Influence of POSS nanoparticles on the microstructure and mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

Abstract

The possibility to design composites with superior properties by incorporation of nanoscale reinforcing material still remains to be fulfilled. In the current study, bisphenol A diglycidyl ether-based epoxy resin has been successfully modified with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanoparticles to give epoxy/POSS nanocomposites. Carbon fiber reinforced composites with different fiber orientations are processed via vacuum bagging technique using this composite as the matrix. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that POSS nanofillers homogeneously distributed in the matrix. As proved by the tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear strength tests, the inclusion of POSS nanofillers in the polymer matrix has promoted significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber reinforced POSS/epoxy hybrid composites compared to the analogues with neat epoxy matrix. Thus, hybrid composites with exceptional properties are obtained via a straightforward modification in the matrix and a novel paradigm without using any expensive compound has been added to the library of nanocomposite formulations.

Healable carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites: Synchronous healing of matrix and interface damage

“…The inclusion of POSS nanofillers in the polymer matrix has promoted significant improvements in the mechanical properties of the carbon fiber (CF) reinforced composites compared to the original composites. [33] Octaglycidyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (gly-POSS) was successfully grafted on CFs surface to enhance interfacial properties and impact toughness of CFs reinforced methylphenylsilicone resin (MPSR) composites. [34] Although there has been remarkable progress in healing composites over the past decade, the technology to healing damage of matrix and interface synchronously presents challenges.…”

Polydopamine and polyethyleneimine comodified carbon fibers/epoxy composites with gradual and alternate rigid‐flexible structures: Design, characterizations, interfacial, and mechanical properties

“…Chang and coworkers [ 8 ] demonstrated that amorphous carbon as an intermediate layer between CFs and the sponge was essential to enhance the mechanical strength and toughness of the material interface. Kurtulus et al [ 9 ] incorporated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles as heterogeneous layer to design CF‐reinforced epoxy (EP) composites (CFRPs) with superior properties. Although heterogeneous layer has a significant impact on improving the functions and properties of the formed composites, the influences of grafted components of both rigid and flexible parts that make up the interface layer on the structure and properties of the composite interface have not been investigated in detail.…”

Structural performance evaluation of hybrid polymer composites for critical infrastructure pick-and-place robot grippers using silica nanoparticles

“…This study intends to assess the structural performance and applicability of hybrid polymer composites for pick-and-place robot grippers, automobile and aerospace structures used in critical situations (Harries, 2014). Specifically, in critical infrastructure pick-and-place robot grippers, the structural performance of hybrid polymer composites is assessed using the quasi-static sequence approach, which is a specialized technique to enhance mechanical characteristics of the composite structures (Wondu and Kim, 2023;Kurtulus et al, 2021). This quasi-static sequence method enables a complete understanding of how these composites perform under various loading scenarios, thereby providing essential knowledge for designing and fabricating critical infrastructure pick-and-place robot grippers, automobile and aerospace structures (Portico et al, 2021).…”