Crashworthiness characteristics of a carbon fiber reinforced dual-phase epoxy–polyurea hybrid matrix composite

Abstract

The crashworthiness characteristics of rectangular tubes made from a carbon-fiber reinforced hybrid-polymeric matrix (CHMC) composite were investigated using quasistatic and impact crush tests. The hybrid matrix formulation of the CHMC was created by combining an epoxy-based thermosetting polymer with a lightly crosslinked polyurea elastomer at various cure-time intervals and volumetric ratios. The load-displacement responses of both CHMC and carbon-fiber reinforced epoxy (CF/epoxy) specimens were obtained under various crushing speeds; and crashworthiness parameters, such as the average crushing force and specific energy absorption (SEA), were calculated using subsequent load-displacement relationships. The CHMC maintained a high level of structural integrity and post-crush performance, relative to traditional CF/epoxy. The influence of the curing time and volumetric ratios of the polyurea/ epoxy dual-hybridized matrix system on the crashworthiness parameters was also investigated. The results reveal that the load carrying capacity and total energy absorption tend to increase with greater polyurea thickness and lower elapsed reaction curing time of the epoxy although this is typically a function of the loading rate. Finally, the mechanism by which the CHMC provides increased damage tolerance was also investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Micromechanics for a long fibre reinforced composite model with a functionally graded interphase

“…CFRP is of particular interest as it provides exceptionally high stiffness and strength to weight ratios and is of interest in applications in the transportation industry [2,4,5]. The most common matrix material used is thermosetting epoxy resin.…”

“…Composite materials show promise for use in structural automotive applications for energy absorbing members [4,5]. One critical aspect of composite mechanics is the load transfer between the matrix and reinforcing fibres in the composite material over the interface between the materials taken into account through micromechanics modelling.…”

Cure behaviors and mechanical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced nylon6/epoxy blended matrix composites

“…Their low toughness, especially in the presence of sharp cracks, reduce their applicability in various industries. Hence, improved toughness of brittle epoxies is greatly desired [11][12][13][14][15]. The toughness of epoxies has often been successfully enhanced by incorporating a second phase, such as rubber [16] or thermoplastic polymers [17].…”

Improved mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites with hyperbranched polymer grafting glass-fiber

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Recently, fibers-reinforced epoxy composites have attracted many attentions. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Studies show that with a small amount of fibers, generally <5wt%, dispersed in an epoxy resin substantial improvement in the mechanical properties can be achieved. [16][17][18] The incorporation of fiber into epoxy matrix offers many advantages over the non-reinforced or pristine materials counterparts, but the notable disadvantage of fiber, nor nature or synthetic fiber, is its weak combination with epoxy matrix.…”