Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hygrothermal effects on fatigue behavior of quasi-isotropic flax/epoxy composites using principal component analysis

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This work studies the long-term hygrothermal (HT) aging effect on the fatigue behavior of a flax/epoxy bio-composite arranged in [02/902/±45]S lay-ups. The effect of aging on static tensile mechanical properties was first investigated. Tension–tension fatigue tests were also performed for both unaged and aged samples. The distribution of fatigue life for both unaged and aged sample was determined. The evolution of fatigue properties was also investigated. Fatigue tests were coupled with acoustic emission (AE) for a better understanding of how these composites react to fatigue loading in wet environmental conditions. Static tests show that water absorption affects negatively the elastic properties of this material. S–N curves show a good performance in fatigue strength of unaged samples. This performance dropped significantly with HT aging. The analysis of stress–strain hysteresis loops allowed to determine the minimal strain such as the desirable fatigue properties to explain fatigue damage evolution for single stress component. Hwang–Han’s model based on minimal strain was also used to predict the fatigue damage of the tested flax/epoxy composites. Principal component analysis enabled to separate the fatigue damage evolution of unaged and aged samples. AE results confirmed that the damage evolution of both samples is not the same. AE analyses were permitted to identify the growing fiber/matrix debonding and pull-out mechanism in the unaged samples. Correlation between AE and scanning electron microscope observations enabled the identification of several damage mechanisms and their evolution during the fatigue tests.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shah DU (2013) Developing plant fibre composites for structural applications by optimising composite parameters: a critical review. J Mater Sci 48:6083–6107. doi:10.1007/s10853-013-7458-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Shah DU (2014) Natural fibre composites: comprehensive Ashby-type materials selection charts. Mater Des 62:21–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Biagiotti J, Puglia D, Kenny JM (2004) A review on natural fibre-based composites—Part I: structure, processing and properties of vegetable fibres. J Nat Fibers 1:37–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Ali M, Gultom RJ, Chouw N (2012) Capacity of innovative interlocking blocks under monotonic loading. Constr Build Mater 37:812–821

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Sodoke KF et al (2016) Fuzzy logic response to Young’s modulus characterization of a flax–epoxy natural fiber composite. Mater Des 89:273–285

    Google Scholar 

  6. Yan L, Chouw N, Jayaraman K (2014) Flax fibre and its composites—a review. Compos B 56:296–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Liang S, Gning PB, Guillaumat L (2012) A comparative study of fatigue behaviour of flax/epoxy and glass/epoxy composites. Compos Sci Technol 72:535–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Shah DU, Schubel PJ, Clifford MJ (2013) Can flax replace E-glass in structural composites? A small wind turbine blade case study. Compos B 52:172–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Shah DU, Schubel PJ, Clifford MJ, Licence P (2013) Fatigue life evaluation of aligned plant fibre composites through S–N curves and constant-life diagrams. Compos Sci Technol 74:139–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Fotouh A, Wolodko JD, Lipsett MG (2014) Fatigue of natural fiber thermoplastic composites. Compos Part B 62:175–182

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Towo AN, Ansell MP (2008) Fatigue evaluation and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis of sisal fibre-thermosetting resin composites. Compos Sci Technol 68:925–932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Towo AN, Ansell MP (2008) Fatigue of sisal fibre reinforced composites: constant-life diagrams and hysteresis loop capture. Compos Sci Technol 68:915–924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Liang S, Gning PB, Guillaumat L (2014) Properties evolution of flax/epoxy composites under fatigue loading. Int J Fatigue 63:36–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Liber-Kneć A, Kuźniar P, Kuciel S (2015) Accelerated fatigue testing of biodegradable composites with flax fibers. J Polym Environ 23:400–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gassan J (2002) A study of fibre and interface parameters affecting the fatigue behaviour of natural fibre composites. Composites A 33:369–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Shah DU (2016) Damage in biocomposites: stiffness evolution of aligned plant fibre composites during monotonic and cyclic fatigue loading. composites A 83:160–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. El Sawi I, Fawaz Z, Zitoune R, Bougherara H (2014) An investigation of the damage mechanisms and fatigue life diagrams of flax fiber-reinforced polymer laminates. J Mater Sci 49:2338–2346. doi:10.1007/s10853-013-7934-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Elaqra H, Godin N, Peix G, R’Mili M, Fantozzi G (2007) Damage evolution analysis in mortar, during compressive loading using acoustic emission and X-ray tomography: effects of the sand/cement ratio. Cem Concr Res 37:703–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Romhány G, Karger-Kocsis J, Czigány T (2003) Tensile fracture and failure behavior of thermoplastic starch with unidirectional and cross-ply flax fiber reinforcements. Macromol Mater Eng 288:699–707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Aslan M (2013) Investigation of damage mechanism of flax fibre LPET commingled composites by acoustic emission. Composites B 54:289–297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Kersani M, Lomov SV, Van Vuure AW, Bouabdallah A, Verpoest I (2015) Damage in flax/epoxy quasi-unidirectional woven laminates under quasi-static tension. J Compos Mater 49:403–413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kersani M, Lomov SV, Ver Vuure AW, Bouabdallah A, Verpoest I (2014) Damage analysis based on the correlation between acoustic emission and E modulus degradation in flax/epoxy quasi unidirectional woven laminates. In:16th European conference on composite materials, ECCM 2014

  23. Saidane EH, Scida D, Assarar M, Ayad R (2014) Effects of manufacturing process and water ageing on the mechanical behaviour of two reinforced composites: Flax-fibres and glass-fibres. In 16th European conference on composite materials, ECCM 2014

  24. Scida D, Assarar M, Poilâne C, Ayad R (2013) Influence of hygrothermal ageing on the damage mechanisms of flax-fibre reinforced epoxy composite. Composites B 48:51–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. De Vasconcellos DS, Sarasini F, Touchard F, Chocinski-Arnault L, Pucci M, Santulli C (2014) Influence of low velocity impact on fatigue behaviour of woven hemp fibre reinforced epoxy composites. Composites B 66:46–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. De Vasconcellos DS, Touchard F, Chocinski-Arnault L (2014) Tension-tension fatigue behaviour of woven hemp fibre reinforced epoxy composite: a multi-instrumented damage analysis. Int J Fatigue 59:159–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Assarar M, Scida D, El Mahi A, Poilâne C, Ayad R (2011) Influence of water ageing on mechanical properties and damage events of two reinforced composite materials: Flax–fibres and glass–fibres. Mater Des 32:788–795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Thuault A, Eve S, Blond D, Bréard J, Gomina M (2014) Effects of the hygrothermal environment on the mechanical properties of flax fibres. J Compos Mater 48:1699–1707

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Dhakal HN, Zhang ZY, Richardson MOW (2007) Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Compos Sci Technol 67:1674–1683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Toubal L, Cuillière JC, Bensalem K, Francois V, Gning PB (2016) Hygrothermal effect on moisture kinetics and mechanical properties of hemp/polypropylene composite: experimental and numerical studies. Poly Compos 37:2342–2352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Azwa ZN, Yousif BF, Manalo AC (2013) A review on the degradability of polymeric composites based on natural fibres. Mater Des 47:424–442

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. A. Fotouh and J. Wolodko (2011) Fatigue behavior of natural fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites in dry and wet environments. In ASME 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, IMECE, 2011, pp. 71–77.

  33. Salmi A, Salminen L, Hæggström E (2009) Quantifying fatigue generated in high strain rate cyclic loading of Norway spruce. J Appl Phys 106:104905

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Hwang W, Han KS (1986) Fatigue of composites—fatigue modulus concept and life prediction. J Compos Mater 20:154–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Kumosa L, Benedikt B, Armentrout D, Kumosa M (2004) Moisture absorption properties of unidirectional glass/polymer composites used in composite (non-ceramic) insulators. Composites A 35:1049–1063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Shen C-H, Springer GS (1977) Environmental effects on the elastic moduli of composite materials. J Compos Mater 11:250–264

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Marec A, Thomas JH, El Guerjouma R (2008) Damage characterization of polymer-based composite materials: multivariable analysis and wavelet transform for clustering acoustic emission data. Mech Syst Signal Process 22:1441–1464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Fotouh A, Wolodko JD, Lipsett MG (2015) A review of aspects affecting performance and modeling of short-natural-fiber-reinforced polymers under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions. Polym Compos 36:397–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Fuwa M, Harris B, Bunsell A (1975) Acoustic emission during cyclic loading of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics. J Phys D 8:1460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Belaadi A, Bezazi A, Bourchak M, Scarpa F (2013) Tensile static and fatigue behaviour of sisal fibres. Mater Des 46:76–83

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Kam T, Tsai S, Chu K (1997) Fatigue reliability analysis of composite laminates under spectrum stress. Int J Solids Struct 34:1441–1461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Jolliffe IT (1986) Principal component analysis. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the natural sciences and engineering research council (NSERC) of Canada through its discovery Grant Numbers 138039–2012 and 386284–2010.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Mechanics and Eco-Materials, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boul. des Forges, Trois-Rivières, QC, G9A 5H7, Canada

    Fabrice Kossi Sodoke, Lotfi Toubal & Luc Laperrière

Authors
  1. Fabrice Kossi Sodoke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lotfi Toubal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Luc Laperrière
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lotfi Toubal.

Ethics declarations

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sodoke, F.K., Toubal, L. & Laperrière, L. Hygrothermal effects on fatigue behavior of quasi-isotropic flax/epoxy composites using principal component analysis. J Mater Sci 51, 10793–10805 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0291-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0291-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation