Impact fatigue behaviour of vinylester resin matrix composites reinforced with alkali treated jute fibres

An impact fatigue study has been made for the first time on 35% jute/vinylester composites containing both untreated and alkali treated fibres. Longer alkali treatment removed the hemicellulose and improved the crystallinity and gave better fibre dispersion. The flexural strength properties of the composites made from treated fibre were superior. 4 h alkali treated jute fibres gave the optimum combination of improved interfacial bonding and fibre strength properties. However this was not reflected in their impact fatigue behaviour. On the contrary, the composites reinforced with 8 h alkali treated fibres displayed superior impact fatigue properties. Here, the fibres suffered catastrophic fracture with microfibrillar pull-out at some places and improved the fatigue resistance property of the composites as evident from SEM micrographs.     

The mechanical properties of vinylester resin matrix composites reinforced with alkali-treated jute fibres

Jute fibres were subjected to alkali treatment with 5% NaOH solution for 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h at 30°C. The modulus of the jute fibres improved by 12, 68 and 79% after 4, 6 and 8 h of treatment, respectively. The tenacity of the fibres improved by 46% after 6 and 8 h treatment and the % breaking strain was reduced by 23% after 8 h treatment. For 35% composites with 4 h-treated fibres, the flexural strength improved from 199.1 to 238.9 MPa by 20%, modulus improved from 11.89 to 14.69 GPa by 23% and laminar shear strength increased from 0.238 to 0.283 MPa by 19%. On plotting different values of slopes obtained from the rates of improvement of flexural strength and modulus, against NaOH treatment time, two different failure modes were apparent before and after 4 h of NaOH treatment. In the first region between 0 and 4 h, fibre pull out was predominant whereas in the second region between 6 and 8 h, transverse fracture occurred with minimum fibre pull out. This observation was well supported by the SEM investigations of the fracture surfaces.     

Impact fatigue behaviour of carbon fibre-reinforced vinylester resin composites

Two types of unidirectional carbon fibre, one of high strength (DHMS) and another of medium strength (VLMS) reinforced vinylester resin composites have been examined for their impact fatigue behaviour over 10⁴ impact cycles for the first time. The study was conducted using a pendulum type repeated impact apparatus specially designed and constructed for the purpose. A well-defined impact fatigue behaviour (S-N type curve) curve has been demonstrated. It showed a plateau region of 10–10² cycles immediately below the single cycle impact strength, followed by progressive endurance with decreasing impact loads, culminating in an endurance limit at about 71% and 85% of the single impact strength for DHMS-48 and VLMS-48, respectively. Analysis of the fractured surfaces revealed primary debonding, fibre breakage and pull-out at the tensile zone of the samples and a shear mode of fracture with breakage of fibre bundles at the compressive zone of the samples. The occurrence of a few major macrocracks in the matrix with fibre breakage at the high load-low endurance region and development of multiple microcracks in the matrix, coalescing and fibre breakage at the low-load-high endurance region have been inferred to explain the fatigue behaviour of the composites examined.     

A novel fiber treatment applied to woven jute fabric/vinylester laminates

In this work, a novel fiber treatment consisting on an alkali treatment superimposed to biaxial tensile stress was successfully applied to woven jute fabric/vinylester laminates. The effect of treatment on the composites tensile properties was investigated at two different times of treatment. A significant improvement in stiffness was achieved by the composite treated with alkali under stress for 4 h. However, no significant differences between the stiffness of the untreated composite and the composites treated with alkali under stress for 24 h were found. On the other hand, irrespectively of the time of treatment, the composites with fabrics treated with alkali under stress showed the highest values of tensile strength. From results of fabrics tensile tests, compression shear tests and X-ray diffraction analysis, the improved tensile properties exhibited by the composites with treated fabrics could be attributed to structural changes of the fibers as well as to a change in the fiber/matrix interfacial properties.     

