Article
Polymer Science
Fei Chen, Ji Zhou, Haoruo Zhang, Zhengguang Heng, Yang Chen, Huawei Zou, Mei Liang
Summary: This study proposes an interesting strategy to simultaneously increase the tensile strength and fracture toughness of epoxy matrix by in-situ constructing block copolymer nanostructures. Through the optimization of nanostructures, the tensile strength and fracture toughness of epoxy matrix are increased by 19% and 236%, respectively, without lowering its Tg. The impact of block copolymers on the morphologies and transformation of nanostructures, the relationship between nanostructures and epoxy properties, and the strengthening and toughening mechanism are systematically studied. Moreover, the epoxy resins with excellent tensile properties and toughness are used to enhance the compressive and interfacial properties of CFRP composites.
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Vigneshwaran Gnanakkan Samuel Veerakumar, Balasivanandha Prabu Shanmugavel, Sivasankaran Harish
Summary: This study explored the effects of functionalised graphene nanoplatelets and functionalised glass fibers on the mechanical properties of GFRP composites, showing that depositing f-GnPs on f-Fibers can significantly enhance tensile strength, while dispersing f-GnPs in the matrix can improve fracture toughness.
APPLIED COMPOSITE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Chen-hui Huang, De-xiang Sun, Ying Wu, Xiao-ying Lu, Chao-qun Wu, Xiao-dong Qi, Jing-hui Yang, Yong Wang
Summary: Achieving the synchronous enhancement of fracture toughness and strength through the design of microstructures in blend composites is a great challenge. This study found that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) selectively located at the two-phase interface of the blend and induced epitaxial crystallization of PET matrix, which improved interfacial adhesion and resulted in superior fracture toughness and strength. MWCNTs also enhanced heat resistance and antistatic property of the blend composites, expanding the application fields of PET.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Chang-Bin Oh, Byeong-Joo Kim, Man Young Lee
Summary: A unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced composite with excellent interlaminar fracture toughness (ILFT) was achieved by treating polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) based thermoplastic veils with carbon nanofiber (CNF)-modified coupling agents. The multiscale reinforcement mechanisms, including microfibers and chemical bonding, significantly improved the mechanical properties of the composites.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yadong Wu, Xiuyan Cheng, Shaoyun Chen, Bo Qu, Rui Wang, Dongxian Zhuo, Lixin Wu
Summary: A hybrid fiber mat (i-MBP-PCF) was prepared by depositing multiwalled carbon nanotube buckypaper (i-MBP) on the surface of functionalized CF fabric, showing significant improvement in the interlaminar and electrical properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. The hybrid fiber mat exhibited enhanced interlaminar shear strength, Mode-II interlaminar fracture toughness, and electrical conductivity compared to CF/EP composite.
MATERIALS & DESIGN
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Wei Fan, Hua Yang, Ambrose C. Taylor
Summary: A numerical model based on crack phase field analysis was used to investigate the quasi-static fracture process in interpenetrating phase composites (IPCs). The study found that tougher and stiffer tougheners result in more fracture in the brittle phase, but less fracture in the toughening phase, leading to a competition between increasing breakage in the brittle phase and declining breakage in the toughening phase. The study also identified various crack propagation patterns and compared fracture in different microstructures.
COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Qiming Wang, Shiyu Chen, Shaohua Zeng, Pengpeng Chen, Ying Xu, Wangyan Nie, Yifeng Zhou
Summary: This study presents a nature-inspired interface strategy to fabricate high-performance and low-cost fiber-reinforced composites. By coating a heterostructural montmorillonite-multiwalled carbon nanotube (Mt-MWCNT) hybrid on the surface of glass fibers, a nacre-like interface layer is formed, improving the strength and toughness of the glass fiber/ epoxy composites. The enhanced dispersion and strong bonding of the Mt-MWCNT hybrids contribute to the improvement in interlaminar shear strength, work of break, storage modulus, and thermal stability of the resulting composites.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Dani Liu, Shuofei Sun, Gening Dong, Feifei Long, Mingkun Wang
Summary: Stretchable materials like elastomers and hydrogels are prone to crack growth during repeated stretching. Current methods to improve fatigue resistance involve blocking cracks with high-energy phases, which are often limited to specific polymers or compromise other properties. In this study, we challenge this concept and demonstrate the crack bridging effect in micropatterned elastomers, where micropatterns shield polymer chains by bridging behind the crack front. By creating composites with molecularly separated fibers and matrices, we achieve a fatigue threshold three times higher than traditional composites based on high-energy strategies. This crack bridging strategy has general usefulness and does not rely on specific materials for inter- and intra-polymer interactions.
COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ping Han, Lina Yang, Susu Zhang, Zheng Gu
Summary: By constructing a gradient modulus interfacial microstructure on the carbon fiber surface, the interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composites (CFRPs) can be significantly improved by chemically grafting a self-assembly carboxyl-terminated hyperbranched polymer (HP-COOH). This work provides a facile and efficient strategy for constructing a superior and versatile interface for high-performance composites.
Article
Engineering, Manufacturing
F. Lionetto, F. Montagna, D. Natali, F. De Pascalis, M. Nacucchi, F. Caretto, A. Maffezzoli
Summary: This study characterized the architectural anisotropy of short fiber reinforced polymers (SFRPs) using X-ray computed micro-tomography (micro-CT) and four different morphometric methods. The obtained information on fiber orientation was used to predict elastic constants and design SFRP components, showcasing the importance of understanding fiber structure for composite material properties.
COMPOSITES PART A-APPLIED SCIENCE AND MANUFACTURING
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuxi Shen, Alia Gallet-Pandelle, Hiroki Kurita, Fumio Narita
Summary: The study demonstrated that adding a surface-active agent and basalt fibers can significantly improve the mechanical properties of cellulose acetate composites, while the arrangement of fibers also affects this effect. Photodecomposition experiments showed that the photocatalyst also has a certain impact on the decomposition of materials.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Shahina Riaz, Kyong Y. Rhee, Soo-Jin Park
Summary: In this study, MoS2 nanosheets were exfoliated with the assistance of PEI and used as toughening agents for epoxy composites, resulting in significant improvements in thermal and mechanical properties. The optimal loading of MoS2 nanosheets was found to be 0.09 wt.%.
STEEL AND COMPOSITE STRUCTURES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Wenyi Xu, Liguo Yu, Ke Chen, Run Zhang, Ping Xue, Mingyin Jia
Summary: A dual-nozzle 3D printing technique was developed to fabricate continuous glass fiber reinforced PA6 composites with sandwich structure. The surface layer was printed with short glass fiber reinforced PA6 filament, while the inner part was printed with CGF/PA6 filament to provide high mechanical performance. The optimized printing process parameters resulted in composites with excellent mechanical properties, making them suitable for various industrial applications such as aerospace, automotive, wind turbine blades, and shipbuilding.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
S. A. Medina, E. V. Gonzalez, N. Blanco, J. Pernas-Sanchez, J. A. Artero-Guerrero
Summary: Although there has been ongoing research into the rate-dependent behavior of interlaminar fracture toughness in fibre reinforced composites in recent decades, further investigation is necessary to characterize these properties and develop more reliable constitutive models for simulating dynamic events. In addition, there is currently no consensus on the appropriate test method for characterizing these properties. This paper introduces a new test method using a modified Double Cantilever Beam test with a guided tensile configuration, which ensures symmetric crack opening and pure mode I propagation during high loading rate testing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Yiting Weng, Longqiang Wu, Yunfu Ou, Dongsheng Mao
Summary: Short carbon nanotubes (SCNTs) with average length less than 2 μm were added to epoxy resin as the matrix of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The addition of 0.5 wt% SCNTs significantly enhanced the toughness of the matrix, resulting in increased strain, stress, and interlaminar fracture toughness of the epoxy resin and CFRPs. The superior interlaminar toughening efficiency of SCNTs can be attributed to their small size, which allows them to penetrate into the tiny gaps of carbon fiber yarns and strengthen the interfaces between epoxy resin and carbon fibers.
COMPOSITES COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
