Smart cure cycle to improve tensile load capability of the adhesively bonded joint

Generally, the thermal residual stress which is generated during the curing process of an adhesive significantly decreases the tensile load capability of adhesively bonded joints. In this work, a smart cure cycle with abrupt cooling and postcuring at room temperature was devised to eliminate thermal residual stress and to produce sufficient interfacial wetting. For monitoring and controlling the curing reaction, dielectrometry was used, where the dissipation factor of the adhesive joint was measured. These results showed that the tensile load capability of the adhesively bonded joint fabricated by the smart cure cycle was greatly enhanced because the thermal residual stress was reduced, and sufficient interfacial wetting between the adhesive and adherend was achieved.     

Interlaminar shear test by hybrid sandwich specimen under distributed load

A new method is proposed for the determination of the interlaminar shear strength of composites. The method is particularly pertinent to composites of high interlaminar shear strengths, where the ratio of tensile (compressive) strength to shear strength is relatively low. In such materials, including unidirectional composites with improved fiber/matrix bond strength and angle-ply laminates, an analysis based on a short beam interlaminar shear test is highly problematic and may, in fact, be erroneous. The test method is based on the use of a sandwich composite structure with a core made of layers of the tested composite and skins made of an elastic, strong unidirectional composite. A proper design procedure determines the choice of the skin material and of the relative thicknesses, so that flexural testing under distributed load leads to the intended core failure in shear. Calculations of the stress profile in a hybrid sandwich beam in bending and of the stress ratios under distributed load are presented. Also presented are experimental results recorded with sandwich hybrids made of unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy skins and a ±θ aramid-fiber-reinforced epoxy angle-ply core.     

Failure analysis of 2D C/SiC composite z-pinned/bonded hybrid single-lap joints

Z-pinned/bonded hybrid joints are widely used in the 2D C/SiC composite structures, whose mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms are directly related with the structure integrity. The hybrid joints for 2D C/SiC composite structures are formed by depositing SiC into the gap of z-pinned joints. To evaluate the SiC bonding effect, the tensile experiments for two kinds of z-pinned joints with and without bonded layer were conducted. It was proved that the failure modes of the pin were the tensile and shear failure, and the bonded layer was the interlaminar shear failure of the substrate plate instead of the shear failure of SiC bonded layer due to the smaller interlaminar shear strength. The bonded zone states of specimens were also examined, which were reproduced in the shell-fastener numerical model with surface-based cohesive behavior. Combining with shear strength theory, a numerical model is developed to study the failure processes of the hybrid joints. The SiC bonded zone areas can also greatly influence the failure response of the hybrid joints. The large SiC bonded layer zone can improve the shear strength of the joints. The failure of the joints is determined by the SiC bonded layer when the SiC bonded zone is large enough. This study can be helpful to evaluate and design the SiC bonded zone states of the hybrid joints in the engineering application.     

纳米SiO_2改性环氧树脂胶粘剂的研究

选择纳米 SiO_2 作为增强材料改性环氧树脂基体, 以物理分散法将纳米 SiO_2 分散在环氧树脂中。通过力学性能测试和热稳定性能测试, 研究了不同含量的纳米 SiO_2 对改性环氧树脂胶粘剂的热性能、拉伸性能和冲击性能的影响; 通过 NOL环测试和扫描电子显微镜(SEM) 分析, 研究了不同含量的纳米 SiO_2 对国产芳纶纤维/改性环氧复合材料的界面性能和层间剪切强度的影响。实验结果表明, 基体树脂中当 w( 纳米SiO_2)=3%时, 改性环氧树脂胶粘剂的拉伸强度和冲击强度分别提高了 28.8%和 22.6%, 复合材料的层间剪切强度(ILSS) 达到最大值, 比未改性胶粘剂提高约 56.8%。     

Physical and mechanical properties of kenaf/flax hybrid composites

This research investigates the physical and mechanical properties of hybrid composites made of epoxy reinforced by kenaf and flax natural fibers to investigate the hybridization influences of the composites. Pure and hybrid composites were fabricated using bi-directional kenaf and flax fabrics at different stacking sequences utilizing the vacuum-assisted resin infusion method. The pure and hybrid composites' physical properties, such as density, fiber volume fraction (FVF), water absorption capacity, and dimensional stability, were measured. The tests of tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear and fracture toughness (Mode II) were examined to determine the mechanical properties. The results revealed that density remained unchanged for the hybrid compared to pure kenaf/epoxy composites. The tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear performance of flax/epoxy composite is improved by an increment of kenaf FVF in hybrid composites. The stacking sequence significantly affected the mechanical properties of hybrid composites. The highest tensile strength (59.8 MPa) was obtained for FK2 (alternative sequence of flax and kenaf fibers). However, FK3 (flax fiber located on the outer surfaces) had the highest interlaminar shear strength (12.5 MPa) and fracture toughness (3302.3 J/m²) among all tested hybrid composites. The highest water resistance was achieved for FK5 with the lowest thickness swelling.     

水解/接枝处理对F-12纤维/环氧复合材料力学性能的影响

采用氢氧化钾稀溶液对F-12纤维进行表面处理,将—COOK离子对引入到F-12纤维表面,进而引发不同接枝单体的接枝,并分析了不同接枝单体和接枝时间等对F-12纤维拉伸强度及其环氧复合材料层间剪切强度的影响。研究表明,在温和条件下将—COOK离子对引入到F-12纤维表面,引发环氧氯丙烷接枝,可以提高F-12纤维/环氧复合材料的层间剪切强度。     

碳纤维湿法缠绕用环氧树脂基体研究

以TDE-85树脂和AFG-90树脂为主体树脂,混合芳香胺为固化剂,研究了一种适合于碳纤维复合材料湿法缠绕成型的树脂配方。结果表明,该树脂的黏度低(＜550 mPa·s)、适用期长,其浇铸体具有优异的力学性能,其拉伸强度为107 MPa,拉伸模量为4．09 GPa,弯曲强度为161 MPa,弯曲模量为3．88 GPa,断裂伸长率超过6%。用其制备的T-700碳纤维缠绕复合材料界面粘接好,NOL环层间剪切强度达到66．8 MPa,拉伸强度达到2．44 GPa。     

树脂对碳纤维/玻璃纤维层间混杂复合材料湿态弯曲特性影响

为了探究树脂基体对相同铺层方式下碳纤维/玻璃纤维层间混杂复合材料(碳/玻体积混杂比为1.86/1)干态、湿态(100℃水煮2 h)弯曲特性的影响,首先对环氧树脂和乙烯基树脂浇铸体试样分别开展了耐水性加速老化试验,并对两种树脂浇铸体试样在每个老化试验周期下分别开展剩余弯曲特性试验;然后对碳/玻层间混杂复合材料开展干、湿态弯曲试验。结果表明,无论是在常规试验(未经过老化)还是在各个老化试验周期,两种树脂浇铸体试样弯曲应力–位移曲线变化规律基本一致,但总体而言,环氧树脂浇铸体试样常规弯曲强度和各个阶段老化后弯曲强度均优于乙烯基树脂浇铸体试样;相同试验状态下,两种树脂基混杂复合材料试样湿态弯曲强度和弯曲弹性模量均较干态试样产生不同程度的降低,但环氧树脂基混杂复合材料试样在干、湿态环境下的弯曲性能均优于乙烯基树脂基混杂复合材料试样。     

Mechanical, thermal and ablative properties of interply continuous/spun hybrid carbon composites

The mechanical and thermal properties of interply hybrid carbon fiber (continuous and spun fabric)/phenolic composite materials have been studied. Hybrid carbon/phenolic composites (hybrid CP) with continuous carbon fabric of high tensile, flexural strength and spun carbon fabric of better interlaminar shear strength and lower thermal conductivity are investigated in terms of mechanical properties as well as thermal properties.Through hybridization, tensile strength and modulus of spun type carbon fabric reinforced phenolic composites (spun CP) increased by approximately 28% and 20%, respectively. Hybrid CP also exhibits better interlaminar shear strength than continuous carbon fabric/phenolic composites (continuous CP).The in-plane thermal conductivity of hybrid CP is 4-8% lower than that of continuous CP. As continuous filament type carbon fiber volume fraction increases, the transversal thermal conductivity of hybrid CP decreases.The erosion rate and insulation index were examined using torch test. Spun CP has a higher insulation index than continuous CP and hybrid CP over the entire temperature range. Hybrid CP with higher content of spun fabric exhibits higher insulation index as well as lower erosion rate.     

Tensile Strength of Joints Bonded With a Nano-particle-Reinforced Adhesive

In order to improve the tensile lap shear strength of adhesively bonded joints, nano-particles were dispersed in the adhesive using a 3-roll mill. The dispersion states of nano-particles in the epoxy adhesive were observed with TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) with respect to the mixing conditions, and the effect of nano-particles on the mechanical properties of the adhesive was measured with respect to dispersion state and weight content of nano-particles. Also the static tensile load capability of the adhesively bonded double lap joints composed of uni-directional glass/epoxy composite and nano-particle-reinforced epoxy adhesive was investigated to assess the effect of nano-particles on the lap shear strength of the joint. From the experimental and FE analysis results, it was found that the nano-particles in the adhesive improved the mechanical properties of the adhesive. Also the increased failure strain and the reduced CTE (coefficient of thermal expansion) of the nano-particle-reinforced adhesive improved the lap shear strength of adhesively bonded joints.     

电子束辐射接枝对PAN基碳纤维的表面改性

采用电子束加速器辐射接枝方法对聚丙烯腈(PAN)基碳纤维进行表面改性,研究了接枝单体种类对接枝率及其环氧树脂基复合材料力学性能的影响,分析了辐射接枝前后PAN基碳纤维的表面形貌与化学结构以及其复合材料界面断口的形貌变化。结果表明:电子束辐射接枝改性的PAN基碳纤维表面粗糙度增加,表面活性官能团增多,与树脂的机械锲合作用增强,其树脂基复合材料断口表而较为平整;乙二胺/水溶液体系是辐射接枝改性的理想溶液,在200 kGy的电子束辐射下,PAN基碳纤维表面的接枝率为6.66%,复合材料的层间剪切强度提高了45.1%。     

Curing cycle modification for RTM6 to reduce hydrostatic residual tensile stress in 3D woven composites

Triaxial residual tensile stresses resulting after cooling a 3D woven composite from the curing temperature cause cracking in the resin pockets for weave architectures that have high through‐the‐thickness constraint. We show how curing cycle modifications can reduce the hydrostatic tensile stress generated by thermal mismatch during cooling of Hexcel RTM6 epoxy resin constrained in a quartz tube which simulates extreme constraint in a composite. The modified curing schedule consists of a high temperature cure to just before the glass transition, a lower temperature hold that takes the resin through the glass transition thereby freezing in the zero stress state, followed by high temperature cure to bring the resin to full conversion. We show that this process is sensitive to heating rates and can reduce the zero stress state of non‐toughened RTM6 resin to a temperature similar to a commercial rubber‐toughened resin, Cycom PR520. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43373.     

Interfacial Characteristics of Sisal Fiber and Polymeric Matrices

Sisal-fiber-reinforced composites, as a class of eco-composites, have attracted much attention from materials scientists and engineers in recent years. In this article, the effects of fiber surface treatment on fiber tensile strength and fiber-matrix interface characteristics were determined by using tensile and single fiber pullout tests, respectively. The short beam shear test was also employed to evaluate the interlaminar shear strength of the composite laminates. Vinyl ester, epoxy, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were chosen as matrix materials. To enhance the interfacial strength, two kinds of fiber surface-treatment methods, namely, chemical bonding and oxidisation, were used. The results obtained showed that different fiber surface-treatment methods produced different effects on the tensile strength of the sisal fiber and fiber-matrix interfacial bonding characteristics. Hence, valuable information on the interface design of sisal fiber-polymer matrix composites can be obtained from this study.     

Interfacial Characteristics of Sisal Fiber and Polymeric Matrices

Sisal-fiber-reinforced composites, as a class of eco-composites, have attracted much attention from materials scientists and engineers in recent years. In this article, the effects of fiber surface treatment on fiber tensile strength and fiber-matrix interface characteristics were determined by using tensile and single fiber pullout tests, respectively. The short beam shear test was also employed to evaluate the interlaminar shear strength of the composite laminates. Vinyl ester, epoxy, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) were chosen as matrix materials. To enhance the interfacial strength, two kinds of fiber surface-treatment methods, namely, chemical bonding and oxidisation, were used. The results obtained showed that different fiber surface-treatment methods produced different effects on the tensile strength of the sisal fiber and fiber-matrix interfacial bonding characteristics. Hence, valuable information on the interface design of sisal fiber–polymer matrix composites can be obtained from this study.     

Experimental characterization of interlaminar shear failure in sandwich structures under three-point bending

We applied an improved six-step phase-shifting method in digital photoelasticity to an adhesively bonded aluminum/epoxy/aluminum sandwich structure in order to study interlaminar shear failure behavior. Before and after three-point bending, a self-balanced thermal residual shear stress appeared on the interface because of the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between aluminum faces and epoxy core interlayer. At the beginning of loading, the shear stress in the core layer distributes continuously and forms shear bands tilting at a 45° direction. It then joins with the upper and bottom aluminum faces in order to realize the shear load transfer. As the bending load increases, the maximum interface shear stress occurs near the supports and a partially debonded region appears at the interface. The interfacial shear stress in the partially debonded region decreases rapidly until a shear failure occurs. A load–flexibility curve of the vibration-damping–type sandwich structure agrees well with the theoretical prediction of a laminated beam.     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated poly(etherimide)s toughening for carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites

Novel‐fluorinated poly(etherimide)s (FPEIs) with controlled molecular weights were synthesized and characterized, which were used to toughen epoxy resins (EP/FPEI) and carbon fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites (CF/EP/FPEI). Experimental results indicated that the FPEIs possessed outstanding solubility, thermal, and mechanical properties. The thermally cured EP/FPEI resin showed obviously improved toughness with impact strength of 21.1 kJ/m² and elongation at break of 4.6%, respectively. The EP/FPEI resin also showed outstanding mechanical strength with tensile strength of 91.5 MPa and flexural strength of 141.5 MPa, respectively. The mechanical moduli and thermal property of epoxy resins were not affected by blending with FPEIs. Furthermore, CF/EP/FPEI composite exhibited significantly improved toughness with Mode I interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IC) of 899.4 J/m² and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (G_IIC) of 1017.8 J/m², respectively. Flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of the composite were slightly increased after toughening. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

界面结合对GF/PDCPD复合材料性能的影响

界面结合性能对制备性能优异的复合材料具有重要意义。通过对双环戊二烯（DCPD）与玻璃纤维（GF）的浸润性进行研究，将其与等效环氧树脂比较，开发了一种与玻璃纤维具有较好结合性的DCPD树脂，用其制备出一种综合性能优异的玻璃纤维增强PDCPD基复合材料。通过动态接触角、90?拉伸强度和层间剪切强度实验，测定了不同树脂与玻璃纤维之间的粘附力，提供了玻璃纤维与不同树脂界面性能差异。结果表明，SCB-600 DCPD树脂与玻璃纤维的结合性较优，动态接触角为60.35??0.3?，90?拉伸强度为(42.3?1.6) MPa，层间剪切强度为(61.3?3.2) MPa，与1564环氧树脂相当。进一步优化了DCPD树脂质量分数，当树脂质量分数为30%?2%时，SCB-600 DCPD复合材料具有相对最优的力学性能，材料拉伸强度为(1180.1?4.1) MPa，弯曲强度为(1060.4?4.6) MPa，缺口冲击强度为(145.3?4.8) KJ/m2。其弯曲和拉伸强度与玻璃纤维增强环氧树脂基复合材料的性能基本相当，但缺口冲击强度优于1564环氧树脂。     

Effect of thermal shock on interlaminar strength of thermally aged glass fiber‐reinforced epoxy composites

Glass fiber/epoxy composites were thermally conditioned at 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250°C for different periods of time and then immediately quenched directly in ice‐cold water from each stage of conditioning temperature. The polymerization or depolymerization by thermal conditioning and the debonding effect by concurrently following thermal shock in polymer composites are assessed in the present study. The short‐beam shear tests were performed at room temperature on the quenched samples to evaluate the value of interlaminar shear strength of the composites. The short conditioning time followed by thermal shock resulted in reduction of shear strength of the composites. The strength started regaining its original value with longer conditioning time. Conditioning at 250°C and thereafter quenching yielded a sharp and continuous fall in the shear strength. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2062–2066, 2006     

快速固化环氧树脂/碳纤维复合材料的性能

利用差示扫描量热分析仪研究了一种快速固化环氧树脂体系的固化工艺参数,确定了以真空辅助树脂灌注工艺制备快速固化环氧树脂/碳纤维复合材料的成型方法,并与常规固化环氧树脂体系制备的碳纤维复合材料进行对比,采用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪对两种材料的树脂基体进行了分析,考察了两种复合材料的纤维含量、孔隙率及力学性能,最后通过扫描电子显微镜观察了快速固化树脂基体与碳纤维的界面结合性。结果表明,快速固化树脂在99℃下固化6 min后固化度可达96%,能够大幅缩减碳纤维复合材料的成型时间,以其制备的碳纤维复合材料拉伸强度比常规固化环氧树脂复合材料高11.20%,弯曲强度高16.92%,纵横剪切强度高7.44%,快速固化树脂与碳纤维界面结合性良好。     

Application of the microbond technique: Characterization of carbon fiber-epoxy interfaces

Microbonding has been applied to measure the interfacial shear strength, τ, between single carbon fiber and microdroplets of epoxy resins. The effect of thermoset cure and resin modification on this initial parameter for composite performance have been studied. The interfacial shear strength for the host fiber/epoxy system (T-300/Epos 828) increased 3 fold from a B-stage to a fully cured material. The addition of a toughening agent called “Fortifier P” to the host resin system increased T by 40%. Residual thermal stresses were calculated and their contribution to mechanical adhesion were related to friction components.