Accelerated thermal ageing of epoxy resin and 3-D carbon fiber/epoxy braided composites

This paper reports the accelerated thermal ageing behaviors of pure epoxy resin and 3-D carbon fiber/epoxy braided composites. Specimens have been aged in air at 90 °C, 110 °C, 120 °C, 130 °C and 180 °C. Microscopy observations and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectrometry analyses revealed that the epoxy resin oxidative degradation only occurred within the surface regions. The surface oxidized layer protects inner resin from further oxidation. Both the resin degradation and resin stiffening caused by post-curing effects will influence the compression behaviors. For the braided composite, the matrix ageing is the main ageing mode at temperatures lower than glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the pure epoxy resin, while the fiber/matrix interface debonding could be observed at the temperatures higher than T_g, such as the temperature of 180 °C. The combination of matrix degradation and fiber/resin interface cracking leads to the continuous reduction of compressive behaviors.     

Fabrication of superhydrophobic 3-D braided carbon fiber fabric boat

A novel superhydrophobic carbon fiber fabric boat was prepared by combination of macro-scale rough surface and low surface energy material treatment. The loading capacities of the boats, fabricated from the resulting superhydrophobic fabrics, were also performed. The highest loading weight, 14.80 g, was obtained by a fabric boat treated with 12.0 wt.% HFTES. The striking loading capacity of the superhydrophobic boat is attributed to the air film trapped around the fabric surface.     

Fatigue tensile behavior of carbon/epoxy composite reinforced with non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven fabric

An experimental study of the in-plane tension-tension fatigue behavior of the carbon fiber/epoxy matrix composite reinforced with non-crimp 3D orthogonal woven fabric is presented. The results include pre-fatigue quasi-static test data, fatigue life diagrams, fatigue damage progression, and post-fatigue quasi-static test data for the warp- and fill-directional loading cases. It is revealed that the maximum cycle stress corresponding to at least 3 million cycles of fatigue life without failure, is in the range of 412-450 MPa for both loading directions. This stress range is well above the static damage initiation threshold and significantly above the first static damage threshold (determined by the onset of low energy acoustic emission). The second static damage threshold, determined by the onset of high energy acoustic emission and related to the appearance of local debonds and intensive transverse matrix cracking falls within this range. The established correlation between a 3000,000 cycle fatigue stress limit on one side and the second static damage threshold stress on the other is of a high practical importance, because it will significantly reduce the amount of future fatigue tests required for this class of composites. Surprisingly, for equal maximum cycle stress level, the fatigue life under fill-directional loading appears about three times shorter than that under warp-directional loading. The 100,000 cycle, 500,000 cycle and 1000,000 cycle fatigue loading with 450 MPa maximum cycle stress has resulted in so high variations of post-fatigue static modulus, strength and ultimate strain, that no consistent and statistically meaningful trends could have been established; further extensive experimental studies are required to reliably quantify this effect.     

RTM processing and electrical performance of carbon nanotube modified epoxy/fibre composites

This investigation focuses on nanoparticle filtration in the processing of multiscale carbon and glass fibre composites via resin transfer moulding. Surface modified and unmodified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were incorporated into a commercial epoxy resin. The dispersion quality was evaluated using electrical measurements of the liquid suspensions. The manufacturing process was adapted to the challenges posed by the modified rheological behaviour of the CNT loaded resin. Nanoparticle filtration was observed; with some of the unmodified systems following so called ‘cake filtration’ behaviour. This resulted in nonlinear flow behaviour that deviated from the ideal response observed in RTM filling in conventional composites. The electrical conductivity of relatively high fibre volume fraction multiscale carbon and glass laminates increased by less than an order of magnitude with the addition of the nanotubes.     

碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料L型接头拉伸失效机制

设计了单L型(LS)及双L型(LD)两种重量相近的L型接头。采用试验与数值模拟相结合的方式对两种接头的拉伸失效机制进行了研究。通过自行设计的试验夹具在伺服液压试验机上将两种L型接头准静态加载至破坏,分析其破坏机制及应变分布。研究发现,两种L型接头存在不同的失效机制,在破坏阶段单L型接头表现出更好的延展性。单L型接头加载至峰值载荷时,在靠近加载侧的内侧螺栓孔附近首先出现破坏,随后损伤向外侧螺栓孔附近扩展,直至完全失效。双L型接头加载至峰值载荷的50%左右时,L型框体和L型片之间的胶膜首先发生破坏,随后载荷继续增加至峰值载荷时,L型框螺栓孔附近发生破坏,损伤向框体边缘扩展,载荷大幅下降。此外,两种接头的应变随载荷的增加存在不同的变化趋势。采用一种新型复合材料初始失效准则及刚度折减方法,编写用户自定义子程序(UMAT),结合内聚区模型建立复合材料L型接头的渐进损伤模型。基于ABAQUS软件进行计算,得到接头的预测失效载荷及破坏形式。结果表明：有限元分析所得复合材料L型接头的损伤位置及失效模式与试验吻合,预测载荷与试验值相差较小,证明了有限元模型的适用性。     

