Effect of surface treatment of UHMWPE fiber on mechanical and impact fracture behavior of PTFE/POM composites

Ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber was treated to reinforce the polytetrafluoroethylene/polyoxymethylene (PTFE/POM), and the mechanical properties of surface‐treated UHMWPE were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to study the fracture surfaces of UHMWPE/POM/PTFE composites. Experimental results showed that the surface treatment of UHMWPE fiber effectively improves the mechanical property of POM/PTFE composites. Scanning electron microscopy studies indicated that surface modification could improve the interfacial adhesion of POM/PTFE composites. And the dispersion of UHMWPE in POM/PTFE composites was also improved after the surface modification. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Improved mechanical properties of epoxy‐based composites with hyperbranched polymer grafting glass‐fiber

A glass‐fiber, grafted by hyperbranched polymer with hydroxyl group (GF‐HBPH), reinforced epoxy‐based composite was evaluated for mechanical properties and compared with the neat epoxy and silanized glass‐fiber, GF‐APS. The epoxy/GF‐HBPH composites were studied by attenuated total internal reflectance infrared spectroscopy, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, mechanical properties analysis, and field emission‐scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the incorporation of GF‐HBPH could simultaneously enhance the mechanical properties of the epoxy composites. Field emission‐scanning electron microscopy images of the fracture surfaces of the test specimens were used to support the results and conclusions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation and characterization of glass fiber–reinforced polyethylene terephthalate/linear low density polyethylene (GF‐PET/LLDPE) composites

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was melt blended with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and subsequently compounded with glass fibers (GF) as reinforcements at percentages ranging from 15 to 45 wt% of LLDPE and 5 to 30 wt% of GF. Thermal, morphological, and mechanical properties of the prepared composites were investigated. It was found that compounding PET/LLDPE blends with GF would be beneficial in producing composites that are thermally stable with good mechanical properties. For example, the impact strength of the composites containing 85/15 wt% (PET/LLDPE) at relatively high loading of GF, ie, from 15 to 30 wt%, was higher than that of the GF‐reinforced neat PET. When increasing the percentage of LLDPE in the composites, the impact strength increased with increasing GF content, and this was also better than that of GF‐reinforced PET whose impact strength drastically decreased upon increasing the GF%. The improvement in mechanical properties of the composite, we suggest, should be correlated with the morphologies of the composites where the visualized interface adhesion tended to be better at higher loadings of both LLDPE and GF.     

Synergistic effect of polyfunctional silane coupling agent and styrene acrylonitrile copolymer on the water‐resistant and mechanical performances of glass fiber–reinforced polyamide 6

Adverse effects of a high‐water absorption rate on properties of a glass fiber–reinforced polyamide 6 (GF‐PA6) composite significantly reduce performance and limit application in humid environments. In this paper, a polyfunctional silane (PFS) coupling agent with amino (–NH₂) and imino (–NH) groups and styrene acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) were added to a composite, GF‐PA6, to prepare GF‐PA6/SAN/PFS composites via melt blending in a twin‐screw extruder. The effects of SAN and PFS content on the static and dynamic mechanical properties of the composites before and after water absorption were investigated in detail. The microstructure of the fracture surface was analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the addition of SAN and PFS could effectively inhibit water absorption of the GF‐PA6 composites. The alkoxyl groups on PFS reacted chemically with the nitrile groups of SAN, which enriched SAN on the interface between the fiber and matrix during the extrusion and mixing process to improve the effect of water prevention. Therefore, the mechanical properties of the wet state were notably improved while preventing water from permeating the interface by only the addition of a small amount of SAN and PFS. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results showed that the addition of PFS improved the compatibility of PA6 with SAN and enhanced the interface adhesion between fiber and PA6. In terms of test result of the comprehensive performance, 10 phr SAN with 0.6 phr PFS was the best dosage.     

Effects on the thermal expansion coefficient and dielectric properties of CLST/PTFE filled with modified glass fiber as microwave material

The CLST/PTFE/5%GF composite sharply decreases the CTE in both X&Y and Z directions, obtained a promising microwave dielectric material for microwave communication.     

Mechanical properties of plasma‐treated carbon fiber reinforced PTFE composites with CNT

This paper is concerned with the effects of the plasma surface treatment and the addition of CNT on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite. The tensile and flexural strength of composites containing CNT and plasma‐treated carbon fibers improved. The flexural strength first decreases with respect to the CF content. The flexural strength increases to 179 MPa for the plasma‐treated composite as compared with 167 MPa for the neat carbon fiber composites. The overall improvement is thus nearly 8%.     

Novel fiber reinforced bismaleimide/diallyl bisphenol A/microcapsules composites

Three kinds of poly(urea‐formaldehyde) (PUF) microcapsules filled with epoxy resins (MCEs) were applied to bismaleimide (BMI)/O,O′‐diallyl bisphenol A (BA) system to develop novel fiber reinforced BMI/BA/MECs composites. The effects of MCEs on the mechanical properties, the hot‐wet resistance, and the dynamic mechanical properties of fiber reinforced BMI/BA composites were investigated. The morphologies of fiber reinforced BMI/BA/MCEs composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope (OM). Results indicate that the appropriate contents of MCEs can significantly improve the mechanical properties and the hot‐wet resistance of fiber reinforced BMI/BA composites. In this study, MCEs may decrease the storage modulus of fiber reinforced BMI/BA composite but they have no significant influence on the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the composite. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoclay modified silica phenolic composites: mechanical properties and thermal response under simulated atmospheric re‐entry conditions

Ablative nanocomposites based on nanoclay‐dispersed addition curable propargylated phenolic novolac (ACPR) resin, reinforced with chopped silica fiber, were investigated for their thermal response behavior under simulated heat flux conditions corresponding to typical atmospheric re‐entry conditions. Organically modified nanoclay (Cloisite 30B) was incorporated to different extents (1–10%) in the ACPR resin matrix containing silica fiber to form the composite. The composites displayed optimum mechanical properties at around 3 wt% of nanoclay loading. The resultant composites were evaluated for their ablative characteristics as well as mechanical, thermal and thermo‐physical properties. The reinforcing effect of nanoclay was established and correlated to the composition. The mechanical properties of the composites and its pyrolysed product improved at moderate nanoclay incorporation. Plasma arc jet studies revealed that front wall temperature is lowered by 20°C and that at backwall by 10–13°C for the 3 wt% nanoclay‐incorporated composites due to impedance by nanoclay for the heat conduction. Nanoclay diminished the coefficient of thermal expansion by almost 50% and also reduced the flammability of the composites. The trend in mechanical properties was correlated to the microstructural morphology of the composites. The nanomodification conferred better strength to the pyrolysed composites. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The dynamic mechanical behavior of random-in-plane short fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites

In the present paper, the dynamic mechanical properties of random-in-plane short fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites were studied by using a rheometrics solids analyzer. The three-point bend testing of the four composites (glass fiber/913 epoxy resin, glass fiber/924 epoxy resin, carbon fiber/913 epoxy resin and carbon fiber/924 epoxy resin) was carried out over temperatures from −100°C to 200°C at a frequency of 10 Hz and strain 0.05%. The composites based on 924 epoxy resin, which has been designed specially for high temperature applications, have less energy loss than the 913 epoxy resinbased composites. For the same resin, the carbon fiber-reinforced composites have less energy loss than the glass fiber-reinforced composites. All the composites have less energy loss than their corresponding matrices; the greater the fiber content, the lower the energy loss. The beta transition of 913 epoxy resin has been shifted to a higher temperature after being reinforced. It was shifted from −50°C to −30°C after being reinforced with glass fiber and made a diffuse shoulder-like peak commencing at −30°C after being reinforced with carbon fiber. The 924 epoxy resin has undergone the same change in beta transition as the 913 resin, though to a smaller extent. The phenomenon suggested that interactions between the macromolecules of the epoxy resins and the molecules along the fiber's surface.     

The oxidation‐treated interface on tribological properties of carbon fibers‐reinforced PTFE composite under oil‐lubricated condition

The effect of air oxidation and ozone surface treatment of carbon fibers (CF) on tribological properties of CF reinforced polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites under oil‐lubricated condition was investigated. Experimental results revealed that ozone treated CF reinforced PTFE (CF–PTFE) composite had the lowest friction coefficient and wear under various applied loads and sliding speeds compared with untreated and air‐oxidated composites. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study of carbon fiber surface showed that, after ozone treatment, oxygen concentration was obviously increased, and the amount of oxygen‐containing groups on CF surfaces was largely increased. The increase in the amount of oxygen‐containing groups enhanced interfacial adhesion between CF and PTFE matrix. With strong interfacial adhesion of the composite, stress could be effectively transmitted to carbon fibers; carbon fibers were strongly bonded with PTFE matrix and large scale rubbing‐off of PTFE was prevented, therefore, the tribological properties of the composite were improved. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of carbon fiber surface functionality on the moisture absorption behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy resin composites

