Electrochemical investigation of galvanic corrosion between aluminum 7075 and glass fiber/epoxy composites modified with carbon nanotubes

We investigate whether the presence of carbon nanotubes in previously non-conductive composites may cause galvanic corrosion. We focus on aluminum 7075 alloy and glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP), where the epoxy resin is modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Whole aluminum bars were bonded with MWCNT/GFRP in a co-cure, or were connected electrically with the composite through a galvanic cell.The investigation includes characterization of the treated and baseline epoxy resin, high humidity tests at room temperature, full immersion tests in an aggressive environment, and standard galvanic coupling tests in an aggressive environment.Results show that coupling MWCNT/GFRP samples with aluminum 7075 causes approximately doubled corrosion rate and mass loss rate compared to baseline GFRP samples. We envision that this work will impact the research community and indicate the need of careful coupling selection and careful surface treatment between nanomaterials and conventional materials, since the ability to monitor damage in situ is very desirable.     

Impact and after-impact properties of carbon fibre reinforced composites enhanced with multi-wall carbon nanotubes

The goal of the present study was to investigate the influence of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the impact and after impact behaviour of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. About 0.5% per weight MWCNTs were dispersed via a high shear device in the epoxy matrix (Bisphenol A) of carbon reinforced quasi-isotropic laminates. Subsequently, the modified CFRPs were subjected to low-energy impact and directly compared with unmodified laminates. In previous studies, the beneficial effect of the MWCNT inclusion to the fracture properties of CFRPs has been demonstrated. In terms of the CFRP impact performance, enhanced performance for the CNT doped specimens was observed for higher energy levels. However, the after-impact properties and more specifically compression after impact were improved for both the effective compression modulus and the compression strength. In addition, compression–compression fatigue after impact performance of the CNT modified laminates was also improved, by extending the fatigue life.     

电场诱导多壁碳纳米管有序排列对多壁碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料性能的影响

采用交流（AC）电场诱导法制备了多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）均匀分散且定向有序排列的MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料。采用SEM、偏振拉曼光谱等研究了电场强度、MWCNTs含量、加电时间及温度（黏度）等因素对MWCNTs定向排列的影响,讨论了MWCNTs有序排列对MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料电学和力学性能的影响。结果表明：MWCNTs沿电场方向有序排列;MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料施加AC电场后的拉曼强度明显高于未施加电场的情况;当MWCNTs含量从0wt%增加到0.025wt%时,MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料导电率从2.3×10^-12 S/cm增加到1.3×10^-8 S/cm,增加了约4个数量级;MWCNTs含量为2.5wt%时,MWCNTs/环氧树脂复合材料拉伸强度提高了26.3%。     

Vibration damping characteristics of carbon fiber-reinforced composites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Vibration damping characteristic of nanocomposites and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) containing multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been studied using the free and forced vibration tests. Several vibration parameters are varied to characterize the damping behavior in different amplitudes, natural frequencies and vibration modes. The damping ratio of the hybrid composites is enhanced with the addition of CNTs, which is attributed to sliding at the CNT-matrix interfaces. The damping ratio is dependent on the amplitude as a result of the random orientation of CNTs in the epoxy matrix. The natural frequency shows negligible influence on the damping properties. The forced vibration test indicates that the damping ratios of the CFRP composites increase with increasing CNT content in both the 1st and 2nd vibration modes. The CNT-epoxy nanocomposites also show similar increasing trends of damping ratio with CNT content, indicating the enhanced damping property of CFRPs arising mainly from the improved damping property of the modified matrix. The dynamic mechanical analysis further confirms that the CNTs have a strong influence on the composites damping properties. Both the dynamic loss modulus and loss factor of the nanocomposites and the corresponding CFRPs show consistent increases with the addition of CNTs, an indication of enhanced damping performance.     

Mode I interlaminar fracture behavior and mechanical properties of CFRPs with nanoclay-filled epoxy matrix

The mechanical properties and fracture behavior of nanocomposites and carbon fiber composites (CFRPs) containing organoclay in the epoxy matrix have been investigated. Morphological studies using TEM and XRD revealed that the clay particles within the epoxy resin were intercalated or orderly exfoliated. The organoclay brought about a significant improvement in flexural modulus, especially in the first few wt% of loading, and the improvement of flexural modulus was at the expense of a reduction in flexural strength. The quasi-static fracture toughness increased, whereas the impact fracture toughness dropped sharply with increasing the clay content.Flexural properties of CFRPs containing organoclay modified epoxy matrix generally followed the trend similar to the epoxy nanocomposite although the variation was much smaller for the CFRPs. Both the initiation and propagation values of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of CFRP composites increased with increasing clay concentration. In particular, the propagation fracture toughness almost doubled with 7 wt% clay loading. A strong correlation was established between the fracture toughness of organoclay-modified epoxy matrix and the CFRP composite interlaminar fracture toughness.     

