TY - JOUR A1 - Rodricks, Carol Winnifred A1 - Prockat, Annabell A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Trappe, Volker T1 - Novel Recyclable Hierarchical Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites: Preserving Fiber Length and Orientation Using Elium N2 - Current recycling methods for polymer matrix composites produce short, unoriented carbon fibers, limiting their use to intermediate‐strength applications. A method is therefore needed to recycle fibers while preserving their original length and orientation, enabling a circular economy for carbon fiber composites. This study proposes a novel hierarchical composite designed to retain fiber length and orientation during recycling. Virgin carbon fibers are encased in an insoluble epoxy matrix to form tapes that act as the primary units of the structure. The primary tape matrix shields the fibers from chemical degradation while preserving their alignment throughout recycling. The tapes are then embedded in a secondary recyclable matrix, Elium, a thermoplastic polymer soluble in acetone with mechanical properties comparable to epoxy. The composite is recycled by dissolving the secondary Elium matrix in acetone and recovering the primary tape units with intact fiber length and orientation. The primary units can then be used to assemble new composites. In this study, hierarchical composite laminates underwent recycling up to three times. Their mechanical properties were assessed after each cycle. Laminates with an Elium secondary matrix retained 60%–90% of the mechanical performance of epoxy‐based laminates. Minimal degradation was observed between cycles, and fiber length, orientation, and volume fraction were fully preserved. Pushout tests confirmed that fibers in the primary tapes were sufficiently shielded during the recycling process. These results validate the feasibility of a hierarchical recyclable composite that combines recyclability with high mechanical performance, serving as a proof of concept and providing opportunities for future development. KW - Review KW - Interface KW - Micromechanics KW - Polymer matrix composites KW - Glass fibre reinforced composites PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655276 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.70869 SN - 0272-8397 SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - Wiley Periodicals LLC. AN - OPUS4-65527 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Valentini, Martino A1 - De Almeida, Olivier A1 - Kakkonen, Markus A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Dorigato, Andrea A1 - Kallio, Pasi A1 - Fredi, Giulia T1 - Effect of fiber surface state on the thermomechanical and interfacial properties of in situ polymerized polyamide 6/basalt fiber composites N2 - This study investigates the thermomechanical properties and interfacial adhesion of novel in-situ polymerized anionic polyamide 6 (aPA6) composites reinforced with basalt fibers (BF). The impact of different BF surface states - as-received (BFa), ethanol-washed (BFw), and thermally desized (BFu) on composite performance is examined through a comprehensive approach. For the first time, anionic PA6/BF composites with very low residual monomer content were successfully produced via thermoplastic resin transfer molding (tRTM). The PA6/BFw composites exhibited the highest interlaminar/interfacial shear strength in short beam shear test (52 ±8 MPa) and fiber push out test (34 ± 11 MPa) tests. Fiber microdebonding test, performed only on PA6/BFw, yielded a low interfacial shear strength (12 ± 4 MPa), which was attributed to droplet porosity resulting from concurrent polymerization and crystallization. Thermal desizing significantly deteriorated interfacial strength (19.6 ± 1.2 MPa in short beam shear test). This multi-technique characterization provides insights into optimizing the fiber–matrix adhesion in these advanced thermoplastic composites. KW - Anionic Polyamide 6 KW - Reactive thermoplastics KW - Basalt fibers KW - Microdebonding KW - Fiber push out KW - Short beam shear test PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-623596 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2024.108681 SN - 1878-5840 VL - 190 SP - 1 EP - 15 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Niederlande AN - OPUS4-62359 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schraa, Lucas A1 - Rodricks, Carol A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Roetsch, Karl A1 - Scheffler, Christina A1 - Sambale, Anna A1 - Uhlig, Kai A1 - Stommel, Markus A1 - Trappe, Volker T1 - Characterisation and Modelling of the Fibre-Matrix Interface of Short Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastics using the Push-Out Technique N2 - This study investigates the suitability of the single fibre push-out (SFPO) test for the determination of the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of injection moulded short fibre reinforced thermoplastics. It includes a detailed description of the required sample preparation steps and the boundary conditions of the SFPO setup. Experimental SFPO tests were carried out on PA66 GF, PPA GF35 and PA6 GF50 materials. Furthermore, a finite element model was set up to simulate the behaviour of these materials during this test. The numerical results showed that the inhomogeneous stress distribution in the fibre-matrix interphase during the test causes the measured apparent IFSS to underestimate the true strength of the interphase. The simulations put the experimental results into perspective and provide valuable information for the further development of the test setup. This study therefore not only provides new insights into the interphase strength of injection moulded short fibre reinforced thermoplastics, but also an insight into local load conditions during testing and thus an indication of the true IFSS. KW - GFRP KW - Interface KW - fibre matrix bond KW - single fibre push-out PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-626087 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112317 SN - 1879-1069 VL - 297 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Niederlande AN - OPUS4-62608 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Colombo, Marta A1 - Mostoni, Silvia A1 - Fredi, Giulia A1 - Rodricks, Carol A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Riva, Massimiliano A1 - Vassallo, Andrea A1 - Di Credico, Barbara A1 - Scotti, Roberto A1 - Zappalorto, Michele A1 - D'Arienzo, Massimiliano T1 - Interfacial Chemistry Behind Damage Monitoring in Glass Fiber‐Reinforced Composites: Attempts and Perspectives N2 - Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRPs) are widely used in structural applications but degrade over time due to internal damage. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) enables early damage detection, improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs. Traditional SHM methods are often invasive and expensive. An emerging solution involves the embedding of carbon‐based filler like carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide into GFRPs, forming conductive networks that detect damage through resistance changes. However, poor adhesion among GF, filler, and matrix can reduce mechanical performance. Therefore, tailoring GF and filler surface chemistry is essential to enhance durability and enable effective self‐sensing properties. This review summarizes the most recent efforts in modifying GF with carbon‐based filler to design GFRP with improved sensing ability and mechanical performance. After a brief introduction on the role of SHM solutions in early damage detection, an overview of the common GF and filler used in GFRPs will be provided. Then, the most relevant GF modification strategies exploited to incorporate carbon‐based filler in GFRPs will be described, focusing on the chemical grafting approach, which allows a careful optimization of the fiber/matrix interface. Last, a concise summary of the key mechanical and electrical tests to evaluate interfacial adhesion and self‐sensing will be supplied. KW - Review KW - Interface KW - Micromechanics KW - Polymer matrix composites KW - Glass fibre reinforced composites PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-639934 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.70332 SN - 0272-8397 SP - 1 EP - 30 PB - Wiley AN - OPUS4-63993 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pavasarytė, Lina A1 - Azevedo do Nascimento, Allana A1 - Cysne Barbosa, Ana Paula A1 - Trappe, Volker A1 - Melo, Daniel T1 - Effects of particle size and particle concentration of poly (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) on properties of epoxy resin N2 - Self-healing polymers have been developed to improve durability and reduce costs associated with maintenance during service. The addition of thermoplastics to thermosets to produce mendable polymers appears as a promising selfhealing technique. In this study, poly (ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) was added to epoxy resin and the effects of EMAA addition on epoxy properties were evaluated. Specimens with two different contents of thermoplastic and particles sizes were manufactured. A two-level full factorial experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of particle size and particle content on properties of epoxy modified with addition of EMAA. Tensile tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were used and the evaluated responses were tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and glass transition temperature (Tg). X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to investigate particle size and concentration after manufacturing. It was found that the particle concentration has greater effects on stress–strain behavior of epoxy while Tg was not significantly affected by neither of the analyzed entrance variables. KW - Fracture KW - Self-healing KW - Epoxy KW - Thermoplastic PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/app.55677 SN - 0021-8995 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Wiley online library AN - OPUS4-60205 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Krauklis, A. E. A1 - Starovka, O. A1 - Gibhardt, D. A1 - Aouissi, H. A. A1 - Burlakovs, J. A1 - Sabalina, A. A1 - Fiedler, Bodo A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard T1 - Reversible and irreversible effects on the epoxy GFRP fiber-matrix interphase due to hydrothermal aging N2 - Epoxy R-Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) composite plates were hydrothermally aged at 60 ◦C for 23, 75, and 133 days. The water content reached 0.97 wt%, 1.45 wt% and 1.63 wt%, respectively. The studied GFRP matrix was inert to hydrolysis or chain scission, allowing for investigation of irreversible changes in the fiber-matrix interphase due to hydrothermal aging upon re-drying. During each period, a subset of the specimens was removed from the water bath and dried in a chamber. The weight loss upon drying was explained with epoxy leaching (impurities), sizing-rich interphase hydrolysis, glass fiber surface hydrolysis, accumulated degradation products escaping, and water changing state from bound to free. The influence of hydrothermal aging on the fiber-matrix interfacial properties was investigated. Lower interfacial strength of hydrothermally aged (wet) samples was attributed to plasticization of the epoxy, plasticization and degradation of the sizing-rich interphase (including formation of hydrolytic flaws), and hydrolytic degradation of the glass fiber surface. The kinetics of epoxy-compatible epoxysilane W2020 sizing-rich interphase hydrolysis provided an estimate of ca. 1.49%, 4.80%, and 8.49% of the total composite interphase degraded after 23, 75, and 133 days, respectively. At these conditions, the interface lost 39%, 48%, and 51% of its strength. Upon re-drying the specimens, a significant part of the interfacial strength was regained. Furthermore, an upward trend was observed, being 13%, 10% and 3% strength, respectively; thus, indicating a possibility of partial recovery of properties. KW - GFRP KW - Hydrothermal Ageging KW - Interphase KW - Water Diffusion KW - Desorption KW - Interfacial Strength PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-581554 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2023.100395 SN - 2666-6820 VL - 12 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Elsevier B.V. CY - Amsterdam, Niederlande AN - OPUS4-58155 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rabe, T. A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Mieller, Björn T1 - Manufacturing and deformation behavior of alumina and zirconia helical springs at room temperature N2 - Ceramic helical springs with identical dimensions were produced by hard machining from alumina, alumina toughened zirconia (ATZ), and tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (TZP) stabilized with different oxides. According to the results of the spring constant determination under deformation rates of 3 mm/min, the deformation behavior of all ceramic springs obeys to Hook’s law. However, variation of the deformation rate, tests under constant load, and spring recovery behavior revealed differences in the deformation behavior of alumina, TZP, and ATZ springs. Alumina springs exhibited time-independent deformation in all tests. In contrast, anelastic deformation at room temperature was demonstrated in all springs containing TZP. This deformation is completely reversible over a period of several days. Anelastic behavior is particularly pronounced in Y-TZP springs, whereas Ce-TZP springs exhibit comparatively very low but still reliably detectable anelasticity. Oxygen vacancies in the TZP ceramic are considered the most likely explanation for the anelastic behavior of TZP springs at room temperature. KW - Alumina KW - Creep KW - Elastic properties KW - Zirconia PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-571858 DO - https://doi.org/10.1111/jace.19085 SN - 0002-7820 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - Wiley-Blackwell CY - Oxford [u.a.] AN - OPUS4-57185 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lamoriniere, S. A1 - Mitchell, P. J. A1 - Ho, K. A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Shaffer, M. S. P. A1 - Bismarck, A. T1 - Carbon nanotube enhanced carbon Fibre-Poly(ether ether ketone) interfaces in model hierarchical composites N2 - Poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) has a high continuous service temperature, excellent mechanical properties, and good solvent and abrasion resistance, which can be further improved through the addition