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.     

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.     

Surface Analysis of PBO and Modified SPBO Fiber by Contact Angle Measurements and XPS

In order to improve surface properties of poly (p‐phenylene benzoxazole) (PBO) fiber, modified SPBO containing ionic groups (–NaSO₃) was prepared for the first time by polymerization from 1, 3‐diamino‐4, 6‐dihydroxybenzene dihydrochloride (DAR) and terephthalic acid (TPA), with addition of selected amounts of 5‐sulfoisophthalic acid monosodium salt (SIPA) in place of the TPA. The SPBO polymer with a different content of SIPA, 1.5% SPBO (mol ratio), and 3% SPBO was prepared. The SPBO fiber was obtained via liquid crystal spinning through dry‐jet wet‐spinning techniques. The contact angles between fiber and water/ethyl alcohol were measured by an OCA 40 Micro dynamic contact angle analysis system. The contact angles of SPBO to water and alcohol were smaller than those of PBO to either of them and the wetting process of water and ethyl alcohol on SPBO fiber was faster than on PBO fiber. In addition, the results showed that the surface free energy could be increased up to 40.3 mJ/m², i.e. by 13.55%. Through XPS analysis, it was found that the surface nitrogen‐to‐carbon ratio was increased from 0.0157 to 0.0915 and the oxygen‐to‐carbon ratio was increased from 0.2331 to 0.3070 after incorporation of the ‐NaSO₃ ionic groups; in addition, the ionization energy (or binding energy) of C_1s and O_1s decreased.     

Effects of air dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment time on surface properties of PBO fiber

In this paper, the effects of air dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment time on surface properties of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber were investigated. The surface characteristics of PBO fiber before and after the plasma treatments were analyzed by dynamic contact angle (DCA) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). DCA measurements indicated that the surface wettability of PBO fiber was improved significantly by increasing the fiber surface free energy via air DBD plasma treatments. The results were confirmed by the improvement of adhesion of a kind of thermoplastic resin to PBO fiber which was observed by SEM, showing that more resin was adhering evenly to the fiber surface. AFM measurement revealed that the surface topography of PBO fiber became more complicated and the surface roughness was greatly enhanced after the plasma treatments, and XPS analysis showed that some new polar groups (e.g. OCO) were introduced on plasma treated PBO fiber surface. The results of this study also showed that the surface properties of PBO fiber changed with the elongation of plasma treatment time.     

Surface analysis of oxygen plasma treated poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) fibers

The influence of oxygen plasma treatment on surface properties of poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers and aging effect of the oxygen plasma modified PBO fiber surfaces were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic contact angle analysis (DCAA), respectively. The results indicated that the oxygen plasma treatment introduced some polar groups to PBO fiber surfaces, enhanced surface roughness and changed surface morphologies of PBO fibers by plasma etching and oxidative reactions. Surface wettability of PBO fibers may be significantly improved by increasing surface free energy of the fibers via oxygen plasma treatment. Aging effect of the oxygen plasma treated PBO fibers showed that the fiber surface wettability degraded in the first several days after the plasma treatment, and it was found to be changeless as the aging time continued as long as 30 days.     

Novel Fine Structures in Poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole Fibers Induced by Water Vapor,Hot Water,and Non-Aqueous Coagulation I Molecular Orientation Along the Fiber Axis and Fine Structures

This article is concerned with describing novel structural features of the water vapor coagulated Poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole fiber in comparison with other PBO fibers made with hot liquid water and non-aqueous coagulation. Micro-focus X-ray diffraction was adopted to see the skin-core difference of molecular orientation and crystal size along the fiber-radius direction. Low temperature differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed to elucidate the structural features of never-dried fibers made with the different coagulation techniques. Comparison of micro-focus X-ray diffraction profiles from the different positions on the fiber suggests less anisotropy of preferential orientation for the water vapor coagulated fiber. The fiber made through water vapor coagulation showed a large skin-core difference in molecular orientation with structural inhomogeneity along the fiber axis.     

The gamma irradiation of PBO fiber on the mechanical and tribological properties of PTFE composites

The mechanical and tribological behavior of gamma irradiated poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fiber filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites was investigated. The gamma irradiated PBO fiber composite had the highest inter-laminar shear strength value of all the combinations because its higher bond strength may have hindered a large fiber/matrix debonding. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that the contents of polar groups on the surface of gamma irradiated PBO fiber increase compared to PBO fiber. The wear tests were conducted on a ring-on-block apparatus using composite block against polished metal counterparts under dry sliding conditions. It can also be found that gamma irradiation treatment was helpful to the improvement of the anti-wear ability of the PTFE composite which was related to the abrasive wear mechanism.     

Thin films prepared by simultaneous deposition of copper and free-base phthalocyanine

Composite films of metals and dielectrics attracted considerable attention in the past for their novel optical and mechanical properties which can be tailored precisely by changing their structure and composition. In this work we present a probe into a related but hitherto unexplored field of composites where metal is combined with molecular semiconductor. As model materials we chose free-base phthalocyanine and copper. Films were prepared by simultaneous deposition of copper and free-base phthalocyanine in the dual ICB system. An answer to two basic questions was sought after: 1) does the copper combine with freebase phthalocyanine to form a copper phthalocyanine complex, 2) what is the structure of the films if there is non-stoichiometric surplus of copper in the films? We report results of structural study by a transmission electron microscope. Optical behaviour of the composite was characterized by optical reflectance and transmittance measurement in UV/VIS/NIR range and complemented by FT IR spectra.     

溴代酞菁铜衍生物薄膜的折射率和吸收特性

通过旋涂法在单晶硅片上制备了一系列含有不同数目溴取代基的酞菁铜衍生物：一溴代－四烷氧基酞菁铜（MBTAPcCu），二溴代－四烷氧基酞菁铜（DBTAPcCu），四溴代－四烷氧基酞菁岣（TBTAPcCu）和无溴代－四烷氧基酞菁铜（NBTAPcCu）薄膜，利用同步旋转起偏－检偏器（RAP）型的宽谱扫描全自动椭圆偏振光谱仪测定了上述薄膜的椭偏光谱，获得了该系列薄膜的复折射率、复介电常数和吸收系数，研究了溴取代基对酞菁铜衍生物薄膜光学性质的影响。     

A COMPARISON OF THE HOT-COMPACTION BEHAVIOR OF ORIENTED,HIGH-MODULUS,POLYETHYLENE FIBERS AND TAPES*

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, there is an account of the hot-compaction behavior of a new, highly oriented, high-modulus polyethylene (PE) tape with the trade name of Tensylon® (manufactured by Synthetic Industries, USA). This tape, produced by a melt spinning route, has mechanical properties comparable to those of commercially available gel-spun fibers. Unidirectional samples were produced for a range of compaction temperatures to determine the optimum compaction conditions to obtain the best mechanical properties of the resulting compacted sheets. Second, the mechanical properties of the best Tensylon sample, manufactured at a compaction temperature of 153°C, was compared with three other hot-compacted, highly oriented PE materials, based on Certran®, Dyneema®, and Spectra® commercial PE fibers. The results showed that the optimum compaction temperature was in most cases about 1°C below the point at which substantial crystalline melting occurred. At this optimum temperature, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) melting studies showed that approximately 30% of the original oriented phase had been lost to bond the structure together. In the case of Dyneema, the properties of the fiber were not translated into the properties of a compacted sheet, and morphological studies showed that this was because melting did not occur on the fiber surfaces, but rather in the interior of the fiber due to a skin structure. The properties of the compacted Tensylon tapes were found to be exceptional, combining very high modulus and strength with interlayer bonding and good creep resistance. Moreover, the optimum temperature appeared to be about 2°C below the point at which complete melting occurred, giving a wider processing window for this material.

     

一种新型侧漏型光子晶体光纤的研制及其传输特性研究

通过引入椭圆掺锗芯和侧向泄露通道, 提出并研制出一种侧漏型光子晶体光纤(photonic crystal fiber, PCF). 应用结构重构全矢量有限元数值分析法分析了设计结构和实际研制的侧漏型PCF的传输特性. 研制的侧漏型PCF, 在波长1550 nm处基模的平均模场直径为9.275 μm, 与G652标准单模光纤具有很好的适配性, 模式双折射为0.837× 10^-4, 群双折射约为1.508× 10^-4. 基于研制的侧漏型PCF光纤构建了Sagnac干涉仪, 对其群双折射进行了测量. 测量结果表明:当侧漏型PCF光纤达到一定长度时, 在1450–1750 nm波长范围内, 二阶模在光纤中不能成为有效传输模式, 光纤可以实现单模传输; 另外, 研制的侧漏型PCF群双折射实验的测量平均值, 与数值分析结果相符合. 侧向泄露通道的引入, 增强了侧漏型PCF光纤对外界参量变化的敏感性, 提高了其在扭转、弯曲、压力等参量的光纤传感和高性能光纤激光器构建等方面的应用潜能. 关键词： 光子晶体光纤 侧向泄露通道 双折射 Sagnac干涉仪     

A review on abaca fiber reinforced composites

This paper reviews literatures and information on Abaca fibers (Musa textilis Nee) as reinforcing material for aerospace composite materials. Characterization of Abaca as well properties of Abaca reinforced composites and its applications were discussed. Therefore, challenges and future works for Abaca Reinforced composites were explored. Studies reveal that Abaca fiber pre-treatment helps in improving the mechanical properties of the composite. In addition, there have been efforts in combining Abaca fibers to existing mixture of synthetic composites to improve its mechanical properties and environmental performance. The future of Abaca is seen as one of the potent sources of reinforcing fiber for various material construction including aerospace materials.     

单模低损耗光子晶体光纤的设计及特性分析

设计了几种特殊结构的带隙光子晶体光纤,采用平面波展开法和频域有限差分方法研究了基于不同结构光子晶体光纤的带、模式、色散和色散斜率。由平面波展开法和频域有限差分方法求解麦克斯韦方程组导出本征值方程,可以得到带隙光子晶体光纤中可能存在的不同模式的传播常数、电场分布、本征频率和磁场分布。分别给出了第二圈填充率取三种不同值时带、模式、色散和色散斜率的变化。结果表明,当第二圈填充率改变时其特性有明显的变化。随着填充率从0．75减小到0．45,其二阶模分裂成两个类LP01模,可降低损耗。计算结果对单模和低损耗的光子晶体光纤的设计有参考价值。     

Preparation of superhydrophobic poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO) fiber bundles

According to the reformed Cassie-Baxter equation, the superhydrophobic phenylenebenzobisoxazole (PBO) fiber bundle boats were fabricated from mimicking the lotus leaf venation using chemical surface modifications and roughness introduction. Water contact angles as high as 152.3° were achieved for PBO fiber bundles. Furthermore, the loading capacities of the superhydrophobic PBO fiber bundle boats were also measured. And the highest loading weight, 8.36 g, was obtained by the boats treated with 2.0 wt.% (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2,-tetradecyl)trimethoxysilane (HFTES). The large loading capacities were believed to arise from the air film surrounding the superhydrophobic surfaces of boats. The results of this study presented new applications of artificial hydrophobic surfaces in areas of miniature aquatic devices.     

Strain softening and strain localization in copper based Cu-Al single crystals

The paper reports the results of the study of highly effective relaxation mechanisms of plastic deformation in Cu-Al single crystals and their effect on mechanical properties and tendency toward strain localization. The experiments concern a wide range of aluminium content (0–16 at. % Al) in copper based single crystals, tested in tension. These were oriented in the centre of stereographic triangle. Slip markings, changes of crystal shape, strain hardening rate and strain rate sensitivity provided independent information permitting to identify the mechanism of relaxation and to determine its kinetic features. It was found that selfinduced entry of critical slip system causes sudden decrease of hardening rate, changes the strain rate sensitivity and leads to strain localization. The effect occurs regardless the crystal composition but its extent is dependent on Al content. The model of the relaxation mechanism has been proposed.Presented at the 4^th International Symposium on Plasticity of Metals and Alloys, September 7–11, 1987, Srní, Czechoslovakia.     

色散补偿光子晶体光纤结构参数对其色散的影响

光子晶体光纤由于其灵活可调的色散特性用作色散补偿具有极大的应用潜力. 设计了一种色散补偿光子晶体光纤, 并运用频域有限差分法模拟了其色散特性,从理论上分析了其结构参数孔间距Λ和空气占空比d/Λ对该光子晶体光纤的色散系数的影响, 并且实际制备出了3种不同结构参数的光子晶体光纤. 通过对其色散曲线对比分析表明: 当光子晶体光纤孔间距在1 μm附近时, 其色散系数随着孔间距Λ和占空比d/Λ的增大而增加, 但对于孔间距Λ的变化比占空比d/Λ更为敏感, 并且随着孔间距Λ的增加,其对色散系数的影响能力逐渐减小. 设计并制备的光子晶体光纤在1550 nm处的色散系数为-241.5 ps·nm^-1·km^-1, 相对色散斜率为0.0018, 具有较好的色散补偿能力. 关键词： 色散 色散补偿 光子晶体光纤 结构参数     

XPS study of PBO fiber surface modified by incorporation of hydroxyl polar groups in main chains

Dihydroxy poly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (DHPBO), a modified poly(p-phenylene benzoxazole) (PBO) polymer containing double hydroxyl groups in polymer chains, was synthesized by copolymerization of 4,6-diamino resorcinol dihydrochloride (DAR), purified terephthalic acid (TA) and 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (DHTA). DHPBO fibers were prepared by dry-jet wet-spinning method. The effects of hydroxyl polar groups on the surface elemental compositions of PBO fiber were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the ratio of oxygen/carbon on the surface of DHPBO fibers is higher than that on the surface of PBO fibers, which indicates the content of polar groups on the surface of DHPBO fiber increase compared with PBO fiber.     

Development of Stereocomplex Crystal of Polylactide in High-Speed Melt Spinning and Subsequent Drawing and Annealing Processes

High-speed melt spinning of racemate polylactide (r-PLA), which is a blend of equal amounts of poly(l-lactide) and poly(d-lactide) molecules, was performed up to the take-up velocity of 7.5 km/min. In the fiber structure analysis, particular attention was paid to the formation of stereocomplex crystals, because this crystal form has a melting temperature about 60° higher than the homocrystals. It was found that highly oriented and highly crystallized fibers containing the α-form and stereocomplex crystals were obtained when the take-up velocity exceeded about 4 km/min. The amount of stereocomplex crystal was higher under the spinning conditions of higher take-up velocity, lower throughput rate, and lower extrusion temperature. Under these conditions, higher tensile stress can be applied to the spinning line, and therefore, the orientation-induced crystallization is promoted. Annealing of the fibers obtained at high-take-up velocities, such as 6 km/min, which already have the crystalline structure with a certain amount of stereocomplex crystal, at a temperature between the melting temperatures of α-form and stereocomplex crystals, yielded the fiber structure mainly consisting of highly oriented stereocomplex crystal. The annealed fibers showed fairly high mechanical properties and good thermal stability.     

The Preparation and Study on Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polypropylene Gel‐spun Fibers

A novel polypropylene (PP) fiber was prepared by using gel spinning/crystallization from dilute solutions of ultrahigh molecular weight isotactic polypropylene (i‐UHMWPP), and subsequently drawing at various temperatures. The influence of drawing temperature on the properties of the resulted fibers was investigated. We found that the draw‐ability and mechanical as well as crystallization properties of the fibers obtained were dramatically improved with increasing drawing temperature. When the drawing temperature is below the α‐crystal relaxation temperature of PP, which was measured by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis as 100–120°C, the fibers are characterized by lower crystallinity and smaller crystals with less perfection, resulting in brittle fracture and subsequently poor mechanical durability. With drawing at temperatures above the α‐crystal relaxation temperature of PP, a novel UHMWPP fiber with Young's modulus of 27 GPa and tensile strength of 1.3 GPa was obtained. Higher crystallinity and larger crystals with better perfection and orientation were observed in this fiber.     

Investigation of cladding and coating stripping methods for specialty optical fibers

Fiber optic sensing technology is used extensively in several engineering fields, including smart structures, health and usage monitoring, non-destructive testing, minimum invasive sensing, safety monitoring, and other advanced measurement fields. A general optical fiber consists of a core, cladding, and coating layers. Many sensing principles require that the cladding or coating layer should be removed or modified. In addition, since different sensing systems are needed for different types of optical fibers, it is very important to find and sort out the suitable cladding or coating removal method for a particular fiber. This study focuses on finding the cladding and coating stripping methods for four recent specialty optical fibers, namely: hard polymer-clad fiber, graded-index plastic optical fiber, copper/carbon-coated optical fiber, and aluminum-coated optical fiber. Several methods, including novel laser stripping and conventional chemical and mechanical stripping, were tried to determine the most suitable and efficient technique. Microscopic investigation of the fiber surfaces was used to visually evaluate the mechanical reliability. Optical time domain reflectometric signals of the successful removal cases were investigated to further examine the optical reliability. Based on our results, we describe and summarize the successful and unsuccessful methods.