Synthesis of unsaturated polyesters for improved interfacial strength in carbon fibre composites

Carbon fibres are gaining use as reinforcement in glass fibre/polyester composites for increased stiffness as a hybrid composite. The mechanics and chemistry of the carbon fibre–polyester interface should be addressed to achieve an improvement also in fatigue performance and off-axis strength. To make better use of the versatility of unsaturated polyesters in a carbon fibre composite, a set of unsaturated polyester resins have been synthesized with different ratios of maleic anhydride, o-phthalic anhydride and 1,2-propylene glycol as precursors. The effective interfacial strength was determined by micro-Raman spectroscopy of a single-fibre composite tested in tension. The interfacial shear strength with untreated carbon fibres increased with increasing degree of unsaturation of the polyester, which is controlled by the relative amount of maleic anhydride. This can be explained by a contribution of chemical bonding of the double bonds in the polymer to the functional groups of the carbon fibre surface.     

Influence of redmud particle hybridization in banana/sisal and sisal/glass composites

A novel hybrid composite is developed by adding redmud as the secondary reinforcing filler with banana/sisal and sisal/glass fiber reinforced polyester composites. The composites are prepared by the hand layup technique followed by compression molding. The tensile, flexural, and impact strength of the composites are investigated by varying the parameters such as particle size (4 and 13?µm) and weight percentage (2, 4, 6, and 8?wt%) of redmud particle addition. The experimental result shows that the addition of redmud enhances the mechanical property of the hybrid composite. The maximum increase of 33% in tensile strength and 54% in flexural strength is observed for the sisal/glass composite and 25% increase in impact strength for the banana/sisal composite. The linear regression analysis is also introduced to predict the errors in the scatter plot. Furthermore, the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is used to study the effect of redmud on the interfacial bonding in the banana/sisal and sisal/glass fiber reinforced polyester composites.     

TLCP种类对TLCP／GF／UP原位混杂复合材料力学和流变性能的影响

自行合成了不同种类的热致性液晶聚合物(TLCP),采用原位复合的方法制备了热致性液晶/玻璃纤维(GF)/不饱和聚酯(UP)原位混杂复合材料,研究了TLCP的种类对TLCP/GF/UP原位混杂复合材料的冲击、弯曲、蠕变、应力松弛、流变等性能的影响.结果表明,热致性液晶聚合物的加入能提高TLCP/GF/UP复合材料的冲击和弯曲性能,其中加入5% LCMC的复合材料的冲击强度达到5.7 kJ/m2,是未改性体系的2.1倍,弯曲强度提高了1.2倍～1.6倍;蠕变和应力松弛研究表明,反应型的热致性液晶聚合物LCMC与不饱和聚酯发生交联,提高了复合材料的固化交联度,从而有效提高了复合材料的抗蠕变和应力松弛性能;液晶聚合物的加入,对复合材料的流变性能也有一定的影响.     

超高模量聚乙烯纤维-碳纤维混杂复合材料冲击性能的研究

本工作以平面Charpy冲击、缺口与非缺口Charpy冲击全面地研究了本实验所制备的超高模量聚乙烯(UHMPE)纤维-碳纤维混杂增强环氧复合材料的冲击性能。同时根据试样在冲击过程中的载荷-时间曲线以及试样在冲击破坏后的形貌对该类混杂复合材料的冲击破坏过程与冲击破坏模式进行了分析。结果表明,将UHMPE纤维与碳纤维相混杂,复合材料的冲击性能呈现出明显的正混杂效应。     

Preparation and characterization of three-dimensional braided carbon/Kevlar/epoxy hybrid composites

Though unidirectional, short, and laminated hybrid composites have been extensively investigated because of their wider range of properties than non-hybrid composites, literature on three-dimensional (3-D) braided hybrid composites is very limited. In this work, Kevlar fibers were hybridized to carbon fibers to prepare 3-D carbon/Kevlar/epoxy composites with various carbon to Kevlar fiber volume ratios in an attempt to find alternative materials for osteosynthesis devices. The flexural, shear, and impact properties of the 3-D braided hybrid composites were measured in order to investigate the effect of carbon to Kevlar ratio and evaluate hybrid effects. In addition, residual flexural strength was tested for the impacted samples and the damage tolerance was assessed. Our experimental results revealed the existence of positive hybrid effects on the shear and flexural strengths flexural strain for the 3-D braided composites. The absorbed energy and flexural strength retention of the 3-D braided hybrid composites were found to decrease with relative carbon fiber content. It was shown that hybridizing ductile 3-D braided Kevlar fabric with stiff carbon fabric could result in the hybrid composites with flexural strength comparable to the all-carbon composite and impact damage tolerance superior to the all-Kevlar composite.     