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐based carbon fibers were electrochemically oxidized in aqueous ammonium bicarbonate with increasing current density. The electrochemical treatment led to significant changes of surface physical properties and chemical structures. The oxidized fibers showed much cleaner surfaces and increased levels of oxygen functionalities. However, it was found that there was no correlation between surface roughness and the fiber/resin bond strength, i.e. mechanical interlocking did not play a major role in fiber/resin adhesion. Increases in surface chemical functionality resulted in improved fiber/resin bonding and increased interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites. The relationship between fiber surface functionality and the hydrothermal aging behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy composites was investigated. The existence of free volume resulted from poor wetting of carbon fibers by the epoxy matrix and the interfacial chemical structure were the governing factors in the moisture absorption process of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanical properties of rigid polyurethane composites reinforced with surface treated ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene fibers

The mechanical properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers reinforced rigid polyurethane (PU) composites were studied, and the effects of the fiber surface treatment and the mass fraction were discussed. Chromic acid was used to treat the UHMWPE fibers, and polyurethane composites were prepared with 0.1 to 0.6 wt% as‐received and treated UHMWPE fibers. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared demonstrated that oxygen‐containing functional groups were efficiently grafted to the fiber surface. The mechanical performance tests of the UHMWPE fibers/PU composites were conducted, and the results revealed that the treated UHMWPE fibers/PU composites had better tensile, compression, and bending properties than as‐received UHMWPE fibers/PU composites. Thermal gravimetric analyzer showed that the thermal stability of the treated fiber composites were improved. The interface bonding of PU composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis, and the results indicated that the surface modification of UHMWPE fiber could improve the interaction between fiber and PU, which played a positive role in mechanical properties of composites.     

纤维增强树脂基复合材料中的横穿结晶研究

在以结晶性聚合物为基体树脂的纤维或织物增强复合材料中,经常出现横穿结晶(横晶)界面相。本文综述了近年来对纤维增强树脂基复合材料中横穿结晶的研究,内容包括横晶的概念,纤维表面诱导成核的机理,纤维诱导成核的能力和条件,横晶的生长和终止以及横晶的力学效应等。在不同的树脂/纤维复合材料体系中,由于其横穿结晶本身和本体球晶在尺寸和数目比例等方面呈现各不相同的复杂局面,横晶对复合材料性能的影响显得复杂。通过各种手段调控横晶的形态、尺寸及数量,使横晶的存在有利于复合材料整体性能的提高,是进行纤维增强结晶性聚合物基复合材料设计时应该遵循的一个基本原则。     

Structural and tribological properties of polytetrafluoroethylene composites in atomic oxygen environment

Effects of atomic oxygen (AO) irradiation on the structural and tribological behaviors of glass fiber (GF) and MoS₂ filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites were investigated in a ground‐based simulation facility, in which the average energy of AO was about 5 eV and the flux was 5.0 × 10¹⁵ cm^–2 s^–1. The structural changes were characterized by XPS and attenuated total‐reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the tribological changes were evaluated by friction and wear tests and SEM analysis of the worn surfaces. It was found that AO irradiation induced the degradation of PTFE molecular chains, and the primary erosion mechanism is collisionally induced rather than chemically induced. The addition of MoS₂ filler significantly increased the AO resistance of PTFE composites. Friction and wear tests indicated that GF and MoS₂ improved the tribological properties of materials before and after AO irradiation. Short GF and MoS₂ exhibited a good synergistic effect for improving the AO resistant and tribological properties of PTFE material. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Surface modification of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene fibers

To prevent the loss of fiber strength, ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers were treated with an ultraviolet radiation technique combined with a corona‐discharge treatment. The physical and chemical changes in the fiber surface were examined with scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared/attenuated total reflectance. The gel contents of the fibers were measured by a standard device. The mechanical properties of the treated fibers and the interfacial adhesion properties of UHMWPE‐fiber‐reinforced vinyl ester resin composites were investigated with tensile testing. After 20 min or so of ultraviolet radiation based on 6‐kW corona treatment, the T‐peel strength of the treated UHMWPE‐fiber composite was one to two times greater than that of the as‐received UHMWPE‐fiber composite, whereas the tensile strength of the treated UHMWPE fibers was still up to 3.5 GPa. The integrated mechanical properties of the treated UHMWPE fibers were also optimum. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 463–472, 2004     

碳纳米管及碳纤维增强环氧树脂复合材料研究进展

碳纳米管与碳纤维具有优异的力学、电学等性能,广泛用做复合材料增强体,但目前碳纳米管/碳纤维/环氧树脂复合材料的研究具有一定的局限性,只考虑了两相材料间的作用,即仅对单一相进行处理而忽略了另一相的改性。本文从碳纳米管/碳纤维协同增强环氧树脂基体复合材料的思路入手,结合自己的研究成果,综述了国内外相关研究进展。从研究结果可以看出,将三相材料之间完全有效地联系起来,发挥三者间的协同效应,复合材料的性能可以发生质的飞跃。     

