The mechanical properties of carbon fibre reinforced Pyrex glass

The mechanical properties of carbon fibre reinforced Pyrex glass are discussed in terms of the volume fraction of fibre, the orientation of the fibres, fibre damage during fabrication, matrix porosity, matrix critical strain, interface properties and the mode of failure in bend tests. The stress at which matrix cracking occurs increases with fibre concentration indicating that the critical strain of the matrix increases as the fibre separation decreases. The ultimate strength of the composite is considerably greater than the stress at which the matrix begins to crack. Preliminary stress cycling experiments at stresses above that at which matrix cracks are formed suggest that propagation of these cracks is inhibited by the fibres.     

The influence of fibre microstructure on fibre breakage and mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced polypropylene

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of fibre morphology of different natural fibres on the composites mechanical properties and on the fibre breakage due to extrusion process. The composite materials were manufactured using LTF (long fibre thermoplastic) extrusion and compression moulding and the used fibres were sisal, banana, jute and flax, and the matrix was a polypropylene. The results showed that sisal composites had the best impact properties and the longest fibres after the extrusion. Generally, the composites flexural stiffness was increased with increased fibre content for all fibres, being highest for flax composites. The flexural strength was not affected by the addition of fibres because of the low compatibility. The addition of 2 wt.% maleated polypropylene significantly improved the composites properties. Unlike the other three fibres, flax fibres were separated into individual elementary fibres during the process due to enzymatic retting and low lignin content.     

Effect of carbon fibres on the static and fatigue mechanical properties of fibre metal laminates

It is crucial to understand the characteristic fatigue crack initiation and its growth mechanisms, as well as the relationship between the mechanical properties and the fatigue damage evolution in fibre metal laminates (FMLs). Two types of FML were studied in this work: a polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fibre epoxy matrix composite sandwiched by Ti‐6Al‐4V (Ti‐alloy) sheets (IMS60‐Ti) and a pitch‐based carbon fibre epoxy matrix composite sandwiched by Ti‐alloy sheets (K13D‐Ti). The static and fatigue mechanical properties of IMS60‐Ti and K13D‐Ti were investigated. The increased failure strain of the FML was greater than that of carbon fibre‐reinforced polymer (CFRP) matrix composites. The fatigue life of IMS60‐Ti was much longer than that of K13D‐Ti. The fatigue damage process in IMS60‐Ti was related to the fatigue creep behaviour of the Ti‐alloy face sheet and mode II cracking at the CFRP/Ti‐alloy interface, and the damage in K13D‐Ti was related to the K13D CFRP laminate.     

Pultruded fibre reinforced polyurethane composites II. Effect of processing parameters on mechanical and thermal properties

This paper presents a novel process for the fabrication of pultruded polyurethane (PU) composites. The effects of the processing parameters on the mechanical properties (flexural strength and flexural modulus, etc.) and thermal properties (HDT) of the fibre reinforced PU composites by pultrusion have been studied. The processing parameters investigated include pulling rate (in-line speed), die temperature, filler type and content, and post-cure time and temperature. Results show that the composites possessed various optimum pulling rates at different die temperatures. On the basis of the DSC diagram, the swelling ratio, the mechanical properties and the thermal properties of composites, the optimum die temperature can be determined. It is found that the mechanical and thermal properties increase with filler content for various types of filler. The mechanical and thermal properties increase at a suitable post-cure temperature and time. Furthermore, the properties which decreased due to the degradation of composite materials for a long post-cure time will be discussed.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of tungsten composite reinforced by fibre network

In this paper the tungsten-fibre-net-reinforced tungsten composites were produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) using fine W powders and commercial tungsten fibres. The relative density of the samples is above 95%. It was found that the recrystallization area in the fibres became bigger with increasing sintering temperature and pressure. The tungsten grains of fibres kept stable when sintered at 1350°C/16 kN while grown up when sintered at 1800°C/16 kN. The composite sintered at 1350°C/16 kN have a Vickers-hardness of ~610 HV, about 2 times that of the 1800°C/16 kN sintered one. Tensile tests imply that the temperature at which the composites (1350°C/16 kN) begin to exhibit plastic deformation is about 200°C-250°C, which is 400°C lower than that of SPSed pure W. The tensile fracture surfaces show that the increasing fracture ductility comes from pull-out, interface debonding and fracture of fibres.     

