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Abstract Geopolymers, as a potentially environmentally friendly alternative to Portland cement, are increasingly attracting attention in the construction industry. Various methods have been applied for customizing the properties of geopolymers and improving their commercial viability. One of the promising methods for refining the properties of geopolymers such as their toughness is the use of short fibers. The effectiveness of a high‐strength short fiber in the geopolymer matrix is largely dependent on the interfacial bonding between the fiber and its surrounding matrix. While the importance of this interfacial chemistry is highlighted in the literature, the characteristics of this bonding structure have not been fully understood. In this paper, we aim to investigate the bonding mechanism between the carbon fiber and metakaolin‐based geopolymer matrix. For the first time, the existence and nature of the chemical bonding at the interfacial region (interphase) between carbon fiber and geopolymer matrix has been revealed. X‐ray pair distribution function computed tomography (PDF‐CT), field emission‐scanning electron microscopy imaging, and nanoindentation techniques are employed to discern the chemo‐mechanical properties of the interphase. PDF‐CT results show the emergence of a new atom–atom correlation at the interfacial region (around 1.82 Å). This correlation is a characteristic of interfacial bonding between the fiber and its surrounding matrix, where the existence of chemical linkages (potentiallyVAl‐O‐C) between fibers and the matrix contributes to the adhesion between the two constituents making up the composite. Due to such chemical bonding, the nanomechanical properties of the interfacial region fall between that of the carbon fiber and geopolymer. The combination of advanced techniques is proved useful for enhancing our understanding of the interfacial chemistry between fibers and the binding matrix. This level of knowledge facilitates the engineering of composite systems through the manipulation of their nanostructure.
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Modeling the Compressive Buckling Strain as a Function of the Nanocomposite Interphase Thickness in a Carbon Nanotube Sheet Wrapped Carbon Fiber Composite
Polymer matrix composites have high strengths in tension. However, their compressive strengths are much lower than their tensile strengths due to their weak fiber/matrix interfacial shear strengths. We recently developed a new approach to fabricate composites by overwrapping individual carbon fibers or fiber tows with a carbon nanotube sheet and subsequently impregnate them into a matrix to enhance the interfacial shear strengths without degrading the tensile strengths of the carbon fibers. In this study, a theoretical analysis is conducted to identify the appropriate thickness of the nanocomposite interphase region formed by carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix. Fibers are modeled as an anisotropic elastic material, and the nanocomposite interphase region and the matrix are considered as isotropic. A microbuckling problem is solved for the unidirectional composite under compression. The analytical solution is compared with finite element simulations for verification. It is determined that the critical load at the onset of buckling is lower in an anisotropic carbon fiber composite than in an isotropic fibfer composite due to lower transverse properties in the fibers. An optimal thickness for nanocomposite interphase region is determined, and this finding provides a guidance for the manufacture of composites using aligned carbon nanotubes as fillers in the nanocomposite interphase region.
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- PAR ID:
- 10129102
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Applied Mechanics
- Volume:
- 86
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 0021-8936
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4044086
