Effects of short fiber tip geometry and inhomogeneous interphase on the stress distribution of rubber matrix sealing composites

The normal and interfacial shear stress distributions with flat fiber tip of short‐fiber‐reinforced rubber matrix sealing composites (SFRC) compared with the shear lag model were investigated by using the finite element method (FEM). The results indicate that stress values do not agree with those calculated by the shear lag model. The effect of different geometrical shapes of fiber tip on the stress distributions of SFRC was also investigated. The geometrical shapes of fiber tip under present investigation are flat, semi‐elliptical, hemispherical, and circular cone, respectively. The results show that the hemispherical fiber tip transfers the load with less stress concentration and is contributed to controlling the interface debonding failure more effectively than other shapes of fiber tip. Further study on the effect of the inhomogeneous interphase properties on the normal and interfacial shear stresses of hemispherical fiber tip was also conducted. The results indicate that the normal stress increases with the increase of the interphase thickness and interfacial shear stress remains unchanged, and the normal stress values of SFRC with interphase are higher than those without interphase. The interphase elastic modulus has no influence on the stress distributions along the direction to the fiber axis. The stress distributions along the radial direction in the interphase end are largely dependent on the interphase elastic modulus, and the interfacial shear stress is larger than the normal stress, which reveals that a significant part of the external load is transferred from the fiber to the matrix through shear stresses within the interphase. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41638.     

Failure behavior of resorcinol–formaldehyde latex coated aramid short‐fiber‐reinforced rubber sealing under transverse tension

Composites composed of rubber, sepiolite fiber, and resorcinol–formaldehyde latex‐coated aramid short fibers were prepared. Mechanical and morphological characterizations were carried out. To investigate the effect of interfacial debonding on the failure behavior of short‐fiber‐reinforced rubber composites, a micromechanical representative volume element model for the composites was developed. The cohesive zone model was used to analyze the interfacial failure. We found that computational results were in good agreement with the experimental results when the interfacial fracture energy was 1 J/m² and the interfacial strength was 10 MPa. A parametrical study on the interface and interphase of the composite was conducted. The results indicate that a good interfacial strength and a choice of interphase modulus between 40 and 50 MPa enhanced the ductile behavior and strength of the composite. The ductile properties of the composite also increased with increasing interfacial fracture energy. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41672.     

Damage analysis of composites reinforced with Alfa fibers: Viscoelastic behavior and debonding at the fiber/matrix interface

In this article, we first review state‐of‐the‐art experimental techniques and measurements to characterize the mechanical properties of anisotropic vegetal alfa fibers, epoxy‐resin, and the behavior of the interphase between the matrix and alfa fibers. Second, we conduct experimental tests to determine the mechanical properties of fibers, resin, and the interphase. Third, we carry out a series of finite element simulations to predict damage initiation and to estimate crack propagation in alfa‐fiber/epoxy‐resin (AFER) composites. Different tests to determine the longitudinal Young's modulus of alfa fibers and epoxy resin as well as nanoindentation tests to obtain the transverse stiffness of the fibers are presented. Experimental results from the characterization are introduced in a micromechanical model to estimate, using the concept of the energy release rate (ERR), the matrix crack, and its interaction with interfacial debonding. The wettability problems in the preparation of vegetable composites and their effect on fiber‐matrix interfacial debonding are also addressed. The analysis of the damage behavior of AFER composites demonstrates that under load transverse to the fiber axis, a crack initiated in the matrix is propagated perpendicular to the direction of the load. Near the interface, the ERR decreases and this energy is higher in the presence of interfacial debonding areas generated by problems of fiber wettability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43760.     

A multiscale methodology quantifying the sintering temperature‐dependent mechanical properties of oxide matrix composites

A novel methodology combining multiscale mechanical testing and finite element modeling is proposed to quantify the sintering temperature‐dependent mechanical properties of oxide matrix composites, like aluminosilicate (AS) fiber reinforced Al₂O₃ matrix (AS_f/Al₂O₃) composite in this work. The results showed a high‐temperature sensitivity in the modulus/strength of AS fiber and Al₂O₃ matrix due to their phase transitions at 1200°C, as revealed by instrumented nanoindentation technique. The interfacial strength, as measured by a novel fiber push‐in technique, was also temperature‐dependent. Specially at 1200°C, an interfacial phase reaction was observed, which bonded the interface tightly, as a result, the interfacial shear strength was up to ≈450 MPa. Employing the measured micro‐mechanical parameters of the composite constituents enabled the prediction of deformation mechanism of the composite in microscale, which suggested a dominant role of interface on the ductile/brittle behavior of the composite in tension and shear. Accordingly, the AS_f/Al₂O₃ composite exhibited a ductile‐to‐brittle transition as the sintering temperature increased from 800 to 1200°C, due to the prohibition of interfacial debonding at higher temperatures, in good agreement with numerical predictions. The proposed multiscale methodology provides a powerful tool to study the mechanical properties of oxide matrix composites qualitatively and quantitatively.     

Improvement in impact property of continuous glass mat reinforced polypropylene composites

The toughened polypropylene (PP) was obtained by the blending of PP with ethylene‐propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The impact property of continuous glass mat‐reinforced polypropylene was adjusted through three ways: different toughness PPs and their blends were used as matrices, the functionalized polypropylene was added into the matrix to control the interfacial adhesion; the ductile interlayer was introduced at the fiber/matrix interphase by the grafting and crosslinking of rubber chains on fiber surface. The effect of PP toughness, interfacial adhesion, and ductile interlayer on the mechanical properties of composite systems was studied. The impact toughness of GMT increased with increasing the matrix toughness, whereas the flexural strength and modulus decreased. The good interfacial adhesion resulted in the low impact toughness. However, GMT composite with high strength, modulus, and impact toughness could be obtained by the introduction of a ductile interlayer at fiber/matrix interphase. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2680–2688, 2002     

Influence of complexing treatment and epoxy resin coating on the properties of aramid fiber reinforced natural rubber

In this work, natural rubber/aramid fiber (NR/AF) composites were prepared with master batch method. AF was modified by using epoxy resin (EP) and accelerator 2‐ethyl‐4‐methylimidazole (2E4MZ) through surface coating on the basis of the complexing treatment with CaCl₂ solution. Hydroxyl‐terminated liquid isoprene rubber (LIR) was regarded as a compatibilizer between EP and NR. It is found that the crystallinity on AF surface is decreased by complexing reaction with CaCl₂ solution. Swelling and mechanical properties of the vulcanized composites, such as swelling degree, tensile and tear strength, tensile modulus at 300% elongation, are measured, and the tensile fracture morphology and dynamic mechanical analysis of the composites are investigated. The results show that the mechanical properties of composites with modified fibers are improved obviously and interfacial adhesion between matrix and the fiber is enhanced, especially for the AF coated with EP and imidazole. The best comprehensive mechanical properties of the composites are obtained with using CaCl₂‐EP/2E4MZ system when the ratio of m(EP)/m(AF) is 3%. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42122.     

Multiscale modeling of interface debonding effect on mechanical properties of nanocomposites

Mechanical behavior of SiO₂ nanoparticle‐epoxy matrix composites was investigated via finite element analysis with an emphasis on the nanofiller‐interphase debonding effect using a three‐dimensional nanoscale representative volume element (RVE). The new model, in which a cohesive zone material (CZM) layer is considered as an inclusion‐interphase bonding, can be applied to polymer nanocomposites reinforced by inclusions of different forms, including spherical, cylindrical, and platelet shapes. Upon validation by experimental data, the model was used to study the effects of interphase properties, nanoparticle size, and inclusion volume fraction on the mechanical properties of nanocomposites. According to the results, taking into account the inclusion‐interphase debonding provides more precise results compared with perfect bonding, especially in nanocomposites with nanoparticles of smaller size. Moreover, the outcomes disclosed that the amount of changes in the elastic modulus by particle size variation is higher when the relative thickness (the interphase thickness to the particle diameter ratio) increases. For relative thicknesses lower than a critical value, the particle size and the interphase properties have negligible effect on the elastic modulus of the nanocomposite, and the elastic modulus of nanocomposite mostly depends on nanofiller content. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:789–796, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

The design of zirconium and hafnium germanate interphase in SiCf/SiC composites

Unidirectional SiC_f/SiC minicomposites with SiC matrix derived by polymer-impregnation pyrolysis (PIP), reinforced with SiC fibers coated with zirconium or hafnium germanate were fabricated. Microdebonding indentation tests for SiC_f/SiC composites with one- and multilayered germanate interphase were performed. Interfacial shear stress depending on the number of germanate interfacial layers and morphology was determined. The microstructure of the minicomposites and indented fracture surfaces were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was stated that an increase in the number of interfacial coatings leads to a decrease in the interfacial frictional stress in SiC_f/SiC minicomposites with germanate interphases. The key factor of interphase weakening is the formation of a weak interlayer bonding within the interphase but not germanate layered crystal structure itself. Thus, bonding at the fiber/matrix boundary could be regulated by the number of layers of ZrGeO₄ or HfGeO₄ in the interphase zone.     

Influence of thermo‐oxidative aging on vibration damping characteristics of conventional and graphene‐based carbon fiber fabric composites

The effect of thermo‐oxidative aging on the vibration damping characteristics of the conventional fabric composites reinforced by three‐dimensional (3D) and four‐directional (4Dir) braided preform and laminated plain woven fabric and the 3D‐4Dir braided graphene‐based carbon fiber composites was investigated. Specimens were isothermally aged at 140 °C for various periods of time up to 1,200 h. The results indicated that the thermo‐oxidative aging resulted in deterioration of the matrix and interface performance, in the form of chain scissions, weight loss, microcracks and interfacial debonding, which should be responsible for the decrease of nature frequency and the increase of damping coefficient of the composites. After aging for 1,200 h, the first nature frequency and first damping coefficient retention rates of 3D‐4Dir braided graphene‐coated carbon fiber/epoxy composite were 5.5% and 6.4% higher than those of laminated composite, respectively. One of the reasons was the integrated structure of 3D‐4Dir braided composite exposed lower fiber end area to air than that of laminated composite, leading to less interface oxidation. Another reason was that the graphene reinforced gradient interphase provided an effective shield against interface oxidation and restricted the movement of the different phase of the materials at the composites interface. This synergetic reinforcing effect of 3D‐4Dir braided structure and graphene reinforced hierarchical interface provides an easy and effective way to design and improve the thermo‐oxidative stability of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2871–2883, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effects of kenaf contents and fiber orientation on physical,mechanical, and morphological properties of hybrid laminated composites for vehicle spall liners

The aim of this work is to study the effect of kenaf volume content and fiber orientation on tensile and flexural properties of kenaf/Kevlar hybrid composites. Hybrid composites were prepared by laminating aramid fabric (Kevlar 29) with kenaf in three orientations (woven, 0^o/90^o cross ply uni‐directional (UD), and non‐woven mat) with different kenaf fiber loadings from 15 to 20% and total fiber loading (Kenaf and Kevlar) of 27–49%. The void content varies between 11.5–37.7% to laminate with UD and non‐woven mat, respectively. The void content in a woven kenaf structure is 16.2%. Tensile and flexural properties of kenaf/Kevlar hybrid composites were evaluated. Results indicate that UD kenaf fibers reinforced composites display better tensile and flexural properties as compared to woven and non‐woven mat reinforced hybrid composites. It is also noticed that increasing volume fraction of kenaf fiber in hybrid composites reduces tensile and flexural properties. Tensile fracture of hybrid composites was morphologically analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM micrographs of Kevlar composite failed in two major modes; fiber fracture by the typical splitting process along with, extensive longitudinal matrix and interfacial shear fracture. UD kenaf structure observed a good interlayer bonding and low matrix cracking/debonding. Damage in composite with woven kenaf shows weak kenaf‐matrix bonding. Composite with kenaf mat contains the high void in laminates and poor interfacial bonding. These results motivate us to further study the potential of using kenaf in woven and UD structure in hybrid composites to improve the ballistic application, for example, vehicle spall‐liner. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1469–1476, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on the effect of woven sisal fiber mat on mechanical and viscoelastic properties of petroleum based epoxy and bioresin modified toughened epoxy network

Sisal fiber reinforced biocomposites are developed using both unmodified petrol based epoxy and bioresin modified epoxy as base matrix. Two bioresins, epoxidized soybean oil and epoxy methyl soyate (EMS) are used to modify the epoxy matrix for effective toughening and subsequently two layers of sisal fiber mat are incorporated to improve the mechanical and thermomechanical properties. Higher strength and modulus of the EMS modified epoxy composites reveals good interfacial bonding of matrix with the fibers. Fracture toughness parameters K_IC and G_IC are determined and found to be enhanced significantly. Notched impact strength is found to be higher for unmodified epoxy composite, whereas elongation at break is found to be much higher for modified epoxy blend. Dynamic mechanical analysis shows an improvement in the storage modulus for bioresin toughened composites on the account stiffness imparted by fibers. Loss modulus is found to be higher for EMS modified epoxy composite because of strong fiber–matrix interfacial bonding. Loss tangent curves show a strong influence of bioresin on damping behavior of epoxy composite. Strong fiber–matrix interface is found in modified epoxy composite by scanning electron microscopic analysis. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42699.     

Effect of a Boron Nitride Interphase That Debonds between the Interphase and the Matrix in SiC/SiC Composites

Typically, the debonding and sliding interface enabling fiber pullout for SiC-fiber-reinforced SiC-matrix composites with BN-based interphases occurs between the fiber and the interphase. Recently, composites have been fabricated where interface debonding and sliding occur between the BN interphase and the matrix. This results in two major improvements in mechanical properties. First, significantly higher failure strains were attained due to the lower interfacial shear strength with no loss in ultimate strength properties of the composites. Second, significantly longer stress-rupture times at higher stresses were observed in air at 815°3C. In addition, no loss in mechanical properties was observed for composites that did not possess a thin carbon layer between the fiber and the interphase when subjected to burner-rig exposure. Two primary factors were hypothesized for the occurrence of debonding and sliding between the BN interphase and the SiC matrix: a weaker interface at the BN/matrix interface than the fiber/BN interface and a residual tensile/shear stress-state at the BN/matrix interface of melt-infiltrated composites. Also, the occurrence of outside debonding was believed to occur during composite fabrication, i.e., on cooldown after molten silicon infiltration.     

Preparation of TiC/Ti2AlC coating on carbon fiber and investigation of the oxidation resistance properties

MAX phases were proposed as the interphase materials for carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites toward the applications in high‐dose irradiation and oxidation environments. A thickness‐controllable TiC/Ti₂AlC coating was fabricated on carbon fiber using an in situ reaction in a molten salt bath. The coating showed a multilayered structure, in which the inner layer was TiC and the outer layer was Ti₂AlC. The influence of the reaction conditions on the morphology, composition, and thickness of the coating was investigated. The oxidation resistance properties of the as‐prepared TiC/Ti₂AlC‐coated carbon fiber in static air and water vapor flow at elevated temperatures were investigated. The results showed that the as‐prepared TiC/Ti₂AlC coating could provide good protection to the carbon fiber in both static air and water vapor flow up to 800°C. As these TiC and Ti₂AlC materials have good irradiation resistance, the present work provides a potential way to develop an irradiation‐resistant interphase of carbon‐fiber‐reinforced ceramic matrix composites for nuclear applications. Furthermore, this work also provides a feasible way to prepare carbide/MAX phase coating on other carbon materials.     

