CF/EP composite laminates with carbon black and copper chloride for improved electrical conductivity and interlaminar fracture toughness

An experimental study was conducted to improve the electrical conductivity of continuous carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminate, with simultaneous improvement in mechanical performance, by incorporating nano-scale carbon black (CB) particles and copper chloride (CC) electrolyte into the epoxy matrix. CF/EP laminates of 65 vol.% of carbon fibres were manufactured using a vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) technique. The effects of CB and the synergy of CB/CC on electrical resistivity, tensile strength and elastic modulus and fracture toughness (K_IC) of the epoxy matrix were experimentally characterised, as well as the transverse tensile modulus and strength, Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of the CF/EP laminates. The results showed that the addition of up to 3.0 wt.% CB in the epoxy matrix, with the assistance of CC, noticeably improved the electrical conductivity of the epoxy and the CF/EP laminates, with mechanical performance also enhanced to a certain extent.     

Influence of the Hybrid Combination of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene Oxide on Interlaminar Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Laminates

An effective strategy to improve the mode I and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (G _IC and G _IIC ) of unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/E) laminates using a hybrid combination of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphene oxide (GO) is reported. Double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notched flexure (ENF) tests were conducted to evaluate the G _IC and G _IIC of the CF/E laminates fabricated with sprayed MWCNTs, GO and MWCNTs/GO hybrid. Scanning electron microscopy was employed to observe the fracture surfaces of tested DCB and ENF specimens. Experimental results showed the positive effect on the G _IC and G _IIC by 17% and 14% improvements on CF/E laminates with 0.25 wt.% MWCNTs/GO hybrid content compared to the neat CF/E. Also, the interlaminar shear strength value was increased for MWCNTs/GO-CF/E laminates. A synergetic effect between MWCNTs and GO resulted in improved interlaminar mechanical properties of CF/E laminates made by prepregs.     

Interlaminar fracture toughness and associated fracture behaviour of bead-filled epoxy/glass fibre hybrid composites

To investigate enhancement of matrix-dominated properties (such as interlaminar fracture toughness) of a composite laminate, two different bead-filled epoxies were used as matrices for the bead-filled epoxy/glass fibre hybrid composites. The plane strain fracture toughness of two different bead-filled epoxies have been measured using compact tension specimens. Significant increases in toughness were observed. Based on these results the interlaminar fracture toughness and fracture behaviour of hybrid composites, fabricated using bead-filled epoxy matrices, have been investigated using double cantilever beam and end notch flexure specimens for Mode I and Mode II tests, respectively. The hybrid composites based on carbon bead-filled matrix shows an increase in both G _IC initiation and G _IIC values as compared to a glass fibre reinforced plastic laminate with unmodified epoxy matrix. The optimum bead volume fraction for the hybrid composite is between 15% and 20%. However, the unmodified epoxy glass-fibre composite shows a higher G _IC propagation value than that of hybrid composites, due to fibre bridging, which is less pronounced in the hybrids as the presence of the beads results in a matrix-rich interply region.     

Improved fracture toughness and fatigue life of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composite due to incorporation of rubber nanoparticles

In this study, core–shell rubber (CSR) nanoparticles with approximate particle size of 35 nm were used as a modifier for the epoxy polymer. The effects of various CSR contents in the epoxy matrix on mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, tensile strength, and fatigue life of the carbon fabric reinforced epoxy (CF/EP) composites were investigated. The experimental results showed that the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness at crack initiation and propagation significantly improved by 71.21 and 58.47 %, respectively, when 8.0 wt% CSR was dispersed in the epoxy matrix. The fatigue life of the modified CF/EP composites at all of CSR contents dramatically increased 75–100 times longer than that of the unmodified CF/EP composites at high cycle fatigue while tensile strength slightly increased by about 10 %. Field emission scanning electron microcopy (FESEM) observations of the fracture surfaces were conducted to explain failure mechanisms of CSR addition to the CF/EP composites. The evidences of the rubber nanoparticle debonding, plastic void growth, and microshear banding were credited for delaying the onset of matrix crack, and reducing the crack growth rate, as a result, attributed to increase in the mechanical properties of the CF/EP composites.     

Interlaminar fracture of CF/EP composite containing a dual-component microencapsulated self-healant

We present an experimental study of the self-healing ability of carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminates with microencapsulated epoxy and its hardener (mercaptan) as a healing agent. Epoxy- and hardener-loaded microcapsules (average size large: 123 μm; small: 65 μm) were prepared by in situ polymerisation in an oil-in-water emulsion and were dry-dispersed at the ratio 1:1 on the surface of unidirectional carbon fabric layer. The CF/EP laminates were fabricated using a vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process. Width-tapered double cantilever beam (WTDCB) specimens were used to measure mode-I interlaminar fracture toughness of the CF/EP composites with a pre-crack in the centre plane where the microcapsules were placed. Incorporation of the dual-component healant stored in the fragile microcapsules provided the laminates with healing capability on delamination damage by recovering as much as 80% of its fracture toughness. It was also observed that the recovery of fracture toughness was directly correlated with the amount of healant covering the fracture plane, with the highest healing efficiency obtained for the laminate with large capsules.     

Improved fracture toughness in carbon fibre epoxy composite through novel pre-preg coating method using Epoxy Terminated Butadiene Nitrile rubber

A novel pre-preg coating method was used to improve the interlaminar fracture toughness in carbon fibre epoxy composite laminates, using reactive liquid rubber. The Epoxy Terminated Butadiene Nitrile (ETBN) liquid rubber incorporated between pre-pregs using automatic draw bar coating technique. Experimental test results reveal that by adding ETBN in small quantities in the range of 15.55–22.66 g/m², inter laminar critical energy release rates (G_IC and G_IIC) can be improved up to 140% in mode-I loadings and 32% in mode-II loadings respectively. It was confirmed that the effect of ETBN rubber concentration in carbon epoxy pre-preg system on interlaminar fracture toughness under mode-I and mode-II loadings, was discussed by on the bases of fractographic observations and mechanism considerations using SEM.     

Fracture behaviour of model toughened composites under Mode I and Mode II delaminations

The fracture behaviour of two toughened epoxy composite systems was investigated using various microscopy techniques. The Mode I delamination fracture toughness,G _IC, Mode II delamination fracture toughness;G _IIC, and compression after impact (CAI) strength of these model composite systems were also measured. Under Mode I fracture, it was found that these composites exhibit nearly identical toughening mechanisms to those of the rubber-modified neat resins. The composites differ primarily in having smaller damage zones than the neat resin equivalents. Under Mode II fracture, the typical hackles were found to initiate from inside the resin-rich interlaminar region due to the presence of the toughener particles. The CAI strength, based on the present study as well as the work conducted by others, appeared to be related to, but not necessarily strongly dependent on, the interlaminarG _IC andG _IIC, the thickness of the interlaminar resin-rich region, and the type of the interlaminar toughener particles. Approaches for improving theG _IC,G _IIC, and CAI strength of high-performance toughened composites are discussed.     

Monitoring of delamination onset and growth during Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture tests using guided waves

A delamination monitoring method was proposed to characterize Mode I and Mode II delamination onset in carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminates through interrogation of guided waves activated and captured using piezoelectric actuators and sensors in a pitch–catch configuration. Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture tests were conducted using double cantilever beam (DCB) and end notch flexure (ENF) specimens to evaluate the proposed method. The changes in wave propagation velocity and wave magnitude (or attenuation), and the degree of waveform similarity between excitation and response signals, were calculated as delamination-sensitive wave parameters and plotted versus displacement recorded using a materials testing system. The kink points determined from wave parameter–displacement curves agreed well with the deviation from linearity (NL), visual observation (VIS) and maximum load (Max) points, which are often used in conventional methods for determining interlaminar fracture toughness. The propagation characteristics of the A₀ wave mode in a low frequency range were demonstrated to have high sensitivity to Mode I and in particular Mode II delamination onset in CF/EP composite laminates. It was concluded that the guided waves propagating in the DCB and ENF specimens were capable of determining Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness, complementing current practices based on visual inspection or trivial interrogation using load–displacement curve alone.     

Improving interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fibre/epoxy laminates by incorporation of nano-particles

Double-cantilever-beam tests were applied to investigate the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fibre/epoxy laminates, in which the epoxy matrices were incorporated with rubber and silica nano-particles, either singly or jointly. It is shown that the toughness is improved owing to the presence of these nano-particles although nano-rubber is more effective than nano-silica. Further, by keeping the total particle weight percentage constant in epoxies (e.g., at 8 and 12 wt.%) filled with equal amount of nano-silica and nano-rubber, the interlaminar toughness values of the hybrid laminates are always higher than those with nano-silica filled epoxies but lower than those with nano-rubber filled matrices. Scanning electron microscopy examination of the delaminated surfaces of composite laminates filled with nano-particles revealed that cavitation of nano-rubber particles/void growth and debonding of nano-silica from epoxy matrix are responsible for the improved interlaminar toughness observed. It is also shown that the bulk toughness of nano-particle filled epoxies cannot be fully transferred to the interlaminar toughness of composite laminates, being limited by the constraint effect imposed by the carbon fibres. Finally, the role of fibre-bridging on the delaminated crack and hence delamination toughness is discussed.     

Inluence of water up-take on interlaminar fracture properties of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer composites

Composite materials in practical use can be subjected to a wide variety of different loading conditions. The most important conditions are mechanical stresses and environmental attacks. An issue of major concern in the utilization of composites is associated with the occurrence of delaminations or interlaminar cracks, which may be related to manufacturing defects or are induced in service by low-velocity impacts. The main environmental attacks are temperature, humidity, radiation, and chemical exposure. Three materials were investigated; two thermosetting matrices (unmodified and toughness-modified epoxy, EP and EP_mod) and one thermoplastic matrix (semicrystalline polyetheretherketone, PEEK), all reinforced with unidirectional continuous carbon fibres. Samples of these materials were exposed to water in baths of different temperatures; they were taken for mechanical testing after various time periods. As a result of absorbed moisture, G _IC-values increased with moisture content of the samples, whereas G _IIC-values decreased. By means of scanning electron microscopy, fracture surfaces were examined. Evidence was found that the increase of G _IC-values was due to a greater ductility of the matrix (as a result of the moisture absorbed) and hence more energy-consumptive fibre-bridging. On the other hand, interface failure, as well as a loss of shear strength of the epoxy with increasing amount of moisture absorbed, were responsible for the decrease in the G _IIC-values. The thermoplastic matrix system (CF/PEEK) exhibited no influence of moisture on the Mode I property, but a decrease of the values for Mode II.     

Improving the interlaminar properties of polymer composites using a situ accumulation method to construct the multi-scale reinforcement of carbon nanofibers/carbon fibers

A novel method was developed to realize the situ accumulation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in the carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) to construct the multi-scale reinforcement for improving the interlaminar properties. In this method, the prepreg was sealed by the nanomicroporous nylon membrane, and the excess resin was extracted from the prepreg by the vacuum-assisted method. It was found that the use of nylon membrane resulted in effective CNFs accumulation, especially in the interlayer by scanning electron microscopy. Short-beam strength tests and the end-notched flexure tests were conducted respectively to evaluate the interlaminar properties of CFRPs under shear loading. The results indicated that the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and the Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IIC) of CFRPs made by the filtering membrane-assisted method remarkably increased compared with those prepared without using filtering membrane.     

On fracture toughness of nano-particle modified epoxy

A systematic study on the effects of silica and rubber nano-particles on the fracture toughness behavior of epoxy was conducted. Mode I fracture toughness (G_IC) of binary silica/epoxy, binary rubber/epoxy and ternary silica/rubber/epoxy nanocomposites with different particle weight fractions was obtained by compact tension tests. It is found that G_IC of epoxy can be significantly increased by incorporating either rubber or silica nano-particles. However, hybrid nanocomposites do not display any “synergistic” effect on toughness. Microstructures before and after fracture testing were examined to understand the role of nano-particles on the toughening mechanisms.     

