin films have been validated for their piezoresistivity. The objective of this study is to characterize the strain sensing performance of different thickness thin films deposited on glass fiber weaves and embedded in FRP specimens using time-domain two-point probe resistance and frequency-domain electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. From the experimental thin film electromechanical response, a new method for fitting using a cubic smoothing spline is implemented and is compared to linear least-squares fitting. The results show that the cubic spline fit is better suited for capturing the strain sensitivities (or gage factors) of these thin films within the time- and frequency-domains along with the variation of strain sensitivity with applied strain. The bulk resistance response is described by the DC resistance measurements, whereas the EIS measurements provide insight of the inter-nanotube response.     

碳纤维复合材料力学性能研究进展

目的 综述碳纤维复合材料这一热结构材料的力学性能研究进展，推进碳纤维复合材料的研制和应用。方法 采用文献调研法，梳理和汇总国内外有关碳纤维复合材料力学性能的研究内容，对二维复合材料、针刺复合材料及三维编织复合材料3种结构进行性能影响因素分析。结论 影响碳纤维复合材料静态和动态力学性能的因素主要有温度、应变率、密度等，提出应进一步开展碳纤维复合材料在多因素耦合及高温动态性能方面的研究。     

溶胶配比对碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料力学性能的影响

以异丙醇(I)为溶剂、 六次甲基四胺(H)为催化剂, 配制间苯二酚(R)-糠醛(F)的醇溶胶, 经浸渍纤维预制件、凝胶老化、超临界干燥和炭化制得碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料。研究了溶胶配比对碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料密度、微观结构和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明:随着异丙醇与间苯二酚物质的量之比增大, 碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料的密度逐渐降低, 基体炭气凝胶内及与碳纤维形成的界面内孔径增大, 大孔数量增多, 碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料的强度降低。当异丙醇与间苯二酚物质的量之比由18增加到28时, 压缩强度由2.498 MPa(应变10%)降至0.716 MPa(应变10%), 拉伸强度由2.019 MPa降至1.001 MPa, 弯曲强度由3.984 MPa降至1.818 MPa。随着六次甲基四胺与间苯二酚物质的量之比增大, 碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料的密度先增大后减小, 基体炭气凝胶内及与碳纤维形成的界面内孔径先减小后增大, 大孔数量先减少后增加, 碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料的强度先增大后减小。当六次甲基四胺与间苯二酚物质的量之比为0.008 5时, 碳纤维增强炭气凝胶隔热复合材料的密度最大, 强度最大, 其压缩强度为1.066 MPa(应变10%), 拉伸强度为1.256 MPa, 弯曲强度为3.556 MPa。      

埋入光纤进行复合材料中的应变测量

由于光纤传感器所具有的特点, 把光纤埋入复合材料内部进行应变测量, 从而监测复合材料的性能改变, 是随着智能复合材料结构的研究而发展起来的一项新技术, 本文用弱波导理论的有关结果研究了光纤在受到力作用时, 光纤应变和其中传输光的位相改变之间的关系, 计算了Corning 光纤在轴向应力作用下的应变-位相灵敏度, 为形成干涉型光纤传感器提供理论基础; 同时给出了单向受力情况下的实验验证, 分析了误差原因。      

具有应变诊断功能的碳纤维机敏复合材料研究

分别以单向碳纤维带、正交碳纤维布、碳纤维毡为增强材料，乙烯基酯树脂（3201）、柔性树脂为基体，制备出了一类导电复合材料．研究了该类复合材料在拉伸条件下，体积电阻率-应变之间的变化规律。其中，单向碳纤维带复合材料和正交碳纤维布复合材料的体积电阻率-应变曲线存在突变，而碳纤维毡复合材料的体积电阻率-应变曲线能很好的拟合成直线。实验结果表明，碳纤维毡适合制备机敏复合材料传感部件。     

Nondestructive sensing evaluation of surface modified single-carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites by electrical resistivity measurement

