Influence of graphite filler on two-body abrasive wear behaviour of carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites

The influence of graphite filler additions on two-body abrasive wear behaviour of compression moulded carbon–epoxy (C–E) composites have been evaluated using reciprocating wear unit and pin-on-disc wear unit under single pass and multi-pass conditions respectively. The carbon fabric used in the present study is a plain one; each warp fiber pass alternately under and over each weft fiber. The fabric is symmetrical, with good stability and reasonable porosity. Abrasive wear studies were carried out under different loads/abrading distance using different grades of SiC abrasive paper (150 and 320 grit size). Graphite filler in C–E reduced the specific wear rate. Further, the wear volume loss drops significantly with increase in graphite content. Comparative wear performance of all the composites showed higher specific wear rate in two-body wear (single-pass conditions) compared to multi-pass conditions. Further, the tribo-performance of C–E indicated that the graphite filler inclusion resulted in enhancement of wear behaviour significantly. Wear mechanisms were suggested and strongly supported by worn surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy.     

Improvement of ternary recycled polymer blend reinforced with date palm fibre

This paper investigates the study and preparation of date palm fibre reinforced recycled polymer blend composites. This is the first paper which describes the recycled polymer ternary blends of (1) recycled low density polyethylene (RLDPE), (2) recycled high density polyethylene (RHDPE) and (3) recycled polypropylene (RPP). The date palm fibre reinforced composites (C_D00) were prepared by maintaining constant weight% of fibre of 20 wt% without any fibre treatment. Maleic anhydride (MA) was used as the compatabilizer (1 and 2 wt%) and the effect of compatabilizer on the blend matrix composites was studied. The mechanical, thermal, morphological properties, water absorption and chemical resistance properties were evaluated for these composites and also studied for pure blend matrix (C₀₀). Date palm fibre improved the tensile strength and hardness of recycled polymer blend matrix. Further improvement was achieved with 1% MA (C_D1), which showed that 1% MA treated composites (C_D1) had higher tensile strength, modulus and hardness properties. Thermal stability and water absorption were improved by 1% MA. These improvements were demonstrated at the nanoscale level by the decrease in roughness appearing in Atomic Force Spectroscopic Microscopy analysis indicating that flow is better under this concentration. The SEM analysis also showed that the fibre matrix adhesion improved by adding 1 wt% (C_D1) of MA. The melting and crystallisation temperatures of the blends did not change with the addition of date palm fibre and MA, indicating that the additives did not influence the melting and crystallisation properties of the composites. The chemical resistance test results showed that these composites are resistance to all chemicals but more weight gain observed in solvents. 2 wt% of MA (C_D2) caused poor adhesion between the polymer chains and fibres as well as polymer chain scission.     

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.     

Microstructures and improved wear resistance of 3D needled C/SiC composites with graphite filler

Three-dimensional (3D) needled carbon/carbon (C/C) composites with a lowest porosity of 15.6% were achieved after 1 cycle of impregnation by phenolic resin slurry containing graphite filler, hot-pressing curing and pyrolysis. Carbon/silicon carbide (C/SiC) composites were obtained by liquid silicon infiltrating C/C composites. The aim was to incorporate cost effectiveness and excellent performance of C/SiC braking material. Using filler content not exceeding 30 wt% in the slurry promised undamaged C/C segments in C/SiC composites. The linear wear rate of C/SiC using 30 wt% filler was 0.33 μm side⁻¹ cycle⁻¹ and displayed a fourfold decrease; its weight wear rate was 2.46 mg side⁻¹ cycle⁻¹ and minus 171%, compared with the previously reported values of C/SiC without filler, at a braking velocity of 28 m/s. Its friction coefficients and friction stability coefficients appeared relative insensitive to changes in braking velocities and displayed higher values at high braking velocities compared with the previous values.     

Evaluation on the thermal and mechanical properties of HNT-toughened epoxy/carbon fibre composites

Halloysite nanotubes (HNT) were effectively incorporated into epoxy resin and used for infusion of carbon fibre textiles, resulting in epoxy/halloysite nanotube/carbon fibre (EP/HNT/CF) multi-scale composites. The distribution of nanotubes in the composites was examined by SEM. The thermomechanical properties of the composites were characterized by dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA). A 25% enhancement was recorded for the storage modulus of EP/HNT/CF composite in the glassy state. Moreover, the T_g of the laminates increased with the addition of HNT, and the values were even higher than the T_g of their matrix. Additionally, the Izod impact strength of the composites has been improved. These results indicate a synergistic effect between HNT and carbon fibres.     

