The hygrothermal effect on the fatigue behavior of carbon fiber/ peek laminate composites (I)

The hygrothermal effects on the fatigue behavior of the Carbon/PEEK laminated composites before and after impact damage were examined in this study. The [0/45/90/-45]_2s AS-4/PEEK laminated composites were immersed in 80°C hot water for 45, 90 and 200 days,and subjected to falling weight impact with an energy of 8.58 J and then immersed in 80°C hot water for 45 days. It was found that the tensile strength of AS-4/PEEK laminated composites decreased with the increase of exposure period. The injured AS-4/PEEK composites were subjected to a static load and a tensiontension fatigue load at various levels of stress amplitudes. The effect of stress amplitude on the fatigue life was studied. The experimental fatigue life under different stress amplitude tests were estimated by the median rank order statistic cumulative distribution function. Then,the fitting curves for estimated data were analyzed by the Weibull distribution function. The S-N curves for a series of cyclic loads at various survival probabilities were presented. The damage behaviors of composites after fatigue load test were also investigated by scanning electron microscope(SEM). Results indicated the fatigue lives of immersed specimens were shorter than those without hygrothermal effect, the impact damage affects the fatigue life of composite significantly.     

Effect of frequency on the fatigue behavior of [±45]4s laminate of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites under tension-tension loading

Fatigue behavior of carbon fiber reinforced poly etheretherketone (PEEK) laminated composite was investigated. The [±45]_4s AS-4/PEEK laminated composites under static tensile measurement at various test temperatures were conducted. Three tension-tension fatigue loading frequencies, 1 Hz, 5 Hz and 10 Hz, were selected to study the effect of frequency on the fatigue behavior of [±45]_4s AS-4/PEEK laminate. The survival probability of experimental fatigue life data under different stress amplitude tests were estimated and analyzed by the median rank order-statistic cumulative-distribution function and the Weibull distribution function. The S-N curves at different fatigue loading frequencies exhibited a trend of two-segment straight line curves. The increase in surface temperature of specimens was found and the thermal stress history was also investigated by thermo-image techniques during fatigue life testing. The fatigue failure mechanism was investigated by X-ray radiography.     

Fatigue of glass-fiber-reinforced polyester laminates

Materials used in making glass-fiber-reinforced plastic pressure vessels are tested in uniaxial tensile fatigue. Specimens of mat/woven roving/mat are tested with the warp direction parallel to the load axis and ±45 degrees to the load axis. Filament-would specimens are tested at ±54.7 and ±35.3 degrees to the load. A stress ratio of R = 0.1 is used with load control. The residual properties of surviving specimens after 400,000 cycles indicate they have sustained no damage. The S′-N curves show a strength loss of about 10 percent per decade of cycling. The failure mode of the filament-would specimens is similar to that of angle-ply laminates. Stress levels of one-third the strength appear safe for the range of cycles investigated.     

Effect of methylene chloride sorption on the mechanical properties of poly(aryl-ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK)

The effect of sorbed methylene chloride on the tensile strength and fatigue crack growth (FCG) resistance of PEEK were determined. PEEK sorbs up to 23 wt% methylene chloride; the transport process is essentially Case II, that is, the methylene chloride advances as a sharp front. Sorbed methylene chloride significantly reduces the tensile strength of neat PEEK and the strength reduction is linearly proportional to the amount of solvent sorbed. FCG rates in neat PEEK are increased by the methylene chloride sorption. At saturation, the FCG rates are two orders of magnitude higher than in dry PEEK. Methylene chloride plasticizes the resin, thereby reducing its glass transition temperature (T_g), tensile strength, and FCG resistance.     

