Hierarchical toughening in Glass/Epoxy Composites: Synergistic effects of fiber texture scale and rubbery nanofiber interleaves on delamination resistance

IF 5.6 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL

Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics Pub Date : 2025-08-29 DOI:10.1016/j.tafmec.2025.105208

Hesamaldin Saghafi , Isa Ahmadi , Ramin Khamedi , Hamed Saghafi , Andrea Zucchelli

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study investigates synergistic toughening in glass/epoxy composites through fiber texture scaling (560–2000 µm bundles) and NBR/PCL nanofiber interleaves. Coarser textures inherently increased fracture toughness by 95–100 % via fiber bridging and crack-path tortuosity. Nanofiber integration amplified this effect, with coarse-textured nano-modified composites achieving 125 % higher toughness than non-modified counterparts. Key mechanisms included matrix plastic deformation (microvoid formation), enhanced fiber–matrix adhesion (resin-coated fibers), and crack bifurcation. Rising R-curves confirmed progressive energy dissipation, while sawtooth force–displacement patterns revealed intermittent crack arrest at nanofiber-rich zones. SEM analysis showed a transition from brittle failure (smooth interfaces) in non-modified samples to ductile failure (rough, porous morphologies) in nano-modified systems. The macro-nano synergy enabled simultaneous improvements in fracture resistance (G_IC ↑125 %, G_IR ↑162 %), peak load (↑48 %), and energy absorption without compromising in-plane properties. These results establish a multi-scale design paradigm for aerospace/automotive composites requiring balanced delamination resistance and structural efficiency.

查看原文本刊更多论文

玻璃/环氧复合材料的分层增韧：纤维织构尺度和橡胶纳米纤维交织物对抗分层的协同作用

本研究通过纤维织构结垢（560-2000µm束）和NBR/PCL纳米纤维交织，研究了玻璃/环氧复合材料的协同增韧。通过纤维桥接和裂纹路径弯曲，较粗糙的纹理固有地增加了95 - 100%的断裂韧性。纳米纤维的集成放大了这种效应，与未改性的同类相比，粗糙纹理的纳米改性复合材料的韧性提高了125%。关键机制包括基体塑性变形（微孔隙形成），增强纤维-基体粘附（树脂涂层纤维）和裂纹分岔。上升的r曲线证实了能量的逐渐耗散，而锯齿形的力-位移模式显示了富含纳米纤维区域的间歇性裂纹止裂。扫描电镜分析显示，未改性样品的脆性破坏（光滑界面）向纳米改性系统的延性破坏（粗糙，多孔形态）转变。宏纳米协同作用可以同时提高抗断裂性能（GIC ^ 125%, GIR ^ 162%），峰值载荷（^ 48%）和能量吸收，而不影响面内性能。这些结果建立了航空航天/汽车复合材料的多尺度设计范式，要求平衡分层阻力和结构效率。

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来源期刊

Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics 工程技术-工程：机械

CiteScore

8.40

自引率

18.90%

发文量

435

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： Theoretical and Applied Fracture Mechanics'' aims & scopes have been re-designed to cover both the theoretical, applied, and numerical aspects associated with those cracking related phenomena taking place, at a micro-, meso-, and macroscopic level, in materials/components/structures of any kind. The journal aims to cover the cracking/mechanical behaviour of materials/components/structures in those situations involving both time-independent and time-dependent system of external forces/moments (such as, for instance, quasi-static, impulsive, impact, blasting, creep, contact, and fatigue loading). Since, under the above circumstances, the mechanical behaviour of cracked materials/components/structures is also affected by the environmental conditions, the journal would consider also those theoretical/experimental research works investigating the effect of external variables such as, for instance, the effect of corrosive environments as well as of high/low-temperature.