Review of electro-active shape-memory polymer composite

Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have been one of the most popular subjects under intensive investigation in recent years, due to their many novel properties and great potential. These so-called SMPs by far surpass shape-memory alloys and shape-memory ceramics in many properties, e.g., easy manufacture, programming, high shape recovery ratio and low cost, and so on. However, they have not fully reached their technological potential, largely due to that the actuation of shape recovery in thermal-responsive SMPs is normally only driven by external heat. Thus, electro-activate SMP has been figured out and its significance is increasing in years to come. This review focuses on the progress of electro-activate SMP composites. Special emphases are given on the filler types that affect the conductive properties of these composites. Then, the mechanisms of electric conduction are addressed.     

Preparation and characterization of transparent Al doped ZnO/epoxy composite as thermal-insulating coating

In this article, transparent Al doped ZnO (AZO)/epoxy composite, as glass thermal insulation coating, was prepared by incorporating AZO nanoparticles into a transparent epoxy matrix. First, the as-synthesized AZO nanoparticles by the polymer pyrolysis method were characterized and the effect of Al doping content on the electrical conductivity of AZO nanoparticles was investigated. The results reveal that the AZO nanoparticles doped with 6 mol% Al obtained from calcination at 600 °C show the optimal electrical conductivity. The effects of AZO content on the optical and thermal insulation property of AZO/epoxy coating were also studied. It is shown that the AZO/epoxy composite coating with 0.5 wt% AZO possesses excellent optical properties, i.e. visible light transmittance above 50% and shading coefficient of 0.45 are simultaneously achieved. In addition, the large temperature difference between the chambers coated respectively with the AZO/epoxy coated glasses and the common glass indicates that the prepared AZO/epoxy coating has an excellent thermal insulation property.     

The role of disorder on the AC and DC electrical conductivity of vapour grown carbon nanofibre/epoxy composites

Four dispersion methods were used for the preparation of vapour grown carbon nanofibre (VGCNF)/epoxy composites. It is shown that each method induces certain levels of VGCNF dispersion and distribution within the matrix, and that these have a strong influence on the composite electrical properties. A homogenous VGCNF dispersion does not necessarily imply higher electrical conductivity. In fact, it is concluded that the presence of well distributed clusters, rather than a fine dispersion, is more important for achieving larger conductivities for a given VGCNF concentration. It is also found that the conductivity can be described by a weak disorder regime.     

Computational method for radar absorbing composite lattice grids

Composite lattice grids reinforced by glass fibers (GFRC) and carbon fibers (CFRC) filled with spongy materials can be designed as lightweight radar absorbing structures (RAS). In the present paper, a computational approach based on periodic moment method (PMM) has been developed to calculate reflection coefficients of radar absorbing composite lattice grids. Total reflection backing (TRB) is considered directly in our PMM program by treating it as a dielectric material with large imaginary part of permittivity. Two different mechanisms of reflection reduction for radar absorbing lattice grids are revealed. At low frequency, reflection coefficients increase with the volume fraction of the grid cell wall. At high frequency, several grating lobes propagate away from the doubly periodic plane, and reflection coefficients depend on both the cell wall volume fraction and interelement distance.     

Experimental testing and phenomenological modelling of the fragmentation process of braided carbon/epoxy composite tubes under axial and oblique impact

A new simulation technique is presented for the phenomenological modelling of stable fragmentation in fibre reinforced composite structures under dynamic compressive loading. An explicit crash code is used for implementation of a hybrid modelling technique, in which two distinct material models act simultaneously. The first model is implemented in a multi-layered shell element and uses a unidirectional composites fracture criterion to predict potential ply fracture mechanisms on a macroscopic scale. This model is, however, unable to represent the complex localised fracture mechanisms that occur on a meso (sub-ply) scale under compression fragmentation loading. Therefore, a second constitutive model is added to capture the energy absorbing process within the fragmentation zone, utilising an Energy Absorbing Contact (EAC) formulation between the composite structure and the impacting body. The essential benefits of the procedure are that it requires minimal input data that can be obtained from simple fragmentation tests, and that the procedure is computationally efficient enabling application to large scale industrial structures. The EAC theory is discussed, together with the required material model parameters. A series of dynamic axial and oblique impact tests and simulations of cylindrical continuous carbon fibre reinforced composite tubes have been performed to validate the approach. Furthermore, the application to more complex load cases including combinations of fragmentation and global structural fracture have also shown a good correlation with test results.     

