Warp and weft directional tensile properties of multistitched woven fabric E-glass/polyester nano composites

The aim of this study was to understand the warp and weft directional tensile properties of the developed two dimensional (2D) multistitched multilayer E-glass/polyester woven nano composites. It was found that the warp and weft directional specific tensile strength and modulus of unstitched structure were higher than those of the machine stitched and machine stitched/nano structures due to stitching caused filament breakages. When the nano silica material in the unstitched E-glass/polyester composite structure increased, the warp and weft directional specific tensile strength and the modulus of the unstitched/nano structures increased. The failure of warp and weft directional 2D unstitched and unstitched/nano woven E-glass/polyester composite structures had a complete delamination in their cross-sections. But, the failure of warp and weft directional 2D stitched and stitched/nano woven E-glass/polyester composite structures had a local delamination in their cross-sections and the failure was confined at a narrow area. The warp and weft directional specific damaged areas of unstitched structure were higher than those of the stitched and stitched/nano structures. Also, the warp and weft directional specific damaged areas of machine stitched structure were slightly higher than those of the machine stitched/nano structure. It could be concluded that the addition of nano silica to the stitched structures improved to their damage resistance.     

Experimental off-axis tensile characterization of multistitched woven nano composites

The aim of this study was to understand the off-axis tensile properties of the developed two dimensional multistitched multilayer E-glass/polyester woven nano composites. It was found that the specific off-axis tensile strength of unstitched structure was higher than that of the machine stitched structure due to stitching caused filament breakages. But it was slightly lower than that of the machine stitched/nano structure. In addition, the specific off-axis tensile strength of machine stitched/nano composite structure was slightly higher than that of the machine stitched structure. When the nano silica material in the unstitched E-glass/polyester composite structure increased, the off-axis specific tensile strength and the modulus of the unstitched/nano structures increased whereas, the off-axis specific tensile strain of the unstitched/nano structures decreased. The damaged areas of the unstitched/nano structures increased, when the nano silica material in the unstitched E-glass/polyester woven composite structures increased. The failures under the off-axis tensile load of the stitched or stitched/nano structures were confined at narrow area due to the multistitching. On the other hand, it was observed that the off-axis failure of unstitched/nano or stitched/nano woven E-glass/polyester composite structures showed more brittle behavior.     

Off-axis tensile properties of multistitched plain woven E-glass/polyester composites

The aim of this study was to understand the ±45 ° directional off-axis tensile properties of the developed two dimensional (2D) multistitched multilayer E-glass/polyester woven composites. It was found that the off-axis tensile strength of the unstitched structure was slightly higher than those of the multistitched structures. The reason was that the multistitching process caused the filament breakages. It was also found that when the stitching direction and stitching density in structures increased, their off-axis tensile modulus decreased. Therefore, stitching directions, stitching density and stitching yarn on the composite structures were considered as important parameters. All structures under the off-axis tensile load had normal deformation, or angular deformation or shrinkage in width. In addition, both the normal deformation and the shrinkages in width occurred in most of the two and four directional stitched structures. On the other hand, four directional Kevlar^® 129 yarn dense stitched E-glass/polyester structure showed only shrinkage in width after angular deformation. This could be considered as a new failure mode because of the multistitching. These results indicated that the stitching directions and density generally influenced the off-axis tensile properties of the multistitched E-glass/polyester woven composites.     

An experimental investigation into the mechanical behaviour of 3D woven fabrics for structural composites

3D woven composites provide efficient delamination suppression, enhanced damage tolerance, superior impact, ballistic and blast performance characteristics over 2D fabric laminates. At the same time, this type of composites, having practically straight in-plane fibers, show significantly better in-plane stiffness and strength properties than respective properties of conventional composites. But, how the in-plane elastic and strength characteristics of this type of fabrics compare with respective in-plane properties of equivalent 2D woven fabrics. This paper presents a comprehensive experimental study of the comparison of in-plane tensile, bending, crimp interchange properties of UD, 2D, 3D orthogonal, 3D angle-interlock and 3D warp interlock multi-layer structures woven from E-glass tow. The results depict that the 3D woven fabrics have considerably superior mechanical properties with much lesser crimp compared to 2D fabrics.     