Impact response and damage tolerance characteristics of glass–carbon/epoxy hybrid composite plates

Impact behaviour and post impact compressive characteristics of glass–carbon/epoxy hybrid composites with alternate stacking sequences have been investigated. Plain weave E-glass and twill weave T-300 carbon have been used as reinforcing materials. For comparison, laminates containing only-carbon and only-glass reinforcements have also been studied. Experimental studies have been carried out on instrumented drop weight impact test apparatus. Post impact compressive strength has been obtained using NASA 1142 test fixture. It is observed that hybrid composites are less notch sensitive compared to only-carbon or only-glass composites. Further, carbon-outside/glass-inside clustered hybrid configuration gives lower notch sensitivity compared to the other hybrid configurations.     

Mechanical performance of hybrid bismaleimide composites reinforced with three-dimensional braided carbon and Kevlar fabrics

Short, unidirectional and laminated hybrid composites have been extensively investigated. However, very limited work has been conducted on three-dimensional (3-D) braided hybrid composites. In this work, 3-D braided carbon and Kevlar fibres were hybridized to reinforce a bismaleimide (BMI) resin. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the effect of carbon to Kevlar ratio on such mechanical properties as load–displacement behaviour, flexural strength and modulus, shear strength, and impact properties. The effect of surface treatment of hybrid fabrics on the flexural properties was also determined. Experimental results showed that the flexural strength and modulus of the 3-D braided carbon/Kevlar/BMI composites increased with relative carbon fibre loading up to a carbon to Kevlar ratio of 3:2 and then dropped. Positive hybrid effects were observed for both flexural strength and modulus. The results presented in this work proved that hybridization with certain amount of ductile Kevlar fibre markedly promoted the shear strength, impact energy absorption characteristics and damage tolerance of the all-carbon composite, which is of importance for the 3-D braided composites to be used in bone fixations. Fracture surfaces and microstructures of various 3-D braided hybrid composites were analyzed to interpret the experimental findings.     

Development of kenaf-glass reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite for structural applications

The main aim of this paper is to develop kenaf-glass (KG) fibres reinforced unsaturated polyester hybrid composite on a source of green composite using sheet moulding compound process. Unsaturated polyester resin (UPE) and KG fibres in mat form were used at a ratio of 70:30 (by volume) with treated and untreated kenaf fibre. The kenaf fibre was treated with 6% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) diluted solution for 3 h using mercerization method. The hybrid composites were tested for flexural, tensile and Izod impact strength using ASTM D790-03, ASTM D618 and ASTM D256-04 standards respectively. The highest flexural, tensile and impact strength were obtained from treated kenaf with 15/15 v/v KG fibres reinforced UPE hybrid composite in this investigation.Scanning electron microscopy fractography showed fibre cracking, debonding and fibre pulled-out as the main fracture mode of composites and kenaf treated 15/15 v/v KG reinforced hybrid composite exhibited better interfacial bonding between the matrix and reinforcement compared to other combinations.     

混杂比对碳/芳纶纤维混杂纬编双轴向多层衬纱织物增强复合材料力学性能的影响

利用层内混杂的方式制备碳/芳纶纤维混杂纬编双轴向多层衬纱织物,通过对材料进行拉伸、三点弯曲等实验研究该织物增强复合材料的力学性能及混杂比对其力学性能的影响。结果表明,按照一定的混杂比加入芳纶纤维后复合材料的拉伸性能提高,表现出积极的混杂效应。由于延伸性好的芳纶纤维的加入,使复合材料的拉伸断裂伸长率明显提高,材料破坏模式出现了完全脆性断裂模式(C12材料破坏形式)和“扫帚”形纤维断裂模式(C8A4,C6A6材料破坏形式)。此外,按照一定的混杂比加入芳纶纤维也有效改善了碳纤维增强复合材料的破坏韧性,碳/芳纶纤维混杂MBWK织物增强复合材料的弯曲强度和弯曲模量随混杂比的提高而呈下降趋势,当复合材料中芳纶含量从42%(体积分数,下同)(C6A6)到59.2%(C4A8)的变化过程中,弯曲强度和弯曲模量的降低率较高。0°试样在混杂比为59.2%(C4A8)时,弯曲挠度最大,达到7.49 mm,远高于纯芳纶纤维或纯碳纤维增强的复合材料。所有90°混杂复合材料试样的弯曲挠度均高于纯芳纶纤维或纯碳纤维增强的复合材料,表现出积极的混杂效应。     

Influence of nanosize clay platelets on the mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites

Glass fiber reinforced polyester composite and hybrid nanoclay-fiber reinforced composites were prepared by hand lay-up process. The mechanical behavior of these materials and the changes as a result of the incorporation of both nanosize clay and glass fibers were investigated. Composites were prepared with a glass fibre content of 25 vol%. The proportion of the nanosize clay platelets was varied from 0.5 to 2.5 vol%. Hybrid clay-fiber reinforced polyester composite posses better tensile, flexural, impact, and barrier properties. Hybrid clay-fiber reinforced polyester composites also posses better shear strength, storage modulus, and glass transition temperature. The optimum properties were found to be with the hybrid laminates containing 1.5 vol% nanosize clay.     

Tensile properties and fatigue characteristics of hybrid composites with non-woven carbon tissue

The mechanical characteristics of hybrid composites with non-woven carbon tissue (NWCT) are investigated under static tensile and tension–tension fatigue loadings. The hybrid composites are made by stacking NWCT and CFRP prepregs. Thirteen kinds of composites are studied; i.e. NWCT composites, CFRP longitudinal [0]₈, transverse [90]₁₂, off-axis [45]₁₂ and angle-ply [±45]_3S, hybrid longitudinal ([0/0]₄, [/0/0/]₄), transverse ([90/90]₆, [/90/90/]₆), off-axis ([45/45]₆, [/45/45/]₆), and angle-ply ([+45/−45]_3S, [/+45/−45/]_3S). The symbol ‘/’ means that the NWCT is located between the CFRP layers. To estimate the stiffness of hybrid composites, the rule of mixtures is used. The effects of NWCT on the tension–tension fatigue life, the residual strength and stiffness of hybrid specimens are evaluated. The fatigue damage and failure mechanisms of the hybrid composites are analyzed with an optical microscope.     

Hybrid effects on tensile properties of hybrid short-glass-fiber-and short-carbon-fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites

Hybrid composites of polypropylene reinforced with short glass fibers and short carbon fibers were prepared using extrusion compounding and injection molding techniques. The tensile properties of these composites were investigated taking into account the effect of the hybridization by these two types of short fibers. It was noted that the tensile strength and modulus of the hybrid composites increase while the failure strain of the hybrid composites decreases with increasing the relative carbon fiber volume fraction in the mixture. The hybrid effects for the tensile strength and modulus were studied by the rule of hybrid mixtures (RoHM) using the tensile strength and modulus of single-fiber composites, respectively. It was observed that the strength shows a positive deviation from that predicted by the RoHM and hence exhibits a positive hybrid effect. However, the values of the tensile modulus are close to those predicted by the RoHM and thus the modulus shows no existence of a hybrid effect. Moreover, the failure strains of the hybrid composites were found to be higher than the failure strain of the single carbon fiber-reinforced composite, indicating that a positive hybrid effect exists. Explanations for the hybrid effects on the tensile strength and failure strain were finally presented.     

碳纤维改性对不饱和聚酯自修复复合材料性能的影响

采用H_2O_2和浓HNO_3对碳纤维(CF)表面分别进行氧化处理,得到氧化碳纤维(OCF1和OCF2),采用硅烷偶联剂γ-甲基丙烯酰氧基丙基三甲氧基硅烷(KH-570)对OCF1进行接枝处理,得到接枝改性碳纤维(KCF),将改性前后CF应用于不饱和聚酯(UP)自修复复合材料中,分析比较了不同改性剂及改性方法对碳纤维/不饱和聚酯(CF/UP)自修复复合材料性能的影响。利用FTIR、XPS、SEM表征CF与CF/UP自修复复合材料的化学结构与形貌,通过TGA、万能拉力试验机、悬臂梁冲击仪、邵氏硬度计等对复合材料的热稳定性、力学性能及自修复效率进行测试。结果表明:氧化、接枝反应均可增加CF表面的粗糙度和活性官能团含量,从而改善CF与UP基体的界面相容性。其中OCF1/UP自修复复合材料的综合力学性能比OCF2/UP自修复复合材料好,KCF/UP自修复复合材料的力学性能在三者之中最佳,其自修复效率最高,可达67.03%。     

Pseudo-ductility in intermingled carbon/glass hybrid composites with highly aligned discontinuous fibres

The aim of this research is to manufacture intermingled hybrid composites using aligned discontinuous fibres to achieve pseudo-ductility. Hybrid composites, made with different types of fibres that provide a balanced suite of modulus, strength and ductility, allow avoiding catastrophic failure that is a key limitation of composites. Two different material combinations of high strength carbon/E-glass and high modulus carbon/E-glass were selected. Several highly aligned and well dispersed short fibre hybrid composites with different carbon/glass ratios were manufactured and tested in tension in order to investigate the carbon ratio effect on the stress–strain curve. Good pseudo-ductile responses were obtained from the high modulus carbon/E-glass composites due to the fragmentation of the carbon fibres. The experimental results were also compared with an analytical solution. The intermingled hybrid composite with 0.25 relative carbon ratio gave the maximum pseudo-ductile strain, 1.1%, with a 110 GPa tensile modulus. Moreover, the initial modulus of the intermingled hybrids with 0.4 relative carbon ratio is 134 GPa, 3.5 times higher than that of E-glass/epoxy composites. The stress–strain curve shows a clear “yield point” at 441 MPa and a well dispersed and gradual damage process.     