Interface characteristics and mechanical properties of carbon fibre reinforced copper composites

Interface characteristics of carbon fibre reinforced copper matrix composites materials with various interface states and their effect on the flexural strength of composites have been studied. Interfacial states are mechanical bonding, dissolution bonding and reaction bonding. To a certain extent, raising the interfacial strength enables an increase in the flexural strength due to prevention of carbon fibre being pulled out under low stress during fracture process of composites. Raising the interfacial bondage strength, causes the brittleness of composites to increase; the fracture surface of composites is converted from a fibre pull-out model to a fibre even model. While strengthening the interface bondage, the extent of chemical reaction and dissolution at the interface must be controlled to avoid degrading the carbon fibre.     

Fabrication and mechanical properties of glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic elastomer composite

The paper investigates the effects of fabrication conditions on mechanical properties of glass fibre reinforced thermoplastic elastomer composites. The impregnation time was varied between 5 and 30 min and the cooling conditions were rapid and gradual cooling. Tensile testing was carried out on samples with different fibre orientations. Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) tests were carried out to evaluate the fracture toughness of the composites. The degree of crystallinity and morphology of the composite were studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Impregnation of matrix resin into glass fibre was found to be complete before 30 min and tensile properties increased with increasing impregnation time. SEM micrographs of fractured surfaces revealed poor adhesion between the matrix and the reinforcing agent. Due to the flexible nature of the composite, the fracture toughness (G_IC) could not be determined because of the formation of ridges on the surface.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of short sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites

The dynamic mechanical properties of short sisal fibre reinforced polypropylene composites containing both untreated and treated fibres have been studied with reference to fibre loading, fibre length, chemical treatments, frequency and temperature. By the incorporation of short sisal fibre into polypropylene, the storage moduli (E′)and loss moduli (E″) have been found to be increasing whereas the mechanical loss factor (tan δ) decreasing. The storage modulus decreases with increase in temperature. The treated fibre composites show better properties compared to untreated system. The Arrhenius relationship has been used to calculate the activation energy for the glass transition. The use and limitations of various theoretical equations to predict the tan δ and storage modulus of the fibre reinforced plastic composites have been discussed. Cole–Cole analysis has been carried out to understand the phase behaviour of the composite samples. A master curve for the modulus of the blend is drawn by applying the time–temperature super position principle.     

The impact of fibre processing on the mechanical properties of epoxy matrix composites and wood-based particleboard reinforced with hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) fibre

Journal of Materials Science - This work investigated the impact that the processing of hemp (C. sativa L.) fibre has on the mechanical properties of unidirectional fibre-reinforced epoxy resin...     

The effect of fibre content on the mechanical properties of hemp and basalt fibre reinforced phenol formaldehyde composites

In this study, mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and impact strengths of hemp/phenol formaldehyde (PF), basalt/PF and hemp/basalt hybrid PF composites have been investigated as a function of fibre loading. Hemp fibre reinforced PF composites and basalt fibre reinforced composites were fabricated with varying fibre loading i.e. 20, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 63 vol%. The hybrid effect of hemp fibre and basalt fibre on the tensile, flexural and impact strengths was also investigated for various ratio of hemp/basalt fibre loading such as 1:0, 0.95:0.05, 0.82:0.18, 0.68:0.32, 0.52:0.48, 0.35:0.65, 0.18:0.82 and 0:1. Total fibre loading of the hybrid composites was 40 vol%. The results showed that the tensile strength and elongation at break increase with increasing fibre loading up to 40 vol% and decrease above this value for hemp fibre reinforced PF composite. Similar trend was observed for flexural strength and the maximum value was obtained for 48 vol% hemp fibre loading. Impact strength of hemp/PF composite showed a regular trend of increase with increasing fibre loading up to 63 vol%. Tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength values of basalt/PF composites were found to be lower compared to hemp/PF composites. The tensile strength and elongation at break of basalt/PF composite increased by incorparation of basalt fibre up to 32 vol% and decreased beyond this value. Flexural strength of basalt/PF composite decreased linearly with fibre loading. However, the maximum impact strength was obtained for 48 vol% basalt fibre loading. For hemp/basalt hybrid PF composite, the tensile strength decreased with increasing basalt fibre loading. On the other hand, the flexural and impact strengths showed large scatter. The maximum flexural strength value was obtained for 0.52:0.48 hemp/basalt ratio. Corresponding value for impact strength was obtained for 0.68:0.32 hemp/basalt fibre ratio.     

Influence of alkali treatment and fibre length on mechanical properties of short Agave fibre reinforced epoxy composites

Composites based on short Agave fibres (untreated and alkali treated) reinforced epoxy resin using three different fibre lengths (3 mm, 7 mm and 10 mm length) are prepared by using hand lay up and compression mould technique. The materials were characterized in terms of tensile, compressive, flexural, impact, water absorption properties and machinability behaviour. All mechanical tests showed that alkali treated fibre composites withstand more fracture strain than untreated fibre composites. As evidenced by the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests, the thermo-mechanical properties of the composite with alkali treated Agave fibre were considerably good as alkali treatment had facilitated more sites of fibre resin interface. The machinability and atomic force microscope (AFM) studies were carried out to analyze the fibre–matrix interaction in untreated and alkali treated Agave fibre–epoxy composites.     

Development of novel specimens for mechanical testing of fibre reinforced titanium metal matrix composite

Abstract

Specimens used to date for testing titanium metal matrix composites (Ti MMCs) have severe limitations in the data obtained. In the present work, novel specimens have been developed to ensure that data obtained are indicative of the material as it appears in engineering components. For the longitudinal orientation, a modified dogbone with large shoulder radii is successful in improving the integrity of data. In the transverse orientation, selective reinforcement of monolithic Ti with MMC has allowed the production of a cruciform specimen in which the‘uprights’ are made of monolithic Ti and are gripped in the testing machine and the ‘cross’ is made of MMC and acts as a gauge length. The cruciform geometry ensures that surface defects, which blight conventional specimens, do not have such a deleterious effect. A unique specimen has been developed to enable the MMCs to be loaded in the through thickness direction, thus allowing a comparison of mechanical properties for the three geometric axes.     

The mechanical properties,deformation and thermomechanical properties of alkali treated and untreated Agave continuous fibre reinforced epoxy composites

The mechanical properties such as tensile, compressive, flexural, impact strength and water absorption of the alkali treated continuous Agave fibre reinforced epoxy composite (TCEC) and untreated continuous Agave fibre reinforced epoxy composite (UTCEC) were analysed. A comparison of the surfaces of TCEC and UTCEC composites was carried out by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermomechanical properties of the composite reinforced with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated Agave fibres were considerably good as the shrinkage of the fibre during alkali treatment had facilitated more points of fibre resin interface. The SEM micrograph and FTIR spectra of the impact fracture surfaces of TCEC clearly demonstrate the better interfacial adhesion between fibre and the matrix. In both analyses the TCEC gave good performance than UTCEC and, thus, there is a scope for its application in light weight manufacture in future.     

The mechanical properties of compression moulded reconstituted carbon fibre reinforced PEEK (APC-2)

Results from tensile and flexural tests on reconstituted carbon fibre-reinforced PEEK show that the variations in the tensile and flexural moduli of the composites increase linearly with the size of the particles in the moulding. Quasi-isotropic theory enables an accurate prediction of the experimental values from the modulus reduction factor relationship. A similar approach with respect to experimental strength can only be applied if the mode of failure is known.     

The effect of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of kenaf fibre plastic composite

This paper investigates the effects that processing parameters, including temperature and speed, have on the mechanical properties of kenaf fibre plastic composite. Kenaf fibre was used to fabricate a composite material along with polypropylene (PP) as a binding material. The composite was manufactured using a newly developed compression moulding machine. Tensile and impact tests were performed on the PP/kenaf composite to characterise its mechanical properties. The tensile properties of PP/kenaf composite increased by 10% after the addition of unidirectional kenaf fibre (UKF). However, its impact properties simultaneously deteriorated. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was carried out to examine the material properties. Results show that the storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) increase with the addition of UKF. However, its addition decreases the tan δ amplitude. The fracture surface of PP/kenaf composite was investigated by SEM. The newly invented compression moulding machine illustrates a new trend in processing parameters of long kenaf fibre plastic composite.     

Effects of processing conditions on the mechanical and water absorption properties of resin transfer moulded kenaf fibre reinforced polyester composite laminates

This paper focuses on the mechanical and water absorption properties of kenaf fibre reinforced polyester laminates manufactured by resin transfer moulding. Varying processing conditions were considered as alternatives to fibre treatments, thereby potentially avoiding additional cost and complexity in the manufacturing process. Laminates were produced by altering fibre moisture content, mould temperature and mould pressure following injection. Tensile, flexural, impact and water absorption tests were conducted. Processing conditions were found to have little effect on properties except for pressurisation which increased tensile and flexural strength and decreased water absorption at low fibre volume fractions. Examinations using a scanning electron microscope showed that all the laminates failed by fibre pull-out.     

Effects of fibre content on mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of short carbon fibre reinforced geopolymer matrix composites

Geopolymer matrix composites reinforced with different volume fractions of short carbon fibres (C_f/geopolymer composites) were prepared and the mechanical properties, fracture behaviour and microstructure of as-prepared composites were studied and correlated with fibre content. The results show that short carbon fibres have a great strengthening and toughening effect at low volume percentages of fibres (3·5 and 4·5 vol.%). With the increase of fibre content, the strengthening and toughening effect of short carbon fibres reduce, possibly due to fibre damage, formation of high shear stresses at intersect between fibres and strong interface cohesion of fibre/matrix under higher forming pressure. The property improvements are primarily based on the network structure of short carbon fibre preform and the predominant strengthening and toughening mechanisms are attributed to the apparent fibre bridging and pulling-out effect.     

Experimental study on the mechanical properties and microstructure of chopped basalt fibre reinforced concrete

With high ductility and sufficient durability, fibre reinforced concrete (FRC) is widely used. In this study, the effects of the volume fraction and length of basalt fibre (BF) on the mechanical properties of FRC were analyzed. Coupling with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP), the microstructure of BF concrete was studied also. The results show that adding BF significantly improves the tensile strength, flexural strength and toughness index, whereas the compressive strength shows no obvious increase. Furthermore, the length of BF presents an influence on the mechanical properties. Compared with the plain concrete, the compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strength of concrete reinforced with 12 mm BF increase by −0.18–4.68%, 14.08–24.34% and 6.30–9.58% respectively. As the BF length increasing to 22 mm, corresponding strengths increase by 0.55–5.72%, 14.96–25.51% and 7.35–10.37%, separately. A good bond between the BF and the matrix interface is observed in the early age. However, this bond shows degradation to a certain extent at 28 days. Moreover, the MIP results indicate that the concrete containing BF presents higher porosity.     

The mechanical properties of oxyfluorinated hybrids of glass fibre and polypropylene fibre

The mechanical properties of a low-cost system comprising orthophthalic polyester resin reinforced with hybrids of glass and polypropylene fibres were investigated. The fibres were oxyfluorinated to overcome the poor surface adhesion properties of polypropylene. Interlaminar shear tests, Izod-type impact tests and tensile tests were considered. It would be expected that increasing polypropylene fibre content corresponds with a decrease in mechanical properties due to the poor properties of polypropylene. Oxyfluorinated laminates containing approximately 25% and 50% polypropylene in the warp direction were, however, found to exhibit significant improvements in interlaminar shear strength, in peak shear stress under impact loading as well as in impact resistance over untreated glass fibre laminates. Scanning electron microscope images show that the reason for this improvement is that the interfacial bond between the polypropylene fibres and the resin is strengthened to such an extent that failure occurs within the polypropylene fibres rather than at the interface.     

碳纤维表面嫁接马来酸对碳纤维复合材料力学性能的影响

通过自由基反应在碳纤维的表面嫁接马来酸,通过红外光谱、SEM可以看出马来酸嫁接到碳纤维的表面,嫁接之后的碳纤维与未经表面处理的碳纤维相比,力学性能有了明显的提高,使碳纤维复合材料的层间剪切强度(ILSS)从113MPa增加到127MPa.增加了12.40%,这是因为嫁接之后的碳纤维与未经处理的碳纤维相比,一方面提高了碳纤维的粗糙度,另一方面在碳纤维与环氧树脂之间形成的化学键、分子间作用力、氢键等提高了碳纤维与聚合物基体之间的粘结力,这样通过物理咬合和化学键的共同作用,提高了碳纤维与聚合物基体之间的粘结力.