Influence of microcapsule shell material on the mechanical behavior of epoxy composites for self‐healing applications

In this article, we have studied the effect of microcapsule shell material on the mechanical behavior of self‐healing epoxy composites. Liquid epoxy healant was encapsulated in melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) and urea‐formaldehyde (UF), using emulsion polymerization technique to prepare microcapsules of different shell walls. The core content of the microcapsules, as determined by solvent extraction technique was found to be 65 ± 4%, irrespective of the shell wall of microcapsule. Morphological investigations reveal a rough texture of the spherical microcapsules, which was attributed to the presence of protruding polymer nanoparticles on the surface. Epoxy composites containing UF and MF microcapsules (3–15% w/w) were prepared by room temperature curing and their mechanical behaviour was studied under both quasi‐static and dynamic loadings. The tensile strength, modulus, and impact resistance of the matrix was found to decrease with increasing amount of microcapsule in the formulation, irrespective of the shell wall material used for encapsulation. Interestingly, substantial improvement in the fracture toughness of the base resin was observed. Morphological investigations on the cracked surface revealed features like crack pinning, crack bowing, microcracking and crack path deflection, which were used to explain the toughened nature of microcapsule containing epoxy composites. Our studies clearly indicate that the microcapsule shell wall material does not play any significant role in defining the mechanical properties of the composites. In addition, presence of secondary amine functionalities in UF and MF shell wall do not interfere with the reaction of epoxy with triethylene tetramine hardener during the curing process. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40572.     

Comparing reinforcement strategies for epoxy networks using reactive and non‐reactive fortifiers

Improvements in physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of an epoxy network are made with the use of a unique class of molecules that reinforce the network at the molecular scale. These molecules are commonly referred to as antiplasticizers or fortifiers. In this contribution, two types of fortifiers are incorporated into the model epoxy network. One, dimethyl methylphosphonate, is a simple additive while the other, diethyl phosphoramidate, contains a reactive amine and is cured as part of the network. The two approaches provide some unique differences in the physical and mechanical properties of the networks. Several mechanisms of fortification are discussed and correlated to the observed properties. In addition, it is shown that the fortifiers improve the rheological characteristics of the epoxy resin and act as fire‐retardants in the cured network. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 4606–4615, 2006     

Thermoplastic‐modified epoxy resins cured with different functionalities amine mixtures: Morphology,thermal behavior,and mechanical properties

Epoxy matrices inherent brittleness and poor crack resistance make necessary some form of toughening. In this work, to improve their fracture toughness and ductility epoxy matrices were modified by changing its architecture and by the addition of a third component. The matrices architecture were modified by stoichiometrically reacting a bifunctional epoxy resin with different functionalities amine mixtures, one of which being a monoamine that plays the role of chain extender. In the modification by the addition of a third component, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was selected as modifier. PMMA is initially miscible with epoxy/amine systems but can phase separate during curing. The kinetics and miscibility of these systems were studied previously. At constant curing conditions, materials from completely opaque (phase separated) to transparent (miscible) can be obtained with the increase in monoamine content. In this work, the effects of the modifier content and of the monoamine : diamine ratio in stoichiometric epoxy/amine mixtures on the resultant morphologies as well as on their thermal and mechanical properties was studied.© 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Structural aspects of mechanical properties of iPP‐based composites. I. Composite iPP fibers with VGCF nanofiller

Nanocomposite fibers consisting of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) as a matrix filled with vapor grown carbon nanofibers (VGCF) have been prepared and their fine crystalline structure and mechanical properties characterized. The obtained results point out that the VGCF oriented along the fiber extrusion direction induce crystallization in the surrounding iPP matrix in a special way leading to the formation of oriented iPP α‐transcrystallite layers. The VGCF content and the draw ratio (DR) affect the textural properties of the composite material and lead to the formation of an anisotropic structure. The improvements of the mechanical properties of the composite fibers in both undrawn and drawn states are attributed to the VGCF aligning effect during extrusion, which produces highly oriented iPP crystalline structure, rather than to the reinforcing effect of the nanofibers. A new detailed scheme explaining the changes in tensile strength from the structural point of view is proposed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41865.     

