Hybrid Carbon Fiber Research Articles

Effect of carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide particles on ablative properties of carbon fiber phenolic matrix composites

Hybrid carbon fiber phenolic matrix composites containing carbon nanotubes and silicon carbide particles were characterized against oxyacetylene torch test to investigate the individual and combined effect of particulate reinforcement on ablative properties. The composite containing 5wt% silicon carbide particles reduced the ablation rate to 33% while the one containing 0.1wt% carbon nanotubes lowered the rate to 9%. The combined effect of 5wt% silicon carbide particles and 0.1wt% carbon nanotubes resulted 43% reduction in ablation rate. In terms of weight fraction of the two particulate reinforcements, the effect of carbon nanotubes on ablation properties was found to be significantly greater than silicon carbide particles while their combined incorporation synergically improved the ablative properties.

In2O3 nanoparticles/carbon fiber hybrid mat as free-standing anode for lithium-ion batteries with enhanced electrochemical performance

Pure In2O3 has a high specific capacity but suffers a short cycling life when used as an anode because of the huge volume change during the lithiation and delithiation processes. To overcome this problem, here In2O3 nanoparticles (10–20 nm)/carbon fiber hybrid mat has been synthesized via a facile electrospinning process. The as-prepared mat is textile-like with considerable flexibility, and directly used as binder- and current collector-free anode for lithium-ion battery. It exhibits a good electrochemical performance with a stable capacity of 435 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 500 cycles and a high rate performance (190 mA h g−1 at 1500 mA g−1), which are hugely enhanced compared with those of both pure In2O3 and powder In2O3@CF with binder and current collector. This work offers a promising approach to fabricate free-standing flexible anode for practical energy storage and conversion devices.

Experimental Investigation of the Piezoresistive Properties of Cement Composites with Hybrid Carbon Fibers and Nanotubes

Cement-based sensors with hybrid conductive fillers using both carbon fibers (CFs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were experimentally investigated in this study. The self-sensing capacities of cement-based composites with only CFs or MWCNTs were found based on preliminary tests. The results showed that the percolation thresholds of CFs and MWCNTs were 0.5–1.0 vol.% and 1.0 vol.%, respectively. Based on these results, the feasibility of self-sensing composites with four different amounts of CFs and MWCNTs was considered under cyclic compression loads. When the amount of incorporated CFs increased and the amount of incorporated MWCNTs decreased, the self-sensing capacity of the composites was reduced. It was concluded that cement-based composites containing both 0.1 vol.% CFs and 0.5 vol.% MWCNTs could be an alternative to cement-based composites with 1.0 vol.% MWCNTs in order to achieve equivalent self-sensing performance at half the price. The gauge factor (GF) for that composite was 160.3 with an R-square of 0.9274 in loading stages I and II, which was similar to the GF of 166.6 for the composite with 1.0 vol.% MWCNTs.

A Finite Element Analysis of a Recurve Bow Riser Using Carbon Fibre Hybrid Composites

The utilisation of natural fibre and the waste product becomes necessary to develop the sustainability in various industries. The usage of natural fibres in the sport-oriented industries is increasing in the recent years. In this paper, we presented the finite element analysis of the hybrid carbon fibre composites of recurve bows riser. The experiments of the tensile and flexural test were conducted on the various composition of hybrid materials. The pineapple leaf fibre and kenaf fibre are varied with 5% and 10%, was respectively hybridised with 95% and 90% carbon fibre as the overall fibre content is 40%. The material properties of the best composition of 95 CF/5 PALF were used in finite element analysis. It can be concluded that the alternative design of recurve riser was suitable for the alternative material and suit to Malaysian junior archer.

Mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid carbon fibre–phenolic matrix composites containing graphene nanoplatelets and graphite powder

ABSTRACTCarbon fibre–phenolic matrix (CF–P) composites containing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were manufactured for improved mechanical and thermal properties. For comparison, micrometer-size pyrolytic graphite powder (GP) was also incorporated in CF–P composites. The loading of carbon fibres was kept constant at 60 wt-% while the quantity of GNPs was varied from 0.1 wt-% to 0.3 wt-% and GP from 1.0 wt-% to 3.0 wt-%. Only GNPs were functionalised by ultraviolet-ozone treatment to improve their dispersion in the matrix while all the composites were manufactured by hand layup method and characterised by scanning electron microscopy, impact, flexural, thermogravimetry and ablation tests. The composite containing 0.3 wt-% GNPs showed considerable improvement in ablation, flexural and impact testing as compared to CF-P composites containing GP. Finally, the ablation mechanisms of post-ablated composites were discussed in the light of available data in the literature.

A facile one-step approach for the fabrication of polypyrrole nanowire/carbon fiber hybrid electrodes for flexible high performance solid-state supercapacitors

Wearable electronics are in high demand, requiring that all the components are flexible. Here we report a facile approach for the fabrication of flexible polypyrrole nanowire (NPPy)/carbon fiber (CF) hybrid electrodes with high electrochemical activity using a low-cost, one-step electrodeposition method. The structure of the NPPy/CF electrodes can be easily controlled by the applied electrical potential and electrodeposition time. Our NPPy/CF-based electrodes showed high flexibility, conductivity, and stability, making them ideal for flexible all-solid-state fiber supercapacitors. The resulting NPPy/CF-based supercapacitors provided a high specific capacitance of 148.4 F g−1 at 0.128 A g−1, which is much higher than for supercapacitors based on polypyrrole film/CF (38.3 F g−1) and pure CF (0.6 F g−1) under the same conditions. The NPPy/CF-based supercapacitors also showed high bending and cycling stability, retaining 84% of the initial capacitance after 500 bending cycles, and 91% of the initial capacitance after 5000 charge/discharge cycles.

Analytical and finite element studies on hybrid FRP strengthened RC column elements under axial and eccentric compression

Analytical and finite element studies on the behavior of Reinforced Concrete (RC) column elements strengthened using a hybrid Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates and externally bonded fabric is explored in this study. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of hybrid strengthening on the initial and post-cracking stiffness, peak and post-peak behavior, and change in failure modes of RC column elements. Both axial and eccentric loads are considered in this study. Experimental program is carried out by testing the column elements with and without different FRP strengthening. Analytical predictions are obtained using the strain compatibility approach based on the existing constitutive models for unconfined and confined concrete, steel and FRP composites. A numerical model of column elements is developed using a commercial software ABAQUS. The predictions obtained from the analytical and FE analysis were validated with the experimental results. Analytical and FE predictions exhibited a fair correlation with discrepancy of less than 5% when compared to test results. A parametric study is carried out using the validated FE analysis by varying the CFRP fabric ratio, CFRP laminate ratio and their hybrid combinations. Hybrid strengthening technique is found to be more efficient in improving the initial and post-cracking stiffness, strength and ultimate displacement ductility of RC column elements under compression.

Investigation of electromagnetic shielding properties of boron, carbon and boron–carbon fibre hybrid woven fabrics and their polymer composites

The growth of the electronic industry and the widespread use of electronic equipment in communications, computations, automations, biomedicine, space and other purposes have led to many electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems as systems operate in close proximity. It is likely to become more severe in the future, unless proper EMI control methodology and techniques are used to meet the electromagnetic compatibility requirements. In recent years, electromagnetic (EM) waves in the 1–10 GHz range are broadly used in wireless communication tools and local area networks. In the future, the usable range of EM waves will tend to shift further to higher frequency regions with the development of information technology as well as electronic devices. As a consequence, the seriousness of problems such as EMI of electronic devices and health issues is ever rising. In this study, electromagnetic shielding effectiveness, absorbance and reflectance properties of the boron, carbon and boron–carbon plain woven fabrics and boron/polyester, carbon/polyester, and boron–carbon/polyester hybrid composites were investigated. Using a coaxial transmission line holder set-up, the (EMSE), reflectance and absorbance of various fabrics and composites were carried out in the frequency range from 15 to 3000 MHz.

MgO nanoparticles-decorated carbon fibers hybrid for improving thermal conductive and electrical insulating properties of Nylon 6 composite

A magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles-decorated carbon fiber hybrid (CFMgO) were designed and fabricated as thermal conductive but electric insulating filler for polymer matrix. Carbon fibers (CF) and MgO nanoparticles were firstly treated by the coupling agents with amine groups and epoxy groups, respectively. Then CFMgO was constructed through grafting the nanoparticles onto the surface of the fiber. It was expected that the thermal conductivity of CF would be enhanced but its electrical conductivity would be inhibited by the coating of MgO nanoparticles. The chemical structure and morphology of CFMgO were investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Finally, the hybrid filler was introduced into Nylon 6. The strong interfacial interaction between the filler and matrix was exhibited, attributed to the existence of the coupling agents and the rough surface of nanoparticles-decorated CF. The highest thermal conductivity reached 0.748 W/m·K at 20 wt % addition of CFMgO. Meanwhile, the insulation of the composite appeared at higher than 10 wt% addition of the hybrid filler. Furthermore, connected by MgO nanoparticles, less CF was necessary for the construction of heat conduction channel, and lower value of percolation threshold was achieved.

Tensile properties of glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composite and its carbon fiber hybrid composite fabricated by direct fiber feeding injection molding process

The elastic modulus of a glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composite and its hybrid carbon fiber composite fabricated by direct fiber feeding injection molding (DFFIM) process were evaluated by using the Classical Calculated Method and the modified Tsai‐Hill criterion based on the laminate analogy approach method, respectively. The results were in good agreement with the experiments for both the glass fiber reinforced polypropylene composite and its hybrid composite. In addition, the modified Tsai‐Hill criterion shows more accuracy than the Classical Calculated Method in predicting the Young's modulus. The tensile strength of the composites was investigated by utilizing the modified Kelly‐Tyson equation and Modified Tsai‐Hill criterion. The results of the modified Kelly‐Tyson equation are closer to the real value. The interfacial shear strength between carbon fiber and polypropylene in the hybrid composite manufactured by the DFFIM process was analyzed by using the modified Kelly‐Tyson equation. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3564–3574, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers

Influence of temperature on the impact behavior and damage tolerance of hybrid woven-ply thermoplastic laminates for aeronautical applications

Impact damage tolerance of hybrid carbon and glass fibers woven-ply reinforced PolyEther Ether Ketone (PEEK) thermoplastic (TP) laminates obtained by consolidation process is investigated. Service temperature being one of the most important parameters to screen TP or thermosetting matrix for aeronautical purposes, impact testing at room temperature (RT) and near the glass transition temperature (Tg) has been conducted. From the results, it turns out that temperature has little influence on the impact behavior in terms of maximum force developed or maximum deflection, though it reduces the dissipated energy especially at lower impact energy. However, temperature has a strong effect on the internal and external damages caused to the plate, as it increases the permanent indentation and it limits the projected delaminated area. As for the influence of temperature on the compressive residual strength of the laminates, it also appears that the classical experimental set-up for CAI tests is not completely appropriate to draw a clear cut conclusion. At last the obtained results show that the considered TP-based laminates are characterized by a very good impact behavior and a high-degree of damage tolerance.

Improving thermal conductivity in the through-thickness direction of carbon fibre/SiC composites by growing vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

Combining heat transfer and high-temperature heat resistance is very important for realising thermal management in harsh environments. Achieving high heat conduction in the through-thickness direction (k⊥) is challenging for carbon fibre (CF) reinforced SiC matrix composite (CF/SiC) based heat resistant materials due to their anisotropic structures and weak bonding between the CF and the matrix. We present a three-dimensional (3-D) hierarchical vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs)-CF hybrid by growing VACNTs on the surface of CF fabric. The SiO2 coating enables the strong deposition of the catalyst, facilitating high-density growth of VACNT. The VACNT-CF reinforced SiC composite is prepared by stacking VACNT-CF following by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process. The VACNT forest not only enables strong interfacial bonding between the CF and the matrix but also greatly improve the k⊥ due to the good interfacial compatibility. The VACNT-CF/SiC composite exhibits k⊥ of 16.80 W/(m K), which is higher than that of the CF/SiC (7.94 W/(m K)), due to highly thermally conductive pathways in the dense structure. The VACNT-CF/SiC composite also conducts heat rapidly in the through-thickness direction. The VACNT-CF/SiC composite with high thermal conductivity, high strength and high oxidation resistance can be used for heat dissipation and resistance by optimising the microstructure.

Hydrothermal assembly of micro-nano-integrated core-sheath carbon fibers for high-performance all-carbon micro-supercapacitors

Wearable electronic devices (WEDs) require flexible, stable, and long-lasting power sources for their ever-expanding functionalities. Fiber-based micro-supercapacitors (FMSCs) are promising power solutions for novel WEDs because of their mechanical flexibility, small size and good integrability. Various porous carbon fibers have been explored as electrodes for FMSCs. However, current FMSCs often show poor rate capability due to modest electrical conductivity in fiber electrodes. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of a micro-nano-integrated core-sheath fiber comprised of a microscale core made of commercial graphite fibers and a nanoscale hybrid sheath comprised of nitrogen doped graphene oxide sheets and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The graphite fiber core provides fast electron transfer pathways, while the high surface area nano-hybrid sheath enables efficient capacitive energy storage. The core-sheath fiber achieves more than six times increases in capacitance retention compared to hybrid carbon fibers without the conductive core. Solid-state FMSCs were assembled using the core-sheath fibers as electrodes, which concurrently possess high length capacitance (12.8mFcm−1) and volumetric capacitance (27Fcm−3), showing an energy density of 3.75mWhcm–3 and a power density of 612mWcm–3. Furthermore, multiple FMSCs can be easily assembled into flexible energy storage units with expanded voltage and current windows, demonstrating good potentials for practical applications in WEDs.

Effect of Thermal Cycling on the Tensile Behavior of Polymer Composites Reinforced by Basalt and Carbon Fibers

The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of thermal cycling on the tensile behavior of three types of polymer-matrix composites — a phenolic resin reinforced with woven basalt fibers, woven carbon fibers, and hybrid basalt and carbon fibers — in an ambient environment. For this purpose, tensile tests were performed on specimens previously subjected to a certain number of thermal cycles. The ultimate tensile strength of the specimen reinforced with woven basalt fibers had by 5% after thermal cycling, but the strength of the specimen with woven carbon fibers had reduced to a value by 11% higher than that before thermal cycling.

Mn3O4/nitrogen-doped porous carbon fiber hybrids involving multiple covalent interactions and open voids as flexible anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Flexible Mn3O4/NPCF hybrids with a reasonable microstructure and multiple interactions delivered a high capacity of 1058 mA h g−1.

Quantifying Alumina Nanoparticle Dispersion in Hybrid Carbon Fiber Composites Using Photoluminescent Spectroscopy.

Composites modified with nanoparticles are of interest to many researchers due to the large surface-area-to-volume ratio of nano-scale fillers. One challenge with nanoscale materials that has received significant attention is the dispersion of nanoparticles in a matrix material. A random distribution of particles often ensures good material properties, especially as it relates to the thermal and mechanical performance of composites. Typical methods to quantify particle dispersion in a matrix material include optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. These utilize images and a variety of analysis methods to describe particle dispersion. This work describes how photoluminescent spectroscopy can serve as an additional technique capable of quickly and comprehensively quantifying particle dispersion of photoluminescent particles in a hybrid composite. High resolution 2D photoluminescent maps were conducted on the front and back surfaces of a hybrid carbon fiber reinforced polymer containing varying contents of alumina nanoparticles. The photoluminescent maps were analyzed for the intensity of the alumina R1 fluorescence peak, and therefore yielded alumina particle dispersion based on changes in intensity from the embedded nanoparticles. A method for quantifying particle sedimentation is also proposed that compares the photoluminescent data of the front and back surfaces of each hybrid composite and assigns a single numerical value to the degree of sedimentation in each specimen. The methods described in this work have the potential to aid in the manufacturing processes of hybrid composites by providing on-site quality control options, capable of quickly and noninvasively providing feedback on nanoparticle dispersion and sedimentation.