Preparation of continuous carbon nanotube networks in carbon fiber/epoxy composite

In order to optimize carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersion state in fiber/epoxy composite, a novel kind of CNT organization form of continuous networks was designed. The present work mainly discussed the feasibility of preparing continuous CNT networks in composite: Fiber fabric was immersed into CNT aqueous solution (containing dispersant) followed by freeze drying and pyrolysis process, prior to epoxy infusion. The morphologies of fabric with CNTs were observed by Scanning Electron Microscope. The relationship between CNT networks and flowing epoxy resin was studied. Properties of composite, including out-of-plane electrical conductivity and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), were measured. The results demonstrated that continuous and porous CNT networks formed by entangled CNTs could be assembled in fiber fabric. Most part of them were preserved in composite due to the robustness of network structures. The preserved CNT networks significantly improved out-of-plane electrical conductivity, and also have an effect on ILSS value.     

快速固化环氧树脂及其碳纤维/环氧复合材料性能

采用双酚A型环氧树脂（DGEBA）、改性咪唑（MIM）及改性脂肪胺（MAA）研制快速固化树脂体系。分别利用DSC和流变仪测试了树脂体系的固化特性与流变行为,优选了树脂配方。采用真空辅助树脂灌注工艺（VARIM）制备了快速成型的碳纤维/环氧复合材料层板,考察了层板的成型质量和力学性能,并与常规固化的层板性能进行了对比。结果表明：采用优选的树脂配方,120 ℃下树脂在5 min内固化度达95%,碳纤维/环氧复合材料层板成型固化时间可控制在13 min以内,固化度达95%以上,并且没有明显缺陷;与常规固化相比（固化时间大于2 h）,快速固化碳纤维/环氧复合材料层板的弯曲性能和耐热性能降低幅度较小。     

Quasi-static tensile behavior and damage of carbon/epoxy composite reinforced with 3D non-crimp orthogonal woven fabric

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study and detailed mechanistic interpretations of the tensile behavior of one representative 3D non-crimp orthogonal woven (3DNCOW) carbon/epoxy composite. The composite is tested under uniaxial in-plane tensile loading in the warp, fill and ±45° bias directions. An “S-shape” nonlinearity observed in the stress–strain curves is explained by the concurrent contributions of inherent carbon fiber stiffening (“non-Hookean behavior”), fiber straightening, and gradual damage accumulation. Several approaches to the determination of a single-value Young’s modulus from a significantly nonlinear stress–strain curve are discussed and the best approach recommended. Also, issues related to the experimental determination of effective Poisson’s ratios for this class of composites are discussed, and their possible resolution suggested. The observed experimental values of the warp- and fill-directional tensile strengths are much higher than those typically obtained for 3D interlock weave carbon/epoxy composites while the nonlinear material behavior observed for the ±45°-directional tensile loading is in a qualitative agreement with the earlier results for other textile composites. Results of the damage initiation and progression, monitoried by means of acoustic emission, full-field strain optical measurements, X-rays and optical microscopy, are illustrated and discussed in detail. The damage modes at different stages of the increasing tensile loading are analyzed, and the principal progressive damage mechanisms identified, including the characteristic crack patterns developed at each damage stage. It is concluded that significant damage initiation of the present material occurs in the same strain range as in traditional cross-ply laminates, while respective strain range for other previously studied carbon/epoxy textile composites is significantly lower. Overall the revealed advantages in stiffness, strength and progressive damage behavior of the studied composite are mainly attributed to the absence of crimp and only minimal fiber waviness in the reinforcing 3DNCOW preform.     

Novel carbon fiber/epoxy composite toughened by electrospun polysulfone nanofibers

Novel carbon fiber/epoxy composite toughened by electrospun polysulfone (PSF) nanofibers was prepared to enhance fracture toughness of the composite, and compared the morphology and toughness to those of composite toughened by PSF films prepared by solvent method. Polysulfone nanofibers with the average diameter of 230 nm were directly electrospun onto carbon fiber/epoxy prepregs to toughen the composite. SEM observations of the polysulfone nanofibers toughened composite revealed that polysulfone spheres with uneven sizes presented uniform dispersion through interleaves of the composite, which was different from those of composite toughened by PSF films. Mode I fracture toughness (G_IC) of the nanofibers toughened composite was 0.869 kJ/m² for 5.0 wt.% polysulfone nanofibers content, which was 140% and 280% higher than those of PSF films toughened and untoughened composite due to the uniform distribution of polysulfone spheres.     

碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料缠绕接头拉伸失效机制

通过试验及数值模拟对碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料缠绕接头轴向拉伸失效机制进行研究。基于ABAQUS有限元软件,通过连续介质损伤模型及内聚区模型,分别对碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料缠绕接头各部件及界面进行模拟,编写用户自定义材料子程序(UMAT),建立复合材料的渐进损伤模型,最终得到碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料缠绕接头的应力分布和载荷-位移曲线,并与试验结果对比确定结构的失效机制。结果表明:有限元分析所得碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料缠绕接头损伤部位及失效模式与试验吻合,失效载荷与试验值相差较小,证明仿真分析方法的有效性。通过对比失效模式发现,拉伸载荷作用下,链环是主承力部件,其弧形端部是应力集中处,纤维断裂即从此处开始发生并向外扩展,导致链环断裂及整体结构破坏。      

Fabrication and characterization of carbon fiber reinforced clay/epoxy composite

In this study, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and flexural tests were performed on unfilled, 1, 2, 3, and 4 wt% clay filled SC-15 epoxy to identify the effect of clay weight fraction on thermal and mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix. The flexural results indicate that 2.0 wt% clay filled epoxy showed the highest improvement in flexural strength. DMA studies also revealed that 2.0 wt% system exhibit the highest storage modulus and T _g as compared to neat and other weight fraction. However, TGA results show that thermal stability of composite is insensitive to the clay content. Based on these results, the nanophased epoxy with 2 wt% clay was then utilized in a vacuum assisted resin transfer molding set up with carbon fabric to fabricate laminated composites. The effectiveness of clay addition on thermal and mechanical properties of composites has been evaluated by TGA, DMA, tensile, flexural, and fatigue test. 5 °C increase in glass transition temperature was found in nanocomposite, and the tensile and flexural strengths improved by 5.7 and 13.5 %, respectively as compared to the neat composite. The fatigue strength was also improved significantly. Based on the experimental result, a linear damage model combined with the Weibull distribution function has been established to describe static failure processing of neat and nanophased carbon/epoxy. The simulated stress–strain curves from the model are in good agreement with the test data. Simulated results show that damage processing of neat and nanophased carbon/epoxy described by bimodal Weibull distribution function.     

石墨烯改性环氧树脂/碳纤维复合材料拉伸性能的研究

通过H2SO4/HNO3混酸酸化石墨烯,并用硅烷偶联剂KH-560接枝酸化的石墨烯,然后将处理好的石墨烯均匀的分散在环氧树脂中,制备高性能的环氧树脂/碳纤维复合材料。通过红外光谱(FTIR)、热失重(TG)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)等分析方法对处理的石墨烯的表面官能团及表面形貌进行表征,用DCW-7拉伸试验机对所制得的复合材料进行测量。结果表明:酸化的石墨烯表面成功地接枝上了一定量的硅烷偶联剂KH-560,在树脂体系中添加2%的硅烷偶联剂KH-560处理的石墨烯的复合材料的拉伸强度提高了10.7%,断裂强力提高了10.4%。     

洋麻纤维-棉纤维混纺织物/环氧树脂复合材料力学及吸湿性能

采用碱氧一浴法对洋麻纤维(KF)进行精细化处理,并制备了不同混纺质量比的精细化处理KF-棉纤维(KF-CF)混纺织物及KF-CF/环氧树脂(EP)复合材料。通过纤维强度、细度测试和FTIR、TG、SEM研究了精细化处理对KF性能的影响,通过对KF-CF/EP复合材料力学性能分析得到最佳混纺质量比,探究了最佳混纺质量比KF-CF/EP复合材料在湿热及化学环境下的吸湿性能。结果表明:精细化处理后的KF直径降低了30.66%,拉伸模量提高了31.24%,柔软度提高了13.20%,热稳定性得到提高;当KF与CF混纺质量比为40∶60时,KF-CF/EP复合材料力学性能最优,拉伸强度为101.90 MPa,弯曲强度为189.64 MPa;在湿热环境下,时间越长,温度越高,KF-CF/EP复合材料的吸水率越高,碱性环境会导致KF-CF/EP复合材料吸水率提高。      

UHMWPE纤维/碳纤维复合材料用改性环氧树脂的制备及性能

用甲基丙烯酸改性环氧树脂E-51制备了UHMWPE纤维/碳纤维复合材料用基体树脂,主要研究了反应时间和催化剂用量对改性环氧树脂及复合材料性能的影响。结果表明,当甲基丙烯酸与环氧树脂摩尔比为1.1∶1.0、催化剂二乙基胺用量为0.35%（质量分数）、反应温度为110℃时,改性反应6h所得改性环氧树脂与UHMWPE纤维/碳纤维的复合材料的性能较好。用FTIR、DMA、SEM对改性环氧树脂及复合材料的结构和性能进行了表征,甲基丙烯酸改性环氧树脂对UHMWPE和碳纤维具有较好的粘接性。     

RTM快速成型环氧树脂时间-温度-转变图的构建及其碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料评价

针对自行研制的树脂传递模塑工艺（RTM）快速成型环氧树脂,利用唯象动力学模型、DiBenedetto方程和凝胶模型研究了树脂体系的等温及非等温固化动力学,构建了时间-温度-转变（TTT）的关系图,表明树脂体系兼具较长的适用期与快速固化特性。以此设计RTM快速成型工艺,考察了树脂体系对碳纤维织物的浸润流动行为,并评价了快速成型碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的界面力学性能与微观形貌。结果表明,注射温度下树脂体系的浸润填充性良好,RTM快速成型碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能和内部成型质量较好。      

苎麻短纤维层间增韧碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料

采用热压机层压成型工艺制备了苎麻短纤维(SRF)层间增韧碳纤维/环氧树脂(CF/EP)复合材料层压板,研究了SRF的长度、面密度及其表面偶联处理对CF/EP复合材料层间断裂韧性的影响,并进一步研究了SRF的铺入对复合材料弯曲、拉伸性能的影响。研究结果表明,层间SRF的铺入明显改善了CF/EP复合材料的I型和II型层间断裂韧性(G_(IC)和G_(IIC)),当表面偶联处理的纤维长度为6mm、面密度为12g·m~(-2)时,增韧效果最佳,GIC由497.48J·m~(-2)增加到667.54J·m~(-2),提高了34.24%;GIIC由508.52J·m~(-2)增加到862.11J·m~(-2),提高了69.54%。此外,铺入SRF对复合材料的弯曲、拉伸性能也有一定程度的提高。通过SEM观察发现,SRF的增韧机制与其层间桥联以及裂纹扩展过程中从基体中拔出与劈裂等现象有关。     

碳纳米管/碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料研究

制备了碳纳米管(CNTs)/碳纤维(CF)/环氧树脂(EP)三元复合材料。研究了CNTs含量对复合材料层间剪切强度、弯曲强度和弯曲模量的影响,并采用场发射扫描电镜分析了CNTs在基体树脂中的分散情况。结果表明:复合材料性能的变化源自于CNTs在基体树脂中的分散状态。当CNTs含量为0.2%(wt,下同)时,复合材料剪切强度和弯曲强度达到最大值,分别为99.2MPa和1811.4MPa,但其弯曲模量下降了8.7GPa。当CNTs添加量达到1%时,其弯曲模量达到135.9GPa,较未加入CNTs时提高了11.1%,层间剪切强度和弯曲强度分别降低了5.5MPa和359.5MPa。     

MWCNTs对碳纤维非褶皱无纺布/环氧层合板力学性能的影响

将羧基化多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs)添加到TDE85环氧树脂中,然后与碳纤维非褶皱无纺布(C-NCF)复合,制备成[0°/90°/+45°/-45°]_S层合板。采用三点弯曲、短梁剪切和单边切口弯曲测试方法以及动态力学性能分析方法,研究了不同含量的MWCNTs对层合板弯曲性能、层间剪切强度(ILSS)、Ⅱ型层间断裂韧性(G_ⅡC,以及玻璃态转变温度(T_g)的影响。并采用SEM对Ⅱ型试样的断面进行分析。结果表明,MWCNTs的加入显著提高了NCF层合板的力学性能。与空白试样相比,当MWCNTs在树脂中的质量分数为2.0%时,弯曲强度和模量分别提高了约26%和6%;当MWCNTs的质量分数为0.5%时,ILSS、G_ⅡC、T_g分别提高约14%、27%和14%。     

碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料层压板冲击凹坑的回弹特性

冲击凹坑的回弹特性对飞机复合材料结构低速冲击损伤的目视检出概率有至关重要的影响。采用T800碳纤维/M21环氧树脂复合材料单向预浸丝束自动铺贴和热压罐固化工艺制造了层压板试件。试件引入1 mm左右的冲击凹坑后分成4组,分别在室温环境、湿热环境、重复载荷及湿热和重复载荷联合作用的条件下测量冲击凹坑在不同时间的回弹量,以研究湿热环境和重复载荷对冲击凹坑回弹的影响。结果表明:湿热环境可显著提高冲击凹坑的末期回弹量,但其影响过程较缓慢,因而对凹坑初始回弹速率影响不显著;重复载荷也可提高冲击凹坑末期回弹量,但其影响相对较小,其使冲击凹坑的初始回弹速率有明显提高;湿热环境和重复载荷联合作用对冲击凹坑末期回弹量的影响高于重复载荷和湿热环境的单独影响,凹坑初始回弹速率与重复载荷单独影响下几乎相同。