of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). CNT-PEEK nanocomposites are promising matrices for continuous carbon fibre composites; powder processing can mitigate the high melt viscosities in these systems. In this study, model single fibre (hierarchical) composites were produced by embedding sized and desized carbon fibres in nanocomposite CNTPEEK powders followed by single fibre pull-out tests to assess interfacial characteristics. Carbon fibre-PEEK interfacial shear strength is typically 40–45 MPa. Increasing CNT loadings increased fibre-matrix interfacial shear strength linearly up to ~70 MPa at 5.0 wt%, which was attributed to the CNT-based mechanical modification of the PEEK matrix. Apparent interfacial shear strength was inversely correlated with the embedded fibre length irrespective of carbon fibre sizing or CNT loading, indicating brittle fracture of the fibre-matrix interface. Pulled out carbon fibres were still coated with the matrix, which indicated strong adhesion at the interface in all samples, likely related to a transcrystalline region. Adhesion was, however, negatively affected by the presence of epoxy sizings. Frictional shear strength was independent of embedded fibre length and CNT content for all samples. KW - Keywords: Poly(ether ether ketone) KW - Carbon fibres KW - Carbon nanotubes KW - Interfacial strength KW - Debonding PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-550052 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109327 SN - 0266-3538 VL - 221 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Niederlande AN - OPUS4-55005 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Guerra, E. S. S. A1 - Silva, B. L. A1 - Melo, J. D. D. A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Barbosa, A. P. C. T1 - Microscale evaluation of epoxy matrix composites containing thermoplastic healing agent N2 - Among the strategies to produce healable thermosetting systems is their modification by the addition of thermoplastic particles. This work investigates the influence of poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) (EMAA) on fibermatrix interfacial properties of a glass fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite. Epoxy-EMAA interactions were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared spectroscopy. The effects of EMAA on the epoxy network formation were evidenced by changes in glass transition temperature, cure kinetics and alteration of chemical groups during cure. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) measurements obtained by single fiber pull-out tests indicate similar interfacial properties for pure and EMAA modified epoxy. Additionally, the potential for self-healing ability of an EMAA modified epoxy was demonstrated. However, IFSS after a healing cycle for the EMAA modified epoxy was lower as compared to the pure epoxy, because of the lower fiber-EMAA interfacial shear strength. So, thermoplastic healing agents has not only to fill cracks in the matrix material, but also have to be optimized regarding its interface properties to the reinforcing fibers. KW - Interfacial strength KW - Fiber/matrix bond KW - Self-healing KW - Polymer-matrix composites (PMC) PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2022.109843 SN - 0266-3538 VL - 232 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Niederlande AN - OPUS4-56379 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Gebhardt, M. A1 - Malolakis, I. A1 - Kalinka, Gerhard A1 - Deubener, J. A1 - Chakraborty, S. A1 - Meiners, D. T1 - Re-use potential of carbon fibre fabric recovered from infusible thermoplastic CFRPs in 2nd generation thermosetting-matrix composites N2 - The research presented here attempts to assess the potential for re-using carbon fibre (CF) fabrics recovered from recycling infusible acrylic thermoplastic carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) in a universal manner, i.e. by combining with a wide variety of matrices to manufacture 2nd generation composite laminates by resin infusion. The 2nd generation composites have been compared in terms of bulk and interfacial properties against counteparts processed with virgin carbon fibre fabric infused with the same matrices. Generally, an increase in damping (tanδ) was observed in all 2nd generation composites, which can be attributed to a residual thin thermoplastic layer present on the recovered fibres. The interfacial adhesion of the 2nd generation Composites was investigated by shear tests and scanning electron micsoscopy, and also appears to be less influenced by the type of matrix. KW - Composite recycling KW - Thermoplastic matrix KW - Thermosetting resin KW - Fibre/matrix bonding PY - 2021 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coco.2021.100974 VL - 28 SP - 100974 PB - Elsevier Ltd. CY - Niederlande AN - OPUS4-53639 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -