Influence of filler structure on microhardness of carbon black–polymer composites

The microhardness, H, of carbon black–polycarbonate and carbon black–low‐density polyethylene composites was investigated. Two types of microadditives with different average particle sizes were employed. It has been shown that the morphology of the polymeric matrix conspicuously influences the hardness dependence of the composites with volume concentration of filler, ϕ. The microhardness of the carbon black–polycarbonate composites shows a steplike behavior with respect to carbon black content, while the H value of the carbon black–low‐density polyethylene composite linearly increases with increasing ϕ. The influence of filler structure on the microhardness of the carbon black–polymer composites is also discussed. Results favor the concept that a smaller carbon black particle size (smaller aggregate diameters and interaggregate distances) enhances the microhardness of the composites. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 79: 90–95, 2001     

Mechanical,electrical, and dielectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride/short carbon fiber composites with low‐electrical percolation threshold

In this investigation, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/short carbon fiber (SCF) composites have been prepared by solution casting technique to enhance electrical and dielectric properties with very low‐electrical percolation threshold (0.5 phr SCF). The effect of SCF content on mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of the composites have also been investigated. The mechanical properties of the composites are found to reduce compared to neat PVDF due to poor polymer–filler interaction which can be concluded from FESEM micrographs showing poor bonding between PVDF and SCF. The PVDF/SCF composites exhibit either positive temperature coefficient effect of resistivity or negative temperature coefficient effect of resistivity depending on the loading of SCF in the polymer matrix. The change in conductivity during heating–cooling cycle for these composites shows electrical hysteresis along with electrical set. The melting point of the composites marginally increases with the increase in fiber loading in PVDF matrix as evidenced from DSC thermograms. X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals the crystallinity of PVDF decreases with the increase in SCF loading in matrix polymer. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39866.     

Mechanical and piezo‐resistive properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymer covalently modified with graphene/styrene–butadiene–styrene composites

As novel piezoelectric materials, carbon‐reinforced polymer composites exhibit excellent piezoelectric properties and flexibility. In this study, we used a styrene–butadiene–styrene triblock copolymer covalently grafted with graphene (SBS‐g‐RGO) to prepare SBS‐g‐RGO/styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) composites to enhance the organic solubility of graphene sheets and its dispersion in composites. Once exfoliated from natural graphite, graphene oxide was chemically modified with 1,6‐hexanediamine to functionalize with amino groups (GO–NH₂), and this was followed by reduction with hydrazine [amine‐functionalized graphene oxide (RGO–NH₂)]. SBS‐g‐RGO was finally obtained by the reaction of RGO–NH₂ and maleic anhydride grafted SBS. After that, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and other methods were applied to characterize SBS‐g‐RGO. The results indicate that the SBS molecules were grafted onto the graphene sheets by covalent bonds, and SBS‐g‐RGO was dispersed well. In addition, the mechanical and electrical conductivity properties of the SBS‐g‐RGO/SBS composites showed significant improvements because of the excellent interfacial interactions and homogeneous dispersion of SBS‐g‐RGO in SBS. Moreover, the composites exhibited remarkable piezo resistivity under vertical compression and great repeatability after 10 compression cycles; thus, the composites have the potential to be applied in sensor production. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46568.     

Three‐dimensionally braided carbon fiber–epoxy composites,a new type of materials for osteosynthesis devices. II. Influence of fiber surface treatment

Interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and epoxy resin plays an important role in determining performance of carbon–epoxy composites. The objective of this research is to determine the effect of fiber surface treatment (oxidization in air) on the mechanical properties (flexural strength and modulus, shear and impact strengths) of three‐dimensionally (3D) braided carbon‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy (C_3D/EP) composites. Carbon fibers were air‐treated under various conditions to improve fiber–matrix adhesion. It is found that excessive oxidation will cause formation of micropits. These micropits are preferably formed in crevices of fiber surfaces. The micropits formed on fiber surfaces produce strengthened fiber–matrix bond, but cause great loss of fiber strength and is probably harmful to the overall performance of the corresponding composites. A trade‐off between the fiber–matrix bond and fiber strength loss should be considered. The effectiveness of fiber surface treatment on performance improvement of the C_3D/EP composites was compared with that of the unidirectional carbon fiber–epoxy composites. In addition, the effects of fiber volume fraction (V_f) and braiding angle on relative performance improvements were determined. Results reveal obvious effects of V_f and braiding angle. A mechanism was proposed to explain the experimental phenomena. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1040–1046, 2002     

Preparation of polystyrene–graphite conducting nanocomposites via intercalation polymerization

In situ polymerization of styrene was conducted in the presence of expanded graphite obtained by rapid heating of a graphite intercalation compound (GIC), to form a polystyrene–expanded graphite conducting composite. The composite showed excellent electrically conducting properties even though the graphite content was much lower than in normal composites. The transition of the composite from an electrical insulator to an electrical semiconductor occurred when the graphite content was 1.8 wt%, which is much lower than that of conventional conducting polymer composites. TEM, SEM and other studies suggest that the graphite was dispersed in the form of nanosheets in a polymer matrix with a thickness of 10–30 nm, without modification of the space between carbon layers and the structure of the graphite crystallites. The composite exhibited high electrical conductivity of 10^?2 S cm^?1 when the graphite content was 2.8–3.0 wt%. This great improvement of conductivity could be attributed to the high aspect ratio (width‐to‐thickness) of the graphite nanosheets. The rolling process strongly affected the conductivity and the mechanical properties of the composite. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and properties of nadic‐end‐capped cyclotriphosphazene‐containing polyimide/carbon fiber composites

New novel fire‐resistant and heat‐resistant cyclotriphosphazene‐containing polyimide resins were prepared in situ by the polymerization of (p‐aminophenoxy)(phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazenes with 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid or 3,3′,4,4′‐diphenylsulfonetetracarboxylic acid and a crosslink agent, 5‐norbornene‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid and were used as polymer matrix compositing with a woven carbon fiber to prepare nadic‐end‐capped cyclotriphosphazene‐containing polyimide/carbon fiber composites. The thermal stability, flame retardance, morphology of the surface fracture, and some physical properties of the composites were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and a material testing system, respectively. The composites had good thermal stability, flame retardance, and mechanical properties. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 810–818, 2003     

Accelerator adsorption onto carbon nanotubes surface affects the vulcanization process of styrene–butadiene rubber composites

The multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) filled styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) composites were prepared by incorporating MWCNT in a SBR/toluene solution and subsequently evaporating the solvent. These composites have shown a significant improvement in Young's modulus and tensile strength with respect to SBR gum without sacrificing high elongation at break. However, this improvement is less than expected at the higher filler content. Then, the influence of low concentrations of MWCNT on the vulcanization process of the SBR composites was studied by means of rheometer torque curves, swelling measurements, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Also, their thermal degradation was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It has been noticed that MWCNT affects the cure kinetics of SBR gum matrix reducing all parameters, i.e., the total heat rate and order of the reaction, scorch delay, maximum torque, and crosslink density. This effect increases as MWCNT content does, and it was attributed to the adsorption of the accelerator employed in the vulcanization (N‐tert‐butyl‐benzothiazole‐2‐sulfenamide) onto the MWCNT surface. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Effects of surface modification,carbon nanofiber concentration,and dispersion time on the mechanical properties of carbon‐nanofiber–polycarbonate composites

The time effect of ultrasonication was investigated for dispersing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) into a polycarbonate (PC) matrix on the mechanical properties of thus‐produced composites. The effects of CNF surface modification by plasma treatment and the CNF concentration in composites on their mechanical properties were also explored. The plasma coating was characterized by HRTEM and FT‐IR. Furthermore, the plasma polymerization (10 w) treatment on the CNF enhanced the CNF dispersion in the polymer matrix. The mechanical properties of the CNF–PC composites varied with the dispersion time, at first increasing to a maximum value and then dropping down. After a long ultrasonic treatment (24 h), the properties increased again. At a high concentration, the CNF‐PC suspension became difficult to disperse. Additionally, the possible mechanisms for these behaviors are simply proposed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3792–3797, 2007     

Effect of carbon black and nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties of ABS–PANI/ABS–PPy blends

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)–polyaniline (PANI) and ABS–polypyrrole (PPy) blends exhibit poor mechanical and thermal properties due to their weak interfacial adhesion and inhomogeneous mixing. The properties have been improved by addition of carbon black (CB) and nanoclay (NC). Composites are prepared by mixing CB and NC with ABS–PANI and ABS–PPY blends. The morphology and crystalline characteristics are studied using field emission scanning electron spectroscopy (FESEM) and X‐ray diffraction, respectively. In addition, all the composites have been analyzed for their mechanical and thermal performance. The tensile strength of ABS–PANI has been increased by 7.18% and 65.83% with addition of CB and a combination of CB–NC, respectively. FESEM images are found supportive with these trends and show homogeneous dispersion of CB in the polymer matrix, assisted by NC. Dynamic mechanical analysis results also show slight improvement of glass transition temperature (T_g) with addition of fillers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42577.     

Resonance tracking atomic force acoustic microscopy quantitative modulus mapping of carbon nanotubes‐reinforced acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene polymer

This work presents a resonance tracking atomic force acoustic microscopy (RT‐AFAM) quantitative modulus mapping of carbon nanotubes‐reinforced acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene polymer. RT‐AFAM average local modulus values registered were in good agreement with those measured by nanoindentation test. RT‐AFAM mapping modulus, nanoindentation, and transmission electron microscopy imaging showed that carbon nanotubes reinforcement of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene polymer matrix gives an elastic modulus enhancement of approximately 18.3% compared with the polymer matrix alone and showed that this technique provides high spatial resolution and helps to characterize the elastic properties of reinforced thermoplastic polymers and new compound materials at nanoscale. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40628.     

Comparing styrene butadiene rubber–clay nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation and latex‐coagulation methods

Among different methods for preparation of rubber–clay nanocomposites, melt intercalation and latex‐coagulation methods are more practiced. In this study, dispersion of pristine nanoclay by the latex‐coagulation method and organically modified nanoclay by the melt‐intercalation method in styrene butadiene rubber were compared, based on the same amount of mineral clay in the composites. Dispersion of nanoclay was examined by X‐ray diffraction before and after vulcanization, and by atomic force microscopy after vulcanization. It was shown that final structure of nanoclay in the composites was intercalated by both methods, with better dispersion resulting from coagulation of latex over mixing in the melt state. Dynamic–mechanical–thermal analysis and tension tests were used to further assess dispersion and polymer–filler interactions. These tests confirmed better dispersion and larger interfacial area for pristine nanoclay in the latex‐coagulated rubber through observing lower peak loss factor, higher growth of stress in stretching, and lower elongation at break when compared with those for the nanocomposite prepared by the melt mixing. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Interfacial interactions and properties of natural rubber–silica composites with liquid natural rubber as a compatibilizer and prepared by a wet‐compounding method

Natural rubber–silica [W(NR–SiO₂)] composites were prepared by wet‐compounding technology with liquid natural rubber (LNR) as a compatibilizer. The effects of the LNR content and wet‐compounding technology on the filler dispersion, Payne effect, curing characteristics, mechanical properties, and interfacial interactions were investigated. The results show that the incorporation of LNR promoted vulcanization and decreased the Payne effect of the W(NR–SiO₂) composites. With the addition of 5 phr LNR, the remarkable improvements in the mechanical properties of the W(NR–SiO₂) vulcanizates were correlated with the improved silica dispersion and strengthened interfacial bonding. Furthermore, the W(NR–SiO₂) vulcanizates containing LNR exhibited improvements in both the wet‐skid resistance and rolling‐resistance performance. The interfacial interactions, quantitatively evaluated by the Mooney–Rivlin equation and Lorenz–Park equation on the basis of the rubber elasticity and reinforcement theory, were strengthened in the presence of LNR. Accordingly, an interfacial structural model was proposed to illustrate the improvements in the mechanical properties of the W(NR–SiO₂) composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46457.     

Carbon–polymer composite electrodes for redox cells

Conductive carbon–polymer composite electrodes for the vanadium redox flow battery were developed and their properties investigated. Conductive polymer composite materials were fabricated by mixing PVC, nylon 6, nylon 11, LDPE, and HDPE with conductive fillers. To overcome the deterioration in the mechanical properties of carbon–polymer composites with high carbon loading, a range of chemically resistant rubbers was blended into the composites. Electrical, mechanical, permeation, and electrochemical studies show that the HDPE composite is the best electrode matrix material for the vanadium redox battery. The performance of a vanadium redox flow cell employing the best composite electrode was also evaluated and voltage efficiencies as high as 88% were obtained with electrodes employing graphite felt active layers bonded to the carbon–polymer composite substrates. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and Properties of MoSi2–MoB–SiC Ceramics

MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi₂ matrix composites were synthesized in situ from Mo, Si, and B₄C powder mixtures by self‐propagating high‐temperature synthesis (SHS). The SHS MoSi₂–MoB–SiC products were vacuum hot‐pressed (HPed) at 1400°C for 90 min to fabricate high‐density (> 97.5% relative density) bulk composites. Microstructure refinement and improvements in the Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of the HPed composites were observed with increasing B₄C content in the reaction mixture. The HPed composite of composition MoSi₂–0.4MoB–0.1SiC exhibited grain size of 1–5 μm, Vickers hardness of 12.5 GPa, bending strength of 537 MPa, and fracture toughness of 3.8 MPa.m^1/2. These excellent mechanical properties indicate that MoB and SiC particulate reinforced MoSi₂ composites could be promising candidates for structural applications.     

Dynamic mechanical and Raman spectroscopy studies on interaction between single‐walled carbon nanotubes and natural rubber

The effects of the incorporation of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the physical and mechanical properties of natural rubber (NR) are described. Characterization of these new materials has been performed by dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and Raman spectroscopy to obtain information about of the possible interactions between both materials as well as the dispersion of SWNTs on elastomer matrix. The results are then compared with those obtained for NR–carbon black composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicates a stronger filler–matrix interaction in the case of SWNTs incorporation, showing a noticeable decrease of the height of tan δ peak, as well as a marked shift of T_g towards higher temperatures. In particular, the increase of the storage modulus indicates a beneficial effect of SWNTs incorporation with respect to NR filled with carbon black and the pristine polymer matrix. In addition, calorimetric analysis indicates that both fillers accelerate the NR vulcanization reaction, this effect being more evident when SWNTs are added into the matrix. Raman spectroscopy indicates that SWNTs dispersion into the elastomer matrix creates residual strain on the nanotubes bundle. We demonstrate that the Raman microprobe technique provides a means for load transfer effectiveness of SWNTs. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3394–3400, 2004     

Conducting rubberlike copolymer–carbon fiber composites

Electrically conductive rubberlike copolymer–carbon fiber composites have been prepared by either a solution method or a concentrated emulsion method. In the former procedure, carbon fibers were introduced with stirring in a copolymer–toluene solution, and the polymer–fiber composites were precipitated by extracting the solvent with methanol. In the latter procedure, a pastelike concentrated emulsion of copolymer–toluene solution in an aqueous solution of sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) was first formed, and the carbon fibers were mechanically blended with the concentrated emulsion. The polymer–carbon fiber composites were precipitated by extracting the toluene and water with methanol. Four kinds of rubberlike copolymers have been used: styrene/ethylene–butylene/styrene triblock copolymer (SES), styrene/butadiene/styrene triblock copolymer (SBS), ethylene/propene/ethylene triblock copolymer (EPE), and ethylene/vinylacetate copolymer (EVA). Short (L = 0.1 mm)- and medium (L = 5 mm)-length carbon fibers were employed. The composites were hot-pressed in a Laboratory Press to form a sheet. The effects of the two methodologies on the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of the sheets were investigated by changing the type of polymer, the size of the carbon fibers, the volume fraction of the carbon fibers in the composites, and the hot-pressing temperature. Composites with electrical conductivities in the range of 5–14 S/cm, tensile strengths in the range of 10–17 MPa, and elongations at break point larger than 200% were obtained. The conductivities of the composites prepared with the short fibers were by two orders of magnitude smaller than those prepared with medium-size fibers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Interfacial behavior of epichlorohydrin–ethyleneoxide–allylglycidyl ether/fluorinated carbon black observed from mechanical and dielectrical properties

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of carbon black (CB) surface state on the interaction between CB and polymer matrix, as well as the polymer chain mobility. The mobility of polymer chain absorbed on the CB surface was estimated by using a dynamic mechanical analyzer and an impedance analyzer. The interaction parameter (B) and immobilized polymer layer thickness (ΔR) were estimated from the dynamic mechanical analysis. It was observed that values of B and ΔR decreased with increasing fluorine content on the CB surface. On the other hand, from the dielectric measurement, the Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars (MWS) relaxation peak, accompanied by migration of the charge carriers, accumulated at the interface between polymer and CB, observed at temperatures higher than the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) of the polymer matrix. The activation energy (E_{a MWS}), calculated from the relaxation frequency of MWS relaxation, was decreased with increasing surface fluorine content. Good agreement was found between the B and the ΔR values estimated from the dynamic mechanical analysis and the E_{a MWS} calculated from the MWS relaxation frequency estimated from dielectric measurement. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2928–2933, 2004     

Effects of acrylic‐based processing aids on processibility,rheology, thermal and structural stability,and mechanical properties of PVC/wood–sawdust composites

Methyl methacrylate and ethylacrylate (MMA‐co‐EA) and methyl methacrylate and butylacrylate (MMA‐co‐BA) copolymeric processing aids were introduced into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/33.3 wt % wood–sawdust composites containing 0.6 and 2.4 phr of calcium stearate lubricant. The properties of the composites were monitored in terms of processibility, rheology, thermal and structural stability, and mechanical properties. It was found that the mixing torque, wall shear stress, and extrudate swell ratio increased with increasing processing aid content because of increased PVC entanglement. MMA‐co‐BA (PA20) was found to be more effective than MMA‐co‐EA (K120 and K130), this being associated with the flexibility of the processing aids, and the dipole–dipole interactions between sawdust particles and polymeric processing aids. The sharkskin characteristic of the composite extrudate at high extrusion rate was moderated by the presence of processing aids. Adding the acrylic‐based processing aids and lubricant into PVC/sawdust composites improved the thermal and structural stability of the composites, which were evidenced by an increase in glass transition and decomposition temperatures and a decrease in polyene sequences, respectively. The changes in the mechanical properties of the composites involved a composite homogeneity, which was varied by degree of entanglement and the presence of wood sawdust, and un‐reacted processing aids left in the composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 782–790, 2004     

Next generation high‐performance carbon fiber thermoplastic composites based on polyaryletherketones

Interest in carbon fiber reinforced composites based on polyaryl ether ketones (PAEKs) continues to grow, and is driven by their increasing use as metal replacement materials in high temperature, high‐performance applications. Though these materials have seen widespread use in oil, gas, aerospace, medical and transportation industries, applications are currently limited by the thermal and mechanical properties of available PAEK polymer chemistries and their carbon fiber composites as well as interfacial bonding with carbon fiber surfaces. This article reviews the state of the art of PAEK polymer chemistries, mechanical properties of their carbon fiber reinforced composites, and interfacial engineering techniques used to improve the fiber‐matrix interfacial bond strength. We also propose a roadmap to develop the next generation of high‐performance long fiber thermoplastic composites based on PAEKs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44441.     

Poly(vinyl alcohol)–lignin blended resin for cellulose‐based composites

Wood has limitations in strength because of its biostructural defects, including vessels. To overcome this limitation, composite materials can be innovated by breaking wood down into cellulose and lignin and reassembling them for bio‐originating strong structural materials. In this study, an ecofriendly resin was developed that was suitable for cellulose‐based composites. To overcome the low dimensional stability of lignin and to increase its interactions with cellulose, it was blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The PVA–lignin resin was characterized with scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical tensile testing, and lap‐shear joint testing. The adhesion properties of the PVA–lignin resin increased with increasing PVA content. PVA played the role of synthetic polymer and that of linker between the cellulose and lignin, like hemicellulose does in wood. The PVA–lignin resin exhibited a high miscibility, mechanical toughness, and good adhesion properties for nanocellulose composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46655.