In-situ thermal Raman mapping and stress analysis of CNT/CF/epoxy interfaces
Authors: HE Jing-zong, CHEN Shi, MA Zheng-kun, LU Yong-gen, WU Qi-lin
A study of the interfacial behavior and internal thermal stress distribution in fiber-reinforced composites is essential to assess their performance and reliability. CNT/carbon fiber (CF) hybrid fibers were constructed using electrophoretic deposition. The interfacial properties of CF/epoxy and CNT/CF/epoxy composites were statistically investigated and compared using in-situ thermal Raman mapping by dispersing CNTs as a Raman sensing medium (CNTR) in a resin. The associated local thermal stress changes can be simulated by capturing the G' band position distribution of CNTR in the epoxy at different temperatures. It was found that the G' band shifted to lower positions with increasing temperature, reaching a maximum difference of 2.43 cm−1 at 100 °C. The interfacial bonding between CNT/CF and the matrix and the stress distribution and changes during heat treatment (20–100 °C) were investigated in detail. This work is important for studying thermal stress in fiber-reinforced composites by in-situ thermal Raman mapping technology.