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.     

Design and preparation of gradient graphite/cermets self-lubricating composites

Based on the functionally graded materials (FGMs) design concept, the laminated-graded graphite/cermets self-lubricating composite was prepared to achieve the integration of mechanical properties and lubrication performance of the cermet. The effects of the layer number and thickness of graded structure on residual stresses in the gradient composites were investigated by finite element method (FEM). From the FEM analyses, the optimal gradient structure design was obtained corresponding to the following parameters: the number of graded layers n = 2 and the thickness of graded structure t = 1 mm. According to the optimum design, a graded graphite/cermets self-lubricating material with two layers was fabricated by a typical powder metallurgy technique. Compared with the homogenous graphite/cermets composite, the surface hardness and indentation fracture toughness of graded composite were increased by approximately 15.9% and 6.3%, respectively. The results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) stress measurement identified the existence of residual compressive stress on the surface of graded composite. Additionally, the friction and wear tests revealed that the wear resistance of the graphite/cermets self-lubricating composite was improved significantly via the graded structural design, whereas the coefficient of friction changed slightly.     

激光对碳纤维及碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料性能影响

采用高能激光束对聚丙烯腈（PAN）基碳纤维进行表面改性。利用SEM、EDS、FTIR、XRD、万能试验机等表征手段,对改性前后碳纤维微观形态、成分变化、物相结构、力学性能进行表征,系统地研究了激光束对碳纤维微观组织变化、性能变化等的影响规律,探索激光束对碳纤维的作用机制。结果表明,碳纤维经激光表面改性后,其表面的粗糙度和比表面积增加,碳纤维的浸润性得到提升,且激光束的功率越高、扫描速度越低,碳纤维浸润性越好。改性后的碳纤维化学成分、微观结构及官能团种类没有改变;改性后的碳纤维官能团种类没有改变,说明激光改性过程主要以物理过程为主;激光改性没有改变碳纤维的微观结构,改性后微晶尺寸略有减小,有利于改善碳纤维与环氧树脂的界面黏结性能。激光表面改性碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的拉伸强度和冲击强度均有不同程度的提高,当碳纤维质量分数为0.2wt%、激光改性功率为150 W时,碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的拉伸强度提高了59%,冲击强度提高了52%。     

Influence of fibre-surface treatment on structural, thermal and mechanical properties of jute fibre and its composite

Jute fibres (Corchorus olitorious), an environmentally and ecologically friendly product, were chemically modified and treated with 5% NaOH solution at room temperature for 2 h, 4 h and 8 h. The above samples were characterized and morphologically analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Instron 1185. Alkali treatment affects the supramolecular structure of the fibre as shown by XRD by improving the degree of crystallinity of the fibre. Surface chemistry of the fibre also altered as depicted by FT-IR studies. This chemical treatment was also found to alter the characteristic of the fibre surface topography as seen by the SEM. From the mechanical single fibre test it was found that the tenacity and modulus of the fibre improved after alkali treatment. This might be due to the improvement in the crystallinity. DSC data demonstrated that the thermal degradation temperature for the cellulose get lowered from 365·26°C to 360·62°C after alkali treatment led to the reduction in fibre thermal stability. Jute fibre reinforced composite were prepared with treated and untreated jute fibre (15 wt%) reinforced unsaturated polyester (UPE). Effectiveness of these composites was experimentally investigated through the study of the composites by DSC, Instron 1195 for mechanical property of composites, volume fraction of the porosity and hydrophobic finishing of the composite. From the DSC analysis it was found that thermal stability enhanced for treated fibre reinforced composite. This could be due to the resistance offered by the closely packed cellulose chain in combination with the resin. Flexural strength of the composite prepared with 2 h and 4 h alkali treated fibre were found to increase by 3·16% and 9·5%, respectively. Although 8 h treated fibre exhibited maximum strength properties, but the composite prepared with them showed lower strength value. Alkali treatment helped in the development of hydrophobicity and reduction in volume fraction of the porosity. This may be due to the better fibre matrix interface adhesion caused due to the fibre surface treatment by alkali.     

Effect of filler addition on the compressive and impact properties of glass fibre reinforced epoxy

Flyash is incorporated in glass fibre reinforced epoxies to study their response to the filler addition. Low cost of flyash can reduce the overall cost of the component. Only very low volume fractions of filler are investigated in the present study. To obtain further clarification of the observed phenomenon, another abundantly available low cost material, calcium carbonate is incorporated in one set of the specimens. Compressive strength of the material is found to decrease, whereas steep increase in impact strength is observed by introduction of very small quantity of fillers. Specimens containing calcium carbonate are tested for impact properties only. Effect of specimen aspect ratio on the compressive strength values is also studied by testing specimens of three different aspect ratios. Scanning electron microscopic observations are taken to develop a better understanding of the phenomena taking place in the material system at microscopic level.     

Optimization of the mechanical performance of UD flax/epoxy composites by selection of fibres along the stem

In this study, we measure and compare the mass distribution, morphology and tensile properties of elementary flax fibres (Eden variety) along the stem. A significant improvement is found in the tensile properties of elementary fibres from the base to the middle of the stem, with the Young’s modulus and breaking stress being increased by 19.3% and 56.6%, respectively. UD thermoset composites were manufactured with fibres from the bottom, middle and top of the stem. The efficiency of the reinforcement is lowest with bottom fibres, which appear to be poorly individualized and have many cortical residues on their surface. Several scenarios are proposed to select the most suitable fibres according to the desired mechanical properties of the composite.     

Effects of moisture on the mechanical properties of glass fibre reinforced vinylester resin composites

Glass fibre reinforced vinylester resin composites incorporating varying amounts of fibres (63.5, 55.75, 48.48, 38.63 and 27.48 wt%) were characterized for their mechanical properties both as prepared and after treatment with boiling water for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h. Weights of the samples were found to increase to a saturation at about 8 h with boiling water treatment. In keeping with the composite principle, the mechanical properties improved with fibre loading. However, the properties were relatively inferior when treated with boiling water for longer hours attributing to ingress of moisture by capillary action through the interface between the fibre and the resin matrix. Considering the rates of moisture absorption and correlating with the mechanical properties, it was observed that the deteriorating effects were predominant up to 4 h treatment with boiling water. Estimation of defect concentrations for 63.5 wt% of nascent fibre reinforced composites as well as those composites treated with boiling water for 24 h were 56.93% and 64.16% respectively. Similarly, 27.48 wt% nascent fibre reinforced composites and those composites with boiling water treatment showed the estimation of defect concentrations of 39.94% and 50.55% respectively. SEM study of the fractured surfaces showed heavy fibre pull-out in the tensile zone whilst shear fracture of the fibre bundles was predominant at the compressive zone of the samples tested for flexural strength properties.     

Continuous-glass-fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites: I. Influence of maleic-anhydride-modified polypropylene on mechanical properties

This study investigates the influence of maleicanhydride-modified polypropylene (m-PP) on monotonic mechanical properties of continuous-glass-fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. Maleicanhydride-modified polypropylene was added to the PP homopolymer to improve the adhesion between the matrix and the glass fibre. Three-point bending tests were performed on 0° and 90° unidirectional glass-fibre/PP laminates with various weight fractions of m-PP in the PP matrix. These tests showed an increase in both longitudinal and transverse flexural strength up to 10 wt% m-PP, whereas at higher weight fractions of m-PP a decrease in flexural strength was observed. No significant influence of m-PP on composite stiffness was observed. Additional mechanical tests on unidirectional glass/PP composites with 0 wt% and 10 wt% m-PP showed only a small increase in fibre-dominated properties such as longitudinal tensile strength and strain, whereas composite properties that are governed by the interphase, such as transverse, shear and compressive strength, showed significant increases as a result of matrix modification and an enhanced interaction between the glass fibres and the PP matrix.     

Morphology, dynamic mechanical and thermal studies on poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) modified epoxy resin/glass fibre composites

Poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) was used to modify diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) type epoxy resin cured with diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS) and the modified epoxy resin was used as the matrix for fibre reinforced composites (FRPs) in order to get improved mechanical and thermal properties. E-glass fibre was used as the fibre reinforcement. The morphology, dynamic mechanical and thermal characteristics of the systems were analyzed. Morphological analysis revealed heterogeneous dispersed morphology. There was good adhesion between the matrix polymer and the glass fibre. The dynamic moduli, mechanical loss and damping behaviour as a function of temperature of the systems were studied using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). DMA studies showed that DDS cured epoxy resin/SAN/glass fibre composite systems have two T_gs corresponding to epoxy rich and SAN rich phases. The effect of thermoplastic modification and fibre loading on the dynamic mechanical properties of the composites were also analyzed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed the superior thermal stability of composite system.     

The thermal and mechanical properties of graphite foam/epoxy resin composites

A series of epoxy resin (EP) filled graphite foam (GF) composites were prepared to explore a new material with good heat transfer property. The effects of the mass fraction of EP and the network structure of GFs on the thermal diffusivity and the compression strength of the composites were investigated. The thermal diffusivity of the GF/EP composite with EP mass fraction of 91.45% was raised to 6.541 mm²/s, which was 45.7 times higher than the pure EP. The thermal conductivity reached to 14.67 W/(m K), which was 43.1 times higher than the pure EP. The compression strength of the GF/EP increased 55% above the value of pure EP. In addition, the thermal diffusivity of GF/EP increased with the decrease of the mass fraction of EP. A model was formulated to calculate the pressure needed for a mass fraction of EP.     

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.     

MWCNTs对环氧树脂及多尺度MWCNTs-碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响

通过对胺基化多壁碳纳米管（MWCNTs-NH₂）进行改性,得到改性MWCNTs悬浮液（MWCNTs-NH₂（M））。分别将羧基化MWCNTs （MWCNTs-COOH）和MWCNTs-NH₂（M）分散在环氧树脂（EP）中,采用热熔法制备了多尺度MWCNTs-碳纤维（CF）/EP复合材料。研究了MWCNTs对EP模量、韧性及EP与CF之间界面黏结强度的影响,并分析了MWCNTs与CF上浆剂的作用,评价了多尺度MWCNTs-CF/EP复合材料的力学性能。结果表明：官能团化的MWCNTs可对EP的模量和韧性起到更好的增强作用。MWCNTs接枝的-COOH或-NH₂可与CF上浆剂中的环氧基团发生化学反应,提高EP与CF之间的界面剪切强度。MWCNTs-NH₂（M）对多尺度MWCNTs-CF/EP复合材料力学性能的增强效果优于MWCNTs-COOH,当MWCNTs-NH₂（M）的含量为1wt%时,多尺度复合材料的0°压缩强度、90°压缩强度、弯曲强度、弯曲模量、冲击后压缩强度（CAI）分别提高了16.7%、16.3%、40.9%、30.3%、20.6%。     

Thermomechanical behaviour of interfacial region in carbon fibre/epoxy composites

A study of the thermomechanical stability of the fibre-matrix interphase in carbon/epoxy composites has been carried out. The thermodynamic work of adhesion has been evaluated at room temperature by wetting measurements. The interfacial shear stress transfer level τ for sized and desized carbon fibre has been measured as a function of temperature by means of a single-fibre fragmentation test. As the test temperature increased τ values were found to decrease, with values being higher for the desized carbon fibre. The dependence of interfacial shear stress transfer on bulk matrix mechanical properties (modulus and shear strength) has also been discussed. Dynamic mechanical measurements performed on single-bundle composites confirmed the better thermomechanical stability of the desized fibre interphase.     

Electrodeposition of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets onto carbon fibers and properties of their epoxy composites

Exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet (xGnP)/copper (Cu) coated carbon fibers were fabricated by electrophoretic deposition under different applied voltages. The electrical and mechanical properties of individual fibers and composites made from these fibers and epoxy resin were investigated. The electrical resistivity of xGnP/Cu coated single carbon fiber is lower than that of the uncoated control sample and decreases with increase in the applied voltage. The xGnP and metallic Cu were simultaneously deposited on the carbon fiber surface as a result of the electrochemical cell configuration. The interfacial shear strength decreases with applied voltage up to 30 V but increases with applied voltage of over 30 V. The interfacial shear strength for the coated samples except the 50 V treated sample is lower than that of control sample. The flexural strength and modulus of xGnP/Cu coated carbon/epoxy composites is higher than those of control sample due to the reinforcing effect of xGnP/Cu coated on the carbon fibers.     

Role of matrix modification on interlaminar shear strength of glass fibre/epoxy composites

Interlaminar shear properties of fibre reinforced polymer composites are important in many structural applications. Matrix modification is an effective way to improve the composite interlaminar shear properties. In this paper, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-F/diethyl toluene diamine system is used as the starting epoxy matrix. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and reactive aliphatic diluent named n-butyl glycidyl ether (BGE) are employed to modify the epoxy matrix. Unmodified and modified epoxy resins are used for fabricating glass fibre reinforced composites by a hot-press process. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of the glass fibre reinforced composites is investigated and the results indicate that introduction of MWCNT and BGE obviously enhances the ILSS. In particular, the simultaneous addition of 0.5 wt.% MWCNTs and 10 phr BGE leads to the 25.4% increase in the ILSS for the glass fibre reinforced composite. The fracture surfaces of the fibre reinforced composites are examined by scanning electron microscopy and the micrographs are employed to explain the ILSS results.