Effect of a multiscale reinforcement by carbon fiber surface treatment with graphene oxide/carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of reinforced carbon/carbon composites

An effective carbon fiber/graphene oxide/carbon nanotubes (CF-GO-CNTs) multiscale reinforcement was prepared by co-grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) onto the carbon fiber surface. The effects of surface modification on the properties of carbon fiber (CF) and the resulting composites was investigated systematically. The GO and CNTs were chemically grafted on the carbon fiber surface as a uniform coating, which could significantly increase the polar functional groups and surface energy of carbon fiber. In addition, the GO and CNTs co-grafted on the carbon fiber surface could improve interlaminar shear strength of the resulting composites by 48.12% and the interfacial shear strength of the resulting composites by 83.39%. The presence of GO and CNTs could significantly enhance both the area and wettability of fiber surface, leading to great increase in the mechanical properties of GO/CNTs/carbon fiber reinforced composites.     

Hybrid carbon nanotube–carbon fiber composites with improved in-plane mechanical properties

In this study carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown on carbon fibers to enhance the in-plane and out-of-plane properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPs). A relatively low temperature synthesis technique was utilized to directly grow CNTs over the carbon fibers. Several composites based on carbon fibers with different surface treatments (e.g. growing CNTs with different lengths and distribution patterns and coating the fibers with a thermal barrier coating (TBC) layer) were fabricated and characterized via on- and off-axis tensile tests. The on-axis tensile strength and ductility of the hybrid FRPs were improved by 11% and 35%, respectively, due to the presence of the TBC and the surface grown CNTs. This configuration also exhibited 16% improvement on the off-axis stiffness. Results suggest that certain CNT growth patterns and lengths are more pertinent than the other surface treatments to achieve superior mechanical properties.     

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.     

The effect of surface modification with carbon nanotubes upon the tensile strength and Weibull modulus of carbon fibers

Carbon fibers are widely used as reinforcements in composite materials because of their high specific strength and modulus. Today, a number of ultrahigh strength polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based (more than 6?GPa), and ultrahigh modulus pitch-based (more than 900?GPa) carbon fibers have been commercially available. In contrast, carbon nanotube (CNT) with the extremely high tensile strength have attracted attention as reinforcements. An interesting technique to modify the carbon fiber is CNT grafting on the carbon fiber surface. CNT-grafted carbon fibers offer the opportunity to add the potential benefits of nanoscale reinforcement to well-established fibrous composites to create micro-nano multiscale hybrid composites. In the present study, the tensile properties of CNT grown on T1000GB PAN- and K13D pitch-based carbon fibers have been investigated. Single filament tensile test at gauge lengths of 1, 5, and 25?mm were conducted. The effect of gauge length on tensile strength and Weibull modulus of CNT-grafted PAN- and pitch-based carbon fibers were evaluated. It was found that grafting of CNT improves the tensile strength and Weibull modulus of PAN- and pitch-based carbon fibers with longer gauge length (≥5?mm). The results also clearly show that for CNT-grafted and as-received PAN- and pitch-based carbon fibers, there is a linear relation between the Weibull modulus and the average tensile strength on log–log scale.     

Interfacially reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin composites by chemically grafting multiwall carbon nanotubes onto carbon fibers

Both silane and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grafted successfully onto carbon fibers (CFs) to enhance the interfacial strength of CFs reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin (MPSR) composites. The microstructure, interfacial properties, impact toughness and heat resistance of CFs before and after modification were investigated. Experimental results revealed that CNTs were grafted uniformly onto CFs using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) as the bridging agent. The wettability and surface energy of the obtained hybrid fiber (CF-APS-CNT) were increased obviously in comparison with those of the untreated-CF. The CF-APS-CNT composites showed simultaneously remarkable enhancement in interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact toughness. Moreover, the interfacial reinforcing and toughening mechanisms were also discussed. In addition, Thermogravimetric analysis and thermal oxygen aging experiments indicated a remarkable improvement in the thermal stability and heat oxidation resistance of composites by the introduction of APS and CNTs. We believe the facile and effective method may provide a novel interface design strategy for developing multifunctional fibers.     

电泳沉积CNTs掺杂C/C复合材料的微观组织与弯曲性能

采用电泳沉积(EPD)在1k碳布表面均匀加载了碳纳米管(CNTs), 借助化学气相沉积(CVD)致密化碳布叠层预制体, 制备了EPD CNTs掺杂的二维(2D)碳/碳(C/C)复合材料。研究了EPD CNTs对2D C/C复合材料致密化过程、微观组织和弯曲性能的影响。研究结果表明: EPD CNTs在碳纤维表面呈现平面内高密度、杂乱取向分布特征, 该形貌CNTs降低了热解炭在碳纤维预制体内的沉积速率, 诱导了高石墨微晶堆垛高度(L_c)、低(002)晶面面内方向上的沉积有序度(L_a)热解炭的形成; EPD CNTs的掺杂可提高C/C复合材料的弯曲强度和模量: 当CNTs含量为0.74wt%时, 复合材料弯曲强度和模量可达150.83 MPa和23.44 GPa, 比纯C/C复合材料提高了31.4%和13.9%; 继续提高CNTs含量, 复合材料弯曲强度降低, 这与过高含量EPD CNTs导致复合材料密度降低有关; 同时, EPD CNTs的掺杂使得C/C复合材料断裂模式由脆性断裂转变为假塑性断裂, 复合材料断裂塑性的提高是由于EPD CNTs造成的碳基体结构的变化以及碳纤维的大量拔出。     

Carbon and glass hierarchical fibers: Influence of carbon nanotubes on tensile,flexural and impact properties of short fiber reinforced composites

Dense carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown uniformly on the surface of carbon fibers and glass fibers to create hierarchical fibers by use of floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition. Morphologies of the CNTs were investigated using scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Larger diameter dimension and distinct growing mechanism of nanotubes on glass fiber were revealed. Short carbon and glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were fabricated using the hierarchical fibers and compared with composites made using neat fibers. Tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composites were measured, which showed evident enhancement in all mechanical properties compared to neat short fiber composites. SEM micrographs of composite fracture surface demonstrated improved adhesion between CNT-coated fiber and the matrix. The enhanced mechanical properties of short fiber composites was attributed to the synergistic effects of CNTs in improving fiber–matrix interfacial properties as well as the CNTs acting as supplemental reinforcement in short fiber-composites.     

Preparation of CNT-hybridized carbon fiber by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition

The purpose of this article is to find a way to prepare multiscale material, namely, carbon nanotube-hybridized carbon fiber (CNT/CF) with a low degradation of mechanical properties. Using a facile aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition method, a novel route was described to fabricate CNT/CF. The essential of this technique was in situ formation of catalyst (Fe) nanoparticles via pyrolysis of ferrocene–acetone aerosol right before CNTs growth. Through optimizing aerosol supply and process parameters, a uniform coverage of CNTs was successfully grafted onto the carbon fiber surface to obtain a multiscale (hierarchical) structure. The strong anchorage between the as-synthesized CNTs and carbon fiber substrate was confirmed by ultrasonic bath treatment. Compared with the as-received carbon fibers, single fiber tensile testing results demonstrated that the tensile strengths of CNT-hybridized carbon fiber slightly degraded within 10% at all the correspondingly given gauge lengths.     

不同物相电沉积CNTs对C/SiC复合材料力学性能的影响

采用电沉积法与化学气相渗透(CVI)法将碳纳米管(CNTs)分别引入到碳纤维表面和SiC基体中,制得了不同物相电沉积CNTs的C/SiC复合材料(CNTs-C)/SiC和C/(CNTs-SiC)。研究了CNTs沉积物相对C/SiC复合材料力学性能的影响,分析了不同CNTs沉积物相的C/SiC复合材料的拉伸强度及断裂机制。结果表明:相较于未加CNTs的C/SiC复合材料,CNTs沉积到碳纤维表面的(CNTs-C)/SiC复合材料的拉伸强度提高了67.3%,断裂功提高了107.2%;而将CNTs引入到SiC基体中的C/(CNTs-SiC)复合材料的断裂功有所降低,拉伸强度也仅提高了6.9%,CNTs没有表现出明显的增强增韧效果;C/(CNTs-SiC)复合材料与传统的C/SiC复合材料有相似的断裂形貌特征,断裂拔出机制类似,主要为纤维增强增韧,CNTs的作用不明显。     

Interlaminar and intralaminar reinforcement of composite laminates with aligned carbon nanotubes

Three-dimensional reinforcement of woven advanced polymer–matrix composites using aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is explored experimentally and theoretically. Radially-aligned CNTs grown in situ on the surface of fibers in a woven cloth provide significant three-dimensional reinforcement, as measured by Mode I interlaminar fracture testing and tension-bearing experiments. Aligned CNTs bridge the ply interfaces giving enhancement in both initiation and steady-state toughness, improving the already tough system by 76% in steady state (more than 1.5 kJ/m² increase). CNT pull-out on the crack faces is the observed toughening mechanism, and an analytical model is correlated to the experimental fracture data. In the plane of the laminate, aligned CNTs enhance the tension-bearing response with increases of: 19% in bearing stiffness, 9% in critical strength, and 5% in ultimate strength accompanied by a clear change in failure mode from shear-out failure (matrix dominated) without CNTs to tensile fracture (fiber dominated) with CNTs.     

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.     

电化学处理对碳纤维表面加载碳纳米管的影响机理

利用电化学阳极氧化法改性碳纤维表面,开发了在连续碳纤维表面简单、高效、均匀地加载催化剂涂层的工艺。通过系统研究电化学改性强度对碳纤维表面物理与化学特性、催化剂颗粒与CNTs形貌、多尺度增强体拉伸强度及其增强复合材料层间剪切强度的影响,优化了碳纤维表面电化学改性工艺。结果表明:催化剂颗粒的形貌与分布不仅影响碳纤维表面沉积的CNTs的形貌,而且影响最终碳纤维表面生长CNTs多尺度增强体及其复合材料的力学性能。     

Processing,characterization, and modeling of carbon nanotube-reinforced multiscale composites

Carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated and characterized. High-energy sonication was used to disperse CNTs in the resin, followed by infiltration of fiber preform with the resin/CNT mixture. The effects of sonication time on the mechanical properties of “multiscale” composites, which contain reinforcements at varying scales, were studied. A low CNT loading of 0.3 wt% in resin had little influence on tensile properties, while it improved the flexural modulus, strength, and percent strain to break by 11.6%, 18.0%, and 11.4%, respectively, as compared to the control carbon fiber/epoxy composite. While sonication is an effective method to disperse CNTs in a resin, duration, intensity, and temperature need to be controlled to prevent damages imposed on CNTs and premature resin curing. A combination of Halpin–Tsai equations and woven fiber micromechanics was used in hierarchy to predict the mechanical properties of multiscale composites, and the discrepancies between the predicted and experimental values are explained.     

稀土Ce接枝碳纳米管-碳纤维多尺度增强体对环氧树脂基复合材料界面性能的影响

将马来酰亚胺官能化的多壁碳纳米管(CNTs)和碳纤维(CF)混合并通过CeCl₃处理,得到CNTs-CF多尺度增强体,采用FTIR、XPS、SEM对增强体的表面物理化学状态进行表征;以环氧树脂(EP)为基体,通过模压法制备CNTs-CF/EP复合材料,对其力学性能和断口形貌进行分析,探讨CNTs-CF多尺度增强体对CNTs-CF/EP复合材料界面性能的影响。结果表明:通过Ce的桥接作用,可以将改性后的CNTs化学接枝在CF表面,以同时解决CF与树脂基体间界面结合弱及CNTs不易分散的问题,有效改善了增强体与基体间的界面性能。因此CNTs-CF/EP复合材料的拉伸强度和杨氏模量较CF/EP复合材料分别提高了36.76%和71.57%;较CeCl₃改性CF(RECF)/EP复合材料分别提高了24.79%和52.17%。采用稀土Ce的化学接枝法成功制备出CNTs-CF多尺度增强体,为获得高级轻质树脂基复合材料提供了一种环境友好的新方法。      

Application of continuously-monitored single fiber fragmentation tests to carbon nanotube/carbon microfiber hybrid composites

To assess the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) grafting on interfacial stress transfer in fiber composites, CNTs were grown upon individual carbon T-300 fibers by chemical vapor deposition. Continuously-monitored single fiber composite (SFC) fragmentation tests were performed on both pristine and CNT-decorated fibers embedded in epoxy. The critical fragment length, fiber tensile strength at critical length, and interfacial shear strength were evaluated. Despite the fiber strength degradation resulting from the harsh CNT growth conditions, the CNT-modified fibers lead to a twofold increase in interfacial shear strength which correlates with the nearly threefold increase in apparent fiber diameter resulting from CNT grafting. These observations corroborate recently published studies with other CNT-grafted fibers. An analysis of the relative contributions to the interfacial strength of the fiber diameter and strength due to surface treatment is presented. It is concluded that the common view whereby an experimentally observed shorter average fragment length leads to a stronger interfacial adhesion is not necessarily correct, if the treatment has changed the fiber tensile strength or its diameter.     

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。     

Fabrication and properties of CNTs/carbon fabric hybrid multiscale composites processed via resin transfer molding technique

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are effective fillers/reinforcements regarding improving the properties of polymer. In the present paper, carboxylic acid functionalized CNTs were used to modify epoxy with intent to develop a nanocomposite matrix for hybrid multiscale composites combining benefits of nanoscale reinforcement with well-established fibrous composites. CNTs were dispersed in epoxy by using high energy sonication. At low contents of CNTs, hybrid multiscale composites specimens were manufactured via resin transfer molding (RTM) process. The processibility of CNTs/epoxy systems was explored with respect to their viscosity. The dispersion quality and re-agglomeration behavior of CNTs in epoxy were characterized using optical microscope. A CNTs loading of 0.025 wt% significantly improved the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the hybrid multiscale composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface of the failed specimens. It is demonstrated that the addition of small amount of CNTs (0.025 wt%) to epoxy for the fabrication of multiscale carbon fabric composites via RTM route effectively improves the matrix-dominated properties of polymer based composites. Hybridization efficiency in carbon fiber reinforced composites using CNTs is found to be highly dependent on the changes in the dispersion state of CNTs in epoxy.     

Tensile properties of VGCF reinforced carbon composites

Carbon composites based on vapor grown carbon fibers prepared by a fixed catalyst method were fabricated using a pitch infiltration technique. The composites have both unidirectional and bi-directional fiber reinforcement, and different fiber volume fractions ranging from 25% to 56%. Specimens were prepared from these composites for tensile testing at room temperature, and tensile modulus and strength were determined. The composite modulus was then used to estimate the fiber modulus.     

A Novel Multiscale Reinforcement by In-Situ Growing Carbon Nanotubes on Graphene Oxide Grafted Carbon Fibers and Its Reinforced Carbon/Carbon Composites with Improved Tensile Properties

In-situ growing carbon nanotubes(CNTs)directly on carbon?bers(CFs)always lead to a degraded tensile strength of CFs and then a poor?ber-dominated mechanical property of carbon/carbon composites(C/Cs).To solve this issue,here,a novel carbon?ber-based multiscale reinforcement is reported.To synthesize it,carbon?bers(CFs)have been?rst grafted by graphene oxide(GO),and then carbon nanotubes(CNTs)have been in-situ grown on GO-grafted CFs by catalytic chemical vapor deposition.Characterizations on this novel reinforcement show that GO grafting cannot only nondestructively improve the surface chemical activity of CFs but also protect CFs against the high-temperature corrosion of metal catalyst during CNT growth,which maintains their tensile properties.Tensile property tests for unidirectional C/Cs with different preforms show that this novel reinforcement can endow C/C with improved tensile properties,32% and 87%higher than that of pure C/C and C/C only doped with in-situ grown CNTs.This work would open up a possibility to fabricate multiscale C/Cs with excellent global performance.     

Interface enhancement of glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester composites with flame-synthesized carbon nanotubes and its enhancing mechanism

Interface enhancement with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) provides a promising approach for improving shock strength and toughness of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) composites. The effects of incorporating flame-synthesized CNTs (F-CNTs) into GFRP were studied, including on hand lay-up preparation, microstructural characterization, mechanical properties, fracture morphologies, and theoretical calculation. The experimental results showed that: (1) the impact strength of the GFRP modified by F-CNTs increased by more than 15% over that of the GFRP modified by CNTs from chemical vapor deposition; and (2) with the F-CNT enhancement, no interfacial debonding was observed at the interface between the fiber and resin matrix on the GFRP fracture surface, which indicated strong adhesive strength between them. The theoretical calculation revealed that the intrinsic characteristics of the F-CNTs, including lower crystallinity with a large number of defects and chemical functional groups on the surface, promoted their surface activity and dispersibility at the interface, which improved the interfacial bond strength of GFRP.