Hybrid effect on mechanical properties of M40‐T300 carbon fiber reinforced Bisphenol A Dicyanate ester composites

Interply and intraply hybrid composites based on Bisphenol A Dicyanate ester (BADCy), high strength carbon fibers T300, and high modulus carbon fibers M40 were prepared by monofilament dip‐winding and press molding technique. The tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear properties and SEM analysis of the hybrid composites with different fiber content and fiber arrangement were investigated. The results indicated that the mechanical properties of intraply hybrid composites were mainly determined by fiber volume contents. When the ratio of fiber volume content was close to 1:1, the intraply hybrid composites possessed lowest tensile and flexural strength. The mechanical properties of interply hybrid composite mainly depended on the fiber arrangement, instead of the fiber volume contents. The hybrid composites using T300 fiber layout as outside layer possessed high flexural strength and low flexural modulus, which was close to that of T300/BADCy composites. The hybrid composites ([(M40)_x/(T300)_y]_S) using M40 fiber layout as outside layer and T300 fibers in the mid‐plane had high flexural modulus and interlaminar shear strength. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of epoxy sizing of carbon‐fiber on the properties of carbon fiber/cyanate ester composites

The high modulus carbon fiber (M40J) sized by epoxy resin E51 and E20 reinforced bisphenol A dicyanate (2,2′‐bis(4‐cyanatophenyl) isopropylidene resin composite was prepared in order to investigate the influence of epoxy sizing of the fiber on the properties of the composite. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) analysis showed that epoxy resin have catalytic effect on cure reaction of cyanate ester. Mechanical properties of the composite revealed that M40J fiber sized by epoxy resin could improve the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of M40J/bisphenol A dicyanate composites. The micro‐morphology of the composite fractures was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Reduced flaws were observed in the M40J‐bisphenol A dicyanate interface when the sized fiber was used. Water absorption of the composites was also investigated. It was found that the water absorption descended at the initial boiling stage (12 h). POLYM. COMPOS, 27: 591–598, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical and morphological properties of carbon fiber reinforced–modified epoxy composites

Epoxy, prepared through aminomethyl 3,5,5‐trimethylcyclohexylamine hardening of diglycidylether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) prepolymer, toughened with polycarbonate (PC) in different proportions, and reinforced with carbon fiber, was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and interlaminar shear strength testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A single glass transition temperature was found in all compositions of the epoxy/PC blend system. The tensile properties of the blend were found to be better than that of the pure epoxy matrix. They increased with PC content up to 10%, beyond which they decreased. The influence of carbon fiber orientation on the mechanical properties of the composites was studied, where the fiber content was kept constant at 68 wt %. Composites with 45° fiber orientation were found to have very weak mechanical properties, and the mechanical properties of the blend matrix composites were found to be better than those of the pure epoxy matrix composites. The fracture and surface morphologies of the composite samples were characterized by SEM. Good bonding was observed between the fiber and matrix for the blend matrix composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3529–3536, 2006     

Resin modification on interlaminar shear property of carbon fiber/epoxy/nano‐CaCO3 hybrid composites

Epoxy resin was modified by adding a silane coupling agent/nano‐calcium carbonate master batch. Then, samples of binary carbon fiber/epoxy composites and ternary fiber/nano‐CaCO₃/epoxy were prepared by hot press process. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated and the results indicate that introduction of the treated nano‐CaCO₃ enhances ILSS obviously. In particular, the addition of 4 wt% nano‐CaCO₃ leads to 36.6% increase in the ILSS for the composite. The fracture surfaces of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites and the mechanical properties of epoxy resin cast are examined and both of them are employed to explain the change of ILSS. The results show that the change of ILSS is primarily due to an increase of the epoxy matrix strength and an increase of the fiber/epoxy interface. The bifurcation of propagating cracks, stress transfer, and cavitation are deduced for the reasons of strengthening and toughening effect of nano‐CaCO₃ particles. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2035–2042, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Structure and properties of UHMWPE fiber/carbon fiber hybrid composites

