Papers by Author: Gang Liu

Abstract: A novel semi-prepreg resin transfer molding (RTM) process was developed to address difficulties associated with RTM process and to improve the mechanical properties of the resulting composites. Unidirectional semi-prepregs exhibiting relatively good overlay characteristics were prepared via prepolymerization of bismaleimide resin followed by wet winding. The processing characteristics and mechanical properties of composites fabricated via semi-prepreg RTM technology were compared with those of composites produced using a normal-prepreg compression molding process. Experimental results showed that the laminates fabricated by the semi-prepreg RTM process were of better internal quality and had superior mechanical properties as compared with laminates fabricated by the normal-prepreg compression molding process.

Abstract: Based on the “ex-situ” toughening concept, thermoplastic nylon (PA) nonwoven fabric with high porosity was chosen as the toughening layer, and the interlaminar toughened composites were fabricated via RTM process. Compression strength after impact (CAI) properties were investigated as well as the toughening mechanism. The results indicated that there is no bicontinuous phase structures formed by reaction-induced phase decomposition and inversion. The PA nonwoven fabrics still kept the original structure in composites interlaminar, and formed a macroscopical bicontinuous structure with the matrix resin, which also showed remarkable toughening effect. The CAI value increased from 212MPa to 281MPa.

Abstract: The strain at the low-velocity impact proceeding was monitored by the fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors embedded in the triangle area of the T-stiffened panels. The results show that the strain in whole impact process can be monitored by FBG sensors. Furthermore, the max-strain measured by FBG sensors changed sensitively depending on the different impact energy. It can be hoped that the FBG sensors can be used as online-monitoring technique to improving the safety of the composite structures.

Abstract: The reflection spectrum from the Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors embedded in the composite was disturbed because of the thermal residual stress. In this study, two types of the FBG sensors, uncoated and UV-cured resin coated FBG sensors, were embedded in the triangle area of the T-stiffened composite panels. The strains during the curing process were measured by these two kinds of FBG sensors. Through the comparison of the results, it was found that the effect of thermal residual stress on the reflection spectrum could be attenuated when the FBG sensor was coated with UV-cured resin. Furthermore, the strain responses during the low-velocity impact test were observed by both two FBG sensors. The maximum-strain measured by the coated FBG sensors was more accurately than that measured by the uncoated one.

Abstract: This article is intended to outline a novel concept of interlaminar 3-3 connectivity of fiber-reinforced laminated composites. This microstructure is typically realized by using thorny ZnO whiskers exactly located in the interlayer of glass or carbon fabric for RTM. From the initial testing, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) is noted to increase up to 150% while retaining the most other in-plane properties. Mechanistic penetrating and pinning are considered to be the dominant mechanism of interlaminar toughening effect, with the evidence of the broken, fragmented and pull-out whiskers observed in the fracture morphologies.