Abstract
Novel polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)-filled thermoplastic electrospun veils were used to tailor the properties of the interlaminar region of epoxy-based composites. The veils were designed to be soluble upon curing in the epoxy matrix, so that POSS could be released within the interlaminar region. Three different POSS contents, varying from 1 to 10 wt %, were tested while the percentage of coPolyethersulphone (coPES) dissolved in the epoxy resin was kept to a fixed value of 10 wt %. Good quality veils could be obtained at up to 10 wt % of POSS addition, with the nanofibers’ diameters varying from 861 nm for the coPES to 428 nm upon POSS addition. The feasibility of the soluble veils to disperse POSS in the interlaminar region was proved, and the effect of POSS on phase morphology and viscoelastic properties studied. POSS was demonstrated to significantly affect the morphology and viscoelastic properties of epoxy composites, especially for the percentages 1% and 5%, which enabled the composites to avoid POSS segregates occurring. A dynamic mechanical analysis showed a significant improvement to the storage modulus, and a shift of more than 30 °C due to the POSS cages hindering the motion of the molecular chains and network junctions.
Highlights
Thermosets are widely used in polymer matrix-reinforced composites because of their easy processing and good mechanical properties
The morphology morphology of the electrospun electrospun veils with different different polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS)
Conclusions purpose the presentpaper paper was the feasibility of soluble thermoplastic veils asveils a as TheThe purpose of of the present wasto toevaluate evaluate the feasibility of soluble thermoplastic means to disperse, in the interlaminar region of composite, POSS
Summary
Thermosets are widely used in polymer matrix-reinforced composites because of their easy processing and good mechanical properties. The inherent brittleness of thermosets led to the development of different toughening strategies. Among the most recent toughening approaches, the use of electrospun veils is advantageous. Some authors have focused on non-soluble electrospun fibers based on the use of Nylon fibers. Akangah et al [1] showed that nylon-6,6 veils improved the impact force by about 60%, while reducing the damage growth rate to one-half. The nylon-6,6 veils reduced the impact damage growth rate with impact force. Palazzeti et al [2] confirmed similar results. Beckermann et al [3] reported a detailed study on nylon-based commercial veils, which are based on the same concept
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