三维编织超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/碳纤维/环氧树脂混杂复合材料力学行为及混杂效应

采用复合处理工艺对三维混杂超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/碳纤维编织体进行表面处理, 通过RTM工艺制备了环氧树脂基混杂复合材料（UHMWPE/CF/ER）, 并研究了其力学性能及混杂效应。结果表明, 在纤维总体积分数一定的情况下, 随着超高分子量聚乙烯纤维/碳纤维混杂比的减小, 复合材料的弯曲强度、 弯曲模量及压缩强度增大, 而其纵向剪切强度及冲击韧性降低。三维编织混杂复合材料的断裂机制由混杂纤维的混杂比及其性质决定, 通过调节混杂比可实现对复合材料力学性能的有效调控。      

Investigations on the fabrication and the characterization of glass/epoxy,carbon/epoxy and hybrid composites used in the reinforcement and the repair of aeronautic structures

This paper reports the fabrication and the characterization of glass/epoxy, carbon/epoxy and hybrid laminated composites used in the reinforcement and/or the repair of aeronautic structures. These composites were manufactured by the hand lay-up process. Their physical, thermal and mechanical behaviors are discussed in terms of moisture absorption, thermal stability, tensile strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and abrasive wear resistance. The impact of hygrothermal aging on the mechanical properties of each composite group has been also investigated.The main results indicated that after water immersion, all composites showed significant moisture absorption especially for glass/epoxy composite. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the hybrid composite presented the best thermal stability behavior while the glass/epoxy composite the bad behavior. The mechanical properties of the carbon/epoxy composites, in the bulk material, were considerably higher than those of the glass/epoxy; the hybrid structure presented intermediate mechanical properties. The same trend was also observed in terms of wear properties. Finally, a deleterious effect on the strength of all composites due to hygrothermal exposure was established. However, carbon/epoxy composites seem to be less susceptible to aging damage after 90 days at 90 °C.     

复合材料横向压缩性能的研究

本文考察了由两种力学性能不同的基体制备的玻璃纤维、碳纤维和碳/玻混杂纤维复合材料的横向压缩性能及破坏特征,导出了估算复合材料横向压缩强度半经验公式,其估算值与实测值比较吻合。      

Novel biocomposites from poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and recycled carbon fibres

Biobased composites from recycled carbon fibre and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) were fabricated by extrusion followed by injection moulding. The mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the composites were investigated as a function of recycled carbon fibre content. The mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural and notched impact strength as well as tensile and flexural modulus of the composites increased with increasing recycled carbon fibre content. The improvement of stiffness and toughness of composite materials is one of the important findings of this investigation. Experimental values of tensile strength and modulus were compared with parallel, series and Hirsch’s models. The morphology of the composites was analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis were used to measure the thermal properties of the composites. Recycled carbon fibre loading appreciably improved the storage modulus of PTT. Thermal stability and crystallization temperature of PTT also improved with the recycled carbon fibre content.     

短纤维混杂增强PP复合泡沫材料的力学性能

将助剂预混与二次挤出工艺相结合制备含短纤维预发泡粒料, 并用型内二次发泡工艺制备了短炭纤维(SCF)、 短玻璃纤维(SGF)混杂增强聚丙烯(PP)复合泡沫材料。研究了在纤维总质量分数不变时, SCF与SGF的相对含量、 增强纤维与PP的界面性能及泡沫体的表观密度对PP复合泡沫材料的发泡效果和力学性能的影响。结果表明: SGF和SCF的同时加入能够改善PP的高温熔体强度, 获得孔径较小且均一的类球形的闭孔PP泡沫体。SGF和SCF混杂增强提高了PP复合泡沫材料的强度和模量, 且增强效果高于单一纤维, 当纤维总质量分数为15%, 且SGF ∶SCF为1 ∶1时(质量比), PP复合泡沫材料的抗弯强度和抗压强度最高, 而SGF ∶SCF为3 ∶1时, PP泡沫复合材料的冲击韧性和压缩模量达到最大值 。泡沫体的表观密度对PP复合泡沫材料的冲击韧性和抗压强度影响显著, 当表观密度从0.32g/cm3增至0.45g/cm3时, 冲击韧性和抗压强度分别从4.29kJ/m2和6.57MPa 提高到17.87kJ/m2和20.57MPa。      

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

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