A thermally sensitive energy-absorbing composite functionalized by nanoporous carbon

Composite materials, especially polymer matrix composites, have been intensively studied for energy absorption applications. When the temperature is close to or higher than the glass transition temperature (Tg), the polymer matrix is usually viscoelastic. With an external loading, either dynamic or quasi-static, the relaxation of the network polymer chains would cause a considerable energy dissipation effect, which works quite well under cyclic loadings. The reinforcements can be continuous fibers, short fibers, particulates, and/or platelets. They can significantly enhance the overall stiffness, strength, and toughness, as well as the anisotropic and heterogeneous properties. If the bonding between the matrix and the reinforcements is relatively weak, debonding can take place when the local stress exceeds the critical value, which is often promoted by the stress concentration and/ or wave redispersion. As a first-order estimation, debonding of reinforcements of an overall interfacial area of A would result in an energy dissipation of E 1⁄4 gd A ; ð1Þ