Dynamic compressive behavior of unidirectional E-glass/vinylester composites

Results from an experimental investigation on the mechanical behavior of unidirectional fiber reinforced polymer composites (E-glass/vinylester) with 30%, 50% fiber volume fraction under dynamic uniaxial compression are presented. Specimens are loaded in the fiber direction using a servo-hydraulic material testing system for low strain rates and a Kolsky (split Hopkinson) pressure bar for high strain rates, up to 3000/s. The results indicate that the compressive strength of the composite increases with increasing strain rate. Post-test scanning electron microscopy is used to identify the failure modes. In uniaxial compression the specimens are split axially (followed by fiber kink band formation). Based on the experimental results and observations, an energy-based analytic model for studying axial splitting phenomenon in unidirectional fiber reinforced composites is extended to predict the compressive strength of these composites under dynamic uniaxial loading condition.     

Cold-temperature and simultaneous aqueous environment related degradation of carbon/vinylester composites

The effects of non-cryogenic, cold temperature conditions especially as related to freeze–thaw cycling both in the presence of aqueous solutions, and just ambient humidity, on carbon fiber composites is not well understood. Based on processing characteristics and lower cost, vinylester resin systems are increasingly being used in civil infrastructure and in off-shore applications. The use of these systems with carbon fibers causes some concern due to the current lack of appropriate finish on the fibers. In addition the use of ambient cure processes such as wet layup and resin infusion raise concerns of durability since these resin systems typically do not achieve full conversion and are thus susceptible to moisture induced degradation. This paper reports on results of short-term exposure of thin ambient cured carbon/vinylester specimens, processed following wet layup procedures similar to those used in rehabilitation of structural components, to freeze and freeze–thaw cycling. It is shown that freeze–thaw can cause significant reduction in mechanical properties and in glass-transition temperature with immersion in salt water having a larger effect on fiber-matrix bond deterioration and matrix cracking than other exposures.     

黄麻纤维/聚酯纤维复合材料的阻燃改性

应用两种水性磷系阻燃剂——磷酸铵类阻燃剂(DAG-50)和磷酸酯类阻燃剂(DAG-80)及其复配阻燃剂对天然黄麻纤维进行阻燃改性,并与皮芯结构聚酯纤维制备成黄麻纤维/聚酯纤维复合材料,通过燃烧测试、SEM、红外、热失重、热失重-红外联用等技术分析了此两种阻燃剂及复配阻燃剂对黄麻纤维及其黄麻纤维/聚酯纤维复合材料的阻燃效果及阻燃机制,并筛选出适合黄麻纤维/聚酯纤维复合材料产业化的阻燃改性配方。结果表明,阻燃剂DAG-50阻燃改性效果良好,但容易析出于黄麻纤维表面。阻燃剂DAG-80能较为均匀地包覆在黄麻纤维表面,阻燃改性效果好,但其价格较高。DAG-50与DAG-80形成的复配阻燃剂,阻燃效果好,既避免了单独使用DAG-50时阻燃剂易析出问题,且复配阻燃剂接近中性,避免设备腐蚀。综合考虑成本与阻燃性能,使用DAG-50与DAG-80复配阻燃剂比例为2∶1且浓度为55wt%时,可达到黄麻纤维/聚酯纤维复合材料B1级阻燃。     

Sliding friction and wear behaviour of vinylester and its composites under dry and water lubricated sliding conditions

In this paper, we studied and explored the tribological performance of pure vinylester (V), glass fiber reinforced (GFR), SiC filled glass fiber reinforced vinylester composite under dry and water lubricated sliding conditions. Friction and wear tests were carried out with configuration of a pin on a rotating disc under ambient conditions. Tests were conducted at normal load 10, 30 and 50 N and under sliding speed of 1.6 m/s, 2.8 m/s and 4 m/s. The results showed that the coefficient of friction decreases with the increase in applied normal load values both under dry and water lubricated conditions. On the other hand for pure vinylester specific wear rate increases with increase in applied normal load under dry sliding condition and decreases with increase in applied normal load under water lubricated conditions. However the specific wear rate for GFR vinylester composite and SiC filled GFR vinylester composite decreases with the increase in applied normal load both under dry and water lubricated conditions. Moreover, for the range of load and speeds used in this investigation the coefficient of friction and specific wear rates using water lubricant registered lower values than that of the dry condition. The specific wear rates for pure vinylester and vinylester + 50 wt.% GFR and SiC filled GFR vinylester composite under dry and water lubricated sliding condition were in the order of 10⁻⁷ mm³ N⁻¹ mm⁻¹.     

