Influence of microfillers addition on the flexural properties of carbon fiber reinforced phenolic composites

Abstract

The effects of microfiller addition on the flexural properties of carbon fiber reinforced phenolic (CFRP) matrix composites were investigated. The CFRP was produced using colloidal silica and silicon carbide (SiC) microfillers, 2 D woven carbon fibers, and two variants of phenolic resole (HRJ-15881 and SP-6877). The resins have the same phenol and solid content but differ in their viscosities and HCHO (formaldehyde) content. The weight fractions of microfillers incorporated into the phenolic matrix are 0.5 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 1.5 wt.%, and 2 wt.%. Flexural properties were determined using a three-point bending test and the damage evolution under flexural loading was investigated using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that the reinforcement of phenolic resins with carbon fibers increased the flexural strength of the HRJ-15881 and SP-6877 by 508% and 909%, respectively. The flexural strength of the CFRP composites further increased with the addition of SiC particles up to 1 wt.% SiC but decreased with further increase in the amount of SiC particles. On the other hand, the flexural modulus of the CFRP composites generally decreased with the addition of SiC microfiller. Both the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the CFRP did not improve with the addition of colloidal silica particles. The decrease in flexural properties is caused by the agglomeration of the microfillers, with colloidal silica exhibiting more tendency for agglomeration than SiC. The fractured surfaces revealed fiber breakage, matrix cracking, and delamination under flexural loading. The tendency for failure worsened at microfiller addition of ≥1.5 wt.%.

RETRACTED: Tribological and microstructure studies of LM26/SiC metal matrix composite materials and structures for high temperature applications

“…The aerospace and automotive industries require a material that has a combination of unique properties including light weight, hardness, strength, stiffness, and wear resistance. Composites, which are fabricated by combining two or more different components, are often the only materials that can meet the diverse and demanding requirements of modern engineering applications [8,9]. Pank and Jackson [10] reported that MMCs with capabilities to withstand high temperature offer unique application for airspace industries by providing high strength and high modulus fibers.…”

Dynamic Impact Properties of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Phenolic Composites Containing Microfillers

“…PEG has long molecular chains tend to disrupt the mutual a raction between individual microfiller particles, thereb moting their uniform dispersion in the phenolic resins [37,38]. A detailed description of the dispersion of colloidal silica (CS) and SiC microfil the phenolic resins can be found in the work of Abdulganiyu et al [54]. To provide f context, CS was mixed with PEG in a ratio of 2:1 to form a shear-thickening fluid By shear thickening, we mean an increase in viscosity with increasing rate of shear during mechanical deformation [55].…”

Preparation of Carbon Nanotubes/Alumina Hybrid-Filled Phenolic Composite with Enhanced Wear Resistance

“…Phenolic is also one of the essential ingredients used in friction material as it is a strong binder, and high-strength binders improve the overall friction materials’ performance [ 9 ]. There is literature that discusses the improvement of phenolic’s properties when reinforced with fillers such as alumina, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, talc, copper, carbon black, graphite, and CNTs [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”