Effect of particles on interlaminar crack growth in cross-plied carbon-fibre/epoxy laminates

This paper discusses the effect of particulate additions on the mode-I and mode-II interlaminar fracture toughness of a cross-plied, carbon-fibre-reinforced, epoxy-resin laminate. Particles of graphite, silicon carbide and polyethylene were mixed with the epoxy resin prior to laminating with woven carbon-fibre cloth. Tests have been performed on double cantilever beam (DCB) and end-notched-flexure (ENF) specimens to obtain the critical-strain energy-release rates,G _IC andG _IIC, for the laminates with and without particulate additions. The dependences of the values ofG _IC andG _IIC on the crack length are also considered. The results indicate that the interlaminar-fracture-toughness (mode-I and mode-II) values of the CFRP laminate increase with increases in the particle content up to about 3%, and thereafter they decrease with further increases in the particle content. This was thought to be due to an increase in multiple-crack formation in the middle region of the cracked-plate samples. Furthermore, mode-I tests indicate that the propagation values ofG _IC are dependent on the crack length.     

Mode III interlaminar fracture of carbon/epoxy laminates using the Six-Point Edge Crack Torsion (6ECT)

The recently proposed Six-Point Edge Crack Torsion (6ECT) test was used to evaluate the mode III interlaminar fracture of carbon/epoxy laminates. Plate specimens with starter delaminations in 0/0, 0/90 and 0/45 interfaces were tested. Data reduction was performed with an effective crack scheme validated in a previous numerical study. The tests allowed the evaluation of fairly unambiguous initiation G_IIIC values and of subsequent R-curves. Examinations of specimen cross-section showed considerable lengths of pure interlaminar propagation in specimens with starter delaminations in 0/90 and 0/45 interfaces. The latter specimens had the lowest initiation G_IIIC values.     

Electrical conductivity and interlaminar shear strength enhancement of carbon fiber reinforced polymers through synergetic effect between graphene oxide and polyaniline

Utilizing synergetic effect of different ingredients is an important strategy to design new multi-functional composites. In this work, high-strength graphene oxide and conductive polyaniline were selected to dope into divinylbenzene to fabricate a new type carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates, where a cooperative improvement of through-thickness electrical conductivity and interlaminar shear strength was observed. With addition of 15 wt% of PANI-GO at the optimized weight ratio of 60:1 in the CF/DVB-PANI-GO, 150% enhancement of the electrical conductivity compared to the CF/DVB-PANI, and 76% enhancement of the ILSS compared to the CF/DVB-GO were realized. Our laminates reach 66% in ILSS of that for the conventional CFRP made of epoxy, but the former features about 103 times higher AC conductivity. The mechanism for such a synergic enhancement for both electrical and mechanical performance was investigated by rheology measurement and scanning electron microscopy, where uniform 3-D network formed by PANI/GO has been clearly observed.     

Prestandardization study on mode I interlaminar fracture toughness test for CFRP in Japan

This paper summarizes results from a series of interlaboratory round robin tests (RRTs) performed in order to establish a JIS standard for mode I interlaminar fracture toughness test using double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens. For the case of unidirectional laminates, brittle and toughened CF/epoxy, and CF/PEEK systems were used. Only a brittle CF/epoxy system was used for woven laminates. The round robin tests were conducted with two main aims: first, to examine the influence of starter films and the precracking condition on the initial mode I fracture toughness values; and second, to establish the definition of initial fracture toughness. Polyimide starter films stuck to the epoxy matrix, and caused unstable crack growth from starter films. Comparison of the tests with and without mode I precracks from starter films indicated that tests with precracks gave lower values of initial fracture toughness. The definition of initial fracture toughness values was discussed, based on the reproducibility. A 5% offset point was recommended as the initial fracture toughness from the RRT results. The influence of loading apparatus, data reduction methods, etc. was also discussed.     

