Characterization of Interfacial Stress Transfer Ability by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Cellulose Fiber Based Composite Materials

The stress transfer ability at the fiber–matrix interface of wood fiber composites is known to affect the mechanical properties of the composite. The evaluation of interface properties at the level of individual fibers is however difficult due to the small dimensions and variability of the fibers. The dynamical mechanical properties of composite and constituents, in this case wood fibers and polylactide matrix, was here used together with micromechanical modeling to quantify the stress transfer efficiency at the fiber–matrix interface. To illustrate the methodology, a parameter quantifying the degree of imperfection at the interface was identified by inverse modeling using a micromechanical viscoelastic general self-consistent model with an imperfect interface together with laminate analogy on the composite level. The effect of moisture was assessed by comparison with experimental data from dynamic mechanical analysis in dry and moist state. For the wood fiber reinforced polylactide, the model shows that moisture absorption led to softening and mechanical dissipation in the hydrophilic wood fibers and biothermoplastic matrix, rather than loss of interfacial stress transfer ability.     

Investigation of interfacial stress transfer in a PBO/polypropylene microdroplet composite using synchrotron microfocus X-ray diffraction

The micromechanics of stress transfer in a PBO/polypropylene system were followed using a microdroplet model composite and a synchrotron microfocus X-ray diffraction technique. High quality X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained from both the PBO-HM fiber and the polypropylene matrix. Diffraction patterns were obtained from the fiber inside the PP droplet by subtraction of a PP diffraction pattern from that of the composite. It was found that there was good stress transfer at the fiber–matrix interface and that significant residual stresses occurred in the fiber inside the droplet due to the cooling and crystallization of the polypropylene. The maximum residual stress of 0.55 GPa measured corresponded to an axial fiber strain of 0.2% compressive strain, similar to the literature values for compressive fiber failure.     

Growth of interfacial debonding in notched two-dimensional unidirectional composite under stress and displacement controls

A simplified calculation method for study of the growth of interfacial debonding between elastic fiber and elastic matrix ahead of the notch-tip in composites under displacement and stress controlled conditions was presented based on the shear lag approach in which the influences of residual stress and frictional shear stress at the debonded interface were incorporated. The calculation method was applied to a model two-dimensional composite. An outline is given of the difference and similarity in the growing behavior of the debonding between the displacement and stress controls, and of the influences of the residual stresses, frictional shear stress, the nature of the final cut component (fiber or matrix) and sample length on the debonding behavior.     

Influence of material processing and interface on the fiber fragmentation process in titanium matrix composites

The objective of this work is to study the effect of composite processing conditions on the nature of the fiber–matrix interface in titanium matrix composites and the resulting fragmentation behavior of the fiber. Titanium matrix, single fiber composites (SFCs) were fabricated by diffusion bonding and tensile tested along the fiber axis to determine their interfacial load transfer characteristics and the resulting fiber fragmentation behavior. Two different titanium alloys, Ti-6Al-4V (wt%) and Ti-14Al-21Nb (wt%), were used as matrix material with SiC (SCS-6) fibers as reinforcement. The tensile tests were conducted at ambient temperature and were continuously monitored by acoustic emission. It was observed that the Ti-6Al-4V/SCS-6 composite system exhibited a greater degree of fiber–matrix interfacial reaction, as well as a rougher interface, compared to Ti-14Al-21Nb/SCS-6 composites. Acoustic emissions during tensile testing showed that most of the fiber fractures in Ti-6Al-4V/SCS-6 occurred at strains below ～5% and the fragmentation ceased at ～10% strain corresponding to specimen necking. In contrast, the Ti-14Al-21Nb/SCS-6 composite deformed without necking and fiber fractures occurred throughout the plastic range until final fracture of the specimen at about 12% strain. The markedly different fragmentation characteristics of these two composites were attributed to differences in the fiber–matrix interfacial regions and matrix deformation behavior.     

Effects of residual stress and interfacial frictional shear stress on interfacial debonding at notch-tip in two-dimensional unidirectional composite

A calculation method based on the shear lag approach was presented to get an approximate estimate of influences of residual stresses and frictional shear stress at the debonded interface on the interfacial debonding behavior at the notch-tip along fiber direction in two-dimensional unidirectional double-edge-notched composites. With this method, the energy release rate for initiation and growth of debonding as a function of composite stress were calculated for some examples. The calculation results showed in outline how much the tensile and compressive residual stresses in the matrix and fiber along fiber direction, respectively, act to hasten the initiation and growth of the debonding when the final cut element in the notch is matrix, while they act to retard them when the final cut element is fiber, and how much the frictional shear stress at the debonded interface reduces the growth rate of the debonding.     

Temperature dependence of the stress transfer for thermal resistance polymer composites by X-ray diffraction

Temperature dependence of the stress transfer from the matrix resin to the incorporated fiber has been measured for poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber/bismaleimide (BMI) resin composite by a novel X-ray diffraction method. At 120°C, stress transfer and tensile strength of the PBO/BMI composite are superior to that of the PBO/epoxy composite, due to the excellent thermal resistance and good mechanical property of BMI resins. The PBO/BMI composite possesses good adhesion and excellent mechanical properties at high temperature, which are suitable for thermal resistance applications.     

Sound transmission loss across specially orthotropic laminates

This work studies the sound transmission loss across composite material in order to understand the sound-insulating capacity at various frequencies. A so-called specially orthotropic laminate was examined. The material properties in thickness direction are different from those in in-plane directions but it is isotropic in the laminating plane. Thus the specially orthotropic laminate can be analyzed by two-dimensional acoustic analysis. The sound transfer matrix of specially orthotropic single layer is determined by stress and velocity. The boundary conditions between different interface planes and the transfer matrix related to these conditions yield the mathematical model of the sound wave that propagates in composite materials. The experimental and numerical results of sound transmission loss are compared. Arrangement of various material properties and their sound penetrating characteristic were investigated and discussed.     

Hysteresis loops of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading

In this paper, the stress?strain hysteresis loops of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading have been investigated. The thermomechanical hysteresis loops models have been developed considering synergistic effects of thermal temperature cycling, stress levels and fiber/matrix interface debonding. The relationships between thermal cyclic temperatures, peak stress, fiber/matrix interface shear stress and stress?strain hysteresis loops under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading have been established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, peak stress, matrix crack spacing, interface frictional coefficient, interface debonded energy and temperature range on the stress?strain hysteresis loops under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal cyclic loading have been analyzed. The hysteresis loops of cross-ply SiC/magnesium aluminosilicate (MAS) composite under in-phase/out-of-phase thermomechanical and isothermal fatigue loading have been predicted.     

Performance of glass woven fabric composites with admicellar-coated thin elastomeric interphase

Adequate stress transfer between the inorganic reinforcement and surrounding polymeric matrix is essential for achieving enhanced structural integrity and extended lifetime performance of fiber-reinforced composites. The insertion of an elastomeric interlayer helps increase the stress-transfer capabilities across the fiber/matrix interface and considerably reduces crack initiation phenomena at the fiber ends. In this study, admicellar polymerization is used to modify the fiber/matrix interface in glass woven fabric composites by forming thickness-controlled poly(styrene-co-isoprene) coatings. These admicellar interphases have distinct characteristics (e.g. topology and surface coverage) depending on the surfactant/monomer ratios used during the polymerization reaction. Overall, the admicellar coatings have a positive effect on the mechanical response of resin transfer molded, E-glass/epoxy parts. For instance, ultimate tensile strength of composites with admicellar sizings improved 50–55% over the control-desized samples. Interlaminar shear strength also showed increases ranging from 18 to 38% over the same control group. Interestingly, the flexural properties of these composites proved sensitive to the type of interphase formed for various admicellar polymerization conditions. Higher surface coverage and film connectedness in admicellar polymeric sizings are observed to enhance stress transfer at the interfacial region.     

Microstructure of multilayer interface in an Al matrix composite reinforced by TiNi fiber

A multilayer interface was formed in the Al matrix composite which was reinforced by 30% volume fraction of TiNi fiber. The composite was fabricated by pressure infiltration process and the interface between the TiNi fiber and Al matrix was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). When the TiNi fiber was pre-oxidized in the air at 773 K for 1 h, three layers have been found and characterized in the interface: TiNi–B₂ layer near the TiNi fiber, Ti–Al compound layer with Ti and granular TiO₂ near the Al matrix, and Ti–Ni compound layer between TiNi–B₂ and Ti–Al compound layers. The effect of the multilayer interface on the mechanical properties of the composite was also discussed. The result showed that the uniaxial tensile strength of the composite at room temperature was 318 MPa, which was very close to the theoretical calculation value of 326 MPa. Moreover, the composite with good ductility exhibited a typical ductile-fracture pattern.     

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.     

Effect of moisture on the interlaminar interface of a carbon fiber polymer–matrix composite,studied by contact electrical resistivity measurement

Moisture was found to have a reversible effect on the interlaminar interface of a continuous carbon fiber epoxy–matrix composite. An increase in humidity increased the resistivity. The reversibility was essentially complete after the first cycle of humidity variation. The effect is attributed to expansion of the matrix at the interlaminar interface due to moisture uptake. It allows use of the composite for humidity sensing.     

Interface end theory and re-evaluation in interfacial strength test methods

The experimental results of fragmentation, micro-indentation, pull-out and microdebond tests often exhibit large discrepancies. Since all specimens of the four test methods all have interface ends, the singularity theory of the interface end should be used to evaluate the exactness of the test methods. The eigenvalues of the specimens for the micro-indentation test, pull-out test and microdebond test are calculated and investigated. The results show that the stress singularity of the interface end depends on the Dundurs' parameters and the wedge angles. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) obtained from the tests loses its rationality if the stress is singular at the interface end. In further analysis, for a carbon fiber-epoxy resin composite, it is found that the microdebond test gives the most reliable IFSS results, if the wedge angle of the resin droplet is less than 40°; the results from the pull-out test are dubious, due to the stress singularity at the interface end. In the micro-indentation test, there is a critical matrix stiffness value for a given fiber, above which the stress at the interface end will be non-singular. The fragmentation test assumes the interfacial shear stress on the fiber fragment of critical length is the IFSS. If debonding does not occur at the interface end, then apparently, the interfacial shear stress on the fiber fragment of critical length is less than the true value of IFSS.     

预应变对TiNi丝/Ni基复合材料的内耗行为的影响

本文对预应变TiNi形状记忆合金N／Ni基复合材料的内耗行为进行了研究。TiNi丝／Ni基复合材料是将TiNi丝作为阴极，Ni基作为阳极通过化学电镀法制成的。结果表明：随着TiNi丝预应变的增加，复合材料的相变内耗峰逐渐增宽。由于TiNi丝与Ni基之间的热膨胀系数不匹配以及回复力的产生，使复合材料在高温段的内耗有一个急剧增加过程。与TiNi合金相比，TiNi／Ni基复合材料的整体内耗整体随着温度的升高而增加的。     

Plasma-polymerized organosilicones as engineered interlayers in glass fiber/polyester composites

The plasma polymerization technique was used to surface modify glass fibers in order to form a strong but tough link between the glass fiber and the polyester matrix, and enable an efficient stress transfer from the polymer matrix to the fiber. Plasma polymer films of hexamethyldisiloxane, vinyltriethoxysilane, and tetravinylsilane in a mixture with oxygen gas were engineered as compatible interlayers for the glass fiber/polyester composite. The interlayers of controlled physico-chemical properties were tailored using the deposition conditions with regard to the elemental composition, chemical structure, and Young's modulus in order to improve adhesion bonding at the interlayer/glass and polyester/interlayer interfaces and tune the cross-linking of the plasma polymer. The optimized interlayer enabled a 6.5-fold increase of the short-beam strength compared to the untreated fibers. The short-beam strength of GF/polyester composite with the pp-TVS/O₂ interlayer was 32% higher than that with industrial sizing developed for fiber-reinforced composites with a polyester matrix.     

Analysis of single-fiber pull-out from composites by using stress birefringence

During a fiber pull-out test, it is desirable to analyze the stress profiles along the embedded fiber directly within the same time scale as the normal pull-out tests. In the present study, the axial tensile stress profiles of the fiber in a model composite are measured during the single-fiber pull-out tests by using stress birefringence of the fiber. It is concluded from the analysis of the measured stress profiles that an effective radius of matrix, i.e. a radius defining the region of the matrix where the major deformation takes place, is not constant but is an increasing function of the interfacial shear stress. By incorporating the variable values of the effective radius of matrix into the shear-lag model, the axial tensile and the interfacial shear stress profiles are calculated. To accurately estimate the interfacial shear strength, the stress distribution along the embedded fiber and the variability of the effective radius of matrix should be taken into account instead of calculating the interfacial shear strength simply from the pull-out stress and the embedded length.     

Interlaminar interface relaxation upon heating carbon fiber thermoplastic-matrix composite,studied by contact electrical resistivity measurement

The interlaminar interface of a crossply carbon fiber thermoplastic-matrix composite was found to relax upon heating at and above the glass transition temperature of the matrix. The relaxation caused the contact electrical resistivity of the interface to increase gradually and irreversibly.     

SiC纤维增强Ti17合金复合材料轴向残余应力的拉曼光谱和X射线衍射法对比研究

准确测量和分析SiC纤维增强Ti合金复合材料(SiC_f/Ti)中残余应力状态对优化复合材料的成型工艺和理解其失效模式具有重要意义,但其残余应力的实验测量和分析仍是一个挑战.石墨C涂层作为SiC纤维与Ti17基体合金之间必需的扩散障涂层,承载了由纤维与基体之间热不匹配引入的残余应力.本文采用显微拉曼光谱法对比测量纤维表面C涂层在复合材料中和去掉基体无应力态下G峰的峰位,通过石墨C涂层应力态下峰位移动计算出SiCf/C/Ti17复合材料中SiC纤维受到～705.0 MPa的残余压应力.采用X射线衍射方法测量了不同方向上该复合材料中基体钛合金的晶面间距以获取其空间应变,根据三轴应力模型分析了复合材料中基体钛合金沿轴向方向的残余应力为～701.3 MPa的张应力,并通过线性弹性理论转化为SiC纤维的残余压应力为～759.4 MPa.两种测试方法都确定了SiC纤维在成型过程中受到残余压应力,且获得的应力值较为接近,都可以用于对SiC_f/Ti复合材料的残余应力测量.     

Microstructure and thermal residual stress analysis of SiC fiber through Raman spectroscopy

SiC fiber‐reinforced metal matrix composite is an interesting material for aerospace industry because of its excellent properties. However, these properties are greatly influenced by fiber microstructure and thermal residual stresses introduced by the preparation of the composites. Due to complicated preparation technology, microstructure and thermal stress along SiC fiber radius varies, which makes characterization difficult. Raman spectroscopy is a non‐destructive technique which provides information, at micrometer scale, on the phase composition and the crystalline state (structure and texture) of materials. Line scanning was used to assess microstructure along SiC fiber radius embedded in Ti64. The SiC coating is subdivided into three concentric parts across the fiber diameter, according to the differences in intensity and width of SiC transverse optical phonon (TO) band. Part 2 is considered to be a buffer zone connecting Part 1 and Part 3 with different deposition conditions, respectively. Amorphous Si is detected throughout fiber radius, while crystalline Si is only detected in the outer part. Thermal residual stress along fiber radius in the composite was calculated by using SiC TO band shifts with a bare fiber as reference. A cylindrical model was also used to compare with the stress data obtained from Raman shift. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Modelling of the transverse strength of fibre reinforced epoxy composite at low and high temperature

Process-induced thermal residual stresses and matrix failure of unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced composites (CFRP) have been investigated by finite element analysis (FEA). We used a partial discrete FEA model based on a unidirectional composite consisting of a microscopic area of fibres and matrix surrounded by a homogenised composite area. The FEA provided information about the stress state in the matrix and the fibre–matrix interface. The transverse strength of the composite was calculated regarding matrix failure and fibre matrix debonding. The influence of the temperature on the Young's modulus, the non-linear stress–strain behaviour and the strength of the matrix were investigated in detail. Following this approach it was possible to incorporate the resulting microresidual stresses on the transverse strength of the composite. Tensile tests of the neat resin and of the composite were performed in the temperature range of ?40°C to 60°C. The results of the FEA modelling are in good agreement with the experimental results of the transverse tests.