Relation between repeated uniaxial compressive pressure and electrical resistance of carbon nanotube filled silicone rubber composite

Carbon nanotube filled polymer composite can be used as sensitive material of flexible pressure sensor. By using solution mixing method, carbon nanotubes are dispersed into silicone rubber matrix to fabricate the composite. The piezoresistivities of the composite with different carbon nanotube concentrations under repeated compressions are researched quantitatively. The monotonicity of the piezoresistivity is dependent on the content of carbon nanotube and the range of the applied pressure. The reproducibility error of the piezoresistivity decreases with the increase of the compression cycles. The experimental data of the piezoresistivity are fitted by the linear combination of two exponential functions. The piezoresistive mechanism is studied qualitatively by analyzing the changes in the carbon nanotube network.     

CF/EP composite laminates with carbon black and copper chloride for improved electrical conductivity and interlaminar fracture toughness

An experimental study was conducted to improve the electrical conductivity of continuous carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminate, with simultaneous improvement in mechanical performance, by incorporating nano-scale carbon black (CB) particles and copper chloride (CC) electrolyte into the epoxy matrix. CF/EP laminates of 65 vol.% of carbon fibres were manufactured using a vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) technique. The effects of CB and the synergy of CB/CC on electrical resistivity, tensile strength and elastic modulus and fracture toughness (K_IC) of the epoxy matrix were experimentally characterised, as well as the transverse tensile modulus and strength, Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of the CF/EP laminates. The results showed that the addition of up to 3.0 wt.% CB in the epoxy matrix, with the assistance of CC, noticeably improved the electrical conductivity of the epoxy and the CF/EP laminates, with mechanical performance also enhanced to a certain extent.     

A practical structural health monitoring system for carbon fibre reinforced composite based on electrical resistance

A practical structural health monitoring system based on measuring changes in the electrical resistance of a carbon fibre composite structure is presented. Electrical contact with the fibres is provided by flexible printed circuit boards which are interleaved with the carbon fibre plies during the lamination of the composite. The resistance between opposite pairs of contacts was measured before and after an impact load which caused barely visible impact damage (BVID) in the panel. It was found that even low levels of impact damage produced measurable changes in resistance in the vicinity of the damage. Therefore was demonstrated that electrical resistance measurements are a practical means of locating BVID. Various parameters were studied in order to better understand the mechanisms involved and optimise the system for improved sensitivity and accuracy. The location of the contacts in the through thickness direction, the spacing and orientation of the contacts and the residual thermal stress of the laminate were all investigated and recommendations made. A structural health monitoring system for composites based on electrical resistance has several important potential benefits over acoustic, ultrasonic or optical methods; it adds little parasitic mass, causes no reduction in mechanical integrity, can be carried out on structures either in or out of service conditions and is very simple in concept, implementation and data interpretation.     

Quantification of uncertainty modelling in stochastic analysis of FRP composites

The extensive use of FRP composite materials in a wide range of industries, and their inherent variability, has prompted many researchers to assess their performance from a probabilistic perspective. This paper attempts to quantify the uncertainty in FRP composites and to summarise the different stochastic modelling approaches suggested in the literature. Researchers have considered uncertainties starting at a constituent (fibre/matrix) level, at the ply level or at a coupon or component level. The constituent based approach could be further classified as a random variable based stochastic computational mechanics approach (whose usage is comparatively limited due to complex test data requirements and possible uncertainty propagation errors) and the more widely used morphology based random composite modelling which has been recommended for exploring local damage and failure characteristics. The ply level analysis using either stiffness/strength or fracture mechanics based models is suggested when the ply characteristics influence the composite properties significantly, or as a way to check the propagation of uncertainties across length scales. On the other hand, a coupon or component level based uncertainty modelling is suggested when global response characteristics govern the design objectives. Though relatively unexplored, appropriate cross-fertilisation between these approaches in a multi-scale modelling framework seems to be a promising avenue for stochastic analysis of composite structures. It is hoped that this review paper could facilitate and strengthen this process.     

Thermo-viscoelastic analysis of the integrated T-shaped composite structures

A thermo-viscoelastic finite element analysis is used to investigate the residual stresses and the curing deformation of the integrated T-shaped composite structure. First, a three dimensional (3D) incremental viscoelastic constitutive equation is established and implemented into the finite element software ABAQUS to predict the full field warpage profiles of the integrated T-shaped structures. These results are validated based on the measured data obtained from digital speckle correlation technology. Second, the effects of the cooling rate on the warpage deformation and the residual stresses of the integrated T-shaped composite structure are studied. Finally, the relationships between the different curing strategies and the corresponding residual stresses are studied, and it shows that the Outside-to-Inside curing strategy will develop the smallest residual stresses for the integrated T-shaped composite structures.     

Layered dielectric–magnetic composite structures for Rf-applications

In this paper multilayer magnetic–dielectric composite structures for high frequency applications are introduced. The 0–3 type dielectric and magnetic composites with homogeneously distributed ceramic inclusions were fabricated by mixing extrusion and injection moulding. Magnetic Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) and Z-type Hexaferrite (HexaZ) as well as paraelectric Barium Strontium Titanate (BST) powders were used to enhance the permittivity and permeability of the composites. The magnetic–dielectric multilayer composites were constructed by hot-laminating magnetic and dielectric layers in turn to create a solid 2-2 type composite structure. The microstructure, high frequency dielectric and magnetic properties of individual layers and 2-2 composites were investigated and measured. The measurement results indicate that such multimaterial multilayer structures are good candidates for components with reduced dielectric and magnetic losses. Moreover, the observed good frequency stability and the cut-off frequencies above 1 GHz suggested that the composites could be utilized in, e.g., sophisticated functional circuit boards and RF devices.     

Numerical investigation of mechanisms affecting the piezoresistive properties of CNT-doped polymers using multi-scale models

Carbon nanotube polymer nanocomposites exhibit conductive behavior due to the formation of conductive nanotube networks inside the polymer. Their electrical resistance is known to vary with strain. Two mechanisms that affect the conductivity and piezoresistive response of CNT nanocomposites are investigated using models at two discrete material scales: (a) nanoscale models to analyze the electromechanical response of carbon nanotubes and (b) nanotube percolation models to investigate the composites electrical resistance at microscale. Numerical studies determine the impact of each mechanism on the macroscopic response of the nanocomposite. Results suggest that the variation of nanotube resistance with strain is the dominant mechanism.     

Indomethacin/Cu/LDPE porous composite for medicated copper intrauterine devices with controlled release performances

A novel functional material, indomethacin/copper/low density polyethylene (IDM/Cu/LDPE) porous composite, has been developed for medicated copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUDs). The aim of this study was to report its preparation, structure and release performances. Samples of the IDM/Cu/LDPE porous composite were prepared by a combined technique involved in injection molding, particulate leaching, IDM solution incubating, and solvent vacuum drawing. Results of structure characterizations of these prepared samples show that the IDM/Cu/LDPE porous composite is obtained successfully and it is only a simple hybrid of IDM, copper particles and LDPE, and both the IDM and the copper particles are generally distributed homogeneously in its porous LDPE matrix. Results of IDM-loaded and release properties characterizations of these prepared samples show that the amount of loaded-IDM increases with the increasing of introduced porosity, and the release rates of both IDM and cupric ions increase with the increasing of porosity for these prepared samples with the same 25 wt.% of copper particles. It indicates that this novel porous composite not only can control its release of IDM, but also can control its release of cupric ions, its release properties can be regulated easily by controlling its amount of introduced porosity.     

A review and analysis of electrical percolation in carbon nanotube polymer composites

We review experimental and theoretical work on electrical percolation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) in polymer composites. We give a comprehensive survey of published data together with an attempt of systematization. Parameters like CNT type, synthesis method, treatment and dimensionality as well as polymer type and dispersion method are evaluated with respect to their impact on percolation threshold, scaling law exponent and maximum conductivity of the composite. Validity as well as limitations of commonly used statistical percolation theories are discussed, in particular with respect to the recently reported existence of a lower kinetic (allowing for re-aggregation) and a higher statistical percolation threshold.     

The effect of molecular chain polarity on electric field-induced aligned conductive carbon nanotube network formation in polymer melt

Two ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers containing 10 and 25 wt.% vinyl acetate (EVA10 and EVA25) were utilized to explore the effect of molecular polarity on the formation of conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) network in EVA melt under an electric field. Because of the different interfacial energy, it was supposed to be stronger molecular chain-CNT interaction in CNT/EVA25 than that in CNT/EVA10. The critical time for conductive CNT network formation decreased with annealing temperature, filler loading and EVA polarity. The activation energy of conductive CNT network formation (93.9 kJ/mol) in CNT/EVA10 is lower than that (104.7 kJ/mol) in CNT/EVA25. By a thermodynamic percolation model, the percolation threshold at the equilibrium state was about 0.19 vol.% for CNT/EVA10, while it rose to 0.27 vol.% for CNT/EVA25. Morphological observation showed a high degree of CNT alignment in CNT/EVA10 compared to CNT/EVA25 after application of an electric field. The results suggested the strong CNT–EVA chain interaction and higher viscosity of polymer matrix limited the CNT alignment and the conductive network tended to form easily in EVA melt with a low chain polarity.     

Electrical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) semi-transparent composites: Modelling of DC conductivity

Transparent conductive composites can be achieved from PVDF–MWCNT at very low concentration of MWCNT. These composites show different degree of UV–Visible radiation absorption depending on MWCNT concentration in composites. The composition dependent dielectric properties and AC conductivity were also measured for these composites. Properties like AC conductivity, dielectric constant and loss are increasing with filler concentration. The variations of DC conductivity against composition and temperature are also reported. The electrical hysteresis and electrical set are observed for PVDF–MWCNT composites when subjected to heating–cooling cycle. The validity of different theoretical models depicting percolation threshold with respect to DC conductivity was tested for these composites.     

The influence of nano/micro hybrid structure on the mechanical and self-sensing properties of carbon nanotube-microparticle reinforced epoxy matrix composite

Nano/micrometer hybrids are prepared by chemical vapor deposition growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on SiC, Al₂O₃ and graphene nanoplatelet (GNP). The mechanical and self-sensing behaviors of the hybrids reinforced epoxy composites are found to be highly dependent on CNT aspect ratio (AR), organization and substrates. The CNT–GNP hybrids exhibit the most significant reinforcing effectiveness, among the three hybrids with AR1200. During tensile loading, the in situ electrical resistance of the CNT–GNP/epoxy and the CNT–SiC/epoxy composites gradually increases to a maximum value and then decreases, which is remarkably different from the monotonic increase in the CNT–Al₂O₃/epoxy composites. However, the CNT–Al₂O₃ with increased AR ⩾ 2000 endows the similar resistance change as the other two hybrids. Besides, when AR < 3200, the tensile modulus and strength of the CNT–Al₂O₃/epoxy composites gradually increase with AR. The interrelationship between the hybrid structure and the mechanical and self-sensing behaviors of the composites are analyzed.     

Enhancement of dielectric and electrical properties in BT/SiC/PVDF three-phase composite through microstructure tailoring

A polymer composite with high dielectric permittivity was prepared by embedding silicon carbide (SiC) whisker with an average diameter of 500 nm–1 μm in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). However, the high dielectric loss and electrical conductivity of the two-phase composite prohibits its potential applications. Barium titanate (BT) particles with average diameter of 100 nm and 1 μm were incorporated as a third phase to fabricate a three-phase composite. The morphology structure, dielectric and electrical properties before and after the addition of BT particles were investigated. The three-phase composite exhibits largely suppressed dielectric loss and electrical conductivity without sacrificing the high dielectric permittivity, which was extremely hard to be realized for two-phase composite. It is also found that the nano-size BT is more favorable in achieving high dielectric permittivity than the micro-size BT, where their dielectric loss and electrical conductivity are similar. Furthermore, electric modulus analysis confirms the largely suppressed electron conduction process which results in the enhanced dielectric and electrical properties in three-phase composite.     

Characterisation of proton irradiated Ba0.65Sr0.35TiO3/P(VDF-TrFE) ceramic–polymer composites

Barium strontium titanate/poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)70/30 (Ba_0.65Sr_0.35TiO₃/P(VDF-TrFE) 70/30) composite with high dielectric permittivity was developed by integrating high dielectric permittivity ceramic powder with proton irradiated polymer matrix. The composite after irradiation behaves as a relaxor ferroelectric material and this behaviour is similar to that of irradiated P(VDF-TrFE) 70/30 co-polymer. Due to the irradiation, dielectric peaks broadened and moved towards the lower temperature, creating high relative permittivity values in a broad temperature range. Ba_0.65Sr_0.35TiO₃/P(VDF-TrFE) composite with 0.5 ceramic volume fraction with a dosage of 80 Mrad can reach a relative permittivity of 160 at room temperature (at 1 kHz), which is about 14 times higher than that of pure copolymer. Polarization-electric field hysteresis loops of composites are strongly depended on the ceramic powder volume fraction and the effects of irradiation is less apparent in composites with higher ceramic powder volume fraction.