Synergistic interlaminar toughening and strengthening of CF/EP composites via migration-stable PES/CNTs films

IF 8.1 2区材料科学 Q1 ENGINEERING, MANUFACTURING

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing Pub Date : 2025-08-13 DOI:10.1016/j.compositesa.2025.109240

Yi Xue , Zhuang Huang , Zehao Yang , Jiamei Luo , Yong Liu , Minqiang Jiang , Hui Zhang , Jianyong Yu

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Abstract

In this study, through a targeted experimental approach, polyethersulfone/carbon nanotubes (PES/CNTs) films with variable carbon nanotubes (CNTs) contents were fabricated by the phase inversion approach and employed in carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites prepared by the vacuum-assisted resin infusion process to upgrade the toughness of composites. The dissolution of the PES/CNTs films in the epoxy resin was revealed to be controllable, which guaranteed a gradient distribution of polyethersulfone and CNTs between the layers. As observed, the CF/EP composites with PES/CNTs films containing 0.5 phr CNTs provided the optimized mode I fracture toughness with a 120.4% increase in G_IC compared to the reference. Whereas, the G_IIC of the composites with PES/CNTs film containing 1.0 phr CNTs was increased by 92.5%. Additionally, observation of the fracture surfaces of mode I and mode II specimens by scanning electron microscopy revealed that PES/CNTs films toughened CF/EP composites via three mechanisms: i) crack deflection and secondary microcracks initiation caused by polyethersulfone microspheres, ii) cracks bridging effect and pull-out from the epoxy matrix of CNTs and iii) CNTs distributed between epoxy matrix and polyethersulfone microsphere led to more energy consumption, which had a synergistic effect. This method overcomes the trade-off between toughness and stiffness in traditional interleaving methods, providing a new approach for the manufacturing of high-performance CF/EP composites.

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迁移稳定的PES/CNTs膜对CF/EP复合材料层间增韧和强化的影响

本研究通过有针对性的实验方法，采用相反转法制备了可变碳纳米管（CNTs）含量的聚醚砜/碳纳米管（PES/CNTs）薄膜，并将其应用于真空辅助树脂灌注工艺制备的碳纤维/环氧树脂（CF/EP）复合材料中，以提高复合材料的韧性。聚乙烯/碳纳米管薄膜在环氧树脂中的溶解是可控的，保证了聚醚砜和碳纳米管在层间的梯度分布。观察到，含有0.5 phr CNTs的PES/CNTs薄膜的CF/EP复合材料具有优化的I型断裂韧性，与参考材料相比，GIC提高了120.4%。而含有1.0 phr CNTs的PES/CNTs复合材料的GIIC提高了92.5%。此外，通过扫描电镜观察I型和II型试样的断口表面，发现PES/CNTs薄膜增韧CF/EP复合材料的机制有三种：1)聚醚砜微球引起的裂纹偏转和次生微裂纹萌生；2)CNTs的裂缝桥接作用和从环氧基体中拉出；3)CNTs分布在环氧基体和聚醚砜微球之间导致了更多的能量消耗，两者具有协同效应。该方法克服了传统交错法在韧性和刚度之间的权衡，为高性能CF/EP复合材料的制造提供了新的途径。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing 工程技术-材料科学：复合

CiteScore

15.20

自引率

5.70%

发文量

492

审稿时长

30 days

期刊介绍： Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing is a comprehensive journal that publishes original research papers, review articles, case studies, short communications, and letters covering various aspects of composite materials science and technology. This includes fibrous and particulate reinforcements in polymeric, metallic, and ceramic matrices, as well as 'natural' composites like wood and biological materials. The journal addresses topics such as properties, design, and manufacture of reinforcing fibers and particles, novel architectures and concepts, multifunctional composites, advancements in fabrication and processing, manufacturing science, process modeling, experimental mechanics, microstructural characterization, interfaces, prediction and measurement of mechanical, physical, and chemical behavior, and performance in service. Additionally, articles on economic and commercial aspects, design, and case studies are welcomed. All submissions undergo rigorous peer review to ensure they contribute significantly and innovatively, maintaining high standards for content and presentation. The editorial team aims to expedite the review process for prompt publication.