Three-Dimensional Carbon/Silicon Carbide Composites Prepared by Chemical Vapor Infiltration

Continuous-carbon-fiber-reinforced silicon carbide composites (C/SiC) were prepared by chemical vapor infiltration in which the preforms were fabricated with the three-dimensional braid method. The mechanical properties and microstructures were investigated. For the composites with no interfacial layer, flexural strength and fracture toughness increased with density of the composites, and the maximum values were 520 MPa and 16.5 MPa·m^1/2, respectively. The fracture behavior was dependent on the interfacial bonding between fiber/matrix and fiber bundle/bundle which was determined by the density of the composites. Heat treatment had a significant influence on the mechanical properties and fracture behavior. The composites with pyrolysis interfacial layers exhibited characteristic fracture and relatively low strength (300 MPa).     

Effects of toughening agents on the behaviors of bamboo plastic composites

Three kinds of reactive toughening agents of bamboo plastic composites are studied in this article. The bio‐fiber keeps high polarity for the hydroxyl groups of the surface, while polypropylene (PP) matrix resin phase is nonpolar. So, the interfacial compatibility between matrix and enhanced phase is poor. The anhydride in maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene can react with the hydroxyls. A large number of hydroxyl groups on the fiber surface are reduced, and the interfacial bond strength is improved. Three reactive toughening agents: glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene‐1‐octene), maleic anhydride grafted poly(ethylene‐octene), and poly(ethylene‐butylacrylate‐glycidyl methacrylate) are chosen to improve the impact toughness. The mechanical properties, compatibility, phase structure, water absorption, and thermal properties of PP blends are all investigated. When the content of toughening agents are controlled between 6% and 8%, not only the impact strength is greatly improved but also the other properties of PP are less affected, which makes the composites with comprehensive and practical applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

环氧树脂/短切碳纤维复合材料性能研究

制备出了短切碳纤维增强TDE-85环氧树脂复合材料,研究了碳纤维的含量对复合材料力学性能和耐热性能的影响。结果表明,碳纤维的加入有利于复合材料力学性能和耐热性能的提高,并在碳纤维含量为0.25%时,复合材料的拉伸强度、冲击韧性、弯曲强度和弯曲模量达到最大,分别提高了29.33%、25.31%、30.28%和68.93%。此外,对复合材料的弯曲断裂面进行了微观形貌分析,结果表明一定量的碳纤维可以较好地分散在树脂基体中,同时,碳纤维原丝和树脂基体的界面结合比较弱,主要依赖于两相之间的物理嵌合。     

挤出-注塑制备黄麻增强PLA复合材料及其性能

通过挤出共混、造粒、注射成型的方式制备了黄麻纤维填充聚乳酸(PLA)复合材料,研究了复合材料的力学性能以及黄麻与PLA之间的微观界面形貌。结果表明:黄麻的加入,并没有很好地改善黄麻/PLA复合材料的拉伸强度和弯曲强度;碱处理后的黄麻与PLA之间的界面性能有所改善;碱处理黄麻的加入,改善了黄麻/PLA复合材料的断裂伸长率与冲击韧性。     

短玻纤增强聚丙烯的研究进展

综述了近年来有关短玻纤增强聚丙烯复合材料的力学性能、变形机理和断裂韧性等方面的研究工作。短玻纤取向后的复合材料注射样的力学性能是各向异性的 ,复合材料在取向方向上具有更高的拉伸强度。玻纤与树脂基体间界面结合力的强弱对材料的力学性能同样起着至关重要的作用。良好的界面结合力保证了应力有效地从基体向玻纤传递 ,从而提高了复合材料的强度。由于短玻纤的分布既不均匀又不规则 ,在受到负荷时的变形过程很复杂 ,包括玻纤 -基体的界面脱黏、脱黏后的摩擦、基体的塑性变形、玻纤的塑性变形、玻纤断裂、基体断裂和玻纤抽出等     

