Modelling the tensile fracture behaviour of CFRP scarf repairs

An experimental and numerical study concerning the tensile behaviour of adhesively-bonded carbon–epoxy scarf repairs is presented, using scarf angles ranging from 2° to 45°. A mixed-mode cohesive damage model adequate for ductile adhesives was used to simulate the adhesive layer. The cohesive laws of the adhesive layer, composite interlaminar and composite intralaminar (in the transverse and fibre directions) in pure modes I and II, necessary to simulate numerically the experimental failure paths, were previously characterized using an inverse method. Validation of this methodology was accomplished in terms of repair initial stiffness, maximum load and the corresponding displacement, as well as the failure mode. A good agreement between the numerical predictions and the experiments showed that the proposed methodology can be successfully applied to joints or repairs bonded with ductile adhesives.     

Thermo-mechanical performance of an ablative/ceramic composite hybrid thermal protection structure for re-entry applications

Hybrid thermal protection systems for aerospace applications based on ablative material (ASTERM™) and ceramic matrix composite (SICARBON™) have been investigated. The ablative material and the ceramic matrix composite were joined using graphite and zirconia–zirconium silicate based commercial high temperature adhesives. The thermo-mechanical performance of the structures was assessed from room temperature up to 900 °C. In all the joints there is a decrease of shear strength with the increase of temperature. Analysis of the fractured surfaces showed that above 150 °C the predominant mode of fracture is cohesive failure in the bonding layer. The joints fabricated with the zirconia–zirconium silicate based adhesive present the best performance and they have the potential to be used as hybrid thermal protection systems for aerospace applications in the temperature range 700–900 °C.     

Improved mechanical properties of an epoxy glass–fiber composite reinforced with surface organomodified nanoclays

An organomodified surface nanoclay reinforced epoxy glass-fiber composite is evaluated for properties of mechanical strength, stiffness, ductility and fatigue life, and compared with the pristine or epoxy glass-fiber composite material not reinforced with nanoclays. The results from monotonic tensile tests of the nanoclay reinforced composite material at 60 °C in air showed an average 11.7% improvement in the ultimate tensile strength, 10.6% improvement in tensile modulus, and 10.5% improvement in tensile ductility vs. these mechanical properties obtained for the pristine material. From tension–tension fatigue tests at a stress-ratio = +0.9 and at 60 °C in air, the nanoclay reinforced composite had a 7.9% greater fatigue strength and a fatigue life over a decade longer or 1000% greater than the pristine composite when extrapolated to 10⁹ cycles or a simulated 10-year cyclic life. Electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy of the fracture and failure modes of the test specimens were used to support the results and conclusions. This nanocomposite could be used as a new and improved material for repair or rehabilitation of external surface wall corrosion or physical damage on piping and vessels found in petrochemical process plants and facilities to extend their operational life.     

Enhancement of tensile and thermal properties of epoxy nanocomposites through chemical hybridization of carbon nanotubes and alumina

This paper presents the properties of epoxy nanocomposites, prepared using a synthesized hybrid carbon nanotube–alumina (CNT–Al₂O₃) filler, via chemical vapour deposition and a physically mixed CNT–Al₂O₃ filler, at various filler loadings (i.e., 1–5%). The tensile and thermal properties of both nanocomposites were investigated at different weight percentages of filler loading. The CNT–Al₂O₃ hybrid epoxy composites showed higher tensile and thermal properties than the CNT–Al₂O₃ physically mixed epoxy composites. This increase was associated with the homogenous dispersion of CNT–Al₂O₃ particle filler; as observed under a field emission scanning electron microscope. It was demonstrated that the CNT–Al₂O₃ hybrid epoxy composites are capable of increasing tensile strength by up to 30%, giving a tensile modulus of 39%, thermal conductivity of 20%, and a glass transition temperature value of 25%, when compared to a neat epoxy composite.     

Damage tolerance investigation of high-performance scarf joints with bondline flaws under various environmental,geometrical and support conditions

The criticality of disbonds on the load-carrying capacity of scarf joints under different environmental conditions was experimentally investigated. Tests were conducted on scarf joints containing bondline flaws of varying lengths and locations under room-temperature (RT), cold-dry (CD) and hot-wet (HW) conditions. The results showed that the residual strength of scarf joints under RT and CD condition decreases exponentially with the size of the bondline flaw up to a threshold length and remains almost unchanged for larger bondline flaws. In contrast, those specimens under HW condition were less sensitive to the presence of disbonds. The effects of scarf angle, adherend composite layup and support condition on the load-carrying capacity of scarf joints with a bondline flaw were also investigated. For specimens where the eccentricity was counteracted by a sandwich support, the residual strength of the joint improved considerably. Fractographic analysis using Micro Computed Tomography and SEM were carried out to examine the effects of the environmental condition on the failure mechanisms of scarf joints.     

Experimental and Numerical Studies on the Failure Mechanism of the Composite Scarf Joints with Bonding Flaws

Bonded composite scarf joints with bonding flaws were tested to study their tensile behaviors. Based on the failure modes obtained by various observation methods, an improved numerical methodology with appropriate model width was developed, considering the marginal low stiffness regions in?±?45° plies. The results show that the modelling approach provides accurate predictions on the strength, stiffness, and the failure modes considering variations in scarf angle, flaw size, and flaw location. Marginal low stiffness regions in?±?45° plies influence the stress distributions in the adhesive layer and the failure mode. Adhesive layer failure is the main cause of the final fracture of the pristine and the defective scarf joints, and damages within composite adherend especially interlaminar delamination, may accelerate the growth of the bondline stress at an early stage. The traditional damage tolerance design approach for bonded composite joints needs to be improved to avoid confusing and adventurous results.

     

End geometry and pin-hole effects on axially loaded adhesively bonded composite joints

An experimental investigation was performed to analyze the potential impacts of varying joint region geometries and adhesive filled pin holes on adhesively bonded composite structures. Tapers, especially half-length ones are observed to provide an anticipated progress in single lap joints. Besides, scarf joints with aligned adherends in the same plane exhibited enhanced stiffness and strength in consideration of single lap joints. In terms of the stiffness and strength, thickening of adherends was also found to be impressively efficient on composite single lap joints as well as scarf joints. Contrary to the expectation of that the hardened adhesive previously filled into the holes during adhesion would create a pin effect in load bearing, holey specimens exhibited poor performance and induced degradation in joint quality.     

Flexural behaviour of CNT-filled glass/epoxy composites in an in-situ environment emphasizing temperature variation

The paucity of structural defects in carbon nanotube (CNT) with unrivalled mechanical properties has always posed an interest to material scientists for its potential incorporation in soft polymer resins to achieve superior mechanical stability. Present investigation focuses on the assessment of flexural behaviour of glass/epoxy (GE) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) embedded glass/epoxy (0.3 wt. % of epoxy) (CNT-GE) composites at different in-service environmental temperatures. In-situ 3-point bend tests were performed on GE and CNT-GE composites at −80 °C, −40 °C, room temperature (20 °C), 70 °C and 110 °C temperatures at 1 mm/min crosshead speed. The results revealed that at 110 °C temperature, the flexural strength of GE and CNT-GE composites was significantly decreased by 67% and 81% respectively in comparison to their strength at −80 °C temperature. Similarly, 38% and 77% decrement in modulus was noted for GE and CNT-GE composites respectively. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was carried out in the temperature range of −100 °C to 200 °C to correlate the mechanical and thermo-mechanical response of both the material systems. Addition of 0.3 wt. % MWCNT in GE composite resulted in lowering of glass transition temperature (T_g) by 12 °C. Furthermore, to understand various possible deformation and failure mechanisms, the post failure analysis of the fractured specimens, tested at different temperatures, was carried out using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The critical parameters needed during designing composite structures were calculated and modelled using Weibull constitutive model.     

A facile method for preparing CNT-grafted carbon fibers and improved tensile strength of their composites

Carbon nanotube (CNT)-grafted carbon fibers (CFs) have emerged as new reinforcements for improving the mechanical properties of CF-reinforced composites but such enhancement in macroscale composites has not been realized. This paper reports a facile method for preparing CNT-grafted CFs and improving the tensile strength of their composites. A CNT/polyacrylonitrile solution was sprayed onto the surface of the CF woven fabrics, and the CNTs were grafted by a thermal treatment at 300 °C. CNT-grafted CF composites were fabricated using the CNT-grafted CF woven fabrics using a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process with epoxy resin. The CNT-grafted CF composite exhibited 22% enhancement in the tensile strength compared to that of the pristine CF composite. Fracture surfaces of the CNT-grafted CF composites showed that the grafted CNTs obstructed the propagation of micro-cracks and micro-delamination around the CFs and also yarn boundaries, resulting in improved tensile strength of CNT-grafted CF composites.     

Assessment of the mechanical behaviour of glass fibre composites with a tough polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) matrix

The use of a tough thermoset polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD) as a matrix material for composites was explored. A PDCPD–glass fibre composite and an equivalent epoxy composite were compared. Fibre–matrix adhesion quality was assessed by transverse bending tests. The materials were subjected to compression tests, impact tests, static tensile tests and tensile fatigue tests. The results indicate that the tough behaviour of the PDCPD matrix markedly influences the composite damage resistance. The size of the impact damage in the PDCPD composite was half of that in the epoxy composite. The tensile tests indicated no significant difference in tensile strength, but the damage before failure was found to be much more severe in the epoxy samples. The fatigue results showed a much lower variation in fatigue life for the PDCPD material than for the epoxy material, as well as clear differences in damage development for the two materials.     

CF/EP composite laminates with carbon black and copper chloride for improved electrical conductivity and interlaminar fracture toughness

An experimental study was conducted to improve the electrical conductivity of continuous carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composite laminate, with simultaneous improvement in mechanical performance, by incorporating nano-scale carbon black (CB) particles and copper chloride (CC) electrolyte into the epoxy matrix. CF/EP laminates of 65 vol.% of carbon fibres were manufactured using a vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) technique. The effects of CB and the synergy of CB/CC on electrical resistivity, tensile strength and elastic modulus and fracture toughness (K_IC) of the epoxy matrix were experimentally characterised, as well as the transverse tensile modulus and strength, Mode I and Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness of the CF/EP laminates. The results showed that the addition of up to 3.0 wt.% CB in the epoxy matrix, with the assistance of CC, noticeably improved the electrical conductivity of the epoxy and the CF/EP laminates, with mechanical performance also enhanced to a certain extent.     

Microstructure and tensile properties of carbon–epoxy laminates produced by automated fibre placement: Influence of a caul plate on the effects of gap and overlap embedded defects

Automated fibre placement (AFP) enables the trajectory of unidirectional composite tape to be optimized, but laying down complex shapes with this technology can result in the introduction of defects. The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the influence of gaps and overlaps on the microstructure and tensile properties of carbon–epoxy laminates. First, a comparison between a hand-layup and AFP layup, draped and cured under the same conditions, shows equivalent microstructures and tensile properties. This provides the reference values for the study. Then, gap and overlap embedded defects (more or less severe) are introduced during manufacturing, on two cross-ply layups [(0°/(90°)5/0°] and [(90°/0°)2/90°]. Autoclave cure without a caul plate results in local thickness variation and microstructural changes which depend on the defect type. This has a strong influence on mechanical performance. Use of a caul plate avoids these variations and in this case embedded defects hardly affect tensile properties.     

Development of a biocomposite based on green epoxy polymer and natural cellulose fabric (bark cloth) for automotive instrument panel applications

Natural fiber reinforced composites have attracted interest due to their numerous advantages such as biodegradability, dermal non-toxicity and with promising mechanical strength. The desire to mitigate climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions, biodegradable resins are explored as the best forms of polymers for composites apart from their synthetic counterparts which are non-renewable. In this study biodegradable bark cloth reinforced green epoxy composites are developed with view of application to automotive instrument panels. The optimum curing temperature of green epoxy was shown to be 120 °C. The static properties showed a tensile strength of 33 MPa and flexural strength of 207 MPa. The dynamic mechanical properties, frequency sweep showed excellent fiber-matrix bonding of the alkali treated fabric with the green epoxy polymer with glass transition temperature in the range of 160 °C–180 °C. Treatment of the fabric with alkali positively influenced the mechanical properties of the fabric reinforced biocomposites.     

对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维/环氧树脂复合材料防弹性能及其破坏机制

为研究对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维/环氧树脂（Epoxy resin,EP）复合材料的防弹性能及其破坏机制,采用铅芯弹侵彻复合材料靶片。以对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维作增强纤维,EP作基体树脂,纳米SiO₂和聚乙烯醇缩丁醛（Polyvinyl butyral,PVB）作增韧剂,通过热压工艺制备单向（Unidirectional,UD）结构的对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维/EP复合材料靶片。研究单片纤维面密度、UD片材结构、射击角度和树脂改性对靶片防弹性能的影响;观察弹击实验后靶片的破坏形貌,分析靶片的破坏机制。研究结果表明:对位芳香族聚酰胺纤维/EP复合材料具有优异的防弹性能,随着单层纤维面密度的增大,靶片的防弹性能呈现整体上升、局部上下波动的变化趋势;铺层方式为0°/90°/0°/90°的四层单UD片材（4UD）结构的防弹性能优于铺层方式为0°/90°的两层单UD片材（2UD）结构;角度射击时,靶片的穿透比率更大,背衬凹陷深度（Back face signature,BFS）比率更小;PVB增韧改性EP提升了靶片的防弹性能;纤维拉伸变形破坏、片材分层和基体树脂碎裂是复合材料靶片主要的吸能方式。      

Tyranno ZMI fiber/TiSi2–Si matrix composites for high-temperature structural applications

A Tyranno ZMI fiber/TiSi₂–Si matrix composite was fabricated via melt infiltration (MI) of a Si–16at%Ti alloy at 1375 °C under vacuum. The Si–Ti alloy was used as an infiltrant to conduct MI processing below 1400 °C and inhibit the strength degradation of the amorphous SiC fibers. The alloy matrix formed was dense and comprised primarily of TiSi₂–Si eutectic structures. The TiSi₂–Si matrix composite melt-infiltrated at 1375 °C showed a pseudo-plastic tensile stress–strain behavior followed by final fracture at ∼290 MPa and ∼0.9% strain. When the MI temperature was increased to 1450 °C, however, substantial reduction in the stiffness and ultimate strength occurred under tensile loading. Microstructural observations revealed that these degradations were attributed to the damages that occurred on the reinforcing fibers and pyrolytic carbon interfaces during the MI process. The present experimental results clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the low-temperature MI process in strengthening Tyranno ZMI fiber composites and reducing the processing cost.     

Effect of alkali treatment on interfacial bonding in abaca fiber-reinforced composites

Abaca fibers demonstrate enormous potential as reinforcing agents in composite materials. In this study, abaca fibers were immersed in 5, 10 or 15 wt.% NaOH solutions for 2 h, and the effects of the alkali treatments on the mechanical characteristics and interfacial adhesion of the fibers in a model abaca fiber/epoxy composite system systematically evaluated. After 5 wt.% NaOH treatment, abaca fibers showed increased crystallinity, tensile strength and Young’s modulus compared to untreated fibers, and also improved interfacial shear strength with an epoxy. Stronger alkali treatments negatively impacted fiber stiffness and suitability for composite applications. Results suggest that mild alkali treatments (e.g. 5 wt.% NaOH for 2 h) are highly beneficial for the manufacture of abaca fiber-reinforced polymer composites.     

A study on the strength of adhesively bonded joints with different adherends

In this study, mechanical properties of adhesively bonded single-lap joint (SLJ) geometry with different configurations of lower and upper adherends under tensile loading were investigated experimentally and numerically. The adherends were AA2024-T3 aluminum and carbon/epoxy composite with 16 laminates while, the adhesive was a two-part liquid, structural adhesive DP 460. In experimental studies, four different types of single-lap joints were produced and used namely; composite–composite (Type-I) with lower and upper adherends of the same thicknesses and four different stacking sequences, composite–aluminum (Type-II) with lower and upper adherends of the same thicknesses and four different stacking sequences, composite–aluminum (Type-III) with lower adherend (composite) of the same thickness but upper adherend of three different thicknesses, aluminum–aluminum (Type-IV) with lower adherend of the same thickness but upper adherend of three different thicknesses, composite–composite (Type-V) with [0]₁₆ stacking sequences and three different overlap length, aluminum–aluminum (Type-VI) with three different overlap length. In the numerical analysis, the composite adherends were assumed to behave as linearly elastic materials while the adhesive layer and aluminum adherend were assumed to be nonlinear. The results obtained from experimental and numerical analyses showed that composite adherends with different fiber orientation sequence, different adherend thicknesses and overlap length affected the failure load of the joint and stress distributions in the SLJ.     

Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic and Thermoset Composites Reinforced with 3D Biaxial Warp-knitted Fabrics

In this study, two types of thermoplastic matrices (low melting point polyethylene terephthalate (LPET) fiber and polypropylene (PP) fiber) and glass fiber/epoxy resin/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used to fabricate the thermoplastic and thermoset composite materials with 3D biaxial warp-knitted fabrics. Thermoplastic and thermoset composites were fabricated using hot-press and resin transfer molding (RTM) methods. The fabricated samples were tested with tensile and three-point flexural tests. In thermoplastic composites, samples in the 90° direction and LPET matrix showed the best tensile and flexural properties with an improvement of 39 and 21% tensile modulus and strength, 16 and 8% flexural modulus and strength compared to the PP samples in the same direction. In thermoset composites, samples in the 90° direction and MWCNTs showed the best improvement of the flexural modulus and strength with 97 and 58% compared to the samples without MWCNTs. This improvement can most likely be attributed to an increase in interfacial adhesion due to the presence of the carbon nanotubes.     

Bio-inspired hierarchical design of composite T-joints with improved structural properties

The biological principle of hierarchical (multi-scale level) design was used at the structural and laminate levels to design a novel carbon/epoxy T-joint with improved structural properties for potential use in light-weight aircraft structures. The bio-inspired structural modification mimics tree branch–trunk joints by embedding the stiffener flange into skin plies. This design concept results in increased fracture toughness due to crack branching and deflection. Simultaneously, bio-inspired ply angle optimisation was used to mimic the tailored arrangement of cellulose micro-fibrils observed in the wood cells contained within tree branch joints. The optimisation procedure minimises the interlaminar stress concentration in the T-joint radius bend and increases strength while maintaining similar global laminate stiffness properties. The hierarchical joint resulted in a significantly improved tensile strength compared to a conventionally designed T-joint. The new design additionally exhibited higher absorbed strain energy to failure load for bending and tension loading. Additionally, the hierarchical T-joint had a significantly reduced critical joint cross-sectional area (weight) due to the embedded design.     

Reinforcing an aluminum/GFRP co-cured single lap joint using inter-adherend fiber

Methods to increase the strength of co-cured joints are highly sought after for metal/composite hybrid structures. The present study proposes a reinforcing method for aluminum/glass fiber-reinforced polymer co-cured composites using inter-adherend (IA) fiber that penetrates into the composite and holes in the metal adherend. The IA fiber performs as a bridge and suppresses crack propagation in the lap joints. Static and fatigue tensile tests were performed, and the displacement to failure and ultimate static strength were found to be significantly increased using the IA fiber without a decrease in the fatigue performance. The optimal tension force to the IA fiber realizes higher static tensile strength with lower scatter.