Flame retardancy of polycarbonate enhanced by adding fly ash

We have developed a flame‐retardant polycarbonate resin whose flame retardancy is greatly enhanced by adding fly ash (a by‐product from thermal power plants). Fly ash with comparatively small average particle sizes (<10 µm) raised the flame retardancy of polycarbonate because of the hydrogen bond that forms between the polycarbonate and the hydroxy group on the fly ash surface. This bond primarily improves the heat resistance of the polycarbonate and also isomerizes the polycarbonate to promote carbonization. The polycarbonate with 25 wt% of the fly ash showed good other main characteristics, such as mechanical properties and moldability, comparable to those of a flame retardant polycarbonate reinforced with glass fiber, used for electronic products such as desktop computers, etc. Applying the fly ash eliminates the need to use current retardants such as organic halogen compounds and thus promotes the perceived environmental safety of flame‐ retardant polycarbonate. In addition, being able to use less raw resin by adding the fly ash means that less energy is required to manufacture flame‐retardant polycarbonate. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Viscoelastic response and interlaminar delamination resistance of epoxy/glass fiber/functionalized graphene oxide multi-scale composites

Graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized using three different diamines, namely ethylenediamine (EDA), 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) and p-phenylenediamine (PPD) to reinforce an epoxy/glass fiber (EP/GF) composite laminate, with the aim of improving the overall composite mechanical performance. Different mechanical characterization techniques were used to determine the mechanical performance, including: tensile stress strain, double cantilever beam (DCB) mode-I fracture toughness and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to support the results and conclusions. The results demonstrated remarkable enhancements in the mechanical performance of EP/GF composite laminates by incorporation of functionalized graphene oxide (FGO) nanofiller, whilst the mechanical performance of the GO reinforced composite only improved marginally. Finally, the mechanical performance of the EP/GF/FGO multi-scale composites was found to be dependent on the type of FGO functional groups; of which EDA exhibited the highest performance. These investigations confirmed that the EDA-FGO-reinforced EP/GF composites possess excellent potential to be used as multifunctional engineering materials in industrial applications.     

Investigations on the interactions between Li-TFSI and glass fibers in the ternary PP/GF/Li-TFSI composites

The polypropylene/glass fiber(PP/GF) composites with excellent antistatic performance and improved mechanical properties have been reported by incorporation of a very small amount of the organic salt, lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide(Li-TFSI), into the PP/GF composites. It was considered that GF could play the role as the pathways for the movements of ions in the ternary composites. In this work, the interactions between Li-TFSI and glass fiber and the effects of such interactions on the physical properties of the composites have been systematically investigated. Three types of glass fibers with different ―OH group concentrations have been prepared in order to compare the interactions between GF and Li-TFSI. It was found that the ―OH group concentrations on the surface of glass fiber have significant effects on interactions between glass fibers and Li-TFSI. Such interactions are crucial for both the antistatic and mechanical performances of the final PP/GF/Li-TFSI composites. The investigation indicated that the GF with high ―OH group concentrations confined the movement of TFSI-, which decreased the antistatic properties of PP/GF/Li-TFSI composites. On the other hand, the GF with low ―OH group concentrations inhibited the absorption of Li-TFSI onto the GF, which also hindered the formation of Li-TFSI conductive pathway. The best antistatic performance of the ternary composites can be achieved at the intermediate ―OH concentrations on the GF.     

Effect of internal mold release agent on flexural and inter laminar shear properties of carbon and glass fabric reinforced thermoset composites

The study is focused on thermoset composites reinforced with carbon and glass woven fabrics. Two types of thermoset resins, for example, epoxy and vinyl ester were used as the matrix. Varying concentrations of internal mold releasing (IMR) agent was used in the resin. The composites were cured both at room temperature and at 80°C. The flexural properties were studied using 3‐point bending test method. Further theinter‐laminar shear strength (ILSS) was investigated using the short beam shear strength test based on 3‐point bending. The flexural modulus of room temperature cured epoxy resin is higher than that of high temperature cured epoxy resin and cured vinyl ester resin. The flexural modulus is lowest for 1% IMR sample in epoxy system and the modulus for 0% and 2% epoxy are not significantly different. Lowest flexural strength and modulus can be observed for the combination of reinforcement and curing conditions for samples containing 1% IMR for the epoxy systems. Carbon fiber is found to be less compatible with the vinyl ester resin system and the addition of IMR to the resin degraded the properties further. Inter‐laminar shear strength for epoxy‐based composites is not much affected by presence of IMR, but in case of vinyl ester based composites there is a decrease in ILSS on addition of IMR agent. The study explains variation in flexural properties on addition of IMR and change of curing conditions. These results can be used for ascertaining variation in mechanical properties in real use.