Fracture mechanisms of epoxy filled with ozone functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes

This work focused on the fracture mechanisms and reinforcing effects of ozone-treated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in epoxy matrix. Ozone functionalization of MWCNTs was found to be of help for a better dispersion and stronger interfacial bonding with epoxy matrix, which in turn improve the strength and fracture toughness of the resin. The MWCNT/epoxy composites showed complicated failure modes than the conventional fibrous composites, which have been quantitatively investigated and correlated with the fracture toughness of the nanocomposites studied.     

CVD SiC fiber-reinforced barium aluminosilicate glass—ceramic matrix composites

Unidirectional CVD SiC (SCS-6) monofilament reinforced BaOAl₂O₃2SiO₂(BAS) glass—ceramic matrix composites have been fabricated by a tape lay-up method followed by hot pressing. The glass matrix flows around fibers during hot pressing resulting in nearly fully dense (95–98%) composites. Strong and tough composites having first matrix cracking stress of 250–300 MPa and ultimate flexural strength as high as 900 MPa have been obtained. Composite fracture surfaces showed fiber pullout with no chemical reaction at the fiber/matrix interface. From fiber push out, the fiber/matrix interfacial debond strength and the sliding frictional stress were determined to be 5.9 ± 1.2 MPa and 4.8 ± 0.9 MPa, respectively. The fracture surface of an uncoated SiC (SCS-0)/BAS composite also showed fiber/matrix debonding, fiber pullout, and crack deflection around the fibers implying that the SiC fibers may need no surface coating for reinforcement of the BAS glass-ceramic. Applicability of micromechanical models in predicting the first matrix cracking stress and the ultimate strength of these composites has also been examined.     

单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸行为

采用细观力学方法对单向纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料的单轴拉伸应力-应变行为进行了研究。采用Budiansky-Hutchinson-Evans（BHE）剪滞模型分析了复合材料出现损伤时的细观应力场,结合临界基体应变能准则、应变能释放率准则以及Curtin统计模型三种单一失效模型分别描述陶瓷基复合材料基体开裂、界面脱粘以及纤维失效三种损伤机制,确定了基体裂纹间隔、界面脱粘长度和纤维失效体积分数。将剪滞模型与3种单一失效模型相结合,对各个损伤阶段的应力-应变曲线进行模拟,建立了准确的复合材料强韧性预测模型,并讨论了界面参数和纤维韦布尔模量对复合材料损伤以及应力-应变曲线的影响。与室温下陶瓷基复合材料单轴拉伸试验数据进行了对比,各个损伤阶段的应力-应变、失效强度及应变与试验数据吻合较好。     

Carbon nanotube modification using gum arabic and its effect on the dispersion and tensile properties of carbon nanotubes/epoxy nanocomposites

In this study, the effects of a MWCNT treatment on the dispersion of MWCNTs in aqueous solution and the tensile properties of MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were investigated. MWCNTs were treated using acid and gum arabic, and MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were fabricated with 0.3 wt.% unmodified, oxidized and gum-treated MWCNTs. The dispersion states of the unmodified, oxidized, and Gum-treated MWCNTs were characterized in distilled water. The tensile strengths and elastic modulus of the three nanocomposites were determined and compared. The results indicated that the gum treatment produced better dispersion of the MWCNTs in distilled water and that gum-treated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites had a better tensile strength and elastic modulus than did the unmodified and acid-treated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscope examination of the fracture surface showed that the improved tensile properties of the gum-treated MWCNT/epoxy nanocomposites were attributed to the improved dispersion of MWCNTs in the epoxy and to interfacial bonding between nanotubes and the epoxy matrix.     

Contribution to the micromechanical interpretation of fracture work of short-fibre-reinforced thermoplastics

For a micromechanical interpretation of the work of fracture of composite materials, a number of energy dissipation mechanisms have been proposed in recent years. Thus, in short-fibre-reinforced thermoplastics with fibres of subcritical length, contributions from brittle matrix fracture, debonding of the interface and fibre pull-out were taken into consideration. However, experimental results show that the fracture process in such composites with a relatively ductile matrix is determined by plastic flow in localized regions where the yield restrictions due to the presence of the fibres are overcome. A new model is therefore proposed containing debonding, sliding at the interface and local plastic deformation of the matrix bridges. Starting from a micromechanical analysis of the debonding and sliding length, the fracture energies are calculated in general terms. Depending on the relative contributions to the total energy, which itself depends on loading rate, the composite fracture energy varies with volume fraction in a qualitatively different manner.     

Preparation and characterization of carbon nanotube/polyetherimide nanocomposite films

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polyetherimide (PEI) nanocomposite films have been prepared by casting and imidization. A homogeneous dispersion of MWCNTs throughout the PEI matrix is observed by scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces, which shows not only a fine dispersion of MWCNTs but also strong interfacial adhesion with the matrix, as evidenced by the presence of many broken but strongly embedded carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the matrix and by the absence of debonding of CNTs from the matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis show that the glass transition temperature of PEI increases by about 10 °C by the addition of 1 wt% MWCNTs. Mechanical testing shows that for the addition of 1 wt% MWCNTs, the elastic moduli of the nanocomposites are significantly improved by about 250% while the tensile strength is comparable to that of the matrix. This improvement is due to the strong interfacial interaction between the MWCNTs and the PEI matrix which favors stress transfer from the polymer to the CNTs.     

界面对纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料拉伸性能的影响

建立了桥联纤维细观力学模型, 研究了界面对纤维增强陶瓷基复合材料拉伸模量及强度的影响。分别引入纤维应力均匀系数和界面脱粘率作为界面完全脱粘和局部脱粘条件下界面性能的表征参数。研究表明, 应力均匀系数及界面脱粘率越大, 材料模量越低, 而断裂时纤维所承担的应力越高。基于混合率给出了拉伸强度表达式, 同时也分析了基体裂纹分布、界面脱粘和纤维拔出对强度的影响。计算结果表明, 本文强度模型给出的预测值与试验值吻合较好。      

碳纤维无纺布对CFRP层板层间的增韧作用及机制

为了揭示短纤维无纺布对碳纤维增强树脂基复合材料(CFRP)层板层间韧性的影响规律,测试了不同面密度(1.95、3.90、7.80和15.60 mg/cm2)和不同纤维平均长度(0.8 mm和4.3 mm)的碳纤维无纺布增韧的CFRP层板I型层间断裂韧性。实验结果表明:对于不同短纤维增韧的CFRP层板,平均长度为0.8mm的短纤维增韧效果优于平均长度为4.3mm的短纤维,并且面密度为7.8mg/cm2、厚度约为150μm、平均长度为0.8mm的碳纤维无纺布显著提高了CFRP层板的层间断裂韧性,与未改性的CFRP层板相比,其能量释放率最大可提高99%。光学显微镜观察结果表明环氧基体中长度为0.8mm的短纤维具有三维交织结构,该结构可以有效地阻止裂纹的扩展;SEM观察结果表明短纤维从环氧基体中的脱粘和拔出以及短纤维周围环氧基体的塑性变形是CFRP层板的主要增韧机制。研究结论为层板短纤维增韧技术的应用奠定了基础。     

Effective load transfer by a chromium carbide nanostructure in a multi-walled carbon nanotube/copper matrix composite

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced copper (Cu) matrix composites, which exhibit chromium (Cr) carbide nanostructures at the MWCNT/Cu interface, were prepared through a carbide formation using CuCr alloy powder. The fully densified and oriented MWCNTs dispersed throughout the composites were prepared using spark plasma sintering (SPS) followed by hot extrusion. The tensile strengths of the MWCNT/CuCr composites increased with increasing MWCNTs content, while the tensile strength of MWCNT/Cu composite decreased from that of monolithic Cu. The enhanced tensile strength of the MWCNT/CuCr composites is a result of possible load-transfer mechanisms of the interfacial Cr carbide nanostructures. The multi-wall failure of MWCNTs observed in the fracture surface of the MWCNT/CuCr composites indicates an improvement in the load-bearing capacity of the MWCNTs. This result shows that the Cr carbide nanostructures effectively transferred the tensile load to the MWCNTs during fracture through carbide nanostructure formation in the MWCNT/Cu composite.     

铜基碳纳米管复合薄膜电沉积制备工艺

为获得碳纳米管分布均匀且导电性良好的铜基碳纳米管复合材料,用超声辅助搅拌复合电沉积方法制备了Cu/MWCNT复合薄膜.采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、四探针电阻率仪等研究了电沉积过程中复合电镀液中碳纳米管浓度、电镀液p H值、脉冲电流密度等各项电沉积工艺参数以及不同退火温度对复合薄膜的组织形貌和电阻率的影响规律.结果表明:改变镀液中碳纳米管含量和电镀液的p H值可以改变镀层中碳纳米管的含量及分布,MWCNTs质量浓度升高到2 g/L时,复合薄膜中MWCNTs的质量分数达2.17%;改变电流密度可以细化镀层组织并改善碳纳米管在镀层中的分布,从而提高镀膜的致密度并降低镀层的电阻率;合适的热处理温度可以改善薄膜结晶度和致密度,并提高导电性.镀液中MWCNTs质量浓度为2 g/L,电镀液p H为2,电流密度为20 A/dm2,电镀时温度在25℃且加入超声辅助搅拌时,所得到的复合镀膜经400℃退火后电阻率最低.     

A tensile strength model for unidirectional fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composite

A model for the ultimate tensile strength of unidirectional fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composite is presented. In the model, transverse matrix crack spacing and change in debonding length between the fiber and the matrix is continuously monitored with increasing applied load. A detailed approximate stress analysis, together with a Weibull failure statistics for fiber fracture, are used to determine the probability of fiber fracture and fiber fracture location in the composite. Results of the model are consistent with experimental data. It is suggested from the results that the strength and toughness of the composite are significantly influenced by the Weibull modulus of the fiber and the fiber/matrix interfacial shear stress. A higher fiber Weibull modulus results in a lower composite strength while a higher fiber/matrix interfacial shear stress results in a composite with higher strength but lower toughness. A moderate variation in matrix strength and fiber/matrix interfacial shear strength does not significantly affect the strength of the composite.     

Effects of carbon nanotube alignment on electrical and mechanical properties of epoxy nanocomposites

This paper reports the alignment of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in an epoxy matrix as a result of DC electric fields applied during composite curing. Optical microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy are used to confirm the CNT alignment. The alignment of CNTs gives rise to much improved electrical conductivity, elastic modulus and quasi-static fracture toughness compared to those with CNTs of random orientation. An extraordinarily low electrical percolation threshold of about 0.0031 vol% is achieved when measured along the alignment, which is more than one order of magnitude lower than 0.034 vol% with random orientation or that measured perpendicular to the aligned CNTs. The examination of the fracture surfaces identifies pertinent toughening mechanisms in aligned CNT composites, namely crack tip deflection and CNT pullout. The significance of this paper is that the technique employed here can tailor the physical, mechanical and fracture properties of bulk nanocomposites even at a very low CNT concentration.     

Improving fracture toughness of dental nanocomposites by interface engineering and micromechanics

The fracture toughness of dental nanocomposites fabricated by various methods of mixing, silanization, and loadings of nanoparticles had been characterized using fatigue-precracked compact-tension specimens. The fracture mechanisms near the crack tip were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The near-tip fracture processes in the nanocomposties were identified to involve several sequences of fracture events, including: (1) particle bridging, (2) debonding at the poles of particle/matrix interface, and (3) crack deflection around the particles. Analytical and finite-element methods were utilized to model the observed sequences of fracture events to identify the source of fracture toughness in the dental nanocomposites. Theoretical results indicated that silanization and nanoparticle loadings improved the fracture toughness of dental nanocomposites by a factor of 2-3 through a combination of enhanced interface toughness by silanization, crack deflection, as well as crack bridging. A further increase in the fracture toughness of the nanocomposites can be achieved by increasing the fracture toughness of the matrix, nanofilled particles, or the interface.     

Preparation and properties of chitosan nanocomposite films reinforced by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) treated carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotube-based nanocomposites of chitosan were successfully prepared by a simple solution-evaporation method. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were treated by poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate)(PEDOT-PSS) in water before mixed with a chitosan solution to improve the dispersion of MWCNTs and interfacial compatibility between MWCNTs and chitosan. The morphological and mechanical properties of the prepared PEDOT-PSS/MWCNT/chitosan nanocomposites have been characterized with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and tensile tests. MWCNTs were observed to be homogeneously dispersed throughout the chitosan matrix. As compared with the neat chitosan, the tensile strength and modulus of the nanocomposite were greatly improved by about 61% and 34%, respectively, with incorporation of only 0.5 wt.% of MWCNTs into the chitosan matrix. The comparison of mechanical properties for PEDOT-PSS/MWCNT/chitosan and pristine MWCNT/chitosan nanocomposites has been made. The hardness of the nanocomposites was also evaluated by nanoindentation.     

Z-pin增强陶瓷基复合材料拉伸和层间剪切性能

研究了Z-pin横向增强平纹编织陶瓷基复合材料的拉伸和层间剪切性能。炭纤维平纹编织物和炭纤维Z-pin制备的预成型体, 通过化学气相渗透(CVI)工艺制成Z-pin增强平纹编织陶瓷基复合材料。通过单轴拉伸试验及加-卸载试验研究材料拉伸力学性能参数及破坏规律。采用双切口压缩试验测试材料的层间剪切强度。结果表明, Z-pin增强平纹编织陶瓷基复合材料拉伸应力-应变曲线具有非线性特性; Z-pin嵌入降低了平纹编织陶瓷基复合材料的拉伸强度, 显著提高了陶瓷基复合材料层间剪切强度, 使原来单纯层间基体与织物表面的脱离转变为Z-pin的剪切破坏和层间基体与织物的脱离双重破坏机理。     

Basalt fiber–epoxy laminates with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Cross-ply laminates reinforced with basalt fibers and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated from unidirectional epoxy prepregs. MWCNTs with varied surface conditions were prepared by oxidization or esterification, and then dispersed into a DGEBA epoxy system. The dispersion of the MWCNTs in the epoxy was improved by surface modification, resulting in improved composite mechanical properties as well. Significant increases in elastic modulus and strength were observed for epoxies with functionalized MWCNTs, especially for esterified species. When MWCNT – filled epoxies were used as matrices for basalt fiber/epoxy laminates, however, the reinforcement effects of MWCNTs on the composite elastic modulus exceeded micromechanics based semi-empirical predictions and were independent of surface functionalization. SEM morphological observations and the results of the micromechanical model revealed that nanotube re-distribution and orientation during processing was responsible for the enhancement of fiber-dominated mechanical properties. This work demonstrated the feasibility of in situ alignment and dispersion of functionalized nanotubes in multi-scale composite laminates.     

多壁碳纳米管-有机蒙脱土协同增韧环氧树脂

采用机械搅拌和离心分散的方法制备了多壁碳纳米管-有机蒙脱土/环氧树脂复合材料。X射线衍射分析表明,当有机蒙脱土含量为2 wt%时, 蒙脱土在树脂体系中能够形成离散性结构。断裂韧性测试结果表明,多壁碳纳米管和有机蒙脱土的混杂对环氧树脂具有协同增韧的作用。当有机蒙脱土含量为2 wt%,多壁碳纳米管含量为0.1 wt%时,所得复合材料的断裂韧性是纯环氧树脂的1.77倍,是2 wt%有机蒙脱土/环氧树脂复合材料的1.45倍,是0.1 wt%多壁碳纳米管/环氧树脂复合材料的1.39倍。扫描电镜分析表明,多壁碳纳米管在环氧树脂体系中分散均匀,并与有机蒙脱土片层形成了一定程度的相互穿插和咬合,多壁碳纳米管与有机蒙脱土协同增韧的主要原因是微裂纹增韧、剪切屈服与纤维拔出。      

连续石墨纤维增强铝基复合材料准静态拉伸损伤演化与断裂力学行为

针对连续石墨纤维增强铝基(CF/Al)复合材料,采用三种纤维排布方式的代表体积单元(RVE)建立了其细观力学有限元模型,采用准静态拉伸试验与数值模拟结合的方法,研究了其在轴向拉伸载荷下的渐进损伤与断裂力学行为。结果表明,采用基体合金和纤维原位力学性能建立的细观力学有限元模型,对轴向拉伸弹性模量和极限强度的计算结果与实验结果吻合良好,而断裂应变计算值较实验结果偏低。轴向拉伸变形中首先出现界面和基体合金损伤现象,随应变增加界面发生失效并诱发基体合金的局部失效,最后复合材料因纤维发生失效而破坏,从而出现界面脱粘后纤维拔出与基体合金撕裂共存的微观形貌。细观力学有限元分析结果表明,在复合材料制备后纤维性能衰减而强度较低条件下,改变界面强度和刚度对复合材料轴向拉伸弹塑性力学行为的影响较小,复合材料中纤维强度水平是决定该复合材料轴向拉伸力学性能的主要因素。     

Mechanical Properties and Interlaminar Fracture Toughness of Glass‐Fiber‐Reinforced Epoxy Composites Embedded with Shape Memory Alloy Wires

The effects of the content and position of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires on the mechanical properties and interlaminar fracture toughness of glass‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy (GF/epoxy) composite laminates are investigated. For this purpose, varying numbers of SMA wires are embedded in GF/epoxy composite laminates in different stacking sequences. The specimens are prepared by vacuum‐assisted resin infusion (VARI) processing and are subjected to static tensile and three‐point‐bending tests. The results show that specimens with two SMA wires in the stacking sequence of [GF₂/SMA/GF₁/SMA/GF₂] and four SMA wires in the stacking sequence of [GF₄/SMA/GF₂/SMA/GF₄] exhibit optimal performance. The flexural strength of the optimal four‐SMA‐wire composite is lower than that of the pure GF/epoxy composite by 5.76% on average, and the flexural modulus is improved by 5.19%. Mode‐I and II interlaminar fracture toughness tests using the SMA/GF/epoxy composite laminates in the stacking sequence of [GF₄/SMA/GF₂/SMA/GF₄] are conducted to evaluate the mechanism responsible for decreasing the mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations reveal that the main damage modes are matrix delamination, interfacial debonding, and fiber pullout.