• Carbon letters
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• v.19
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• pp.47-56
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• 2016

In this study, the fracture behavior of a thermoplastic-modified epoxy resin reinforced with continuous carbon fibers for two levels of fiber-matrix adhesion was performed. A carbon fiber with commercial sizing was used and also treated with a known silane, (3-glycidoxy propyl trimethoxysilane) coupling agent. Toughness was determined using the double cantilever test, together with surface analysis after failure using scanning electron microscope. The presence of polysulfone particles improved the fracture behavior of the composite, but fiber-matrix adhesion seemed to play a very important role in the performance of the composite material. There appeared to be a synergy between the matrix modifier and the fiber-matrix adhesion coupling agent.

• Composites Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.186-189
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• 2024

This study compared and evaluated the mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP) mixed with nanofillers. After mixing various nanofillers such as Multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), Silicon oxide, Core shell rubber, and Aramid nanofiber with Polyamide 6 (PA6) resin, this is used as a matrix to create a carbon fiber reinforced composite material (CFRP) was manufactured and its physical properties were measured. Depending on the type and mixing ratio of nanofiller, tensile strength, inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS), and Izod impact strength were measured. In terms of tensile strength and impact strength, the highest values were obtained when mixing core shell rubber, however the ILSS was optimal when mixing less than 1 wt.% of silicon oxide.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.365-370
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• 2017

Mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites (CFRTPs) are affected by various factors. One of the them are poor compatibility of the epoxy sizing layer on the carbon fiber surface with thermoplastic matrix, which causes the inferior interfacial strength between fibers and matrix. In addition, the high molten-viscosity of thermoplastics attributes to the poor impregnation state. Consequently, many voids in the composite materials were generated, which leads to poor mechanical properties of the thermoplastic composites. In this study, the epoxy sizing on the carbon fiber surface was removed and the polyamide 6,6 solution was coated on the de-sized carbon fiber surface to improve the impregnation state and mechanical properties. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CFRPTs was estimated by implementing short beam shear tests. In addition, flexural strength was measured and the impregnation state of the composites was evaluated by calculating void content.

• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.76-88
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• 2013

Carbon fibers (CFs) have high service temperature, strength, and stiffness, and low weight. They are widely used as reinforcing materials in advanced polymer composites. The role of the polymer matrix in the composites is to provide bulk to the composite laminate and transfer load between the fibers. The interface between the CF and the resin matrix plays a critical role in controlling the overall properties of the composites. This paper aims to review the synthesis, properties, and applications of polymer matrices, such as thermosetting and thermoplastic resins.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.168-175
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• 2015

Recently, the applications of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs) have become broader than ever when it comes to such industries as automotive, ships, aerospace and military because of their lightweight-ness and high mechanical properties. Thermosetting plastics like epoxy are frequently used as the binding matrix in CFRPs due to their high hardness, wetting characteristics and low viscosity. However, they cannot melted and remolded. For this reason, thermosetting plastic wastes have caused serious environmental problems with the production of fiber reinforced plastics. Thus, many studies have focused on the carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastics (CFRTPs) and recycling carbon fiber. In this study, recycled carbon fiber (RCF) was prepared from CFRPs using a pyrolysis method, which was employed to separate resin and carbon fiber. The degree of decomposition for epoxy resin was confirmed from thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The RCF was cut and ground to prepare a carbon fiber composite sheet (CFCS). CFCS was manufactured by applying recycled carbon fibers and various thermoplastic fibers. Various characterizations were performed, including morphological analyses of surface and cross-section, mechanical properties, and crystallization enthalpy of CFCS at different cooling conditions.

• Design & Manufacturing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.39-44
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• 2021

In molding of continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, it is very difficult to impregnate between the reinforcements and the matrix since the matrix has a high melting temperature and high viscosity. Therefore, most of composite molding processes are divided in the manufacturing processes of intermediate materials called prepreg and the forming of products from intermediate materials. The divided process requires additional facilities and thermoforming, and they increase the cycle time and cost of composite products. These problems can be resolved by combining the continuous fiber-reinforced composite molding process with injection molding. However, when a composite material is manufactured by inserting woven fabric into the injection mold, poor impregnation occurs on the surface of the molded product. It affects the properties of the composites. In this paper, through an impregnation experiment using cores with different heat transfer rates and pore densities, the reason for the poor impregnation was confirmed, and molding experiments were conducted to produce composite with improved surface impregnation by inserting the mesh. And also, the surface impregnation and deformation of composites molded using different types of mesh were compared with each other.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.290-295
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• 2021

The application of lightweight structural composites to automobiles as a solution in line with global fuel economy regulations to curb global warming is recognized as a megatrend. This study was conducted to provide a technical approach that can respond to the issue of replacing parts that require conductive properties to maximize the application of thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs), which are advantageous in terms of repair, disposal and recycling. By utilizing the properties of the low-viscosity polymerizable oligomer matrix, it was possible to prepare a thermoplastic CFRP exhibiting excellent impregnation properties while uniformly mixing the conductive filler. Various carbon-based conductive fillers such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, graphite, and pitch-based carbon fibers were filled up to the maximum content, and electrical and thermal conductive properties of the fabricated composites were compared and studied. It was confirmed that the maximum incorporation of filler was the most important factor to control the conductive properties of the composites rather than the type or shape of the conductive carbon filler. Experimental results were observed in which it might be advantageous to apply a one-dimensional conductive carbon filler to improve electrical conductivity, whereas it might be advantageous to apply a two-dimensional conductive carbon filler to improve thermal conductivity. The results of this study can provide potential insight into the optimization of structural design for controlling the conductive properties of thermoplastic CFRPs.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.475-493
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• 2020

This paper is focused on the characterization of the thermomechanical properties of semicrystalline poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEKK) and of carbon fiberreinforced thermoplastic based laminated composites (C/PEKK) below and above the glass transition temperature (T_g). Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and tensile tests are carried out on both pure PEKK polymer and [(±45)₂, +45]_s C/PEKK composite samples, showing a significant similarity in behavior. The employment of a simple micromechanical model confirms that the mechanical and physical behavior of the polymer and that of the matrix in the composite are similar.

• Carbon letters
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• v.25
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

This study suggests the novel thermoplastic toughening agent, which can be applied in the monomer forms without increasing the viscosity of the epoxy resin and polymerized during the resin curing. The diazide (p-BAB) and dialkyne (SPB) compounds are synthesized and mixed with the epoxy resin and the carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites are prepared using vacuum infusion process (VIP). Then, flexural and drop weight tests are performed to evaluate the improvement in the toughness of the prepared composites to investigate the potential of the novel toughening agent. When 10 phr of p-BAB and SPB is added, the flexural properties are improved, maintaining the modulus as well as the toughness is improved. Even with a small amount of polytriazolesulfone polymerized, due to the filtering effect of the solid SPB by the layered carbon fabrics during the VIP, the toughening and strengthening effect were observed from the novel toughening agent, which could be added in monomer forms, p-BAB and SPB. This suggests that the novel toughening agent has a potential to be used for the composites prepared from viscosity sensitive process, such as resin transfer molding and VIP.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Demand for energy consumption reduction is increasing according to the development expectations of future mobility. Lightweight structural materials are known as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. In particular, fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRP) is attracting attention as a material that can replace existing metal alloys due to its excellent mechanical properties and light weight. In this paper, industrial applications and research trends of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP, carbon FRP) and self-reinforced composites (SRC) were reviewed based on the reinforcement, polymer matrix, and manufacturing process. In order to overcome the expensive process cost and long manufacturing time of the epoxy resin-based autoclave method, which is mainly used in the aircraft field, mass production of CFRP-applied electric vehicles has been reported using a high-pressure resin transfer molding process including fast-curing epoxy. In addition, thermoplastic resin-based CFRP and interface enhancement methods to solve the recycling issue of carbon fiber composites were reviewed in terms of materials and processes. To form a perfect matrix-reinforcement interface, which is known as the major factor inducing the excellent mechanical properties of FRP, studies on SRC impregnated with the same matrix in polymer fibers have been reported. The physical and mechanical properties of SRC based on various thermoplastic polymers were reviewed in terms of polymer orientation and composite structure. In addition, a copolymer matrix strategy for extending the processing window of highly drawn polypropylene fiber-based SRC was discussed. The application of CFRP and SRC as lightweight structural materials can provide potential options for improving the energy efficiency of future mobility.