Effect of filler content and size on the properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer–wood fiber composites

In this study, the main focus was on the effect of wood fiber (WF) content and particle size on the morphology and mechanical, thermal, and water‐absorption properties of uncompatibilized and ethylene glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EGMA) compatibilized ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer–WF composites. For uncompatibilized composites, the tensile strength decreased with increasing WF content, whereas for compatibilized composites, the tensile strength initially decreased, but it increased for composites containing more than 5% WF. Small‐WF‐particle‐containing composites had higher tensile strengths than composites containing larger WF particles, both in the presence and absence of EGMA. WF particle size did not seem to have much influence on the degradation behavior of the composites, whereas water absorption by the composites seemed to be higher in composites with smaller particle sizes for both compatibilized and uncompatibilized composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3645–3654, 2007     

Polypropylene/silica micro‐ and nanocomposites modified with poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene)

The effects of different silica loadings and elastomeric content on interfacial properties, morphology and mechanical properties of polypropylene/silica 96/4 composites modified with 5, 10, 15, and 20 vol % of poly(styrene‐b‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐b‐styrene) SEBS added to total composite volume were investigated. Four silica fillers differing in size (nano‐ vs. micro‐) and in surface properties (untreated vs. treated) were chosen as fillers. Elastomer SEBS was added as impact modifier and compatibilizer at the same time. The morphology of ternary polymer composites revealed by light and scanning electron microscopies was compared with morphology predicted models based on interfacial properties. The results indicated that general morphology of composite systems was determined primarily by interfacial properties, whereas the spherulitic morphology of polypropylene matrix was a result of two competitive effects: nucleation effect of filler and solidification effect of elastomer. Tensile and impact strength properties were mainly influenced by combined competetive effects of stiff filler and tough SEBS elastomer. Spherulitic morphology of polypropylene matrix might affect some mechanical properties additionally. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41486.     

Maleic anhydride grafted linear low‐density polyethylene/waste paper powder composites with superior mechanical behavior

The present work aims to study the perspectives of an efficient utilization of waste products as fillers for the thermoplastic polymer. Maleic anhydride grafted linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE‐g‐ MA), without any compatibilizers, has been used as polymer matrix to prepare composites with different contents (0–50 phr) of waste paper powder (WPP). Mechanical properties assessment has shown up to 88% improvement in tensile strength and a huge increment of 409% in Young's modulus for the composites prepared at 30 phr WPP. The reinforcement effect of WPP in the polymer matrix was also assessed by Guth‐Gold and modified Guth‐Gold equations. Microstructural analysis of the fractured surfaces revealed good interfacial adhesion with fewer voids and fiber pull out up to 30 phr WPP loading. Interfacial interaction between maleic anhydride group of LLDPE‐g‐ MA and ? OH groups present dominantly in the cellulosic component of WPP was established through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The thermal properties of prepared composites were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45167.     

Effects of size and shape originated synergism of carbon nano fillers on the electrical and mechanical properties of conductive polymer composites

In this study, microstructural features, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity behaviors of thermoplastic composites prepared by using of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) as matrix and various types of carbon nano materials, expanded graphite (EG), carbon nanofiber (CNF), and multi walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) as conductive fillers were investigated. Effects of using of double and triple filler combinations on the electrical properties of composites were also quantified in detail by measuring the bulk resistance of samples under alternating current with an impedance spectrometer. The electrical percolation values of fillers were found to be 20, 10, and 5 phr for the series of composites prepared with the EG, CNF, and CNT, respectively. It was obtained that the bulk resistances of percolated samples were dramatically decreased from 10¹⁴ ohm.cm to 10³?10⁴ ohm.cm. On the other hand, it was also found that the using of double and triple filler combinations provided much lower (about 10¹ ohm.cm) bulk resistance which corresponded to higher conductivity values than the highly filled composites including of 30 and 40 phr of EG. Based on the DMA measurements and the quantifying of elastic modulus values of composites in the rubbery region, it was found that the reinforcing effects of carbon nano fillers on the elastic modulus of composites decreased in the order of CNT>CNF>EG, depending on the aspect ratio (A_f) values of fillers into the matrix. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42313.     

Fabrication of the self‐reinforced composites using co‐extrusion technique

The results of this work relate to the use of co‐extrusion technology in the preparation of monocomposite pellets. The low‐melting polypropylene copolymer was used as a matrix material. The high strength polypropylene fibers were used as a fibrous reinforcement. Research confirms the possibility to produce the pellets with fibrous structure. The prepared composite material in the form of pellets was processed and shaped using the injection molding technology. Obtained samples were subjected to mechanical testing in the static tensile test and dynamic mechanical analysis. Research complements microscopic observation of scanning electron microscopy. The measurement results confirm the reinforcing effect of the fibers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41180.     

The ultrasound‐based interfacial treatment of aramid fiber/epoxy composites

The quality of interfacial adhesion of aramid/epoxy composites affects the mechanical performance of the material, and thus there is a need to improve the condition by using the ultrasound‐based interfacial treatment. To do so, an ultrasonic transducer has been developed and evaluated under various operational conditions when it is installed in the winding system. It has demonstrated several key characteristics such as low power, high amplitude (more than 80 μm), and continuous working (more than 8 h) without water‐cooling. Subsequently, experiments were carried out to determine the mechanical performance of the polymer material with and without ultrasound treatment, showing that the ultrasonic treatment has improved the interfacial performance up to 10%, compared with those without any ultrasound‐treatment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effect of PEKK oligomers sizing on the dynamic mechanical behavior of poly(ether ketone ketone)/carbon fiber composites

Poly(ether ketone ketone) (PEKK)/unidirectional carbon fiber (CF) composites have a poor interface. Accordingly, PEKK oligomer (PEKKo) sizing with a chemical compatibility with PEKK is proposed for promoting interfacial interactions in order to enhance mechanical performances. The thermal stability until 500 °C has been shown by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In order to compare static and dynamic sizing methods, “lab sizing” and “pilot sizing” were carried out. Scanning electron microscopy images of freeze fractures of PEKK/unsized CF, PEKK/PEKKo lab-sized CF and PEKK/PEKKo pilot-sized CF show that the PEKKo sizing causes an improvement of fiber/PEKK interactions, regardless of the sizing method. Indeed, in both cases, there is a continuity of matter at the interface while we observe a poor wetting of CF by matrix in PEKK/unsized CF. Dynamic mechanical relaxations in shear were analyzed as a function of temperature. The increase of storage modulus upon sizing is observed for both methods but it is more important for PEKKo pilot sizing. In the same way, the mechanical energy loss increases, it reflects the optimization of stress transfer between matrix and fibers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48818.     

Fracture toughness of carbon fiber/polyether ether ketone composites manufactured by autoclave and laser‐assisted automated tape placement

A comparative study is presented on the fracture toughness of carbon fiber/PEEK composites manufactured by autoclave and laser‐assisted automated tape placement (LATP). Formation of a good inter‐laminar bond is always a concern in ATP due to the short time available for intimate contact development and polymer healing, yet our double cantilever beam (DCB) tests reveal 60–80% higher Mode I fracture toughness for the LATP processed specimens than for the autoclave processed specimens. This magnitude of difference was unexpected, so specimens were further examined via differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, nano‐indentation, and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the LATP process has been very effective in heating and consolidating the surface of plies, creating an excellent bond. However, it has been less effective in processing the interior of plies, where a low crystallinity and poor fiber–matrix bonding are evident. The higher fracture toughness of the LATP processed specimens is also not solely due to a better bond, but is partially due to significant plastic deformation in the interior of plies during the DCB test. The findings indicate there is still considerable scope for optimizing the laser‐assisted ATP process, before the optimum balance between strength and toughness is achieved at favorable lay‐down speeds. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41643.     

Preparation and properties of carbon nanotube/binary‐polymer composites with a double‐segregated structure

A carbon nanotube (CNT)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite containing a double‐segregated structure was formalized by means of a facile mechanical mixing technology. In the composite, the CNTs were decorated on the surfaces of PMMA granules, and the CNTs decorated granules formed the continuous segregated conducting layers at the interfaces between UHMWPE particles. Morphology observations confirmed the formation of a specific double‐segregated CNT conductive network, resulting in an ultralow percolation threshold of ～0.2 wt %. The double‐segregated composite containing only 0.8 wt % CNT loading exhibited a high electrical conductivity of ～0.2 S m^?1 and efficient electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of ～19.6 dB, respectively. The thermal conductivity, temperature‐resistivity behaviors, and mechanical properties of the double‐segregated composites were also studied. This work provided a novel conductive network structure to attain a high‐performance conducting polymer composite at low filler loadings. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39789.     

The effect of fiber concentration on mechanical and thermal properties of fiber‐reinforced polypropylene composites

A novel composite material consisting of polypropylene (PP) fibers in a random poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) (PPE) matrix was prepared and its properties were evaluated. The thermal and mechanical properties of PP–PPE composites were studied by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) with reference to the fiber concentration. Although, by increasing PP fiber concentration in PPE, no significant difference was found in melting and crystallization temperatures of the PPE, the storage, and the tensile and flexural modulus of the composites increased linearly with fiber concentrations up to 50%, 1.5, 1.0, 1.3 GPa, respectively, which was approximately four times higher than that for the pure PPE. There is a shift in glass transition temperature of the composite with increasing fiber concentration in the composite and the damping peak became flatter, which indicates the effectiveness of fiber–matrix interaction. A higher concentration of long fibers (>50% w/w) resulted in fiber packing problems, difficulty in dispersion, and an increase in void content, which led to a reduction in modulus. Cox–Krenchel and Haplin–Tsai equations were used to predict tensile modulus of random fiber‐reinforced composites. A Cole–Cole analysis was performed to understand the phase behavior of the composites. A master curve was constructed based on time–temperature superposition (TTS) by using data over the temperature range from −50 to 90°C, which allowed for the prediction of very long and short time behavior of the composite. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2260–2272, 2005     

A refined model for the mechanical properties of polymer composites with nanorods having different length distributions

The aspect ratio of rod‐like nanofillers is an important factor that governs their percolation threshold in nanocomposites with a polymer of interest. Controlling the length distribution of a filler is an effective way to manipulate the onset of network formation and thereby materials properties that are related to the latter. The use of two or more different filler types with dissimilar aspect ratio is a special case to achieve such control. We here report the modification of an existing mechanical model to describe the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites with a binary length distribution of nanofillers. The model was exemplarily applied to materials comprised of two nanorod types having high and low aspect ratio, respectively, and used to explain why the properties of such nanocomposites are strongly weighted by the nanorod type characterized by a higher aspect ratio and stiffness. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45279.     

Mechanical and open hole tensile properties of self‐reinforced PET composites with recycled PET fiber reinforcement

The tensile strength of notched composites is an important factor for composite structural design. However, no literature is available on the notch sensitivity of self‐reinforced polymer composites. In this study, self‐reinforced recycled poly (ethylene terephthalate) (srrPET) composites were produced by film stacking from fabrics composed of double covered uncommingled yarns (DCUY). Composite specimens were subjected to uniaxial tensile, flexural, and Izod impact tests and the related results compared with earlier ones achieved on srPET composites reinforced with nonrecycled technical PET fibers. Effects of open circular holes on the tensile strength of srrPETs were studied at various width‐to‐hole diameter (W/D) ratios of the specimens. In the open hole tensile (OHT) measurements bilinear (yielding followed by post‐yield hardening) stress–strain curves were recorded. The srrPET composites had extremely high yield strength retention (up to 142%) and high breaking strength retention (up to 81%) due to the superior ductile nature of the srrPETs, which induces plastic yielding near the hole thereby reducing the stress concentration effect. The results proved that srrPET composites are tough, ductile notch‐insensitive materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43682.     

Enhancing particle erosion resistance of glass‐reinforced polymeric composites using carbon nanofiber‐based nanopaper coatings

Sand erosion may cause severe damage of blades in wind turbine and helicopter blades as well as many surface components of airplanes. In this study, thin nanopapers made of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are used to enhance the resistance of solid particle erosion of glass fiber (GF)/wind epoxy composites. Finite element computer simulations are used to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The much higher particle erosion resistance of nanopapers compared to GF‐reinforced epoxy composites is attributed to the high strength of CNFs and their nanoscale structure. The excellent performance in particle erosion resistance makes the CNF‐based nanopaper a prospective protective coating material for the turbine blades in the wind energy industry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Characterization and modeling of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐a epoxy cured with aliphatic liquid amines

The characterization by DMA and compressive stress‐strain behavior of an epoxy resin cured with a number of liquid amines is studied in this work along with predictions of the associated properties using Group Interaction Modeling (GIM). A number of different methods are used to assign two of the input parameters for GIM, and the effect on the predictions is investigated. Excellent predictions are made for the glass transition temperature, along with good predictions for the beta transition temperature and modulus for the majority of resins tested. Predictions for the compressive yield stress and strain are less accurate, due to a number of factors, but still show reasonable correlation with the experimental data. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3130–3141, 2013     

Evaluation of the chemical resistance of high‐density polyethylene geomembranes

The chemical resistance of high‐density polyethylene geomembranes (GMs) with smooth and textured surfaces in notched and unnotched forms at different pH values and in the range of 20–80°C was examined with stress crack resistance testing. Surface microcracks in GMs were observed in scanning electron microscopy images. Smooth and textured GMs did not show significant differences in their mechanical behaviors. The yield strength decreased with the temperature, pH, and exposure time. The yield strain increased with the temperature, but there were no good correlations with pH values. The break strength also decreased with the temperature and showed no significant correlation with pH variations. The break strain did not show a good correlation with the temperature and pH variations. The stress crack resistance was independent of pH variations but significantly depended on the temperature. It was negatively correlated with the exposure time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Stress relaxation behavior of starch powder‐epoxy resin composites

The purpose of the present study is to investigate the quasi‐static and the viscoelastic behavior of epoxy resin reinforced with starch powder. An increase in the elastic modulus on the order of 42% was achieved; a behavior that was predicted by the modulus prediction model (MPM). Next, the composite was subjected to flexural relaxation experiments, in order to determine the relaxation modulus, at different filler‐weight fractions and flexural deflections imposed. The viscoelastic models of the standard linear solid, the power law model and the residual property model (RPM) were applied in order to simulate/predict the stress relaxation curves. Predicted values derived from the application of the above models were compared to each‐other as well as to respective experimental findings. From the above comparison it was proved the superiority of the RPM model in predicting both the linear and the nonlinear viscoelastic response of the materials investigated. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41697.