Enhancement of mechanical performance of epoxy/carbon fiber laminate composites using single-walled carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) in their various forms have great potential for use in the development of multifunctional multiscale laminated composites due to their unique geometry and properties. Recent advancements in the development of CNT hierarchical composites have mostly focused on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). In this work, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were used to develop nano-modified carbon fiber/epoxy laminates. A functionalization technique based on reduced SWCNT was employed to improve dispersion and epoxy resin-nanotube interaction. A commercial prepregging unit was then used to impregnate unidirectional carbon fiber tape with a modified epoxy system containing 0.1 wt% functionalized SWCNT. Impact and compression-after-impact (CAI) tests, Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness tests were performed on laminates with and without SWCNT. It was found that incorporation of 0.1 wt% of SWCNT resulted in a 5% reduction of the area of impact damage, a 3.5% increase in CAI strength, a 13% increase in Mode I fracture toughness, and 28% increase in Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness. A comparison between the results of this work and literature results on MWCNT-modified laminated composites suggests that SWCNT, at similar loadings, are more effective in enhancing the mechanical performance of traditional laminated composites.     

含孔玻璃纤维/环氧树脂复合材料-铝合金层板的拉伸损伤行为与热暴露响应

采用试验和数值方法研究了含孔玻璃纤维/环氧树脂(GF/EP)复合材料-铝合金层板在不同热暴露温度下的拉伸剩余强度和损伤失效模式,揭示了层间损伤、纤维损伤及基体损伤的演化过程。结果表明:随着热暴露温度升高,含孔GF/EP复合材料-铝合金层板剩余强度不断下降,拉伸破坏呈现出明显的纤维断裂与层间分层混合失效模式。热暴露温度越高或开孔直径越大,GF/EP复合材料-铝合金层板的层间分层损伤区域越小。随着载荷的增大,沿加载方向的0°纤维和基体的损伤分别呈现出类似“漏斗”形和“花瓣”状的损伤演化形式,而层间损伤区域呈现出一对相对开孔对称的三角形损伤演化形式。基于GF/EP复合材料-铝合金层板的剩余强度和损伤失效模式的数值仿真与试验结果吻合较好。      

苎麻短纤维层间增韧碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料

采用热压机层压成型工艺制备了苎麻短纤维(SRF)层间增韧碳纤维/环氧树脂(CF/EP)复合材料层压板,研究了SRF的长度、面密度及其表面偶联处理对CF/EP复合材料层间断裂韧性的影响,并进一步研究了SRF的铺入对复合材料弯曲、拉伸性能的影响。研究结果表明,层间SRF的铺入明显改善了CF/EP复合材料的I型和II型层间断裂韧性(G_(IC)和G_(IIC)),当表面偶联处理的纤维长度为6mm、面密度为12g·m~(-2)时,增韧效果最佳,GIC由497.48J·m~(-2)增加到667.54J·m~(-2),提高了34.24%;GIIC由508.52J·m~(-2)增加到862.11J·m~(-2),提高了69.54%。此外,铺入SRF对复合材料的弯曲、拉伸性能也有一定程度的提高。通过SEM观察发现,SRF的增韧机制与其层间桥联以及裂纹扩展过程中从基体中拔出与劈裂等现象有关。     

Bisphenol A based polyester binder as an effective interlaminar toughener

Bisphenol A based thermoplastic polyesters are commonly used in the industry as binders, or tackifiers, to produce cost-saving preforms in Liquid Composite Moulding processes such as Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM). However, it is often reported that the presence of these polyesters has a detrimental effect on the mechanical properties of the resulting composite laminates. In contrast, this study shows that interlaminar toughness can be increased without negatively affecting other properties by coating the reinforcing plies with a bisphenol A based thermoplastic polyester if some precautions are taken in mind.The polyester was added to an epoxy resin in order to study its effect on the thermophysical properties and fracture toughness of the bulk epoxy. The polyester molecules acted as a plasticizer for the epoxy resin when the polyester was added in low amounts. This increased the bulk fracture toughness of the epoxy resin by 30%. Polyester modified glass/epoxy laminates were produced and tested for Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness and flexural properties. The increased toughness of the epoxy matrix led to a 60% increased Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of the laminates, without negatively affecting flexural stiffness and strength of the laminates.