Pressure-sensitive properties and microstructure of carbon nanotube reinforced cement composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) treated by using a mixed solution of H₂SO₄ and HNO₃ were uniformly dispersed into cement paste by means of ultrasonic energy. Electrical resistivity and pressure-sensitive properties under cyclic compressive loading of this composite were analyzed and compared to that of untreated-CNT reinforced cement paste. Results show that the addition of treated or untreated CNTs to cement paste leads to a notable decrease in volume electrical resistivity and a distinct enhancement in compressive sensitivity. The microstructures of these cement composites were analyzed by using scanning electron microscope. The microscopic observation reveals that both treated and untreated CNTs were dispersed homogenously in the cement matrix. For untreated CNT-reinforced cement composites, the CNTs with glossy surface were zigzag and cling to cement matrix; the bridging of cracks and a well three-dimensional meshwork were also observed. For treated-CNT reinforced cement composites, the surface of CNTs was covered by C–S–H, which leads to a higher mechanical strength. The contact points of the treated-CNTs in composites were much fewer than that of the untreated-CNTs in cement matrix composites, which leads to a higher compressive sensitive properties and a lower electrical conductivity.     

Investigation on the compressive properties of the three dimensional four-directional braided composites

The compressive mechanical properties of three dimensional (3D) braided composites are of key concern for design in actual engineering application. A representative volume cell (RVC) is chosen to study the uniaxial compressive mechanical properties of the braided composites with different braid angles by combing damage theory and finite element method. The fiber misalignment and longitudinal shear nonlinearity of braid yarn are considered in the computation model. And their influences on the compressive behavior of the braided composites are also evaluated. The damage development of constituents within the braided composites are obtained and analyzed. The main damage and failure modes and their interaction of braid yarn are provided as well. The numerical results are found that the compressive mechanical behavior of the braided composites with lower braid angle is sensitive to the fiber initial imperfection of braid yarn. The strength of the braided composites with different braid angle is controlled by the different microscopic failure modes.     

Fabrication and properties of CNTs/carbon fabric hybrid multiscale composites processed via resin transfer molding technique

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are effective fillers/reinforcements regarding improving the properties of polymer. In the present paper, carboxylic acid functionalized CNTs were used to modify epoxy with intent to develop a nanocomposite matrix for hybrid multiscale composites combining benefits of nanoscale reinforcement with well-established fibrous composites. CNTs were dispersed in epoxy by using high energy sonication. At low contents of CNTs, hybrid multiscale composites specimens were manufactured via resin transfer molding (RTM) process. The processibility of CNTs/epoxy systems was explored with respect to their viscosity. The dispersion quality and re-agglomeration behavior of CNTs in epoxy were characterized using optical microscope. A CNTs loading of 0.025 wt% significantly improved the glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the hybrid multiscale composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surface of the failed specimens. It is demonstrated that the addition of small amount of CNTs (0.025 wt%) to epoxy for the fabrication of multiscale carbon fabric composites via RTM route effectively improves the matrix-dominated properties of polymer based composites. Hybridization efficiency in carbon fiber reinforced composites using CNTs is found to be highly dependent on the changes in the dispersion state of CNTs in epoxy.     

Strain-sensitive Raman spectroscopy and electrical resistance of carbon nanotube-coated glass fibre sensors

This paper presents the development of glass fibres coated with nanocomposites consisting of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and epoxy. Single glass fibres with different CNT content coating are embedded in a polymer matrix as a strain sensor for composite structures. Raman spectroscopy and electrical response of glass fibres under mechanical load are coupled for in situ sensing of deformation in composites. The results show that the fibres with nanocomposite coating exhibit efficient stress transfer across the fibre/matrix interface, and these with a higher CNT content are more prone to fibre fragmentation at the same matrix strain. A relationship between the fibre stress and the change in electrical resistance against the fibre strain is established. The major finding of this study has a practical implication in that the fibres with nanocomposite coating can serve as a sensor to monitor the deformation and damage process in composites.     

二维编织陶瓷基复合材料偏轴拉伸力学性能预测

基于二维编织C/SiC复合材料的细观结构,建立了碳纤维丝/热解碳界面/SiC基体和纤维束/表层SiC基体两种尺度下的细观单胞模型,通过有限元方法计算碳纤维丝/热解碳界面/SiC基体模型的等效弹性常数和强度,然后代入纤维束/表层SiC基体模型中计算,并引入Tsai-Wu失效准则,考虑不同失效模式的损伤,建立了二维编织C/SiC复合材料的渐进损伤模型,模拟了其偏轴拉伸应力-应变行为。针对该模型,阐述了二维编织C/SiC复合材料单胞模型在复杂应力状态下其纤维束的损伤过程。数值模拟结果与实验数据吻合较好,验证了模型的有效性,为该种材料的力学性能分析提供了一种有效方法。     

Carbon nanotubes dispersed polymer nanocomposites: mechanical,electrical, thermal properties and surface morphology

The various properties and surface morphology of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) matrix were studied to determine their usefulness in various applications. The tensile strength, Young’s modulus and electrical breakdown strength of CNT/polymer composites were 0.35 MPa, 1.2 MPa and 8.1 kV, respectively. The thermal conductivity and dielectric constant for the material having 4.28 wt% CNT were 0.225 W m^?1 K^?1 and 2.329, respectively. The CNT/polymer composites are promising functional composites with improved mechanical and electrical properties. The scanning electron microscope analysis of surface morphology of PDMS/CNT composite showed that the rough surface texture on nanocomposite has large surface area with circular pores. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed the functional groups present in polymer nanocomposite.     

三维编织复合材料损伤容限性能试验

为研究三维编织复合材料的损伤容限性能,首先,利用同种纤维、基体和工艺分别制作了4种三维编织复合材料和1种层合复合材料;然后,进行了相同复合材料在不同冲击能量下的及不同复合材料在相同冲击能量下的低速冲击试验和冲击后压缩试验;最后,进行了冲击后的C扫描损伤检测,并对比了冲击后凹坑深度、损伤面积和损伤宽度。结果显示:层合复合材料的损伤形貌主要呈椭圆状,且分层损伤严重,而三维编织复合材料的损伤形貌主要呈十字状,三维编织复合材料的整体性较好;层合复合材料和三维编织复合材料冲击能量的拐点均出现在30 J附近;三维编织复合材料的剩余压缩强度较高,其损伤容限性能优于层合复合材料。所得结论可为三维编织复合材料的工程应用提供指导。      

热氧老化对碳纤维织物增强聚合物基复合材料弯曲性能的影响

为了探索增强体结构对碳纤维增强聚合物基复合材料(CF-PMCs)热氧老化后弯曲性能的影响,对三维四向编织碳纤维/环氧复合材料(简称为三维编织复合材料)和层合平纹碳布/环氧复合材料(简称为层合复合材料)的热氧老化性能进行了研究。利用FTIR、老化失重、弯曲测试和SEM等手段分析了热氧老化前后的试样。结果表明:热氧老化导致基体树脂的氧化断链以及纤维/基体界面结合力的退化是两种复合材料弯曲强度和弯曲模量下降的原因,弯曲强度比弯曲模量更容易受热氧老化的影响。在相同的热氧老化条件下,层合复合材料的热氧老化失重大于三维编织复合材料的,而三维编织复合材料的弯曲强度和弯曲模量保留率均大于层合复合材料的。在140℃下老化1 200h后,层合复合材料的弯曲强度和弯曲模量保留率分别为74.7%和88.3%,而对应的三维编织复合材料的分别为79.4%和91.5%。因此,采用三维编织预制件作为CF-PMCs的增强体是一种有效的提高其热氧稳定性的方法。     

Microstructure of carbon nanotubes/PET conductive composites fibers and their properties

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) resin has been compounded with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using a twin-screw extruder. The composites of 4 wt% CNTs in PET had a volume electrical resistance of 10³ Ω cm, which was 12 orders lower than pure PET. The volume electrical conductivity of CNTs/PET composites with different CNTs containing followed a percolation scaling law of the form σ = κ(ρ − ρ_c)^t well. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph showed that CNTs had been well dispersed in PET matrix. Optical microscopy micrograph showed that discontinuity of conductive phase existed in some segments of composite fiber. Rheological behavior of CNTs/PET composites showed that the viscosity of CNTs/PET composites containing high nanotube loadings exhibited a large decrease with increasing shear frequency. Crystallization behavior of CNTs/PET composites was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the nucleating effect of CNTs in the cooling crystallization process of PET was confirmed. Composite fiber was prepared using the conductive CNTs/PET composites and pure PET resin by composite spinning process. Furthermore, cloth was woven by the composite fiber and common terylene with the ratio 1:3. The cloth had excellent anti-static electricity property and its charge surface density was only 0.25 μC/m².     

Self sensing carbon nanotube (CNT) and nanofiber (CNF) cementitious composites for real time damage assessment in smart structures

The self sensing properties of cementitious composites reinforced with well dispersed carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers were investigated. The electrical resistance of cementitious nanocomposites with w/c = 0.3 reinforced with well dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nanofibers (CNFs) at an amount of 0.1 wt% and 0.3 wt% of cement was experimentally determined and compared with resistivity results of nanocomposites fabricated with “as received” nanoscale fibers at the same loading. Results indicate that conductivity measurements, besides being a valuable tool in evaluating the smart properties of the nanocomposites, may provide a good correlation between the resistivity values measured and the degree of dispersion of the material in the matrix. The addition of CNTs and CNFs at different loadings was proven to induce a decrease in electrical resistance, with the nanocomposites containing 0.1 wt% CNTs yielding better electrical properties. Furthermore, conductivity measurements under cyclic compressive loading provided an insight in the piezoresistive properties of selected nanocomposites. Results confirm that nanocomposites, reinforced with 0.1 wt% CNTs and CNFs, exhibited an increased change in resistivity, which is indicative of the amplified sensitivity of the material in strain sensing.     

Electrical and thermal property enhancement of fiber-reinforced polymer laminate composites through controlled implementation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are implemented into alumina-fiber reinforced laminates, and enhanced mass-specific thermal and electrical conductivities are observed. Electrical conductivity enhancement is useful for electrostatic discharge and sensing applications, and is used here for both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and deicing. CNTs were grown directly on individual fibers in woven cloth plies, and maintained their alignment during the polymer (epoxy) infiltration used to create laminates. Using multiple complementary methods, non-isotropic electrical and thermal conductivities of these hybrid composites were thoroughly characterized as a function of CNT volume/mass fraction. DC and AC electrical conductivity measurements demonstrate high electrical conductivity of >100 S/m (at 3% volume fraction, ∼1.5% weight fraction, of CNTs) that can be used for multifunctional applications such as de-icing and electromagnetic shielding. The thermal conductivity enhancement (∼1 W/m K) suggests that carbon-fiber based laminates can significantly benefit from aligned CNTs. Application of such new nano-engineered, multi-scale, multi-functional CNT composites can be extended to system health monitoring with electrical or thermal resistance change induced by damage, fire-resistant structures among other multifunctional attributes.     

Influence of the concentration of carbon nanotubes on electrical conductivity of magnetically aligned MWCNT–polypyrrole composites

The goal of this work is to study the effect of high magnetic pulses on electrical property of carbon nanotube–polypyrrole (CNT–PPy) composites with different CNT concentrations. CNT–PPy composites are produced in fractions of 1, 5 and 9 wt%. During the polymerization process, the CNTs are homogeneously dispersed throughout the polymer matrix in an ultrasonic bath. Nanocomposite rods are prepared. After exposure to 30 magnetic pulses, the resistivity of the rods is measured. The surface conductivity of thin tablets of composites is studied by 4-probe technique. The magnitude of the pulsed magnetic field is 10 Tesla with time duration of 1.5 ms. The results show that after applying 30 magnetic pulses, the electrical resistivity of the composites decreases depending on the concentration of CNTs in the composites. The orientation of CNTs is probed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) technique. AFM images approved alignment of CNT–polymer fibres in the magnetic field. We found that the enhancement in the electrical properties of CNT–PPy composites is due to rearrangement and alignment of CNTs in a high magnetic field. The stability of nano-composites is studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

碳纳米管/丁苯橡胶复合材料的电学性能

采用喷雾干燥法可制备不同配比的碳纳米管（Carbon nanotubes,CNTs）/粉末丁苯橡胶复合材料,观察CNTs在橡胶基体中的分散情况,检测复合材料的导电性能及介电性能,并进行了简要的理论分析。结果表明:CNTs在橡胶基体中获得了充分均匀的分散,有利于CNTs改性补强作用的发挥。与纯胶样品及填充炭黑（Carbon black,CB）样品相比, 填充CNTs样品在8~18GHz下具有较高的介电常数及低介电损耗。随着CNTs加入量的增加,CNTs/粉末丁苯橡胶复合材料的电导率逐渐升高,当CNTs加入量为60phr（per hundred rubber）时,与纯胶样品及添加60phr CB样品相比,电导率提高近10个数量级;复合材料内部导电同时存在隧道导电机制和渗逾导电机制。采用喷雾干燥法制备的CNTs/粉末丁苯橡胶复合材料,将是一种综合性能良好的新型纳米复合材料,有望在抗静电橡胶、电磁屏蔽及介电材料等领域获得应用。      

Electrical resistance-based strain sensing in carbon nanotube/polymer composites under tension: Analytical modeling and experiments

This paper presents an analytical and experimental study on the strain sensing behavior of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based polymer composites. Tensile tests were conducted on CNT/polycarbonate composites and the responses in the electrical resistance were measured during the tests. An analytical model incorporating the electrical tunneling effect due to the matrix material between CNTs was also developed to describe the electrical resistance change as a result of mechanical deformation. The model deals with the inter-nanotube matrix deformation at the micro/nanoscale due to the macroscale deformation of the nanocomposites. A comparison of the analytical predictions and the experimental data showed that the proposed model captures the sensing behavior. In addition, the effect of the micro/nanoscale structures on the strain induced resistance change was discussed to provide useful information for designing CNT-based polymer composites with high strain sensing capability.     

三维六向编织复合材料力学性能的实验研究

通过拉伸 ( 含开孔拉伸 ) 、压缩 ( 含开孔压缩 ) 、面内剪切及冲击后压缩实验,获得了三维六向编织复合材料的主要力学性能参数。基于宏观实验,探讨了材料在拉伸、压缩及剪切载荷作用下的破坏模式和失效机理,分析了开孔类型 ( 机械孔、编织孔 ) 对材料拉、压性能的影响并研究了冲击对材料压缩性能的影响。所获结果为进一步研究三维六向编织复合材料的刚度、强度预报奠定了基础。     

Enhanced thermal and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube composites through the use of functionalized CNT-reactive polymer linkages and three-roll milling

We report enhanced thermal and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) composites achieved through the use of functionalized CNTs-reactive polymer linkages and three-roll milling. CNTs were functionalized with carboxyl groups and dispersed in a polymer containing an epoxide group resulting in a chemical reaction. To maximize CNT dispersion for practical usage, entangled CNTs are separated and then evenly dispersed within the polymer matrix using three horizontally positioned rotating rolls that apply a strong shear force to the composite. Consequently, accompanying with thermal stability, elastic modulus and storage modulus of such functionalized CNT/polymer composites were increased by 100% and 500% that of the untreated epoxy polymer.     

基于面-内胞模型的三维四向编织复合材料渐进损伤数值模拟

为了准确预测三维四向编织复合材料的纵向拉伸力学性能,对编织复合材料的面胞和内胞细观实体模型进行参数化建模,面胞模型考虑了纱线空间轨迹的偏移和横截面的挤压变形。用体素网格离散模型并施加合适的边界条件,将各组分材料的损伤模型编入到有限元分析软件ABAQUS用户定义材料子程序UMAT中。分别对内编织角为30°和45°的三维四向碳纤维/环氧树脂编织复合材料的面-内胞模型进行数值分析,经体积加权平均获得不同厚度编织复合材料试件的纵向拉伸模量和强度,通过统计具有相同破坏模式的积分点数量研究复合材料的渐进损伤过程。结果表明:基于面-内胞模型预测三维四向编织复合材料的纵向拉伸力学性能与试验值吻合良好,损伤分析结果合理地反映了面胞和内胞的渐进损伤过程。      

In situ polymerized nanocomposites: Polystyrene/CNT and Poly(methyl methacrylate)/CNT composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into polystyrene (PS) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices via in situ emulsion and emulsion/suspension polymerization methods. The polymerizations were carried out using various initiators, surfactants, and carbon nanotubes to determine their influence on polymerization and on the properties of the composites. The loading of CNTs in the composites varied from 0 to 15 wt.%, depending on the CNTs used. Morphology and dispersion of the CNTs were analyzed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The dispersion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in the composites was excellent, even at high CNT loading. The mechanical properties, and electrical and thermal conductivities, of the composites were also analyzed. Both electrical and thermal conductivities were improved.     

Meso-Scale Damage Simulation of 3D Braided Composites under Quasi-Static Axial Tension

The microstructure of 3D braided composites is composed of three phases: braiding yarn, matrix and interface. In this paper, a representative unit-cell (RUC) model including these three phases is established. Coupling with the periodical boundary condition, the damage behavior of 3D braided composites under quasi-static axial tension is simulated by using finite element method based on this RUC model. An anisotropic damage model based on Murakami damage theory is proposed to predict the damage evolution of yarns and matrix; a damage-friction combination interface constitutive model is adopted to predict the interface debonding behavior. A user material subroutine (VUMAT) involving these damage models is developed and implemented in the finite element software ABAQUS/Explicit. The whole process of damage evolution of 3D braided composites under quasi-static axial tension with typical braiding angles is simulated, and the damage mechanisms are revealed in detail in the simulation process. The tensile strength properties of the braided composites are predicted from the calculated stress-strain curves. Numerical results agree with the available experiment data and thus validates the proposed damage analysis model. The effects of certain material parameters on the predicted stress-strain responses are also discussed by numerical parameter study.     

Overall behavior and microstructural deformation of R-CNT/polymer composites

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are an excellent candidate for the reinforcement of composite materials owing to their distinctive mechanical and electrical properties. Reticulate carbon nanotubes (R-CNTs) with a 2D or 3D configuration have been manufactured in which nonwoven connected CNTs are homogeneously distributed and connected with each other. A composite reinforced by R-CNTs can be fabricated by infiltrating a polymer into the R-CNT structure, which overcomes the inherent disadvantages of the lack of weaving of the CNTs and the low strength of the interface between CNTs and the polymer. In this paper, a 2D plane strain model of a R-CNT composite is presented to investigate its micro-deformation and effective stiffness. Using the two-scale expansion method, the effective stiffness coefficients and Young’s modulus are determined. The influences of microstructural parameters on the micro-deformation and effective stiffness of the R-CNT composite are studied to aid the design of new composites with optimal properties. It is shown that R-CNT composites have a strong microstructure-dependence and better effective mechanical properties than other CNT composites.