| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T23: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Additive Manufacturing of Polymeric-based Materials: Challenges and Potentials
|
| Presentation Title |
Enhancing Interphase Strength of Glass Fiber Polymer Matrix Composites - A Molecular Dynamics Study |
| Author(s) |
Xiawa Wu |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Xiawa Wu |
| Abstract Scope |
The interphase region between the fibers and matrix in polymer matrix-based composites has often been considered a weak link due to commonly observed fracture modes. However, current experimental techniques have limited spatial resolution and make it difficult to directly observe the interphase structure or measure its properties. Therefore, molecular dynamics simulation is considered a valuable tool for bridging the gap between indirect experimental observations and the underlying structures of the interphase region. In this study, the effect of two modifications on interphase strength in a glass fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix composite is studied: adding saline sizing and incorporating additional cellulose nanocrystals. The simulations successfully predicted the interphase strength observed in experiments and provided nanoscale evidence to explain the enhanced strength resulting from the two modifications. |