Fatigue properties of vibration‐welded postindustrial waste nylon with glass fibers at room and elevated temperatures

The effect of temperature on the tensile and fatigue strength of vibration‐welded and unwelded postindustrial waste nylon 6 reinforced with 30 wt% glass fiber (PIWGF) was experimentally examined, and the results were compared to those obtained from a 30 wt% glass fiber reinforced prime nylon 6 compound (PAGF) from a previous study. Fatigue tests were performed under sinusoidal constant amplitude tension‐tension load at a stress ratio of R = 0.1 and within the frequency range of 2–10 Hz at temperatures from 24 to 120°C. Stress levels from just under the tensile strength down to the run‐out point at 5 million cycles were used. It was found that increasing temperature led to a significant decrease in both tensile strength and fatigue life. For PIWGF, there was ～20% strength reduction under both static tensile and cyclic loading as compared to PAGF. For both welded and unwelded PIWGF, the endurance ratio; i.e., the ratio of fatigue strength to static tensile strength, was ～45% regardless of the temperature. The fatigue notch factor (K_f) was between 1.4 and 1.8 for all test temperatures examined. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:799–806, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Strength of CFRP open hole laminates made from NCF,TFP and braided preforms under cyclic tensile loading

Abstract

Tensile tests and tension–tension cyclic tests were performed on carbon fibre reinforced plastics open-hole laminates. Specimens made from non-crimp fabric preforms, tailored fibre placement preforms and braided preforms in three different lay-up configurations ([+45]_{8 s}, [+45/0/?45]_{6 s}, [0/90]_{8 s}) were investigated and compared. The laminates were manufactured using a vacuum assisted processing technology and Hexcel RTM6 epoxy resin. Tensile strength and residual tensile strength values were measured and compared with unnotched specimens in order to evaluate the notch sensitivity. To evaluate deterioration during cyclic testing a two-dimensional digital image correlation system was used to capture deformation images of the specimen surface in the open-hole area. Observed similarities and differences in deformation and in load–elongation graphs of the tested specimens are discussed.     

Fatigue crack propagation behavior of polyether ether ketone under biaxial loading

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has become a promising material in total joint replacement. However, it still faces the risk of fatigue fracture during service. In this paper, the effects of biaxial stress ratio λ, cyclic stress ratio R, and load phase difference θ on fatigue crack propagation (FCG) behavior of PEEK are investigated. In the case of vertical cracks, results show that the FCG rate of PEEK increases with the R value, while decreases with the increase of λ value. Furthermore, the effective stress intensity factor range ΔK_eff can uniformly describe the biaxial FCG behavior at different cyclic stress ratios. In the case of 45° slant cracks, compared with mode-I intensity factor range ΔK_I, the energy release rate range ΔG is more accurate for describing the FCG behavior under various load phase differences. In addition, the investigation on the 45° crack propagation path shows that a bifurcated Y-shaped crack appears under 180° load phase difference, while no bifurcated crack appears under 90° load phase difference and uniaxial loading. Three different methods are used to predict the crack propagation path. The comparison results show that the maximum circumferential stress (MTS) criterion can well predict the crack propagation path under out-of-phase biaxial loading and uniaxial loading.     

Hybrid fiber fabric composites from poly ether ether ketone and glass fiber

Poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer was extruded into filaments and cowoven into unidirectional hybrid fabric with glass as reinforcement fiber. The hybrid fabrics were then converted into laminates and their properties with special reference to crystallization behavior has been studied. The composite laminates have been evaluated for mechanical properties, such as tensile strength, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and flexural strength. The thermal behavior of the composite laminates were analyzed using differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and thermomechanical analyzer (TMA). The exposure of the fabricated composite laminates to high temperature (400 and 500°C) using radiant heat source resulted in an improvement in the crystallanity. The morphological behavior and PEEK resin distribution in the composite laminates were confirmed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and nondestructive testing (NDT). Although DMA results showed a loss in modulus above glass transition temperature (T_g), a fair retention in properties was noticed up to 300°C. The ability of the composite laminates to undergo positive thermal expansion as confirmed through TMA suggests the potential application of glass–PEEK composites in aerospace sector. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117:1446–1459, 2010     

Comparison of models for notched strength of carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminates

Abstract

A modified point stress criterion has been used for evaluating the tensile fracture strength of AS-4 carbon–984A1 epoxy [0/90]_4S and [0/±45/90]_2S composite laminates with various hole diameters and specimen widths. The results correlate well with the existing test results, and with those predicted from an effective crack growth model.     