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber/carbon fiber hybrid composites were prepared by inner‐laminar and interlaminar hybrid way. The mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and morphologies of the composites were investigated and compared with each other. The results show that the hybrid way was the major factor to affect mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid composites. The resultant properties of inner‐laminar hybrid composite were better than that of interlaminar hybrid composite. The bending strength, compressive strength, and interlaminar shear strength of hybrid composites increased with an increase in carbon fiber content. The impact strength of inner‐laminar hybrid composite was the largest (423.3 kJ/m²) for the UHMWPE fiber content at 43 wt % to carbon fiber. The results show that the storage modulus (E′), dissipation factor (tan δ), and loss modulus (E″) of the inner‐laminar hybrid composite shift toward high temperature remarkably. The results also indicate that the high‐performance composite with high strength and heat resistance may be prepared by fibers' hybrid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1880–1884, 2006     

EP/BMI树脂基碳纤维复合材料的制备与性能表征

以环氧树脂(EP)、双马来酰亚胺(BMI)、4,4’-二氨基二苯砜(DDS)和短切碳纤维(SCF)等为主要原料制备了EP/BMI/DDS/SCF复合材料,并研究了SCF添加量对复合材料力学性能和热性能的影响。结果表明,当SCF添加量为0.25 %(质量分数,下同)时,EP/BMI/DDS/SCF复合材料的力学性能提高最大,其拉伸强度、弯曲强度、弯曲模量和缺口冲击强度比未添加SCF时的EP/BMI/DDS复合材料分别提高了48.52 %、32.15 %、25.77 %以及150.91 %;此外,SCF的加入有助于提高复合材料的热性能。     

Enhancement of mechanical and wear resistance performance in hexagonal boron nitride‐reinforced epoxy nanocomposites

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a two‐dimensional nanofiller with good mechanical properties, high thermal conductivity and excellent lubrication properties, has the potential to substantially reinforce polymers to form nanocomposites with advanced properties. In this study, we successfully prepared hBN nanosheets with a thickness of a few atoms by using amine‐capped aniline trimer (AT) as dispersant. Epoxy/hBN nanocomposites were prepared by curing reaction of epoxy E51, Jeffamine D230 and AT‐modified hBN nanosheets, where the hBN contents were 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 wt%. An increase in contact angle of the epoxy/hBN nanocomposites was evident in the presence of hBN nanosheets, implying an increase in the hydrophobic nature of the composites. The as‐prepared composites exhibited enhanced mechanical and tribological performance compared to pure epoxy resin. This effectiveness in improving the mechanical, friction and wear behavior of the epoxy composites could be attributed to the complementary action of excellent mechanical properties, lubrication and thermal conductivity of hBN nanofillers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of the epoxy molecular weight on the properties of a cyanate ester/epoxy resin system

Bisphenol A dicyanate (BADCy) was modified by diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy resins with different molecular weights [E20 (weight‐average molecular weight = 1000) and E51 (weight‐average molecular weight = 400)] to investigate the effects of the epoxy molecular weight on the properties of the modified systems. The reactions were monitored with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the results showed that more pentacyclic oxazolidinone rings were formed in BADCy/E51 than in BADCy/E20 with the same epoxy resin weight content. DSC showed that BADCy/E20 had a lower curing temperature than BADCy/E51 because of the higher concentration of hydroxyl groups (? OH) in E20. Thermal, moisture absorption, and mechanical testing showed that E51‐modified BADCy performed better because of its lower molecular weight. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1744–1750, 2006     

Blistering in carbon‐fiber‐filled fluorinated polyimide

A blistering study was performed on a fluorinated polyimide resin and its carbon‐fiber composite in an effort to determine the blister‐formation temperature and the influence of blisters on composite performance. The fluorinated resin and carbon‐fiber composite exhibit higher glass‐transition (435–455°C) and decomposition temperatures (above 520°C) than similar polyimide resins and their carbon‐fiber composites currently used. Two techniques were used to determine moisture‐induced blister formation. A transverse extensometer with quartz lamps as a heating source measured thickness expansion, as did a thermomechanical analyzer as a function of temperature. Both methods successfully measured the onset of blister formation with varying amounts of absorbed moisture (up to 3 wt%) in the samples. The polyimide resin exhibited blister temperatures ranging from 225 to 362°C, with 1.7–3.0 wt% absorbed moisture, and the polyimide composite had blister temperatures from 246 to 294°C with 0.5–1.5 wt% moisture. The blistering effects of the polyimide composites were found to have little correlation with modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers     

环氧改性聚碳酸酯单向纤维复合材料研究

采用Ｅ－５１环氧树脂改性聚碳酸酯，研究其单向Ｅ－玻璃纤维、单向碳纤维Ｔ３００、Ｍ４０复合材料。结果表明，改性后的聚碳酸酯复合材料（ＰＣＣＭ）的层间剪切强度等性能明显提高，玻纤复合材料提高幅度最大。纤维－基体界面粘接良好。     

Durability of glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer nanocomposites in an alkaline environment

This study was conducted to determine the effect of clay content in GFRP (glass‐fiber‐reinforced polymer) composite samples as they were aged in an alkaline solution. Two kinds of GFRP composite samples were prepared. One was E‐glass‐fiber‐reinforced vinyl ester polymer, and the other was nano‐GFRP composites prepared with the addition of 1 and 2 wt% of montmorillonite clay to the polymer matrix. These samples were aged in alkaline solution of pH 13.2 with and without sustained load. The load was 1335 N or 18.7% of the tensile strength of the composite samples. The aging was evaluated by measuring the reduction in tensile strength after 6 months. Also, absorption of alkaline solution into the plain and nano‐GFRP samples was investigated so as to elucidate the diffusion behaviors. It was found that for a short exposure time (e.g. 1 month) and without sustained load, dispersing 2 wt% of the nanoclay in the polymer matrix of the GFRP samples reduces the diffusivity by 39%. However, with the application of sustained load, the glass fiber composite samples deteriorate more with increasing clay content. The reduction in tensile strength was 7.1%, 12.1%, and 18.1% for the samples containing 0, 1, and 2 wt% of clay, respectively. J. VINYL. ADDIT. TECHNOL., 12:25–32, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Modification of bisphenol A dicyanate ester by carboxyl‐terminated liquid butadiene‐acrylonitrile and its composites

Cyanate esters with excellent high‐temperature properties and easy processing are well known as good resin materials used in aerospace and electrical industries, but the drawback of brittleness limits their usage. In this study, carboxyl‐terminated liquid butadiene‐acrylonitrile (CTBN) was introduced to improve the toughness of bisphenol A dicyanate resin (BADCy), a typical kind of the cyanate esters. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to investigate the effects of CTBN on the curing behavior of BADCy; the results indicate that the addition of CTBN has a great influence on the curing behavior of BADCy at lower temperatures, but little at higher temperatures. Data from the thermogravimetric analysis and heat deflection temperature analysis showed that the thermal properties of the modified systems were poorer than that of pristine BADCy resin. On the basis of the scanning electron micrographs of the modified systems, toughening mechanism of the systems was discussed. Mechanical and dielectric properties of the cured resins and glass fiber‐reinforced composites were also studied. Modified systems exhibit attractive properties for the future applications in aerospace industries. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:581–587, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Polyamide‐6 composites reinforced with cellulose fibers and fabricated by extrusion: Effect of fiber bleaching on mechanical properties and stability

We prepared polyamide‐6 (PA‐6) composites using bleached and semibleached cellulose fibers from Eucalyptus species by processing in a corotating interpenetrating twin‐screw extruder. PA‐6 is a challenging matrix because of its high processing temperature, which overlaps the thermodegradation temperature of the fibers. The selection of the processing conditions for extrusion and the use of the lubricant ethylene bis (stearamide) permitted the production of composites with 20, 30, and 40 wt% of bleached fibers, which are lighter than the corresponding glass fiber composites. Composites with 30 wt% of bleached fibers yield the best mechanical properties and good fiber/matrix interaction, as demonstrated by mechanical tests and scanning electron microscopy. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies showed that the natural moisture in the fibers promotes the fiber/matrix interaction through the formation of ester bonds. We assessed the effect caused by the presence of lignin in the fibers. Composites containing 30 wt% of semibleached fibers maintained the flexural properties and showed small improvements in thermal stability when compared with bleached fiber composites; however, there is a slight decrease in the tensile properties. Through accelerated aging tests, we observed that increased lignin concentration in the fibers reduced the formation of carbonyl compounds on sample surfaces, indicating a stabilization effect. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:299–308, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Simultaneous effects of silanized coal fly ash and nano/micro glass fiber on fracture toughness and mechanical properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced vinyl ester resin composites

