Tailored flexibility in inherently brittle epoxy-based composites through gradient interphase formation with bio-based thermoplastic elastomer grades
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
05.07.2023
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
01A - Journal article
Editors
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Link
Series
Series number
Volume
173
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Elsevier
Place of publication / Event location
Amsterdam
Edition
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Programming language
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Practice partner / Client
Abstract
This study focuses on tailoring elastic behaviour in an inherently brittle epoxy-based fibre-reinforced composite material formed through a gradient interphase with a bio-based thermoplastic elastomer. The fast-curing epoxy Araldite LY3585/Aradur 3475 was tested with two bio-based Pebax block copolymer grades. First, the interphase was characterised via optical hot-stage microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The analysis unveiled pronounced diffusion followed by a reaction-induced phase separation, which led to the formation of an interphase with a thickness exceeding 200 μm at the temperatures associated with the curing process. Second, composite laminates were fabricated through a combined process of fused filament fabrication and vacuum infusion, incorporating a flexible domain with variable stiffness properties. The material architecture exhibited brittle-to-ductile behaviour at the micrometre scale, with tailored flexible response under bending and stiff behaviour in tension. Consequently, the study anticipates using multi-scale toughened material structures for more efficient generative design concepts.
Keywords
multifunctional composites, interface/interphase, microstructures, microstructural analysis, vacuum infusion
Subject (DDC)
600 - Technik
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ISBN
ISSN
1359-835X
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Hybrid
License
Citation
ZWEIFEL, Lucian, Julian KUPSKI und Christian BRAUNER, 2023. Tailored flexibility in inherently brittle epoxy-based composites through gradient interphase formation with bio-based thermoplastic elastomer grades. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 5 Juli 2023. Bd. 173. DOI 10.1016/j.compositesa.2023.107679. Verfügbar unter: https://doi.org/10.26041/fhnw-5776