Enhanced fatigue life of carbon nanotube‐reinforced epoxy composites

The effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) inclusion on cyclic fatigue behavior and the residual mechanical properties of epoxy composites after different degrees of fatigue have been studied. Tension–tension cyclic fatigue tests were conducted at various load levels (25–50 MPa) to establish the relationship between stress and the number of cycles to failure (S–N curves). The residual strength and modulus were measured after loading at 30 MPa for 5000, 15,000, and 25,000 cycles. The incorporation of a small amount of CNTs increased the fatigue life of epoxy in the high‐cycle, low‐stress‐amplitude regime by 1550%. Micrographs indicate the key mechanisms for enhancement in fatigue life such as CNT crack‐bridging and pullout. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 52:1882–1887, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of physical and chemical crosslinking structure on fatigue behavior of styrene butadiene elastomer

The fatigue behavior of two styrene butadiene rubbers, thermoplastic elastomer (SBS) with physical crosslinking structure and vulcanized styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) with chemical crosslinking structure, was investigated. The fatigue lives of SBS and SBR were greatly affected by the fatigue frequency, amplitude, and temperature. The fatigue lives of both SBS and SBR decreased with the increasing fatigue frequency and amplitude. However, the effect of fatigue temperature on the fatigue life of SBS was different from that of SBR. With the increasing fatigue temperature, the fatigue life of SBS first decreased and then increased, however, the fatigue life of SBR showed continuous decreasing trend. The tensile strength of SBS first increased and then decreased with the increase of fatigue time, but the tensile strength of SBR was not significantly influenced by the fatigue time. The fatigue amplitude had greater effect on the tensile strength of SBS than that of SBR. The permanent deformation of both SBS and SBR increased with temperature; however, the parameter for the former rubber was higher than that of the latter. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40917.     

Preparation and radiation shielding properties of Gd2O3/PEEK composites

Gd₂O₃/PEEK (poly ether ether ketone) composites were prepared on a twin‐screw extruder by the incorporation of Gd₂O₃ as a shield against X‐ray to PEEK matrix. The influence of Gd₂O₃ addition and surface treatment of the particles with sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK) on the morphology, thermal and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated by SEM, DSC, TGA and tensile tests respectively. DSC results showed that both the crystallization temperature (T_c) and melting temperature (T_m) of the composites decreased compared with pure PEEK at random filler content, which suggested that Gd₂O₃ hindered the process of PEEK nucleation. The tensile modulus of the composites increased with addition of Gd₂O₃ and the strain to break decreased. But the tensile modulus and strength of modified series were always higher than that of unmodified ones at the same filler content. The X‐ray shielding properties of composites apparently improved with the increment of the Gd₂O₃. The X‐ray transmittance (A) of 45% S₄GPEEK reduced greatly by about three to eight times compared with PEEKs in all energy range measured. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:651–659, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Preparation and Characterization of high‐strength poly(ether ether ketone) films

High‐strength poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) films were prepared through melt extrusion followed by stretching. The tensile strength, orientation, and crystallization behaviors of PEEK films were characterized by universal testing machine, thermomechanical analysis, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results indicated that the tensile strength of PEEK films mainly depended on the stretching rate (ν), stretching temperature (T), and stretching ratio (λ_L). Moreover, the tensile strength of the stretched PEEK film (333 MPa) was almost four times higher than that of the unstretched PEEK film (87 MPa) under an optimized condition. This is attributed to a synergistic effect of orientation and crystallization in the stretching process, and the influence of orientation is stronger than that of the crystallization on the improvement of the tensile strength of PEEK films. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40172.     

Tension-tension fatigue behavior of unidirectional SiC/Si3N4 composite with strong and weak interface bonding at room temperature

In this paper, the tension-tension fatigue behavior of unidirectional SiC/Si₃N₄ ceramic-matrix composite with strong and weak interface bonding at room temperature has been investigated using a micromechanical approach. The hysteresis loops models considering different interface slip cases have been developed to establish the relationships between fatigue hysteresis loops, hysteresis dissipated energy, hysteresis modulus, and the interface shear stress. The damage evolution process under tension-tension fatigue loading has been analyzed using hysteresis loops. By comparing experimental fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy with theoretical computational values, the interface shear stresses of SiC/Si₃N₄ composite with weak and strong interface bonding were obtained for different cycle numbers. The fatigue life S‒N curves and broken fibers fraction versus cycle number curves corresponding to different fatigue peak stresses have been predicted. For SiC/Si₃N₄ with strong interface bonding, the fatigue limit stress approaches to 75% tensile strength, which is much higher than that of composite with weak interface bonding, i.e., 58% tensile strength, due to the higher interface shear stress degradation rate for weak bonding interface.     

Progressive failure analysis of carbon-fibre/epoxy composites laminates to study the effect of stitch densities under in-plane tensile loading

Through thickness reinforced stitched laminates with different stitch densities (0.11 and 0.028?mm^?2) were studied in order to analyse effects on laminate behaviour, under in-plane tensile loading based on continuum mechanics. Multi-layered stitched laminates with the stacking sequence [+45/90/?45/0₂/+45/90₂/?45/0]_s were modelled on a lamina-wise basis to analyse the macroscopic damage and local stress–strain constitutive behaviour. Interfaces between lamina and stitch yarns were assumed to be perfectly glued and were modelled by the contact capability. Discretisation procedures using the principle of virtual work were applied in addition to discretisation of the contact traction. Progressive failure analysis with Puck’s failure criteria was conducted to characterise the failure behaviour of the laminate. This analysis showed that reinforcement density is one of the key factors affecting strength, stiffness and crack propagation in composite laminates. By suppressing the damage initiation, densely stitched laminates showed 15.2% higher in-plane stiffness than moderately stitched laminates. The results obtained by the finite element technique are consistent with the experimental results.     

国产碳纤维CCF300增强QY8911双马树脂含孔复合材料拉压疲劳试验研究

碳纤维树脂基复合材料（CFRP）层合板的疲劳性能决定了结构的安全性和可靠性。其寿命预测的研究具有重要的工程意义。依据碳纤维复合材料拉压疲劳试验标准,对含孔国产碳纤维CCF300／QY8911复合材料进行了5个不同应力水平下拉压疲劳试验,分析了疲劳试样断口,表征了中央含孔国产碳纤维CCF300／QY8911复合材料在疲劳载荷作用下的破坏过程,获得含孔复合材料层合板的条件疲劳极限,在此基础上,建立了复合材料的S-N曲线。利用该曲线可对中央含孔复合材料进行疲劳寿命预测。10^6下的条件疲劳极限为平均应力的48％（即150．3MPa）。     

Elevated temperature aging of HIPS

The effects of aging at 85°C on a rubber-modified polystyrene (HIPS) have been studied as a function of aging time in both air and nitrogen. Four different types of physical measurements were carried out on the aged samples. These included mechanical relaxation measurements, tensile stress–strain measurements, creep measurements at several stresses, and measurements of fatigue lifetime under applied tension–compression stress. Aging in nitrogen is largely a physical aging process and results in higher modulus, higher tensile strength, and longer delay times to the onset of accelerating creep deformation. But tensile ductility and fatigue lifetime tend to reduce, and there is no change in location of T_g of the rubber phase. Aging in air involves both chemical and physical aging, and the changes that occur depend on which process dominates. For long-time aging of 150 h or more, the rubber-phase T_g is shifted to higher temperatures and the associated loss peak is broadened due to crosslinking. Also, the tensile strength, tensile ductility, creep delay time, and fatigue life all reduce. These effects are attributed to oxidative attack and embrittlement. SEM micrographs reveal variations in fracture surface morphology due to the mode of testing and to the aging medium.     

