Effect of Ni-coated short carbon fibers on the mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy composites

Ni-coated short carbon fibers (Ni-SCFs) were prepared using an electrodeposition method. Short carbon fiber (SCF) reinforced epoxy composites were prepared by changing the fiber content (0.1–0.7 wt%). To investigate the effect of Ni-coated short carbon fibers on the mechanical and electrical properties of the composites, we prepared two kinds of reinforcements: the short carbon fibers treated by 400 °C (400 °C treated SCFs) and Ni-SCFs. Fracture characteristics of the composites revealed the Ni coatings and the epoxy matrix had a better interface, so that the results of tensile and bending strength were better in epoxy/Ni-SCFs composites than those in epoxy/400 °C treated SCFs composites. The 400 °C treated SCFs decreased the electrical resistivity of the epoxy composites, compared to the pure epoxy. However the epoxy/Ni-SCFs composites had lower electrical resistivity than epoxy/400 °C treated SCFs with the same fiber content.     

黄麻PHBV复合材料的耐湿热性能研究

用非织造布技术制作了黄麻/PHBV针刺毡，热压处理后制成黄麻/PHBV复合材料，通过对复合材料的室温、高温干态和湿态力学性能研究，用扫描电镜(SEM)对复合材料的界面进行了表征，显示应用纤维改性技术使复合材料耐湿热性能得到明显提高。     

The effect of gelation and curing temperatures on mechanical properties of pultruded kenaf fibre reinforced vinyl ester composites

Process parameters such as gelation and curing temperatures are parameters that influence the pultruded kenaf reinforced vinyl ester composites profile quality and performance. The effect of gelation and curing temperatures on mechanical (tensile, flexural and compression properties) and morphological properties of pultruded kenaf reinforced vinyl ester composites were analyzed. Obtained results indicated that increase of gelation and curing temperatures during the pultrusion process of kenaf reinforced vinyl ester composites influenced the mechanical properties of the composites. When the gelation and curing temperatures were increased, tensile strength, tensile modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus and compressive strength were affected and they were either increased or decreased. The factors that influenced these results include improper curing, excessive curing, water diffusion, and the problems associated with interfacial bonding between fibre and matrices. The optimum values of the tensile strength for gelation and curing temperatures of kenaf pultruded composites were at 100 °C and 140 °C, tensile modulus at 80 °C and 180 °C, flexural strength at 100 ° and 140 °, flexural modulus at 120 ° and 180 °, and compressive strength at 120 °C and 180 °C, respectively. The scanning electron micrographs of tensile fractured samples clearly show that with the increase in gelation temperature, it creates the lumens between matrix and kenaf fibre thus reducing tensile properties whereas increasing the curing temperature caused less fibre pull out and enhanced fibre/matrix interfacial bonding.     

Synthesis,analysis and simulation of carbonized electrospun nanofibers infused carbon prepreg composites for improved mechanical and thermal properties

This paper reports the fabrication, characterization and simulation of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers into pre-impregnated (prepreg) carbon fiber composites for different industrial applications. The electrospun PAN nanofibers were stabilized in air at 270 °C for one hour and then carbonized at 950 °C in an inert atmosphere (argon) for another hour before placing on the prepreg composites as top layers. The prepreg carbon fibers and carbonized PAN nanofibers were cured together following the prepreg composite curing cycles. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was carried out to investigate the chemical compositions and elemental distribution of the carbonized PAN nanofibers. The EDX results revealed that the carbon weight % of approximately 66 (atomic % 72) was achieved in the PAN-derived carbon nanofibers along with nitrogen and lower amounts of nickel, oxygen and other impurities. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) exhibited the glass transition regions in the prepreg nanocomposites and the significant dependence of coefficient of thermal expansion on the fiber directions. The highest value of coefficient of thermal expansion was observed in the temperature range of 118-139 °C (7.5×10^-8 1/°C) for 0 degree nanocomposite scheme. The highest value of coefficient of thermal expansion was observed in the temperature range of 50-80 °C (37.5×10^-6 1/°C) for 90 degree nanocomposite scheme. The test results were simulated using ANSYS software. The test results may be useful for the development of structural health monitoring of various composite materials for aircraft and wind turbine applications.     

The volatility of components of grass silage on oven drying and the inter-relationship between dry-matter content estimated by different analytical methods

This study reviews the volatility coefficients used to convert the oven dry‐matter (DM) content of grass silage to an accepted true DM base, volatile‐corrected oven dry matter (VCODM). The revised coefficients quoted for DM determination at 60°C, 85°C and 100°C are based on 18 grass silages with DM contents in the range 153–365 g kg^–1. The volatility coefficients for drying at 60°C, 85°C and 100°C were 0·090, 0·224 and 0·375 for lactic acid and 0·554, 0·716 and 0·892 for total volatile fatty acids respectively. The volatilities of ammonia and total alcohols remained unchanged from previous work and showed no temperature dependences in the range 60°C to 100°C. These revised coefficients were validated using 36 grass silages from three harvests in 1996 and 1997, and no significant differences were found among absolute dry matter (GCDM), alcohol‐corrected toluene dry matter (ATDM) and VCODM contents based on the three drying temperatures (VCODM₁₀₀, VCODM₈₅ and VCODM₆₀). A series of regression equations relating absolute DM content to oven DM content determined at different temperatures gave coefficients of 1·024, 1·013 and 1·000 and constants of 12·67, 11·43 and 11·16 for oven drying at 60°C, 85°C and 100°C respectively. Mathematical manipulation of these equations enables interconversion of DM contents at the three drying temperatures. A new method is described for the analysis of volatile fatty acid, lactic acid and alcohol concentrations in grass silage by gas–liquid chromatography using a single injection in an automated procedure that makes the routine estimation of VCODM a practical proposition to satisfy routine high‐volume requirements. Finally, in a separate study over 4 years using 2381 grass silages from research and commercial farms throughout Ireland, a simple regression is described, which, for advisory purposes, allows true silage DM content to be estimated from oven dry matter content (ODM) for silages in which ODM is >200 g kg^–1.     

Influence of energy-saving night temperature regimes on Botrytis cinerea in an early-season glasshouse tomato crop

Night minimum temperatures of 9°C and a regime with periods of one month at 16°C,and 5°C, followed by 13°C, were compared with a night regime of 13°C for their effects on Botrytis cinerea Pers. in an early-season glasshouse tomato crop. Day temperatures were the same in all treatments. Nine independent compartments were used in a randomized block design in which sub-plots were treated with or without a programme of fungicidal sprays of iprodione started at one of three stages in relation to the first infection by B. cinerea. The low-temperature regime of 9°C significantly increased numbers of lesions caused by B. cinerea on stems and leaves during April and May, but not in subsequent months. Increases during May and June of fallen fruits from 9°C plants were not statistically significant. Stem and leaf infections were not increased by the 16/5/13°C energy-saving regime, although losses due to fallen fruit were greater during May. Treatment with iprodione sprays caused significant decreases in disease in all night temperature regimes and was similar in effect to an increase in night temperature from 9°C to 13°C. Responses to the timing of the first application of iprodione were never significant and differed during the first month of disease assessment only. Yields were significantly lower in the first month of cropping at 9°C but there were no differences in yield between the 13°C and the 16/5/13°C regimes.     

Effects of heat treatment on the properties of bamboo fiber/polypropylene composites

In this paper, the effects of heat treated parameters on the properties of bamboo fiber (BF) / polypropylene (PP) composites were investigated. The crystallization properties of BF/PP composites after heat treatment were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the mechanical properties were measured. The results showed that the crystallinities of the heat treated composite were enhanced compared with that of the untreated. When the heat treated time was 30 mins, the crystallinities became almost unchanged. However, the crystallinity decreased after 12 h heat treatment. In addition, when the heat treated temperature was above 90 °C, the higher the temperature was, the higher the crystallinities became. Moreover, the tensile strengths of BF/PP composites increased and then decreased with increasing heat treated time, while the impact strengths had a decreasing trend. In the meanwhile, the tensile strengths increased but the impact strengths decreased as the heat temperature increased.     

Thermal Characterization of Alkali Treated Kenaf Fibers and Kenaf-Epoxy Composites

Chemical treatment of natural fibers is a well-defined means of mechanical property improvement in natural fiberreinforced composites. An understanding of mechanical and thermal properties in these media is essential for evaluating heat transfer, thermal degradation, and overall performance of these composites over their product lifetime. However, very little information is available illustrating the effect of such treatment on the thermal properties of kenaf composites. Also, no study to date has reported the thermal conductivity of individual kenaf fibers. This study reports the effects of fiber treatment (in 6 % NaOH) on thermal transport in unidirectionally oriented kenaf-epoxy composites and individual kenaf fibers. The effective thermal conductivities and thermal diffusivities of chemically treated fiber composites show a general increase over untreated fiber composites (0.210 to 0.232 W/m/K at 28 °C, 0.206 to 0.234 W/m/K at 200 °C). This improvement may be attributed to improved interfacial contact between the fibers and epoxy matrix shown in microstructural images after chemical treatment. The thermal conductivity of individual fibers was evaluated at room temperature using two techniques. Results from both techniques showed slight increases after chemical treatment (0.58±0.53 to 1.0±0.13 W/m/K and 1.2±0.54 to 1.6±0.28 W/m/K) but lacked statistical significance. Any improvement in surface crystallinity after chemical treatment does not appear to affect overall fiber thermal conductivity. A better understanding of thermal transport in kenaf fibers and composites enables better estimation of the performance of these composites in different applications. Moreover, the thermal conductivities of individual fibers are useful in understanding the fiber’s contribution to conduction in different fiber reinforcement configurations.     

The effect of night temperature and glasshouse ventilation on the incidence of Botrytis cinerea in a late-planted tomato crop

The incidence of Botrytis cinerea Pers. was assessed on leaves, stems and fruits of tomato grown in night environments of 16°C with or without ventilation at night and 13°C with ventilation. Ventilation and temperatures by day were the same in all treatments. The experiment used nine independent glasshouse compartments in a row and column design. At 16°C, night ventilation gave significant reductions in grey mould on stems, leaves and fruits to c. 25% of that on unventilated plants. With night ventilation and a night temperature of 13°C, the incidence of B. cinerea on stems, leaves and fruit was doubled when compared with ventilated plants at 16°C. These differences could be explained partly in terms of the humidity which prevailed in the crops. No significant differences in yield were detected between treatments.     

Green composites. I. physical properties of ramie fibers for environment-friendly green composites

The surface topography, tensile properties, and thermal properties of ramie fibers were investigated as reinforcement for fully biodegradable and environmental-friendly ‘green’ composites. SEM micrographs of a longitudinal and cross-sectional view of a single ramie fiber showed a fibrillar structure and rough surface with irregular cross-section, which is considered to provide good interfacial adhesion with polymer resin in composites. An average tensile strength, Young’s modulus, and fracture strain of ramie fibers were measured to be 627 MPa, 31.8 GPa, and 2.7 %, respectively. The specific tensile properties of the ramie fiber calculated per unit density were found to be comparable to those of E-glass fibers. Ramie fibers exhibited good thermal stability after aging up to 160°C with no decrease in tensile strength or Young’s modulus. However, at temperatures higher than 160°C the tensile strength decreased significantly and its fracture behavior was also affected. The moisture content of the ramie fiber was 9.9%. These properties make ramie fibers suitable as reinforcement for ‘green’ composites. Also, the green composites can be fabricated at temperatures up to 160°C without reducing the fiber properties.     

Effect of mercerization on mechanical, thermal and degradation characteristics of jute fabric-reinforced polypropylene composites

Jute fabric reinforced polypropylene composites were fabricated by compression molding technique. Fiber content in the composites was optimized at 45 % by weight of fiber by evaluating the mechanical parameters such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus. Surface treatment of jute fabrics was carried out by mercerizing jute fabrics with aqueous solutions of NaOH (5, 10 and 20 %) at different soaking times (30, 60 and 90 mins) and temperatures (0, 30 and 70 °C). The effect of mercerization on weight and dimension of jute fabrics was studied. Mechanical properties of mercerized jute-PP composites were measured and found highest at 20 % NaOH at 0 °C for 60 min soaking time. Thermal analytical data from thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis showed that mercerized jute-PP composite achieved higher thermal stability compared to PP, jute fabrics and control composite. Degradation characteristics of the composites were studied in soil, water and simulated weathering conditions. Water uptake of the composites was also investigated.     

Effects of plasticizer on the mechanical properties of kenaf/starch bio-composites

Research and development of biodegradable bio-composite can replacement the synthetic polymer materials, which is used for automobile interior materials, finishing materials of air conditioner and refrigerator. To develop both components as biodegradable bio-composite, this research used natural polymer starch as matrix and kenaf fiber as a filler. Various plasticizer(polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, glycerol) were added and examined the mechanical properties of the kenaf/starch bio-composites according to these plasticizer. The kenaf bast which cultivated in Korea was retted with 2 % NaOH solution. The plasticizer weighting 10 % of that of matrix was added. kenaf/starch composites were molded with hot press for 30 minutes at 130 °C and 3,500 PSI molding condition. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation, and young modulus of the kenaf/starch composites were measured. Also, we measured the SEM cross-section images in order to investigate interfacial adhesion properties of fractured surfaces. The order of strength size of composites were G (12.42 MPa) > PVA (9.72 MPa) > PEG (4.73 MPa) samples respectively. The tensile strength of PEG sample is lower than the control sample (5.40 MPa).     

Interaction of soil solarization and metham-sodium in the destruction of Verticillium dahliae and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum

The effects of solarization, metham-sodium (12·5 or 25 ml/m²) and combined action of the two treatments (soil solarization plus metham-sodium) on the viability of Verticillium dahliae (VD) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) added to field soil were compared in two successive field experiments. In both experiments solarization combined with metham-sodium was more effective in destroying both pathogens as compared with solarization or metham-sodium alone. In the earlier experiment, when soil temperatures were higher, soil solarization and combined treatments were more effective in controlling VD and FOV than in the later experiment. The effect of metham-sodium on V. dahliae microsclerotia was studied in open and sealed containers incubated at 25° and 35°C. The fumigant dose required to kill 50% of the microsclerotia at 25°C was four times higher at 25°C than at 35°C. Toxicity of the chemical was similar in open and sealed containers. This and field experiment results suggest that the higher toxicity observed under plastic cover in the field is due to synergistic interaction between solarization and metham-sodium. Combined solarization and metham-sodium killed more propagules more quickly than solarization alone; these results suggested that the period over which effective solarization can be used is longer than previously thought and that the time needed to solarize the soil for control of these pathogens is less.     

Mechanical behavior of composites reinforced with fibers caroa

Composites were prepared with 13, 23 30 and 40 % fiber and evaluated the mechanical performance in tensile, flexural and impact. The mechanical properties of these composites were also evaluated function of time at 110 °C thermal exposure. Caroa fibers were characterized by techniques such as thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the best mechanical properties were achieved for composites containing 23 to 30 % fiber. The incorporation of 23 % fiber caroa increased both the modulus of elasticity in the tensile test as the flexural strength and impact, the composite with 30 % fiber caroa showed higher tensile strength. The results show that the tensile and flexural strength of the composite decreased with time of thermal exposure. The thermal aging at 110 °C caused a decrease in tensile properties of the composites.     

Alkaline extraction and characterisation of heteroxylans from maize bran

Response surface methodology was used to study the alkaline extraction of heteroxylans from maize bran. The ratio volume of alkali/weight of bran and the particle size had no effect on extraction yield, whereas the yield increased significantly with the temperature and time of extraction and the concentration of the alkali. The variation in the yield depended on the nature of the alkali, and empirical second-order models were built to fit the results obtained by extraction with KOH and Ca(OH)₂. Comparison of the compositional and structural features of the heteroxylans obtained by extraction with 0·8 m KOH at 85 °C, saturated Ca(OH)₂ at 95 °C and 0·5 m KOH at 65 °C with one obtained by industrial lime-cooking of maize kernels showed that all four samples were very similar and that a very high extraction yield (87 %) was achieved.     

Thermal inactivation of Plasmodiophora brassicae Woron. and its attempted control by solarization in the Salinas Valley of California

Thermal inactivation of resting spores of P. brassicae Woron. in glasshouse soil depended on temperature, duration of treatment, inoculum concentration, and soil moisture. At 42, 44 and 50°C, the relationship between temperature and the time for thermal inactivation plotted on a semi-log scale was linear. Treatment times up to 45 days at 30°C and 37°C did not reduce infectivity. The detection threshold in the system was 10^0·5 spores/g of soil. At all temperatures tested, inactivation was achieved more rapidly in soil infested with 10² spores/g than with 10⁶ spores/g. Heat treatment was more effective in saturated soil than in half-saturated soil. Soil temperatures in the field in the northern Salinas Valley were increased 11–14°C by tarping with clear, polyethylene plastic. The average weekly maximum temperature and minimum temperature at a 10 cm depth under tarps were 38°C and 29°C respectively. Solarization reduced disease development after a 10-week treatment but not after a 5-week treatment.     

The Effect of Day to Night Temperature Variation on Leaf Development in Wheat

Summary

The rate of leaf development in wheat is related to time and temperature in units of degree-days (DD) leaf^?1 (phyllochron). Experiments were conducted in controlled environment chambers to study the effect of day to night variation in temperature on leaf development in two wheat cultivars, Penawawa and Stephens. Plants were grown at constant 20°C, and in eight day/night temperature ranges as wide as 8/32°C to 32/8°C, all with a mean temperature of 20°C. The leaf number on the main stems was counted (in Haun units) every other day, from the emergence of the 2nd leaf until the emergence of the 5th leaf. Leaf phyllochron values were derived from the inverse of the slopes of the linear regression of leaf number on DD. Phyllochron values ranged from 99 to 153 DD leaf^?1. The phyllochron values were greater when higher temperatures were imposed at night under extreme day to night temperature treatment.     

Influence of temperature on the bending properties and failure mechanism of 3D needle-punched carbon/epoxy composites

This paper presents the three-point bending properties of 3D needle-punched composites with two fiber architectures at room and elevated temperatures. The influences of temperature and fiber architectures on the load/deflection curves, bending strength and bending stiffness are analyzed. Macro-Fracture morphology and SEM micrographs are examined to understand the damage and failure mechanism. The results show that the bending properties of plain structure needle-punched composites are superior to those with non-woven structure. Meanwhile, the bending properties of composites decrease significantly with the increase of testing temperature. Moreover, the damage and failure patterns of composites vary with fiber architecture and testing temperatures. For the plain structure, 90 ° and 0 ° fiber bundles can bear the load together. At room temperature, the composite shows brittle fracture feature and exhibits local damage with matrix cracking, breakage and tearing of the fibers. While at a higher temperature, the composite shows less fracture and becomes more softened and plastic. It damages with matrix cracking, falling off and plastic deformation, fiber layer/web delaminating, and interface debonding.     

Mechanical anisotropy in unidirectional glass fabric reinforced oligomeric siloxane modified polyester composites

In this study, the effect of incorporation of oligomeric siloxane into unsaturated polyester on mechanical behavior of unidirectional glass fiber/polyester composites has been investigated by means of tensile, flexural and short beam shear tests. The amount of oligomeric siloxane added into unsaturated polyester was in the range 1?C3 % by weight of the glass fabrics. Mechanical tests were conducted at different angles (0 °, 45 °, and 90 °) with respect to fiber direction. The higher siloxane content exhibited a tendency to have greater tensile, flexural and interlaminar shear strength values in machine direction, bias direction and cross direction. From Scanning electron microscopy images, the presence of polyester particles on the unidirectional glass fiber surface confirmed better adhesion.     

不同大气湿度与氮肥水平对夏玉米苗期水分利用效率的影响

通过大型智能人工气候箱的盆栽试验,设置4个大气湿度水平(35%RH、55%RH、75%RH、95%RH)及5个氮肥施用水平(0、50、100、150、200mg/kg),研究夏玉米苗期干物质积累及蒸腾耗水量对不同处理的响应。结果表明,施氮量小于100mg/kg时,随大气湿度的增加玉米总干物质量呈增加趋势;施氮量高于150mg/kg时,75%RH最有利于玉米的总干物质积累;不施氮时随大气湿度水平的提高玉米根冠比显著增加,施氮处理夏玉米根冠比随大气湿度水平呈先增加后降低的趋势,在75%RH达最大值;随大气湿度的增加玉米耗水量显著减少,水分利用效率随之增加,表现为95%RH>75%RH>55%RH>35%RH处理,且均达显著水平。