In this study, the simultaneous effects of both silanized coal fly ash (S‐CFA) and nano/micro glass fiber (nGF) on fracture toughness and mechanical properties of vinyl ester (VE) resin filled with carbon fiber‐based composite materials were investigated. The CFA was treated with (3‐trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate to introduce the methacryloxy groups into the surface of CFA, and was confirmed by using FTIR technique. The nGF and S‐CFA with different weight ratios were well mixed with VE resin by using of high‐speed mechanical stirrer, and ultrasonic technique before using as matrices for fabrication of carbon fiber‐based composite materials via sheet molding compound (SMC) method and hot curing processing. Many characteristics of both cured VE resin composites and carbon fiber‐based composite were examined such as mechanical properties, fracture toughness, and morphology. The results showed that by adding of both 0.1 wt% nGF and 1 wt% S‐CFA into VE resin the tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, K_IC, impact strength as well as the Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IC) of VE composites and carbon fiber based composites get optimum values and increased about 61.39%; 39.83%; 36.21%; 103.1%; 81.79%; 48.61%, respectively when compared with pristine materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:584–591, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Low‐temperature cure high‐performance cyanate ester resins/microencapsulated catalyst systems

The encapsulated catalyst can be released under stimulation conditions to control the polymerization reaction. In this study, poly(urea‐formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules (MCs) filled with dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) catalyst (PUF/DBTDL MCs) were applied to bisphenol A dicyanate ester (BADCy) resins to develop a novel low temperature cure high performance BADCy/MCs systems. The effect of PUF/DBTDL MCs on the reactivity of BADCy was investigated. The mechanical property, the thermal property, the water uptake, and the dielectric property of cured BADCy/MCs resin systems were discussed in detail. Results indicate that roughly varying the content of the encapsulated DBTDL can easily and safely adjust the polymerization temperature. The BADCy systems with proper content of MCs cured at low temperature show excellent mechanical property, good thermal property, low water uptake, and low dielectric property. When the content of MCs is 0.125 wt%, the cured BADCy/MCs system has the optimal integrated properties owing to the formation of more uniform crosslinked structure and high conversion of cyanate ester (? OCN) groups resulting from the slow release of DBTDL catalyst through the wall shell under heating condition. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mechanical properties of hybrid structural composites reinforced with nanosilica

Epoxy‐based hybrid structural composites reinforced with 14 nm spherical silica particles were investigated for mechanical properties as a function of nanosilica loading fractions. Composites were fabricated using continuous glass or carbon fiber of unidirectional architecture and nanosilica dispersed epoxy, through resin film infusion process. Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in resin matrix was ensured by an optimized ultrasound‐assisted process. Although resin viscosity marginally reduces in the presence of nanosilica enabling a better control in composite manufacturing process, glass transition temperature of epoxy remained unaffected at low weight fractions. Compressive strength of hybrid glass or carbon fiber/epoxy composites showed more than 30–35% increase with nanosilica at a concentration as low as 0.2 wt%. Tensile and compressive properties of hybrid composites in transverse direction to the reinforcement remained unaffected. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1216–1222, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Comparison of the role of milled glass and carbon fibers on mechanical properties of (bisphenol A)‐based epoxy composites

The main target of the current work was to study the mechanical properties of milled E‐glass, S‐glass, and high‐strength (carbon fiber)‐reinforced epoxy composites. At first, tensile behavior of the as‐received fibers was evaluated by conducting different tensile tests. Afterwards, the effects of employing an integral blended coupling agent on the performance of the pure epoxy were investigated by microhardness tests and optical microscopic images. Then, the epoxy composites were prepared simply by mixing and stirring 1, 3, and 5 wt% of the milled fibers with the epoxy resin and its hardener. The effects of mixture degassing and addition of the coupling agent to the mixture were examined based on the mechanical properties of the fabricated composites. Also, scanning electron microscope macro‐ and micrographs of the transverse and longitudinal fracture surfaces were used to study the fracture behavior and identify the active toughening mechanisms. The best results were obtained for the degassed and modified milled (carbon fiber epoxy)‐reinforced composite, which enhanced the tensile strength, elongation, Young's modulus, and toughness up to 12%, 17%, 19%, and 27%, respectively. The current study shows that the composite not only is cost effective but also offers better mechanical properties. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:130–138, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Influence of KOH solution on the tensile strength and chemical stability of carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy resin composites

The effect of a relatively high concentration of KOH solution (4M) on the mechanical properties and chemical stability of carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy resin composites, prepared with different volume fractions of reinforcement, were investigated. Upon treatment of specimens of such composites with the KOH solution at different temperature and for different durations, their tensile strengths were adversely affected to varying degrees, depending on treatment conditions and volume percent of carbon fiber reinforcement used. Surfaces of treated specimens were examined for matrix stability, fiber disruption, and debonding. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to evaluate chemical and mechanical degradation of these composites. Results clearly showed that prolonged exposure of composite specimens to such aggressive environments markedly increased the degradation of their mechanical properties. On the other hand, these results also showed that increasing the volume fraction of the carbon fiber reinforcement reduced the severity of degradation of these composite and enhanced their mechanical stability. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 1682–1690, 2005     

Improved environmental stability,electrical and EMI shielding properties of vapor‐grown carbon fiber‐filled polyaniline‐based nanocomposite

An all polymeric electrically conductive thermoset adhesive resin system is prepared for future lightning strike protection applications. Polyaniline (PANI)‐based hybrid nano‐composite is prepared by incorporating high apparent‐density type vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF‐H) as additional conductive filler. Electrical, mechanical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of PANI‐dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), and divinylbenzene (DVB) system are improved with addition of VGCF‐H. Different weight percentages of VGCF‐H in the PANI‐DBSA/DVB matrix, are studied, and their effect on composite's properties are investigated. Electrical conductivity up to 1.89 S/cm with the addition of 5 wt% VGCF‐H is achieved, which is almost 300% improvement compared with previous system. However, the maximum flexural modulus is obtained at 3 wt% of VGCF‐H. The change in the electronic structure of PANI with the addition of VGCF‐H is investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) analysis. Rheological study and Differential scanning calorimetry analysis were employed to show the effect of VGCF‐H concentration on curing profile of the nanocomposites. EMI shielding properties of the composite with and without VGCF‐H are measured in X‐band frequencies and compared. Composite with 5 wt% VGCF‐H has shown EMI shielding effectiveness about 51 dB in X‐band, which is higher than the composite without VGCF‐H (around 22 dB). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:956–963, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Evaluation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes as reinforcement for natural fiber‐based composites

This paper presents the effects of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as reinforcing agent on some properties of natural fiber/polypropylene composites. In the sample preparation, MWCNT contents and fiber types (bagasse stalk and poplar) were used as variable parameters. The composites with different MWCNT contents were fabricated by melt compounding in a twin‐screw extruder and then by injection molding. The mass ratio of the wood flour to polymer was 40/60 (w/w). The mechanical properties of composites in terms of tensile, flexural, and Izod impact strength were evaluated. The morphology of the specimens was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Based on the findings of this study, it appears that mechanical properties reached the maximum when 2.5 wt% MWCNT were used. However, addition of 3.5 wt% MWCNT could not enhance the mechanical properties considerably. TEM micrographs showed that at high level of MWCNT loading (3.5 wt%) increased population of MWCNT leads to agglomeration and stress transfer gets blocked. The mechanical properties of composites filled with poplar fibers were generally greater than bagasse stalk composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:3269–3274, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers