Hygrothermal degradation of 977-2A carbon/epoxy composite laminates cured in autoclave and Quickstep

While there are reports concerning the processing and properties of materials using Quickstep technique, little attention has been paid to the hygrothermal degradation of the flexural, interfacial and glass transition behaviours of polymeric composites cured at a relatively high ramp rate of 10 K min^?1 (typical of Quickstep processing). Composite laminates were manufactured in an autoclave and using Quickstep and then conditioned in a climatic chamber at 70 °C and 85% RH until reaching the limit of saturation. The interfacial (interlaminar shear strength (ILSS)), flexural (flexural strength) and glass transition (T_g) properties of the conditioned and unconditioned panels were evaluated. The results demonstrated that the moisture absorption caused the deleterious effect on the properties and that the reduction in the flexural, interfacial and glass transition properties of Quickstep panels was comparable to that observed in autoclave cured panels. Thermal stability, reversible and irreversible effects of hygrothermal conditioning using TGA, DMTA and FT-IR spectroscopy was also investigated and discussed.     

轧制制备碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料层合板及其成形性能

为研究碳纤维/树脂复合材料预浸料轧制制备层合板的可行性及成形性能,基于不同轧制工艺和固化方案制备了碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料层合板,结合三点弯曲试验和冲压试验,分析了层合板弯曲性能和温热冲压性能,观察了试样断面显微组织,并与热压罐工艺对比。结果表明,经80℃预固化-轧制-后固化工艺所得层合板综合性能优于轧制-固化和固化-轧制工艺,在压下量为0.4 mm条件下,层合板最大弯曲强度和弯曲模量较自然固化试样分别提高了23.8%和17.4%,且弯曲强度和弯曲模量均高于热压罐工艺试样。冲压过程中轧制压下量和预热温度对试样成形性影响显著,合理的压下量可提高层合板成形性,升高温度有利于试样成形,但温度过高致使试样破坏加剧皱曲增多,主要破坏区域为试样底部冲头半径轮廓,皱曲沿经纬方向与纤维成45°夹角区域明显。轧制工艺的差异对层间内部结合影响显著,较自然固化试样相比,轧制后复合材料力学性能有所改善,为碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料与金属材料轧制复合提供参考。     

Hygrothermal degradation in glass/epoxy — evaluation via stress wave factors

The paper documents an experimental study on nondestructive evaluation of hygrothermally degraded glass fiber/epoxy matrix composite laminates. Specimens were subjected to accelerated life tests, i.e. high temperature and high pressure steam. The efficiency of the stress (ultrasonic) wave propagation through the specimens was evaluated quantitatively, at various stages of degradation, via the so-called stress wave factors (SWFs). Scanning electron micrographs were taken at some stages of degradation. In addition, the specimens were tested in bending mode. All measurements are correlated with the SWFs.     

MWCNTs对碳纤维非褶皱无纺布/环氧层合板力学性能的影响

将羧基化多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)添加到TDE85环氧树脂中,然后与碳纤维非褶皱无纺布(C-NCF)复合,制备成[0°/90°/+45°/-45°]_S层合板。采用三点弯曲、短梁剪切和单边切口弯曲测试方法以及动态力学性能分析方法,研究了不同含量的MWCNTs对层合板弯曲性能、层间剪切强度(ILSS)、Ⅱ型层间断裂韧性(G_ⅡC,以及玻璃态转变温度(T_g)的影响。并采用SEM对Ⅱ型试样的断面进行分析。结果表明,MWCNTs的加入显著提高了NCF层合板的力学性能。与空白试样相比,当MWCNTs在树脂中的质量分数为2.0%时,弯曲强度和模量分别提高了约26%和6%;当MWCNTs的质量分数为0.5%时,ILSS、G_ⅡC、T_g分别提高约14%、27%和14%。     

On cross-ply cracking in glass and carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy laminates

The transverse tensile strength (or fracture strain) of unidirectional fibre-reinforced materials is an important mechanical property. The transverse fracture strain of a single ply in an angle-ply laminate, however, is not an independent mechanical property as it is influenced by its thickness and neighbouring plies. The present investigation describes the phenomenon of multiple fracture of glass and carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy 90° plies. Based on the model that a 90° ply consists of elements all of which can break, the applicability of Weibull statistics in describing the fracture strain is investigated.     