Open hole flexural and izod impact strength of unidirectional flax yarn reinforced polypropylene composites as a function of laminate lay‐up

An open hole flexural strength and impact energy of flax yarn‐reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were studied in this work. Highest flexural strength and strength retention were observed for axial (0₆) and cross‐ply (0/90/0)_s laminates, respectively, while also examining the influence of laminate lay‐up and open hole size on flexural strength. It was found that maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (MAPP)‐treated composite laminates achieved marginal improvement on flexural strength for all kinds of laminate lay‐up. Off‐axial laminates (±45₆) showed a good strength retention for open hole laminates after MAPP treatment. The fractography study confirmed microbuckling and matrix crack propagation over the compressive and tensile side of the laminate, respectively. Furthermore, severe surface damage was detected over the tensile side of 8‐mm hole size laminates. Impact test of the flax/PP laminates showed slight improvement by MAPP treatment. High‐ and low‐impact energy was experienced for axial and off‐axial laminates. The damaged impact sample shows evidence of fiber pull‐out for untreated flax yarn reinforced laminates. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1912–1920, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of carbon black loading on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of waste tyre dust/carbon black hybrid filler filled natural rubber compounds

Curing characteristics, tensile properties, fatigue life, swelling behavior, and morphology of waste tire dust (WTD)/carbon black (CB) hybrid filler filled natural rubber (NR) compounds were studied. The WTD/CB hybrid filler filled NR compounds were compounded at 30 phr hybrid filler loading with increasing partial replacement of CB at 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30 phr. The curing characteristics such as scorch time, t₂ and cure time, t₉₀ decreased and increased with increment of CB loading in hybrid filler (30 phr content), respectively. Whereas maximum torque (M_HR) and minimum torque (M_L) increased with increasing CB loading. The tensile properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, and tensile modulus of WTD/CB hybrid filler filled NR compounds showed steady increment as CB loading increased. The fatigue test showed that fatigue life increased with increment of CB loading. Rubber–filler interaction, Q_f/Q_g indicated that the NR compounds with the highest CB loading exhibited the highest rubber–filler interactions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs of tensile and fatigue fractured surfaces and rubber–filler interaction study supported the observed result on tensile properties and fatigue life. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Fatigue response and constitutive behavior modeling of poly(ethylene terephthalate) unreinforced and nanocomposite fibers using genetic neural networks

The constitutive behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) unreinforced (control) and PET fibers reinforced with 5 wt% vapor‐grown carbon nanofibers (VGCNFs) under uniaxial tension and subsequent to fatigue loading has been evaluated utilizing various analytical models. Two types of fatigue tests were performed: (1) Long cycle fatigue at 50 Hz (glassy fatigue) to evaluate fatigue resistance and (2) fatigue at 5 Hz (rubbery fatigue) to evaluate residual strength performance. The long cycle fatigue results at 50 Hz indicated that the PET‐VGCNF sample exhibited an increased fatigue resistance of almost two orders of magnitude when compared to the PET unreinforced filament. The results of the fatigue tests at 5 Hz indicated that the constitutive response of both the PET control and PET‐VGCNF samples changed subsequent to fatigue loading. The large deformation uniaxial constitutive response of the PET and PET‐VGCNF fibers was modeled utilizing genetic‐algorithm (GA) based training neural networks. The results showed that the large deformation uniaxial tension constitutive behavior of both PET unreinforced and PET‐VGCNF samples with and without prior fatigue can be represented with good accuracy utilizing neural networks trained via genetic‐based backpropagation algorithms, once the appropriate post‐fatigue constitutive behavior is utilized. Experimental data of uniaxial tensile tests and experimental postfatigue constitutive data have been implemented into the networks for adequate training. The fatigue tests were conducted under tension‐tension fatigue conditions with variations in the stress ratio (R), maximum stress (σ_max), number of cycles (N), and the residual creep strain (ε_R). POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers