Fiber/matrix Interface (matrix + interface)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Polymers and Materials Science


Selected Abstracts


Increased Interface Strength in Carbon Fiber Composites through a ZnO Nanowire Interphase

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 16 2009
Yirong Lin
Abstract One of the most important factors in the design of a fiber reinforced composite is the quality of the fiber/matrix interface. Recently carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide whiskers have been used to enhance the interfacial properties of composites; however, the high growth temperature degrade the fiber strength and significantly reduce the composite's in-plane properties. Here, a novel method for enhancing the fiber/matrix interfacial strength that does not degrade the mechanical properties of the fiber is demonstrated. The composite is fabricated using low-temperature solution-based growth of ZnO nanowires on the surface of the reinforcing fiber. Experimental testing shows the growth does not adversely affect fiber strength, interfacial shear strength can be significantly increased by 113%, and the lamina shear strength and modulus can be increased by 37.8% and 38.8%, respectively. This novel interface could also provide embedded functionality through the piezoelectric and semiconductive properties of ZnO. [source]


Modeling the Ultimate Tensile Strength of Unidirectional Glass-Matrix Composites

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2000
R. E. Dutton
The ultimate tensile strengths of a unidirectional glass-matrix composite were measured as a function of fiber volume fraction. The results were compared with predictions, using a refined solution of the stress field generated by an axisymmetric damage model, which incorporated the effect of stress concentration in the fiber caused by the presence of a matrix crack both before and after deflection at the fiber/matrix interface. Two possible locations for the fiber failure were considered: (1) at a transverse matrix crack, near a bonded fiber/coating interface and (2) at the tip of a debond, at the fiber/coating interface. At low fiber volume fractions, the measured ultimate tensile strength matched the prediction calculated, assuming no crack deflection. For higher volume fractions, the predictions calculated for a debonded crack matched the observed values. The model results were relatively insensitive to debond length and interfacial shear stress for the range of values in this study. In comparison, the global load-sharing model, which does not account for the stress singularity at the fiber/matrix interface, was found to overpredict the values of the ultimate tensile strength for all fiber volume fractions. An important contribution of the present work was to introduce the use of fiber volume fraction as a parameter for testing theoretical predictions of the mode of fiber failure. [source]


Interfacial strength in short glass fiber reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polyamide 6 blends

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 3 2010
Nihat Ali Isitman
The purpose of this study is to derive the apparent interfacial shear strength of short glass fiber reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene/polyamide 6 (PA6) blends with different PA6 contents. Tensile stress-strain curves and fiber length distributions are utilized within a continuum micromechanics approach which involves a unified parameter for fiber length distribution efficiency represented as a function of strain. The unique combination of predicted micromechanical parameters is capable of accurately reproducing the mechanical response of the composite to applied strain. In this way, the influence of PA6 on interfacial zone is revealed by outcomes of the predictive method and validated by scanning electron microscopy observations. Favored intermolecular interactions in presence of PA6 chains result in the formation of a PA6 sheathing layer on glass fiber surfaces which in turn causes a drop in the apparent interfacial shear strength. The reason behind is shown to be the shift of the fracture zone from fiber/matrix interface to sheathing layer/matrixinterphase. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Mapping of stress distribution in woven-fabric composites

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 8 2008
E. Shady
Mapping of the stress distribution in composite materials, both at the fiber/matrix interface and in the composite constituents, is important to understand the material mechanical response. Stress mapping can help predict composite behavior under certain stresses especially failure or delamination. In this work, two analytical models were proposed to map the stress distribution at fiber, matrix and fiber/matrix interface utilizing the concept of stress superposition. The first model dealt with the fiber in the longitudinal direction considering axisymmetric conditions. The second model addressed the fiber stress distribution in the transverse direction. Experimental data from four-point flexural tests of woven fabric composites was processed using the Graphical Integrated Numerical Analysis (pcGINA) to obtain the maximum stress in the target laminate and this value was used as the input for the two analytical models. The value for the maximum interfacial shear stress was calculated using the models and results were compared to pull-out fiber test values obtained from literature. Good agreement was observed between the model calculations and the literature data. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Fracture behavior of polyetherimide (PEI) and interlaminar fracture of CF/PEI laminates at elevated temperatures

POLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 1 2005
Ki-Young Kim
To investigate the effects of environmental temperature on fracture behavior of a polyetherimide (PEI) thermoplastic polymer and its carbon fiber (CF/PEI) composite, experimental and numerical studies were performed on compact tension (CT) and double cantilever beam (DCB) specimens under mode-I loading. The numerical analyses were based on 2-D large deformation finite element analyses (FEA). Elevated temperatures greatly released the crack tip triaxiality (constraint) and promoted matrix deformation due to low yield strength and enhanced ductility of the PEI matrix, which resulted in the greater plane-strain fracture toughness of the bulk PEI polymer and the interlaminar fracture toughness of its composite during delamination propagation with increasing temperature. Furthermore, the high triaxiality was developed around the delamination front tip in the DCB specimen, which accounted for the poor translation of matrix toughness to the interlaminar fracture toughness by suppressing the matrix deformation and reducing the plastic energy dissipated in the plastic zone. Especially, at delamination initiation, the weakened fiber/matrix adhesion at elevated temperatures led to premature failure of fiber/matrix interface, suppressing matrix deformation and preventing the full utilization of matrix toughness. Consequently, low interlaminar fracture toughness was obtained at elevated temperatures. POLYM. COMPOS., 26:20,28, 2005. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source]


Valorization of an industrial organosolv,sugarcane bagasse lignin: Characterization and use as a matrix in biobased composites reinforced with sisal fibers

BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 4 2010
Elaine C. Ramires
Abstract In the present study, the main focus was the characterization and application of the by-product lignin isolated through an industrial organosolv acid hydrolysis process from sugarcane bagasse, aiming at the production of bioethanol. The sugarcane lignin was characterized and used to prepare phenolic-type resins. The analysis confirmed that the industrial sugarcane lignin is of HGS type, with a high proportion of the less substituted aromatic ring p -hydroxyphenyl units, which favors further reaction with formaldehyde. The lignin,formaldehyde resins were used to produce biobased composites reinforced with different proportions of randomly distributed sisal fibers. The presence of lignin moieties in both the fiber and matrix increases their mutual affinity, as confirmed by SEM images, which showed good adhesion at the biocomposite fiber/matrix interface. This in turn allowed good load transference from the matrix to the fiber, leading to biobased composites with good impact strength (near 500,J,m,1 for a 40,wt% sisal fiber-reinforced composite). The study demonstrates that sugarcane bagasse lignin obtained from a bioethanol plant can be used without excessive purification in the preparation of lignocellulosic fiber-reinforced biobased composites displaying high mechanical properties. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;107:612,621. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source]


Influence of Interface Characteristics on the Mechanical Properties of Hi-Nicalon type-S or Tyranno-SA3 Fiber-Reinforced SiC/SiC Minicomposites

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010
C. Sauder
The tensile behavior of CVI SiC/SiC composites with Hi-Nicalon type-S (Hi-NicalonS) or Tyranno-SA3 (SA3) fibers was investigated using minicomposite test specimens. Minicomposites contain a single tow. The mechanical behavior was correlated with microstructural features including tow failure strength and interface characteristics. The Hi-NicalonS fiber-reinforced minicomposites exhibited a conventional damage-tolerant response, comparable to that observed on composites reinforced by untreated Nicalon or Hi-Nicalon fibers and possessing weak fiber/matrix interfaces. The SA3 fiber-reinforced minicomposites exhibited larger interfacial shear stresses and erratic behavior depending on the fiber PyC coating thickness. Differences in the mechanical behavior were related to differences in the fiber surface roughness. [source]


Combined Effect of Salt Water and High-Temperature Exposure on the Strength Retention of NextelÔ720 Fibers and NextelÔ720-Aluminosilicate Composites

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 4 2006
Triplicane A. Parthasarathy
The relative contribution of fiber strength loss to reported degradation in the mechanical behavior of NextelÔ720-aluminosilicate composites after exposure to salt fog (ASTM B117) was explored. Single filament tension tests were performed on NextelÔ720 (3M, Inc., Minneapolis, MN) fibers after immersion in NaCl solutions followed by high-temperature exposure in air. The results were compared with the behavior of control specimens which received high-temperature exposure but were not immersed in NaCl solution. There was no degradation in fiber strengths for NaCl solutions below 1 wt%. However, significant degradation was observed at 5 wt% NaCl upon exposure to temperatures between 900° and 1150°C, while no degradation was observed upon an exposure to 1200°C. The relative contribution of fiber strength loss to composite degradation was estimated as nearly 50%, indicating that both fibers and matrix/interface degrade from exposure to salt water. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy of the exposed fibers and composites were conducted to help rationalize the observations. Microstructure of degraded fibers showed presence of Na at grain boundaries near the surface, without any evidence of a crystalline phase, indicating weakening from segregation or formation of an amorphous phase. The degraded composites showed that matrix and fiber/matrix interfaces had Na rich regions/phases. [source]


Mechanical Properties of Compound Extruded Aircraft Stringer Profiles Under Cyclic Loading,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 7 2010
Kay A. Weidenmann
The worldwide competition in the field of aircraft structures leads to an increasing need for functionality and safety as well as for cost and weight reduction. For instance stringers could be directly welded on the aircraft's skin sheet. The requirements to be met are increased safety against crack initiation and crack growth as well as improved residual strength against failure after harmful impact of foreign objects. The application of continuously reinforced aluminium profiles which are manufactured by compound extrusion leads to increased strength and stiffness of the profiles by combining the aluminium matrix with high strength wires. Thus aircraft stringers of such profiles represent an innovative concept with improved properties. The characterisation of compound extrusions based on medium and high strength aircraft aluminium alloys EN AW-6056 and EN AW-2099 shows that a good embedding of the reinforcing high strength wires (Co-based and Fe-based) can be achieved. Furthermore the mechanical properties under cyclic loading of the profiles were measured and the S/N-curves for the different compound combinations were determined. Subsequently the crack initiation and propagation was analysed by using metallographic and SEM investigations. The fatigue resistance of reinforced specimens is increased compared to unreinforced ones. The fatigue cracks originate at the surface of unreinforced specimen while the cracks in reinforced specimens are initiated at the wire,matrix interface. [source]


Developing Interfacial Carbon-Boron-Silicon Coatings for Silicon Nitride-Fiber-Reinforced Composites for Improved Oxidation Resistance

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 7 2002
Kiyoshi Sato
C-B-Si coatings were formed on a Si3N4 fiber using chemical vapor deposition and embedded in a Si-N-C matrix using polymer impregnation and pyrolysis. The boron-containing layer was anticipated to form borosilicate glass and seal oxygen-diffusion passes. Two types of C-B-Si coatings were tested on the fiber,matrix interface, and they improved the oxidation resistance of the composite. The first coating was multilayered: a crystalline sublayer composed of B-Si-C was sandwiched between two graphitelike carbon sublayers. The second coating was a graphitelike carbon layer containing a small amount of boron and silicon. The carbon (sub)layer of both coatings weakened the fiber,matrix bonding, giving the composites a high flexural strength (1.1 GPa). The composites retained 60%,70% of their initial strength, even after oxidation at 1523 K for 100 h. The mechanism for improved oxidation resistance was discussed through the microstructure of the interface, morphology of the fracture surface, and oxygen distribution on a cross section of the oxidized composite. [source]


Processing/structure/property relationships for artificial wood made from stretched PP/wood-fiber composites

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 1 2009
Y.S. Kim
This article presents the processing/structure/property relationships for artificial wood made from stretched PP/wood-fiber (WF) composites that have required strength and density. The die drawing of PP/WF composites causes a unidirectional orientation of the polymer molecules and enhances the mechanical properties significantly along the stretched direction. The drawing of the composites also lowers the density of artificial wood by generating voids at the WF and polymer matrix interface. The critical processing and materials parameters are identified. The effects of these parameters on the structure and the properties are also investigated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source]


Microstructural Analysis of the Reinforced Al-Cu5mgti/Tib2 5,wt % Alloy for Investment Casting Applications,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 6 2010
Pedro Egizabal
Abstract The paper describes the influence of 5,wt % titanium diboride (TiB2) particles on the microstructure of an Al-Cu alloy produced by plaster casting process. The elaboration route leads to a composite material with 1% of in situ TiB2 particles and 4% ex situ of TiB2 particles. The comparison of the reinforced alloy with the corresponding non-reinforced counterpart makes clear that the presence of TiB2 particles has a large influence in the observed microstructure. The presence of TiB2 particles decreases the grain sizes and the porosity level. It is also found that TiB2 particles play an important role in the precipitation events of Al2Cu precipitates that are formed during solidification at the TiB2/aluminum matrix interfaces. [source]


Effects of Thermal Aging on the Mechanical Properties of a Porous-Matrix Ceramic Composite

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 3 2002
Eric A. V. Carelli
The present article focuses on changes in the mechanical properties of an all-oxide fiber-reinforced composite following long-term exposure (1000 h) at temperatures of 1000,1200°C in air. The composite of interest derives its damage tolerance from a highly porous matrix, precluding the need for an interphase at the fiber,matrix boundary. The key issue involves the stability of the porosity against densification and the associated implications for long-term durability of the composite at elevated temperatures. For this purpose, comparisons are made in the tensile properties and fracture characteristics of a 2D woven fiber composite both along the fiber direction and at 45° to the fiber axes before and after the aging treatments. Additionally, changes in the state of the matrix are probed through measurements of matrix hardness by Vickers indentation and through the determination of the matrix Young's modulus, using the measured composite moduli coupled with classical laminate theory. The study reveals that, despite evidence of some strengthening of the matrix and the fiber,matrix interfaces during aging, the key tensile properties in the 0°/90° orientation, including strength and failure strain, are unchanged. This strengthening is manifested to a more significant extent in the composite properties in the ±45° orientation, wherein the modulus and the tensile strength each exhibit a twofold increase after the 1200°C aging treatment. It also results in a change in the failure mechanism, from one involving predominantly matrix damage and interply delamination to one which is dominated by fiber fracture. Additionally, salient changes in the mechanical response beyond the maximum load suggest the existence of an optimum matrix strength at which the fracture energy in the ±45° orientation attains a maximum. The implications for long-term durability of this class of composite are discussed. [source]


Transient heat conduction in a medium with multiple circular cavities and inhomogeneities

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, Issue 11 2009
Elizaveta Gordeliy
Abstract A two-dimensional transient heat conduction problem of multiple interacting circular inhomogeneities, cavities and point sources is considered. In general, a non-perfect contact at the matrix/inhomogeneity interfaces is assumed, with the heat flux through the interface proportional to the temperature jump. The approach is based on the use of the general solutions to the problems of a single cavity and an inhomogeneity and superposition. Application of the Laplace transform and the so-called addition theorem results in an analytical transformed solution. The solution in the time domain is obtained by performing a numerical inversion of the Laplace transform. Several numerical examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy and the efficiency of the method. The approximation error decreases exponentially with the number of the degrees of freedom in the problem. A comparison of the companion two- and three-dimensional problems demonstrates the effect of the dimensionality. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Influence of melt-blending conditions on structural, rheological, and interfacial properties of polyamide-12 layered silicate nanocomposites

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 8 2006
Pascal Médéric
The influence of the melt-blending conditions on the structural, rheological, and interfacial properties of modified montmorillonite/Polyamide-12 nanocomposites has been studied performing transmission electron microscopy observation combined with X-Ray diffraction and rheological experiments. In the dilute regime, for short mixing times, the apparent aspect ratio of primary clay entities, determined from intrinsic viscosity measurements, is shown to increase with rotational speed. At high blade rotational speeds, the viscometric results suggest an almost achieved exfoliation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy micrographs. For longer mixing times, a significant drop of viscous dissipation is observed, which is very marked at high blade rotational speeds and attributed to a modification of the particle/matrix interface. In the concentrated regime, the rheological behavior of nanocomposites is attributed to the formation of a network of mesoscopic domains, composed of correlated clay entities. Upon increasing strain during mixing, the clay aggregates within these domains break into intercalated stacks and finally exfoliated layers, as shown by transmission electron microscopy micrographs and wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns. The melt state elastic and viscous properties of the nanocomposites are mainly governed by the networked domains, and not by the nature and properties of the structure within the domains. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:986,994, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers. [source]


Micromechanical behavior of impact modified poly(ethylene terephthalate)

POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 6 2003
N. Chapleau
The micromechanical behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate), PET, modified with a metallocene polyolefin copolymer (mPE) was investigated. Uniaxial deformation tests were performed using a tensile stage in a scanning electron microscope. This technique allowed the identification of the main deformation mechanisms that are associated with energy dissipation and toughness improvement. The poly(ethylene terephthalate) was blended with 5 wt% mPE by single-screw extrusion. Films with thicknesses ranging from 200 to 500 ,m were produced. Observation of the surfaces of the films during uniaxial deformation revealed the sequence of events leading to the full yielding of the matrix. In the early stages of deformation, the particles deform together with the matrix. As the deformation is increased, cavitation inside the particles occurs and fibrillation at the particle/matrix interface is observed, as well as the onset of shear banding. In order to study the effect of interfacial adhesion of the deformation mechanisms, the PET/mPE blends were compatibilized by grafting with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The reduction of the particle size was significant, which is indicative of the efficiency of GMA grafting in this type of blend. In this case, the particles were difficult to detect on the surface. Cavitation and shear banding occurred simultaneously. A similar behavior was observed in the case of oriented blends. [source]