Creep and dynamic mechanical behavior of PP–jute composites: Effect of the interfacial adhesion

The dynamic mechanical response and the short term creep-recovery behavior of composites made from bi-directional jute fabrics and polypropylene were studied. In order to improve the compatibility of the polar fibers and the non-polar matrix, two alternatives were compared: the addition of coupling agents and the chemical modification of the fibers. In the first case, two commercial maleated polypropylenes and lignin, a natural polymer, were used. In the second approach, the fibers were esterified using a commercial alkenyl succinic anhydride. The degree of interfacial adhesion was inferred from the measured properties and confirmed by the observation of the composite fractured surface. The maleated polypropylenes acted as compatibilizers since they were able to join the fibers to the neat PP, locating themselves in the interphase region. On the other hand, a clear separation between fibers and matrix could be observed when lignin was used as compatibilizing agent and when the chemically modified fibers were used to prepare the composite. The creep deformation could be directly related to the interfacial properties. Bürgers model parameters were calculated from the creep part of the curves, and the recovery part was modeled using these values. A very good agreement between experimental data and theoretical curves were obtained in the creep region, although small discrepancies were found in the recovery part. The feasibility of the construction of a master curve (using the time–temperature principle) to predict long term creep behavior of the composites was investigated.     

Mechanical behaviour of jute cloth/wool felts hybrid laminates

This experimental work is aimed at the characterization of new fibre reinforced composites based on epoxy resin with both protein (wool) and lignocellulosic (jute) natural fibres. Wool-based and hybrid (wool/jute) composites with two different stacking sequences (intercalated and sandwich) were developed. Their microstructure has been investigated through optical and scanning electron microscopy, whereas their quasi-static mechanical behaviour has been evaluated in tension and bending. In addition, the impact behaviour under low-velocity impact at three different impact energies, namely 6 J, 8 J and 9 J has been addressed. The tensile and flexural tests have been monitored using acoustic emission (AE) in order to elicit further information about failure mechanisms. AE monitoring showed that development of damage was due to nucleation of matrix microcracks and subsequent debonding and pull-out phenomena in wool fibre composites and that only in hybrid composites a sufficient stress transfer across the jute fibre/matrix interface was achieved. The results confirmed the positive role of hybridization with jute fibres in enhancing both the tensile and flexural behaviour of wool-based composites, though highlighting the need for an improved adhesion between wool fibres and epoxy matrix.     

低密度高阻尼金属/金属复合材料

采用快速凝固 /粉末冶金法制备了Al-7Fe -1 .4Mo -1 .4Si(FMS0 71 4)合金及其复合材料FMS0 71 4/xAl(x=1 0～ 2 0 )和FMS0 71 4/y(Zn-3 0Al) (y =1 0～ 2 0 )w(B) / % .运用三点弯曲法、拉伸试验和阿基米德法分别测试了其阻尼性能、拉伸性能和密度 .结果表明 :FMS0 71 4合金本身即具有较好的阻尼性能 .添加纯Al粉对其阻尼性能影响不大 ;而添加Zn-3 0Al合金粉则显著提高其阻尼性能 .FMS0 71 4合金及其复合材料的阻尼性能与拉伸强度均优于LD7CS合金 .其中 ,FMS0 71 4/ 1 5 (Zn-3 0Al)具有最佳的综合性能 ,在航空和航天领域显示出良好的应用前景 .     

Viscoelastic behaviour of novel commingled biocomposites based on polypropylene/jute yarns

Jute yarn reinforced polypropylene commingled composites were prepared by an environmentally benign technique called commingling method in which the matrix fibres and reinforcing fibres are intermingled together with good alignment. The dynamic mechanical properties or viscoelastic behaviour of these commingled composites were studied with reference to fibre content and various chemical treatments. The storage and loss modulus increased with fibre content where as tan δ decreased. KMnO₄ and MAPP treated composites showed much higher storage and loss modulus values at all temperatures compared to untreated one. The glass transition temperature showed a marginal increasing tendency with fibre content and chemical treatments. The surface treatment mechanisms were supported by FT-IR spectra and the increase in interfacial adhesion after chemical treatments were supported by SEM images. Theoretical modelling was used to predict the values of storage modulus and tan δ and was found to be comparable with that of experimentally obtained results.     

Mechanical property and hydrothermal aging of injection molded jute/polypropylene composites

This study discussed the effects of jute fiber content and hot water immersion on the tensile properties of jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. The jute/PP composite with different fiber contents was molded by injection molding by dry-blending of jute/PP and neat PP pellets in various mix ratios. Firstly, the quasi-static tensile test was performed. Then the specimens were aged in hot distilled water at 80 °C. After the fixed periods of aging, the changed weight and the tensile properties were investigated. It is found that with the increase of the jute fiber content, the tensile modulus is increased lineally. However, referring to the tensile strength, it is increased firstly followed by a decreased when the jute weight percent is over 30. Additionally, it is found that the weight gain by water absorption was significantly affected by the fiber content. The specimens with the jute fiber content of or over 30 wt% absorbed water easily and significant material loss by aging was also occurred. The tensile strength after aging decreased remarkably in these specimens with the jute fiber content of or over 30 wt%, and all the jute/PP composites showed the lower strength than neat PP after the aging of 1000 h. It is considered that the hydrophilic property of natural fiber decreases the resistance of the composite in humidity environment.     

Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of MAPE treated jute/HDPE composites

The present paper summarizes an experimental study on the mechanical and viscoelastic behavior of jute fibre reinforced high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. Variations in mechanical strength, storage modulus (E′), loss modulus (E″) and damping parameter (tan δ) with the addition of fibres and coupling agents were investigated. It was observed that the tensile, flexural and impact strengths increased with the increase in fibre loading upto 30%, above which there was a significant deterioration in the mechanical strength. Further, the composites treated with MAPE showed improved properties in comparison to the untreated composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis data showed an increase in the storage modulus of the treated composites The tan δ spectra presented a strong influence of fibre content and coupling agent on the α and γ relaxation process of HDPE. The thermal behavior of the composites was evaluated from TGA/DTG thermograms. The fibre–matrix morphology in the treated composites was confirmed by SEM analysis of the tensile fractured specimens. FTIR spectra of the treated and untreated jute fibres was also studied to ascertain the existence of type of interfacial bonds.     

Multi-scales modelling of dynamic behaviour for discontinuous fibre SMC composites

The requirements of passive security, notably in the transport industry, impose to maximize the dissipation of the energy and to minimize the decelerations undergone by a vehicle and thus passengers due to violent shocks (crash). This paper aims at establishing efficient expected answers towards the preoccupations mainly emanating from transport industry. Currently, the behaviour laws implemented in the dynamic explicit schemes (RADIOSS, PAM-CRASH and LS-DYNA) do not integrate sufficiently the physical aspects in the material degradation, mainly the damage process, their kinetics, the variability and especially the heterogeneity of the composite materials microstructure. This paper deals with the development of a multi-scale predictive model coupling specific experimental methodologies and the micromechanical formulation of damage mechanisms in order to build constitutive laws for discontinuous fibre reinforced composites materials. The developed micromechanical modelling is based on an experimental methodology conducted over a range of strain rates from quasi static to 250 s⁻¹. The latter has enabled identifying local probabilistic damage criterion formulated through the Weibull’s statistical integrating the strain rate effect and describing the progressive interfacial debonding under rapid loading. The developed model has been validated to predict the stiffness reduction and the overall elastic visco-damage behaviour for SMC composite material. The model simulations agree well with high speed tensile tests and confirm that the damage threshold and kinetic in the SMC are mainly strain rate sensitive.     

