Tailoring of the interfacial properties of polymeric single fibre-reinforced epoxy composites by non-oxidative plasma treatments

The interfacial properties of epoxy composites reinforced with a single, plasma-treated fibre of either poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) (PPTA) or poly(p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole) (PBO) have been investigated with a focus on evaluating the effect of two non-oxidative (He and N₂) microwave plasma treatments on interfacial adhesion properties. Tensile testing of single filaments revealed that their tensile strength does not diminish with the plasma treatments, despite the fact that their surface properties have been both physically and chemically modified. Interfacial characterisation by Raman spectroscopy indicated that the quality of adhesion was substantially enhanced following exposure of the fibres to microwave plasma treatment in either pure helium or pure nitrogen flows for just one minute. Such improvement was higher than that attained when O₂ was used for blowing the plasma, under the same operational conditions. Moreover, no swelling effect was observed by AFM after exposure of the He or N₂ plasma-treated fibres to ambient conditions for as much as 24 h.     

Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial bonding in abaca fiber-reinforced composites

Abaca fibers demonstrate enormous potential as reinforcing agents in composite materials. In this study, abaca fibers were immersed in 5, 10 or 15 wt.% NaOH solutions for 2 h, and the effects of the alkali treatments on the mechanical characteristics and interfacial adhesion of the fibers in a model abaca fiber/epoxy composite system systematically evaluated. After 5 wt.% NaOH treatment, abaca fibers showed increased crystallinity, tensile strength and Young’s modulus compared to untreated fibers, and also improved interfacial shear strength with an epoxy. Stronger alkali treatments negatively impacted fiber stiffness and suitability for composite applications. Results suggest that mild alkali treatments (e.g. 5 wt.% NaOH for 2 h) are highly beneficial for the manufacture of abaca fiber-reinforced polymer composites.     

Interfacial shear strength of a glass fiber/epoxy bonding in composites modified with carbon nanotubes

In recent years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on fibers have attracted a lot of interest as an additional reinforcing component in conventional fiber-reinforced composites to improve the properties of the fiber/matrix interface. Due to harsh growth conditions, the CNT-grafted fibers often exhibit degraded tensile properties. In the current study we explore an alternative approach to deliver CNTs to the fiber surface by dispersing CNTs in the fiber sizing formulation. This route takes advantage of the developed techniques for CNT dispersion in resins and introduces no damage to the fibers. We focus on unidirectional glass fiber/epoxy macro-composites where CNTs are introduced in three ways: (1) in the fiber sizing, (2) in the matrix and (3) in the fiber sizing and matrix simultaneously. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) is investigated using single-fiber push-out microindentation. The results of the test reveal an increase of IFSS in all three cases. The maximum gain (over 90%) is achieved in the composite where CNTs are introduced solely in the fiber sizing.     

Mechanical properties of epoxy composites filled with silane-functionalized graphene oxide

In this work, the effects of as-produced GO and silane functionalized GO (silane-f-GO) loading and silane functionalization on the mechanical properties of epoxy composites are investigated and compared. Such silane functionalization containing epoxy ended-groups is found to effectively improve the compatibility between the silane-f-GO and the epoxy matrix. Increased storage modulus, glass transition temperature, thermal stability, tensile and flexural properties and fracture toughness of epoxy composites filled with the silane-f-GO sheets are observed compared with those of the neat epoxy and GO/epoxy composites. These findings confirm the improved dispersion and interfacial interaction in the composites arising from covalent bonds between the silane-f-GO and the epoxy matrix. Moreover, several possible fracture mechanisms, i.e. crack pinning/deflection, crack bridging, and matrix plastic deformation initiated by the debonding/delamination of GO sheets, were identified and evaluated.     

The effect of alkaline and silane treatments on mechanical properties and breakage of sisal fibers and poly(lactic acid)/sisal fiber composites

The main goals of this work were to study the effect of different chemical treatments on sisal fiber bundles tensile properties as well as on tensile properties of composites based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix and sisal fibers. For this purpose, sisal fibers were treated with different chemical treatments. After treating sisal fibers the tensile strength values decreased respect to untreated fiber ones, especially when the combination of NaOH + silane treatment was used. Taking into account fiber tensile properties and fiber/PLA adhesion values, composites based on silane treated fibers would show the highest tensile strength value. However, composites based on alkali treated and NaOH + silane treated fibers showed the highest tensile strength values. Finally, experimental tensile strength values of composites were compared with those values obtained using micromechanical models.     

Effect of water ageing on nanoindentation response of single hemp yarn/epoxy composites

This paper aims to evaluate the influence of water ageing on nanoindentation response of the in situ components of hemp/epoxy composites. Specific samples have been tested, made of single hemp yarn composites with two different epoxy resins. Analysis of indentation points depending on their location in the yarn microstructure has been performed. Measurements showed the influence of neighbouring fibres on the reduced modulus in the confined resin. Water induces a decrease in nanoindentation properties, and maximum decrease in reduced modulus takes place in the interfacial zone, which shows the significant degradation of the fibre/matrix interface caused by water ageing. Evolutions in the indentation properties induced by water are similar for both partially bio-based and fully synthetic epoxy resin composites. All these results bring insights into the influence of water ageing of each constituent of hemp fibre reinforced composites and give interesting data for developing eco-composite materials.     

Hybrid effect of nanoparticles with carbon fibers on the mechanical and wear properties of polymer composites

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites reinforced with carbon fibers (CFs) and nano-ZrO₂ particles were prepared by incorporating nanoparticles into PEEK/CF composites via twin-screw extrusion. The effects of nanoparticles on the mechanical and wear properties of the PEEK/CF composites were studied. The results showed that the incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ particles with carbon fiber could effectively enhance the tensile properties of the composites. The tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composites increased with the increasing nano-ZrO₂ content. The enhancement effect of the particle was more significant in the hybrid reinforced composites. The compounding of the two fillers also remarkably improved the wear resistance of the composites under water condition especially under high pressures. It was revealed that the excellent wear resistance of the PEEK/CF/ZrO₂ composites was due to a synergy effect between the nano-ZrO₂ particles and CF. CF carried the majority of load during sliding process and prevented severe wear to the matrix. The incorporation of nano-ZrO₂ effectively inhibited the CF failures through reducing the stress concentration on the carbon fibers interface and the shear stress between two sliding surfaces. It was also indicated that the wear rates of the hybrid composites decreased with the increasing applied load and sliding distance under water lubrication. And low friction coefficient and low wear rate could be achieved at high sliding velocity.     

Development of aligned-hemp yarn-reinforced green composites with soy protein resin: Effect of pH on mechanical and interfacial properties

Unidirectional hemp yarn-reinforced green composites were fabricated with soy protein concentrate (SPC) resin processed at various pH values. To preserve the yarn alignment during the fabrication of green composites, hemp yarn was wound onto a metal frame with slight tension and precured SPC resin was applied to the yarns. Effects of pH values on the tensile properties of the SPC resin and hemp yarn/SPC resin interfacial shear strength (IFSS) were investigated. Increasing pH of the SPC resin from 7 to 12 decreased its fracture stress and Young’s modulus from 13.1 MPa and 357.5 MPa to 8.1 MPa and 156.2 MPa, respectively. At the same time fracture strain and moisture content increased from 31.5% and 15.65% to 53·4% and 19.30%, respectively, indicating resin plasticization. However, hemp yarn/SPC resin IFSS increased from 17.7 MPa at pH 7 up to 28.0 MPa at pH 10, after which it decreased. The fracture toughness of the composites increased up to pH of 10 but further increase in pH reduced the toughness. SEM photomicrographs showed fracture surfaces of hemp yarn-reinforced green composites that indicated better resin/fiber interaction at pH of 10 than 7 or 12.     

Study on interfacial adhesion strength of single glass fibre/polypropylene model composites by altering the nature of the surface of sized glass fibres

Polypropylene (PP) compatibly sized glass fibres (GFs) were treated with boiling water and toluene, respectively, to reveal the interactions of water and toluene with different components in the sizing of sized GF and their influences on the interfacial adhesion strength of GF/PP model composites. Compared to control GF/PP model composites, about 30% increase of interfacial adhesion strength was achieved for composites with water-treated GF, whereas a small decrease of interfacial adhesion strength was revealed for composites with toluene-treated GF. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Zeta-potential measurement, and water contact angle measurement demonstrated that the boiling water-treated GFs posses a more polar and hydrophilic surface with homogeneously distributed derivatives of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, which is related to a higher interfacial adhesion strength for water-treated GF/PP model composites. In contrast, hot toluene-treated GFs led to a more hydrophobic surface with low molar mass PP and surfactants enriching on the outermost surface.     

Studies on the characterization of piassava fibers and their epoxy composites

This paper presents morphology, physical and strength properties of piassava fiber, a very rigid fiber having a potential to be used as composite reinforcement. Composites of continuous and aligned piassava fibers with and without alkali treatment dispersed in epoxy matrix were subjected to three point bend, tensile, and Izod impact tests. Composites with fibers above 20 vol.% showed an effective reinforcement behavior both in flexural and tensile tests, while the impact energy linearly increased for the amount of piassava fibers used in this study. Fractographic study revealed a relatively weaker fiber/matrix adhesion acting as preferential site for crack nucleation. Evidence was also found for crack arrest by the fiber above 20 vol.%. This, together with spiny surface protrusion in the piassava fibers, was found to be responsible for the reinforcement of the epoxy composites.     

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.     

Investigation of combined stress state failure criterion for glass fiber/epoxy interface by the cruciform specimen method

The interfacial failure criterion under combined stress state in a glass fiber/epoxy composite is investigated by the cruciform specimen method. Experiments were conducted by using specimens with a fiber whose angle from the loading direction is varied in order to make various stress state of normal and shear at the interface. Finite element analysis is performed to calculate the interfacial stress distribution. By combining the experimental measurement of the specimen stress at the interfacial debonding initiation and the finite element stress analysis, it is possible to obtain the interfacial stress state at interfacial failure. A method to determine the interfacial failure criterion and the interfacial failure initiation location simultaneously is proposed in the present study. We conclude the value of the interfacial shear strength is higher than that of the interfacial normal strength for the material system used in the present study.     

Effect of pectin and hemicellulose removal from hemp fibres on the mechanical properties of unidirectional hemp/epoxy composites

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of pectin and hemicellulose removal from hemp fibres on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre/epoxy composites. Pectin removal by EDTA and endo-polygalacturonase (EPG) removed epidermal and parenchyma cells from hemp fibres and improved fibre separation. Hemicellulose removal by NaOH further improved fibre surface cleanliness. Removal of epidermal and parenchyma cells combined with improved fibre separation decreased composite porosity factor. As a result, pectin removal increased composite stiffness and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Hemicellulose removal increased composite stiffness, but decreased composite UTS due to removal of xyloglucans. In comparison of all fibre treatments, composites with 0.5% EDTA + 0.2% EPG treated fibres had the highest tensile strength of 327 MPa at fibre volume content of 50%. Composites with 0.5% EDTA + 0.2% EPG → 10% NaOH treated fibres had the highest stiffness of 43 GPa and the lowest porosity factor of 0.04.     

Jute fibre/epoxy composites: Surface properties and interfacial adhesion

Jute fibres were surface treated in order to enhance the interfacial interaction between jute natural fibres and an epoxy matrix. The fibres are exposed to alkali treatment in combination with organosilane coupling agents and aqueous epoxy dispersions. The surface topography and surface energy influenced by the treatments were characterized. Single fibre pull-out tests combined with SEM and AFM characterization of the fracture surfaces were used to identify the interfacial strengths and to reveal the mechanisms of failure.     

Flexural properties of hemp fibre reinforced polylactide and unsaturated polyester composites

In this work, flexural strength and flexural modulus of chemically treated random short and aligned long hemp fibre reinforced polylactide and unsaturated polyester composites were investigated over a range of fibre content (0-50 wt%). Flexural strength of the composites was found to decrease with increased fibre content; however, flexural modulus increased with increased fibre content. The reason for this decrease in flexural strength was found to be due to fibre defects (i.e. kinks) which could induce stress concentration points in the composites during flexural test, accordingly flexural strength decreased. Alkali and silane fibre treatments were found to improve flexural strength and flexural modulus which could be due to enhanced fibre/matrix adhesion.     

Effect of linear density and yarn structure on the mechanical properties of ramie fiber yarn reinforced composites

Effects of linear density and yarn structure on both static and dynamic mechanical properties of ramie fiber yarn reinforced composites (RYRCs) were investigated. The failure mechanisms of RYRCs were analyzed with the aid of ultrasonic C-scan and Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the tensile strength of RYRCs increased gradually with increase of the linear density of the single yarns. The maximum tensile strength was obtained when the linear density reached 67.3 tex. However, a downtrend of the tensile strength was observed with further increase of the linear density of ramie single and plied yarns. The interlaminar fracture toughness was relatively high for RYRCs made from yarns with lower linear density due to the extensive fiber bridging observed during the double cantilever beam test. Meanwhile, the linear density and structure of ramie yarn had remarkable influence on the failure mode of RYRCs during the drop weight impact test.     

Effect of phenoxy-based coating resin for reinforcing pitch carbon fibers on the interlaminar shear strength of PA6 composites

Carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites have not been considered as constituent materials for structural parts due to the poor interfacial adhesion between the fiber and the thermoplastic matrix. In this work, polyamide 6 (PA6) composites with pitch carbon fibers (pCF) were fabricated by alternatively stacking PA6 films and pCF fabrics followed by being pressed. In order to improve the interfacial adhesion, phenoxy resin-based materials were coated on the surface of the fiber. The surface analyses of the fiber were carried out by XPS, TGA and dynamic contact angle method. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the composites was measured to evaluate the effect of the coating materials. The results showed that the composites with the coated pCF had higher ILSS than that with neat pCF by more than 20%. This indicated that a proper coating material can improve mechanical properties of the PA6 composites, which can be applied to the structural parts.     

Controlled retting of hemp fibres: Effect of hydrothermal pre-treatment and enzymatic retting on the mechanical properties of unidirectional hemp/epoxy composites

The objective of this work was to investigate the use of hydrothermal pre-treatment and enzymatic retting to remove non-cellulosic compounds and thus improve the mechanical properties of hemp fibre/epoxy composites. Hydrothermal pre-treatment at 100 kPa and 121 °C combined with enzymatic retting produced fibres with the highest ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of 780 MPa. Compared to untreated fibres, this combined treatment exhibited a positive effect on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre/epoxy composites, resulting in high quality composites with low porosity factor (α_pf) of 0.08. Traditional field retting produced composites with the poorest mechanical properties and the highest α_pf of 0.16. Hydrothermal pretreatment at 100 kPa and subsequent enzymatic retting resulted in hemp fibre composites with the highest UTS of 325 MPa, and stiffness of 38 GPa with 50% fibre volume content, which was 31% and 41% higher, respectively, compared to field retted fibres.     

Surface damage of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites under reciprocating sliding in ambient air

For many technical applications friction and wear are critical issues. Reinforced polymer-matrix composites are widely used under vibrating contact condition in various automotive and aerospace applications as well as in structural engineering. In this paper, the friction and wear of bulk epoxy and unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite have been investigated under reciprocating sliding against either alumina or stainless steel balls in ambient air. The effect of sliding direction with respect to the long and unidirectional carbon fibers has been studied. We demonstrate that the carbon fiber reinforcement greatly improves the tribological properties of the thermoset epoxy: it reduces the coefficient of friction and the debris formation. It was found that on sliding in the anti-parallel direction a more significant degradation takes place than in the parallel direction. The coefficient of friction measured on bulk epoxy sliding against either stainless steel or alumina is around 0.65, whereas the coefficient of friction measured on epoxy reinforced with carbon fibers is significantly lower, namely down to 0.11. It was found that sliding with a stainless steel ball in a direction parallel to the fiber orientation results in a lower coefficient of friction than sliding in anti-parallel direction. The reduced coefficient of friction is largely influenced by the carbon fiber reinforcement due to the auto-protecting film formed as a paste in the contact area and along the wear track edges. The relationship between friction and degradation of the composite material including surface wear and debris formation are discussed based on an in-depth analysis of the worn surfaces by optical and scanning electron microscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, and white light interferometry.     

Pristine and amino functionalized carbon nanotubes reinforced glass fiber epoxy composites

Multi-phase composites have been studied by incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as a secondary reinforcement in an epoxy matrix which was then reinforced with glass fiber mat. Different types of CNTs e.g. amino functionalized carbon nanotubes (ACNT) and pristine carbon nanotubes (PCNT) were homogeneously dispersed in the epoxy matrix and two-ply laminates were fabricated using vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding technique. The issues related to CNT dispersion and interfacial bonding and its affect on the mechanical properties have been studied. An important finding of this study is that PCNT scores over ACNT in composites prepared under certain conditions. This is a very significant finding since PCNT is available at a much lower cost than ACNT.