剑麻/含红土聚乙烯基复合材料制备与性能

针对废旧地膜资源化利用过程中出现的高成本和低性能问题,本文提出了废旧地膜免清洗和剑麻纤维边角料增强的废旧地膜资源化利用技术。采用挤出造粒和注塑成型工艺,制备了剑麻边角料填充含红土废旧聚乙烯复合材料,分析了红土和剑麻纤维边角料对废旧地膜的填充作用。结果表明,红土颗粒使废旧地膜注塑试样的拉伸模量、硬度和耐热温度分别提高了34.4%、41.3%、和33.1%。红土颗粒难以和塑料基体形成良好的界面粘结,导致含红土废旧地膜注塑试样的拉伸强度、弯曲性能和冲击强度轻微降低,表明红土颗粒不能对废旧地膜进行增韧增强,但可以提高模量和耐热温度。剑麻纤维边角料对含红土废旧地膜具有明显的增强增韧作用,随着剑麻纤维添加量的增加,剑麻纤维填充的含红土废旧地膜复合材料的力学性能增加。剑麻纤维填充量超过一定值后,会在复合材料中引入气孔,同时会降低剑麻纤维的分散程度,出现剑麻聚集体,导致复合材料的力学性能降低。     

Effects of in-situ carbon layer and volume fraction of SiC fiber on the mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of SiCf/SiC composites fabricated by a modified PIP method

Unidirectional SiC_f/SiC composites (UD SiC_f/SiC composites) with excellent mechanical properties were successfully fabricated by a modified PIP method which involved the preparation of film-like matrix containing carbon layer with a low concentration PCS solution followed by the rapid densification of composites with a high concentration PCS solution. Carbon layers were in-situ formed and alternating with SiC layers in the as-received matrix. The unique microstructure endows the composites with appropriate interfacial bonding state, good load transfer ability of interphase and matrix and load bearing ability of fiber, and great crack deflection capacity, which ensures the synergy of high strength and toughness of composites. It is also found that the fiber volume fraction in the preform makes a non-negligible effect on the distribution of interphase and matrix, of which the reasonable adjustment can be utilized to optimize the mechanical properties of composites. Compared with the composites only using high concentration PCS solution, the UD SiC_f/SiC composites prepared by the modified PIP method exhibit superior mechanical properties. Ultrahigh flexural strength of 1318.5 ± 158.3 MPa and fracture toughness of 47.6 ± 5.6 MPa·m^1/2 were achieved at the fiber volume fraction of 30%.     

Effects of alkali and silane treatment on the mechanical properties of jute‐fiber‐reinforced recycled polypropylene composites

Jute‐fibers‐reinforced thermoplastic composites are widely used in the automobile, packaging, and electronic industries because of their various advantages such as low cost, ease of recycling, and biodegradability. However, the applications of these kinds of composites are limited because of their unsatisfactory mechanical properties, which are caused by the poor interfacial compatibility between jute fibers and the thermoplastic matrix. In this work, four methods, including (i) alkali treatment, (ii) alkali and silane treatment, (iii) alkali and (maleic anhydride)‐polypropylene (MAPP) treatment, and (iv) alkali, silane, and MAPP treatment (ASMT) were used to treat jute fibers and improve the interfacial adhesion of jute‐fiber‐reinforced recycled polypropylene composites (JRPCS). The mechanical properties and impact fracture surfaces of the composites were observed, and their fracture mechanism was analyzed. The results showed that ASMT composites possessed the optimum comprehensive mechanical properties. When the weight fraction of jute fibers was 15%, the tensile strength and impact toughness were increased by 46 and 36%, respectively, compared to those of untreated composites. The strongest interfacial adhesion between jute fibers and recycled polypropylene was obtained for ASMT composites. The fracture styles of this kind of composite included fiber breakage, fiber pull‐out, and interfacial debonding. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Atomistic modeling: interfacial diffusion and adhesion of polycarbonate and silanes

The performance and strength of many composites, hybrid and thin multi-layered material systems are very much dependent upon the mechanical properties of interfaces. However, continuum mechanics approach to the characterization of interfacial properties has had limited success because it is often unable to incorporate the effects of molecular and chemical interactions into the model. There is therefore a need to understand and study the influence of these factors on mechanical properties such as adhesion strength at a more fundamental level. In the present work, the interfaces of two common coupling agents and matrix polymers in composites are studied with atomistic modeling and simulation. The polymer matrix is polycarbonate (PC) and the coupling agents studied are gamma amino-propyl-triethoxysilane (AMPTES) and stearic-propyl-triethoxysilane (SPTES). Two interface models, SPTES‐PC and AMPTES‐PC were built and the work of adhesion was calculated from molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The separation of the coupling-agents‐matrix interfaces was simulated using MD calculations and the mechanical properties were obtained. It is shown that the higher work of adhesion of the interface is not equal to higher interfacial toughness.     

Improvement of interfacial interactions in CF/PEEK composites by an s-PSF/graphene oxide compound sizing agent

The interfacial interactions of carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced polymer composites is a key factor affecting the overall performance of the material. In this work, we prepared a sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)–graphene oxide mixed sizing agent to modify the interface of CF/PEEK composites and improve the interfacial properties between the PEEK matrix and CF. Results showed that the mechanical and interfacial properties of CF/PEEK composites are improved by the sizing agent. Specifically, the flexural strength, flexural modulus and interlaminar shear strength of the materials reached 847.29 MPa, 63.77 GPa, and 73.17 MPa, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed markedly improved adhesion between the resin matrix and fibers. This work provides a simple and effective method for the preparation of high-performance CF/PEEK composites, which can improve the performance of composites without degrading the mechanical property of pristine CF.     

Formation of a carbon fiber/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/carbon nanotube hybrid reinforcement and its effect on the interfacial properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites

A carbon fiber/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/carbon nanotube (CF–POSS–CNT) hybrid reinforcement was prepared by grafting CNTs onto the carbon fiber surface using octaglycidyldimethylsilyl POSS as the linkage in an attempt to improve the interfacial properties between carbon fibers and an epoxy matrix. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic contact angle analysis and single fiber tensile testing were performed to characterize the hybrid reinforcements. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), impact toughness, dynamic mechanical analysis and force modulation atomic force microscopy were carried out to investigate the interfacial properties of the composites. Experimental results show that POSS and CNTs are grafted uniformly on the fiber surface and significantly increase the fiber surface roughness. The polar functional groups and surface energy of carbon fibers are obviously increased after the modification. Single fiber tensile testing results demonstrate that the functionalization does not lead to any discernable decrease in the fiber tensile strength. Mechanical property test results indicate the ILSS and impact toughness are enhanced. The storage modulus and service temperature increase by 11 GPa and 17 °C, respectively. POSS and CNTs effectively enhance the interfacial adhesion of the composites by improving resin wettability, increasing chemical bonding and mechanical interlocking.     

Effects of the interfacial stress-induced crystallization on the matrix crystalline morphology and the mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced high density polyethylene composites

In the melt-mixing process of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and glass fibers (GF), four types of composites with various interfacial bond strength were obtained by adding maleic low molecular weight polyethylene (MPEW) or maleic anhydride (MAH) and initiator, etc. The mechanical properties of these composites and their dependence on the matrix crystalline morphology were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, small-angle light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and a material universal mechanical testing machine. The occurrence of the interfacial transition regions made of extended-chain crystals around glass fibers was found to be the result of crystallization effects induced by the interfacial stress. The interfacial stress was mainly produced from the matrix shrinkage in the specimen molding process. Under high interfacial bond strength conditions, the forming process of the extended-chain crystals was found to both relax the interfacial stress and at the same time, enhance the interfacial phase modulus and improve the mechanical properties of the composites. Under a 30% glass fiber content condition, the extended-chain crystals formed along the normal direction of glass fiber surfaces connected with each other, fully filled the matrix, and led to a significant increase in the Charpy impact strength of the composites. By contrast, under weak interfacial adhesion, the interfacial stress was released by a dewetting process of the interfacial phase and by the formation of interfacial cracks. Consequently, the interfacial stress did not influence the growth of the spherulites in the matrix and at the same time, the Charpy impact strength of the composite was lower.     

Interfacial microstructure and properties of carbon fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyester composites modified with carbon nanotubes

To improve the interfacial properties in carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) composites, we directly introduced functionalized carbon nanotubes dispersed in the fiber sizing onto the fiber surface. For comparing the influence of polymer type on sizing effect, two different polymers (UP MR13006 and water-soluble epoxy (EP)) were used to prepare sizing agent. Morphology and surface energy of CFs were examined by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic contact angle analysis test. Tensile strength was investigated in accordance with ASTM standards. Mechanical properties of the composites were investigated by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact toughness. Test results indicate that TS, ILSS, and impact toughness were enhanced simultaneously. For UP matrix, the sizing agent containing UP has better reinforcing and toughening effect than the sizing agent containing water-soluble EP.     

Effect of compounding on the properties of short fiber reinforced injection moldable thermoplastic composites

The mechanical properties of short-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites depend on the degree of interfacial bond strength between the fibers and polymer matrix. This interfacial bond strength can be increased by appropriate coupling agents. This study shows, for example, that an amino silane coupling agent improves the bond strength of nylon-aluminum fiber composites, but not polycarbonate-aluminum fiber composites. For cases where appropriate coupling agents are not available it is important to maintain as high a fiber aspect ratio as possible in a molded part. This study shows that a single screw compounder does less damage to glass or carbon fibers than a twin screw compounder under similar processing conditions when the polymer is in the form of pellets. When the polymer is supplied as a powder, satisfactory dry blends can be produced and the twin screw compounder does less damage to the fibers. In both cases, however, fibers initially 6 mm long are reduced to an average length less than 0.5 mm. The greatest degree of fiber size retention was observed when extrusion coated fiber pellets were used in the injection molding machine. The relationship between a fiber's tensile strength and the interfacial shear strength between a fiber and matrix yields a critical fiber aspect ratio below which the maximum reinforcing capability of the fibers are not being utilized. For the polymers investigated in this program, the critical aspect ratio for carbon fibers was found to be between 16 and 25 to 1. The polymers investigated include flame-retardant grades of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and poly(phenylene oxide)/polystyrene blend, nylon 6/6 and poly(phenylene sulfide).     

Interfacial toughness and its effect on compression strength in polycarbonate/carbon fiber composites

Processing Polycarbonate/carbon fiber composites for long times at high temperatures significantly improved adhesion between the matrix and the fibers. The interfacial properties were studied by measuring transverse fracture toughness, observing fracture specimens by scanning electron microscopy, and by monitoring composite cross-sections using atomic force microscopy. The processing treatment provided an ideal method for varying the properties of the interface without changing any other properties. We used this method to study the effect of interfacial properties on the axial compression properties of unidirectional composites. Both the compression strength and compression modulus increased significantly as the fiber/matrix adhesion improved. We concluded that improving interfacial adhesion increased compression properties by inhibiting fiber microbuckling.     

Thermotropic polyester amide-carbon fiber composites

Liquid crystal polymers (LCP) have been developed for the first time as a thermoplastic matrix for high-performance composites. A successful melt impregnation method has been developed that results in the production of continuous carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced LCP prepreg tape. Subsequent layup and molding of prepreg into laminates has yielded composites of good quality. Tensile and flexural properties of LCP-CF composites are comparable to those of epoxy-CF composites. LCP-CF composites have better impact resistance than the latter, although epoxy-CF composites possess superior compression and shear strength. LCP-CF composites have good property retention until 200°F (67% of room temperature value). Above 200°F, mechanical properties are found to decrease significantly. Experimental results indicate that the poor compression and shear strength may be due to the poor interfacial adhesion between the matrix and carbon fiber.     

Interfacial Microstructure and Chemistry of SiC/BN Dual-Coated Nicalon-Fiber-Reinforced Glass-Ceramic Matrix Composites

Glass-ceramic composites with improved high-temperature mechanical properties have been produced by incorporating continuous SiC fibers into a barium magnesium aluminosilicate matrix. Control of the fiber/matrix interface was achieved by a dual-layer coating of SiC/BN(C) applied to the fibers by CVD. The weakly bonded interface resulted in composites with high fracture toughness and strength up to 1100°C, and the composite system was oxidatively stable during long-term exposure to air at high temperatures. Composites with different thermal and mechanical histories were studied, and interfaces were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Auger electron spectroscopy, and fiber pushout tests. Observations of interfacial microstructure were correlated with the mechanical properties of the composite and with interface properties determined from fiber push-out tests.     

原位聚合连续纤维增强聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯复合材料的界面及性能研究

通过选用含不同官能团的硅烷偶联剂3-甲基丙烯酰氧丙基三甲氧基硅烷(MPS)、γ-氨丙基三甲氧基硅烷(APS)和γ-氯丙基三甲氧基硅烷(CPS)处理玻璃纤维,然后通过原位聚合的方法制造了连续纤维增强的聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)复合材料。研究结果表明,经过这三种偶联剂处理的玻璃纤维与基体树脂在界面分别形成了化学键、范德华力和氢键。红外、动态力学分析和扫描电镜研究表明,复合材料的界面粘接强度顺序为:MPS>CPS>APS。MPS处理的复合材料具有最高的弯曲强度,而CPS处理的复合材料具有最佳的冲击韧性和断裂伸长率。     

碳纤维复合材料发动机壳体用高性能树脂基体的研制

在综合考虑树脂黏度、力学性能、耐热性能的基础上。开发了适用于碳纤维复合材料火箭发动机壳体温法缠绕成型工艺用耐高温和韧性环氧树脂基体。用差示扫描式量热法(DSC)、傅里叶红外光谱FT—IR等分析技术对该韧性树脂基体的固化反应动力学参数、树脂基体固化物的性能和复合材料的性能进行了系统的研究。结果表明，该韧性树脂基体黏度低，适用期长，韧性好，与碳纤维界面粘接强度高，所制得的复合材料火箭发动机壳体纤维强度转化率高。为今后相关方面的研究指明了方向。     

Effects of fiber surface chemistry and roughness on interfacial structures of electrospun fiber reinforced epoxy composite films

This work reported the effect of surface chemistry and roughness of electrospun fibers on fiber/matrix interfacial structures and the resultant macroscopical properties of composite films. Three types of fibrous mats composed of ultrafine fibers, that is, cellulose acetate (CANM), polyurethane (PUNM), and cellulose acetate/polyurethane composite (CAPUNM) were fabricated through electrospinning. CA fiber surfaces were rough with many hydroxyl groups; PU fiber surfaces were smooth, whereas CAPU composite fibers exhibited cocontiuous structure with rough surfaces. The fiber‐reinforced epoxy composite films were prepared by the solution impregnation method. The fractured surfaces of the composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Severe interfacial debonding and fiber pullouts were observed for PUNM/epoxy composites, while strong interfacial adhesion was formed for CANM/epoxy and CAPUNM/epoxy composites. The interfacial structure played important roles in the visible light transmittance of the composite films. For example, CANM/epoxy films showed the best optical property, whereas PUNM/epoxy films displayed the poorest light transmitting property and were translucent. The interfacial structure also affected the mechanical properties of the composites. The mechanical strength of fibrous mats followed an increasing order of CANM < CAPUNM < PUNM, but the mechanical strength of the composite films was in a reverse order, that is, CANM/epoxy > CAPUNM/epoxy > PUNM/epoxy. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers