Evaluation of mechanical properties of jute/glass/carbon fibers reinforced hybrid composites

A study on the tensile and flexural properties of jute-glass-carbon fibers reinforced epoxy hybrid composites in inter-ply configuration is presented in this paper. Test specimens were manufactured by hand lay-up process and their tensile and flexural properties were obtained. The effects of the hybridization, different fibers content and plies stacking sequence on the mechanical properties of the tested hybrid composites were investigated. Two-parameter Weibull distribution function was used to statistically analyze the experimental results. The failure probability graphs for the tested composites were drawn. These graphs are important tools for helping the designers to understand and choose the suitable material for the required design and development. Results showed that the hybridization process can potentially improve the tensile and flexural properties of jute reinforced composite. The flexural strength decreases when partial laminas from a carbon/epoxy laminate are replaced by glass/epoxy or jute/epoxy laminas. Also, it is realized that incorporating high strength fibers to the outer layers of the composite leads to higher flexural resistance, whilst the order of the layers doesn’t affect the tensile properties.     

Characterization of oil palm empty fruit bunch and glass fibre reinforced recycled polypropylene hybrid composites

The effects of hybridization of glass fibre on oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) and recycled polypropylene-based composites are described in this paper. The compounding process involved extrusion followed by injection moulding technique to prepare the samples for characterizations. Fibre loading were considered as 40 % of the total weight of the blends and EFB:glass fibre ratio was maintained as 30:70, 50:50, 70:30 and 90:10. Two types of coupling agents of maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene such as polybond-3200 and fusabond P-613 of different molecular weight and maleic anhydride level were used to improve the interfacial adhesion between the fibres and the matrix. Composites were characterized by density, melt flow index, tensile, Izod impact and flexural testing. Morphological images of the fractured surfaces of the composites were examined by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Samples were also characterized by thermal tests such as thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry to evaluate the thermal and crystalline properties, respectively. Optimization of hybridization of the fibres and effect of coupling agents were evaluated in terms of various properties of the samples. The composite prepared with EFB:glass fibre ratio of 70:30 showed better reinforcing properties than that of others.     

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.     

A study of the mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced composites

This paper presents the results of a current research of the tensile properties: ultimate strength and stiffness modulus in composites using natural reinforcements. Hemp short fibres and pine sawdust were randomly distributed in polypropylene matrices to produce composite plates with 5 mm thickness by injection moulding technique. The specimens were cut from these plates with bone dog shape or plane bars, and tested in tensile and four points bending, respectively. Stiffness modulus and ultimate stresses were obtained for different weight fraction content of reinforcement and discussed taking in account the failure modes. Four series of pine sawdust reinforced specimens were immersed in water in periods up to 20 days. Periodically, the specimens were removed from the water recipient and immediately tested. The damage effect of water immersion time was discussed based in the tensile results and in the water absorption curves.     

Comparison study on transparent composites with different patterns of nanofiber reinforcement

In this work, PA-6 core and PMMA shell composite nanofiber mats together with pure PMMA and PA-6 nanofibrous membranes were obtained through electrospinning. Two kinds of transparent composites were fabricated by hot pressing multilayers of the composite nanofiber mats and of the interlaced pure PA-6 with PMMA nanofibrous membranes, respectively, under the same processing condition and with the same amount of PA-6 nanofiber content. Tensile properties and visible light transmittances of the two transparent composites were characterized. It has been found that both the tensile behavior and the visible light transmittance of the composites obtained from the composite nanofiber mats were better than the counterparts from the interlaced pure PA-6 and PMMA nanofibrous membranes. With a minor loss of less than 10 % in the transparency, a maximal increase of around 20 % in the tensile modulus and tensile strength has been recognized for a transparent composite from the composite nanofibers. Although less efficient, the tensile strengths of the composites from the interlaced nanofibrous membranes were all higher than that of a transparent panel processed from the pure PMMA nanofibers.     

Lifetime estimation of glass reinforced epoxy pipes in acidic and alkaline environment using accelerated test methodology

Accelerated ageing test methodology is valid and widely accepted procedure for estimating the lifetime of isotropic homogeneous polymeric materials. However for non-isotropic and heterogeneous polymeric compounds such as glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) pipes, accelerated ageing test methodology has not been much investigated. Various standards such as ASTM D 3681, ASTM D 5365 are being used to estimate the lifetime of GRE pipes using regression analysis which is time consuming, and requires large number of test specimens and fixtures specific to pipe dimensions. Accelerated ageing test methodology can be a viable method for estimating the lifetime. The research on accelerated test methodology as a vital tool to determine the lifetime of GRE pipes has been limited. The major concern for using accelerated ageing test methodology is primarily due to the degradation kinetics of the anisotropic composite materials which may not be governed by the Arrhenius principle. The present study on the estimation of lifetime of GRE pipes in extreme acidic and alkaline medium reveals that degradation of the composite pipe follows the Arrhenius principle and the degradation mechanism can be described by first order reaction kinetics. The degradation rate, the temperature dependence of the degradation rate and lifetime of the glass reinforced epoxy pipes in extreme acidic and alkaline medium as found in the current study are presented here, along with the morphological study of aged and un-aged GRE pipes.     

Characterization of plant and animal based natural fibers reinforced polypropylene composites and their comparative study

Natural fibers are largely divided into two categories depending on their origin: plant based and animal based. Plant based natural jute fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (20 wt% fiber) were fabricated by compression molding. Bending strength (BS), bending modulus (BM), tensile strength (TS), Young’s modulus (YM), and impact strength (IS) of the composites were found 44.2 MPa, 2200 MPa, 41.3 MPa, 750 MPa and 12 kJ/m², respectively. Animal based natural B. mori silk fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) matrix composites (20 wt% fiber) were fabricated in the same way and the mechanical properties were compared over the silk based composites. TS, YM, BS, BM, IS of silk fiber reinforced polypropylene composites were found 55.6 MPa, 760 MPa, 57.1 MPa, 3320 MPa and 17 kJ/m² respectively. Degradation of composites in soil was measured upto twelve weeks. It was found that plant based jute fiber/PP composite losses its strength more than animal based silk fiber/PP composite for the same period of time. The comparative study makes it clear that mechanical properties of silk/PP composites are greater than those values of jute/PP composites. But jute/PP composites are more degradable than silk/PP composites i.e., silk/PP composites retain their strength for a longer period than jute/PP composites.     

Mechanical and moisture absorption characterization of PLA composites reinforced with nano-coated flax fibers

This research is intended to improve the interface between the fibers and the matrix and limit water absorption of bio-based material thereby decreasing degradation of the composites when they are exposed to external environment such as high temperature and humidity. In this study, flax fibers were treated with an organic surface coating containing SiO₂ nanoparticles. This coating was a dispersion of silica fume in epoxy. One composite was also made with raw fibers as reference as well as one sample of pure PLA. Flax fibers/PLA composites were manufactured by hot pressing by stacking 4 PLA films and 3 pieces of flax fabric. Morphology and dispersion of the coating on the fibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Accelerated ageing was carried out on the 3 materials by placing them in a 50 °C water bath until saturation to investigate the influence of the coating on water diffusion. Mechanical properties of the different composites were investigated by tensile (before and after conditioning) and short beam shear (SBS) testing in order to evaluate the impact of the coating on the interfacial properties of the materials. The results show that the fibers surface was homogenized and that a better adhesion was reached because of the coating. Coating the fibers also allowed the decrease in water uptake by more than 10 % and their protection during conditioning, preserving their mechanical properties.     

长期定位施肥对不同筋力型小麦品质的影响

为了解长期施肥对小麦品质的作用,在33年长期定位施肥试验的基础上,分析了不同施肥条件下强筋小麦品种徐麦32和弱筋小麦品种宁麦13蛋白及淀粉相关品质特性。结果表明,有机肥、无机肥以及有机肥与品种的互作对小麦大部分蛋白和淀粉特性参数有显著或极显著影响。施肥对徐麦32和宁麦13蛋白质含量、干面筋含量、湿面筋含量、SDS沉淀值及面粉糊化特性参数影响基本一致。单施氮肥处理的蛋白质含量显著高于其他处理,单施有机肥处理显著低于其他处理,其他处理间无显著差异。干、湿面筋含量、SDS沉淀值与蛋白质含量呈较明显的正相关。施有机肥处理的峰值黏度、低谷黏度、最终黏度及峰值时间均显著高于不施有机肥处理,说明有机肥能显著改善小麦面粉的糊化特性;而无论施有机肥与否,施用无机肥不能显著改善面粉糊化特性。综上所述,长期有机、无机肥配合施用有利于弱筋小麦品质的改善,而对强筋小麦品质的改善不利。大田生产中应根据不同专用品种对品质的不同要求施用不同种类的肥料。     

Evaluation of anti-stabbing performance of fabric layers woven with various hybrid yarns under different fabric conditions

