Fabrication, interfacial and flexural properties of a polymer composite reinforced by & gamma;-Al2O3/Al fibres

Metal reinforcements in polymer matrix composites (PMC) provide enhanced architectural freedom and functional capabilities at low cost, but a weak interfacial bonding limits their applications. We utilised Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) to deliver 2D Al2O3/Al woven cores used as PMC reinforcements. Alumina coatings reduced fibre tensile strength and modulus but significantly enhanced the epoxy-fibre interfacial strength from - 12 MPa to - 33 MPa, changing the failure mode of the composite from interfacial debonding to rupture due to the enhanced resistance of the epoxy-Al2O3 interface. The optimised bonding of hybrid Al2O3/Al fibre reinforcements s increased composites' specific flexural modulus (Ef /& rho;) by - 58%. The study demonstrated the utility of PEO-based approach in the preparation of hybrid reinforcements to polymer matrix composites with enhanced mechanical behaviour.

Automated summary

Metal reinforcements in polymer matrix composites (PMC) provide enhanced architectural freedom and functional capabilities at low cost, but their weak interfacial bonding limits their applications. We used Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) to prepare 2D Al2O3/Al woven cores as PMC reinforcements. The alumina coatings reduced fibre tensile strength and modulus, but significantly enhanced the epoxy-fibre interfacial strength, changing the failure mode of the composite. The study demonstrated the utility of the PEO-based approach in preparing hybrid reinforcements for polymer matrix composites with enhanced mechanical behavior.