Dynamic mechanical analysis and high strain-rate energy absorption characteristics of vertically aligned carbon nanotube reinforced woven fiber-glass composites

Authors: KIM, KIYUN - University Of Mississippi; MANTENA, P - University Of Mississippi; DARYADEL, SEYED - University Of Mississippi; Boddu, Veera; BRENNER, MATTHEW - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St; PATEL, JIGNESH - Environmental Laboratory, Us Army Engineer Research And Development Center, Waterways Experiment St

Submitted to: Journal of Nanomaterials
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/21/2015
Publication Date: 7/13/2016
Citation: Kim, K., Mantena, P.R., Daryadel, S.S., Boddu, V.M., Brenner, M.W., Patel, J.S. 2016. Dynamic mechanical analysis and high strain-rate energy absorption characteristics of vertically aligned carbon nanotube reinforced woven fiber-glass composites. Journal of Nanomaterials. doi: org/10.1155/2015/480549.

Interpretive Summary: Development of novel, light-weight, high-strength, and high temperature resistant materials has been the focus of increased research for many applications such as aerospace and automobile structures, where the material experiences severe thermal gradients and requires high flexural rigidity and high vibration damping. These advanced composites are also suitable for constructing building envelopes that would withstand extreme conditions such as earth quake, floods, and blasts. Use of bio-based polymers along with fiber glass composites and the availability of fundamental information related to fabrication, mechanical properties, and durability of the materials will facilitate development of the above potential applications. Utilization of agriculturally derived chemicals and materials will generate additional markets for farm products and income for farmers.

Technical Abstract: The dynamic mechanical behavior and energy absorption characteristics of nano-enhanced functionally graded composites, consisting of 3 layers of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) forests grown on woven fiber-glass (FG) layer and embedded within 10 layers of woven FG, with polyester (PE) and polyurethane (PU) resin systems (FG/PE/VACNT and FG/PU/VACNT) are investigated and compared with the baseline materials, FG/PE and FG/PU (i.e., withoutVACNT). A Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) was used for obtaining the mechanical properties. It was found that FG/PE/VACNT exhibited a significantly lower flexural stiffness at ambient temperature along with higher damping loss factor over the investigated temperature range compared to the baseline material FG/PE. For FG/PU/VACNT, a significant increase in flexural stiffness at ambient temperature along with a lower damping loss factor was observed with respect to the baseline material FG/PU. A Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) was used to evaluate the energy absorption and strength of specimens under high strain-rate compression loading. It was found that the specific energy absorption increased with VACNT layers embedded in both FG/PE and FG/PU.The compressive strength also increased with the addition of VACNT forest layers in FG/PU; however, it did not show an improvement for FG/PE.