Effects of Hybridization of Carbon and Polypropylene Short Fibers as Reinforcement on Flexural Properties of Fine Aggregate Concretes

Nowadays, the advantages of short fibers as reinforcement in cement based materials are well known. In this paper, the effect of hybridization of short polypropylene (PP) and carbon fibers on flexural properties of a fine aggregate concrete has been investigated. Samples with dimensions of containing 2 vol% of the polypropylene and carbon fibers with 6 and 8mm length were made. The PP to carbon fiber proportion in the samples were selected as 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100. A four-point bending test was carried out on all the samples to investigate the flexural behaviour. It was found that the addition of carbon fibers significantly increases the flexural load (i.e. 260%). The application of PP fibers leads to a 2590% increase in the toughness compared to the control sample. It was also found that the sample with carbon to PP ratio of 75/25 shows the optimum results and it leads to 190% and 2070% increment in the flexural load and toughness, respectively, in comparison to the control sample.

Enhanced lithium storage performance of a self-assembled hierarchical porous Co3O4/VGCF hybrid high-capacity anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A Co3O4/vapor-grown carbon fiber (VGCF) hybrid material is prepared by a facile approach, namely, via liquid-phase carbonate precipitation followed by thermal decomposition of the precipitate at 380 °C for 2 h in argon gas flow. The material is characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area analysis, and carbon elemental analysis. The Co3O4 in the hybrid material exhibits the morphology of porous submicron secondary particles which are self assembled from enormous cubic-phase crystalline Co3O4 nanograins. The electrochemical performance of the hybrid as a high-capacity conversion-type anode material for lithium-ion batteries is investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic discharge/charge methods. The hybrid material demonstrates high specific capacity, good rate capability, and good long-term cyclability, which are far superior to those of the pristine Co3O4 material prepared under similar conditions. For example, the reversible charge capacities of the hybrid can reach 1100–1150 mAh g−1 at a lower current density of 0.1 or 0.2 A g−1 and remain 600 mAh g−1 at the high current density of 5 A g−1. After 300 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, a high charge capacity of 850 mAh g−1 is retained. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the incorporated VGCFs as well as the porous structure and the smaller nanograins of the Co3O4 active material.

Interfacial characterization and reinforcing mechanism of novel carbon nanotube – Carbon fibre hybrid composites

Carbon nanotube (CNT) deposition onto carbon fibre resulting in hybrid surface structures with various morphologies were successfully carried out using electrospray technique. In terms of tensile testing and Weibull analysis this process did not degrade fibre mechanical properties. When incorporated into composites, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS), as measured by single fibre fragmentation testing, increased by up to 124%. Experimental work was carried out to develop a deeper understanding of the interfacial reinforcing mechanism. Contact angle measurements demonstrated that the CNT deposition resulted in good wettability by the resin. Significant increases in roughness, friction and surface area were also found after CNT deposition, especially for the sample prepared using the parameter of 20 kV/10 cm at 100 °C. Surface energy analysis revealed that an increase in the dispersive surface energy due to the CNTs likely contributed to the improvement of interaction between fibre and matrix. Fractographic analysis revealed that the length of fibre pull-out and the size of cracks between the fibre and matrix were markedly decreased in the hybrid CNT surface structure, indicating that the stress transfer and interfacial shear strength have been improved. Finally, the potential for further improvement in interfacial composite properties by this approach was assessed.

Hybrid silica micro and PDDA/nanoparticles-reinforced carbon fibre composites

The work describes the manufacturing and testing of novel hybrid epoxy/carbon fibre composites with silica micro and poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride-functionalised nanoparticles. A specific chemical dispersion procedure was applied using the poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride to avoid clustering of the silica nanoparticles. The influence of the various manufacturing parameters, particles loading, and mechanical properties of the different phases has been investigated with a rigorous Design of Experiment technique based on a full factorial design (2131). Poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride-functionalised silica nanoparticles were able to provide a homogenous dispersion, with a decrease of the apparent density and enhancement of the mechanical properties in the hybrid carbon fibre composites. Compared to undispersed carbon fibre composite laminates, the use of 2 wt% functionalised nanoparticles permitted to increase the flexural modulus by 47% and the flexural strength by 15%. The hybrid carbon fibre composites showed also an increase of the tensile modulus (9%) and tensile strength (5.6%).