Improving the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fiber/epoxy composites using clustered microcapsules

The composite laminates are susceptible to delamination between reinforcing plies during their long-term service. In this paper, we propose a modified carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminate with embedded clustered dual-component microcapsules in order to increase the interlaminar fracture toughness of the lamina. The details of microcapsules were illustrated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The modified CF/EP composite laminates were fabricated using hot-compaction technique. Mode I interlaminar fracture tests were conducted using double cantilever beam specimens, then the values of opening fracture toughness G_IC were calculated to evaluate the toughening effect of modified laminates. The toughening mechanism was revealed and discussed through micrographs of the fracture surfaces obtained by ultra-depth microscope and SEM. The results show that clustered microcapsules after polymerization are equal to special Z-pinning, significantly enhancing the ability of crack arrest, and largely and roundly improved the G_IC values of resultant composite laminates. Meanwhile, the clustered microcapsules and matrix resin formed a second-phase material layer, which also absorbed the fracture energy and suppressed the expansion of cracks.     

Dynamic 4 ENF test for a strain rate dependent mode II interlaminar fracture toughness characterization of unidirectional carbon fibre epoxy composites

A dynamic 4ENF testing procedure has been proposed to characterize the influence of loading rate on mode II fracture interlaminar toughness of a unidirectional composite material. The stable crack growth accomplished by the proposed dynamic 4ENF procedure allows achievement of the R-curves and the in-situ compliance calibration of each specimen. This enables performance of a monotonic dynamic test and presents a great advantage for the dynamic interlaminar characterization of the composite material. The dynamic G_IIC-s values obtained are similar to those determined by quasi-static loading conditions, which suggests that the proposed testing procedure is able to determine accurately the dynamic G_IIC of a composite material. However, for the tested material and within the analysed loading rate range, both the determined R-curves and G_IIC values do not show any clear sign of loading rate dependence.     

Approach to improving the toughness of TGMDA/DDS epoxy resin by blending with thermoplastic polymer powders

A series of hot-melt processable thermosetting compositions was prepared by blending N,N,N′,N′-tetraglycidyl-4,4′ -diaminodiphenyl-methane/4,4′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (TGMDA/DDS) epoxy resin and thermoplastic polymer powders with average particle size below 30 μm. The basic thermoplastic polymers were either a high T_g amorphous cardo polyimide (T_g=350°C) or commercial semicrystalline PA6 and PA12 polyamides. The resulting heterogeneous mixtures showed viscosity values below 5000 cps suitable for prepregging process. After cure, phase-separated morphologies were maintained with a rather limited interphase miscibility as demonstrated by thermomechanical analysis. Scanning electron microscope examination of fracture surfaces pointed out a strong adhesion between the powder particles and the surrounding polyepoxy network, particularly for the potentially reactive polyamide structures. Moreover, as shown by differential scanning calorimeter analysis, the crystallinity ratio of the PA6 and PA12 powders was lowered due to melting during thermal polymerization. The fracture toughness properties of the powder-containing materials were compared with those of a fully miscible cardo polyimide–TGMDA/DDS blend coming from an homogeneous resin composition. The best improvement in fracture energy was obtained for the powder-modified resins. The most effective composition filled with 16 wt% of powdered polyimide exhibited a fourfold increase in G_IC (388 J/m² versus 100 J/m²) without compromising the epoxy thermomechanical stability (T_g=227°C versus 223°C).     

连续碳纤维增强的聚芳醚酮复合材料的层间破坏

用双悬臂梁和端开口弯曲试件分别研究了连续碳纤维增强的聚芳醚酮复合材料(CF/PEK-C)的Ⅰ型和Ⅱ型的层间破坏。CF/PEK-C的Ⅰ型层破坏的线弹性断裂判据G_(Ⅰc)和弹塑性断裂判据J_(Ⅰc)分别为0.69KJ/m~2且与裂纹长度无关。CF/PEK-C的Ⅱ型层间破坏的稳定性,与裂纹和半距之比α/L有关。当α/L小于0.7时,表现为不稳定的Ⅱ型层间破坏的断裂韧性G_(Ⅱc)为1.62KJ/m~2。当α/L大于0.7时,则为稳定的Ⅱ型层间破坏。此时的G_(Ⅱc)与临界点的选择有关。由亚临界点和0.95点法得出的G_(Ⅱc)值分别为1.73和2.74KJ.M~2。     

Fracture toughness of nylon‐6 blends with maleated rubbers

The fracture toughness of blends of nylon‐6 with maleated ethylene–propylene rubber and maleated styrene/hydrogenated butadiene/styrene triblock copolymer was investigated with a single‐edge‐notched three‐point‐bending instrumented Dynatup test. The blends for which the rubber particle size was less than 0.7 μm fractured in a ductile manner over the whole range of ligament lengths, whereas the blends with particles larger than 0.7 μm showed a ductile‐to‐brittle transition with the ligament length. In this regime, ductile fracture was observed for specimens with short ligaments, whereas brittle fracture was seen for those with long ligaments. The ductile fracture behavior was analyzed with the essential‐work‐of‐fracture model, whereas linear elastic fracture mechanics techniques were used to analyze the brittle fracture behavior. The fact that the ductile fracture energy was larger for the blends with the styrene/hydrogenated butadiene/styrene triblock copolymer than for those with ethylene–propylene rubber was due to the larger dissipative energy density of the blends based on the styrene/hydrogenated butadiene/styrene triblock copolymer. Both the critical strain energy release rate (G_IC) and the plane‐strain critical stress intensity factor (K_IC) increased as the rubber particle size decreased for both blend systems. The G_IC and K_IC parameters had similar values, regardless of the rubber type, when the rubber particle size was fixed. The transition ligament length was near the size criterion for plane‐strain conditions for both blend systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1739–1758, 2004     

Functionalized reduced graphene oxide/epoxy composites with enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability

One-pot hydrothermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) suspension was performed, wherein GO surface were functionalized by free radicals generated from NMP molecules. The NMP functionalized reduced GO (NMPG) nanosheets were then incorporated into epoxy matrix to prepare epoxy composites. The significant improvement of 100 and 240% in fracture toughness (critical intensity factor, K_IC) and fracture energy (critical strain energy release rate, G_IC) achieved from single edge notched bending (SENB) test revealed the excellent toughening ability of NMPG. The improved compatibility and interfacial interaction between the epoxy matrix and NMPG yielded∼28, 19 and 51% improvement in tensile strength, Young's and storage modulus, respectively. Thermal stability of pure epoxy and its composites was determined at 5, 10 and 50% weight loss, which showed 30, 27.5 and 29 °C improvement with 0.2 wt% NMPG loading. The work provides a simple method to prepare graphene-based epoxy composites with improved performance.     

Interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional DCB specimens: A novel theoretical approach

A novel theoretical approach is presented to calculate the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (G_Ic) of double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens with low ratio of initial crack length-to-thickness (a₀/2h). This method is based on a sixth-order beam theory, namely Reddy-Bickford beam (RB), on Winkler elastic foundation (WEF) to account for both transverse shear deformation of the beam and local effects at the delamination front (root rotation). RB with only two generalized displacements w and ?; and three boundary conditions at ends and loading points of a shear deformable beam gives more accurate results than the fourth-order Timoshenko beam theory. The accuracy of the proposed method in prediction of initiation G_Ic values is evaluated together with other available models considering the experimental fracture toughness for moderately thick unidirectional E-glass/epoxy DCB specimens with small initial delamination lengths.     

Relationship between fracture toughness and intrinsic deformation parameters in isotropic and flow‐oriented linear low‐density polyethylene

The fracture toughness of isotropic and flow‐oriented linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) is evaluated by the Essential Work of Fracture (EWF) concept, with a special setup of CCD camera to monitor the process of deformation. Allowing for the molecular orientation, flow‐oriented sample, prepared via melt extrusion drawing, is stretched parallel (oriented‐0°) and perpendicular (oriented‐90°) to its original melt extrusion drawing direction, respectively. The obtained values of specific EFW w_e are 34.6, 10.2, and 4.2 N/mm for the oriented‐0°, isotropic and oriented‐90° sample, respectively. With knowledge of intrinsic deformation parameters deduced from uniaxial tensile tests, moreover, a relationship between specific EFW w_e the ratio of true yield stress to strain hardening modulus σ_ty/G is well established. It means that the fracture toughness of polyethylene is determined by both crystalline and amorphous parts, rather than by one of them. Moreover, the true yield stress seems to be nondecisive factors determining the fracture toughness of polyethylene. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2880–2887, 2006     

In Situ tensile tests to analyze the mechanical response,crack initiation,and crack propagation in single polyamide 66 fibers

Single fiber mechanical testing is challenging to perform, especially when the diameter is as small as tens of micrometers. For this reason, real‐time observations of crack propagation mechanisms have been rarely been investigated experimentally. This article presents experimental and numerical investigations of fracture of monofilamentary high performance polyamide 66 fibers. Their engineering stress–strain curves are compared. The mechanisms of failure starting from crack initiation until the final brittle fracture are studied by in situ tests in Scanning Electron and optical microscopes. Finite element modeling at the individual fiber scale has been performed in three‐dimensional (3D), as a reverse engineering method. The compliance method was used to determine the crack depth that triggers the final failure. The fracture toughness was numerically determined using the J‐integral concept, accounting for the geometry of the crack front (3D) together with plastic deformation. 3D meshes were designed especially from postmortem observations. The average value deduced was about 47 ± 7 kJ m^?2, which will be discussed with other estimates using linear elastic fracture mechanics. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 680–690     

Mechanical and thermal properties of modified bismaleimide matrices toughened by polyetherimides and polyimide

Thermal and mechanical properties such as G_IC (critical strain energy release rate), K_IC (critical stress intensity factor), tensile, and flexural strength of bismaleimide (BMI) matrix toughened by commercially available polyetherimides (Ultem 1000P, Siltem STM 1700, and Extem VH1003) and polyimide P84 were investigated. In case of various contents, polyetherimides soluble in BMI phase separation was observed. The influence of the toughener amount on the mechanical properties of the matrices was studied. It was shown that Ultem and Siltem had a more significant influence on the G_IC and K_IC parameters than the more thermally stable P84 and Extem. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fracture behavior of core-shell rubber-modified crosslinkable epoxy thermoplastics

The fracture behavior of a core-shell rubber (CSR) modified cross-linkable epoxy thermoplastic (CET) system, which exhibits high rigidity, highT _g, and low crosslink density characteristics, is examined. The toughening mechanisms in this modified CET system are found to be cavitation of the CSR particles, followed by formation of extended shear banding around the advancing crack. With an addition of only 5 wt.% CSR, the modified CET possesses a greater than five-fold increase in fracture toughness (G _IC) as well as greatly improved fatigue crack propagation resistance properties, with respect to those of the neat resin equivalents. The fracture mechanisms observed under static loading and under fatigue cyclic loading are compared and discussed.     

Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Interleaves for Thermally Mendable Carbon/Epoxy Laminates

Thin cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) foils were used as intrinsic thermoplastic healing agents in carbon fiber (CF)-reinforced epoxy laminates. COC films were produced by hot pressing and were interleaved in the interlaminar regions between each EP/CF lamina, during the hand layup fabrication of the laminates. Three samples were produced, i.e., the neat EP/CF laminate without COC, and two laminates containing COC layers with a thickness of 44 μm and 77 μm, respectively. It was observed that the fiber volume fraction decreased, and the porosity increased with the introduction of COC layers, and this effect was more evident when thick films were used. These two effects, combined with the sub-optimal adhesion between COC and EP, caused a decrease in the mechanical properties (i.e., the elastic modulus, flexural strength, interlaminar shear strength and interlaminar fracture toughness) of the laminates. Specimens subjected to mode I interlaminar fracture toughness test were then thermally mended under pressure by resistive heating, through the Joule effect of conductive CFs. A temperature of approximately 190 °C was reached during the healing treatment. The healing efficiency was evaluated as the ratio of critical strain energy release rate (G_IC) of the healed and virgin specimens. Healed specimens containing COC layers of 44 μm and 77 μm exhibited a healing efficiency of 164% and 100%, respectively. As expected, the healing treatment was not beneficial for the neat EP/CF laminate without COC, which experienced a healing efficiency of only 2%. This result proved the efficacy of COC layers as a healing agent for EP/CF laminates, and the effectiveness of resistive heating as a way to activate the intrinsic healing mechanism.     

碳纤维三向织物/环氧树脂复合材料的制备与力学性能

选择不同纱线间距[即二经(纬)纱之间的中心距]尺寸的碳纤维三向织物,采用热压成型技术制备了碳纤维三向织物/环氧树脂复合材料.研究了纱线间距及样品裁剪角度等对力学性能的影响,并与碳纤维二向织物/环氧树脂复合材料的力学性能进行对比.结果表明,随着纱线间距尺寸从2 mm增加到6 mm,0°方向断裂强度从221. 7 MPa下降到148. 1 MPa,撕裂强力从1000 N下降到600 N; 90°方向断裂强度从50. 0MPa下降到22. 1 MPa,撕裂强力从330 N下降到100 N;顶破强力从424 N下降到216 N.这些力学性能的逐渐降低是单位面积的碳纤维增强体含量减少和织物的孔洞增大共同作用的结果.纱线间距为2 mm的碳纤维三向织物复合材料在0°(以纬纱为基准),30°,45°,60°和90°方向的断裂强度分别为221. 7,48. 5,44. 3,227. 7和50. 0 MPa,即断裂强度在0°和60°方向大于在30°,45°及90°方向.由三向织物的编织原理可知,0°与60°方向完全相同,因此其断裂强度相似,且样品中有一组纱线与外加载荷平行,对形变破坏具有一定的约束作用,而...     

Polypropylene filled with flame retardant fillers: mechanical and fracture properties

Two grades of isotactic polypropylene (homopolymer and block copolymer) were filled with magnesium and aluminium hydroxides, and studied focusing the mechanical and fracture characteristics of the composites. As expected, dispersion of such fillers in PP resulted in improved stiffness and reduced tensile yield strength. By one hand, the composites fracture resistance was characterised at low strain rate applying the J‐integral concept; the resistance to crack growth initiation (J_IC) was found decreasing as the Mg(OH)₂ concentration was raised in the copolymer PP matrix. By the other hand, the linear‐elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) parameters were determined by means of instrumented impact tests at 1 m/s on the homopolymer PP filled with uncoated Al(OH)₃ particles. The higher the Al(OH)₃ mean particle size, the lower the composite fracture energy (G_IC). In the opposite, with commercial surface‐coated filler grades it was not possible to achieve LEFM conditions to characterise the fracture toughness of filled PP at 1 m/s, because the Mg(OH)₂ surface coating, which is applied in practice to improve the melt processing, acts increasing the composite plasticity and reducing the tensile yield strength.     

The evaluation of singlet-triplet separations for [W2(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl4(μ-dppm)2] and [W2(μ-H)2 (μ-O2CC6H5)2(P(C6H5)3)2] based on P NMR and crystallographic data

The singlet-triplet separations for the edge-sharing bioctahedral (ESBO) complex W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)(Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ · (THF)₃ (II) has been studied by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The structural characterization of [W₂(μ-H)₂(μ-O₂CC₆H₅)₂Cl₂(P(C₆H₅)₃)₂] (I) by single-crystal X-ray crystallography has allowed the comparison of the energy of the HOMOLUMO separation determined using the Fenske-Hall method for a series of ESBO complexes with two hydride bridging atoms, two chloride bridging atoms and the mixed case with a chloride and hydride bridging atom. The complex representing the mixed case, [W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ · (THF)₃] (II), has been synthesized and the value of −2J determined from variable-temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.     

Stereoselektive Hydrid-Addition an von N-Methylbenzimidchlorid abgeleitete Carbenchelatkomplexe

Upon reaction with NaBH₄ the carbene chelates [C₅H₅(CO)_xMC(C₆H₅N(CH₃)C(C₆H₅)N(CH₃)]PF₆ (I,M = Mo, x = 2; II,M = Fe, x = 1) are reduced at the carbene carbon with formation of the neutral compounds C₅H₅(CO)_xMC(H)(C₆H₅)N(CH₃)C(C₆H₅)N(CH₃) (III and IV). Depending on the orientation of the incoming H substituent with respect to the C₅H₅ ligand two different isomers A and B are obtained which can be separated by column chromatography. Whereas the H^? addition to the Fe compound II is almost stereospecific (formation of 95% IVB), the stereoselectivity of the H^? addition to the Mo compound I is influenced by a competitive metal centered rearrangement of III in opposite direction. The approach to the equilibrium IIIA/IIIB 85/15 can be measured by ¹H NMR spectroscopy (ΔG³₃₂₈ 26.6 kcal/mol).     

Crystallization,mechanical, and fracture behaviors of spherical alumina‐filled polypropylene nanocomposites

The objectives of this paper are to study the crystallization behavior and fracture characteristics of spherical alumina (Al₂O₃) nanoparticle‐filled polypropylene (PP) composites. Nanocomposites containing 1.5–5.0 wt % of the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (pretreated with silane coupling agent) were prepared for this investigation. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) results show that a small amount of β‐crystal of PP forms after adding the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. According to differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and optical microscopy (OM) measurements, the Al₂O₃ nanoparticles make PP spherulite size reduced and crystallization temperature of PP enhanced, by acting as effective nucleating agents. However, there are no obvious differences in the crystallinity for the virgin PP and the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites. Tensile test shows that both the Young's modulus and the yield strength of the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites increase with the particle content increasing, suggesting that the interfacial interaction between the nanoparticles and PP matrix is relatively strong. Under quasi‐static loading rate, the fracture toughness (K_IC) of the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites was found to be insensitive to nanoparticle content. Under impact loading rate, the Izod impact strength and the impact fracture toughness (G_c) indicate that the impact fracture toughness increases initially with the addition of 1.5 wt % of the Al₂O₃ nanofillers into the PP matrix. However, with the further addition of up to 3.0 and 5.0 wt % nanoparticles, both the Izod impact strength and impact G_c change very little. By observing the single‐edge‐double‐notch (SEDN) specimens with optical microscopy after four point bending (4PB) tests, it was found that numerous crazes and microcracks form around the subcritical crack tip, indicating that crazing and microcracking are the dominant fracture mechanisms. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation confirms this result. In addition, when the strain rate of 4PB tests was increased, some wave‐like branches were formed along the fractured edge for the Al₂O₃/PP nanocomposites. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 3652–3664, 2005     

Morphologies,interfacial interaction and mechanical performance of super-tough nanostructured PK/PA6 blends

Nanostructured polyketone (PK)/polyamide 6 (PA6) blends can be readily prepared via melt blending technologies and exhibit ultra-high toughness when PA6 is present as the nanoscale phase domains. When PA6 content is 30 vol%, the impact strength of the blends increases from 21.4 kJ/m² of pure PK to 103.2 kJ/m². The impact strength of the PK/PA6 blends with a 5:5 composition ratio reaches as high as 113 kJ/m². The strong intermolecular force between PK and PA6 molecular chains enables the PA6 nanophase to cavitate to dissipate a significant amount of impact energy and effectively prevents the crack propagation or even terminates the cracks. The fracture mechanism of the PK/PA6 blends was further examined by the essential work of fracture method which proves that PK/PA6 blends show improved ability to prevent crack propagation. This work may deepen the understanding of polymer blend systems with strong hydrogen bonding interaction.     

Fracture and failure behavior of partially consolidated ciscontinuous glass fiber mat‐reinforced polypropylene composites (Azdel SuperLite®)

The fracture and failure behavior of partially consolidated discontinuous glass fiber (GF) mat reinforced thermoplastic polypropylene (Azdel SuperLite^®) composite sheets of various densities (0.35, 0.5 and 0.7 g·cm⁻³) but with the same amount of GF (55 wt.%) were studied under static (in‐plane) and dynamic (out‐of‐plane perforation impact) conditions. The fracture toughness (K_Q) determined on single edge notched static tensile loaded (SEN‐T) specimens, increased with increasing density (or surface weight as the sheet thickness was constant, viz. 2 mm). Location of the acoustic emission (AE) and mapping the temperature rise during loading of the SEN‐T specimens via infrared thermography (IT) served to estimate the damage zone and trace the crack advance. Both techniques seem to be promising tools to determine the energy release rate directly. The unexpected high K_Q value was attributed to a combined effect of fiber nesting (achieved by the papermaking production technology) and high stress transfer GF length (owing to partial consolidation). This resulted in an efficient stress transfer and stress redistribution during damage zone development and growth. The resistance to perforation impact of the SuperLite^® sheets also increased with their density (surface weight).