Effects of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on thermal and interlaminar shear responses of E-glass/polyester composites

A high intensity ultrasonic liquid processor was used to infuse 0.1–0.4 wt.% carbon nanofibers (CNFs) into the polyester matrix which was then mixed with a catalyst using a high speed mechanical agitator. Both conventional and nanophased glass fiber reinforced polyester composites (GRPCs) were fabricated using the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed best dispersion of CNFs in the 0.2 wt.% CNF-loaded resin. Proper resin flow and impregnation of the glass fibers were also seen in the SEM micrographs. DMA studies exhibited about 49.5% increase in the storage modulus and about 3 °C increase in the glass transition temperature (T_g) due to the incorporation of CNFs into the GRPC. TMA studies also showed better thermal stability and lower thermal expansion in the CNF-loaded GRPC. CNF-loaded GRPC showed higher ILSS due to better interfacial bonding between the fiber and matrix due to the presence of CNFs. Fracture morphology studied by both optical microscope (OM) and SEM revealed better interfacial bonding in the CNF-loaded GRPC.     

Effect of alumina,silk and ceria short fibers in reinforcement of Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resin

The present study is focused to investigate influence of short fibers such as Alumina Microfibers (AMFs), Silk Microfibers (SMFs) and Ceria Nanofibers (CNFs) as reinforcements in Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin towards development of composite dental filler. Morphologies of AMFs, SMFs, CNFs and their representative fracture surfaces of the reinforced dental resins/composites were examined by SEM. X-ray Diffraction Analysis was done to analyse the phase of the fibers used in this study and degree-of-conversion of the fiber incorporated base resin was studied by FTIR. Viscosity study of fiber resin mixture, depth of cure and mass change behaviour of the fibers resin composites in artificial saliva were done to analyse the flow ability and physical properties of the fiber resin composites. Mechanical properties of the composites were tested by a universal testing machine. This study demonstrated that incorporation of 10% AMFs, 5% SMFs, and 3.33% CNFs individually in Bis-GMA/TEGDMA dental resin resulted in similar degree of conversion compared to the control. Also the fiber reinforced composites (10% AMFs, 5% SMFs, and 3.33% CNFs) demonstrated significant improvement in mechanical properties compared to Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin (Control). However, depth of cure was significantly reduced due to incorporation of fibers in the resin. The reinforcement effect of AMFs, SMFs in dental resin was superior due to their uniform distribution and good interfacial bonding between fibers and resin matrix. In case of CNFs, rapid increase in viscosity during mixing of fibers with resin and inhomogeneous mixing were the major problem encountered during formulation, which was mainly associated with high surface to volume ration of the nanofibers. The resultant composite containing CNFs had less improvement in mechanical properties which may be due to less fiber content, formation of agglomerates and improper distribution of the fibers in the composite which subsequently resulted in reduction of adhesive strength.     

Enhancing compressive strength of unidirectional polymeric composites using nanoclay

Morphology of nanoclay dispersed in resin and suspended in acetone was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM and TEM images show intercalation of resin in the gallery spaces of nanoclay and regions of exfoliated clay with random orientation. A vacuum assisted wet lay-up (VAWL) process was used for the inclusion of nanoclay in conventional fiber reinforced composites. The VAWL specimen displayed improvement in off-axis compressive strength for nanoclay enhanced fiber composites. Addition of nanoclay produced a substantial increase in longitudinal compressive strengths (extracted from off-axis tests) of glass fiber reinforced composites. An elastic–plastic model was used to predict the compressive strength of fiber reinforced composites based on the matrix properties. The model predictions matched well with the experimental results.     

Mechanical and thermal characterization of epoxy composites reinforced with random and quasi-unidirectional untreated Phormium tenax leaf fibers

The present work investigates tensile and flexural behavior of untreated New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax) fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Two series of laminates were produced using the same reinforcement content (20 wt%), arranged either as short fibers or quasi-unidirectional ones. Composites reinforced using quasi-unidirectional fibers showed higher modulus and strength both in tensile and flexural loading, when compared to neat epoxy resin. Short fiber composites, although still superior to epoxy resin both for tensile and flexural moduli, proved inferior in strength, especially as concerns tensile strength. These results have been supported by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which allowed characterizing fiber–matrix interface, and by acoustic emission (AE) analysis, which enabled investigating failure mechanisms. In addition, thermal behavior of both untreated phormium fibers and composites has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), revealing the thermal stability of composites to be higher than for phormium fibers and epoxy matrix alone.     

Uniaxial ratchetting of polymer and polymer matrix composites: Time-dependent experimental observations

The uniaxial time-dependent ratchetting of polyester resin and glass fiber reinforced polyester resin matrix composites was observed by the stress-controlled cyclic tension–compression with non-zero tensile mean stress and tension–tension tests at room temperature. After the ratchetting of the polyester resin had been observed by the cyclic tests with different loading conditions including some time-related factors, such as stress rate and peak stress hold, the ratchetting evolutions of the continuous and short glass fiber reinforced resin matrix composites were also investigated by the stress-controlled cyclic tests, respectively. It is concluded that: both the polyester resin and its composites present apparent ratchetting deformation, i.e., the ratchetting strain accumulates progressively in the tensile direction during the cyclic tension–compression with non-zero tensile mean stress and tension–tension tests; the ratchetting depends on the applied stress amplitude, mean stress, stress rate and peak stress hold, and the time-dependent ratchetting is obvious even for the continuous glass fiber reinforced resin matrix composites with high fiber volume fraction (such as 40% and 50%); the time-dependent ratchetting of the polyester resin and its composites mainly stems from the viscosity of the polyester resin, while the addition of glass fiber into the resin matrix improves the resistance of the composites to the ratchetting deformation and lowers the time-dependence of the ratchetting simultaneously.     

Surface modification of carbon nanofibers by glycidoxysilane for altering the conductive and mechanical properties of epoxy composites

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were functionalized with 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane and dispersed into epoxy resin. The chemical modification of CNFs was confirmed by FTIR, SEM, EDX and TGA measurements. After silanization, FTIR showed the existance of epoxy ring; EDX detected Si element; while TGA indicated 1.1 wt.% Si on CNFs. Mechanical properties were analyzed by DMA. Silanized CNFs/epoxy composites demonstrated improved dispersion of CNFs in the matrix, and an enhancement of storage modulus for about 20% compared to the neat matrix, which indicated that the modification of CNFs improved the adhesion between fillers and matrices. DC electrical conductivity of CNFs was reduced about 7-fold compared to the original CNFs due to the silane coating. Accordingly, the composites containing silanized CNFs also had lower electrical conductivity than those containing original CNFs. In spite of decreased electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity of silanized CNFs/epoxy composites was increased due to the surface modification of CNFs.     

Effect of carbon nanofibers on the cure kinetics of unsaturated polyester resin: Thermal and chemorheological modelling

We report the study of the effects of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the cure kinetics and on the chemorheology of unsaturated polyester resins (UP). Two main experimental techniques were utilized: differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry. Isothermal and dynamic tests were performed on the neat polyester resin and on two nanocomposite systems, with 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% of CNFs. Furthermore, a TGA study of the selected systems at different isothermal temperatures was performed to evaluate the styrene consumption and related loss rate during the curing process. Subsequently, a phenomenological model (autocatalytic approach) was applied to the experimental data, both in isothermal and dynamic conditions. In the case of dynamic curing, the evidence of multiple peaks in the heat flow curves was studied through the deconvolution of the overall reaction thermogram in single reaction steps. An empirical rheological model coupled with the reaction kinetics was successfully applied to simulate the viscosity changes of the UP matrix. Experimental and modelling results demonstrate the presence of a delay effect of the CNFs on the cure of the UP resin matrix.     

Surface modification of cellulose nanofibers with alkenyl succinic anhydride for high-density polyethylene reinforcement

Hydrophobic cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by surface modification using alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA). The hydrophobicity of CNFs was varied by changing the degree of substitution (DS) from 0 to 0.83. Modified CNFs were mixed with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) using a twin-screw extruder and the resulting composites were injection molded. The tensile properties initially improved with increasing DS up to ∼0.3–0.5, and then decreased with further substitution. The tensile strength and modulus of 10 wt.% HDPE/CNF composites containing 8.8 wt.% ASA (DS: 0.44) were 43.4 MPa and 1.97 GPa, respectively. These values were both almost 70% higher than those of composites containing unmodified CNF, and 100% and 86% higher, respectively, than those for pure HDPE. X-ray computed tomography measurements showed that CNFs modified with a DS of 0.44 were dispersed uniformly within the resin matrix, whilst unmodified CNFs and those modified with a DS of 0.77 agglomerated within the composites.     

Improving the interlaminar properties of polymer composites using a situ accumulation method to construct the multi-scale reinforcement of carbon nanofibers/carbon fibers

A novel method was developed to realize the situ accumulation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in the carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) to construct the multi-scale reinforcement for improving the interlaminar properties. In this method, the prepreg was sealed by the nanomicroporous nylon membrane, and the excess resin was extracted from the prepreg by the vacuum-assisted method. It was found that the use of nylon membrane resulted in effective CNFs accumulation, especially in the interlayer by scanning electron microscopy. Short-beam strength tests and the end-notched flexure tests were conducted respectively to evaluate the interlaminar properties of CFRPs under shear loading. The results indicated that the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and the Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IIC) of CFRPs made by the filtering membrane-assisted method remarkably increased compared with those prepared without using filtering membrane.     

Conductive CNF-reinforced hybrid composites by injection moulding

A carbon nanofibre (CNF)-loaded polyester matrix was used to prepare glass reinforced plastic (GRP) composites by light resin transfer moulding (LRTM) process in two different ways. The CNF-resin dispersion was injected or applied as a gel-coat in the mould. The incorporation of CNF to the injected matrix produced an increase in the strength of the composites at any studied CNF composition. The CNF gel-coat only produced reinforcement at 2 wt.% CNF load. Electrical characterization showed volume resistivity values below 10⁵ Ω cm with only 0.5 wt.% CNF in the matrix.     

Development of slate fiber reinforced high density polyethylene composites for injection molding

During the last decade the use of fiber reinforced composite materials has consolidated as an attracting alternative to traditional materials due to an excellent balance between mechanical properties and lightweight. One drawback related to the use of inorganic fibers such as those derived from siliceous materials is the relative low compatibility with conventional organic polymer matrices. Surface treatments with coupling agents and the use of copolymers allow increasing fiber–matrix interactions which has a positive effect on overall properties of composites. In this research work we report the use of slate fiber treated with different coupling agents as reinforcement for high density polyethylene from sugarcane. A silane (propyltrimethoxy silane; PTMS) and a graft copolymer (polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride; PE-g-MA) were used to improve fiber–matrix interactions on HDPE-slate fiber. The effect of the different compatibilizing systems and slate fiber content were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DTMA) as well as mechanical properties (tensile, flexural and impact). The results show that the use of silane coupling agents leads to higher fiber–matrix interactions which has a positive effect on overall mechanical properties. Interesting results are obtained for composites containing 30 wt.% slate fiber previously treated with propyltrimethoxy silane (PTMS) with an increase in tensile and flexural strength of about 16% and 18% respectively.     

Effects of moisture and UV exposure on liquid molded carbon fabric reinforced nylon 6 composite laminates

Liquid molding of thermoplastics has been limited by high resin viscosity, high temperature processing requirements, and a short processing window [Sibal PW, Camargo RE, Macosko CW. Designing nylon 6 polymerization for RIM. In: Proceedings of the second international conference on reactive processing of polymers, Pittsburgh, PA; 1982, p. 97–125.]. The processing parameters for vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) developed by the authors and previously reported [Pillay S, Vaidya UK, Janowski GM. Liquid molding of carbon fabric-reinforced nylon matrix composite laminates. J Thermoplast Compos Mater 2005;18:509–27] have been adapted to process carbon/nylon 6 composite panels. The present work addresses the effects of moisture and ultraviolet (UV) exposure on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of carbon fabric reinforced, thermoplastic polyamide 6 matrix panels processed using VARTM. The Bao and Yee dual diffusivity model [Bao LR, Yee AF. Moisture diffusion and hygrothermal aging in bismaleimide matrix carbon fiber composites: Part II – Woven and hybrid composites. Compos Sci Technol 2002;62:2111–9] was applied to evaluate the moisture uptake for the C/PA6, fully immersed in distilled water at 100 °C. SEM results show that moisture exposure result in surface micro-cracks compromise of the fiber–matrix interface. The flexural strength is lowered by 45%, after exposure to moisture at 100 °C. UV exposure up to 600 h causes yellowing of the samples and an increase in crystallinity from 40% to 44%.     

Influence of coupling agent content on the properties of high density polyethylene composites reinforced with oil palm fibers

Oil palm fiber reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites which can be used in several applications (mechanical part, fiber panel, etc.) were manufactured by twin-screw extrusion followed by compression molding. In particular, the effect of coupling agent (maleated polypropylene, MAPP) concentration (0, 2, 4 and 6 wt.%) was investigated for 30 and 40 wt.% oil palm fiber. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and mechanical testing (tension and impact) were carried out to determine the effect of fiber and compatibilizer contents. The results showed that compatibilized composites have increased stiffness due to enhanced interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the matrix, as well as better homogeneity (better fiber dispersion) due to chemical bonding. The optimum MAPP content was found to be 4% for the range of conditions tested.     

Development of kenaf-glass reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite for structural applications

The main aim of this paper is to develop kenaf-glass (KG) fibres reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite on a source of green composite using sheet moulding compound process. Unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) and KG fibres in mat form were used at a ratio of 70:30 (by volume) with treated and untreated kenaf fibre. The kenaf fibre was treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) diluted solution for 3 h using mercerization method. The hybrid composites were tested for flexural, tensile and Izod impact strength using ASTM D790-03, ASTM D618 and ASTM D256-04 standards respectively. The highest flexural, tensile and impact strength were obtained from treated kenaf with 15/15 v/v KG fibres reinforced UPE hybrid composite in this investigation.Scanning electron microscopy fractography showed fibre cracking, debonding and fibre pulled-out as the main fracture mode of composites and kenaf treated 15/15 v/v KG reinforced hybrid composite exhibited better interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcement compared to other combinations.     

Mechanical characterization of hierarchical carbon fiber/nanofiber composite laminates

Susceptibility to matrix driven failure is one of the major weaknesses of continuous-fiber composites. In this study, helical-ribbon carbon nanofibers (CNF) were dispersed in the matrix phase of a continuous carbon fiber-reinforced composite. Along with an unreinforced control, the resulting hierarchical composites were tested to failure in several modes of quasi-static testing designed to assess matrix-dominated mechanical properties and fracture characteristics. Results indicated CNF addition offered simultaneous increases in tensile stiffness, strength and toughness while also enhancing both compressive and flexural strengths. Short-beam strength testing resulted in no apparent improvement while the fracture energy required for the onset of mode I interlaminar delamination was enhanced by 35%. Extrinsic toughening mechanisms, e.g., intralaminar fiber bridging and trans-ply cracking, significantly affected steady-state crack propagation values. Scanning electron microscopy of delaminated fracture surfaces revealed improved primary fiber–matrix adhesion and indications of CNF-induced matrix toughening.     

Properties enhancement using oil palm shell nanoparticles of fibers reinforced polyester hybrid composites

Oil palm shell (OPS) nanoparticles were utilized as filler in fibers reinforced polyester hybrid composites. The OPS nanoparticles were successfully produced from the raw OPS using high-energy ball milling process. Fundamental properties including morphology, crystalline size, and particle size of the OPS nanoparticles were determined. Tri-layer natural fiber reinforcement (kenaf–coconut–kenaf fiber mat) polyester hybrid composites were prepared by hand lay-up techniques. The influences of the OPS nanoparticles loading in the natural fibers reinforced polyester hybrid composites were determined by analyzing physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of the composites. Results showed that the incorporation of the OPS nanoparticles into the hybrid composites enhanced the composite properties. Further, the natural fibers reinforced polyester hybrid composite had the highest physical, mechanical, morphological, and thermal characteristics at 3 wt.% OPS nanoparticles loading.     

Particle–matrix interface microstructure of in situ TiCp–AlNp/Al composite

Metal–matrix composites reinforced with sub-micrometre particles of TiC and AlN are made by in situ reaction of CH₄ and NH₃ gases with an Al–6.2Ti–4.6Mg (wt.%) melt, with a range of processing conditions being explored. High-resolution electron microscopy of the particle/matrix interfaces show that in all cases they are clean and well bonded. The orientation relationships between the various types of particle and the matrix are examined. In samples where the Ti is completely consumed by the reaction, the TiC particles are coated with a thin layer of Al₃Ti. The presence of this layer has little effect on the mechanical properties of the composites.     

Friction and wear behavior of carbon fiber reinforced brake materials

A new composite brake material was fabricated with metallic powders, barium sulphate and modified phenolic resin as the matrix and carbon fiber as the reinforced material. The friction, wear and fade characteristics of this composite were determined using a D-MS friction material testing machine. The surface structure of carbon fiber reinforced friction materials was analyzed by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Glass fiberreinforced and asbestos fiber-reinforced composites with the same matrix were also fabricated for comparison. The carbon fiber-reinforced friction materials (CFRFM) shows lower wear rate than those of glass fiber- and asbestos fiber-reinforced composites in the temperature range of 100°C-300°C. It is interesting that the frictional coefficient of the carbon fiber-reinforced friction materials increases as frictional temperature increases from 100°C to 300°C, while the frictional coefficients of the other two composites decrease during the increasing temperatures. Based on the SEM observation, the wear mechanism of CFRFM at low temperatures included fiber thinning and pull-out. At high temperature, the phenolic matrix was degraded and more pull-out enhanced fiber was demonstrated. The properties of carbon fiber may be the main reason that the CFRFM possess excellent tribological performances.     

Carbon nanofibers enhance the fracture toughness and fatigue performance of a structural epoxy system

This study investigates the monotonic and dynamic fracture characteristics of a discontinuous fiber reinforced polymer matrix. Specifically, small amounts (0-1 wt.%) of a helical-ribbon carbon nanofiber (CNF) were added to an amine cured epoxy system. The resulting nanocomposites were tested to failure in two modes of testing; Mode I fracture toughness and constant amplitude of stress tension-tension fatigue. Fracture toughness testing revealed that adding 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% CNFs to the epoxy matrix enhanced the resistance to fracture by 66% and 78%, respectively. Fatigue testing at 20 MPa peak stress showed a median increase in fatigue life of 180% and 365% over the control by the addition of 0.5 and 1.0 wt.% CNF, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate the addition of small weight fractions of CNFs to significantly enhance the monotonic fracture behavior and long-term fatigue performance of this polymer. A discussion is presented linking the two behaviors indicating their interdependence and reliance upon the stress intensity factor, K.     

Mechanical and abrasive wear characterization of bidirectional and chopped E-glass fiber reinforced composite materials

Bi-directional and chopped E-glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites are fabricated in five different (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35) wt% in an epoxy resin matrix. The mechanical characterization of these composites is performed. The three body abrasive wear behavior of fabricated composites has been assessed under different operating conditions. Abrasive wear characteristics of these composites are successfully analysed using Taguchi’s experimental design scheme and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results obtained from these experiments are also validated against existing microscopic models of Ratner-Lancaster and Wang. It is observed that quite good linear relationships is held between specific wear rate and reciprocal of ultimate strength and strain at tensile fracture of these composites which is an indicative that the experimental results are in fair agreement with these existing models. Out of all composites fabricated it is found that tensile strength of bi-directional E-glass fiber reinforced composites increases because of interface strength enhancement. Chopped glass fiber reinforced composites are observed to perform better than bi-directional glass fiber reinforced composites under abrasive wear situations. The morphology of worn composite specimens has been examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to understand about dominant wear mechanisms.