Mechanical properties of composites made from locally manufactured carbon fabrics and the composites produced from air-textured glass yarns

Composite materials have a wide range of applications in structural components because of their high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. However, the most crucial and common life-restricting crack growth mode in laminated composites i.e. delamination is of great concern. Air jet texturing was selected to provide a small amount of bulk to the glass yarn. The purpose was to provide more surface contact between the fibres and resin and also to increase the adhesion between the neighbouring layers. These were expected to enhance the resistance to delamination in the woven glass composites. The development and characterisation of core-and-effect textured glass yarns was presented in the previous paper. This paper describes the comparison of the mechanical properties of composites produced from air-textured glass yarns and the composites made from locally manufactured carbon fabrics. The tensile, flexure and inter-laminar shear strength (ILSS) were compared and it was observed that although glass fibres are inferior to carbon fibres in terms of mechanical properties however, the flexure strength and ILSS of glass based composites increases after texturing and were found closer to the properties of carbon based composites.     

Basalt nanoparticle reinforced hybrid woven composites: Mechanical and thermo-mechanical performance

Nanoparticles are gaining wider importance and increasing utility in many areas of engineering and technology. This investigative work is conducted to study the effect of incorporating basalt nano particles in composites with basalt/basalt and basalt/jute woven structures as reinforcement. The nanoparticles were developed from basalt, they were characterized and used for reinforcing composites of basalt and jute hybrid fabrics. The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of hybrid woven basalt reinforced epoxy composites were evaluated. Microscopic examination was carried out in order to analyze the internal structure and fractured surfaces. Interfacial characteristics, material morphology and failure was studied by use of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and optical microscopy. Thermal stability was characterized by TGA. The results elaborated that the incorporation of basalt nanoparticles exhibited superior properties compared to the pure epoxy resin impregnated basalt fabric reinforced composites in terms of mechanical and thermal stability.     

纳米CaCO3/NR复合材料制备工艺对其结构和性能的影响

采用SEM和力学性能测定研究了乳液共沉法制备工艺对纳米CaCO3/NR复合材料结构和力学性能的影响。结果表明:搅拌时间、胶乳质量分数、纳米CaCO3/NR填充量对复合材料结构与性能有显著影响,当它们分别为60min,15%~20%,20:100~40:100时,复合材料力学综合性能最好。纳米CaCO3对NR具有较好的补强效果。      

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.     

Analysis and in-plane shear characterization of polyester plain fabric by yarn pull-out method

The aim of this study was to determine the in-plane shear properties of polyester fabric by the pull-out method and analytical relations were developed to calculate the shearing properties. After the yarn in the fabric was pulled from the top ravel region before the start of the crimp extension stage, it was found that fabric shear strength and rigidity increased when the number of pulled ends increased. In addition, when the fabric width and length increased, fabric shear strength and rigidity increased. On the other hand, the shear strength and rigidity values in untreated fabric were high compared to that of treated fabric due to the fabric treatments by softening agent. It was observed that fabric sample dimensions and the number of pull-out ends as well as the fabric treatments influenced fabric shear strength and rigidity. Also, the shear jamming angles were found to be based on the number of pulled ends. Fabric local shearing properties could be identified by pulling the yarn ends in various regions of the fabric. This could be important for the handling of the fabric during formation. The results generated from this study showed that polyester fabric shear could be measured by the yarn pull-out test.     

Effect of co-monomer ratio in ABS and wood content on processing and properties in wood/ABS composites

Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene copolymers (ABS) reinforced with wood flour were investigated for rheological, mechanical and thermal properties. Three grades of commercial ABS resin (high flow (HF-ABS), medium impact (MI-ABS) and super high impact (SI-ABS) grades) were characterized using H-NMR and elemental analysis for the determination of co-monomer content. Wood flour from Para rubber trees treated with N-2 (aminoethyl)-3-(aminopropyl) trimethoxy silane was blended with ABS in the melt blending process using a twin-screw extruder. Wood flour contents used in this work were 0.0 %, 9.1 %, and 33.3 % wt. The composites with higher acrylonitrile contents showed higher melt viscosity especially at the low shear rate. Carreau’s model was used for curve-fitting. The extrudate swell ratio of the composites tended to increase at the shear rate of 10–500 s⁻¹ and then decreased dramatically once the shear rate were further applied. Neat ABS and wood/ABS composites with higher butadiene content illustrated a higher swelling ratio. The neat MI-ABS and composites showed the highest ultimate tensile strength and modulus due to the butadiene content effect. As the wood flour loading was increased, the tensile modulus of all ABS composites increased with the sacrifice of the tensile strength of composites. The elongation at break and impact strength were noticeably the highest for wood/SI-ABS composites among all because of the effect of rubbery butadiene content. Thermal stability of plastic in 9.1 % wood in HF-ABS composites was improved compared with the neat HF-ABS due to the low acrylonitrile content.     

Effect of PTMEG on the mechanical and flame retardance behaviour of novolac phenolic based CFRP

The objective of this work was to study the effect of addition of Poly tetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) on the mechanical and flame retardance behaviour of novolac phenolic/carbon fiber composites (NPCC). The miscibility of PTMEG and novolac phenolic resin was studied using DSC. Both modified and unmodified novolac phenolic resins were characterised for chemical structure using FTIR. The 8 wt% PTMEG/NPCC yielded 39 % increase in impact strength compared to that of unmodified NPCC. Void content of the composites were measured. Both NPCC and PTMEG blended NPCC were tested for tensile strength (UTS), flexural strength (FS), inter laminar shear strength (ILSS) and impact strength. Also morphological studies were carried out using SEM. The UTS, FS, ILSS and impact strength of the modified NPCC showed better results at 8 wt% of PTMEG without any compromise on the flame retardancy. The fracture surface examination showed good adhesion between the fiber and the matrix in the modified NPCC.     

Sound absorption properties of spiral vane electrospun PVA/nano particle nanofiber membrane and non-woven composite material

In this research, we fabricated a series of PVA membranes loaded with 0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.% ZrC and 0 wt.%, 1 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.% TiO₂ using a spiral vane electrospun machine respectively. There were 2 sizes of TiO₂ nano particles: 10 nm and 200 nm. We tested sound absorption properties of needle-punched nonwovens as well as the composite of nano membranes and needle-punched nonwovens by an impedance tube at the frequency range from 500 Hz to 6500 Hz. Besides, we tested morphological characterization of nano membranes by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and crystalline properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD). We investigated the sound absorption properties of composites as well as the effect of ZrC, TiO₂, nano particle sizes and cavity depth on sound absorption properties. Results showed that sound absorption properties of composites increased at the whole range of frequency compared to those of needle-punched nonwovens. When loaded with ZrC nano particles, sound absorption properties of composite shifted to a higher frequency region, and with increasing content of ZrC, sound absorption properties were better above 2500 Hz. However, when loaded with TiO₂, sound absorption properties were better at lower frequency. With 3 wt.% TiO₂, sound absorption coefficient reached the best at the frequency range from 500 Hz to 1500 Hz. Besides, 200 nm TiO₂ was more conductive to the increase of sound absorption properties at lower frequency region compared to 10 nm TiO₂. Sound absorption properties of composites with air back cavity shifted to a lower frequency region, too. SEM showed that there was nano particle aggregation when loaded TiO₂ nano particles. XRD showed that ZrC nano particles loaded in PVA nano fiber retained their crystalline structure while TiO₂ didn’t. It appeared from the results that nano particles had an effect on sound absorption materials, with different kinds and different sizes, sound absorption properties will improve in different ranges of frequency     

Comparison of tensile properties of co-woven-knitted and multi-layered biaxial weft-knitted fabric reinforced composites

The co-woven-knitted (CWK) fabric and multi-layered biaxial weft-knitted (MBWK) fabric were produced using glass filaments as warp and weft inserted yarns and high tenacity polyester as stitched yarns. Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding process was used to produce the two composites. Tensile tests were carried out in the course, wale and slanting directions of the composites, respectively. Specific stress-strain curves and failure modes of the two composites were investigated and compared. Results reveal that tensile strengths and elastic moduli of the two composites in the course and wale directions are better than those in the bias direction. All the composite samples fracture in the brittle damage mode. Furthermore, the buckling due to different inserted ways of the warp and weft yarns has a few influences on the tensile properties of the two composites. This research may lay a foundation for the establishment of the process windows for the co-woven-knitted reinforced composites.     

Flexural and impact properties of chemically treated sugar palm fiber reinforced high impact polystyrene composites

The effects of chemical treatment on the flexural and impact properties of sugar palm fiber reinforced high impact polystyrene (HIPS) composites were studied. Two types of concentration of alkali solution (4 % and 6 %) and also two types of percentage of compatibilizing agent (2 % and 3 %) have been used in this study. The alkaline treatment is carried out by immersing the fibers in 4 % and 6 % of alkali solution for 1 hour. A 40 wt. % of alkali treated sugar palm fiber (SPF) was blended with HIPS using Brabender machine at temperature of 165 °C. The second treatment was employed by compounding mixture of sugar palm fibers and HIPS with 2 and 3 % of compatibilizing agent using the same procedure. The composites plate with dimensions of 150×150×3 mm was produced by using the hot press machine. The flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of composites were measured and the values were compared to the untreated composites. Improvement of the mechanical properties of the composites has been shown successfully. Alkali treatment using 6 % NaOH solution improve the flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of the composites as amount 12 %, 19 % and 34 % respectively, whereas compatibilizing agent treatment only showed the improvement on the impact strength, i.e. 6 % and 16 % improvement for 2 % and 3 % MAH respectively.     

Enhancement of the mechanical properties of glass/polyester composites via matrix modification glass/polyester composite siloxane matrix modification

Enhancement of the mechanical and vibrational properties of glass/polyester composites was aimed via matrix modification technique. To achieve this, unsaturated polyester was modified by incorporation of oligomeric siloxane in the concentration range of 1–3 wt%. Modified matrix composites reinforced with woven roving glass fabric were compared with untreated glass/polyester in terms of mechanical and interlaminar properties by conducting tensile, flexure, and short-beam shear tests. It was found that after incorporation of 3 % oligomeric siloxane into the polyester matrix, the tensile, flexural, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) values of the resulting composite increased by 16, 15, and 75 %, respectively. The increases in ILSS as well as in tensile and flexural properties were considered to be an indication of better fiber/matrix interaction as confirmed by SEM fractography images. Furthermore, the effect of oligomeric siloxane incorporation on the vibrational properties of the composites was investigated by experimental modal testing and the natural frequencies of the composites were found to increase with increasing siloxane concentration.     

Effect of surface treatment on the structure and properties of para-aramid fibers by phosphoric acid

The surface of para-aramid fiber was modified by phosphoric acid solutions (H3PO4) based on an orthogonal experimental design and analysis method. Statistical results indicate that treatment temperature is the most significant variable in the modification processing, while treatment time was the least important factor. The structure and morphology of the modified fiber were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction instrument (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that some polar groups were introduced into the molecular structure of aramid fibers and the physical structure of the treated fibers was not etched obviously. The interfacial properties of aramid fiber/epoxy composites were investigated by the single fiber pull-out test (SFP), and the mechanical properties of aramid fibers were investigated by the tensile strength test. The results showed that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of aramid/epoxy composites was remarkably improved and the breaking strength of aramid fibers was not affected appreciably after surface modification.     

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.     

Experimental study on structure and mechanical properties of hemp/PBTG composites with fiber contents and thermal exposures

Most materials used in daily life are polymeric materials based on petrochemistry. The used polymeric materials can cause land pollution and air pollution after landfill or incineration. In contrast, natural fiber reinforced (NFR) composites are more suitable for the environment, however the reliability in terms of the durability and weatherability of NFR composites is still lacking. Thus, NFR composites require the reliability involved with durability and weatherability. In this work, poly(butylene terephthalate-co-glutarate) (PBTG), with a chemical structure similar to biodegradable PBAT, was used as the matrix in the composites, and hemp fibers were used as the reinforcement. Hemp/PBTG composites were fabricated by stacking hemp-fiberwebs and PBTG films with various fiber contents and thermal exposure times. Characteristics of the composites, such as the morphological structure, chemical structure, tensile properties, compressive properties, flexural properties, and impact strength, were analyzed to obtain the effects of fiber volume fraction and thermal exposure. As a result, hemp/PBTG composites were hardened in proportion to fiber volume fractions, and the hardening behavior of the composites increased tensile strength and flexural strength. However, the hardened structure of the composites decreased the impact strength and compressive strength of the composites. On the other hand, the mechanical properties of hemp/PBTG composites with thermal exposure times, were governed significantly by the brittleness behavior of the resin and the increased crystallinity of hemp fibers. Thus, the hemp fibers contributed to the improvements on structural stability, tensile strength and flexural strength of the hemp/PBTG composites, and increased the thermal durability of the composites with various thermal exposures.     

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.     

Compatibilizing effects of polypropylene-g-itaconic acid on the polypropylene composites

We prepared long carbon fiber (LCF)-reinforced thermoplastic composites using a compatibilizer of itaconic acid grafted polypropylene (PP-g-IA). We confirmed the structure of PP-g-IA and investigated the compatibilizing effects of PPg- IA on LCF/polypropylene composites. The tensile strength, tensile moduli, flexural strength, and flexural moduli of the composites increased with increasing PP-g-IA content in the thermoplastic composites. Using single pull-out analyzing system, we found PP-g-IA improved interfacial strength between the carbon fiber and PP matrix. The thermal properties of the composites were measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). We could observe that LCF enhanced the mechanical properties and thermal decomposition temperature of the polypropylene (PP) composites, compared with neat PP. The fractured surfaces of PP/PP-g-IA/LCF composites showed that PP-g-IA was effective for improving the interfacial adhesion between LCF and PP matrix.