Effect of interfacial debonding and matrix cracking on mechanical properties of multidirectional composites

In composites, debonding at the fiber–matrix interface and matrix cracking due to loading or residual stresses can effect the mechanical properties. Here three different architectures — 3-directional orthogonal, 3-directional 8-harness satin weave and 4-directional in-plane multidirectional composites — are investigated and their effective properties are determined for different volume fractions using unit cell modeling with appropriate periodic boundary conditions. A cohesive zone model (CZM) has been used to simulate the interfacial debonding, and an octahedral shear stress failure criterion is used for the matrix cracking. The debonding and matrix cracking have significant effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. As strain increases, debonding increases, which produces a significant reduction in all the moduli of the composite. In the presence of residual stresses, debonding and resulting deterioration in properties occurs at much lower strains. Debonding accompanied with matrix cracking leads to further deterioration in the properties. The interfacial strength has a significant effect on debonding initiation and mechanical properties in the absence of residual stresses, whereas, in the presence of residual stresses, there is no effect on mechanical properties. A comparison of predicted results with experimental results shows that, while the tensile moduli E ₁₁, E ₃₃and shear modulus G ₁₂ match well, the predicted shear modulus G ₁₃ is much lower.     

Mechanical properties of flat braided composite with flexible interphase

Textile composites have been used extensively as industrial materials because of the excellent mechanical properties resulting from the continuously oriented fiber bundle. In a study of the mechanical properties, it is important to consider the fiber/matrix interface property as for other composite materials. In a recent study, the fiber/matrix interface is regarded as an interphase that has its own material constants and thickness; consequently, the mechanical properties of a composite can be controlled by specifically designing the interphase. In this study, we applied this concept to braided composites with flexible resin as interphase for the purpose of designing the interphase. In a static tensile test, though there were no improvements in Noncut specimens (normal braided composites), but a Cut specimen (each side of the Noncut specimen was cut) with flexible interphase was improved in fracture load and displacement. The observation of the specimen edge was carried out and it was confirmed that the progress of debonding at the fiber bundle intersection was interrupted by a flexible interphase, and a matrix crack did not occur in the Cut specimen with flexible interphase. In a fiber bundle pull-out test, it was confirmed that debonding progressed not into the fiber/resin interface but into the flexible interphase in the specimen with flexible interphase, and the interfacial property at the fiber bundle intersection was improved.     

Powder compaction,sintering, and rolling of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene and its composites

The applicability of powder compaction and sintering techniques to the processing of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powder is demonstrated. With proper processing procedure and type of UHMWPE powder, the mechanical properties obtained are nearly equivalent to those obtained by conventional melt processes. The properties were optimized by selection of a sintering temperature just above the melting point and by close control of particle size and distribution. The processability of UHMWPE is dependent on the morphology of the powder. Only those powders with a fibrous morphology provided good mechanical properties after sintering. The mechanical properties of powder compacts can be improved by several techniques. Liquid sintering with added normal molecular weight polyethylene, with close control of particle size and distribution and amount of the second component, yielded improved properties. Composites of UHMWPE, with short glass and graphite fiber reinforcement, processed by powder compaction and sintering resulted in increased modulus. The properties of these composites depended upon the amount of fibers, fiber length, fiber-matrix bonding, and fiber orientation. Rolling the powder-processed UHMWPE oriented the structure and improved the mechanical properties, although it decreased the mechanical properties of the glass and graphite fiber composites because of debonding between fiber and matrix. The properties of carbon black—UHMWPE mixtures were improved by rolling because of a more uniform distribution of carbon black.     

Initial damage induced by thermal residual stress and microscopic failure analysis of carbon-fiber reinforced composite under shear loading

In order to study the mechanical properties and the progressive failure process of composite under shear loading, a representative volume element (RVE) of fiber random distribution was established, with two dominant damage mechanisms – matrix plastic deformation and interfacial debonding – included in the simulation by the extended Drucker–Prager model and cohesive zone model, respectively. Also, a temperature-dependent RVE has been set up to analyze the influence of thermal residual stress. The simulation results clearly reveal the damage process of the composites and the interactions of different damage mechanisms. It can be concluded that the in-plane shear fracture initiates as interfacial debonding and evolves as a result of interactions between interfacial debonding and matrix plastic deformation. The progressive damage process and final failure mode of in-plane shear model which are based on constitute are very consistent with the observed result under scanning electron microscopy of V-notched rail shear test. Also, a transverse shear model was established as contrast in order to comprehensively understand the mechanical properties of composite materials under shear loading, and the progressive damage process and final failure mode of composite under transverse shear loading were researched. Thermal residual stress changes the damage initiation locations and damage evolution path and causes significant decreases in the strength and fracture strain.     

Assessment of interface deformation and fracture in metal matrix composites under transverse loading conditions

The transverse properties of unidirectional metal matrix composites (MMCs) are dominated by the fiber/matrix interfacial properties, residual stresses and matrix mechanical response. In order to monitor and study, in situ, the failure of interfaces in titanium-based composites subjected to transverse loading conditions, an ultrasonic imaging technique has been developed. The interface was imaged ultrasonically and the change in ultrasonic amplitude with the transverse loading was monitored, indicating the sensitivity of the technique to fracture and deformation of interfaces. This change in amplitude has been explained in terms of the multiple reflection theory of ultrasonic waves. The multiple reflection theory enabled estimation of the interfacial deformation and debonding as a function of loading. The ultrasonic technique was also used in conjunction with finite element modeling in order to quantify the fiber/matrix interfacial transverse strength in situ in MMCs.     

Measurement of fiber/matrix interface properties of C/C composites by single fiber and fiber bundle push-out methods

Interfacial fracture stresses of carbon/carbon composites were measured by indentation methods. Two types of test methods, namely, single fiber push-out, and bundle fiber push-out tests were conducted. Both methods successfully gave fiber/matrix interface mechanical properties, especially debonding behavior. However, when the interface was strong, the single fiber push-out test encountered technical difficulty in processing the extremely thin specimen required to realize the fiber push out. On the other hand, the bundle fiber push-out test gave a good estimation of interfacial fracture stresses.     

Interphase characterization in epoxy resin/carbon fibre composites

In this paper, interphase properties of carbon fibre/epoxy resin single-fibre model and unidirectional (UD) composites are reported. To study the contribution of the carbon fibre surface chemistry and morphology and of the resin itself to the overall properties of the composites, untreated, oxidized and sized fibres are used with bi- and tetrafunctional, diglycidylether of Bisphenol A, DGEBA and tetraglycidyl 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, TGDDM-based resins, cured with amine and anhydride hardeners. Adsorption measurements and single fibre contact angle experiments, as well as the pull-out test were applied to characterize the surface of carbon fibre and the interfacial shear strength with different matrices. It was shown that the presence of the size on the surface can drastically affect the wettability as well as the starting rate of the cure reaction of epoxide in the vicinity of the fibre surface, as revealed by FTIR microscopy. Different elastic-plastic behavior of model composites before debonding is found for untreated, oxidized and sized fibres, due to the various interphase structures formed. Both micro-and macromechanical properties of the composites are found to be significantly affected by the matrix properties. The role of the surface treatment of fibers becomes especially important in high performance resin systems.     

VIBRATION-BASED DAMAGE IDENTIFICATION USING RECONSTRUCTED FRFS IN COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

This work aims to establish a vibration-based damage identification method for fiber-reinforced laminated composites and their sandwich construction. This new on-line structural damage identification technique uses the structural dynamic system reconstruction method exploiting the frequency response functions (FRFs) of a damaged structure. To verify the effectiveness of this damage identification method, the frequency responses obtained by vibration testing of fatigue-damaged laminated composites and honeycomb sandwich beams with debonding are examined according to the extent of the damage via the fatigue-damage load cycle for laminated composites, and via the debonding extent for honeycomb sandwich beams. The changes of the peaks and valley of the FRFs according to the debonding extent and the fatigue load cycles are examined, and the area changes in the FRFs are also discussed as the damage index. The residual FRFs or the difference between intact and damaged FRFs are newly defined for application of the on-line damage identification method. Finally, the delamination extent for the sandwich beams and the fatigue damage level for the laminated composites can be easily identified in terms of the changes in natural frequencies and damping ratios of the reconstructed FRFs for these damaged composite structures.     

Stress transfer around a broken fiber in unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites considering matrix damage evolution and interface slipping

A shear-lag model is applied to study the stress transfer around a broken fiber within unidirectional fiber-reinforced composites(FRC) subjected to uniaxial tensile loading along the fiber direction.The matrix damage and interfacial debonding,which are the main failure modes,are considered in the model.The maximum stress criterion with the linear damage evolution theory is used for the matrix.The slipping friction stress is considered in the interfacial debonding region using Coulomb friction theory,in whic...     

Discontinuous basalt and glass fiber reinforced PP composites from textile prefabricates: effects of interfacial modification on the mechanical performance

Spun and blown basalt fibers and their PP matrix composites were investigated. The composites were manufactured by hot pressing technology from carded and needle punched prefabricate using PP fiber as matrix material. Glass and blown basalt fibers were treated with reaction product of maleic acid-anhydride and sunflower oil while spun basalt fibers had a surface coating of silane coupling agent. Fibers were investigated with tensile tests while composites were subjected to static and dynamic mechanical tests. The results show that blown basalt fibers have relatively poor mechanical properties, while spun basalt fibers are comparable with glass fibers regarding geometry and mechanical performance. The static and dynamic mechanical properties of glass and spun basalt fiber reinforced composites are similar and are higher than blown basalt fiber reinforced composites. Results were supported with SEM micrographs.     

Modified flax fibers reinforced soy-based composites: mechanical properties and water absorption behavior

Flax fibers are often used in reinforced composites which have exhibited numerous advantages such as high mechanical properties, low density and biodegradablility. On the other hand, the hydrophilic nature of flax fiber is a major problem. In this study, we prepare the soybean oil based composites reinforced with protein coated and lipid acylated flax fibers and compare their water uptake properties. Results showed that water resistance properties of the composites are improved where treated flax fibers are used. The composite with lipid acylation of the flax fiber exhibited to enhance tensile strength and water resistance properties. Influences of fiber length, fiber loading and pressure on mechanical properties are also reported.     

Mechanical properties of sisal fibre-reinforced polymer composites: a review

There has been a growing interest in the utilization of sisal fibres as reinforcement in the production of polymeric composite materials. Natural fibres have gained recognition as reinforcements in fibre polymer–matrix composites because of their mechanical properties and environmental friendliness. The mechanical properties of sisal fibre-reinforced polymer composites have been studied by many researchers and a few of them are discussed in this article. Various fibre treatments, which are carried out in order to improve adhesion, leading to improved mechanical properties, are also discussed in this review paper. This review also focuses on the influence of fibre content and fabrication methods, which can significantly affect the mechanical properties of sisal fibre-reinforced polymer composites.     

Pithecellobium Clypearia Benth Fiber/Recycled Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) Composites Prepared in a Vane Extruder: Analysis of Mechanical Properties and Morphology

The effect of compatibilizer types and concentrations on the mechanical properties and morphology of Pithecellobium Clypearia Benth Fiber (PCBF)/recycled ABS composites prepared by a vane extruder were characterized. In addition, the percentage of compatibilizer was fixed at 8%, and the effect of lubricant concentrations on the mechanical properties and torque behaviors of the composites was also studied. Maleic anhydride grafted ABS (ABS-g-MAH) and maleic anhydride grafted PS (PS-g-MAH) were used as compatibilizers; the lubricant used was Struktol TPW 604 (blend of aliphatic carboxylic acid salts and mono diamides). The composite with 8% ABS-g-MAH showed superior mechanical properties compared to the composite without compatibilizer and the 8% PS-g-MAH compatibilized composites. Compared with PS-g-MAH, ABS-g-MAH was more effective for the composites to improve the interfacial interaction and mechanical properties. The comprehensive mechanical properties of PCBF/recycled ABS composite filled with 4% lubricant were better than the composites without lubricant and the composites with any other content of TPW 604. Moreover, the torque of the composites in an internal mixer decreased with an increasing lubricant content.     

