Foam sandwich composites with cyanate ester based syntactic foam as core and carbon‐cyanate ester as skin: Processing and properties

Foam sandwich composites were processed using cyanate ester‐based syntactic foam as core and carbon fabric‐cyanate ester composite as skin. They were processed by a one‐step compression‐molding technique. The mechanical performance of the sandwich composites was evaluated in terms of flatwise tensile strength (FTS), flatwise compressive strength, and edgewise compressive strength. The dependency of these properties on the core composition was investigated. FTS initially increased with the increase in resin content of the syntactic foam core. However, higher resin content in the core led to a diminution in FTS due to high void content. The flatwise compressive strength and edgewise compressive strength and the corresponding moduli values showed an increasing trend with increase in resin content of the core despite the presence of voids at high resin content. The failure modes of the composites under different loading conditions have been examined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Post curing effect of poly epoxy on visco‐elastic and mechanical properties of different sandwich structures

Poly epoxy is a high performance room temperature cured epoxy system which provides excellent physical and mechanical properties. However, the effects of post curing of this resin system on the properties of different sandwich structures are unknown. This study aims to evaluate the effect of post curing (at 70°C for 2 hr) on the edgewise compressive and flexural strengths of a sandwich structure, constructed with Styrofoam and honeycomb as core materials and a plain weave carbon fabric as face sheet. Tested factors evaluated from edgewise compressive tests were as follows: peak load, compressive strength, and crash energy absorption of sandwich structures while core shear stress and bending stress of sandwich structures were determined and compared with flexural tests. It was observed that post curing affects significantly on the bending and compressive strengths of the sandwich structures. However, the data obtained for crash energy absorption suggested that the effect of post curing on the core shear strength and the total deflection was statistically insignificant. The matrix polymer was also inspected using dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis to assess the changes in glass transition temperature and degree of conversion due to post cure. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

VARI成型不同处理方法泡沫夹芯复合材料工艺及性能研究

采取泡沫芯刻槽和泡沫芯导孔两种处理方法预制备泡沫芯材,采用VARI工艺成型泡沫夹芯复合材料,对复合材料进行无损检测,并对其成型效率、质量和力学性能进行研究。结果表明:刻槽和导孔处理可以有效地提高泡沫夹芯复合材料的成型效率,且其表面质量良好;三种泡沫夹芯复合材料泡沫与复合材料面板间均结合紧密,不存在贫胶、分层等缺陷;经刻槽处理后,泡沫夹芯复合材料的剥离强度有所下降,而弯曲强度和侧压强度略有上升;经导孔处理后,泡沫夹芯复合材料的剥离强度、弯曲强度和侧压强度均小幅下降。总的来看,不同处理工艺对VARI泡沫夹芯结构力学性能影响不大。     

Development and characterization of an all‐olefin thermoplastic sandwich composite system

In this investigation an all‐olefin thermoplastic sandwich system was developed and characterized. Commingled glass fiber polypropylene (PP) composite was used as skin and HDPE (PE) foam with closed cells as core. Infra‐red heating was used for melting the surfaces of the substrates for surface fusion bonding with a cold press. Two tie layer films, viz. ethylene‐propylene copolymer (EPC) and HDPE/elastomer blend, were used as hot melt adhesives for bonding the substrates. Single lap shear joints were prepared from PP composite and PE foam adherends with a bonding area of 25.4 mm × 25.4 mm to determine the interface strength. EPC tie layer provided higher bond strength (27.4 kg/cm²) to the all‐olefin sandwich system than HDPE/elastomer blend based one (19.7 kg/cm²). For EPC tie layer based sandwiches, a mixed mode a failure was observed in the failed lap shear samples; about 40% is cohesive failure through tie layer, and the rest of failure was adhesive either at PP composite or PE surfaces. Environmental scanning electron micrographs (ESEM) reveal that in the process of surface fusion bonding, PE foam cells in the vicinity of 0.80 mm interphase area were coalesced with high temperature and pressure. No macro level penetration of tie layer melt front into foam cells was observed. As the surface morphology of foam was altered on account of IR surface heating and the PP composite bonding side had a resin‐rich layer, the bonding situation was closer to that between two polymer film surface.     

Skin‐core debonding in resin‐infused sandwich structures

Techniques for enhancing the interfacial fracture properties of foam‐based sandwich structures are investigated. Prior to manufacture, holes were drilled into a PET foam core in order to facilitate resin flow during the subsequent resin‐infusion process. Glass fibers were then inserted into the perforations in an attempt to increase the interfacial fracture toughness of the sandwich structure. The results from these tests are compared to data generated from similar tests on a plain PET core, as well as on samples in which no fiber reinforcement was incorporated into the vertical holes. The inclusion of fibers in the through‐thickness holes served to increase the skin‐core interfacial fracture toughness of the sandwich structures. Here, it was noted the highest values of fracture toughness were more than three times the value measured on the plain foam system. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2974–2981, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Comparison of foam core sandwich panel and through‐thickness polymer pin–reinforced foam core sandwich panel subject to indentation and flatwise compression loadings

Through‐thickness polymer pin–reinforced foam core sandwich (FCS) panels are new type of composite sandwich structure as the foam core of this structure was reinforced with cylindrical polymer pins, which also rigidly connect the face sheets. These sandwich panels are made of glass fiber–reinforced polyester face sheets and closed‐cell polyurethane foam core with cylindrical polymer pins produced during fabrication process. The indentation and compression behavior of these sandwich panels were compared with common traditional sandwich panel, and it has been found that by reinforcing the foam core with cylindrical polymer pins, the indentation strength, energy absorption, and compression strength of the sandwich panels were improved significantly. The effect of diameter of polymer pins on indentation and compression behavior of both sandwich panels was studied and results showed that the diameter of polymer pins had a large influence on the compression and indentation behavior of through‐thickness polymer pin–reinforced FCS panel, and the effect of adding polymer pins to FCS panel on indentation behavior is similar to the effect of increasing the thickness of face sheet. The effect of strain rate on indentation behavior of FCS panel and through‐thickness polymer pin–reinforced FCS panel were studied, and results showed that both types of composite sandwich panels are strain rate dependent structure as by increasing strain rate, the indentation properties and energy absorption properties of these structures are increased. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:612–619, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

中温固化环氧/杂环芳纶（布）预浸料及其复合材料性能研究

试验研究了044B杂环芳纶布性能、3233/044B预浸料制备及其复合材料力学性能.结果表明,044B杂环芳纶布性能较好,3233/044B复合材料的常规性能和耐热性较好,夹层结构的滚筒剥离强度高,树脂具有韧性,适用于复合材料夹层结构.该预浸料已用于航空复合材料制件.     

Effect of compressive loading speed and stacking sequence on mechanical characteristics of satin weave E‐glass/epoxy composites

This article experimentally investigated the in‐plane loading speed dependent mechanical properties and failure modes of satin weave E‐glass/epoxy composite laminates [45/−45/0/90]_ns. Two types of E‐glass fabric/epoxy pre‐impregnated tapes were used to manufacture the composite laminates specimens. The low strain rate tests were conducted with an INSTRON™ testing machine, and the high strain rate tests done using a pulse shape modified compressive Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar apparatus. From the experimental result, it was concluded that under different strain rate loading, compressive strength, modulus, and strain at peak stress were rate sensitive. Optical and microscopic photos of the specimens were taken to determine operative failure modes. Within the studied strain rate regimes, the failure mode changed from splitting followed by fiber kink buckling to predominantly delamination and shear fracture as strain rate increases from quasi‐static to high strain rates. Compressive properties and failure modes were severely affected by strain rate, stacking sequence, and fabric material. POLYM. COMPOS. 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Polymer/clay aerogel‐based glass fabric laminates

Laminates of polymer/clay aerogels and glass fabric sheets were prepared with varying epoxy adhesion application levels. A poly(amide‐imide) and an epoxy (1,4‐butanediol diglycidyl ether/2,6‐diaminopyridine) were chosen as the two “foam core” polymers; both single‐layered and double‐layered glass fiber laminates were investigated. The adhesion between polymer clay aerogels and glass fibers was quantified using the T‐peel method. The peel strength properties were found to increase as adhesive loading increased up to an optimal value, after which peel strength declines. Flexural and compressive testing of the laminates was also performed as a way of measuring mechanical strength. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Evaluating the heat resistance of thermal insulated sandwich composites subjected to a turbulent fire

The fire structural response of sandwich composite laminates incorporating bio‐derived constituents subjected to a turbulent flaming fire was investigated. Fire structural tests were conducted on thermal insulated sandwich composites incorporating a thin surface‐bonded non‐woven glass fibre tissue impregnated with char‐forming fire retardant, ammonium polyphosphate. The sandwich composite laminates were loaded in compression at 10%, 15% or 20% of the ultimate compressive strength while simultaneously subjected to turbulent flames imposing an incident heat flux of 35 kW/m². Generally, the failure time increased with the reduced applied compressive load. The thermal insulated sandwich composite laminates had considerably improved fire resistance in comparison to their unmodified counterparts. The unmodified composites failed 96 s earlier than the thermal insulated specimens when the compression load was 10% of the ultimate compressive strength. The presence of ammonium polyphosphate at the heat‐exposed surface promoted the formation of a consolidated char layer, which slowed down heat conduction into composite laminate substrate. The fire reaction parameters measured via the cone calorimeter provided insights into the thermal response hence fire structural survivability of sandwich composite laminates. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reaction‐to‐fire properties of polymer matrix composites with integrated intumescent barriers

The integration of an intumescent barrier between the plies of prepreg based polymer matrix composite and sandwich panels is investigated in detail with regard to reaction‐to‐fire properties. Incident heat flux, panel thickness and insertion depth within the panel were varied systematically. Fire retarding effects are compared to the application of an intumescent and top coating on the surface. All tests were carried out with a commercial material: HexPly® 8552/IM7 by Hexcel. Design rules for an effective improvement of reaction‐to‐fire properties are derived. Two practical applications were identified not interfering with mechanical properties: A metal mesh as support for the intumescent material underneath a single top ply and the one‐sided integration in a sandwich with the possibility to expand into the honeycomb. Degradation mechanisms are characterized by cone calorimetry and temperature development throughout the specimens. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Load bearing properties of three‐component polymer composites

Metal or solid polymer anchors are used as the load transfer components for foam and foam composites when they are used as the structural elements in design. The traditional method of fixation of these components is by fastening and adhesion. In this study, anchors were created in the form of inserts and were imbedded in the sandwich composite during the foaming process, resulting in the manufacture of three‐component composite. Flexure tests were conducted to study the effect of different geometries (rectangular, cylindrical, tapered/wedge shaped) and lengths of metal inserts on the strengths of sandwich composites. The stress strain response, mode of fracture of sandwich composite with metallic anchors was elucidated. The results showed that long tapered inserts imbedded in sandwich composite provide better load bearing and adhesion properties than other geometries. A model is presented that describes the relationship between stiffness reduction and progressive crack length of sandwich composite. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the interactions between the inserts and sandwich composites under different loads were carried out. FEA modeling and experimental results were in good agreement, thus validating the model. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1731–1737, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers.     

Room-temperature aging of Narmco 5208 carbon-epoxy prepreg. Part II: Physical,mechanical, and nondestructive characterization

Samples of Narmco Rigidite 5208/WC3000 carbon-epoxy composite prepreg were exposed to ambient temperature (22°C) and 50 percent relative humidity for different periods up to 66 days. The aging has a significant effect on prepreg physical properties such as tack, volatiles content, and gel time. A set of 4-ply laminates made from aged prepreg was subjected to tensile testing, ultrasonic inspection, and optothermal inspection. No relationship could be discerned between laminate properties and prepreg aging time. However, variations in panel homogeneity were observed, and these correlated with thermal diffusivity and tensile modulus measurements, but not with ultimate tensile strength or elongation. A set of 6-ply laminates was used to measure compressive properties, interlaminar shear strength, and physical properties. These panels also showed variations in porosity, again unrelated to aging, but in addition, the fiber/resin ratio was observed to decrease with aging time. Both factors were found to affect mechanical properties. The implications concerning the importance of monitoring the aging by physicochemical methods are discussed.     

Experimental characterization of woven jute‐fabric‐reinforced isothalic polyester composites

In this article, mechanical performance of isothalic polyester‐based untreated woven jute‐fabric composites subjected to various types of loading has been experimentally investigated. The laminates were prepared by hand lay‐up technique in a mold. Specimens for tests were fabricated as per ASTM standards. All the tests (except impact) were conducted on closed loop servo hydraulic MTS 810 material test system using data acquisition software Test Works‐II. From the results obtained, it was found that the tensile strength and tensile modulus of jute‐fabric composite are 83.96% and 118.97% greater than the tensile strength and modulus of unreinforced resin, respectively. The results of other properties, such as flexural, in‐plane shear, interlaminar shear, impact, etc., also revealed that the isothalic‐polyester‐based jute‐fabric composite have good mechanical properties and can be a potential material for use in medium load‐bearing applications. The failure mechanism and fiber‐matrix adhesion were analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Effects of long‐term immersion in water on mechanical properties are also presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2650–2662, 2007     

Plant oil‐based biofoam composites with balanced performance

BACKGROUND: Biofoam composites were prepared using short sisal fibers as reinforcement and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil as matrix, aiming at replacing traditional unsaturated polyester foams in structural applications. The compressive properties of the composites were examined as a function of fiber loading, fiber length and foam density. RESULTS: The foam composite with 10 phr (parts per hundred of base resin by weight) sisal fiber possessed properties similar to those of commercial unsaturated polyester foams. A study of the failure mechanism revealed that debonding between fiber and matrix was a key issue responsible for catastrophic damage of the composites. According to this finding, surface pre‐treatment of the sisal using an alkali or silane coupling agent was carried out. This brought about positive effects on interfacial interaction and compressive strength of the composites, as desired. Also, soil burial tests proved that the foam composites could be biodegraded, and the incorporated sisal fibers accelerated the biodegradation of the composites. CONCLUSION: This work shows the feasibility of making rigid biofoams from natural resources, which could be potential candidates for structural foams. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

复合材料-木塑组合柱轴心受压性能试验研究

以木塑复合材料、无碱玻璃纤维织物以及不饱和聚酯树脂为原料,采用真空导入工艺制造复合材料-木塑组合柱。对该组合柱进行轴心受压试验,得到其失效模式、承载力以及纵向变形等力学行为。试验结果表明:复合材料-木塑组合柱在轴压荷载作用下,主要破坏模式为轴向受压破坏,且在复合材料面层出现横向裂纹;组合柱极限承载力随着截面尺寸的增加而显著提高,而且组合柱具有良好的延性。采用考虑组合效应的分析方法对该组合柱的轴压承载力进行预测,结果表明当组合系数取0.3时,理论计算结果与试验结果吻合较好。     

Experimental characterization of traditional composites manufactured by vacuum‐assisted resin‐transfer molding

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the anisotropic behavior of different glass‐fabric‐reinforced polyester composites. Two commonly used types of traditional glass fabrics, woven roving fabric and chopped strand mat, have been used. Composite laminates have been manufactured by the vacuum infusion of polyester resin into the fabrics. The effects of geometric variables on the composite structural integrity and strength are illustrated. Hence, tensile and three‐point‐bending flexural tests have been conducted at different off‐axial angles (0, 45, and 90°) with respect to the longitudinal direction. In this study, an important practical problem with fibrous composites, the interlaminar shear strength as measured in short‐beam shear tests, is discussed. The most significant result deduced from this investigation is the strong correlation between the changes in the interlaminar shear strength values and fiber orientation angle in the case of woven fabric laminates. Extensive photographs of fractured tensile specimens resulting from a variety of uniaxial loading conditions are presented. Another aim of this work is to investigate the interaction between the glass fiber and polyester matrix. The experiments, in conjunction with scanning electron photomicrographs of fractured surfaces of composites, are interpreted in an attempt to explain the interaction between the glass fiber and polyester. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

环氧树脂/芳纶布复合材料性能研究与应用

研究了3233环氧树脂/796芳纶布复合材料的力学性能。结果表明,3233环氧树脂/796芳纶布复合材料的常规性能和耐热性较好,采用模压法和热压罐法成型的层压板性能相当,夹层板的滚筒剥离强度高,树脂基体具有韧性,扫描电镜观察发现复合材料的界面粘接情况良好。该预浸料已用于直升机次承力结构。     

Toughened carbon fiber fabric‐reinforced pCBT composites

Toughened carbon fiber‐fabric reinforced polymerized cyclic butylene terephthalate (pCBT) composites were obtained by chemical modification of cyclic butylene terephthalate (CBT) with small amounts of epoxy resin and isocyanates as chain extenders. Homogeneous CBT/epoxy and CBT/isocyanate blends were prepared by melt blending the components in a lab‐scale batch mixer at low temperatures and high shear rate. Melt blending was stopped before the ring‐opening polymerization of CBT could start. The modified CBT was the starting material for carbon fiber fabric‐reinforced pCBT composites (fiber content at about 65 wt%) which were prepared by ring‐opening polymerization during compression molding using a simple powder prepreg method. Interlaminar shear strength, flexural strength, and failure strain of the chemically modified composites increased up to 60% with respect to unmodified pCBT composites. Nevertheless, the flexural moduli slightly decreased due to the toughening effect of the chain extender on the pCBT matrix. Drop weight impact tests revealed that the energy absorption of the modified composites was relatively higher as compared to unmodified pCBT composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1453–1460, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Quasi‐static and dynamic experiment investigations on the crashworthiness response of composite tubes

Crashworthiness performance of carbon and glass composite tubes have been comprehensive investigated under quasi‐static and dynamic axial crush testing. In this study, collapse modes and specific energy absorption (SEA) of different ply orientation of carbon fabric composites and unidirectional glass tubes were analyzed. For the weaker tensile strength and bending strength of glass composites, crack propagated approximately perpendicular to the fiber direction when the ply angle was small. Large amount of fibers breakage made the specific energy absorption over 80 kJ/kg under dynamic load. Thickness effect had inverse influence on SEA under different impact rate. The specific energy absorption declined as tube thickness increased under dynamic crush tests, however, increased under quasi‐static tests. Hybridization of glass/carbon tubes and carbon/carbon composites were analyzed by increased the axial fiber content. It was found that hybridization tubes of G803/3234 fabric and G827/3234 axial tapes with higher G827/3234 content present excellent energy‐absorption capability under dynamic and quasi‐static tests for all specimens tested. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1099–1109, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers