• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.229-236
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• 2019

In this study, the effects of the additional processing parameters on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic composites fabricated with automated fiber placement (AFP) were evaluated. Annealing and vacuum bag only processes were then performed on the manufactured thermoplastic composites, respectively. For verification, the crystallinity was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), confirming the variation of semi-crystalline thermoplastic composite according to the process conditions. The void content of thermoplastic composites was evaluated by matrix digestion method while microscopic examination confirmed the porosity distribution. The interlaminar shear strength test was conducted for three different process parameters (VBO, annealing, and no treatment). A comparison of the three tested strengths was made, revealing that the porosity value had larger effect on the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic composite compared to the degree of crystallinity. Additionally, when thermoplastic composite melted up, the pores were continuously removed under vacuum process; the removal of the pores resulted in an increase of the interlaminar shear strength.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.2945-2951
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• 2000

Because of the inherent flexibility in their design for improved material properties, composites have wide applications in aerospace vehicles and automobiles. The purpose of this study is to investigate the energy absorption characteristics of CFRP( Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics); tubes on static and impact tests. Static compression tests have been carried out using the static testing machine(Shin-gang buckling testing machine)and impact compression tests have been carried out using the vertival crushing testing machine. When such tubes were subjected to crushing loads, the response is complex and depends on the interaction between the different mechanisms that control the crushing process. The collapse characteristics and energy absorption were examined. Trigger and interlaminar number affect energy absorption capability of CFRP tubes.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2021

The mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy composites (CFRPs) are greatly dependent on the interfacial adhesion between the carbon fibers and the epoxy matrix. Introducing nanomaterial reinforcements into the interface is an effective approach to enhance the interfacial adhesion of CFRPs. The main purpose of this work was to introduce graphitic nanofiber (GNFs) between an epoxy matrix and carbon fibers to enhance interfacial properties. The composites were reinforced with various concentrations of GNFs. For all of the fabricated composites, the optimum GNF content was found to be 0.6 wt%, which enhanced the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and fracture toughness (KIC) by 101.9% and 33.2%, respectively, compared with those of neat composites. In particular, we observed a direct linear relationship between ILSS and KIC through surface free energy. The related reinforcing mechanisms were also analyzed and the enhancements in mechanical properties are mainly attributed to the interfacial interlocking effect. Such an effort could accelerate the conversion of composites into high performance materials and provide fundamental understanding toward realizing the theoretical limits of interfacial adhesion and mechanical properties.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.567-573
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• 2015

This paper aims to evaluate the variation in the mechanical properties of carbon/epoxy composites under in situ low- and high-temperature environments. In situ low- and high-temperature environments were simulated with temperature ranging from $-40^{\circ}C$ to $220^{\circ}C$ using an environmental chamber and furnace. The variation in the mechanical properties of the composites was measured for longitudinal and transverse tensile properties, in-plane shear properties and interlaminar shear strength. Under the low temperature of $-40^{\circ}C$, all mechanical properties increased moderately compared to the baseline properties measured at room temperature. The changes in the longitudinal tensile properties decreased moderately with increasing temperature. However, transverse tensile properties, in-plane shear properties and interlaminar shear strength each showed a significant drop due to the glass transition behavior of the matrix after $140^{\circ}C$. Notably, the tensile property value near $100^{\circ}C$ increased compared to baseline property value, which was an unusual occurrence. This behavior was a direct result of post-curing of the epoxy resin due to its exposure to high temperature.

• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.58-61
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• 2013

In this work, the effect of catalysts on the mechanical properties of carbon fibers-reinforced epoxy matrix composites cured by cationic latent thermal catalysts, i.e., N-benzylpyrazinium hexafluoroantimonate (BPH) was studied. Differential scanning calorimetry was executed for thermal characterization of the epoxy matrix system. Mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were studied by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$), and specific fracture energy ($G_{IC}$). As a result, the conversion of neat epoxy matrix cured by BPH was higher than that of one cured by diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The ILSS, $K_{IC}$, $G_{IC}$, and impact strength of the composites cured by BPH were also superior to those of the composites cured by DDM. This was probably the consequence of the effect of the substituted benzene group of BPH catalyst, resulting in an increase in the cross-link density and structural stability of the composites studied.

• The Korean Journal of Ceramics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.390-394
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• 1999

Al2O3 particles were dispersed into carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites to fabricate hybrid epoxy based composites. Interface behavior and mechanical properties of these hybrid composites were studied at room and liquid nitrogen temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature and the results were compared with the those of carbon fiber reinforced composites to investigate their applicability at room and cryogenic temperature. Young's modulus in-perpendicular to fiber direction and interlaminar shear strength at room temperature and the thermal contraction down to cryhogenic temperature were improved significantly by the addition of AL2O3 filler into the epoxy matrix. The effect of Al2O3 particle addition on mechanical properties were discussed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.3-6
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• 2003

In this work, poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning to prepare nanofibers-reinforced composites. And the PEO powders-impregnated composites were also prepared to compare with physicochemical properties of nanofibers-reinforced composites. Morphology and fiber diameter of PEO nanofibers were determined by SEM observation. Mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were investigated in fracture toughness tests and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) test. As a result, the fiber diameter decreased in increasing applied voltage. However the optimum condition for the fiber formation was 15 ㎸, resulting from increasing of jet instability at high voltage and the prepared PEO nanofibers were useful in fiber reinforced composites. The PEO-based nanofibers-reinforced composites showed an improvement of fracture toughness factors ($K_{IC} and G_{ IC}$) and ILSS, compared to the composites impregnated with PEO powders. These results were noted that the nanofibers had higher specific surface area and larger aspect ratio than those of the powder, which played an important role in improving the mechanical interfacial properties of the composites.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.167-185
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• 2009

Environmental problems caused by extensive use of polymeric materials arise mainly due to lack of landfill space and depletion of finite natural resources of fossil raw materials like petroleum or natural gas. The substitution of synthetic petroleum-based resins with natural biodegradable resins appears to be one appropriate measure to remedy the above-mentioned situation. This study presents the development of a composite that uses environmentally degradable starch-based resin as matrix and natural mineral basalt fibres as reinforcement, and investigates the fibre's and the composite's mechanical properties. The tensile strength of single basalt fibres was verified by means of single fibre tensile tests and statistically investigated by means of a Weibull analysis. Prepreg sheets were manufactured by means of a modified doctor blade system and hot power press. The sheets were used to manufacture specimens with fibre volume contents ranging from 33% to 61%. Specimens were tested for tensile strength, flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength. Composites manufactured during this study exhibited tensile and flexural strength of up to 517 MPa and 157 MPa, respectively.

• Carbon letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2008

Multidirectional reinforcement is aimed primarily at overcoming interlaminar weakness, hence a major interest lies in the mechanical properties of multidirectional carbon/carbon composites. Mechanical properties depend on the type of carbon fiber, the size of the fiber bundle, the spacing of the bundles, the angles of the bundles relative to the axes of the block, and matrix formation. In the present studies, PAN based carbon fiber preforms manufactured different size of unit cell have been prepared. Densification of these used high pressure infiltration and carbonization technique with coal tar pitch as matrix precursor was carried out. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to study the fracture behavior of composites. The size of unit cell of the preforms has considerably affected on the flexural properties as well as microstructure of the carbon/carbon composites.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.749-756
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• 2011

Most experimental studies on durability of FRP reinforcements subjected to high temperature have focused on the effect of high temperature only on tensile properties. But FRP reinforcement used in newly constructed concrete structure is first degraded by moisture and alkaline environment of concrete. When the structure is subjected to fire, the degraded FRP reinforcement is exposed to high temperature. Therefore, the effects of concrete environment and high temperature should be simultaneously considered for evaluation of FRP reinforcement damaged by fire. In this study, FRP reinforcements submerged in simulated solutions of pH 12.3 and 7 for extended period of time were subjected to temperatures of $60^{\circ}C$, $100^{\circ}C$, $150^{\circ}C$, and $300^{\circ}C$ to be examined. In order to investigate the effect of the high temperature, interlaminar shear strengths were measured and compared to those of control ones. The experimental results demonstrated that the combined effect of concrete environment and high temperature on properties of FRP reinforcement was more significant than the effect of high temperature or concrete environment solely.