Various types of special fibers are used for human body protection, mostly in the form of fiber-reinforced composites. These composites are made of special fibers and matrix resin; however, they are often not comfortable for the wearer due to the lack of flexibility and air permeability. This study focuses on an evaluation of human body protective performance against stabbing for various special fibers such as aramid, basalt, and steel fibers, being utilized in cotton hybrid forms. These hybrid forms are designed to improve wearer comfort, while maintaining adequate anti-stab resistance. Specimens prepared with various fabric densities are tested in terms of anti-stabbing performance, according to the NIJ standard. In addition, we investigate the influence of factors such as fiber type, the number of fabric layers, fabric weight, and fabric density on anti-stabbing performance. Results show that the penetration depth of the impactor, which punctures and protrudes through the specimens, decreases with the number of layers, the thickness, and the mass of the armor sample; however, these factors have different relationships according to the material type. Consequently an objective evaluation of anti-stabbing performance is needed. We suggest an anti-stabbing index that can be applied as a criterion to evaluate the antistabbing performance of various specimens woven with special fibers under different fabric conditions. Using the new index, anti-stabbing performances of various specimens can be compared and raw material and fabric conditions that offer the most efficient anti-stabbing performance can be selected.     

Investigations on mechanical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite modified with amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer

Glass fiber, GF, which was first hydroxylated and silanized, was incorporated into epoxy resin modified with amino-terminated hyperbranched polymer (ATHBP) to obtain high performance composite. The effects of GFs content on the mechanical properties of composites were investigated, discussing the results from flexural, tensile, and impact tests. The composites revealed noticeable improvement in flexural strength, tensile strength as well as impact strength but slow decrease in elongation at break, compared to the epoxy/ATHBP thermoset. FESEM morphology results indicated the good compatibility between epoxy matrix and GF in the appearance of ATHBP and showed that the toughening mechanism was mainly attributed to the stress transfer mechanism.     

Experimental study on compressive,flexural and fatigue behavior of warp-knitted spacer fabrics reinforced polyurethane cast elastomer composites

This paper reports an experimental study on compressive, flexural and fatigue behavior of polyurethane cast elastomers (PCE) reinforced with warp-knitted spacer fabrics (WKSF). It aims to investigate new applications for these fabrics as the reinforcements for elastomeric parts such as shoe soles, rubber floor coverings, vibration dampening and shock absorbing pads, etc. A series of polyester WKSF with different thickness, structure of outer layer fabric and spacer yarns density was prepared and converted to PCE reinforced WKSF using the hand molding method. All the samples, including the neat PCE, were subjected to static compression, flat and spherical compression, three-point bending and flexural fatigue tests. The results showed that reinforcing PCE with WKSF, considerably enhances its spherical compressive strength (concentrated loading), flexural strength and fatigue resistance. However, it deteriorates flat compressive strength (distributed loading) and recovery behavior after static compression loading. The effect of fiber weight fraction, thickness, structure of outer layer fabric and spacer yarns density on the mentioned properties of the composites was discussed in the paper.     

Effects of needle-punching and thermo-bonding on mechanical and EMI shielding properties of puncture-resisting composites reinforced with fabrics

Effects of needle-punching and thermo-bonding on tensile property, air permeability, puncture resistances and EMI shielding effectiveness were discussed for carbon-reinforced composite and glass-reinforced composite. The result shows that, needle-punching significantly improves static and dynamic puncture resistances. As increase of needle-punched density, static and dynamic puncture resistances show firstly increasing and then decreasing trend. Thermo-bonding almost has no influence on static puncture resistance, but effectively decreases dynamic puncture resistance. Comparatively, carbon-reinforced composite shows higher static and dynamic puncture resistances than glass-reinforced composites when being needle-punched at 200 needles/cm². Meanwhile, carbon-reinforced composite has superior EMI shielding effectiveness to 40–60 dB at frequency of above 1 GHz, reaching 99.99 % shielding efficacy.     

Impact energy absorption mechanism of largely deformable composites with different reinforcing structures

Impact behaviors of the large deformable composites of Kevlar fiber reinforced composites of different preform structures have been investigated. An analytic tool was developed to characterize the impact behavior of the Kevlar composites. The image analysis technique, and deply technique were employed to develop energy balance equation under impact loading. An energy method was employed to establish the impact energy absorption mechanism of Kevlar multiaxial warp knitted composites. The total impact energy was classified into four categories including delamination energy, membrane energy, bending energy and rebounding energy under low velocity impact. Membrane and bending energy were calculated from the image analysis of the deformed shape of impacted specimen and delamination energy was calculated using the deplying technique. Also, the impact behavior of Kevlar composites under high velocity impact of full penetration of the composite specimen was studied. The energy absorption mechanisms under high velocity impact were modelled and the absorbed energy was classified into global deformation energy, shear-out energy, deformation energy and fiber breakage energy. The total energy obtained from the model corresponded reasonably well with the experimental results.     

Agronomic performance of late-season rice under different tillage,straw, and nitrogen management

In double rice-cropping system in China, zero tillage in late-season rice with straw return from early season rice is an emerging technology for saving inputs, shortening the lag time between rice crops, avoiding straw burning, and conserving natural resources. The objective of this 2-year field study was to determine the effects of tillage and straw return on N uptake, grain yield, and N use efficiency of late-season rice. Treatments were arranged in a split-plot design with four combinations of tillage and straw return as main plots and three N management practices as subplots. Tillage was either conventional soil puddling or zero tillage with newly harvested crop residue from early season rice either removed or placed on the soil surface without incorporation. The N treatments were zero-N control, site-specific N management (SSNM), and farmers’ N-fertilizer practice (FFP). Straw return regardless of tillage or N management did not reduce rice yield. In the second year, straw return significantly increased grain yield in the zero-N control. Chlorophyll meter readings at heading and total N uptake at maturity were higher with straw return in the zero-N control, suggesting that straw provides nutrients to rice in the late growing period. Zero tillage did not reduce N uptake, grain yield, and N use efficiency compared with conventional tillage. Despite large differences in timing and rate of N application between FFP and SSNM, these two N treatments resulted in comparable N uptake and grain yield of late-season rice regardless of tillage and straw return. These results suggest that zero tillage after early rice with straw return could replace conventional tillage for late rice in the double rice-cropping system in China.     

Fatigue performance of Kevlar/epoxy composites with filled matrix by cork powder

The objective of this study is to characterize the fatigue strength of a Kevlar/epoxy laminate composite as well as the benefits obtained by using an epoxy matrix filled by cork powder. Twelve ply laminates, all in the same direction, of woven bi-directional Kevlar 292, were prepared by hand lay-up, using an SR 1500 epoxy resin. The composite sheets were produced by a vacuum moulding process. The addition of cork powder reduces the static strength, however, in terms of fatigue strength a similar behavior was found for both laminates.     

The study of processing parameters on impact behavior of high performance polyethylene fiber cross-ply composites by taguchi method

In this study, the effect of processing parameters such as temperature, pressure, time of compaction process and areal density on high-velocity impact behaviour of high performance polyethylene fibre cross-ply composites were investigated by Taguchi method. Samples were made through high temperature and pressure compacting process and morphology and interlayer adhesive of samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy “SEM and T-peel test, repectively. Taguchi method was used to plan a minimum number of experiments. Statistical analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), was also employed to determine the relationship between experimental conditions and yield levels. ANOVA was applied to calculate sum of square, variance, ratio of factors variance to error variance and contribution percentage of each factors on response. A hemispherical tip type projectile was used for high velocity impact tests and the depth of trauma as the response factor was measured after impacting test. Results showed that when the temperature, pressure, and time of compacting process were 125 °C, 3 MPa, and 30 min for the composite sample with 7.4 kg/m² areal density, the trauma depth was decreased to its lowest value.     

Bending properties of carbon/glass and carbon/aramid fabric composites with various stacking structures by the VARTM method

In this paper, the bending properties of woven carbon/glass and carbon/aramid fabric-reinforced polymer laminates is studied using a combination of experimental analysis and fracture observation. Six types of each hybrid composite were manufactured by lamination of the carbon/aramid fabric and carbon/glass fabric using VARTM. Bending behaviors were fundamentally evaluated for the six types of monolithic composites laminated by the same fabric. The objective was to achieve a good bending strength by effective combination of composite structures using limited amounts of a raw material. It was shown that the bending property was different, depending on the type of fiber, lamination structure, and the number of layers.     

长日照条件下玉米开花期光反应相关基因差异表达模式分析

以Suwan种质代表性自交系T32(光敏感)和QR273(光钝感)为材料,利用实时qRT-PCR方法研究10个光反应相关基因在长日照条件下(16 h光照/8 h黑暗)的差异表达模式。结果表明,长日照条件下,不同光反应相关基因在不同自交系间表现出震荡表达模式,其中,开花促进基因ZmCOL、ZmELF4、ZmGI、ZmHd1、ZmHd6、ZCN8在光钝感系QR273中的相对表达量显著高于光敏感系T32;开花抑制基因ZmCCT9、ZmCCT10的相对表达量则显著低于T32。此外,ZmTFL1与ZmCCT虽为开花抑制基因,但其在光钝感自交系QR273中显著高表达,而在光敏感自交系T32中则低表达。     

不同施钾水平下甜菜对钾吸收与分配规律的研究

不同施钾水平下甜菜各器官含钾量均随施钾水平的增加而增高。各器官相对含钾量均以苗期为最高,以后随甜菜生长发育而降低;叶片、叶柄绝对含钾量呈单峰曲线变化,最大吸收量分别在7月中旬和8月中旬。块根绝对含钾量直到收获仍有增加。