Three-Dimensional Study of Polymer Composite Destruction in the Early Stages

Abstract

The investigation of destruction processes in composite materials is a current problem for their structural application and the improvement of their functional properties. This work aimed to visualize structural changes induced in layered carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) with the help of synchrotron X-ray microtomography. This article presents the details of destructive processes in the early stages of the deformation of reinforced polymers under uniaxial stretching, investigated at the micro level. Individual structural elements of the composite–filaments, parallel fiber bundles, the nonuniformity of the polymer binder distribution, and continuity defects–were observed under an external load. We have considered the influence of the material architecture and technological defects on fracture evolution in cross-ply and quasi-isotropic fiber-reinforced plastics. The results indicate the sequence of irreversible structural changes before the destruction of the material.

Studies of Fractal Microstructure in Nanocarbon Polymer Composites

“…The scanning impulse acoustic microscope SIAM [39] designed and produced by the Emanuel Institute of Biochemical Physics RAS was used for monitoring of the volume microstructure of nanocomposites. Here, we applied an acoustic lens with a working frequency of 200 MHz and half-aperture of 11 • , which has lateral resolution of 24 µm.…”

X-ray 3D Imaging of Low-Density Laser-Target Materials

“…The drawback of laboratory X-ray tomography is, however, a relatively long scanning time (of 10 to 30 hours) and the polychromatic spectrum of X-ray tube radiation. To cover for the aforementioned drawbacks, our work focuses on synchrotron-based X-ray microtomography [16][17][18], which is considered as one of the most promising methods for studying low-density materials and microstructures of laser targets, due to the ability to generate 3D sample scans with nm resolution in the time range of minutes. The main object of our investigation was to examine a microstructure intended for use as a target in laser fusion experiments.…”

Self-healing polyurethane-polypropylene oxide copolymers for the protection of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced composites

“…Polymer composite materials have found wide application in various fields due to their outstanding performance properties, a well-developed theory of interaction between fiber and matrix, and the ability to adjust properties to various requirements, such as ensuring the minimum mass of structures, maximum strength and rigidity, reliability and durability [1][2][3]. The active introduction of carbon composites and glass composites into modern production of science-intensive products requires the development of protective coatings that prolong the service life of products based on them [4][5][6][7][8]. However, in order to protect carbon-reinforced and glass-reinforced composite products and structures, it is necessary to create specialized polyurethanes that would have high mechanical properties, barrier properties to water vapor and aggressive aqueous solutions, and would also have the ability to self-repair defects that occur during their operation [9][10][11].…”