Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The mechanical properties and delamination of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer laminates modified with carbon aerogel

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

Abstract

Carbon aerogels have excellent potential to act as reinforcements for improving the material properties of polymer-based composites because of their porous nanostructures and large surface areas. However, the addition of carbon aerogels to polymer-based composites has effects on the material properties of the final composites, and those effects are not clear. In this study, an epoxy matrix was modified with carbon aerogel, and this modified matrix was then used to manufacture carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. The effects of the addition of the carbon aerogel to the laminates on the mechanical properties and delamination resistance were investigated. The modulus and strength of the laminates were slightly increased by the addition of the aerogel to the composite laminates. The addition of the aerogel to the laminates led to an appreciable improvement in the interfacial property and adhesion between the fibers and matrix, and consequently, the delamination fracture energy was increased. The Mode I delamination fracture energy was measured to be 265 J m−2 for the laminate with the unmodified matrix, whereas that of the laminate with 0.1 wt% aerogel was 346 J m−2. The delamination fracture energy caused by Mode II loading was increased from 655 J m−2 for the unmodified laminate to 1088 J m−2 for laminate modified with 0.5 wt% aerogel. Fractographic observation showed significant differences in the fracture surface morphology between aerogel-modified and unmodified CFRP laminate.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

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. Ram A (1997) Fundamentals of polymer engineering. Plenum Press, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Kinlcoh AJ (1987) Adhesion and adhesive: science and technology, 1st edn. Chapman and Hall, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Chawla KK (2012) Composite materials: science and engineering. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  4. Kinloch AJ, Shaw SJ, Tod DA, Hunston DL (1983) Deformation and fracture behavior of a rubber-toughened epoxy: 1 microstructure and fracture studies. Polymer 24:1341–1354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Kinloch AJ, Hunston DL (1986) Effect of volume fraction of dispersed rubbery phase on the toughness of rubber-toughened epoxy polymers. J Mater Sci Lett 5:1207–2109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Imanaka M, Nakamura Y, Nishimura A, Iida T (2003) Fracture toughness of rubber-modified epoxy adhesive: effect of plastic deformability of matrix phase. Compos Sci Technol 63:41–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Imamaka M, Motohashi S, Nishi K, Nakamura Y, Kimoto M (2009) Crack-growth behavior of epoxy adhesives modified with liquid rubber and cross-linked rubber particles under Mode I loading. Int J Adhes Adhes 29:45–55

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Lee DB, Ikeda T, Miyazaki N, Choi NS (2002) Damage zone around crack tip and fracture toughness of rubber-modified epoxy resin under mixed-mode conditions. Eng Fract Mech 69:1363–1375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Johnsen BB, Kinloch AJ, Taylor AC (2005) Toughness of syndiotactic polystyrene/epoxy polymer blends: microstructure and toughening mechanisms. Polymer 46:7352–7369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Kinloch AJ, Yuen ML, Jenkins SD (1993) Thermoplastic-toughened epoxy polymers. J Mater Sci 29:3781–3791. doi:10.1007/BF00357349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Brooker RD, Kinloch AJ, Taylor AC (2010) The morphology and fracture properties of thermoplastic-toughened epoxy polymers. J Adhes 86:726–741

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Nicolasi L, Guerra G, Migliaresi C, Nicolasi L, Benedetto ATD (1981) Mechanical properties of glass-bead filled polystyrene composites. Composites 12:33–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Lee J, Yee AF (2000) Fracture of glass bead/epoxy composites: on micro-mechanical deformations. Polymer 41:8363–8373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Kawaguchi T, Pearson RA (2003) The effect of particle-matrix adhesion on the mechanical behavior of glass filled epoxies. Part 2. A study on fracture toughness. Polymer 44:4239–4247

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hsieh TH, Kinloch AJ, Masania K, Taylor AC, Sprenger S (2010) The mechanisms and mechanics of the toughening of epoxy polymers modified with silica nanoparticles. Polymer 51:6284–6294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Hsieh TH, Kinloch AJ, Masania K, Lee JS, Taylor AC, Sprenger S (2010) The toughness of epoxy polymers and fibre composites modified with rubber microparticles and silica nanoparticles. J Mater Sci 45:1193–1210. doi:10.1007/s10853-009-4064-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Conradi M, Zorko M, Kocijan A, Verpoest I (2013) Mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with a low volume fraction of nanosilica fillers. Mater Chem Phys 137:910–915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Ho MW, Lam CK, Lau KT, Ng DHL, Hui D (2006) Mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites using nanoclays. Compos Struct 75:415–421

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Eesaee M, Shojaei A (2014) Effect of nanoclays on the mechanical properties and durability of novolac phenolic resin/woven glass fiber composite at various chemical environments. Compos Part A 63:149–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Zappalorto M, Salviato M, Quaresimin M (2013) Mixed mode (I+II) fracture toughness of nanoclay nanocomposites. Eng Fract Mech 111:50–64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Shen MY, Chang TY, Hsieh TH, Li YL, Chiang CL, Yang H, Yip MC (2013) Mechanical properties and tensile fatigue of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced polymer nanocomposites. J Nanomater 2013:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  22. Wang PN, Hsieh TH, Chiang CL, Shen MY (2015) Synergetic effects of mechanical properties on graphene nanoplatelet and multiwalled carbon nanotube hybrids reinforced epoxy/carbon fiber composites. J Nanomater 2015:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  23. Ahmadi-Moghadam B, Taheri F (2015) Influence of graphene nanoplatelets on modes I, II, and III interlaminar fracture toughness of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. Eng Fract Mech 143:97–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Yeh MK, Tai NH, Liu JH (2006) Mechanical behavior of phenolic-based composites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Carbon 44:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Yeh MK, Tai NH, Liu YJ (2008) Mechanical properties of phenolic-based nanocomposites reinforced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon fibers. Compos Part A 39:677–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Tai NH, Yeh MK, Peng TH (2008) Experimental study and theoretical analysis on the mechanical properties of SWNTs/phenolic composites. Compos Part B 39:926–932

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Yeh MK, Hsieh TH, Tai NH (2008) Fabrication and mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/epoxy nanocomposites. Mater Sci Eng A 483–484:289–292

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Hsieh TH, Kinloch AJ, Taylor AC, Kinloch IA (2011) The effect of carbon nanotubes on the fracture toughness and fatigue performance of a thermosetting epoxy polymer. J Mater Sci 46:7525–7535. doi:10.1007/s10853-011-5724-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Bal S (2010) Experimental study of mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanofiber/epoxy composites. Mater Des 31:2406–2413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Pekala RW (1989) Organic aerogels from the polycondensation of resorcinol with formaldehyde. J Mater Sci 24:3221–3227. doi:10.1007/BF01139044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Frackowiak E, Beguin F (2001) Carbon materials for the electrochemical storage of energy in capacitors. Carbon 39:937–950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Lee YJ, Park HW, Park S, Song IK (2012) Electrochemical properties of Mn-doped activated carbon aerogel as electrode material for supercapacitor. Curr Appl Phys 12:233–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Li J, Wang X, Huang Q, Gamboa S, Sebastian PJ (2006) Studies on preparation and performances of carbon aerogel electrodes for the application of supercapacitor. J Power Sour 158:784–788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Qin CL, Lu X, Yin GP, Bai XD, Jin Z (2009) Activated nitrogen-enriched carbon/carbon aerogel nanocomposites for supercapacitor applications. Trans Nonferr Met Soc 19:738–742

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Mirzaeian M, Hall PJ (2009) Preparation of controlled porosity carbon aerogels for energy storage in rechargeable lithium oxygen batteries. Electrochim Acta 54:7444–7451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Jiang S, Zhang Z, Lai Y, Qu Y, Wang X, Li J (2014) Selenium encapsulated into 3D interconnected hierarchical porous carbon aerogels for lithium-selenium batteries with high rate performance and cycling stability. J Power Sour 267:394–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Zhang Z, Jiang S, Lai Y, Li J, Song J, Li J (2015) Selenium sulfide@mesoporous carbon aerogel composite for rechargeable lithium batteries with good electrochemical performance. J Power Sour 284:95–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Smirnova A, Dong X, Hara H, Vasiliev A, Sammes N (2005) Novel carbon aerogel-supported catalysts for PEM fuel cell application. Int J Hydrogen Energy 30:149–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Zhu H, Guo Z, Zhang X, Han K, Guo Y, Wang F, Wang Z, Wei Y (2012) Methanol-tolerant carbon aerogel-supported Pt-Au catalysts for direct methanol fuel cell. Int J Hydrogen Energy 37:873–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Marie J, Chenitz R, Chatenet M, Berton-Fabry S, Cornet N, Achard P (2009) Highly porous PEM fuel cell cathodes based on low density carbon aerogels as Pt-support: experimental study of the mass-transport losses. J Power Sour 190:423–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Yang X, Sun Y, Shi D, Liu J (2011) Experimental investigation on mechanical properties of a fiber-reinforced silica aerogel composite. Mater Sci Eng A 528:4830–4836

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Hsieh TH, Huang YS, Shen MY (2015) Mechanical properties and toughness of carbon aerogel/epoxy polymer composites. J Mater Sci 50:3258–3266. doi:10.1007/s10853-015-8897-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Hsieh TH, Liang CH (2014) Improvement of impact absorbed energy of CFRPs on adding the nanoparticles into epoxy resins. J Chem Chem Eng 8:692–697

    Google Scholar 

  44. ASTM D3171 (2015) Standard test methods of constituent content of composite materials. ASTM, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  45. ASTM D3039 (2014) Standard test method for tensile properties of polymer matrix composite materials. ASTM, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  46. ASTM D3410 (2016) Standard test method for compressive properties of polymer matrix composite materials with unsupported gage section by shear loading. ASTM, West Conshohocken

    Google Scholar 

  47. ISO-15024 (2001) Fiber-reinforced plastic composites—determination of mode I interlaminar fracture toughness, G IC, for unidirectionally reinforced materials. ISO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  48. Willams JG (1987) Large displacement and end block effects in the DCB interlaminar test in Mode I and Mode II. J Compos Mater 21:330–347

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. ISO-15114 (2014) Fiber-reinforced plastic composites—determination of mode II fracture resistance for unidirectionally reinforced materials using the calibrated end-loaded split (C-ELS) test and an effective crack length approach. ISO, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  50. Blanco J, Garcia EJ, Villoria RG, Wardle BL (2009) Limiting mechanisms of Mode I interlaminar of composites reinforced with aligned carbon nanotubes. J Compos Mater 43:825–841

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Zare Y (2015) Effects of interphase on tensile strength of polymer/CNT nanocomposites by Kelly-Tyson theory. Mech Mater 85:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan, for financially supporting this research under Contract Nos. MOST-103-2221-E-151-017 and MOST-104-2221-E-151-057.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mold and Die Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, No. 415, Jiangong Rd., Sanmin Dist., Kaohsiung City, 807, Taiwan, ROC

    Tsung-Han Hsieh & Yau-Shian Huang

Authors
  1. Tsung-Han Hsieh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yau-Shian Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tsung-Han Hsieh.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Hsieh, TH., Huang, YS. The mechanical properties and delamination of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer laminates modified with carbon aerogel. J Mater Sci 52, 3520–3534 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0646-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-016-0646-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation