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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.
Advanced light weight applications like aircrafts and wind turbine blades are made of fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) with continuous fibre reinforcement and must withstand a high thermo-mechanical cyclic loading. The quality of the fibre matrix interface has a high impact on the fatigue life and was continuously improved over the years since the 50th. The fatigue life of glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) used in aircraft industry is 10 to 100 times higher compared to glass fibre non crimp fabrics used for wind turbine blades.
To assure a constant and reliable high quality and strength of reinforcement fibres, synthetic fibre production is state of the art (CF, GF). There is a need for recycling GFRP and CFRP waste due to the upcoming use. Pyrolysis and solvolysis are more expensive than the mechanical route however enable a more sustainable recycling. Natural fibres and recycled synthetic fibres have a high scatter in quality and strength. Hence it is a challenge to optimize the production / recycling processes to get a reliable quality for any demanding (second life) application.
Chemical routes for using renewables resources and recycling, is going to be a good approach especially for polymer-matrix systems to get 100% quality (back) compared to the state of the art.
Finally, a proper design, life-time extension and repair is preferable to recycling to keep the carbon footprint as low as possible.
AbstractTwo‐photon polymerization (2PP) additive manufacturing (AM) utilizes feedstocks of ceramic nanoparticles of a few nanometers in diameter, enabling the fabrication of highly accurate technical ceramic design with structural details as small as 500 nm. The performance of these materials is expected to differ from conventional AM ceramics, as nanoparticles and three‐dimensional printing at high resolution introduce new microstructural aspects. This study applies 2PP‐AM of yttria‐stabilized zirconia to investigate the mechanical response behavior under compressive load, probing the influence of smallest structural units induced by the line packing during the printing process, design of sintered microblocks, and sintering temperature and thereby microstructure. We find a dissipative mechanical response enhanced by sintering at lower temperatures than conventional. The pursued 2PP‐AM approach yields a microstructured material with an increased number of grain boundaries that proposedly play a major role in facilitating energy dissipation within the here printed ceramic material. This microplastic response is further triggered by the filigree structures induced by hollow line packing at the order of the critical defect size of ceramics. Together, these unique aspects made accessible by the 2PP‐AM approach contribute to a heterogeneous nano‐ and microstructure, and hint toward opportunities for tailoring the mechanical response in future ceramic applications.
Lightweighting as a cross-cutting technology contributes significantly to achieve the European Green Deal goals. Based on, but not limited to, advanced materials and production technologies, the demand for natural resources and CO2 emmissions are reduced by lightweighting during production, as well as use phase. Therefore, lightweighting is a crucial transformation technology assisting in decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. In this manner, lightweighting contributes significantly as a key technology of relevance for many industrial sectors such as energy, mobility, and infrastructure, towards resource efficiency, climate action and economic strength, as well as a resilient Europe. To strengthen international partnerships, addressing global issues of today at the edge of science with high performance lightweight material based on carbon fibers, an overview about the BAM expertise in carbon fiber reinforced materials is given.
The bond between polymer fibers and the surrounding cementitious matrix is essential for the development of concrete reinforcement. The single fiber pull-out test (SFPT) is the standard characterization technique for testing the bond strength. However, the different phases of debonding cannot be distinguished by the SFPT. This study investigates the debonding of different polymer fibers from the surrounding cementitious matrix with a modified SFPT and proposes methods to change the SFPT setup to generate more valuable information on the debonding mechanism. The SFPT was equipped with linear variable differential transformers (LVDT), digital image correlation (DIC) and acoustic emission (AE) analysis. The results demonstrate that the modified SFPT allows a better understanding of the different phases of debonding during fiber pull-out. Furthermore, bond strength values calculated by different methods reveal that the chemical bond of the investigated polymers is not different as reported by previous studies. Deformation measurements performed using LVDTs and DIC are suitable measuring techniques to characterize the debonding mechanism in SFPT. A correlation between recorded AE and debonding phases was not found.
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.
With this presentation, the push-out technique is explained. The focus of the experimental work is on the characterization of the fiber-matrix interface of short fiber reinforced composites. The reinforcing component was glass fibers and the matrix polymer was PA6.6 and PPA.
It is demonstrated for the first time that the push-out technique ca be applied on injection molded short fiber PMC and is sensitive to the mechanical interface properties. Further studies are planned on the influence of multiple processing, the temperature and humidity.
Manufacturing and deformation behavior of alumina and zirconia helical springs at room temperature
(2023)
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.
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.
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.
Aufgrund ihres spezifischen Eigenschaftsprofils sind keramische Federn attraktiv für Spezialanwendungen in Maschinenanlagen, Metrologie und Sensortechnik. Durch Hartbearbeitung keramischer Hohlzylinder können Spiralfedern mit rechteckigem Windungsquerschnitt präzise gefertigt werden. Dabei kann durch gezielte Auslegung der Federgeometrie die Federkonstante über mehrere Größenordnungen variiert werden. Der Vortrag gibt einen Überblick über den Herstellungsprozess, verschiedene Eigenschaften keramischer Federn und Anwendungsbeispiele.
This presentation is a summary of the work from the past 20 years’ development of PMC-testing at the BAM-FB 5.3 with respect to safety-relevant design of advanced light weight structures in aircraft, wind turbine and automotive applications. The talk begins with wood as an example from nature, and emphasizes that load case, fiber architectural design and the production process and quality have to go hand in hand to generate an advanced light weight structure. Since PMC-relevant basic findings of mankind span across hundreds of years, high-performance composite applications today are based more on long term experiences than on breakthrough inventions of modern days.
In the second part of the talk, future plans and projects of FB-5.3 are presented, specifically addressing H2-safety, circular economy, recycling by design and digitalization of PMC-technologies.
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.
Die Werkstoffgruppe der Faser-Kunststoff-Verbunde (FKV) hat sich aufgrund ihrer hervorragenden Leichtbaueigenschaften unter anderem im Sportgerätebau, in der Luft- und Raumfahrt und in der Windenergieindustrie etabliert. Die so hergestellten Strukturen sind in der Regel nicht nur mechanischen Belastungen, sondern auch thermischen Lasten in einem breiten Temperaturspektrum ausgesetzt. Dennoch ist die Auswirkung des Temperatureinflusses bei einer Kombination von thermischer und mechanischer Last auf die Lebensdauer von Strukturen aus FKV bisher nur wenig untersucht.
Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wird der Einfluss von Temperaturen zwischen 213 K und 343 K auf einen Glasfaser-Epoxidharz-Verbund experimentell untersucht. Das Material wird in diesem Temperaturbereich eingehend charakterisiert: Es werden sowohl die thermomechanischen Eigenschaften von Faser- und Matrixwerkstoff als auch die des Verbundes ermittelt. In einem weiteren Schritt wird dann der Einfluss der Temperatur auf die Schädigungsentwicklung im quasi-statischen Lastfall sowie unter schwingender Ermüdungsbeanspruchung bei verschiedenen FKV-Mehrschichtverbunden analysiert.
Basierend auf den experimentellen Daten wird ein Zusammenhang zwischen der Schädigung und der Anstrengung der Matrix innerhalb der Einzelschicht demonstriert. Die Matrixanstrengung wird mithilfe eines mikromechanischen Modells unter Berücksichtigung der thermomechanischen Eigenspannungen analytisch berechnet. Bei Querzugbeanspruchung kann gezeigt werden, dass eine Vorhersage der Schädigung in Abhängigkeit der Volumenänderungsenergie innerhalb der Matrix getroffen werden kann.
Mithilfe des Konzepts der Matrixanstrengung ist eine Vorhersage der Lebensdauer des Werkstoffs unter schwingender Ermüdungsbeanspruchung in Abhängigkeit der Einsatztemperatur möglich.
In this work, a closed loop recycling process is investigated, which allows polymerised bulk thermoplastic matrix (Elium 150) from production waste (also referred to as recyclate) to be reused as additive in composite manufacturing by vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) of virgin Elium 150 monomer. It is shown that this process can save up to 7.5 wt% of virgin material usage in each processing cycle. At the same time, the thermal stability and stiffness of the composite increases with the proportion of recyclate introduced. Contemporarily, the shear and bending properties have also been observed to improve. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showed that the changes observed are due to an increase in molecular weight with the recyclate content. In particular, a correlation between the molecular weight and the shear properties of the composite was discovered using single fibre push-out tests.
High-performance fibre-reinforced polymer composites are important construction materials based not only on the specific properties of the reinforcing fibres and the flexible polymer Matrix but also on the compatible properties of the composite interphase. First, oxygen-free (a-CSi:H) and oxygen-binding (a-CSiO:H) plasma nanocoatings of different mechanical and tribological properties were deposited on planar silicon dioxide substrates that closely mimic E-glass. The nanoscratch test was used to characterize the nanocoating adhesion expressed in terms of critical normal load and work of adhesion. Next, the same nanocoatings were deposited on E-glass fibres, which were used as reinforcements in the polyester composite to affect its interphase properties. The shear properties of the polymer composite were characterized by macro- and micromechanical tests, namely a short beam shear test to determine the short-beam strength and a single fibre push-out test to determine the interfacial shear strength. The results of the polymer composites showed a strong correlation between the short-beam strength and the interfacial shear strength, proving that both tests are sensitive to changes in fibre-matrix adhesion due to different surface modifications of glass fibres (GF).
Finally, a strong correlation between the shear properties of the GF/polyester composite and the adhesion of the plasma nanocoating expressed through the work of adhesion was demonstrated.
Thus, increasing the work of adhesion of plasma nanocoatings from 0.8 to 1.5 mJ·m−2 increased the short-beam strength from 23.1 to 45.2 MPa. The results confirmed that the work of adhesion is a more suitable parameter in characterising the level of nanocoating adhesion in comparison with the critical normal load.
The longitudinal and transverse strength of three unidirectional thermoplastic prepreg systems: carbon fiber/polypropylene (CF/PP), polyamide 6 (CF/PA6), and polyphenylene sulfide (CF/PPS) are studied and analytical formulas are proposed for the estimation of matrix and fiber/matrix interface properties from composites properties. Since the matrices are semi-crystalline thermoplastics, the influence of cooling rate on the strength is statistically evaluated. While the 0° tensile strength is found to be independent of the cooling rate, the 90° tensile strength is strongly influenced by the matrix type and cooling rate. The matrix modulus increases as the cooling rate is decreased; the degree of crystallinity also increases. The matrix residual stress, interfacial shear strength, and mode II interlaminar fracture toughness are also found to depend on the cooling rate, with the trends different for different matrices.
Due to the different thermal expansion of the constituent materials, cyclic thermal loading of FRP induces alternating stresses in the material at two scales: at the micro scale (level of fibre–matrix-interaction) and at the macro scale (level of the multidirectional laminate). Especially the micro scale effect is not comprehensively investigated yet. Additionally, computational investigations mostly neglect this effect due to the homogenous modelling of the composite material. As this effect is assumed to significantly contribute to the fatigue of FRP at thermal loads, the present paper suggests an experimental and numerical multiscale approach including Experiments at the different involved material scales to separately observe the effects acting at these scales. The approach also includes numerical modelling for each scale to complement the knowledge gained from the Experiments and to create a basis for the consideration of the micro effect even in macroscopic fatigue models treating homogeneous modelled composites. The main focus of the contribution is to bring the overall Approach up for discussion, rather than to present the multiscale modelling details.
BAM Report 2019
(2020)
Dieser BAM-Report erscheint zwischen zwei historischen Jubiläen: dem 30. Jahrestag des Mauerfalls am 9. November 1989 und dem der staatlichen Einheit Deutschlands am 3. Oktober 1990.
Für unser Land bedeuten beide Daten eine glückliche Zäsur. Und auch für die Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), die in den Jahren der Teilung ihren Sitz im westlichen Teil Berlins behalten hatte, waren sie mit guten Veränderungen verbunden: Zur BAM sind über 500 Wissenschaftler*innen des ostdeutschen Amtes für Standardisierung, Messwesen und Warenprüfung sowie aus den Instituten der Akademie der Wissenschaften in Berlin-Adlershof dazugekommen. Die BAM hat damals neue Tätigkeitsschwerpunkte gewonnen, vor allem auf dem Gebiet der Analytischen Chemie, und konnte sich als Teil des sich auch heute noch rasant entwickelnden Wissenschaftsstandortes Berlin-Adlershof positionieren.
Blicken wir heute auf die bewegten und bewegenden Monate vor 30 Jahren zurück, so tun wir dies aus einer deutlich veränderten Gegenwart: Aktuell beschäftigen uns große gesellschaftliche Herausforderungen wie die digitale Transformation, Energiesicherheit, demografische Veränderungen und der Klimawandel. Berlin ist inmitten dieser Herausforderungen ein Ort der Innovation und des Aufbruchs in der Mitte Europas. Dafür steht beispielhaft die Ansiedlung des Werner von Siemens Centre for Industry & Science, das in den kommenden Jahren im Nordwesten der Stadt wachsen wird. Die BAM ist auch hier Partner des Zukunftsprojekts.
Sicherheit in Technik und Chemie zu gewährleisten - unser Kernauftrag bleibt inmitten dieses beschleunigten Wandels unverändert gültig. Aber er bezieht sich heute auf die Sicherheit von Nanopartikeln, von Werkstücken aus dem 3D-Drucker oder die Speicher von Wasserstoffautos und morgen auf ganz neue Technologien. Dazu forschen wir in unseren fünf Themenfeldern Energie, Infrastruktur, Umwelt, Material und Analytical Sciences weltweit vernetzt.
Über alle Umbrüche hinweg leitet uns dabei eine Idee: Sicherheit macht Märkte. Technologischer Wandel, Kreativität und Erfinder*innengeist ermöglichen den Wohlstand unserer Gesellschaft. Zugleich aber gilt: Erst die Verlässlichkeit neuer Technologien und Materialien schafft das Vertrauen der Menschen in den Wandel und sichert so langfristig unsere Zukunft.
Das Ziel des Gesamtvorhabens bestand darin, einen neuartigen kapazitiven Sensortyp zur hochauflösenden Bestimmung von Masse- und Gravitationskraftänderungen zu entwickeln. Bisherige Technologien nutzten dafür Federn oder Biegebalken aus gehärteten metallischen Werkstoffen, deren Alterungsverhalten die Präzision der Kräftemessung begrenzen. Grundprinzip des neuen Sensortyps ist es, eine auf die keramische Feder einwirkenden Änderung der Gewichts- oder Gravitationskraft durch eine Erfassung der Kapazitätsänderung am Sensor zu bestimmen. Dazu muss die durch Stauchung oder Dehnung der Feder entstehende Kapazitätsänderung mit hoher Auflösung reproduzierbar gemessen werden. Neben einem geeigneten Sensordesign waren Lösungen für Messsignalerfassung und -auswertung (Elektronik/Software) und die Systemintegration zu entwickeln.
Die wichtigsten im Rahmen des BAM-Teilvorhabens erzielten Ergebnisse sind:
- Ausgehend von kommerziellen High-end Keramikpulvern wurden durch Optimierung der keramischen Technologie nahezu porenfreie Al2O3, ZrO2 und Si3N4-Werkstoffe hergestellt und bezüglich Gefüge und Phasenbestand sowie mechanischen, thermischen und elektrischen Eigenschaften bewertet. Insbesondere die defektfreie Herstellung von nanostrukturierten Werkstoffen erforderte umfangreiche Variationen der Prozessparameter. Geeignete Werkstoffvarianten wurden für die Federherstellung ausgewählt.
- Gemeinsam mit den Projektpartnern wurden Layoutvarianten für Schraubendruckfedern mit rechteckigem Windungsquerschnitt und für die Federeinbindung in das Sensorsystem erarbeitet.
- 4 Federvarianten wurden an der BAM durch Hartbearbeitung von gesinterten Hohlzylindern umgesetzt. Fertigungstoleranzen von < ±10 µm für Windungsbreite, Windungshöhe und Windungsabstand und dünnfilm-kompatible innere Windungsflächen (Ra < 0,2 µm) wurden erreicht. Al2O3- und ZrO2-Federn können rissfrei und mit sehr guter Kantenqualität gefertigt werden, bei Si3N4-Federn konnten Kantenschädigungen nicht vollständig verhindert werden.
- Mit der entwickelten Herstellungstechnologie können sowohl „harte“ als auch sehr „weiche“ Federn produziert werden. Federkonstanten zwischen 0,02 N/mm und 10 N/mm wurden realisiert. Die Reproduzierbarkeit der Federfertigung ist gegeben, innerhalb einer Charge unterschieden sich die Federkonstanten der gefertigten Federn nur um etwa +/- 1%.
- An einem speziell entwickelten Versuchsstand wurden die Federn unter zyklischer Druckbelastung im Temperaturbereich von -20 bis +80 °C untersucht. An den Al2O3- und ZrO2-Federn wurden keine Schädigungen beobachtet, die Federkonstante wird durch die zyklische Langzeitbelastung nicht verändert.
- Die Eignung der keramischen Federn für den Applikationsfall wurde mit zahlreichen Spannungs-Dehnungs-Experimenten, teilweise an speziell aufgebauten Versuchsapparaturen, untersucht. An Al2O3- und Si3N4-Federn wurde – wie erwartet – gefunden, dass die Federkonstante unabhängig von der Belastungsgeschwindigkeit ist und unter konstanter Last auch über lange Zeiträume keine Verformung auftritt. Überraschenderweise zeigten ZrO2 (TZP)-Federn ein zeitabhängiges Verhalten unter Last. Dieses ist besonders stark bei Y-stabilisierten Werkstoffvarianten ausgebildet, wurde aber mit Hochpräzisionsmessungen auch bei Ce-stabilsierten Werkstoffen nachgewiesen. Die Deformation ist reversibel, eine vollständige Relaxation wird erst nach Tagen erreicht. Aufgrund der zeitabhängigen Verformung können ZrO2 (TZP)-Federn, trotz ihrer hervorragenden Festigkeit und Bruchzähigkeit, nicht für die konzipierten Sensorfedern eingesetzt werden.
- Das durch die Fa. Siegert TFT entwickelte Metallisierungs-Schichtsystem, bestehend aus aufgesputterten Ti-, Pt- und Au-Schichten verstärkt durch eine galvanisch aufgebrachte Au-Schicht, wurde an der BAM umfassend bewertet. Die Schichten sind untereinander und mit der Keramik weitgehend defektfrei verbunden, die lokale Schichtdicke schwankt jedoch bedingt durch Abschattungseffekte während der Beschichtungsvorgang. Es wurden Schichtwiderstände zwischen 50 und 90 Ohm und damit die Zielvorgabe des Projektes (< 100 Ohm) erreicht. In statischen und dynamischen Belastungstests wurden keine Veränderungen der Leitungswiderstände festgestellt.
- Zur Erhöhung der Kapazität des Kondensators kann der Raum zwischen den Federwindungen statt mit Luft mit einer Flüssigkeit mit hoher Dielektrizitätskonstante gefüllt werden. Als geeignete Flüssigkeit wurde Propylencarbonat mit einer Dielektrizitätskonstante von 65, einem hohen Siedepunkt und einer geringen Viskosität identifiziert. Um eine noch höhere Dielektrizitätskonstante zwischen den Federwindungen zu erreichen. wurden Suspensionen aus Silikonöl und nanokristallinem Bariumtitanat hergestellt und bezüglich ihrer Langzeitstabiltät charakterisiert.
- Gemäß den Anforderungen des Projektpartners KOMPASS wurden maßgeschneiderte Al2O3-Federn mit einer Federkonstante < 0,1 N/mm hergestellt und für den Aufbau des finalen Demonstrator eingesetzt.
Die prinzipielle Funktionsfähigkeit des neuen Sensorkonzeptes auf Basis keramischer Federn wurde mit dem im Projekt aufgebauten Demonstrator nachgewiesen. Die Umsetzung der F+E-ergebnisse in eine industrielle Nutzung zur Herstellung von Gravimetern wird vom Projektpartner KOMPASS angestrebt und ist bereits mit detaillierten Zeitplänen untersetzt.
Biopolymers are very efficient for significant applications ranging from tissue engineering, biological devices to water purification. There is a tremendous potential value of cellulose because of ist being the most abundant biopolymer on earth, swellability, and functional groups to be modified. A novel, highly efficient route for the fabrication of mechanically stable and natural hydrogels is described in which cellulose and glycine are dissolved in an alkaline solution of NaOH and neutralized in an acidic solution. The dissolving temperature and the glycine amount are essential parameters for the self-assembly of cellulose chains and for Tuning the morphology and the aggregate structures of the resulting hydrogels. Glycine plays the role of a physical crosslinker based on the Information obtained from FTIR and Raman spectra. Among the prepared set of hydrogels, CL5Gly30 hydrogels have the highest capacity to absorb water. The prepared CL5Gly30 gels can absorb up to seven times their dry weight due to its porous 3-D network structure. CL5Gly10 hydrogel exhibits 80% deformation under 21 N force executed. The method developed in this article can contribute to the application of heavy metal adsorption in aqueous solutions for water purification and waste management.
At high temperatures and in harsh environments ceramic springs are often superior to metallic springs and allow for innovative solutions. A recently proposed application involves ceramic springs with metallized surfaces as capacitive force sensor. A strictly linear stress-strain characteristic of the spring is a precondition for such a sensor.
Helical ceramic springs with rectangular cross-section have been produced from sintered hollow cylinders. Alumina, ATZ, Y-TZP, and Ce-TZP springs with identical dimensions were characterized and compared regarding deformation behavior.
Spring deformation was investigated under various load scenarios.
Dynamic compression was performed with deformation speeds from 0.3 to 30 mm/min. Spring constants of alumina springs are strain rate independent. By contrast, Y-TZP spring constant increases by approximately 3 % within the experimental framework.
A high-precision test facility was developed to characterize spring displacement in nm range under static tensile load over long periods of time. Spring elongation with asymptotic course was observed for zirconia containing materials at room temperature. This effect is particularly strong in the case of Y-TZP. Up to 0.3 % time-dependent elongation was measured after 24 h under constant load. Deformation is completely reversible after unloading. Alumina springs do not show any time-dependent deformation under identical test conditions.
Contrary to alumina springs, a non-linear stress-strain behavior of TZP springs at room temperature was proved in both test series. It is supposed, that pseudo-elasticity caused by stress-induced phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic is responsible for this special behavior of TZP springs.
One of the holy grails in chemistry is to reconstruct some of life’s functions with synthetic materials. In this contribution, we demonstrate that “simple” macromolecular architectures such as dendritic amphiphiles, Janus dendrimers, thermoresponsive and hybrid organic-inorganic (co)polymers enable to mimic some of the functions of proteins for biomineralization, natural bactericides, biological membranes or the stimuli-responsive cytoskeleton.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
Helical springs with a rectangular cross-section have been machined from sintered and grinded hollow cylinders with high geometrical precision and good reproducibility. Such springs made from tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP) ceramic show excellent edge quality because of high fracture toughness and bending strength of the starting material. Hence, springs with desired geometric dimension and tailored spring constant can be manufactured for highly demanding applications at high temperatures and in harsh environments.
Prior to any practical use, application limits of springs under mechanical and thermal load have to be analyzed. Therefore, different displacement experiments were carried out on the helical TZP springs.
- Dynamic displacement tests at various temperatures from -15°C to +60°C using a piezo actor to load/unload springs with frequencies between 1 and 40 Hz: Springs remained undamaged and the spring constants were not altered, even after more than one million cycles of compression loading.
- Long-time displacement measurements under static tensile loading at room temperature with a high-precision interferometer test facility: Significant spring elongation under constant strain was surprisingly proved over a period of many hours already at room temperature.
- Creeping experiments for 48 h under static compression load at different temperatures up to 1000 °C: After cooling down and load removing no permanent length reduction of springs was observed for test temperatures up to 700 °C. However, reshaping of TZP springs by plastic deformation is possible at higher temperatures and opens up additional possibilities for spring design and manufacturing.
The present work provides a comparative study on the interface and adhesion properties of surface modified single glass fibers embedded in an acrylate matrix. To facilitate a covalent bonding at the fibermatrix interface, the fibers are functionalized with selected organosilanes that comprise either passive (unsaturated C¼C bonds of methacrylate moieties) or photoactive functionalities (photocleavable bis(acyl)phosphane oxide groups). Immobilization of the functional silanes is carried out by a classic silanization reaction involving a condensation reaction across the surface hydroxyl groups of the inorganic glass fibers. The change of the physico-chemical properties of the fibers due to desizing and subsequent surface modification is monitored by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and zeta potential measurements. In addition, scanning electron microscopy is used to follow the changes in surface morphology. After the modification step, the desized and modified single fibers are embedded in a photocurable acrylate resin formulation. By performing single fiber pull-out tests, maximum pull-out force, friction strength and apparent interfacial shear strength are determined as a function of the coupled silanes. The results reveal that the attached organosilanes lead to a significant increase in adhesion strength, whilst the performance of the photo-cleavable organosilane is superior to the passive methacryl-functional derivative.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and/or 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
Vesicles self-assembled in water from natural and synthetic phospholipids (liposomes), amphiphilic block copolymers (polymersomes), and more recently amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (dendrimersomes) -5 as hollow soft structures in the nano size regime have attracted increasing interest as they can mimic primitive and contemporary biological membranes, and can be configured into biomimetic nanocapsules with application in nanomedicine such as gene, proteins and drug carriers or theranostics.
Compared to other amphiphilic structures, the molecular structure of Janus dendrimers can be precisely controlled: by using the vast range of tools from organic chemistry their size, architecture, density, generation as well as the number of end groups of the individual dendrons can be modified as desired.
Unfortunately, the controlled production of supramolecular aggregates made thereof is still a challenging task. Conventional batch-based techniques such as the solvent injection method or the film hydration method typically go along with a lack of control over self assembly/mixing and thus over size, morphology and size distribution of the vesicles.
The micromixer technology is a promising method for the controlled preparation of supramolecular assemblies as it allows control of mixing at microscale level. In addition, such microfluidic systems benefit from a high mixing efficiency, a low mixing time as well as from a reproducible and continuous production of soft nanoparticles. Herein, we report on the microfluidic-controlled self-assembly of Janus dendrimers as dendrimersomes and the impact of the mixing parameters on the self-assembly process.
One of the holy grails in chemistry is to reconstitute some of life’s functions with or within synthetic materials. In this contribution, we demonstrate that “simple” macromolecular architectures such as dendritic amphiphiles, Janus dendrimers, thermoresponsive and hybrid organic-inorganic (co)polymers enable to mimic some of the functions of proteins for biomineralization, natural bactericides, biological membranes or the stimuli-responsive cytoskeleton.
One of the holy grails in chemistry is to reconstruct some of life’s functions within synthetic materials. In this contribution, we demonstrate that “simple” macromolecular architectures such as dendritic amphiphiles, Janus dendrimers, thermoresponsive and hybrid organic-inorganic (co)polymers enable to mimic some of the functions of proteins for biomineralization, natural bactericides, biological membranes or the stimuli-responsive cytoskeleton.
Tooth wear induced by abrasive particles is a key process affecting dental function and life expectancy in mammals. Abrasive particles may be plant endogenous opal phytoliths, exogene wind-blown quartz dust or rain borne mineral particles ingested by mammals. Nano-indentation hardness of abrasive particles and dental tissues is a significant yet not fully established parameter of this tribological system. We provide consistent nano-indentation hardness data for some of the major antagonists in the dental tribosystem (tooth enamel, tooth dentine and opaline phytoliths from silica controlled cultivation). All indentation data were gathered from native tissues under stable and controlled conditions and thus maximize comparability to natural systems. Here we show that native (hydrated) wild boar enamel exceeds any hardness measures known for dry herbivore tooth enamel by at least 3 GPa. The native tooth enamel is not necessarily softer then environmental quartz grit, although there is little overlap. The native hardness of the tooth enamel exceeds that of any silica phytolith hardness recently published. Further, we find that native reed phytoliths equal native suine dentine in hardness, but does not exceed native suine enamel. We also find that native suine enamel is significantly harder than dry enamel and dry phytoliths are harder than native phytoliths. Our data challenge the claim that the culprit of tooth wear may be the food we chew, but suggest instead that wear may relates more to exogenous than endogenous abrasives.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications,but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or Ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and/or 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
We invented the first non-metallic, self-adhesive and dry biosignalling electrode. The PEDOT polymer electrode changes its aggregate state and conductivity by a light curing procedure. The electrode can be applied as a gel underneath hair without shaving. With the aid of blue light, the electrode can be hardened within a few seconds at the desired location on the scalp. The cured polymer electrode is highly conductive and can be applied on a very small location. Unlike other EEG electrodes, our electrode does not lose conductivity upon drying. Furthermore, our electrode strongly bonds to Skin and does not require any additional adhesive. Short circuits due to an outflow of gel are prevented with this technique. Therefore, the PEDOT polymer electrode is extremely well suited for applications that, up to now, have been challenging, such as non-invasive EEG recordings from awake and freely moving animals, EEG recordings from preterm babies in the neonatal intensive care unit or long-term recordings in the case of sleep monitoring or epilepsy diagnostics. We addressed two technical questions in this work. First, is the EEG recorded with polymer electrodes comparable to a standard EEG? Second, is it possible to record full-band EEGs with our electrodes?
Effects of various geometrical and physical factors, as well as the method of data reduction (analysis of
experimental forceedisplacement curves) on the values of local interfacial strength parameters (local IFSS, td, and critical energy release rate, Gic) determined by means of a single fiber pull-out test are discussed. Experimental results of our pull-out tests on several fiberepolymer matrix systems showed that td and Gic weakly depended on geometrical factors. However, the pull-out test appeared to be sensitive to the conditions of specimen formation and testing, such as changing the nature of the contacting surfaces (fiber sizing) and the fiber pull-out rate. Of several methods of td and Gic Determination from a forceedisplacement curve, the most reliable and reproducible one is the approach based on the values of the maximum force recorded in a pull-out test and the interfacial frictional force immediately after fiber debonding.
Circumventing boundary effects while characterizing epoxy/copper interphases using nanoindentation
(2017)
Characterization of the size and mechanical properties of interphases is essential when designing multicomponent materials. When nanoindentation is used to investigate the size and mechanical properties of an interphase, a common challenge is that the indenter or the stress zone formed around it are often restricted by the reinforcement, making it difficult to distinguish the mechanical property variations caused by the interphase itself from those caused by the boundary effect. In this work, a testing system was developed that allows determining the indent affected zone and accounting for it in the interphase measurements of an epoxy/Cu system. Using finite element analysis, we confirmed the validity of the proposed system. Nanoindentation was used to investigate the Interphase between copper and two different epoxy systems; amine-cured and anhydride-cured. Nanoindentation results showed that a copper layer that is only 10 nm thick still exhibits a constriction effect on the indentations in its vicinity. The amine-cured epoxy did not show any sign of interphase existence using the introduced method. However,
a soft interphase with a thickness of ~1.7 μm was measured on theanhydride-cured epoxy. Furthermore, we show that the proposed system can be used to determine the interphase thickness as well as its relative mechanical properties regardless of the indentation depth.
This system can be further used for investigating other polymer/metal interphases to better understand the factors influencing them, thus helping engineer the interphase size and properties to enhance composite performance.
Charakterisierung von Glas-Polymer Verbundmaterialien fur die Hochdruckspeicherung von Wasserstoff
(2017)
In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden Glaskapillaren und Strukturen aus Borosilikatglas (Simax) f¨ur die Hochdruckspeicherung von Wasserstoff betrachtet. Um die mechanischen Belastungen zu analysieren und anschließend ein optimiertes Speicherdesign abzuleiten, findet die Finite Element Methode (FEM) Einsatz.
Die notwendigen Materialkennwerte werden zuvor experimentell ermittelt. Dazu geh¨oren die Festigkeit, die Schubfestigkeit der Grenzfl¨ache Klebung/Glas, der Wasserstoffpermeationskoeffizient, das Temperatur-Zeit-abh¨angige Verhalten, sowie die obere Temperatureinsatzgrenze.
Die Glasfestigkeit ist stark abh¨angig von der Oberfl¨acheng¨ute. Daher werden in dieser Arbeit Kapillaren selber gezogen und beschichtet. Der Einfluss auf die Festigkeit wird mit Hilfe von Berstversuchen untersucht. Die eingesetzten Polymere werden zus¨atzlich mit dem Push-out Versuch, der dynamisch mechanischen Analyse und der Permeationsmessung charakterisiert.
Dar¨uber hinaus wird aus den DMA Versuchen ein viskoelastisches Materialmodell abgeleitet, womit der Temperatur- und Zeiteinfluss auf die mechanische Belastung simuliert wird.
Unter Beachtung der experimentell gewonnenen Erkenntnisse, sowie der durchgef¨uhrten Simulation ist es m¨oglich, ein optimiertes Speicherdesign zu erstellen und Aussagen ¨uber die Einsatzgrenzen zu treffen.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers that phase separate from solution upon cooling present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol. In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the right side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds.
We want to present our latest results on the copolymer poly(acrylamide-co-acrylonitrile) (P(AAm-co-AN)) that present a UCST in water as well as on two homopolymers based on an acrylamide derivative of 2,6-diaminopyridine, namely poly(N-(6-aminopyridin-2-yl)acrylamide) (PNAPAAm) and poly(N-(6-acetamidopyridin-2-yl)acrylamide) (PNAcAPAAm) that show UCST-type thermoresponsiveness in water/alcohol mixtures.
Our focus for P(AAm-co-AN)) is its aggregation behaviour above and below its phase transition temperature as the size of thermoresponsive polymeric systems is of prime importance for biomedical applications (as size dependent processes take place in the body) and is linked to the optical properties of a material that matter in materials science.
In the case of PNAPAAm and PNAcAPAAm, we focused on the co-solvency/co-non solvency effect on the phase transition temperature in water/alcohol mixture. Indeed, polymers with UCST behavior below 60°C in water/alcohol mixtures are extremely promising for the preparation of “smart” materials for sensing.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
The demand for high-performance materials has strongly increased over the last decade. One way to improve their performance is to introduce material gradients as found in Nature (for example squid beaks, spider fangs, mussel byssal threads).
One path towards the achievement of such material gradients is the synthesis of hybrid (gradient) copolymers, for instance based on silane and organic monomers. Since not all gradient copolymers can be synthesized by utilising the reactivity ratios of the monomers, forced gradients have to be used. However, in order to obtain gradient copolymers at high conversions, living or pseudo-living copolymerizations have to be performed and so far only few hybrid (organic / inorganic) gradient copolymers have been reported. In this contribution we will present the synthesis of a novel organic / inorganic hybrid copolymer via controlled radical polymerization.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the right side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
Im Arbeitskreis von Herrn Prof. Dr. Menzel (TU Braunschweig) wurde in Sievershausen ein Vortrag zum Thema „Self-healing and mechanically reinforced silicone rubber by the use of multifuctional capsules“ gehalten. Der Vortrag beginnt mit einer kurzen Motivation und einem Überblick über selbstheilende Materialien. Daraufhin werden die Ergebnisse zur Entwicklung eines selbstheilenden Silikonelastomers auf Basis von Kapseln, bestehend aus einem PDMS Kern und einer POS Hülle, dargestellt. Es folgt die Analytik, die auf DLS, TGA, UV/Vis und Fluoreszenzspektroskopie sowie SEM beruht. Der Vortrag endet mit einem Ausblick über zukünftige Arbeiten auf dem Gebiet.
Unilamellar vesicles self-assembled in water from natural and synthetic phospholipids (liposomes), amphiphilic block copolymers (polymersomes), and more recently amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (dendrimersomes) as hollow soft structures in the nano size regime have attracted increasing interest as they can mimic primitive and contemporary biological membranes, and can be configured into biomimetic nanocapsules with application in nanomedicine such as gene, proteins and drug carriers or theranostics. Compared to other amphiphilic structures, the molecular structure of Janus dendrimers can be precisely controlled: by using the vast range of tools from organic chemistry their size, architecture, density, generation as well as the number of endgroups of the individual dendrons can be modified as desired. Unfortunately, the controlled production of the supramolecular aggregates made thereof is still a challenging task. Conventional batch-based techniques such as the solvent injection method or the film hydration method typically go along with a lack of control over mixing and thus over size, morphology and size distribution. The micromixer technology is a promising method for the controlled preparation of supramolecular assemblies as it allows control of mixing at microscale level. In addition, such microfluidic systems benefit from a high mixing efficiency, a low mixing time as well as from a reproducible and continuous synthesis.
Herein, we report on the microfluidic-controlled self-assembly of Janus dendrimers as dendrimersomes and the impact of the mixing parameters on the self-assembly process.
Carbon nanotube-grafted carbon fiber polymer composites: Damage characterization on the micro scale
(2017)
Multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) e carbon fibers (CFs)hybrid materials were produced by directly growing CNTs on CFs by means of chemical vapor deposition. For the latter, the oxidative dehydrogenation reaction of C2H2 and CO2 was applied, which allows growing CNTs without damaging the CF surface. Uni-directional nano-engineered carbon fiber reinforced composites (nFRCs) were fabricated by impregnating these hybrid materials with epoxy. The nFRCs subjected to single fiber push-out tests revealed a decrease of the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of about 36% compared to the carbon fiber composites without CNTs. By means of transverse three-point bending tests performed on pre-notched composite beams inside a scanning electron microscope, the fracturing behavior parallel to the fibers was studied in-situ. The nFRCs showed significantly reduced fiber/matrix debonding while CNTs pull-out, CNTs bridging as well as matrix failure occurred. These results demonstrate that the presence of CNTs in nFRCs affects the stress distribution and consequently the damage Initiation as well as the damage propagation. The presence of CNTs suppresses the stress concentration at the fiber/Matrix interface and reduces the debonding of CFs from the matrix. However, our results indicate that the stress concentration shifts towards the CNTs' ends/matrix interface and causes promoted matrix failure leading to lower IFSS.
To avoid a catastrophic failure of insulation in high-voltage (HV) applications, a monitoring of partial discharges (PDs) is necessary. Fluorescently labelled polymer optical fibers (F-POF) offer an electrically passive method for PD detection in HV facilities. F-POFs could be embedded in HV cable accessories, which are usually made of silicone rubber. Herein they detect the light emitted by the PD and convert it into an electrical signal that can be monitored. Due to the difficult accessibility of HV cable accessories, a self-healing silicone rubber with prolonged service life after PD detection represents an attractive material design for HV accessories. With this contribution, we would like to present and discuss the possibilities of combining self-healing materials with POF-based sensors for PD detection in HV applications.
To avoid a catastrophic failure of insulation in high-voltage (HV) applications, a monitoring of partial discharges (PD) is necessary. Fluorescently labelled polymer optical fibres (F-POF) offer an electrically passive method for PD detection in HV facilities. F-POF could be embedded into HV cable insulation material, which are usually made of silicone rubber. Due to the difficult accessibility of HV cable accessories, a self-healing silicone rubber, based on incorporated capsules, with prolonged service life after PD detection represents an attractive material design for HV electrical insulation.
UCST-type thermoresponsive polymers (i.e. that phase separate from solution upon cooling) present a tremendous potential not only in aqueous media where they can be used in drug delivery, diagnostic and microfluidic applications, but also in water/alcohol mixtures, where they can be used for instance in sensing systems for alcohol-soluble drugs. However, only a few thermoresponsive polymers have been reported that present an UCST in a relevant temperature range and “green” solvents such as water or ethanol.
In this context, acrylamide-based monomers can be very useful building blocks for designing novel non-ionic UCST-type polymers because of their hydrophilic nature (with the appropriate side chain) and propensity to form hydrogen bonds. We will present our latest results on the UCST-type thermoresponsive behaviour of acrylamide- and 2,6-diaminopyridine-based homopolymers and copolymers in water or water/alcohol mixtures, and give some insights about the rational design of UCST polymers relying on H-bonding.
Vesicles self-assembled in water from natural and synthetic phospholipids (liposomes), amphiphilic block copolymers (polymersomes), and more recently amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (dendrimersomes) -5 as hollow soft structures in the nano size regime have attracted increasing interest as they can mimic primitive and contemporary biological membranes, and can be configured into biomimetic nanocapsules with application in nanomedicine such as gene, proteins and drug carriers or theranostics.
Compared to other amphiphilic structures, the molecular structure of Janus dendrimers can be precisely controlled: by using the vast range of tools from organic chemistry their size, architecture, density, generation as well as the number of end groups of the individual dendrons can be modified as desired.
Unfortunately, the controlled production of the supramolecular aggregates made thereof is still a challenging task. Conventional batch-based techniques such as the solvent injection method or the film hydration method typically go along with a lack of control over mixing and thus over size, morphology and size distribution. The micromixer technology is a promising method for the controlled preparation of supramolecular assemblies as it allows control of mixing at microscale level. In addition, such microfluidic systems benefit from a high mixing efficiency, a low mixing time as well as from a reproducible and continuous synthesis.
Herein, we report on the microfluidic-controlled self-assembly of Janus dendrimers as dendrimersomes and the impact of the mixing parameters on the self-assembly process.
Vesicles self-assembled in water from natural and synthetic phospholipids (liposomes), amphiphilic block copolymers (polymersomes), and more recently amphiphilic Janus dendrimers (dendrimersomes) as hollow soft structures in the nano size regime have attracted increasing interest as they can mimic primitive and contemporary biological membranes, and can be configured into biomimetic nanocapsules with application in nanomedicine such as gene, proteins and drug carriers or theranostics.
Compared to other amphiphilic structures, the molecular structure of Janus dendrimers can be precisely controlled: by using the vast range of tools from organic chemistry their size, architecture, density, generation as well as the number of end groups of the individual dendrons can be modified as desired.
Unfortunately, the controlled production of the supramolecular aggregates made thereof is still a challenging task. Conventional batch-based techniques such as the solvent injection method or the film hydration method typically go along with a lack of control over mixing and thus over size, morphology and size distribution. The micromixer technology is a promising method for the controlled preparation of supramolecular assemblies as it allows control of mixing at microscale level. In addition, such microfluidic systems benefit from a high mixing efficiency, a low mixing time as well as from a reproducible and continuous synthesis.
Herein, we report on the microfluidic-controlled self-assembly of Janus dendrimers as dendrimersomes and the impact of the mixing parameters on the self-assembly process.
Plasma polymers and electrospray-ionization (ESI) polymer layers are compared for most efficient adhesion promotion in carbon fiber-epoxy resin composites. The ultra-thin ESI layers (2–30 nm) of commercial poly(acrylic acid) and poly-(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) produce an significant increase of adhesion measured by single-fiber pull out tests.
However, plasma Treatment has also advantages, such as simultaneous activation of the fiber substrate. Chemical structure and composition are rather far from the regular structure of commercial polymers as deposited by ESI processing.
The aims of the Research Unit „Acting Principles of Nano-Scaled Matrix Additives for Composite Structures“ (DFG FOR 2021) are based on different synergetic pathways. Challenges are to achieve an improved damage tolerance combined with unchanged processability and a proof of the nano-based effect from molecular scale up to structural level. First of all, a comprehensive understanding of the acting mechanisms of nano-scaled ceramic additives onto polymer matrices of continuous fibre reinforced polymer composites with respect to improved matrix dominated properties is in focus. To proof of the nanoscopic and microscopic effects up to structural level; experimental investigations start on the functional correlation between the particle properties and the resulting properties of the epoxy as suspension and in the solid state. This includes tests for the resulting composite structures as well. Along the entire process chain different multi-scale simulations are performed from molecular modelling up to the macroscopic, structural level. The combination of experimental investigations and simulation methods enables a holistic understanding of the acting principles and basic mechanisms.
Specialized techniques based on Scanning Force Microscopy are the basis of our analysis of physicochemical properties of the boehmite nanoparticles and their polymer environment. A surface map of mechanical properties as an input for simulations facilitate a deeper understanding of such composites across all scales. This enables us to understand the macroscopic structure-property relationship and to predict failure mechanisms as well as routes for optimization.
Fluorescence imaging microscopy is an essential tool in biomedical research. Meanwhile, various fluorescent probes are available for the staining of cells, cell membranes, and organelles. Though, to monitor intracellular processes and dysfunctions, probes that respond to ubiquitous chemical parameters determining the cellular function such as pH, pO2, and Ca2+ are required. This review is focused on the progress in the design, fabrication, and application of photoluminescent nanoprobes for sensing and imaging of pH in living cells. The advantages of using nanoprobes carrying fluorescent pHindicators compared to single molecule probes are discussed as well as their limitations due to the mostly lysosomal uptake by cells. Particular attention is paid to ratiometric dual wavelength nanosensors that enable intrinsic referenced measurements. Referencing and proper calibration procedures are basic prerequisites to carry out reliable quantitative pH determinations in complex samples such as living cells. A variety of examples will be presented that highlight the diverseness of nanocarrier materials (polymers, micelles, silica, quantum dots, carbon dots, gold, photon upconversion nanocrystals, or bacteriophages), fluorescent pH indicators for the weak acidic range, and referenced sensing mechanisms, that have been applied intracellularly up to now.
An exciting challenge is to create unduloid-reinforcing fibers with tailored dimensions to produce synthetic composites with improved toughness and increased ductility. Continuous carbon fibers, the state-of-the-art reinforcement for structural composites, were modified via controlled laser irradiation to result in expanded outwardly tapered regions, as well as fibers with Q-tip (cotton-bud) end shapes. A pulsed laser treatment was used to introduce damage at the single carbon fiber level, creating expanded regions at predetermined points along the lengths of continuous carbon fibers, while maintaining much of their stiffness. The range of produced shapes was quantified and correlated to single fiber tensile properties. Mapped Raman spectroscopy was used to elucidate the local compositional and structural changes. Irradiation conditions were adjusted to create a swollen weakened region, such that fiber failure occurred in the laser treated Region producing two fiber ends with outwardly tapered ends. Loading the tapered fibers allows for viscoelastic energy dissipation during fiber pull-out by enhanced friction as the fibers plough through a matrix. In these tapered fibers, diameters were locally increased up to 53%, forming outward taper angles of up to 1.8°. The tensile strength and strain to failure of the modified fibers were significantly reduced, by 75% and 55%, respectively, ensuring localization of the break in the expanded region; however, the fiber stiffness was only reduced by 17%. Using harsher irradiation conditions, carbon fibers were completely cut, resulting in cottonbud fiber end shapes. Single fiber pull-out tests performed using these fibers revealed a 6.75-fold increase in work of pull-out compared to pristine carbon fibers. Controlled laser irradiation is a route to modify the shape of continuous carbon fibers along their lengths, as well as to cut them into controlled lengths leaving tapered or cotton-bud shapes.
Der Vortrag widmet sich der Kratzbeständigkeit-Prüfmethoden und deren Bewertung und beschreibt Begriffe/Definitionen, Wirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Kratzbeständigkeit, Mess- und Prüfverfahren – allgemein (Anwendbarkeit, Messunsicherheit, Validierung), Mess- und Prüfverfahren – speziell die Erzeugung, Prüfverfahren von Einzel- und Vielfach-Kratzern, die Charakterisierung von Verkratzungen und eine zusammenfassende Bewertung im Einzelnen
Characterization of the mechanical properties of interphases is essential when designing multicomponent materials such as fiber-reinforced matrices, protective coatings or multi-layered structures for integrated circuits. It can provide vital information about the durability of the finished product as a composite because failure is often initiated in the interfacial region induced by internal or external stress during fabrication or service. Nanoindentation is a powerful tool for investigating mechanical properties on the micro/nano scale. However, there are some challenges associated with conducting nanoindentation near interface regions. One main challenge is that the small thickness of the interphase region (typically 1-2µm) makes it difficult to apply several adjacent indents without overlap. Another issue is that the indentations are usually restricted by local reinforcement, and it becomes difficult to isolate the change in mechanical properties due solely to interphase formation. In this study we try to gauge the feasibility of nanoindentation for characterizing epoxy/Cu interphases. We develop a sample preparation method and optimize nanoindentation parameters in an attempt to avoid the restrictions mentioned above. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and finite element analysis are employed as reference techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of our technique. We show the influence of preparation method and nanoindentaion parameters on measurements of interphase properties and how they relate the mentioned challenges.
Thin coatings of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) were deposited onto carbon fibers by means of the electrospray ionization (ESI) technique in ambient air. These high-molecular weight polymer layers were used as adhesion promoters in carbon fiberepoxy resin composites. Within the ESI process, the carbon fibers were completely enwrapped with polymer in the upper 10 plies of a carbon fiber roving. As identified with scanning electron microscopy also shadowed fibers in a bundle as well as backsides of fiber rovings were pinhole-free coated with polymers (electrophoretic effect'). Under the conditions used, the layers have a granular structure. Residual solvent was absent in the deposit. PAA and PHEMA films did not show any changes in composition and structure in comparison with the original polymers as analyzed by X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Single-fiber pullout tests of coated fibers embedded in epoxy resin showed significantly increased interfacial shear strength. It is assumed that chemical bonds between carbon fiber poly(acrylic acid) and epoxy resin contribute significantly to the improved interactions.
The present study aims at the development of photodegradable epoxy based materials comprising o-nitrobenzyl ester links that undergo well defined bond cleavage in response to UV irradiation. New bi-functional epoxy based monomers bearing o-nitrobenzyl ester groups are synthesized and thermally cured with an anhydride hardener to yield photosensitive polymers and duromers. The UV induced changes in solubility are exploited for the preparation of positive-type photoresists. Thin patterned films are obtained by photolithographic processes and characterized by microscopic techniques. The results evidence that sensitive resist materials with good resolution and high contrast behavior can be accomplished. Along with resist technology, the applicability of o-nitrobenzyl chemistry in the design of recyclable polymer materials with thicknesses in the millimeter range is evaluated. By monitoring the thermo-mechanical properties upon UV illumination, a distinctive depletion of storage modulus and glass transition temperature is observed with increasing exposure dose. Additionally, single fiber pull-out tests are carried out revealing a significant decrease of the interfacial adhesion at the fiber-matrix interface due to the phototriggered cleavage reaction.
Jahresbericht 2013
(2014)
Structural electrolytes were prepared using a fully formulated commercially available high performance epoxy resin (MTM57) and an ionic liquid based electrolyte: lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) dissolved in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMIM-TFSI). Through a systematic study, the composition of the formulations was found to have a greater effect than the curing temperature on the morphology and properties of the resulting structural electrolytes. The presence of lithium salt is essential to form a structurally homogeneous electrolyte. Bicontinuous morphologies containing continuous (coarse) epoxy networks surrounded by connected spherical epoxy nodules were obtained with different length scales upon varying the lithium salt concentration. Increasing the LiTFSI concentration improved the miscibility of MTM57 with the electrolyte and decreased the characteristic length scale of the resulting bicontinuous microstructure. The properties of the structural electrolytes correlated with the morphology, showing increased Youngs modulus and decreased ionic conductivity with increasing lithium salt concentration. The miscibility of the epoxy system with the electrolyte was also improved by substitution of EMIM-TFSI with an equal weight of an aprotic organic solvent, propylene carbonate (PC); however, the window of PC concentrations which resulted in structural electrolytes with bicontinuous microstructures was very narrow; at PC concentrations above 1 wt %, gel-like polymers with no permanent mesoporosity were obtained.
Multifunctional composites which can fulfil more than one role within a system have attracted considerable interest. This work focusses on structural supercapacitors which simultaneously carry mechanical load whilst storing/delivering electrical energy. Critical mechanical properties (in-plane shear and in-plane compression performance) of two monofunctional and four multifunctional materials were characterised, which gave an insight into the relationships between these properties, the microstructures and fracture processes. The reinforcements included baseline T300 fabric, which was then either grafted or sized with carbon nanotubes, whilst the baseline matrix was MTM57, which was blended with ionic liquid and lithium salt (two concentrations) to imbue multifunctionality. The resulting composites exhibited a high degree of matrix heterogeneity, with the ionic liquid phase preferentially forming at the fibres, resulting in poor matrix-dominated properties. However, fibre-dominated properties were not depressed. Thus, it was demonstrated that these materials can now offer weight savings over conventional monofunctional systems when under modest loading.
A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain patch specially adapted for long-term and high-strain applications has been developed and characterized. The design concept for the patch is based on a glass-fiber reinforced plastic (gfrp) carrier material. The developed concept for the FBG integration into the carrier material was derived from reliable integration procedure of FBG sensors into composite structures. The patches' temperature sensitivity, strain gauge factor, fiber–matrix interface adhesion and fatigue behavior were characterized. As a result, FBG strain patches with linear temperature and strain behavior, as well as excellent fatigue resistance, were developed and can be used as part of a monitoring system for advanced composite materials in aerospace structures or wind turbine power plants.
Mechanical and microstructural characterisation of multifunctional structural power composites
(2013)
Although the inherent anisotropy of polymer composites has presented daunting technical challenges, these materials now offer engineers considerable opportunities for efficient structural design. More recently, the advent of multifunctional composites which can fulfill more than one role within a system has attracted considerable interest, providing designers with exciting opportunities to innovate. Of particular interest here are structural power composites, which simultaneously carry mechanical load whilst storing/delivering electrical energy. Although the development of these composites is highly challenging, often with conflicting constituent requirements, the STORAGE consortium has had considerable success in the development of these materials for automotive applications.
The focus of this paper is structural supercapacitors, the basic architecture of a single cell of which is shown in Fig. 1. This entails two carbon fibre woven lamina (electrodes) which sandwich a glass fibre woven lamina (separator), all of which is embedded within a multifunctional matrix (electrolyte). This architecture has been the focus of the research to date, leading to components such as that shown in Fig.1 having been fabricated. This paper reports on the mechanical properties and microstructures of the different reinforcement and matrix combinations for structural supercapacitors.
Electrolyte systems that can carry mechanical load while allowing for high levels of ionic conductivity are an important prerequisite for structural power storage devices. Introduction of structural power storage into the variety of consumer products will allow saving in weight and volume. Moreover, using a supercapacitor/battery system in hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), the supercapacitor part will extend the battery lifetime by protecting it from the high peak currents. To successfully produce structural power storage requires the development
of multifunctional electrolytes where one has to simultaneously maximize mechanical properties and ionic conductivity.
Structural supercapacitor electrolytes based on bicontinuous ionic liquid-epoxy resin systems
(2013)
'Structural electrolytes' retain the desirable mechanical characteristics of structural (epoxy) resins whilst introducing sufficient ionic conductivity to operate as electrolytes in electrochemical devices. Here, a series of ionic liquid–epoxy resin composites were prepared to identify the optimum system microstructure required to achieve a high level of multifunctionality. The ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, thermal stability and morphology of the cured epoxy based structural electrolytes were studied as a function of phase composition for three fully formulated high performance structural epoxy systems. At only 30 wt% of structural resin and 70 wt% of ionic liquid based electrolyte, stiff monolithic plaques with thicknesses of 2–3 mm were obtained with a room temperature ionic conductivity of 0.8 mS cm-1 and a Young's modulus of 0.2 GPa. This promising performance can be attributed to a long characteristic length scale spinodal microstructure, suggesting routes to further optimisation in the future.
Structural Health Monitoring of composite materials gains in importance with the increasing use of Composite structures for safety-related applications, e.g. in aerospace. Because of the material properties of composites, defects often occur inside the structures and raise the demand for integrated sensors. The advantages of optical fibres predestine them not only for the surface-application on composite structures but also for the Integration into composite structures. Even without quasi-distributed sensors such as FBGs or LPGs, the optical fibre itself can be used to measure the structure and occurring events over the entire fibre length by distributed sensing techniques. This paper presents the surface-application of polyimide coated silica optical fibres onto PEEK specimens and the integration of copper and polyimide coated silica optical fibres into an AS-4/PEEK Composite to be used as distributed fibre optic sensors for SHM. Results from distributed measurements by optical backscatter reflectometry based on Rayleigh backscattering are shown.
This work presents a further development of the methods of simultaneous determination of temperature and axial strain using a single fibre Bragg grating (FBG). The reflected spectrum of composite-embedded FBG sensors has been analyzed in order to separate temperature and load effects. We found out that during the curing process of the laminates, a superstructure has been introduced on the FBG. Analyzing this effect, a temperature and strain separation was implemented by simply calculating and comparing the integrated intensity of the spectral response signal. A mathematical four-parametric model has been developed to calculate the reflected spectrum of a superstructured fibre Bragg grating. The mathematically achieved data has been evaluated with experimentally determined data from fibre Bragg gratings embedded in glass-fibre reinforced composite materials.
Epoxy/Carbon nanotube (CNT) composites are interesting materials that could be used in a wide variety of applications. In this study, CNT contents of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 wt% were used for reinforcing epoxy. A nanoindentation device and a temperature regulating system were developed in order to investigate the effect of CNTs on the time-dependent properties of epoxy using relaxations and creep tests on the nano scale. The relaxation tests showed a significant shift for the relaxation spectrum towards shorter times with introducing a low CNT content of 0.25 wt%. Additionally, creep tests showed that both the holding time at a constant load and the unloading velocity have a major effect on the contact stiffness. However, there was no effect for the CNTs on the creep behavior with contents lower than 1 wt%, which was related to the presence of a percolation threshold around this value.
Polymer-based electrolytes based on commercially available epoxy resins were prepared through the addition of a liquid electrolyte, a solution of a lithium salt in an ionic liquid. The polymer monoliths were characterized using impedance spectroscopy, 3-point bending test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen adsorption (BET). The balance of ionic conductivity and flexural modulus is crucially dependent on the relative proportions of epoxy resin to electrolyte. Also the effect of the liquid electrolyte on curing kinetics and processing was assessed by complex viscosity measurements and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Only one out of the three resins investigated exhibited a significant acceleration effect.
For the concept of using structural materials such as carbon fibre reinforced plastics as
energy storage devices, new matrix polymers are required. These polymers must provide ionic
conductivity as well as adequate mechanical strength. In the EU-Project StorAGE this
requirements are fulfilled by adding ionic liquid to commercial polymers. The mechanical
properties of these mixtures materials were characterized by using a 3-point-bending device.
In addition, single fibre pull test were performed in order to get information on the interfacial
shear strength. Adding of ionic liquid has an impact on the mechanical performance of the
materials. A decrease of the flexural strength and modulus of less than 10% of the value of the
reference materials took part. The interfacial shear strength decreased to a value of around
one third compare to the reference material.
In Kooperation zwischen dem Institut für Kunststoffverarbeitung (IKV) und der Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) wurde das mechanische Verhalten unter Druck- und Zugbelastung unterschiedlicher morphologischer Strukturen teilkristalliner Thermoplaste (PP und POM) untersucht. Im Ergebnis steigt der E-Modul sowohl der druck- wie auch zugbelasteten Prüfkörper aus spritzgegossenem PP und POM mit gröberem Gefüge an. Probekörper mit scherinduziertem Gefüge zeigen einen hohen Einfluss des Kristallisationsgrads auf den E-Modul.
The strength of laminates distinctly depends on the transverse strength of the laminas. The transverse failure is dominated by the adhesion between fiber and matrix. Usual strength criteria however do not take into account the adhesive strength explicitly. The determination of the interface strength is performed on the micromechanical scale using single fiber specimens. The fibers are loaded under off-axis loading while the debonding is monitored under a microscope. The stresses acting in the Interface are calculated by finite element analyses. It is found that for off-axial angles up to 35° interfacial debonding is the dominant failure mode while fiber breakage takes place at lower angles. The occurrence of fiber breakage and debonding under off-axis loading shows that the restriction to two potential failure planes - perpendicular or parallel to the fibers - as applied in common failure criteria has to be put in question.
The introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modifies bulk polymer properties, depending on intrinsic quality, dispersion, alignment, interfacial chemistry and mechanical properties of the nanofiller. These effects can be exploited to enhance the matrices of conventional microscale fibre-reinforced polymer composites, by using primary reinforcing fibres grafted with CNTs. This paper presents a methodology that combines atomic force microscopy, polarised Raman spectroscopy, and nanoindentation techniques, to study the distribution, alignment and orientation of CNTs in the vicinity of epoxy-embedded micrometre-scale silica fibres, as well as, the resulting local mechanical properties of the matrix. Raman maps of key features in the CNT spectra clearly show the CNT distribution and orientation, including a parted morphology associated with long grafted CNTs. The hardness and indentation modulus of the epoxy matrix were improved locally by 28% and 24%, respectively, due to the reinforcing effects of CNTs. Moreover, a slower stress relaxation was observed in the epoxy region containing CNTs, which may be due to restricted molecular mobility of the matrix. The proposed methodology is likely to be relevant to further studies of nanocomposites and hierarchical composites.
Jahresbericht 2009
(2010)
Single Fiber Pull-out Test
(2010)
In recent years, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) grown on fibers have attracted a lot of interest as an additional reinforcing component in conventional fiber-reinforced composites to improve the properties of the fiber/matrix interface. Due to harsh growth conditions, the CNT-grafted fibers often exhibit degraded tensile properties. In the current study we explore an alternative approach to deliver CNTs to the fiber surface by dispersing CNTs in the fiber sizing formulation. This route takes advantage of the developed techniques for CNT dispersion in resins and introduces no damage to the fibers. We focus on unidirectional glass fiber/epoxy macro-composites where CNTs are introduced in three ways: (1) in the fiber sizing, (2) in the matrix and (3) in the fiber sizing and matrix simultaneously. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) is investigated using single-fiber push-out microindentation. The results of the test reveal an increase of IFSS in all three cases. The maximum gain (over 90%) is achieved in the composite where CNTs are introduced solely in the fiber sizing.
Jahresbericht 2008
(2009)
The breakage of a fiber and its effect on the strain energy is studied in a model composite, this is, a single fiber embedded in a dogbone specimen. The fracture process is recorded by an acoustic emission device, the crack patterns are monitored under a microscope. A finite element analysis is performed in order to estimate the energy released by different failure scenarios. The abilities and limitations of the acoustic emission analysis in characterizing different failure types in fiber reinforced composites are evaluated.