Effect of moisture on elastic and viscoelastic properties of epoxy and epoxy-based carbon fibre reinforced plastic filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes

In this study, we investigated the peculiarities of moisture absorption and moisture-induced effects on the elastic and viscoelastic flexural properties of epoxy resin and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) filled with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Short-term cyclic creep-recovery tests of moistened epoxy and CFRP filled with MWCNTs revealed improvements in creep resistance for both materials. The addition of MWCNTs to the epoxy resin suppressed the moisture absorption by the material, causing a reduction in the diffusion coefficient by 31% and equilibrium moisture content by 15%. The addition of MWCNTs reduced the flexural strength of moistened epoxy and CFRP samples by approximately half, and also lowered the flexural modulus by ∼1.4 and ∼3 times, elastic strain by 1.25 and 1.04 times, viscoelastic strain by 1.39 and 1.03 times, and plastic strain by 2.68 and 1.60 times, respectively.     

Interconnected multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced polymer-matrix composites

A modified method for interconnecting multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was put forward. And interconnected MWCNTs by reaction of acyl chloride and amino groups were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy shows that hetero-junctions of MWCNTs with different morphologies were formed. Then specimens of pristine MWCNTs, chemically functionalized MWCNTs and interconnected MWCNTs reinforced epoxy resin composites were fabricated by cast moulding. Tensile properties and fracture surfaces of the specimens were investigated. The results show that, compared with pristine MWCNTs and chemically functionalized MWCNTs, the chemically interconnected MWCNTs improved the fracture strain and therefore the toughness of the composites significantly.     

多壁碳纳米管-有机蒙脱土协同增韧环氧树脂

采用机械搅拌和离心分散的方法制备了多壁碳纳米管-有机蒙脱土/环氧树脂复合材料。X射线衍射分析表明,当有机蒙脱土含量为2 wt%时, 蒙脱土在树脂体系中能够形成离散性结构。断裂韧性测试结果表明,多壁碳纳米管和有机蒙脱土的混杂对环氧树脂具有协同增韧的作用。当有机蒙脱土含量为2 wt%,多壁碳纳米管含量为0.1 wt%时,所得复合材料的断裂韧性是纯环氧树脂的1.77倍,是2 wt%有机蒙脱土/环氧树脂复合材料的1.45倍,是0.1 wt%多壁碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料的1.39倍。扫描电镜分析表明,多壁碳纳米管在环氧树脂体系中分散均匀,并与有机蒙脱土片层形成了一定程度的相互穿插和咬合,多壁碳纳米管与有机蒙脱土协同增韧的主要原因是微裂纹增韧、剪切屈服与纤维拔出。      

混杂功能化多壁碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料的制备及性能

对多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)分别进行共价、非共价和混杂功能化改性, 然后采用溶液共混法, 将三种功能化类型的MWCNTs按不同质量分数分别加入环氧树脂(EP)制备MWCNTs/EP复合材料。通过拉伸试验和热重分析, 研究MWCNTs的功能化类型及含量对复合材料力学性能和热学性能的影响, 并对复合材料拉伸试件断面进行SEM观察分析。结果表明: 与共价功能化复合材料(MWCNTs-Epon828/EP)和非共价功能化复合材料(MWCNTs-PPA/EP)相比, 混杂功能化复合材料(MWCNTs-Epon828-PPA/EP)的力学性能和热学性能最佳。当MWCNTs质量分数为0.3%时, 其拉伸强度、弹性模量和断裂伸长率较纯EP分别提高30%, 62%和26%。      

Characterization of defects in carbon fiber-reinforced plastics by inverse heat conduction analysis using transfer matrix between layers

In this study, inverse analyses of the defects in carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRPs) are performed using the transfer matrix approach. The material properties used in the calculation were obtained on the basis of mixture laws for epoxy resin and carbon fibers. The accuracy of the inverse analysis was confirmed by calculations employing numerical models of CFRP plates with PAN-based and pitch-based carbon fibers containing defects. The inverse analysis was conducted based on the temperature distribution of CFRP laminates with PAN-based carbon fibers, which was obtained by infrared measurements. The analyses successfully estimated the positions of defects, and the effectiveness of the transfer matrix method for CFRPs was demonstrated through the inverse analysis.     

Multiscale carbon fibre–reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites containing carbon nanotubes with tailored interfaces

Pristine and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with tailored interfaces were efficiently dispersed in an epoxy matrix using a three‐roll mill and further reinforced with carbon fibres. 1.3‐Dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides was used for the chemical modification of MWCNTs by a solvent‐free approach. The influence of different loadings and types of MWCNTs on the final properties of the epoxy matrix was studied. Moreover, the most promising formulations were selected for manufacturing of prepreg sheets. The transversal tensile properties and the interlaminar fracture toughness under mode I loading (G_IC) of multiscale carbon fibre–reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites were characterized. The results point out that it is not straightforward to transfer the remarkable intrinsic properties of MWCNTs to the composite level, although an overall positive trend was found. Double cantilever beam experiments showed that G_IC of CFRP composites was improved 44% at ultralow content of functionalized MWCNTs (0.043 wt%).     

Corrosion process and abatement in reinforced concrete wrapped by fiber reinforced polymer

The corrosion performance of steel reinforcement embedded in concrete samples encased by carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) wraps was investigated experimentally. Concrete samples were wrapped with 0−3 fabric layers impregnated with one of two different epoxies. To accelerate corrosion, samples were subjected to an impressed current and a high salinity solution. Current flow measurements dynamically monitored corrosion activity during exposure, while reinforcement mass losses were measured following exposure. Theoretical predictions of total mass loss were compared with actual corrosion mass loss values. Test results indicated that CFRP wrapped specimens had prolonged test life, decreased reinforcement mass loss, and lower corrosion rates. The performance of wrapped specimens was superior to that of either control samples or those coated only with epoxy. Results indicated that the level of corrosion abatement provided by the CFRP wraps was influenced both by the type of epoxy used and the number of wrap layers.     

Galvanic Corrosion and Mechanical Behavior of Fiber Metal Laminates of Metallic Glass and Carbon Fiber Composites

The possibility of galvanic corrosion typically prohibits the pairing of carbon fiber and aluminum in a fiber metal laminate (FML). In this study, the authors describe a new type of FML comprised of alternating layers of bulk metallic glass (BMG) and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite. The authors compare the galvanic coupling and mechanical behavior of an Al‐based FML and a BMG‐CFRP FML. Results show that when paired with CFRPs, BMG exhibits far less galvanic corrosion than aluminum paired with CFRP. In fact, the corrosion between BMG and CFRP is similar in magnitude to the corrosion between aluminum and glass fiber, the two constituent materials of GLARE, the most widely used FML. While interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength are similar for both FML types, the tensile strength and modulus of BMG‐based FMLs are greater than those of Al‐based FMLs.

     

Effect of CNTs addition on the erosive wear response of epoxy resin and carbon fibre composites

In the current study we investigated the effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) addition on the erosive wear response of epoxy resin and carbon fibre reinforced laminates (CFRPs) and demonstrated the positive synergy of CNTs and carbon fibres, which resulted in almost 50% decrease of the erosion rate (ER) of the CFRPs at high impact angles (90°). Incorporation of CNTs led in slight increase of the ER of the epoxy systems, especially at low impact angles. The relative fibre orientation in the CFRPs had a negligible effect on the erosive wear response mainly due to the quasi isotropic nature of the tested CFRPs. Based on the erosion efficiency parameter the response of the epoxy systems was characterised as semi-brittle, while CFRPs behaved in a brittle manner. Scanning electron micrograph provided evidence that the presence of CNTs reduced the amount of broken and/or detached fibres in the case of CFRPs.     

The thermal conductivity of embedded nano-aluminum nitride-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes in epoxy composites containing micro-aluminum nitride particles

Amino-functionalized nano-aluminum nitride (nano-AlN) particles were doped onto the surfaces of chlorinated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to act as fillers in thermally conducting composites. These synthesized materials were embedded in epoxy resin. Then, the untreated micro-aluminum nitride (micro-AlN) particles were added to this resin, whereby the composites filled with nano-AlN-doped MWCNTs (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 wt%) and micro-AlN (25.2, 44.1, 57.4 vol%) were fabricated. As a result, the thermal diffusivity and conductivity of all composites continuously improved with increasing nano-AlN-doped MWCNT content and micro-AlN filler loading. The thermal conductivity reached its maximum, which was 31.27 times that of the epoxy alone, when 2 wt% nano-AlN-doped MWCNTs and 57.4 vol% micro-AlN were added to the epoxy resin. This result is due to the high aspect ratio of the MWCNTs and the surface polarity of the doped nano-AlN and micro-AlN particles, resulting in the improved thermal properties of the epoxy composite.     

