Influence of annealing duration on the erosive wear behavior of polyphenylenesulphide composites

The influence of annealing duration on the erosive wear behavior of short glass fiber (40% w/w) and CaCO₃ mineral particulate (25% w/w)–short glass fiber (40% w/w) (total: 65% w/w) reinforced PPS composites has been characterized under various experimental conditions by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and erosion measurements. The erosive wear of the composites have been evaluated at different impingement angles (30, 45, 60, and 90°) and at four different annealing periods (30, 60, 90, and 120 min). Increase in the total crystallization causes an improvement in the erosive wear properties of the samples. Annealing time controls the morphology by influencing the degree of crystallinity in the matrix and in the fiber–matrix interface. This formation restricts fiber–matrix debonding. There is no linear proportionality between annealing time and relative degree of crystallization. The results indicate that PPS composites show maximum in wear versus impact angle relation at 60° confirming their semi-ductile failure behavior. The morphologies of eroded surface are examined by the scanning electron microscope.     

Influences of thermal cycling and low-energy impact on the fatigue behavior of carbon/PEEK laminates

Effects of low-energy impact and cyclic thermal loading on fatigue behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polyetheretherketone (carbon/PEEK) laminates have been examined. The fatigue behavior of the virginal composites, low-energy impacted composites, and low-energy-impacted and thermally exposed composites were investigated. Cyclic thermal loading was performed in the temperature range between 60 and −60°C. Residual tensile strength was measured to aid in understanding the influence of low-energy impact on the retention of tensile strength. Fatigue testing involved a stress ratio of 0.1, with a frequency of 3 Hz. The Weibull distribution function was used to evaluate the ultimate tensile strength and fatigue life. S–N curves were plotted and the influence of thermal cycling and the low-energy impact on the fatigue sensitivity of the carbon/PEEK laminates was investigated. Stiffness variation during fatigue testing was monitored and differences in stiffness reduction for three test conditions were compared. C-scan was used to investigate the damage zone under different low-energy impacts and to understand damage propagation during fatigue testing. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture morphologies of carbon/PEEK composites in both tensile failure and fatigue failure conditions.     

Interface debond crack growth in tension–tension cyclic loading of single fiber polymer composites

Fiber/matrix interface debond crack growth from a fiber break is defined as one of the key mechanisms of fatigue damage in unidirectional composites. Considering debond as an interface crack its growth in cyclic loading is analyzed utilizing a power law, where the debond growth rate is a power function of the change of the strain energy release rate in the cycle. To obtain values of two parameters in the power law cyclic loading of fragmented single fiber specimen is suggested. Measurements of the debond length increase with the number of load cycles in tension–tension fatigue are performed for glass fiber/epoxy single fiber composites. Analytical method in the steady-state growth region and FEM for short debonds are combined for calculating the strain energy release rate of the growing debond crack. Interface failure parameters in fatigue are determined by fitting the modeling and experimental results. The determined parameters for interface fatigue are validated at different stress levels.     

The effect of fatigue damage on toughening of short-fiber-reinforced polymer composites

Fatigue fracture of fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRP) occurs when microcracks are induced by debonding, pull-out and delamination at the interface between the matrix and fiber. This microcrack area increases with increase in fatigue cycles and a damage region is formed. In our previous paper, fatigue life of a short fiber-reinforced polymer composite consisting of glass fibers and polycarbonate matrix was found to be related not to the main crack growth behavior but to the progression behavior of the damage region. In this paper, using our proposed real time observational system, we performed detailed observations on the behavior of fatigue damage and clarified the mechanism of damage progression. Furthermore, mechanical considerations were performed by finite-element elastic-plastic stress analysis. The results mentioned above indicate that control of short fiber alignment makes it possible to release the stress concentration caused in the matrix, and disperse fatigue damage. This results in an enormous improvement in fracture toughness.     

Interlaminar fatigue crack propagation in continuous glass fiber/polypropylene composites

The mode II interlaminar fatigue crack propagation behavior of unidirectional continuous glass fiber (GF) composites with a polypropylene (PP) matrix obtained under three different molding conditions has been studied with the use of the end-notch flexure (ENF) geometry. The microstructure and mechanical performance, especially the interlaminar fatigue crack propagation, are strongly affected by the molding conditions. Comparative results reveal a major influence of the fiber–matrix interface and the matrix morphology on the crack propagation resistance. The distribution of the ductile amorphous PP phase in the semi-crystalline PP matrix appears to be the controlling parameter determining the fatigue crack propagation resistance of the PP/GF composite. Fractographic observations clearly showed the role of this phase.     

Effects of potassium titanate whiskers and carbon fibers on the wear behavior of polyetheretherketone composite under water lubricated condition

The tribological behaviors of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite reinforced by carbon fiber (CF) and potassium titanate whiskers (PTW) have been investigated using the pin-on-disk configuration at different applied loads under water lubricated condition. The effects of micrometer carbon fiber and sub-micrometer PTW on the wear properties of the hybrid composite have been discussed. It was found that the PEEK/PTW/CF composite showed excellent tribological performance in water condition. High wear resistance and low friction coefficient were achieved under a wide range of loads. It was revealed that the two fillers worked synergetically to enhance the wear resistance of the hybrid reinforced PEEK composite. The carbon fiber carried the main load between the contact surfaces and protected the matrix from further severe abrasion of the counterpart. At the same time, the exposed PTW out of the polymer matrix around the fiber inhibited the direct scraping between the fiber edge and counterpart tip in some degree, so that the fibers could be less directly impacted during the subsequent sliding process and they were protected from severe damage. In addition, the reinforcement effect of PTW on PEEK could reduce the stress concentration on the carbon fiber-matrix interface, and thereby reduce the CF failure/damage. The reinforcement effect of PTW on PEEK might also restrict the crack initiation and propagation on the surface and subsurface of the composite, and therefore to protect the matrix from fatigue failure during the sliding process.     

Experimental study on the tension fatigue behavior and failure mechanism of 3D multi-axial warp knitted composites

An experimental study is described in this paper dealing with the tension–tension fatigue and failure mechanism of 3D MWK composites with different fiber architectures and material sizes. Macroscopic fracture morphology and SEM micrographs are examined to understand the fatigue damage and failure mechanism. The results show the fatigue properties and failure mechanism of composites can be affected significantly by the fiber architecture and material size. The fatigue life of material A(0°/0°/0°/0°) with small fiber orientation angle is significantly longer than that of material B(+45°/−45°/+45°/−45°). For material A, the fatigue properties of the long composite are better than that of the short one. It is 0° fiber bundles fracture under fatigue stress which cause the material failure and the long composite provides more space for the formation and propagation of local fatigue micro-cracks. However, for material B, the short composites have better fatigue properties. Moreover, the materials show typical ±45° zigzag fatigue fracture and obvious shear behavior. The fatigue cracks for the long composite can be spread more quickly along the fiber/matrix interface due to the fiber bundles realignment.     

Short thermal fatigue crack propagation behavior of alumina short fibre reinforced aluminum matrix composites

Thermal fatigue resistance is one of the most important parameters to design engine materials. The thermal fatigue crack growth behavior of alumina short fibre (V _f = 18 vol.%) reinforced AlSi12CuMgNi aluminum alloy composite has been investigated under thermal cycling condition between room temperature and 280 °C. Initiation and propagation of thermal fatigue crack have also been discussed. The results show that in the range of short crack, the fibres play an important role in the path of thermal fatigue crack, and the crack propagation rate of composites is much larger than that of the matrix alloy.     

Effect of hot water immersion on the performance of carbon reinforced unidirectional poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) composites: Stress rupture under end-loaded bending

This paper describes the behaviour of AS4 and T700SC reinforced PEEK composites (SUPreM™ and ACP-2) under applied compressive bending strain. The effect of an increased molecular weight of the polymer matrix on the residual time under endloaded compression bending conditions is studied. Generally for a given composite material, the higher the testing temperature and the applied strain the faster the failure occurs. At test temperatures exceeding the glass transition temperature or at high strain ratios the time-to-failure for CF/PEEK composites follows a master curve. The residual times under endloaded compression bending conditions increase with increasing toughness of the PEEK matrix but decrease with increasing tensile strength of the reinforcing fibres. It seems that the better the fibre/matrix adhesion the lower is the time to failure of an endloaded composite, because more load is transferred from the matrix into the fibres.In order to simulate composite applications under ‘harsh’ conditions the CF/PEEK composites have been exposed to boiling water. PEEK is known to be highly resistant to environmental effects, but water uptake significantly influences the overall performance of CF/PEEK composites under endloaded compression bending conditions. The tensile properties of the composites have been measured as function of exposure time in boiling water. The fibre dominated uniaxial tensile strength is not/or only slightly affected by the boiling water conditioning even after extended exposure times but the transverse tensile strength decreases significantly after exposure to boiling water. The performance of SUPreM™ CF/PEEK-150 and 450 composites under endloaded compression bending conditions are positively affected by water conditioning whereas APC-2 fails at shorter residual times. The fracture behaviour under endloaded conditions is also affected by the ingress of water into the composite.The obtained results show clearly that applications of thermoplastic composites leading to large out of plane deformations can only be ‘safe’ if the maximum service temperatures of the finished part will be well below the glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix otherwise even at low bending radii a dramatic failure of the material cannot be excluded.     

Mechanical and thermal expansion properties of glass fibers reinforced PEEK composites at cryogenic temperatures

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been widely used as matrix material for high performance composites. In this work, 30% chopped glass fibers reinforced PEEK composites were prepared by injection molding, and then the tensile, flexural and impact properties were tested at different temperatures. The modulus, strength and specific elongation of glass fibers reinforced PEEK at room temperature, 77 K and 20 K have been compared. And the fracture morphologies of different samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed a dependence of mechanical properties of glass fibers reinforced PEEK composites on temperature. The coefficient of thermal expansion of unfilled PEEK and glass fibers reinforced PEEK were also investigated from 77 K to room temperature. The results indicated that the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) of PEEK matrix was nearly a constant in this temperature region, and it can be significantly decreased by adding glass fibers.     

Modeling Loading/Unloading Hysteresis Behavior of Unidirectional C/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites

The loading/unloading tensile behavior of unidirectional C/SiC ceramic matrix composites at room temperature has been investigated. The loading/unloading stress–strain curve exhibits obvious hysteresis behavior. An approach to model the hysteresis loops of ceramic matrix composites including the effect of fiber failure during tensile loading has been developed. By adopting a shear-lag model which includes the matrix shear deformation in the bonded region and friction in the debonded region, the matrix cracking space and interface debonded length are obtained by matrix statistical cracking model and fracture mechanics interface debonded criterion. The two-parameter Weibull model is used to describe the fiber strength distribution. The stress carried by the intact and fracture fibers on the matrix crack plane during unloading and subsequent reloading is determined by the Global Load Sharing criterion. Based on the damage mechanisms of fiber sliding relative to matrix during unloading and subsequent reloading, the unloading interface reverse slip length and reloading interface new slip length are obtained by the fracture mechanics approach. The hysteresis loops of unidirectional C/SiC ceramic matrix composites corresponding to different stress have been predicted.     

In situ analysis of delayed fibre failure within water-aged GFRP under static fatigue conditions

A stress corrosion model has been applied to the microscopic analysis of the delayed fibre failure processes occurring within a water-aged unidirectional glass/epoxy composite under static fatigue loading (i.e. relaxation). By means of in situ microscopic observations, the individual fibre failures within an elementary volume located on the tensile side of the flexural specimens have been quantified as a function of time under various applied strain levels. It was found that the time dependence of the in situ fibre failure processes obeyed a stress corrosion model. From the microscopic observations, it was possible to assess consistent values of the parameters characterising the in situ fibre strength distribution and the subcritical crack propagation law. A comparison with separate static fatigue experiments using unimpregnated fibre bundles demonstrated that the specific physico-chemical environment encountered by the glass fibres within the aged epoxy matrix can induce significant changes in the subcritical crack propagation rates, as compared to stress corrosion cracking data collected in humid air.     

Fatigue failure in graphite fibre and glass fibre-polymer composites

Our studies have established that unidirectional graphite fibre composites show excellent fatigue resistance with only a 20 to 30% decrease in strength with cycling. Fatigue failures invariably occurred on the surfaces undergoing compression and were identified by scanning electron microscope studies as resulting from matrix failure adjacent to local fibre buckling failure zones. In contrast, glass fibre composites showed a much larger (70%) loss in strength under cyclic loading. At intermediate lives, failure occurred by the growth of matrix microcracks followed by delamination, while at long lives, the applied stress levels were below the microcrack initiation stress and behaviour was characterized by crack nucleation processes. These results have suggested a criterion for predicting high cycle fatigue strength which is based on the hypothesis that for failure to occur, the maximum applied effective cyclic strain in the composite must exceed a critical value which depends upon the fatigue response of the matrix material. The main assumption is that localized fatigue failures in the matrix are the predominant contributions to the ultimate fatigue failure of the composite.     

Fatigue damage behaviors of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites containing nanoclay

The effects of nanoclay inclusion on cyclic fatigue behavior and residual properties of carbon fiber-reinforced composites (CFRPs) after fatigue have been studied. The tension–tension cyclic fatigue tests are conducted at various load levels to establish the S-N curve. The residual strength and modulus are measured at different stages of fatigue cycles. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) are employed to characterize the underlying fatigue damage mechanisms and progressive damage growth. The incorporation of nanoclay into CFRP composites not only improves the mechanical properties of the composite in static loading, but also the fatigue life for a given cyclic load level and the residual mechanical properties after a given period of cyclic fatigue. The corresponding fatigue damage area is significantly reduced due to nanoclay. Nanoclay serves to suppress and delay delamination damage growth and eventual failure by improving the fiber/matrix interfacial bond and through the formation of nanoclay-induced dimples.     

High-cycle fatigue of hybrid carbon nanotube/glass fiber/polymer composites

Glass fiber polymer composites have high strength, low cost, but suffer from poor performance in fatigue. Mechanisms for high-cycle (>10⁴ cycles) fatigue failure in glass fiber composites consist primarily of matrix-dominated damage accumulation and growth that coalesce and propagate into the fibers resulting in ultimate fatigue failure. This investigation shows that the addition of small volume fractions of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the matrix results in a significant increase in the high-cycle fatigue life. Cyclic hysteresis measured over each cycle in real time during testing is used as a sensitive indicator of fatigue damage. We show that hysteresis growth with cycling is suppressed when CNTs are present with resulting longer cyclic life. Incorporating CNTs into the matrix tends to inhibit the formation of large cracks since a large density of nucleation sites are provided by the CNTs. In addition, the increase in energy absorption from the fracture of nanotubes bridging across nanoscale cracks and nanotube pull-out from the matrix is thought to contribute to the higher fatigue life of glass composites containing CNTs. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy suggests possible mechanisms for energy absorption including nanotube pull-out and fracture. The distributed nanotubes in the matrix appear to inhibit damage propagation resulting in overall improved fatigue strength and durability.     

