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Fiber Composites (fiber + composite)
Kinds of Fiber Composites Selected AbstractsSea Urchin Tooth Design: An "All-Calcite" Polycrystalline Reinforced Fiber Composite for Grinding Rocks,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 8 2008Yurong Ma A convenient tooth. Here we investigate how the different kinds of calcite crystals in a sea urchin tooth (left) work together as an effective grinding tool. The polycrystalline matrix has a higher elastic modulus and hardness than the single crystals, yet both work together to produce a flat grinding surface (right). [source] Preparation of rubber composites from ground tire rubber reinforced with waste-tire fiber through mechanical millingJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007Xin-Xing Zhang Abstract Composites made from ground tire rubber (GTR) and waste fiber produced in tire reclamation were prepared by mechanical milling. The effects of the fiber content, pan milling, and fiber orientation on the mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the stress-induced mechanochemical devulcanization of waste rubber and the reinforcement of devulcanized waste rubber with waste-tire fibers could be achieved through comilling. For a comilled system, the tensile strength and elongation at break of revulcanized GTR/fiber composites reached maximum values of 9.6 MPa and 215.9%, respectively, with 5 wt % fiber. Compared with those of a composite prepared in a conventional mixing manner, the mechanical properties were greatly improved by comilling. Oxygen-containing groups on the surface of GTR particles, which were produced during pan milling, increased interfacial interactions between GTR and waste fibers. The fiber-filled composites showed anisotropy in the stress,strain properties because of preferential orientation of the short fibers along the roll-milling direction (longitudinal), and the adhesion between the fiber and rubber matrix was improved by the comilling of the fiber with waste rubber. The proposed process provides an economical and ecologically sound method for tire-rubber recycling. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 4087,4094, 2007 [source] Sensing of Damage Mechanisms in Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Cyclic Loading using Carbon NanotubesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2009Limin Gao Abstract The expanded use of advanced fiber-reinforced composites in structural applications has brought attention to the need to monitor the health of these structures. It has been established that adding carbon nanotubes to fiber-reinforced composites is a promising way to detect the formation of microscale damage. Because carbon nanotubes are three orders of magnitude smaller than traditional advanced fibers, it is possible for nanotubes to form an electrically conductive network in the polymer matrix surrounding the fibers. In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed into epoxy and infused into a glass-fiber preform to form a network of in situ sensors. The resistance of the cross-ply composite is measured in real-time during incremental cyclic tensile loading tests to evaluate the damage evolution and failure mechanisms in the composite. Edge replication is conducted to evaluate the crack density after each cycle, and optical microscopy is utilized to study the crack mode and growth. The evolution of damage can be clearly identified through the damaged resistance parameter. Through analyzing the damaged resistance response curves with measurements of transverse crack density and strain, the transition between different failure modes can be identified. It is demonstrated that the integration of an electrically conducting network of carbon nanotubes in a glass fiber composite adds unique damage-sensing functionality that can be utilized to track the nature and extent of microstructural damage in fiber composites. [source] Ceramic Matrix Composites: A Challenge in Space-Propulsion Technology ApplicationsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2005Stephan Schmidt Various technology programs in Europe are concerned, besides developing reliable and rugged, low-cost, throwaway equipment, with preparing for future reusable propulsion technologies. One of the key roles for realizing reusable engine components is the use of modern and innovative materials. One of the key technologies that concerns various engine manufacturers worldwide is the development of fiber-reinforced ceramics,CMCs (ceramic matrix composites). The advantages for the developers are obvious,the low specific weight, the high specific strength over a large temperature range, and their great damage tolerance compared with monolithic ceramics make this material class extremely interesting as a construction material. Over the past few years, the EADS-ST Company (formerly DASA) has, together with various partners, worked intensively on developing components for hypersonic engines and liquid rocket propulsion systems. In the year 2000, various hot-firing tests with subscale (scale 1:5) and full-scale nozzle extensions were conducted. In this year, a further decisive milestone was achieved in the sector of small thrusters, and long-term tests served to demonstrate the extraordinary stability of the C/SiC material. Besides developing and testing radiation-cooled nozzle components and small-thruster combustion chambers, EADS-ST worked on the preliminary development of actively cooled structures for future reusable propulsion systems. In order to get one step nearer to this objective, the development