碳纳米管/碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料研究

制备了碳纳米管(CNTs)/碳纤维(CF)/环氧树脂(EP)三元复合材料。研究了CNTs含量对复合材料层间剪切强度、弯曲强度和弯曲模量的影响,并采用场发射扫描电镜分析了CNTs在基体树脂中的分散情况。结果表明:复合材料性能的变化源自于CNTs在基体树脂中的分散状态。当CNTs含量为0.2%(wt,下同)时,复合材料剪切强度和弯曲强度达到最大值,分别为99.2MPa和1811.4MPa,但其弯曲模量下降了8.7GPa。当CNTs添加量达到1%时,其弯曲模量达到135.9GPa,较未加入CNTs时提高了11.1%,层间剪切强度和弯曲强度分别降低了5.5MPa和359.5MPa。     

Hygroscopic aspects of epoxy/carbon fiber composite laminates in aircraft environments

In this study, various hygroscopic effects of such parameters as hygrothermal temperature, matrix volume ratio (V_m), void volume ratio (V_v), specimen thickness, lay-up sequence and internal stress were investigated for epoxy/carbon fiber composite laminates. The specimen thickness and lay-up sequence had little effect on the through-the-thickness water absorption behavior of composite laminates, but the other parameters affected the moisture absorption rate and equilibrium water uptake in different ways and intensities. The glass transition temperature of composite laminates was strongly affected and linearly decreased by the quantity of equilibrium water uptake. A characteristic length of moisture migration through the unidirectional laminates was proposed as a function of fiber angle to the exposed laminate surface. In this approach, the fibers imbedded in the matrix were assumed to act as a barrier to the penetrating water molecules, and the developed model was well compared with the experimental results.     

Preparation and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube grafted glass fabric/epoxy multi-scale composites

In the present paper, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were chemically grafted onto surfaces of the amino silane treated glass fabric by a novel chemical route for the first time to create 3D network on the glass fibers. The chemical bonding process was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The glass fabric/CNT/epoxy multi-scale composite laminates were fabricated with the CNT grafted fabrics using vacuum assisted resin infusion molding. Tensile tests were conducted on fabricated multi-scale composites, indicating the grafting CNTs on glass fabric resulted a decrease (11%) in ultimate tensile strength while toughness of the multi-scale composite laminates were increased up to 57%. Flexural tests revealed that the multi-scale composite laminates prepared with CNT grafted glass fabric represent recovering after first load fall. The interfacial reinforcing mechanisms were discussed based on fracture morphologies of the multi-scale composites.     

Mechanical properties of cross-ply and quasi-isotropic composite laminates processed using aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy prepreg

This study examined the processing and mechanical properties of cross-ply and quasi-isotropic composite laminates processed using aligned multi-walled carbon nanotube/epoxy prepreg sheets. Three kinds of CNT/epoxy laminates, ([0°/90°]s, [60°/0°/?60°]s, [0°/45°/90°/?45°]s) were successfully fabricated using aligned CNT/epoxy prepreg sheets. The CNT volume fraction was approximately 10%. No visible void or delamination was observed in composite laminates, and the thickness of each layer was almost equal to that of the prepreg. To evaluate the elastic moduli, E₁₁, E₂₂, and G₁₂, of each ply in the laminates, on-axis and off-axis tensile tests (0°, 45°, 90°) were conducted of aligned CNT/epoxy lamina specimens. The Young’s modulus of CNT/epoxy cross-ply and quasi-isotropic laminates agreed with the theoretical values, which were calculated using classical laminate theory and elastic moduli of CNT/epoxy lamina. The respective failure strains of [0°/90°]s, [60°/0°/?60°]s, and [0°/45°/90°/?45°]s laminates are 0.65, 0.92, 0.63%, which are higher than that of 0° composite lamina (0.5%). Results suggest that the failure strain of 0° layer in composite laminates is improved because of the other layers.     

尼龙无纺布结构化增韧层增韧碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的湿热力学性能

采用尼龙无纺布(PNF)作为结构化增韧层,制备了PNF层间增韧改性的U3160碳纤维增强3266环氧树脂(U3160-PNF/3266)复合材料,研究了U3160-PNF/3266复合材料的面内力学性能及湿热老化后的力学性能变化,并分析了复合材料湿热老化前后的层间形貌。结果表明:PNF增韧层的引入并未导致复合材料面内力学性能的下降,与未增韧的U3160碳纤维增强3266环氧树脂(U3160/3266)复合材料相比,增韧复合材料U3160-PNF/3266的90°拉伸性能有所提高。而湿热老化处理对U3160-PNF/3266复合材料的基体和界面性能影响相对明显,尤其是尼龙纤维与树脂基体之间的界面结合性能,湿热老化处理后增韧复合材料的90°压缩和层间剪切性能保持率均明显低于未增韧复合材料的。     

Developing a hybrid, carbon/glass fiber-reinforced, epoxy composite automotive drive shaft

In this study, a finite element analysis was used to design composite drive shafts incorporating carbon and glass fibers within an epoxy matrix. A configuration of one layer of carbon–epoxy and three layers of glass–epoxy with 0°, 45° and 90° was used. The developed layers of structure consists of four layers stacked as [+45_glass°/-45_glass°/0_carbon°/90_glass°]. The results show that, in changing carbon fibers winding angle from 0° to 90°, the loss in the natural frequency of the shaft is 44.5%, while, shifting from the best to the worst stacking sequence, the drive shaft causes a loss of 46.07% in its buckling strength, which represents the major concern over shear strength in drive shaft design.     

Cryogenic delamination growth in woven glass/epoxy composite laminates under mixed-mode I/II fatigue loading

This paper investigates the fatigue delamination growth behavior in woven glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite laminates under mixed-mode I/II conditions at cryogenic temperatures. Fatigue delamination tests were performed with the mixed-mode bending (MMB) test apparatus at room temperature, liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) and liquid helium temperature (4 K), in order to obtain the delamination growth rate as a function of the range of the energy release rate, and the dependence of the delamination growth behavior on the temperature and the mixed-mode ratio of mode I and mode II was examined. The energy release rate was evaluated using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The fractographic examinations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also carried out to assess the mixed-mode fatigue delamination growth mechanisms in the woven GFRP laminates at cryogenic temperatures.     

氧化石墨烯改性碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的湿热性能及微观形貌

采用湿法预浸技术和模压工艺制备了氧化石墨烯(GO)改性碳纤维/环氧树脂(CF/EP)复合材料,研究了 GO在室温干态及湿热处理后对CF/EP复合材料动态热力学性能和层间剪切性能的影响,并通过微观形貌分析了复合材料的改性机制.结果表明,当GO添加量分别为0.5％和0.8％时,GO-CF/EP复合材料的玻璃化转变温度(Tg...     

快速固化环氧树脂及其碳纤维/环氧复合材料性能

采用双酚A型环氧树脂（DGEBA）、改性咪唑（MIM）及改性脂肪胺（MAA）研制快速固化树脂体系。分别利用DSC和流变仪测试了树脂体系的固化特性与流变行为,优选了树脂配方。采用真空辅助树脂灌注工艺（VARIM）制备了快速成型的碳纤维/环氧复合材料层板,考察了层板的成型质量和力学性能,并与常规固化的层板性能进行了对比。结果表明：采用优选的树脂配方,120 ℃下树脂在5 min内固化度达95%,碳纤维/环氧复合材料层板成型固化时间可控制在13 min以内,固化度达95%以上,并且没有明显缺陷;与常规固化相比（固化时间大于2 h）,快速固化碳纤维/环氧复合材料层板的弯曲性能和耐热性能降低幅度较小。     

高性能CFRP增强纤维表面状态分析及性能研究

为研究高性能炭纤维的表面特征及炭纤维与环氧树脂基体之间的界面结合,获得高性能的结构型炭纤维/环氧树脂复合材料(CFRP).采用红外光谱、扫描电镜、X射线光电子能谱仪、单向板、NOL环、Φ150 mm压力容器等方法,对炭纤维/环氧树脂复合材料(CFRP)3种高性能炭纤维表面状态及复合材料性能进行了系统研究.结果表明,3种炭纤维表面涂层均能参与环氧基团固化反应在界面上形成化学键;UT500系列炭纤维表面轴向沟槽可与树脂基体通过物理"机械啮合"作用形成更强的界面结合;UT500-12K炭纤维/E-51单向板剪切强度为91.46 MPa,NOL环剪切强度为77.16 MPa,分别比T700-12K/E-51体系高约40%.CFRP复合材料中炭纤维的微观结构、表面活性是决定复合材料界面结合的重要因素,直接影响复合材料制品的含胶量,进而影响其综合力学性能.     

Mechanical and sliding wear properties of multi-layered laminates from glass fabric/graphite/epoxy composites

Multi-layered laminates of bi-directionally woven E-glass fabric/epoxy with different loading of graphite particles were made by hand layup followed by compression molding. Tensile and flexural behaviors, impact strength, hardness and density of these laminates were determined. Wear behaviors of these composites were investigated by a pin-on-disc wear test apparatus. Specific wear rates of these composites strongly depend on their filler content and applied normal loads. The hybrid composite containing 3 wt% of graphite exhibits the optimum mechanical and wear performances. A further increase in the graphite content increases the specific wear rate and deteriorates the mechanical behavior. The lowest (σ e)⁻¹ factor (the reciprocal of the product of tensile strength and elongation at break) signifies the lowest specific wear rate. The results of the morphology study of the wear test specimens support the results of the wear test.     

Matrix cracking behaviors in carbon fiber/epoxy laminates filled with cup-stacked carbon nanotubes (CSCNTs)

This study investigated the damage accumulation behaviors in carbon fiber reinforced nanocomposite laminates under tensile loading. The nanocomposite laminates used in this study were manufactured from prepregs consisting of traditional carbon fibers and epoxy resin filled with cup-stacked carbon nanotubes (CSCNTs). Thermo-mechanical properties of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced nanocomposite laminates were evaluated, and cross-ply laminates were subjected to tension tests in order to observe the damage accumulation behaviors of matrix cracks. A clear retardation of matrix crack onset and accumulation was found in composite laminates with CSCNT compared to those without CSCNT. Fracture toughness associated with matrix cracking was evaluated based on the analytical model using the experimental results. It was suggested that the dispersion of CSCNT resulted in fracture toughness improvement and residual thermal strain decrease, which is considered to cause the retardation of matrix crack formation.