Interphase degradation of three‐dimensional Cf/SiC–ZrC–ZrB2 composites fabricated via reactive melt infiltration

Layer‐structured interphase, existing between carbon fiber and ultrahigh‐temperature ceramics (UHTCs) matrix, is an indispensable component for carbon fiber reinforced UHTCs matrix composites (C_f/UHTCs). For C_f/UHTCs fabricated by reactive melt infiltration (RMI), the interphase inevitably suffers degradation due to the interaction with the reactive melt. Here, C_f/SiC–ZrC–ZrB₂ composite was fabricated by reactive infiltration of ZrSi₂ melt into sol‐gel prepared C_f/B₄C–C preform. (PyC–SiC)₂ interphase was deposited on the fiber to investigate the degradation mechanism under ZrSi₂ melt. It was revealed that the degraded interphase exhibited typical features of Zr aggregation and SiC residuals. Moreover, the Zr species diffused across the interphase and formed nanosized ZrC phase inside the fiber. A hybrid mechanisms of chemical reaction and physical melting were proposed to reveal the degradation mechanism according to characterization results and heat conduction calculations. Based on the degradation mechanism, a potential solution to mitigate interphase degradation is also put forward.     

Improvement of interfacial properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) composites by introducing carbon nanotube to the interphase

This article aims to improve interfacial properties of carbon fiber‐reinforced poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (PPEK) composites by means of preparing carbon nanotube (CNT)/carbon fiber hybrid fiber. XPS was used to characterize the chemical structure of unsized carbon fiber and SEM was used to observe the surface topography of carbon fibers. Specific area measurement, dynamic contact angle, and interfacial shear strength (IFSS) testing were performed to examine the effect of CNT on the interfacial properties of carbon fiber/PPEK composites. By the introduction of CNT to the interphase of carbon fiber‐reinforced PPEK composites, an enhancement of IFSS by 55.52% was achieved. Meanwhile, the interfacial fracture topography was also observed and the reinforcing mechanism was discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:26–33, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A Modified Silane Treatment for Superior Hydrolytic Stability of Glass Reinforced Composites

A silicon tetrachloride-modified silane treatment of E-glass particles and fibers improved the hydrolytic stability of the glass reinforced composites by creating a water-resistant silane copolymer interphase of approximately 30 Angstroms thickness. SEM observation of E-glass particulate reinforced dimethacrylate-based resin composites showed that strong interfacial adhesion was maintained even under 72 hours of exposure to boiling water, while interfacial adhesion in the conventionally-treated materials was destroyed under the same conditions. Interfacial fracture energy was measured using an embedded single fiber fragmentation test. In the initial dry state, no interfacial debonding was observed in either the modified or conventionally-treated microcomposites, indicating strong interfacial adhesion in both cases. However, after exposure to boiling water for 24 hours, debonding occurred in both cases, with interfacial fracture energies of 281 J/m² and 54 J/m² for the modified and conventionally-treated interfaces, respectively. The improvement in hydrolytic stability of the interface is believed to be caused by a higher degree of crosslinking in the silane layer and the replacement of at least some of the hydroxyl groups on the glass surface by covalent O—Si—O bonds.     

Micromechanical analysis of long fiber‐reinforced composites with nanoparticle incorporation into the interphase region

The influence of the distribution type, Young's modulus, and volume fraction of the nanoparticles within the interphase region on the mechanical behavior of long fiber‐reinforced composites with epoxy resin matrix under transverse tensile loading is investigated in this article. An infinite material containing unidirectional long fiber and periodic distribution of elastic, spherical nanoparticles was modeled using a unit cell approach. A stiffness degradation technique has been used to simulate the damage and crack progress of the matrix subjected to mechanical loading. A series of computational experiments performed to study the influence of the nanoparticle indicate that the mechanical properties, nanoparticle‐fiber distance, and volume fraction of nanoparticle have a significant effect on both the stiffness and strength properties of these composite materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41573.     

Strain rate effect in the single‐fiber‐fragmentation test

The single fiber fragmentation test (SFVU) has been widely used to characterize the interface it fiber‐reinforced polymers. The purpose of the work reported here was to determine the effect of strain rate on the fiber fragment lengths obtained in the SFFT. Three materials systems were used to make single‐fiber‐composite specimens: E‐glass fiber/polycarbonate matrix, AS4‐carbon fiber/polycarbonate matrix, and AS4‐carbon fiber/polycarbonate matrix. The fiber‐matrix adhesion in all three systems is based on physisorption rather than chemisorption. Each system was tested at strain rates ranging over four orders of magnitude. Results are reported in terms of fragment length, the dependent variable in this study, which is inversely related to the quality of the Interface. It was expected that the fragment length would show a systematic decrease with Increasing strain rate, but the expected trend was not found. Although the polycarbonate matrix exhibited rate‐dependent viscoelastic behavior typical of amorphous polymers below T_g, the fragment length at saturation did not show a statistically significant variation with strain rate for any of the three materials systems. A major contributor to the lack of observed effect was the inherent random variability associated with the SFFT; random variability in average fragment length was equal or greater than the 19% effect of rate predicted for ideal elastic systems with no debonding at the interface. In addition, considerable interfacial debonding occurred during the SFFT, not surprising for Interfaces based on physisorption alone. Debonding Interferes with transfer of applied load from matrix to fiber, and would thus interfere with transfer of the effect of rate from matrix to fiber. A tensile Impact test developed previously was also performed on single‐fiber composite specimens made from the same three materials systems. The results of the Impact tests differed from those obtained at controlled strain‐rates for only two of the materials systems.     

Bio‐composites for structural applications: Poly‐l‐lactide reinforced with long sisal fiber bundles

Fully bio‐based and biodegradable composites were compression molded from unidirectionally aligned sisal fiber bundles and a polylactide polymer matrix (PLLA). Caustic soda treatment was employed to modify the strength of sisal fibers and to improve fiber to matrix adhesion. Mechanical properties of PLLA/sisal fiber composites improved with caustic soda treatment: the mean flexural strength and modulus increased from 279 MPa and 19.4 GPa respectively to 286 MPa and 22 GPa at a fiber volume fraction of V_f = 0.6. The glass transition temperature decreased with increasing fiber content in composites reinforced with untreated sisal fibers due to interfacial friction. The damping at the caustic soda‐treated fibers‐PLLA interface was reduced due to the presence of transcrystalline morphology at the fiber to matrix interface. It was demonstrated that high strength, high modulus sisal‐PLLA composites can be produced with effective stress transfer at well‐bonded fiber to matrix interfaces. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40999.     

Interfacial properties and initial step of the water sorption in unidirectional unsaturated polyester/vegetable fiber composites

In this work the interfacial properties of polyester/vegetable fiber composites were analyzed by flexural testing. The compressive/tensile (σ) and shear (τ) stresses were determined for each composite in function of the span-to-depth ratio (λ). The general behavior of the composites was similar to that of composites reinforced with DuPont Kevlar fiber, i.e., a maximum σ stress value is obtained. Flexural test validity for determining the Young's and shear moduli, E₁₁ and G₁₂, was ascertained. The Young's modulus agreed with that expected from the rule of mixtures for the composites with lowest fiber content. Short beam tests were performed on the composites. The shear stress value was improved by means of the matrix modification. Moisture sorption experiments and dynamic mechanical analysis were also performed on the natural fiber composites in the first Fickian step. Water sorption at 50% RH and 90% RH can be satisfactorily described by using a diffusional model. Water diffusion on parallelepiped samples shows a positive deviation from the Fickian behavior. Fiber capillary flow occurs through the fiber and the debonded matrix/fiber interphase during the initial Fickian step.