Mg/NiTi复合材料的制备及阻尼性能

采用Mg粉的无压熔渗法制备Mg/NiTi复合材料以提高多孔NiTi合金的强度和阻尼性能。通过OM、SEM、EDS和XRD分析Mg/NiTi复合材料的显微组织结构,采用压缩实验分析其抗压强度、吸能能力,采用热机械分析仪分析其内耗和存储模量。结果表明:经Mg粉无压熔渗后,多孔NiTi合金的孔隙被Mg填充,其孔隙率由原来的50.38%下降至5.6%,且Mg与NiTi合金的界面结合良好。多孔NiTi合金主要由B2奥氏体相和B19'马氏体相及少量Ni₃Ti相和NiTi₂相组成;Mg/NiTi复合材料除增加了熔渗的Mg相外,还新生成了Mg₂Ni相。Mg的渗入未改变多孔NiTi合金相变行为,但提高了相变温度。Mg/NiTi复合材料的抗压强度可达554 MPa,较多孔NiTi合金提高了61%,压缩断裂方式也由多孔NiTi合金的孔壁崩塌断裂转变为Mg/NiTi复合材料的剪切断裂。Mg/NiTi复合材料的吸能较多孔NiTi合金有大幅提高。同时,Mg/NiTi复合材料的内耗值有所增加,而存储模量大幅提高,整体呈现出更佳的阻尼性能。      

Microstructure of Al/Al bimetallic composites by lost foam casting with Zn interlayer

A novel method named the lost foam casting (LFC) liquid–liquid compound process with a Zn interlayer was proposed to prepare the Al/Al bimetallic composites, and the microstructure of the Al/Al bimetallic composites was investigated in the present work. The results showed that the Al/Al bimetallic composites were successfully produced using the novel process. The Zn interlayer prevented different liquid metals from directly mixing. A uniform and compact metallurgical interface was obtained between the Al and the A356 aluminium alloy, which consisted of the η-Zn, α-Al rich, α?+?η eutectoid, and primary silicon phases. The microhardness of the interface layer was significantly higher in comparison with those of the Al and A356 matrixes.     

Comparative characterisation of damping behaviour of aluminium alloy composites produced by different fabrication techniques

Abstract

There is limited information currently available on the damping behaviour of silicon carbide reinforced metal matrix composites for aerospace structural applications. Dynamic mechanical analysis is one of the thermal analysis techniques which can be used to study the damping properties. In the present investigation, a dynamic mechanical thermal analyser is used to investigate the dynamic mechanical properties as a function of temperature for aluminium alloy 2124 + 5%SiC particle reinforced composites. The formation and dissolution of precipitate phases as a function of temperature have also been characterised by the technique of differential scanning calorimetry. It was observed that in all composites, the complex modulus, loss modulus, and damping capacity increased whereas the storage modulus decreased with increasing temperature.     

Effects of secondary phases on the damping behaviour of metals, alloys and metal matrix composites

An understanding of the precise correlation between the presence of secondary phases and material damping has eluded investigators, partly as a result of the fact that often there are various mechanisms involved. As a step towards the clarification of damping phenomena in metals and alloys, this paper provides a systematic review of the studies that have been completed on the damping mechanisms present in metals and alloys, with particular emphasis on precipitation. The damping mechanisms associated with secondary phases in metals and alloys have been subdivided into four categories, namely interface damping theory, thermal mismatch-induced dislocation damping theory, interaction damping theory and the rule of mixtures damping theory. A number of alloy systems are discussed to demonstrate the applicability of the four types of theory and the level of understanding of these complex mechanisms. As an extension of precipitation damping theory, the damping behaviour and mechanisms in particle-reinforced metal matrix composites are extensively discussed.     

Investigation of the dynamic Young's modulus and vibration damping for cryomilled NiAl–AlN composites

Measurements were made of the dynamic Young's modulus (stiffness) and damping for NiAl specimens containing varying amounts of aluminium nitride and prepared by cryomilling. Five specimens of NiAl–AlN were measured at room temperature, each specimen having a different percentage of AlN in the range 1%–30%. Further measurements were made on the 1% and 30% AlN specimens for the temperature range 22–495°C. At room temperature, the Young's modulus of the NiAl–AlN specimens decreased linearly with increasing percentage of AlN. The temperature dependence of Young's modulus for the 1% and 30% AlN specimens was found to be linear. These results were compared with those of typical nickel-based superalloys for a similar temperature range. The damping for all of the NiAl–AlN specimens was of the order of that for other intermetallic compounds (10-3–10-4). The study opened up the possibility of NiAl–AlN being a less-expensive and more easily produced alternative to nickel-based superalloys for high-temperature, high-stiffness applications. © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers