Influence of thermo-oxidative aging on the impact property of conventional and graphene-based carbon fabric composites

Abstract

The effects of reinforced structure (three-dimensional braided preform and laminated plain woven fabric) and graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced hierarchical interface on the impact properties of carbon fabric composites after thermo-oxidative aging were investigated. The results indicated that the impact properties decreased with increasing aging time due to the degradation of the matrix and fiber-matrix interface. After exposure to 140 C for 1200 h, the peak impact force and impact strength retention rates of 3D-braided graphene nanoplatelet-coated carbon fiber-reinforced composite were 13% and 8% higher than those of the laminated composite, respectively. One of the reasons was the graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced gradient interphase may provide an effective shield against interface oxidation, transfer the localized thermal stress, and restrict the movement of the different phase of the materials at the composites interface. Another reason was the integrated structure of the 3D-braided composite can make the fiber bear impact force together although the resin was damaged and the adhesive force between fiber bundles and resin decreased after thermo-oxidative aging. This synergetic reinforcing effect of 3D-braided structure and graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced hierarchical interface provides an easy and effective way to design and improve the thermo-oxidative stability of carbon fiber-reinforced composites.

Accelerated thermal ageing of epoxy resin and 3-D carbon fiber/epoxy braided composites

“…Tsotsis [2][3][4][5] found that the weight loss during thermo-gravimetric test could not be used as criteria for material acceptance. The properties' changes, such as mechanical properties [6][7][8][9][10][11][12], physical properties [13], thermal conductivity [14] and the development of microcracks [15][16][17] caused by thermal treatment have been extensively studied and documented. Compared with isothermal ageing, thermal cycling can accelerate the damage processes and especially the matrix crack propagation from the surfaces to the core of the laminate [18].…”

Dynamic compressive behavior in different loading directions of 3D braided composites with different braiding angle

“…Many researchers have conducted study on the internal configuration and relative cross section assumption (Fang, et al 2009;Li, et al 2010), the elastic properties and strengths prediction and failure analysis of the braided composites. Different experimental, analytical, and numerical methods were employed (Ge et al 2018;Li et al 2014;Zhang et al 2015;Fan et al 2015;Wang et al 2018).…”

Random process model of mechanical property degradation in carbon fiber-reinforced plastics under thermo-oxidative aging

“…Under such conditions oxidation reaction/diffusion phenomena take place within the CFRPs and result in the deterioration of the matrix (such as weight loss, embrittlement, and chain scissions) and the fiber/matrix interfaces. 2–6 The thermo-oxidative degradation occurs initially at the outer surface of the composite and proceeds inwards via a diffusion mechanism. 7–10 Simultaneously, micro-cracks may occur due to the mismatches in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the fibers and matrix, as well as the resin shrinkage 11 caused by thermo-oxidative aging (TOA).…”