Interfacial evaluation of epoxy/carbon nanofiber nanocomposite reinforced with glycidyl methacrylate treated UHMWPE fiber

Interface interactions of fiber–matrix play a crucial role in final performance of polymer composites. Herein, in situ polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) on the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers surface was proposed for improving the surface activity and adhesion property of UHMWPE fibers towards carbon nanofibers (CNF)‐epoxy nanocomposites. Chemical treatment of UHMWPE fibers was characterized by FTIR, XPS analysis, SEM, and microdroplet tests, confirming that the grafting of poly (GMA) chains on the surface alongside a significant synergy in the interfacial properties. SEM evaluations also exhibited cohesive type of failure for the samples when both GMA‐treated UHMWPE fiber and CNF were used to reinforce epoxy matrix. Compared with unmodified composite, a ～319% increase in interfacial shear strength was observed for the samples reinforced with both 5 wt % GMA‐grafted UHMWPE and 0.5 wt % of CNF. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43751.     

Preparation of emulsion‐type thermotolerant sizing agent for carbon fiber and the interfacial properties of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite

A modified resin was synthesized through the reaction between dodecylamine and tetraglycidyldiaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM), which was used as the film former of sizing agent for carbon fiber (CF). The sizing agents were prepared through phase inversion emulsification method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was utilized to analyze the modified resin. Particle sizes of the sizing agents were tested to evaluate their stabilities. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results demonstrated that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the modified TGDDM is much higher than the T_g of the cured epoxy resin E‐44. The influences of the sizing treatment on CF were investigated by abrasion resistance, fluffs, and stiffness tests. The maximum abrasion resistance increased by 172.8%, compared with the abrasion resistance of the desized CF. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) results of the CF/TGDDM composites indicated that the interfacial adhesion between CF and matrix resin was greatly improved after CF was sized. The maximum ILSS value could obtain a 29.16% improvement, compared with the ILSS of the desized CF composite. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41882.     

Joining of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates by a novel partial cross‐linking process

Direct joining of partially cross‐linked and freshly infiltrated carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin plates made from HTA/RTM6 is investigated as function of the partial curing degree. Partial cross‐linking maintains a certain chemical reactivity of the thermosetting resin which can be used for bonding to a second, freshly infiltrated resin part. A final curing cycle guarantees complete cross‐linking of the joined component. The bonding behavior and the interface morphology of the joined plates are analyzed by mechanical testing, acoustic emission analysis and microscopy. A significant dependence of the bonding and interfacial properties on the partial curing degree is found. Very low and very high partial curing degrees (below 70% and above 80%) result in low fracture toughness and discontinuous crack propagation. Intermediate curing degrees between 70% and 80% mainly show high fracture toughness, stable crack propagation and a ripple like interface morphology. The latter is created by the surface morphology of the partially cross‐linked plate with the typical peel‐ply imprint and results in a high contact surface and mechanical interlocking. The combination of chemical reactivity and high contact surface seems to be advantageous for the enhanced fracture toughness and the improved failure mode of samples with intermediate partial curing degree. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42159.     

Preparation and characterization of the modulus intermediate layer in carbon fiber/epoxy composites by depositing sepiolites

An important aspect in development of multi‐scale reinforced composites is their mass production which can be easily realized. In this article, the sepiolites (Si12O30Mg8(OH)4(OH2)4·8H2O) are directly deposited onto the surface of JH‐T800 carbon fibers for the first time with no need for removal of the commercial sizing agent. The sepiolites adhering to the carbon fibers are uniformly distributed with random orientation, and participated in the formation of high modulus intermediate layer encompassing the carbon fiber. After the deposition of sepiolites, the interfacial shear strengths (IFSS) of the carbon fiber/epoxy composites are significantly improved as shown in single‐fiber composite fragmentation tests. Compared to the commercial carbon fiber composites, the sepiolite‐deposited fiber composites also exhibit obvious improvement in the interlaminar shear strength and flexural strength. As a new kind of multi‐scale reinforcement with industrial application value, the sepiolite‐deposited carbon fibers can further raise the level of mechanical properties of the existing carbon fiber reinforced composites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43955.     

Reaction of carbon fiber sizing and its influence on the interphase region of composites

What might happen with the interphase region of composite if the sizing agent cannot afford the attack of processing temperature and firstly reacted before its combination with the resin, is rarely reported. On the basis of this, herein, effects of sizing reaction on the interphase region of composite were investigated, as well as on the carbon fiber surface properties. It showed that the interfacial shear strength of carbon fiber/epoxy composite was improved after the sizing reaction. The interphase modulus was also increased with a thinner gradient distance. Further analysis indicated that the fiber surface roughness increased, the fiber wettability with the resin lowered, and the chemical reactions between sizing agent and resin reduced after 200°C/2 h treatment on carbon fiber. These results explained the change of the interphase region, which are meaningful for sizing optimization. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41917.     

Improved interfacial adhesion in carbon fiber/epoxy composites through a waterborne epoxy resin sizing agent

A series of self‐emulsified waterborne epoxy resin (WEP) emulsions were used as surface sizing for carbon fibers (CFs) to improve the interfacial adhesion between the CF and epoxy matrix. In this work, the hydrogenated bisphenol‐A epoxy resin (HBPAE) was modified by polyethylene glycol (PEG) with molecular weights of 400, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 4000, and 6000 g/mol. The properties of the WEP emulsion were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The surface characteristics of sized CFs were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Afterwards, CF/EP composites were prepared and their fracture surface and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) were examined. The results indicated that PEG2000 modified HBPAE sizing had the optimum emulsion stability and film‐forming ability. Meanwhile, the results also demonstrated that a continuous and uniform sizing layer was formed on the surface of CFs and the surface sizing was excellent in improving the chemical activity of CFs. Compared with unsized CFs, the O1s/C1s composition ratio was observed to increase from 11.51% to 33.17% and the ILSS of CF/EP composites increased from 81.2 to 89.7 MPa, exhibiting better mechanical property than that of commercial Takemoto S64 sized CFs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44757.     

Study of crystallization behavior of neat poly(vinylidene fluoride) and transcrystallization in carbon fiber/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composite under a temperature gradient

The crystallization behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and transcrystallization in carbon fiber (CF)/PVDF composite were investigated under a temperature gradient. The crystallization temperature (T_c) was controlled in the range of 110–180 °C. For neat PVDF, the results showed that exclusive γ phase formed at T_c above 164 °C, but coexisted with α phase at T_c ranging from 137 to 160 °C. The promotion of γ phase to nucleation of α phase at low T_c was observed for the first time. For CF/PVDF composite, a cylindrical transcrystalline (TC) layer formed on the surface of CF when T_c was between 137 and 172 °C. The TC layer was exclusively composed of γ phase at T_c above 164 °C. The hybrid nucleation was dominated by γ phase though some α phase nuclei emerged on the surface of CF when T_c was in the range of 144–160 °C. As T_c decreased, competition between the hybrid nucleation of α and γ phase became more intense. The γ phase nuclei was soon circumscribed by the rapidly developed α phase when T_c was below 144 °C. Furthermore, some α phase nuclei were induced at the surface of the γ phase TC layer, and developed into α phase TC layer when T_c was in the range of 146–156 °C, which resulted in a doubled TC layer of α and γ phase at the interface of the composite. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43605.     

High-thermal conductivities of epoxy composites via p-phenylenediamine interfacial modification and process intensification

High loadings of fillers are usually needed to achieve high-thermal conductivity (TC) of polymer-based composites, which inevitably sacrifices processability and meanwhile causes high-cost. Therefore, it is of great significance to achieve high-TC composites under low-filler loading. Here, a novel p-phenylenediamine (PPD) modified expanded graphite (EG-PPD)/epoxy (EP) composite with high TC and low-filler content was successfully prepared via pre-dispersion and vacuum assisted mixing strategy. With the improved interfacial compatibility between EG and EP by PPD, the prepared EG-PPD/EP composite exhibited excellent thermal management performance, resulting in the TC of which reached 4.00 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ with only 10 wt% (5.59 vol%) of EG-PPD, which is approximately 19 times higher than that of pure EP. Meantime, the interface thermal resistance of EG-PPD/EP composite between EG-PPD and EP is reduced by 33% compared with EG/EP composite. This composite with excellent TC property is expected to be used in thermal management field.     

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet treatment of wheat straw for improved compatibility in epoxy composites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an atmospheric‐pressure gas plasma jet treatment on the interior and exterior surface characteristics of wheat straw and on the mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with wheat straw. Dry air was used as the process gas in the plasma system. A distance between the nozzle and the substrate surface (DNSS) of 35 mm was determined as the most effective parameter enabling remarkable decreases in the (surface energy) values of both the interior and exterior surfaces of virgin wheat straw. Increased intensities of the peaks related to carbon‐rich species and 11% to 43% decreases in the oxygen/carbon ratios on the surfaces confirmed the more hydrophobic nature of the plasma‐treated wheat straw. A further increase in the DNSS decreased the effectiveness of the plasma treatment, while a decrease in the DNSS caused an inverse effect on the value, probably due to the etching effect of the plasma action, which was supported by the atomic force microscopy analysis. The overall results indicated that the increased hydrophobicity and valley‐like occurrences without sharp pits created by the plasma action improved the compatibility of the wheat straw with the epoxy matrix, which contributed to superior mechanical properties of the composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45828.     

Microstructure and properties of carbon fiber sized with pickering emulsion based on graphene oxide sheets and its composite with epoxy resin

The Graphene oxide (GO) sheets were used for preparing the epoxy resin Pickering emulsion. The particle size and the zeta potential of the Pickering emulsion were measured to evaluate its stability. The stable emulsion could be served as the film former of sizing agent for carbon fiber (CF). The effect of the Pickering emulsion stabilized by GO sheets on the properties of CF and the interfacial adhesion property of CF reinforced composite were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that there existed a layer of sizing agent film with GO sheets evenly on the CF surface. Abrasion resistance and stiffness values of CF were tested and the results indicated that the sized CF conformed to the requirement of CF handleability. The interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) test indicated that the interfacial adhesion of the composite could be greatly improved. The fracture surfaces of CF composites were examined by SEM after ILSS tests. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42285.     

Shape memory CTBN/epoxy resin/cyanate ester ternary resin and their carbon fiber reinforced composites

Carboxylated-terminated liquid acrylonitrile rubber (CTBN) and epoxy resin (JEF-0211) were coreacted with cyanate ester (CE) to form CTBN/EP/CE ternary resin systems. Further, the ternary resin system was applied as prepreg for carbon fiber composites with vacuum bag degassing molding process. CTBN/EP/CE ternary shape memory polymer (SMP) exhibited relatively high tensile strength, Young's modulus, impact strength, and excellent shape memory properties. Compared with CTBN/EP/CE ternary SMP, CTBN/EP/CE carbon fiber composites showed much higher mechanical properties, such as their tensile strength and Young's modulus were high to 570 MPa and 36.7 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, CTBN/EP/CE carbon fiber composites exhibited good shape memory properties, their shape fixity ratio and shape recovery ratio were more than 95% after 30 times repeating shape memory tests. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48756.     

Effect of polyurethane sizing agent on interface properties of carbon fiber reinforced polycarbonate composites

This work is aimed at investigating how molecule structure of polyurethanes (PUs) as sizing agents influence the interface properties of carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polycarbonate (PC) composites. Effects of four PUs as sizing agents for CF on the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CF reinforced PC composites are investigated. It is found that the three PUs except PC–PU as sizing agents on oxidized CF (OCF) made the ILSS of their reinforced PC composites increase up to 62.9 MPa by more than 24.8%. The chemical interaction between PU sizing agents and CF are attributed to high reactivity of isocyanate, but carbonate groups on PC–PU may have a chain unzipping reaction due to active groups on the surface of OCF. The chemical interaction between PU sizing agents and PC are attributed to transesterification. As a result, PUs containing isocyanate or polyester groups are ideal sizing agents for CF reinforced PC composites. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47982.     

Effect of polyurethane sizing on carbon fibers surface and interfacial adhesion of fiber/polyamide 6 composites

Commercial epoxy sized carbon fibers (CFs) or unsized CFs have poor interfacial adhesion with polyamide 6 (PA6). Here, CFs are coated with polyurethane (PU) and their surface properties in terms of surface chemistry, contact angle, roughness, and morphology, are investigated. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy demonstrate PU sizing evidently increases the quantity of polar functional groups on the CFs surface. The surface energy of the PU sized fiber is calculated according to the Owens–Wendt method. Compared with unsized fibers, the contact angle of PU sized fibers is decreased while their total surface energy is increased, indicating superior wettability. Moreover, transverse fiber bundle tests are performed to determine the interfacial adhesion between the CFs and PA6 matrix. The transverse fiber bundle strength of unsized CF is measured to be 12.57 MPa. For PU sized CFs processed with sizing concentration of 1.2%, this value is increased to 24.35 MPa, showing an increase of more than 90%. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46111.     

Effects of a silane coupling agent on the tensile adhesive strength between resin and titanium

Adhesion of a cured dental opaquer, which masks metallic appearance and color, to sandblasted Ti aided by 3‐methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTS) is investigated. The tensile bond strengths of Ti and the opaquer are 43.3 and 45.9 MPa, respectively, when MPTS dissolved in ethanol (6 wt %) and premixed with the opaquer (3 wt %) are applied to the sandblasted Ti surface. Mirror finishing alone and sandblasting alone result in the bond strengths of 1.8 and 21.3 MPa, respectively. After thermal cycling (4 and 60°C for 5000 cycles), the bond strengths of the Ti with sandblasting and the MPTS treatment remain higher than that of the Ti with sandblasting only. Sandblasting and the MPTS treatment effectively promote the adhesion of the opaquer to Ti that rapidly forms an oxide surface layer. The silane‐aided adhesion of the opaquer to the sandblasted Ni? Cr, Co? Cr, and Au? Ag? Pd alloys attain adhesive strengths of 33.2, 31.9, and 31.6 MPa, respectively. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Effects of silane coupling agent hydrophobicity and loading method on water absorption and mechanical strength of silica particle-filled epoxy resin

A suitable silane coupling agent (SCA) structure to improve the water absorption and mechanical strength of silica particle-filled epoxy resin was investigated. Bonding, hydrocarbon, and fluorocarbon type SCAs were employed. The bonding type has glycidoxy or amino groups that react with epoxy resin, whereas the other types have only hydrophobic chains. The spherical silica particles were added to epoxy resin at amounts from 10 to 50 wt %. The effect of water absorption was consequently lowered in the order of hydrocarbon > bonding types. The fluorocarbon type SCA was also effective at zero and low silica content. Modification of the epoxy phase by SCA addition was clarified to have a more dominant effect than the adhesion of silica/epoxy interface for the lowering of water absorption, whereas it had been conventionally considered that interfacial adhesion had a more dominant effect. The mechanical strength was higher for the bonding type than the other type. Two addition methods were compared, a pretreatment method and an integral blend method in which all components were mixed simultaneously. The integral blend method was determined to be superior to the pretreatment method for both water absorption and mechanical strength, which was also contrary to the conventional view. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48615.     

Investigations on the internal curing process and mechanical properties of winding composite considering the structure of plant fiber

In this study, the equivalent heat conduction model and internal curing process optimization model of the composite material based on the cavity and twisting structure of the plant fiber were established. Also, the effects of temperature, the volume fraction of the plant fiber cavity and twist on the temperature field, curing degree, and curing deformation during the internal curing process of the jute fiber winding composite pipe were analyzed. The accuracy of process simulation was verified by the internal curing experiment based on electromagnetic heating and was combined with using the microstructure test and tensile strength test of the NOL ring. However, in the case of twisted fiber, an extreme effect on the mechanical properties of the composite was noted.     

Competition of diffusion and crosslink on the interphase region in carbon fiber/epoxy analyzed by multiscale simulations

Molecular diffusion and crosslink between sizing, epoxy, and hardener agent were simulated to elucidate forming process of interphase in carbon fiber/epoxy composite, by using a multiscale method, in which fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD), coarse‐grained dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) and Monte Carlo‐like polymerizing models are used in combination. It shows that mutual diffusions of the three components tend to result in gradient distributions in the fiber vicinity crossing the interphase transition region. The diffusion behavior is extremely restrained by the crosslink reactions. The results indicate that a period of diffusion before the initiation of chemical reaction is necessarily important to obtain sufficient crosslink within the interphase. The sizing amount and the sizing compositions have significant influence on the interphase region. Thicker sizing layer leads to less crosslink and wider transition region, whereas existence of hardener agent in the sizing layer can generate higher crosslink density without changing the width of the interphase. These results deepen our understanding on molecular formation and optimization of the three‐dimensional interphase region in carbon fiber/epoxy composites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40032.     

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes with (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)‐trimethoxysilane: Effect of wrapping on epoxy matrix nanocomposites

In this work, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), after previous oxidation, are functionalized with excess (3‐glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GLYMO) and used as reinforcement in epoxy matrix nanocomposites. Infrared, Raman, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopies confirm the silanization of the MWCNT, while transmission electron microscopy images show that oxidized nanotubes presented less entanglement than pristine and silanized MWCNT. Thickening of the nanotubes is also observed after silanization, suggesting that the MWCNT are wrapped by siloxane chains. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy reveals that oxidized nanotubes are better dispersed in the matrix, providing nanocomposites with better mechanical properties than those reinforced with pristine and silanized MWCNT. On the other hand, the glass transition temperature of the nanocomposite with 0.05 wt % MWCNT‐GLYMO increased by 14 °C compared to the neat epoxy resin, suggesting a strong matrix–nanotube adhesion. The functionalization of nanotubes using an excess amount of silane can thus favor the formation of an organosiloxane coating on the MWCNT, preventing its dispersion and contributing to poor mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44245.     

Fabrication of amido group functionalized carbon quantum dots and its transparent luminescent epoxy matrix composites

Functional amido groups are modified onto the surface of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) in order to provide reactive groups. The modified CQDs are subsequently added into amine cured epoxy resin system. After curing reaction, transparent and luminescent composites are obtained. The modified CQDs are denoted as CQDs@NH₂, and composites studied in this article are denoted as CQDs@NH₂/epoxy. It is found that the dispersion of CQDs@NH₂ in epoxy matrix is effectively improved with the bridge of covalent bonding interface. As a result, the homogenously dispersed CQDs@NH₂ reduce light scattering. And more than double increased transparency and eightfold enhanced luminescence of CQDs@NH₂/epoxy are obtained compared with original CQDs@COONa/epoxy composites. This composite has potential for encapsulating materials in white light‐emitting diodes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42667.     

Next generation high‐performance carbon fiber thermoplastic composites based on polyaryletherketones

Interest in carbon fiber reinforced composites based on polyaryl ether ketones (PAEKs) continues to grow, and is driven by their increasing use as metal replacement materials in high temperature, high‐performance applications. Though these materials have seen widespread use in oil, gas, aerospace, medical and transportation industries, applications are currently limited by the thermal and mechanical properties of available PAEK polymer chemistries and their carbon fiber composites as well as interfacial bonding with carbon fiber surfaces. This article reviews the state of the art of PAEK polymer chemistries, mechanical properties of their carbon fiber reinforced composites, and interfacial engineering techniques used to improve the fiber‐matrix interfacial bond strength. We also propose a roadmap to develop the next generation of high‐performance long fiber thermoplastic composites based on PAEKs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44441.