Multi-scale reinforcement of CFRPs using carbon nanofibers

M. J. Palmeri; K. W. Putz; T. Ramanathan; L. C. Brinson

doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.10.006

Multi-scale reinforcement of CFRPs using carbon nanofibers

M. J. Palmeri, K. W. Putz, T. Ramanathan, L. C. Brinson^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, stacked-cup carbon nanofibers (CNF) were dispersed in the matrix phase of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites based on a high-performance epoxy system with and without modification by an elastomeric triblock copolymer (TCP) for increased toughness. The addition of the TCP provided an enhancement in toughness at the cost of a slight degradation in modulus and strength. The CNFs, on the other hand, provided significantly enhanced strength and stiffness in matrix-dominated configurations, including tension of quasi-isotropic composites and short beam shear strength of both quasi-isotropic and unidirectional composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed enhanced adhesion between the matrix and carbon fibers with the addition of either TCP or CNFs. However, CNF agglomeration in the studied systems partially offset the energy dissipation processes brought about by the nanofibers, thereby limiting interlaminar fracture toughness enhancements by CNF addition. These results show good promise for CNFs as low-cost reinforcement for composites while offering insight into the codependent morphologies of multi-scale phases and their influence over bulk properties.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	79-86
Number of pages	8
Journal	Composites Science and Technology
Volume	71
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.10.006
State	Published - Jan 17 2011

Funding

Financial support was provided by the Ford-Boeing-Northwestern (FBN) alliance, Grant number 81132882 and the National Science Foundation (NSF) MRSEC program, Grant number DMR-0520513. Mechanical testing was performed in the Central Laboratory for Materials Mechanical Properties (CLAMMP) in Northwestern University. Scanning electron microscopy was performed in the EPIC facility of the NUANCE Center at Northwestern University. NUANCE is supported by NSF-NSEC, NSF-MRSEC, Keck Foundation, the State of Illinois, and Northwestern University. We thank Thomas Tsotsis of the Boeing Company and Robert Buyny of Hexcel, Corp. for their input in preparing and testing the composite systems. We thank Grupo Antolín Ingeniería and Huntsman, Corp. for supplying the carbon nanofibers and epoxy materials, respectively. We also thank Hexcel, Corp. for supplying and prepregging the continuous carbon fibers used in this study.

Keywords

A. Carbon fibers
A. Hybrid composites
A. Nanocomposites
B. Fiber/matrix bond
B. Interface

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Ceramics and Composites
General Engineering

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10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.10.006

Cite this

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title = "Multi-scale reinforcement of CFRPs using carbon nanofibers",

abstract = "In this paper, stacked-cup carbon nanofibers (CNF) were dispersed in the matrix phase of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites based on a high-performance epoxy system with and without modification by an elastomeric triblock copolymer (TCP) for increased toughness. The addition of the TCP provided an enhancement in toughness at the cost of a slight degradation in modulus and strength. The CNFs, on the other hand, provided significantly enhanced strength and stiffness in matrix-dominated configurations, including tension of quasi-isotropic composites and short beam shear strength of both quasi-isotropic and unidirectional composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed enhanced adhesion between the matrix and carbon fibers with the addition of either TCP or CNFs. However, CNF agglomeration in the studied systems partially offset the energy dissipation processes brought about by the nanofibers, thereby limiting interlaminar fracture toughness enhancements by CNF addition. These results show good promise for CNFs as low-cost reinforcement for composites while offering insight into the codependent morphologies of multi-scale phases and their influence over bulk properties.",

keywords = "A. Carbon fibers, A. Hybrid composites, A. Nanocomposites, B. Fiber/matrix bond, B. Interface",

author = "Palmeri, {M. J.} and Putz, {K. W.} and T. Ramanathan and Brinson, {L. C.}",

note = "Funding Information: Financial support was provided by the Ford-Boeing-Northwestern (FBN) alliance, Grant number 81132882 and the National Science Foundation (NSF) MRSEC program, Grant number DMR-0520513. Mechanical testing was performed in the Central Laboratory for Materials Mechanical Properties (CLAMMP) in Northwestern University. Scanning electron microscopy was performed in the EPIC facility of the NUANCE Center at Northwestern University. NUANCE is supported by NSF-NSEC, NSF-MRSEC, Keck Foundation, the State of Illinois, and Northwestern University. We thank Thomas Tsotsis of the Boeing Company and Robert Buyny of Hexcel, Corp. for their input in preparing and testing the composite systems. We thank Grupo Antol{\'i}n Ingenier{\'i}a and Huntsman, Corp. for supplying the carbon nanofibers and epoxy materials, respectively. We also thank Hexcel, Corp. for supplying and prepregging the continuous carbon fibers used in this study.",

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doi = "10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.10.006",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Palmeri, M. J.

AU - Putz, K. W.

AU - Ramanathan, T.

AU - Brinson, L. C.

N1 - Funding Information: Financial support was provided by the Ford-Boeing-Northwestern (FBN) alliance, Grant number 81132882 and the National Science Foundation (NSF) MRSEC program, Grant number DMR-0520513. Mechanical testing was performed in the Central Laboratory for Materials Mechanical Properties (CLAMMP) in Northwestern University. Scanning electron microscopy was performed in the EPIC facility of the NUANCE Center at Northwestern University. NUANCE is supported by NSF-NSEC, NSF-MRSEC, Keck Foundation, the State of Illinois, and Northwestern University. We thank Thomas Tsotsis of the Boeing Company and Robert Buyny of Hexcel, Corp. for their input in preparing and testing the composite systems. We thank Grupo Antolín Ingeniería and Huntsman, Corp. for supplying the carbon nanofibers and epoxy materials, respectively. We also thank Hexcel, Corp. for supplying and prepregging the continuous carbon fibers used in this study.

PY - 2011/1/17

Y1 - 2011/1/17

N2 - In this paper, stacked-cup carbon nanofibers (CNF) were dispersed in the matrix phase of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites based on a high-performance epoxy system with and without modification by an elastomeric triblock copolymer (TCP) for increased toughness. The addition of the TCP provided an enhancement in toughness at the cost of a slight degradation in modulus and strength. The CNFs, on the other hand, provided significantly enhanced strength and stiffness in matrix-dominated configurations, including tension of quasi-isotropic composites and short beam shear strength of both quasi-isotropic and unidirectional composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed enhanced adhesion between the matrix and carbon fibers with the addition of either TCP or CNFs. However, CNF agglomeration in the studied systems partially offset the energy dissipation processes brought about by the nanofibers, thereby limiting interlaminar fracture toughness enhancements by CNF addition. These results show good promise for CNFs as low-cost reinforcement for composites while offering insight into the codependent morphologies of multi-scale phases and their influence over bulk properties.

AB - In this paper, stacked-cup carbon nanofibers (CNF) were dispersed in the matrix phase of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites based on a high-performance epoxy system with and without modification by an elastomeric triblock copolymer (TCP) for increased toughness. The addition of the TCP provided an enhancement in toughness at the cost of a slight degradation in modulus and strength. The CNFs, on the other hand, provided significantly enhanced strength and stiffness in matrix-dominated configurations, including tension of quasi-isotropic composites and short beam shear strength of both quasi-isotropic and unidirectional composites. Scanning electron microscopy revealed enhanced adhesion between the matrix and carbon fibers with the addition of either TCP or CNFs. However, CNF agglomeration in the studied systems partially offset the energy dissipation processes brought about by the nanofibers, thereby limiting interlaminar fracture toughness enhancements by CNF addition. These results show good promise for CNFs as low-cost reinforcement for composites while offering insight into the codependent morphologies of multi-scale phases and their influence over bulk properties.

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KW - A. Hybrid composites

KW - A. Nanocomposites

KW - B. Fiber/matrix bond

KW - B. Interface

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JO - Composites Science and Technology

JF - Composites Science and Technology

IS - 2

ER -

Multi-scale reinforcement of CFRPs using carbon nanofibers

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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