Dynamic Tensile Behavior and Fracture Mechanism of Polymer Composites Embedded with Tetraneedle-Shaped ZnO Nanowhiskers

Dynamic tensile properties of glass-fiber polymer composites embedded with ZnO nanowhiskers are investigated by a split Hopkinson tensile bar. The stress-strain curves, ultimate strength, failure strain and elastic modulus are obtained and the failure mechanism of the composites is investigated by the macroscopic and microscopic observation of fractured specimens. The strain rate effect on the mechanical behavior is discussed and a constitutive model is derived by simulating the experimental data. The experimental results show that the materials have an obvious non-linear constitutive relation and strain rate strengthening effect. The composites with ZnO nanowhiskers under dynamic loading have various failure modes and better mechanical properties.     

Long-Term Hydrothermal Aging Behavior and Aging Mechanism of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polyamide 6 Composites

Long-term hydrothermal aging of polyamide 6 (PA6)/glass fibre (GF) composites was conducted and the effects of the GF on variations of structure and properties of the composites with aging time were investigated. It was found that the first stage of aging was a Fickian process and corresponded to the physical absorption of water until equilibrium, resulting in a slight change of reduced viscosity and chemical structure of the PA6. The water diffusing process was slowed down slightly by addition of the GF. The second stage of aging was the initiation process of hydrolytic degradation of PA6, resulting in a rapid decrease of reduced viscosity and an increase of end group content. In the final stage of aging, the relative weight gain (W_r) dropped, the reduced viscosity decreased and the end groups increased slowly. The degradation rate and carbonyl index of PA6 increased with increasing GF content, and the increasing rate of end groups concentration of the composites was higher than that of pure PA6 during the aging process, indicating addition of GF accelerated the hydrolysis degradation and oxidative aging of PA6. In mechanical property tests, compared with unaged samples of the composites which underwent matrix rupture around the matrix-fiber interfacial layer, for aged samples several smooth fibres without coatings were pulled out and the interfacial debonding was the main failure mode, causing severe deterioration in mechanical properties. The hydrolytic degradation activation energy (E_a) was calculated through a method based on the Arrhenius model by considering both temperature and humidity as environment factors; with increasing GF content, E_a decreased, indicating that the addition of GF made PA6 easier to degrade.     

Influence of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of the interface in an EN AW-6082/1.4310 composite extrusion

The presented paper deals with a unidirectional steel wire reinforced aluminum matrix composite manufactured by composite extrusion. The main objective of this work was to determine the effect of heat treatment, and the influence of long solution annealing times on the composites interface regarding microstructural changes and the resulting interface strength. For evaluation of the microstructure high resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) investigations accompanied with electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were performed. It could be shown that diffusion from the steel wire into the aluminum matrix occurs and that the diffusion paths as well as particle formation is influenced by the preceded heat treatment. Diffusion paths in the range of 40–150 nm could be observed for Al, Fe, Cr and Ni. After annealing times over 5 h an extensive growth of an intermetallic reaction layer was found. The mechanical properties of the interface were determined by push-out-tests and tensile tests radial to the interface, which provided the debonding shear strength σ_deb and for the latter experiment the interfacial radial strength σ_IR. It has become apparent that debonding shear strength is highly influenced by matrix properties. In radial tensile tests the failure is predominantly controlled by the chemical bond of the interface. It was shown that interface strength of specimen with small reaction zones of about 3 μm were beneficial for the mechanical behavior in both loading conditions. Longer annealing times showed a drastic decrease of interface shear strength. It was concluded from EDX measurements and in comparison with literature that the reaction zone is dominated by the growth of Al₅Fe₂ (η-phase).     

聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物的分子动力学模拟研究

通过分子动力学模拟对聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物的形态结构、 热力学性质、力学特性进行计算, 分析其随模拟温度和纳米颗粒尺寸的变化规律. 模拟结果表明, 聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物为各向同性的无定形态结构, 铜纳米颗粒与聚酰亚胺基体之间通过较强的范德华作用结合在一起使结构更加稳定, 铜纳米颗粒表面多个原子层呈现无定形状态, 在铜颗粒和聚酰亚胺基体之间形成界面层, 界面区域随颗粒尺寸和温度的增加分别减小和增加. 聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物的等容热容随着颗粒尺寸增大而明显增高, 随温度变化比聚酰亚胺体系更为缓慢, 在较低温度下较小颗粒尺寸复合物的热容比聚酰亚胺体系更低. 聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物的热压力系数随颗粒尺寸增加而显著增大, 比聚酰亚胺体系的热压力系数更小, 且随温度升高而减小的程度要小得多. 聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物的热力学性质表现出明显的尺度效应, 温度稳定性明显高于聚酰亚胺体系. 聚酰亚胺/铜纳米颗粒复合物的力学特性表现出各向同性材料的弹性常数张量, 具有比聚酰亚胺体系更低的杨氏模量和泊松比, 随温度升高分别减小和增大, 与聚酰亚胺体系随温度的变化趋势相反, 且杨氏模量的温度稳定性显著提高, 同时泊松比随纳米颗粒尺寸增大而减小, 具有明显的尺度效应. 加入铜纳米颗粒形成复合物可获得与聚酰亚胺体系显著不同的力学新特性. 关键词： 分子动力学模拟 聚合物纳米复合物 聚酰亚胺 纳米颗粒     

Highly filled composites with thermoplastic elastomers matrix

The mechanical and Theological properties of blends based on commercial types of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) Finaprene with polystyrene and ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer, used as suitable materials to produce highly filled composites with magnetically hard fillers, have been investigated. The influence of a 90% to 93% filler content and the morphology of the fillers on mechanical, Theological, and magnetic properties of composites is discussed. The influence of changes of other technological parameters, such as type of treatment of the fillers and type of mixer, on properties of composites has been studied.     

Enhancing the interfacial strength of glass/epoxy composites using ZnO nanowires

This paper investigated the application of ZnO nanowires (ZnO NW) to enhance the interfacial strength of glass/epoxy composites. ZnO NW were grown on glass fibers by hydrothermal method, tensile properties of bare and ZnO NW coated fibers were measured by single fiber tensile testing, wettability of fiber with resin was studied by contact angle measurements and finally the interfacial strength and mechanisms were determined by single fiber fragmentation testing of glass/epoxy composites. The surface coverage of ZnO NW on glass fibers was fairly uniform without formation of major clusters. The coating of ZnO NW slightly reduced the tensile strength and improved the tensile modulus of fibers. Wettability tests showed reduction in contact angles for ZnO NW coated fibers because of enhanced wetting and infiltration of epoxy resin into nanowires. In fragmentation testing of microcomposites, smaller and concentrated interfacial debonding zones for ZnO NW coated fibers indicated good stress transfer and strong interfacial adhesion. A new form of crossed and closely spaced stress patterns were observed for nanowires of high aspect ratios. The interfacial strength of ZnO NW coated fibers increased by at least 109% and by 430% on average, which was attributed to the increased surface area and mechanical interlocking provided by ZnO NW.     

Micromechanical analysis of transverse damage of fibre-reinforced composites

The mechanical behaviour of fibre-reinforced composites under transverse tension, compression and shear is studied using computational micromechanics. The representative volume element is constructed for fibre’s random distribution. The Drucker–Prager model and cohesive zone model are used to simulate the matrix damage and interfacial debonding, respectively. The stress distribution along the interface is studied using the model with only one fibre embedded in the matrix. It is found that the interface tensile failure at the equators of fibre firstly occurs under transverse tension; the interface shear failure firstly occurs under transverse compression; both the interface tensile failure and shear failure occur under transverse shear. The direction of fracture plane is perpendicular to the loading direction under transverse tension, 52.5° with the perpendicular direction under compression and 7.5° with the perpendicular or vertical direction under shear, respectively.