Nondestructive sensing of a single-carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites was evaluated by the measurement of electrical resistivity under reversible cyclic loading. For the strain–stress sensing, the strain up to the maximum load of a bare carbon fiber itself is larger than that of carbon fiber composite. As curing temperature increased, apparent modulus up to the maximum load increased and the elapsed time became shorter. Higher residual stress might contribute to the improved interfacial adhesion. The strain up to the maximum load at low temperature was larger than that at higher temperature. The strain of electrodeposition (ED) treated carbon fiber was smaller than that of the untreated carbon fiber composite until the maximum load reached. This could be due to higher apparent modulus of composite based on the improved interfacial shear strength (IFSS). Since the electrical resistivity was responded well quantitatively with various parameters, such as matrix modulus, the fiber surface modification, the electrical resistivity measurement can be a feasible method of nondestructive sensing evaluation for conductive fiber reinforced composites inherently.     

Surface structures of PAN-based carbon fibers and their influences on the interface formation and mechanical properties of carbon-carbon composites

Defects and microvoids in the surface region not only influenced the tensile strength and strain of carbon fibers but also affected the interface formation with pyrocarbon. The interface formation in carbon-carbon composites was closely correlated to rearrangement of carbon atoms and the evolution of surface structure of carbon fiber. Half-open elliptic microvoids or edge planes at the fiber surface were beneficial to the mechanical interlocking as well as chemical bonding with pyrocarbon, contributing to a compatible interface with high interlaminar shear strength of the composites. The closed microvoids in the surface region of carbon fiber would hardly open up to bond with pyrocarbon, which brought negative effects to the mechanical properties of composites. Carbon fiber without obvious microvoids or surface defects tended to have better tensile strain but form weak interface with pyrocarbon, leading to a better pseudo-ductility and ability to absorb more fracture energy under load.     

基于内埋光纤Bragg光栅传感器的复合材料固化过程监测

为了全面了解复合材料的固化特性,在对碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料固化变形进行数值仿真分析的基础上,将自行设计的光纤Bragg光栅（FBG）传感器埋入复合材料中,实时在线监测复合材料固化过程中温度和应变的演变。预浸料铺层方式为[0₁₁/90₁₁],分别在层合板0°和45°方向的典型位置埋入FBG温度和应变传感器,采用热模压方式固化成型复合材料层合板,并对成型后的层合板进行连续2次降温处理,实时记录固化过程中FBG传感器中心波长的变化。结果表明:在相同的温度条件下,复合材料在第1次降温初始阶段的压应变绝对值明显小于在第2次降温初始阶段的压应变绝对值,表明复合材料在第1次降温过程中仍在进行FBG传感器可检的“后固化”反应;此外,层合板变形的FBG传感器监测数据与有限元模拟结果吻合良好。因此,采用内埋FBG传感器的方法能够实时监测复合材料固化过程,为更全面地分析复合材料固化特性提供了一种可靠有效的方法。      

Damage detection of glass fiber reinforced composites using embedded PVA–carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers

Polyvinyl alcohol–carbon nanotube (PVA–CNT) fibers were embedded in glass fiber reinforced plastic composites and used as strain sensors for damage monitoring of the composite. Sensing of the structural integrity of the composite was made by the in situ measurement of the electrical resistance of the embedded PVA–CNT fiber during the mechanical tests. The multi-functional materials were tested in tensile progressive damage accumulation (PDA) tests. These tests aimed to seek the electrical response of untreated and pre-stretched PVA–CNT fibers with known level of progressively induced damage to the composite. The advantages and disadvantages of each PVA–CNT fiber used as a sensor are analyzed; the electrical resistance readings of the PVA–CNT fibers were correlated with known parameters that express the induced damage of the composite.     

Piezoresistive in-situ strain sensing of composite laminate structures

Various methods have been developed to monitor the health and strain state of carbon fiber reinforced polymers, each with a unique set of pros and cons. This research assesses the use of piezoresistive sensors for in situ strain measurement of carbon fiber and other composite structures in multidirectional laminates. The piezoresistive sensor material and the embedded circuitry are both evaluated. For the piezoresistive sensor, a conductive nickel nanocomposite sensor is compared with the piezoresistivity of the carbon fiber itself. For the circuit, the use of carbon fibers already present in the structure is compared with the use of nickel coated carbon fiber. Successful localized strain sensing is demonstrated for several sensor and circuitry configurations. Numerous engineering applications are possible in the ever-growing field of carbon-composites.     

Evaluation of the integrity of 3D orthogonal woven composites with embedded polymer optical fibers

Due to their high flexibility, high tensile strain and high fracture toughness, polymer optical fibers (POF) are excellent candidates to be utilized as embedded sensors for structure health monitoring of fiber reinforced composites. In 3D orthogonal woven structures yarns are laid straight and polymer optical fiber can be easily inserted during preform formation either as a replacement of constituents or between them. The results of the previous paper indicated how an optic fiber sensor can be integrated into 3D orthogonal woven preforms with no signal loss. This paper addresses whether incorporating POF into 3D orthogonal woven composites affects their structure integrity and performance characteristics. Range of 3D orthogonal woven composites with different number of layers and different weft densities was fabricated. The samples were manufactured with and without POF to determine the effect of embedding POF on composite structure integrity. Bending, tensile strength tests, and cross section analysis were conducted on the composite samples. Results revealed that integrity of 3D orthogonal woven composite was not affected by the presence of POF. Due to its high strain, embedded POF was able to withstand the stresses without failure as a result of conducting destructive tests of the composite samples. Micrograph of cross-section of composite samples showed that minimum distortion of the yarn cross-section in vicinity of POF and no presence of air pocked around the embedded POF which indicates that 3D woven preform provided a good host for embedded POF.     

导电硅橡胶复合材料压缩敏感性研究

分别对短切碳纤维和炭黑填充的硅橡胶基导电复合材料试样进行了单次与循环压缩试验,研究两种复合材料的压敏特性及可重复性。测试结果表明,两种导电复合材料都具有较好的压缩敏感性;碳纤维填充时,试样的灵敏度较高,达到250左右,且电阻相对值与应变之间基本呈线性关系;炭黑填充时,试样具有较好的可重复性,但灵敏度较差。通过导电机理研究,对两种导电复合材料不同的导电敏感特性进行了分析。     

Numerical Identification of Meso Length-Effect and Full-Field Edge-Effect of 3D Braided Composites

A study is conducted with the aim of developing two numerical models, meso-scale model and fiber embedded matrix model, for evaluating the length-effect and full-field edge-effect of 3D braided composites. Also, for the validation of fiber embedded matrix model, a series of digital image correlation measurements are conducted along the axial directions. The results show that the predicted mechanical behaviors of the tensile and compressive samples are essentially sensitive to the RVC number. Moreover, the proposed fiber embedded matrix method is capable of accurately predicting the cut-edge effect on the full-field mechanical behaviors of 3D braided composites when subjected to the axial tensile and compressive loading, validated by the comparison of the full-field displacement and strain fields.     

Shape memory and thermo-mechanical properties of shape memory polymer/carbon fiber composites

In this study, chopped carbon fiber reinforced trans-1, 4-polyisoprene (TPI) was developed via a proposed new manufacturing process with the aim of improving weak mechanical properties of bulk TPI bulk. Specimens of the developed shape memory polymer (SMP) composites were fabricated with carbon fiber weight fraction of 5%, 7%, 9%, 11% and 13%, respectively. Measured are the effects of chopped carbon fiber and temperature on: (a) shape recovery ratio and rate; (b) stress–strain relationship; (c) maximum tensile stress, strain and Young’s modulus; and (d) maximum stress and residual strain under a constant strain cyclic loading. In addition, SEM micrographs were also presented to illustrate the fracture surface. The present experimental results show that the SMP with 7% carbon fiber weight fraction appears to perform best in all the tests. This indicates that the 7% carbon fiber weight fraction could be the optimum value for the SMP developed using the proposed manufacturing process.     

Can carbon nanotubes grown on fibers fundamentally change stress distribution in a composite?

In carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites the onset of damage occurs at the fiber/matrix interface, where stress concentrations are the highest due to the property mismatch of the two materials. This article reports results of a modelling study indicating that carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on fibers are effective in suppressing stress concentrations at the fiber/matrix interface. In the case of high density CNT forests, they can even fundamentally change a profile of the interfacial stress. The study is performed using a novel two-scale finite element model of a nano-engineered composite based on the embedded regions technique.     

Self-sensing of carbon fiber/carbon nanofiber–epoxy composites with two different nanofiber aspect ratios investigated by electrical resistance and wettability measurements

Electro-micromechanical techniques, wettability test, and acoustic emission (AE) were use to compare self-sensing and stress-transferring effects in single carbon fiber embedded in carbon nanofiber (CNF)–epoxy composites with two different aspect ratios. Electrical resistivity and standard deviation were used as indirect measures of comparative dispersion degree of CNF. The dispersion was observed to decrease with increasing CNF content due to an increase in the electrical contacts. Composites with higher aspect ratio exhibited better self-sensing than lower aspect ratio case. This was attributed to differences in dispersion, orientation, coagulation of CNF with different aspect ratios. The opposite effect was observed for apparent Young’s modulus, which was larger for composites with lower aspect ratio. This is probably related to better stress transfer linked to orientation effects. Work of adhesion consistently followed same trend as apparent Young’s modulus. Single carbon fiber pull-out tests and AE provided additional information on the effects of aspect ratio.     

Effective mechanical properties of “fuzzy fiber” composites

In this paper we investigate the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber composites, where the carbon fibers are coated with radially aligned carbon nanotubes. For this purpose we develop a general micromechanics method for fiber composites, where fibers are coated with radially aligned microfibers (“fuzzy fiber” composites). The mechanical effective properties are computed with a special extension of the composite cylinders method. The in-plane shear modulus is determined using an extended version of the Christensen’s generalized self consistent composite cylinders method. The proposed methodology provides stress and strain concentration tensors. The results of the method are compared with numerical approaches based on the asymptotic expansion homogenization method. The combination of composite cylinders method and Mori–Tanaka method allows us to compute effective properties of composites with multiple types of “fuzzy fibers”. Numerical examples of composites made of epoxy resin, carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes are presented and the impact of the carbon nanotubes length and volume fraction in the overall composite properties is studied.     

Tensile properties of short-glass-fiber- and short-carbon-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites

Composites of polypropylene (PP) reinforced with short glass fibers (SGF) and short carbon fibers (SCF) were prepared with extrusion compounding and injection molding techniques. The tensile properties of these composites were investigated. It was noted that an increase in fiber volume fraction led to a decrease in mean fiber length as observed previously. The relationship between mean fiber length and fiber volume fraction was described by a proper exponential function with an offset. The tensile strength and modulus of SGF/PP and SCF/PP composites were studied taking into account the combined effect of fiber volume fraction and mean fiber length. The results about the composite strength and modulus were interpreted using the modified rule of mixtures equations by introducing two fiber efficiency factors, respectively, for the composite strength and modulus. It was found that for both types of composites the fiber efficiency factors decreased with increasing fiber volume fraction and the more brittle fiber namely carbon fiber corresponded to the lower fiber efficiency factors than glass fiber. Meanwhile, it was noted that the fiber efficiency factor for the composite modulus was much higher than that for the composite strength. Moreover, it was observed that the tensile failure strain of the composites decreased with the increase of fiber volume fraction. An empirical but good relationship of the composite failure strain with fiber volume fraction, fiber length and fiber radius was established.