多壁碳纳米管改性环氧树脂胶黏剂实验研究

将一种环氧树脂和表面羟基化的多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)按照质量比100∶0.1进行配比, 以超声波分散法制备MWCNTs/环氧树脂胶黏剂, 考察了两种硅烷偶联剂KH550和KH560对MWCNTs改性效果的影响。采用FTIR、 DSC、 DMA、 流变仪研究了MWCNTs对胶黏剂固化行为和流变特性的影响, 并结合断口形貌观察, 测试分析了MWCNTs对胶黏剂拉伸剪切强度和冲击强度的影响。结果表明: 硅烷偶联剂能与MWCNTs表面的羟基发生缩合反应, 增强了MWCNTs与环氧树脂基体的亲和性, 从而影响胶黏剂固化反应及黏度-剪切速率曲线; 经KH550改性的MWCNTs明显提高了胶黏剂与金属的界面粘结性, Al-Al拉伸剪切强度较无MWCNTs的胶黏剂提高了46.4%; 添加MWCNTs使胶黏剂的冲击断面更为粗糙, 开裂面积更大; 添加MWCNTs+KH550的胶黏剂冲击强度提高了44.1%, 说明MWCNTs/环氧树脂间界面性能对发挥MWCNTs的增韧效果非常重要。      

纳米碳形貌对纳米碳/聚乙烯导电复合材料性能的影响

分别以纺锤形碳酸钙表面改性的二维片状石墨烯微片（CGM）和多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs）作为导电剂填充改性聚乙烯（PE）制备导电复合材料。重点研究了二维或一维纳米碳/PE复合材料形成导电网络时力学与电学性能。CGM/PE或MWCNTs/PE复合材料达到抗静电要求时CGM的质量分数为8wt%,而MWCNTs的质量分数为1wt%。填充8wt% CGM的复合材料表现出优异的综合性能,而填充0.5wt% MWCNTs的复合材料综合力学性能达到最大值还未能达到抗静电要求,达到抗静电要求时MWCNTs/PE复合材料的综合力学性能出现下降趋势。通过形貌及流变学分析了复合材料不同的力学与电学性能的微观作用因素。CGM/PE复合材料流变渗流阈值与导电渗流阈值存在比较好的相关性,MWCNTs/PE复合材料达到流变渗流阈值还不能形成导电网络。结果表明,与二维CGM相比,一维MWCNTs不易均匀分散于聚合物基体中,并降低MWCNTs/PE复合材料的力学性能。     

多壁巴基纸/环氧复合材料拉伸性能的影响因素

采用抽滤法制备了多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)纸(又称巴基纸), 研究了巴基纸增强不同环氧基体复合材料(巴基纸复合材料)的拉伸性能及其断口形貌, 分析了MWCNT含量、 树脂基体拉伸性能以及巴基纸与树脂的界面黏附作用对复合材料拉伸性能的影响。结果表明: 在MWCNT质量分数小于39.1%范围内, 增加碳纳米管含量, 可显著提高巴基纸/环氧复合材料的拉伸性能; 巴基纸/环氧复合材料的拉伸强度和模量与树脂基体的性能密切相关, 其拉伸破坏形式受基体的脆韧性影响显著; 相比较而言, 巴基纸与树脂间的黏附功对巴基纸/环氧复合材料拉伸性能的影响不明显。     

Modification of surface functionality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on fracture toughness of basalt fiber-reinforced composites

In this work, we studied the influence of surface functionality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on the mechanical properties of basalt fiber-reinforced composites. Acid and base values of the MWCNTs were determined by Boehm's titration technique. The surface properties of the MWCNTs were determined FT-IR, and XPS. The mechanical properties of the composites were assessed by measuring the interlaminar shear stress, fracture toughness, fracture energy, and impact strength. The chemical treatments led to a change of the surface characteristics of the MWCNTs and of the mechanical interfacial properties of MWCNTs/basalt fibers/epoxy composites. Especially the acid-treated MWCNTs/basalt fibers/epoxy composites had improved mechanical properties compared to the base-treated and non-treated MWCNTs/basalt fibers/epoxy composites. These results can probably be attributed to the improved interfacial bonding strength resulting from the improved dispersion and interfacial adhesion between the epoxy resin and the MWCNTs.     

高能量超声波改性MWCNTs/环氧树脂特性分析

采用高能量超声波与低能量超声波对一种多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)/环氧树脂体系进行改性处理,结合流变仪、DSC、FTIR、XPS、XRD、TEM等测试手段,分析了不同超声波处理条件下MWCNTs物理化学特性的变化及其对MWCNTs在环氧树脂中的分散性和相容性的影响,并进一步考察了MWCNTs/环氧树脂体系的耐热性和弯曲性能。实验结果表明:超声波能量不同,MWCNTs的改性效果不同,高能量超声波对MWCNTs有更好的分散效果和分散效率,并能使MWCNTs表面活性增强,而低能量超声波则不明显;添加少量高能量超声波改性的MWCNTs,可以提高环氧树脂的弯曲模量和玻璃化转变温度,表明MWCNTs与基体之间形成了较强的结合界面。