The impact properties and damage tolerance and of bi-directionally reinforced fiber metal laminates

Fiber metal laminates are an advanced hybrid materials system being evaluated as a damage tolerance and light weight solution for future aircraft primary structures. This paper investigates the impact properties and damage tolerance of glass fiber reinforced aluminum laminates with cross-ply glass prepreg layers. A systematic low velocity impact testing program based on instrumented drop weight was conducted, and the characteristic impact energies, the damage area, and the permanent deflection of laminates are used to evaluate the impact performance and damage resistance. The post-impact residual tensile strength under various damage states ranging from the plastic dent, barely visible impact damage (BVID), clearly visible impact damage (CVID) up to the complete perforation was also measured and compared. Additionally, the post-impact fatigue behavior with different damage states was also explored. The results showed that both GLARE 4 and GLARE 5 laminates have better impact properties than those of 2024-T3 monolithic aluminum alloy. GLARE laminates had a longer service life than aluminum under fatigue loading after impact, and they did not show a sudden and catastrophic failure after the fatigue crack was initiated. The damage initiation, damage progression and failure modes under impact and fatigue loading were characterized and identified with microscopy, X-ray radiography, and by deply technique.     

Mechanical properties and failure characteristics of a recycled CFRP under tensile and cyclic loading

An examination has been made of the mechanical and failure properties of a recycled short carbon fiber reinforced plastic (rCFRP). The rCFRP samples were fabricated by the following process: the CFRP, consisting of epoxy resin with carbon fiber, is ground before mixing with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene resin with different weight fractions of CFRP. The tensile strength (σ_UTS) increased with increasing CFRP content, but dropped considerably for the sample with higher fiber content. From in situ measurement of localized failure in rCFRP, it appeared that material failure occurs even if a low tensile stress of 30% σ_UTS is applied. The localized damage was related to the pull-out (or debonding) of the fibers from the matrix. The fatigue strength increased with increasing the content of the recycled carbon fiber even for the samples with low tensile strength. This was attributed to the low crack driving force arising from severe crack closure. Details of the crack growth behavior were discussed using various crack growth models proposed in previous studies.     

混杂短纤维增强尼龙1010的热水老化

本文研究了经80℃热水老化2600小时的短碳纤维和玻璃纤维混杂增强尼龙1010复合材料的性能与结构变化,并对复合材料中的纤维长度分布进行了统计.研究表明,纤维长度减小主要发生在挤出造粒阶段.碳纤维与玻璃纤维的长度分布差异不大.混杂增强的尼龙1010复合材料在许多力学性能和摩擦磨损行为上表现出正的“混杂效应”.热水老化后仍然存在这种情况.热水老化使尼龙1010的分子量降解,降解率随玻璃纤维含量增加而增大.老化使尼龙1010晶粒增大,但并无形成球晶.热水老化后复合材料的力学性能保留率随玻璃纤维含量增加而下降.热水老化使玻璃纤维与尼龙1010之间的界面粘结受到严重破坏,界面剪切强度严重下降.碳纤维与尼龙的界面粘结所受的破坏轻一些.     

Simulation of creep crack growth in ceramic composites

The elevated temperature response resulting from tensile creep of fiber reinforced ceramic composites was modeled using Monte Carlo simulation. The model consisted of a uniaxially loaded fiber tow aligned with the direction of applied load, and modeled the growth of matrix cracks resulting from creep failure of bridging fibers. A creep strain rate consisting of primary and steady state components was assumed, and each component was modeled by a power law relationship. Power law creep exponents in the range of 2.0–2.5 for a selected SiC/SiC system at stress levels ranging from 60 MPa to 200 MPa were evaluated. Fatigue-like behavior was predicted as a result of tensile creep, and a fatigue exponent of 3.03 ± 0.07 was predicted for nominal stress levels less than 200 GPa. The influence of initial crack length on failure lifetime was also studied, but was found to have little influence on the predicted lifetime. The predicted failure response suggested a stress dependent creep process could be used to model experimental data and evaluate the failure mechanism of reinforced composites.