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Fibers
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Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials
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Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials

A special issue of Fibers (ISSN 2079-6439).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2018) | Viewed by 39706

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elias P. Koumoulos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Innovation in Research and Engineering Solutions (IRES), Rue Koningin Astridlaan 59B, 1780 Wemmel, Belgium
Interests: carbon; nanomaterials; fibres; nanomechanical properties of materials; metals; alloys; polymers; ceramics; functionally graded materials for brakes; thruster and valve applications; thin films; elastomers; packaging polymers; polymers and composites; environmental friendly processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Costas Charitidis

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
RNANO Lab - Research Lab of Advanced, Composite, Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Zographos, GR-15780 Athens, Greece
Interests: polymers nanocomposites; carbon based materials; advanced composite materials; nanocomposites; nanoindentation; nanomechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Current technological demands are increasingly stretching the properties of advanced composite materials to expand their applications to more severe or extreme conditions, while, simultaneously, seeking cost-effective production processes and final products. The aim is to demonstrate the influence of different surface enhancing and modification techniques on carbon nanotube (CNT) composite based materials and fillers for high value and high performance applications. These materials are a route to further exploiting advanced materials, using enabling technologies for additional functionalities, without compromising structural integrity. Carbon fiber (CF) based materials have particular advantages of due to their mechanical and electrical properties. Current generation of carbon fibers have extensively been used in a multitude of applications, taking advantage of their valuable properties to provide solutions in complex problems of materials science and technology; however the limits of capability of current technology are now being reached. Although, the global use of fiber-based composites have significantly grown in the past decade, there are still expectations to use them as an alternative (also with proper CNT modification, both in matrix and filler material) to metals in high value, and heavy engineering applications to provide light weight multi-functionality, high structural integrity and enhanced safety.

This Special Issue covers a large scope of research in the area of carbon nanotube (CNT) composite based materials and fillers, and solicits contributions in，but not limited to the key words of the special issue.

Dr. Elias P. Koumoulos
Prof. Dr. Costas Charitidis
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fibers is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Carbon nanotube-based structures
  • Carbon nanofiber-based structures
  • Graphene and graphene oxide
  • Textile and woven-structure composites
  • Nano-enabled prepregs and modified resins
  • High performance fiber-based structures with multi-functionalities (i.e., enhanced mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, flexibility)
  • Smart composites
  • Additive manufacturing
  • Manufacturing: upscale and regulation
  • Life Cycle Assessment

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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23 pages, 11932 KiB  
Article
Highly Conductive Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite Electronic Box: Out-Of-Autoclave Manufacturing for Space Applications
by Marta Martins, Rui Gomes, Luís Pina, Celeste Pereira, Olaf Reichmann, Daniele Teti, Nuno Correia and Nuno Rocha
Fibers 2018, 6(4), 92; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6040092 - 30 Nov 2018
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 9300
Abstract
One of the main advantages of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) electronic housings, when compared with traditionally used aluminum ones, is the potential for mass savings. In recent years, the power consumption of electronics has been growing, resulting in the need for higher thermal [...] Read more.
One of the main advantages of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) electronic housings, when compared with traditionally used aluminum ones, is the potential for mass savings. In recent years, the power consumption of electronics has been growing, resulting in the need for higher thermal dissipation of electronic housings, requiring the use of highly thermally conductive materials. In this work, the manufacturing of a highly conductive CFRP electronic housing is reported. With a view to reducing total energy costs on manufacturing, an out-of-the autoclave manufacturing process was followed. Due to the inherent low thermal conductivity of typical raw materials for composite materials, strategies were evaluated to increase its value by changing the components used. The use of pitch-based carbon fibers was found to be a very promising solution. In addition, structural, thermal and manufacturing simulations were produced in the design phase. Improved performance was demonstrated from materials manufacturing to final breadboard testing. The results indicate potential gains of around 23% in mass reduction when compared to conventional aluminum electronic boxes. Moreover, the proposed design and the manufactured breadboard showed good compliance with mechanical and electrical requirements for spacecraft structures. The thermal balance results showed a performance slightly below to what would be expected from the detailed design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials)
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11 pages, 12004 KiB  
Article
Integrity of Carbon-Fibre Epoxy Composites through a Nanomechanical Mapping Protocol towards Quality Assurance
by Elias P. Koumoulos and Costas A. Charitidis
Fibers 2018, 6(4), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6040078 - 11 Oct 2018
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5614
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to assess the integrity of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) comprising of commercial and surface modified CFs through nanomechanical mapping protocol, towards the feasibility of nanoindentation tool as a quality assurance means in a composite manufacturing process. Carbon [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study is to assess the integrity of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) comprising of commercial and surface modified CFs through nanomechanical mapping protocol, towards the feasibility of nanoindentation tool as a quality assurance means in a composite manufacturing process. Carbon fibre surface modification was selected for enhancement of the wetting properties of carbon fibres in order to improve the adhesion force between the fibre and the polymer matrix. In all cases, epoxy resin was used as a matrix for the manufacturing of composite samples. Plastic deformation/elastic recovery were recorded (together with viscoelasticity and adhesion-discontinuities and fluctuations during measurement), while elastic modulus values are also mapped. Moreover, the resistance to applied load is assessed and compared for all cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials)
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12 pages, 4239 KiB  
Article
Development of Electrophoretic Deposition Prototype for Continuous Production of Carbon Nanotube-Modified Carbon Fiber Fabrics Used in High-Performance Multifunctional Composites
by Guan Gong, Birgitha Nyström, Erik Sandlund, Daniel Eklund, Maxime Noël, Robert Westerlund, Sofia Stenberg, Liva Pupure, Andrejs Pupurs and Roberts Joffe
Fibers 2018, 6(4), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6040071 - 28 Sep 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5337
Abstract
An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) prototype was developed aiming at the continuous production of carbon nanotube (CNT) deposited carbon fiber fabric. Such multi-scale reinforcement was used to manufacture carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The overall objective was to improve the mechanical performance and functionalities [...] Read more.
An electrophoretic deposition (EPD) prototype was developed aiming at the continuous production of carbon nanotube (CNT) deposited carbon fiber fabric. Such multi-scale reinforcement was used to manufacture carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The overall objective was to improve the mechanical performance and functionalities of CFRP composites. In the current study, the design concept and practical limit of the continuous EPD prototype, as well as the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength, were the focus. Initial mechanical tests showed that the flexural stiffness and strength of composites with the developed reinforcement were significantly reduced with respect to the composites with pristine reinforcement. However, optical microscopy study revealed that geometrical imperfections, such as waviness and misalignment, had been introduced into the reinforcement fibers and/or bundles when being pulled through the EPD bath, collected on a roll, and dried. These defects are likely to partly or completely shadow any enhancement of the mechanical properties due to the CNT deposit. In order to eliminate the effect of the discovered defects, the pristine reinforcement was subjected to the same EPD treatment, but without the addition of CNT in the EPD bath. When compared with such water-treated reinforcement, the CNT-deposited reinforcement clearly showed a positive effect on the flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength of the composites. It was also discovered that CNTs agglomerate with time under the electric field due to the change of ionic density, which is possibly due to the electrolysis of water (for carboxylated CNT aqueous suspension without surfactant) or the deposition of ionic surfactant along with CNT deposition (for non-functionalized CNT aqueous suspension with surfactant). Currently, this sets time limits for the continuous deposition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials)
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21 pages, 11146 KiB  
Article
Reinforcement Systems for Carbon Concrete Composites Based on Low-Cost Carbon Fibers
by Robert Böhm, Mike Thieme, Daniel Wohlfahrt, Daniel Sebastian Wolz, Benjamin Richter and Hubert Jäger
Fibers 2018, 6(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6030056 - 8 Aug 2018
Cited by 56 | Viewed by 11166
Abstract
Carbon concrete polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/lignin-based carbon fiber (CF) composites are a new promising material class for the building industry. The replacement of the traditional heavy and corroding steel reinforcement by carbon fiber (CF)-based reinforcements offers many significant advantages: a higher protection of environmental resources [...] Read more.
Carbon concrete polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/lignin-based carbon fiber (CF) composites are a new promising material class for the building industry. The replacement of the traditional heavy and corroding steel reinforcement by carbon fiber (CF)-based reinforcements offers many significant advantages: a higher protection of environmental resources because of lower CO2 consumption during cement production, a longer lifecycle and thus, much less damage to structural components and a higher degree of design freedom because lightweight solutions can be realized. However, due to cost pressure in civil engineering, completely new process chains are required to manufacture CF-based reinforcement structures for concrete. This article describes the necessary process steps in order to develop CF reinforcement: (1) the production of cost-effective CF using novel carbon fiber lines, and (2) the fabrication of CF rebars with different geometry profiles. It was found that PAN/lignin-based CF is currently the promising material with the most promise to meet future market demands. However, significant research needs to be undertaken in order to improve the properties of lignin-based and PAN/lignin-based CF, respectively. The CF can be manufactured to CF-based rebars using different manufacturing technologies which are developed at a prototype level in this study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials)
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14 pages, 3390 KiB  
Article
Interface Characterization of Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites: A Molecular Dynamics Approach
by Carlos Sáenz Ezquerro, Manuel Laspalas, Agustín Chiminelli, Francisco Serrano and Clara Valero
Fibers 2018, 6(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib6030054 - 7 Aug 2018
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 7507
Abstract
In polymer nanocomposites, the interface region between the matrix and the fillers has been identified as a key interaction region that strongly determines the properties of the final material. Determining its structure is crucial from several points of view, from modeling (i.e., properties [...] Read more.
In polymer nanocomposites, the interface region between the matrix and the fillers has been identified as a key interaction region that strongly determines the properties of the final material. Determining its structure is crucial from several points of view, from modeling (i.e., properties prediction) to materials science (i.e., understanding properties/structure relationships). In the presented paper, a method for characterizing the interface region of polymer nanocomposites is described using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In particular, the structure of the polymer within the interface region together with its dimension in terms of thickness were analyzed through density profiles. Epoxy resin nanocomposites based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) were studied using this approach, and the interface region with triple walled carbon nanotubes (TWCNT) and carbon fibers (CF) was characterized. The effect of carbon nanotube diameter, type of hardener, and effect of epoxy resin cross-linking degree on interface thickness were analyzed using MD models. From this analysis no general rule on the effect of these parameters on the interface thickness could be established, since in some cases overlapping effects between the analyzed parameters were observed, and each specific case needs to be analyzed independently in detail. Results show that the diameter has an impact on interface thickness, but this effect is affected by the cross-linking degree of the epoxy resin. The type of hardener also has a certain influence on the interface thickness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Reinforced Composites Using Carbon and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials)
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