Specific influence of polyethersulfone functionalization on the delamination toughness of modified carbon fiber reinforced polymer processed by resin transfer molding

Abstract

The specific influence of polyethersulfone (PES) end‐functionalization with chlorine or hydroxyl end groups at same molar mass on PES‐epoxy composites based on a high‐performance tetra‐epoxide with di‐amine hardener resin (RTM6) is investigated in terms of morphology, thermal behavior, and toughness. A model study on PES filaments embedded in epoxy precursor is first performed to compare the interdiffusion and resulting morphology upon curing. PES‐OH shows a larger interdiffusion distance compared to PES‐Cl in the model systems and the laminates. This effect is more pronounced at high heating rate. Cross sections and fracture surfaces of composite panels are analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy to establish the link between the microstructures and fracture mechanisms. The toughness of PES‐OH‐modified epoxy composites is doubled compared to unmodified reference panels, whereas the PES‐Cl shows no improvement. The favorable influence of PES‐OH is ascribed to enhanced miscibility, interfacial adhesion and morphology, resulting from the better affinity between hydroxyl‐terminated PES and the epoxy‐resin. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:996–1009, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers

Surface functionalization of thermoset composite for infrared hybrid welding

“…The most popular tougheners are polysulfone (PSF), polyethersulfone (PES) and PEI, which are typically high glass temperature amorphous thermoplastics. Through the experimental analysis of the thermoplastic filament section embedded in the thermoset matrix, swelling kinetics have been observed by measuring the diffusion distance [5]. The diffusion distance is strongly dependent on the isothermal temperature and duration prior to thermoset crosslinking.…”

3D-MID Technology for Surface Modification of Polymer-Based Composites: A Comprehensive Review

“…PES can be chemically metalized by surface treatment printing and metallization under vacuum or galvanization after appropriate pretreatment process. Moreover, PES is not only chemically resistant to ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, and aromatics, but also can include highly polar solvents [ 161 , 162 , 163 , 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 ].…”

“…It exhibits high strength, rigidity and hardness across a wide temperature range from −100 to +200 • C. Their Tg is about 225 • C. PES can be chemically metalized by surface treatment printing and metallization under vacuum or galvanization after appropriate pretreatment process. Moreover, PES is not only chemically resistant to ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, and aromatics, but also can include highly polar solvents [161][162][163][164][165][166][167].…”

Thermoset modified with polyethersulfone: Characterization and control of the morphology

“…The phase separation occurs also later during the curing process. In another study, it was shown that the presence of reactive end‐group on TP favored a stronger interface between TP and epoxy and improve the toughness of the material [15]. The relative miscibility of the components in the initial systems is also described as a parameter of choice that influences the phase separation behavior [8, 14].…”