Xiaosa Yuan

Bio: Xiaosa Yuan is an academic researcher from Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The author has contributed to research in topics: Phase (matter) & Peek. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 6 publications receiving 5 citations.

Novel superhydrophobic carbon fiber/epoxy composites with anti-icing properties

Abstract: In this study, novel carbon fiber/epoxy (CF/EP) composites with anti-icing properties were made using a combination of octadecylamine modification and hard templating. First, the octadecylamine-modified epoxy resin was sprayed on the surface of CF/EP prepreg. Hierarchical micro/nanostructures were formed on the surfaces of the composites through hot pressing with aluminum templates that had been modified by sandblasting and anodizing. The resulting composites were superhydrophobic, with static contact angles of up to 155° and sliding angles as low as 8°. Superhydrophobicity was maintained after abrading with 400 grit SiC sandpaper. The anti-icing properties of the composites were quantified by measuring droplet freezing time and ice adhesion force. Compared to untreated CF/EP, the surface treatments used here increased the time to freeze a 5 μL surface droplet from 76 to 640 s at − 20 °C, and reduced ice adhesion strength from roughly 74 kPa to 50 kPa.

Intelligent anti-icing material, and preparation method and application thereof

Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of composite materials, and particularly relates to an intelligent anti-icing material, and a preparation method and application thereof. The invention provides an intelligent anti-icing material. The intelligent anti-icing material comprises hydrophobic resin and nickel-titanium alloy wires embedded in the hydrophobic resin. When the ambient temperature reduces, the hydrophobic resin in the intelligent anti-icing material disclosed by the invention can shrink; the nickel-titanium alloy wires with a thermoelastic martensite phase transformation characteristic is subjected to phase transformation and is expanded; and the direction of expansion force in an ice layer is changed, so that tiny cracks are generated on the interface between the ice layer and the surface of the material, the adhesive force of the ice layer on the surface of the material is reduced, automatic falling of the ice layer is accelerated, and an excellent anti-icing usingeffect is achieved without need of heating. Experimental effects show that the intelligent anti-icing material disclosed by the invention has a good anti-icing effect; under the condition of-20 DEG C,compared with a non-intelligent anti-icing composite material, the intelligent anti-icing material provided by the invention has the advantage that the adhesion force of an ice layer on the surface is reduced by 18.2%-24.2%.

High-speed impact test fixture for composite laminate

Abstract: The invention discloses a high-speed impact test fixture for a composite laminate, and relates to the technical field of high-speed impact testing of composite laminates. A chassis rotating mechanismcomprises a mounting plate, a rotating cylindrical disc, two stand columns and a plurality of locking adjusting assemblies. A loading mechanism comprises a first support, a first pressing plate, a loading adjusting assembly and two first locking pieces. The first support is connected with the two stand columns through the first locking pieces, the loading adjusting assembly is installed on the first support, and the first pressing plate is fixed to the lower end of the loading adjusting assembly; the pressing mechanism comprises a second support, a second pressing plate, a pressing adjusting assembly and two second locking pieces, the second support is connected with the two stand columns through the second locking pieces, the loading mechanism is arranged above multiple pressing mechanisms, the pressing adjusting assembly is installed on one side of the second support, and the second pressing plate is fixed to one side of the pressing adjusting assembly. The fixture can flexibly adjust the impact angle and is suitable for samples with different aspect ratios and improves the test efficiency and saves the test cost.

A review on fabrication techniques and tensile properties of glass, carbon, and Kevlar fiber reinforced rolymer composites

Abstract: The reduction of both energy consumption and production/maintenance costs in the industry requires the use of advanced engineering materials with remarkable features, including lightweight and long-term service life. As one of the advanced engineering materials, composites are widely applied in industry and civilian daily life. Nevertheless, there are some mechanical factors such as tensile strength restricting the application of such a material. To this end, this study is aimed to comprehensively review the recent research on the effects of fabrication characteristics on the tensile resistance of GFRP, CFRP, and AFRP composites. As revealed by recent progress, the epoxy resin is an advisable option for the production of high-performance polymeric composites due to the remarkable tensility, compression, and corrosion resistance. However, the high cost of epoxy resin is not favorable for mass production. In hybrid composites, stacking sequence is a vital factor that determines the ultimate tensile strength. In terms of higher mechanical performance, some researchers suggested using Kevlar fibers with woven orientation alongside the Carbon as axial fibers. At the same time, it is essential to carefully establish the value of fiber volume fraction. Otherwise, this can lead to dramatic internal defects such as agglomeration. In general, this review article was performed to investigate the impacts of composite fabrication characteristics such as fabrication method, reinforcing fibers orientation, fiber type, matrix phase type, and volume fraction of reinforcing phase on the tensile properties of composites used in aerospace, military, civil constructions, and automotive applications. In addition, the authors tried their best to make this research a credible source in the field of mechanical properties of CFRP, GFRP, and AFRP composites for future studies of other researchers.

Designing Durable Icephobic Surfaces

Abstract: Researchers successfully design materials with extremely low ice adhesion. Ice accretion has a negative impact on critical infrastructure, as well as a range of commercial and residential activities. Icephobic surfaces are defined by an ice adhesion strength τice < 100 kPa. However, the passive removal of ice requires much lower values of τice, such as on airplane wings or power lines (τice < 20 kPa). Such low τice values are scarcely reported, and robust coatings that maintain these low values have not been reported previously. We show that, irrespective of material chemistry, by tailoring the cross-link density of different elastomeric coatings and by enabling interfacial slippage, it is possible to systematically design coatings with extremely low ice adhesion (τice < 0.2 kPa). These newfound mechanisms allow for the rational design of icephobic coatings with virtually any desired ice adhesion strength. By using these mechanisms, we fabricate extremely durable coatings that maintain τice < 10 kPa after severe mechanical abrasion, acid/base exposure, 100 icing/deicing cycles, thermal cycling, accelerated corrosion, and exposure to Michigan wintery conditions over several months.

Lightweight and high-strength interference-fit composite joint reinforced by thermoplastic composite fastener

Abstract: The thermoplastic composite fasteners (TPCF) are applied to join the composite sheets with interference-fit in the present study, aiming at producing a lightweight and high-strength composite joint. The interference-fit installation process and tensile process of TPCF joint are analysed by experimental and numerical methods. For the interference size of 0.55% and 1.04%, the interference induces uniform pre-compression stress at the hole wall, the damage of the hole wall and the TPCF is acceptable. As the interference size raises to 2.06%, the damage is catastrophic, the radial stress of the hole wall becomes uneven. The ultimate strength of TPCF joint increases first and then decreases as the interference size increases. The ultimate strength reaches the maximum value of 363 MPa when interference size is 1.04%, which increases by 19% compared to clearance-fit joint. The specific strength of TPCF joint is over three times higher than that of titanium bolted joint.