of a new fiber composite was commenced within the framework of a regionally sponsored program. The objective here is to create multidirectional (3D) textile structures combined with a cost-effective infiltration process. Besides material and process development, the project also encompasses the development of special metal/ceramic and ceramic/ceramic joining techniques as well as studying and verifying nondestructive investigation processes for the purpose of testing components. [source] Acrylonitrile,butadiene rubber/reclaimed rubber,nylon fiber compositeADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2001T. D. Sreeja The effect of diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI),polyethyleneglycol (PEG) resin on the cure characteristics and mechanical properties of nitrile rubber/whole tyre reclaim,short nylon fiber composite,was studied. At a constant loading of 5 phr, the resin composition was varied. The minimum torque and (maximum , minimum) torque increased with isocyanate concentration. Scorch time and cure time showed a reduction on introduction of bonding agent. Properties like tensile strength, tear strength, and abrasion resistance increased with increase in MDI/PEG ratio, and these properties are higher in the longitudinal direction of fiber orientation. Compression set increased with isocyanate concentration and the resilience remain unchanged. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 20: 281,288, 2001 [source] Self-hardening calcium phosphate composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering,JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004Hockin H. K. Xu Abstract Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) sets in situ to form solid hydroxyapatite, can conform to complex cavity shapes without machining, has excellent osteoconductivity, and is able to be resorbed and replaced by new bone. Therefore, CPC is promising for craniofacial and orthopaedic repairs. However, its low strength and lack of macroporosity limit its use. This study investigated CPC reinforcement with absorbable fibers, the effects of fiber volume fraction on mechanical properties and macroporosity, and the cytotoxicity of CPC,fiber composite. The rationale was that large-diameter absorbable fibers would initially strengthen the CPC graft, then dissolve to form long cylindrical macropores for colonization by osteoblasts. Flexural strength, work-of-fracture (toughness), and elastic modulus were measured vs. fiber volume fraction from 0% (CPC Control without fibers) to 60%. Cell culture was performed with osteoblast-like cells, and cell viability was quantified using an enzymatic assay. Flexural strength (mean ± SD; n == 6) of CPC with 60% fibers was 13.5 ± 4.4 MPa, three times higher than 3.9 ± 0.5 MPa of CPC Control. Work-of-fracture was increased by 182 times. Long cylindrical macropores 293 ± 46 ,m in diameter were created in CPC after fiber dissolution, and the CPC,fiber scaffold reached a macroporosity of 55% and a total porosity of 81%. The new CPC,fiber formulation supported cell adhesion, proliferation and viability. The method of using large-diameter absorbable fibers in bone graft for mechanical properties and formation of long cylindrical macropores for bone ingrowth may be applicable to other tissue engineering materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of Orthopuedic Research Society. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [source] Effects of Thermal Aging on the Mechanical Properties of a Porous-Matrix Ceramic CompositeJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 3 2002Eric A. V. Carelli The present article focuses on changes in the mechanical properties of an all-oxide fiber-reinforced composite following long-term exposure (1000 h) at temperatures of 1000,1200°C in air. The composite of interest derives its damage tolerance from a highly porous matrix, precluding the need for an interphase at the fiber,matrix boundary. The key issue involves the stability of the porosity against densification and the associated implications for long-term durability of the composite at elevated temperatures. For this purpose, comparisons are made in the tensile properties and fracture characteristics of a 2D woven fiber composite both along the fiber direction and at 45° to the fiber axes before and after the aging treatments. Additionally, changes in the state of the matrix are probed through measurements of matrix hardness by Vickers indentation and through the determination of the matrix Young's modulus, using the measured composite moduli coupled with classical laminate theory. The study reveals that, despite evidence of some strengthening of the matrix and the fiber,matrix interfaces during aging, the key tensile properties in the 0°/90° orientation, including strength and failure strain, are unchanged. This strengthening is manifested to a more significant extent in the composite properties in the ±45° orientation, wherein the modulus and the tensile strength each exhibit a twofold increase after the 1200°C aging treatment. It also results in a change in the failure mechanism, from one involving predominantly matrix damage and interply delamination to one which is dominated by fiber fracture. Additionally, salient changes in the mechanical response beyond the maximum load suggest the existence of an optimum matrix strength at which the fracture energy in the ±45° orientation attains a maximum. The implications for long-term durability of this class of composite are discussed. [source] Influence of Reactice Processing on the Properties of PP/Glass Fiber Composites Compatibilized with SilaneMACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2006Afonso H. O. Felix Abstract Summary: Composites of PP reinforced with 20 wt.-% of short glass fibers were prepared by extrusion using VTES as a coupling agent. The addition of VTES was performed via in-situ functionalization of PP and by a two-step process in which PP was functionalized before the composite preparation. The obtained samples were characterized using rheometry, mechanical tests and microscopy. Both processes allowed the fiber/matrix interaction to increase. It was found that the VTES content affected the viscosity of the system by means of three different mechanisms: reduction of , -scission reactions, decrease of fiber sliding and plasticizing effect on the matrix. Whereas the first two mechanisms increased the viscosity of the final composite after unreacted VTES removal, the third one reduced the viscosity during the process and contributed to fiber-length preservation. The effects of VTES and peroxide contents on the Young's modulus were closely related to their effects on the final fiber length, indicating the effectiveness of using VTES as a coupling agent. Comparison between in-situ functionalization and the two-step process with prefunctionalization showed that in-situ functionalization led to a lower degree of chain breakage, even when it was performed in the presence of peroxide. Scanning electron micrographs of PP/glass fiber composite prepared without coupling agent. [source] Comparison of mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with stitched glass and carbon fabrics: Characterization of mechanical anisotropy in composites and investigation on the interaction between fiber and epoxy matrixPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 8 2008Volkan Çeçen The primary purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of epoxy-based composites having different fiber reinforcements. Glass and carbon fiber composite laminates were manufactured by vacuum infusion of epoxy resin into two commonly used noncrimp stitched fabric (NCF) types: unidirectional and biaxial fabrics. The effects of geometric variables on composite structural integrity and strength were illustrated. Hence, tensile and three-point bending flexural tests were conducted up to failure on specimens strengthened with different layouts of fibrous plies in NCF. In this article, an important practical problem in fibrous composites, interlaminar shear strength as measured in short beam shear test, is discussed. The fabric composites were tested in three directions: at 0°, 45°, and 90°. In addition to the extensive efforts in elucidating the variation in the mechanical properties of noncrimp glass and carbon fabric reinforced laminates, the work presented here focuses, also, on the type of interactions that are established between fiber and epoxy matrix. The experiments, in conjunction with scanning electron photomicrographs of fractured surfaces of composites, were interpreted in an attempt to explain the failure mechanisms in the composite laminates broken in tension. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Polyester composites reinforced with noncrimp stitched glass fabrics: Experimental characterization of composites and investigation on the interaction between glass fiber and polyester matrixPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 3 2008Volkan Cecen The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the anisotropic behavior of different noncrimp stitched fabric reinforced polyester composites. The effects of geometric variables on composite structural integrity and strength are illustrated. Hence, tensile, three-point bending flexural and short beam shear tests were conducted up to failure on specimens strengthened with different layouts of fibrous plies in noncrimp stitched fabric. The remark, based on the observations while tensile testing, is that the stress,strain curves of polyester based composites were linear in the direction of fibers. However, in the matrix dominated orientations nonlinear relation between the stress and the strain was observed. Another aim of the present work was to investigate the interaction between glass fiber and polyester matrix. The experiments, in conjunction with scanning electron photomicrographs of fractured surfaces of composites, were interpreted in an attempt to explain the interaction between glass fiber and polyester and were interpreted in an attempt to explain the instability of polyester resin,glass fiber interfaces. It was concluded that the polymer was either deposited between adjacent fibers or as widely separated islands on the fiber surface. Infrared spectra of the cured polyester and its glass fiber composite were obtained by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Surface modification of bagasse fibers by silane coupling agents through microwave oven and its effects on physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of PP bagasse fiber compositePOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 6 2007S.A. Hashemi Polypropylene/bagasse fiber composites were prepared by compounding polypropylene (PP) with bagasse fibers as reinforcing filler. Surfaces of fibers were modified through the use of silane coupling agents (Vinyltrimethoxysilane and ,-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane). The fiber coating was performed by mixing of silane with fibers and cured through microwave oven in presence of catalyst. It was found that modification of surface fiber will change the physical, mechanical, morphological, and rheological properties of composite. It was observed from scanning electron microscopy that fiber adhesion to matrix has been improved and so as dispersion. Addition of fibers increases the melt viscosity in unmodified fibers but reduced the melt viscosity for modified fibers and even the viscosity is lower at higher loading compared with unmodified fibers. The tensile strength and tensile modulus increased in modified fibers compared with the unmodified on the same loading, but elongation at break decreased. The effect of coupling agent on properties of filled PP depend on the content of coupling agents and optimum amount was achieve through measurement of water absorption. Two types of coupling agents were used, one as A-171 [CH2CHSi (OCH3)3] and second one as A-187 [CH2OCHCH2O (CH2)3Si(OCH3)], the first one shows better adhesion to the fibers and improvements in mechanical properties are much better compared with the second one. POLYM. COMPOS., 28:713,721, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] On predicting elastic moduli and natural frequencies of multi-phase composites with randomly distributed short fibersPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 1 2000Lu-Ping Chao This study presents a formulation to determine the overall stiffness of an n -phase short fiber composite to include the inclusions' aspect ratio ranging from less than one to greater than one. The Mori-Tanaka theory is initially employed to investigate the overall stress-strain relation of a multi-phase short-fiber-reinforced composite material, particularly whether or not the fibers and the matrix are isotropic, cubic, or transversely isotropic material. The effective stiffness tensor of a multi-phase composite is then denoted as a function of the matrix's elastic moduli, the n -phases' inclusions' elastic moduli, the n -phases' inclusions' Eshelby tensor, and the n -phases' inclusions' volume fractions. Utilizing the equivalent inclusion method allows us to model inclusions of n -phases that consist of fictitious eigenstrains. In addition, the corresponding Eshelby tensors' values for ellipsoidal inclusion embedded in the isotropic matrix with the variation of aspect ratio are presented. Numerical results of the proposed formulation in solving a two-phase composite closely correspond to the Halpin-Tsai Equation. Results presented herein provide valuable information on the appropriate manufacturing requirements of multi-phase composite materials or the design and optimization of multi-phase composite structures. [source] Physicochemical evaluation of silica-glass fiber reinforced polymers for prosthodontic applicationsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2005Gökçe Meriç This investigation was designed to formulate silica-glass fiber reinforced polymeric materials. Fused silica-glass fibers were chosen for the study. They were heat-treated at various temperatures (500°C, 800°C and 1100°C), silanized, sized and incorporated in two modified resin mixtures (A and B). The flexural properties in dry and wet conditions were tested and statistically analyzed, and the content of residual methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, dimensional changes with temperature, water sorption and solubility were determined. Woven fibers [36.9% (wt/wt)], heat-treated at 500°C, gave the highest strength values for the polymeric composites (an ultimate transverse strength of 200 Mpa and a flexural modulus of 10 GPa) compared with the fibers heat-treated at other temperatures. There was no statistically significant difference in the measured flexural properties between resins A and B regarding fiber treatment and water storage time. These fiber composites had a small quantity of residual MMA content [0.37 ± 0.007% (wt/wt)] and very low water solubility, indicating good biocompatibility. It was suggested that silica-glass fibers could be used for reinforcement as a result of their anticipated good qualities in aqueous environments, such as the oral environment. [source] Fabrication and Electromechanical Characterization of a Piezoelectric Structural Fiber for Multifunctional CompositesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 4 2009Yirong Lin Abstract The use of piezoceramic materials for structural sensing and actuation is a fairly well developed practice that has found use in a wide variety of applications. However, just as advanced composites offer numerous benefits over traditional engineering materials for structural design, actuators that utilize the active properties of piezoelectric fibers can improve upon many of the limitations encountered when using monolithic piezoceramic devices. Several new piezoelectric fiber composites have been developed; however, almost all studies have implemented these devices such that they are surface-bonded patches used for sensing or actuation. This paper will introduce a novel active piezoelectric structural fiber that can be laid up in a composite material to perform sensing and actuation, in addition to providing load bearing functionality. The sensing and actuation aspects of this multifunctional material will allow composites to be designed with numerous embedded functions, including structural health monitoring, power generation, vibration sensing and control, damping, and shape control through anisotropic actuation. This effort has developed a set of manufacturing techniques to fabricate the multifunctional fiber using a SiC fiber core and a BaTiO3 piezoelectric shell. The electromechanical coupling of the fiber is characterized using an atomic force microscope for various aspect ratios and is compared to predictions made using finite element modeling in ABAQUS. The results show good agreement between the finite element analysis model and indicate that the fibers could have coupling values as high as 68% of the active constituent used. [source] Sensing of Damage Mechanisms in Fiber-Reinforced Composites under Cyclic Loading using Carbon NanotubesADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 1 2009Limin Gao Abstract The expanded use of advanced fiber-reinforced composites in structural applications has brought attention to the need to monitor the health of these structures. It has been established that adding carbon nanotubes to fiber-reinforced composites is a promising way to detect the formation of microscale damage. Because carbon nanotubes are three orders of magnitude smaller than traditional advanced fibers, it is possible for nanotubes to form an electrically conductive network in the polymer matrix surrounding the fibers. In this work, multi-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed into epoxy and infused into a glass-fiber preform to form a network of in situ sensors. The resistance of the cross-ply composite is measured in real-time during incremental cyclic tensile loading tests to evaluate the damage evolution and failure mechanisms in the composite. Edge replication is conducted to evaluate the crack density after each cycle, and optical microscopy is utilized to study the crack mode and growth. The evolution of damage can be clearly identified through the damaged resistance parameter. Through analyzing the damaged resistance response curves with measurements of transverse crack density and strain, the transition between different failure modes can be identified. It is demonstrated that the integration of an electrically conducting network of carbon nanotubes in a glass fiber composite adds unique damage-sensing functionality that can be utilized to track the nature and extent of microstructural damage in fiber composites. [source] Nanofilled polyethersulfone as matrix for continuous glass fibers composites: Mechanical properties and solvent resistance,ADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 3 2010M. Aurilia Abstract Polyethersulfone (PES) is high performance thermoplastic polymer; however, its applications are limited by the poor resistance to several classes of solvents. Fumed silica and expanded graphite nanoparticles were used to prepare nanofilled PES by a melt-compounding technique with the view to improve the barrier properties. Solvent uptake at equilibrium and solvents resistance of nanofilled PES compounds were investigated by three different methodologies: (1) weight increase by methylene chloride absorption in a vapor-saturated atmosphere, (2) solvent uptake of acetone at equilibrium, and (3) decay of storage modulus induced by acetone diffusion. The storage modulus decay was measured by means of dynamic mechanical analysis on samples immersed in an acetone bath. The collected data were fitted to an ad hoc model to calculate the diffusion coefficient. The produced nanofilled PES showed a significant improvement in barrier properties and considerable reduction in acetone uptake at equilibrium, in comparison with the neat PES. Nanofilled PES compounds were also used to produce continuous glass fiber composites by the film-stacking manufacturing technique. The composites exhibited, by and large, improvements in flexural and shear strength. Their solvent resistance was evaluated by measuring the variation of mechanical properties after exposure to acetone for 1 and 5 days. These tests showed that the composites produced with the nanocomposite matrix did not exhibit higher solvent resistance than those prepared with neat PES, probably because of the deterioration of the fiber/nanocomposite-matrix interfacial bond in the wet state. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 29:146,160, 2010; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary. DOI 10.1002/adv.20187 [source] Thermomechanical characteristics of benzoxazine,urethane copolymers and their carbon fiber-reinforced compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009Sarawut Rimdusit Abstract Copolymers of polybenzoxazine (BA-a) and urethane elastomer (PU) with three different structures of isocyanates [i.e., toluene diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane diisocyanate, and isophorone diisocyanate], were examined. The experimental results reveal that the enhancement in glass transition temperature (Tg) of BA-a/PU copolymers was clearly observed [i.e., Tg of the BA-a/PU copolymers in 60 : 40 BA-a : PU system for all isocyanate types (Tg beyond 230°C) was higher than those of the parent resins (165°C for BA-a and ,70°C for PU)]. It was reported that the degradation temperature increased from 321°C to about 330°C with increasing urethane content. Furthermore, the flexural strength synergism was found at the BA-a : PU ratio of 90 : 10 for all types of isocyanates. The effect of urethane prepolymer based on TDI rendered the highest Tg, flexural modulus, and flexural strength of the copolymers among the three isocyanates used. The preferable isocyanate of the binary systems for making high processable carbon fiber composites was based on TDI. The flexural strength of the carbon fiber-reinforced BA-a : PU based on TDI at 80 wt % of the fiber in cross-ply orientation provided relatively high values of about 490 MPa. The flexural modulus slightly decreased from 51 GPa for polybenzoxazine to 48 GPa in the 60 : 40 BA-a : PU system. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of PE-EPDM based jute fiber compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008Gautam Sarkhel Abstract The present investigation deals with the mechanical, thermal and viscoelastic properties of ternary composites based on low density polyethylene (LDPE)-ethylene,propylene,diene terpolymer (EPDM) blend and high density polyethylene (HDPE)-EPDM blend reinforced with short jute fibers. For all the untreated and compatibilizer treated composites, the variation of mechanical and viscoelastic properties as a function of fiber loading (10, 20 and 30 wt %) and compatibilizer concentration (1, 2, and 3%) were evaluated. The flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and hardness increased with increasing both the fiber loading and the compatibilizer dose. The storage modulus (E,) and loss modulus (E,) of the HDPE-EPDM/jute fiber composites were recorded higher compared to those of the LDPE-EPDM/jute fiber composites at all level of fiber loading and compatibilizer doses. The tan, (damping efficiency) spectra showed a strong influence of the fiber loading and compatibilizer dose on the , relaxation process of polymer matrix in the composite. The thermo-oxidative stability was significantly enhanced for treated composites compared to untreated composites. Scanning electron microscopy investigation confirmed that the higher values of mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the treated composites compared to untreated composites is caused by improvement of fiber-matrix adhesion as result of compatibilizer treatment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Direct fluorination of Twaron fiber and investigation of mechanical thermal and morphological properties of high density polyethylene and Twaron fiber compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2008J. Maity Abstract Composites consisting of high density polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with randomly oriented chopped Twaron fibers (both fluorinated and nonfluorinated) show a significant increase in mechanical and thermal properties. To increase the better fiber matrix adhesion, the Twaron fiber is surface fluorinated using elemental fluorine. The surface of the Twaron fiber becomes very rough and the diameter of Twaron fiber increases from , 12 to 14 ,m after fluorination. The composites were prepared using solution method to overcome the damage of the fiber. The tensile strength and the Young's modulus increases with increasing fiber content. The tensile strength and modulus of modified fiber (fluorinated Twaron fiber) composites is much higher than nonmodified fiber composites indicating that there is better mechanical interlocking between the modified fiber and the matrix. Thermal properties obtained from DSC and DTA-TG analysis of the fluorinated fiber composites are also improved. Contact angle measurements, as well as the surface energy measurements, indicate that the composites are more wettable and is maximum for fluorinated fiber composites i.e., surface energy for fluorinated fiber composites is highest. Crystallinity is also higher for fluorinated fiber composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008 [source] Esterification effect of maleic anhydride on swelling properties of natural fiber/high density polyethylene compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007J. B. Naik Abstract The natural fibers (banana, hemp, and sisal) and high density polyethylene were taken for the preparation of natural fiber/polymer composites in different ratios of 40 : 60 and 45 : 55 (w/w). These fibers were esterified with maleic anhydride (MA) and the effect of esterification of MA was studied on swelling properties in terms of absorption of water, at ambient temperature, and steam. It was found that the steam penetrates more within lesserperiod of time than water at ambient temperature. Untreated fiber composites show more absorption of steam and water in comparison to MA-treated fiber composites. The more absorption of water was found in hemp fiber composites and less in sisal fiber composites. Steam absorption in MA-treated and untreated fiber composites are higher than the water absorption in respective fiber composites. The natural fiber/polymer composites containing low amount of fibers show less absorption of steam and water at ambient temperature than the composites containing more amount of fibers in respective fiber composites. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007 [source] Effect of filler content and size on the properties of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer,wood fiber compositesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007D. G. Dikobe Abstract In this study, the main focus was on the effect of wood fiber (WF) content and particle size on the morphology and mechanical, thermal, and water-absorption properties of uncompatibilized and ethylene glycidyl methacrylate copolymer (EGMA) compatibilized ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer,WF composites. For uncompatibilized composites, the tensile strength decreased with increasing WF content, whereas for compatibilized composites, the tensile strength initially decreased, but it increased for composites containing more than 5% WF. Small-WF-particle-containing composites had higher tensile strengths than composites containing larger WF particles, both in the presence and absence of EGMA. WF particle size did not seem to have much influence on the degradation behavior of the composites, whereas water absorption by the composites seemed to be higher in composites with smaller particle sizes for both compatibilized and uncompatibilized composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3645,3654, 2007 [source] Novel polyurethane elastomer continuous carbon fiber composites: Preparation and characterizationJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2007Borda Abstract Preparation and characterization of novel polyurethane (PUR),carbon fiber (CF) composites are reported. The reinforcement of PUR elastomers was achieved using unidirectional continuous CFs with different coatings (uncoated and epoxy and polyester resin coatings) by applying molding for the preparation of PUR-CF composites. Considerable reinforcement of PUR was attained even at relatively low CF content, e.g., maximum stress and Young's modulus of PUR-CF composite at CF content 3% (m/m) were found to be 3,5 and 4,10 times higher than those of the PUR-matrix, respectively. In addition, a linear relationship between the Young's modulus and the CF content was found as well as linear variation of maximum stress with the CF content was also observed. The adhesion of CF to the PUR-matrix was strong in each case as concluded from the strain,stress and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations. However, the extent of reinforcement of PUR at a given CF content was found to depend greatly on the coatings of CF, and increased in the following order: epoxy resin < polyester resin < uncoated. The effect of the coating of CF on the reinforcement of PUR is also discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 287,292, 2007 [source] Processing and Properties of a Porous Oxide Matrix Composite Reinforced with Continuous Oxide FibersJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 10 2003Magnus G. Holmquist A process to manufacture porous oxide matrix/polycrystalline oxide fiber composites was developed and evaluated. The method uses infiltration of fiber cloths with an aqueous slurry of mullite/alumina powders to make prepregs. By careful manipulation of the interparticle pair potential in the slurry, a consolidated slurry with a high particle density is produced with a sufficiently low viscosity to allow efficient infiltration of the fiber tows. Vibration-assisted infiltration of stacked, cloth prepregs in combination with a simple vacuum bag technique produced composites with homogeneous microstructures. The method has the additional advantage of allowing complex shapes to be made. Subsequent infiltration of the powder mixture with an alumina precursor was made to strengthen the matrix. The porous matrix, without fibers, possessed good thermal stability and showed linear shrinkage of 0.9% on heat treatment at 1200°C. Mechanical properties were evaluated in flexural testing in a manner that precluded interlaminar shear failure before failure via the tensile stresses. It was shown that the composite produced by this method was comparable to porous oxide matrix composites manufactured by other processes using the same fibers (N610 and N720). The ratio of notch strength to unnotch strength for a crack to width ratio of 0.5 was 0.7,0.9, indicating moderate notch sensitivity. Interlaminar shear strength, which is dominated by matrix strength, changed from 7 to 12 MPa for matrix porosity ranging from 38% to 43%, respectively. The porous microstructure did not change after aging at 1200°C for 100 h. Heat treatment at 1300°C for 100 h reduced the strength for the N610 and N720 composites by 35% and 20%, respectively, and increased their brittle nature. [source] Processing and Tribological Properties of Si3N4/Carbon Short Fiber CompositesJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 7 2003Hideki Hyuga Si3N4/carbon fiber composites were fabricated using several types of fiber. All the composites had higher fracture toughness compared with monolithic Si3N4 ceramics. Tribological properties were investigated by a ball-on-disk method under unlubricated conditions. The composite containing fibers with a high orientation of graphite layers and high graphite content indicated a low friction coefficient. It was identified, by Raman spectroscopy, that graphite was transferred from the composite to the Si3N4 ball of the counterbody during the wear test. This transferred layer was effective for producing the low friction behavior of the composite. [source] Mechanical properties of particulate-filler/woven-glass-fabric-filled vinyl ester compositesJOURNAL OF VINYL & ADDITIVE TECHNOLOGY, Issue 1 2010L. Yusriah Studies of the effect of particulate fillers on specific mechanical properties of vinyl ester epoxy (VE) reinforced with woven glass fiber composites were carried out with different filler types and particulate filler contents (1%, 3%, and 5% by weight). Two types of particulate filler were used, i.e., calcium carbonate (CC) and phenolic hollow microspheres (PHMS). The composites were prepared by using a hand lay-up and vacuum bagging method. Woven glass fabric composites filled with particulate PHMS were observed to have better specific flexural strength and specific impact strength, as well as lower density, than those filled with particulate CC. Morphological features determined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) proved that the PHMS filler experienced good bonding in the VE matrix, a feature which contributed to the improvement in the properties of the composites. The incorporation of particulate fillers into the composites also influenced the storage modulus with a minimal effect on Tg. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Influence of Coupling Agents on Melt Flow Behavior of Natural Fiber CompositesMACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS & ENGINEERING, Issue 5 2007Velichko Hristov Abstract The influence of coupling agents on the melt rheological properties of natural fiber composites has been investigated in this work using capillary and rotational rheometers. Scanning electron microscopy was also employed to supplement the rheological data. It was found that molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the polymer matrix and coupling agent characteristics influence the filler wetting and the melt flow properties of the filled composites. Generally, low molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution polyethylene matrix provides relatively larger increase of the viscosity of the composites. Coupling agents tend to increase the resistance to shearing, but wall slip effects may interfere with the measured values, especially at very high filler loadings. Entrance pressure loss in capillaries is also influenced by polymer matrix and coupling agent used. [source] Electron Backscatter Diffraction Study of Brachiopod Shell Calcite , Microscale Phase and Texture Analysis of a Polycrystalline BiomaterialPARTICLE & PARTICLE SYSTEMS CHARACTERIZATION, Issue 5-6 2008Wolfgang W. Schmahl Abstract Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is an easy to use and highly automated microdiffraction method suitable for the determination of crystallographic phase and crystallite orientation. The high level of hierarchical structural organization in the shells of marine organisms was studied. Calcite brachiopod shell materials were found to belong to three types of microstructure: nano- to microcrystalline layers of acicular crystals, fiber composites with calcite single crystal fibers with [uv0] morphological axes, and material formed by columnar crystals with [001] morphological axes selected by competitive growth. [source] Dependence of interfacial strength on the anisotropic fiber properties of jute reinforced compositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 9 2010J.L. Thomason The upsurge in research on natural fiber composites over the past decade has not yet delivered any major progress in large scale replacement of glass fiber in volume engineering applications. This article presents data on injection-molded jute reinforced polypropylene and gives a balanced comparison with equivalent glass reinforced materials. The poor performance of natural fibers as reinforcements is discussed and both chemical modification of the matrix and mercerization and silane treatment of the fibers are shown to have little significant effect on their level of reinforcement of polypropylene in comparison to glass fibers. A hypothesis is proposed to explain the poor performance of natural fibers relating their low level of interfacial strength to the anisotropic internal fiber structure. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1525,1534, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Improving the properties of LDPE/glass fiber composites with silanized-LDPEPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 7 2009Felipe W. Fabris Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is a widely used thermoplastic. The dispersion of inorganic fillers in thermoplastic matrices such as polyethylene has been largely employed to improve some of its properties. However, interaction between both components is a major issue so the presence of a coupling agent is usually necessary to increase the interaction among the phases. In this study, LDPE chemically modified with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was used as a coupling agent in glass fiber-reinforced LDPE. The composites were prepared in a mixing chamber and subsequently analyzed by tensile tests, rotational rheometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were significantly increased by the use of small amounts of the coupling agent. Moreover, the rheological behavior and the SEM micrographs showed higher interaction between the matrix and the reinforcing phase in the composites containing LDPE modified with VTES, confirming the suitability of using this coupling agent in these systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Anomalies, influencing factors, and guidelines for DMA testing of fiber reinforced compositesPOLYMER COMPOSITES, Issue 7 2009Gowthaman Swaminathan This study systematically assessed the measurement of dynamic properties of a range of fiber reinforced composite materials using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) instrument. The discrepancy in the moduli from DMA to ASTM tests was investigated. The study showed that proper specimen preparation, maintaining appropriate aspect ratio (span to thickness ratio) to reduce the transverse shear deformation, and sufficient loading are critical to measure correct properties from DMA test. The guidelines on aspect ratio and loading for plastics to high-modulus carbon fiber composites are presented as a design chart and equations, respectively. The study also found that the glass transition temperature (Tg) was independent of specimen aspect ratio and Tg is lower for multidirectional composites when compared with its unidirectional composites. The particle interleaved T800H/3900-2 composite showed two glass transition temperatures (140 and 198°C), the lower value is due to the effect of interleaving by thermoplastic particles, and the higher value is the Tg of its base matrix. This lowering of Tg would have significant effect on the application temperature of the material. This phenomenon was not observed here to fore in the literature. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||