Mechanical Properties Of Composites Research Articles

Navigating the frontier: Additive Manufacturing’s role in synthesizing piezoelectric materials for flexible electronics

Additive manufacturing (AM) has significantly transformed the fabrication of functional materials, particularly in electronics and biomedical engineering. This study reviews stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), direct ink writing (DIW), and inkjet printing for flexible electronic applications. The review highlights SLA-based 3D printing’s better ability to optimize material compositions, printing procedures, and post-processing methods to improve material characteristics. Photosensitive materials and shrinkage-induced internal tensions seems to be its major constraint. Additionally, SLS 3D printing has improved composite materials' electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. It has drawbacks including permeable structures and internal tensions. In FDM 3D printing, mechanical and electrical qualities are improved for piezoelectric sensor manufacture. Warping and nozzle blockage require additional study. DIW’s versatility in constructing complicated structures with increased features for energy harvesting and sensor development is also mentioned. We identify ink development and printer nozzle clogging issues. The review concludes that inkjet printing can provide a variety of materials for flexible electronics. Since it integrates the latest discoveries with technological developments, this study may help guide future research and promote innovation in the sector. Overall, additive manufacturing methods provide a new era of sensor technology by offering unrivalled flexibility and versatility.

Regulating the mechanical properties of (μm B4C+nm SiC)/7075Al composites via nano-SiC content

In this study, micron B4Cp (m-B4Cp) and nanometer SiCp (n-SiCp) reinforced 7075Al composites were prepared by high-energy ball milling, hot press sintering, and hot extrusion. The microstructures and mechanical properties of composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), tensile testing, and synchrotron radiation computed microtomography (SR-μCT). The results showed that n-SiCp and m-B4Cp were uniformly distributed in the aluminum matrix without interfacial reaction. The optimal grain refinement was achieved by adding 1.5 wt.% n-SiCp, improving the strength and ductility of composites. The room temperature yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of M5N1.5 composites were increased from 350 MPa and 460 MPa of 7075Al to 401 MPa and 502 MPa, respectively. The results revealed that the YS and UTS of composites decreased, but elongation increased with increasing temperature. When the temperature increased to 200 °C, the elongation of 7075Al and M5N1.5 increased from 5.9% and 4.7% to 8.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Quantitative analysis revealed that dislocation strengthening and grain refinement strengthening caused by the addition of n-SiCp are the dominating strengthening mechanisms at both room and high temperatures, while the contribution of m-B4Cp to the strengthening of the composites is very small.

A review of the formability of woven fabrics for composite materials

AbstractTextile composites are advanced materials composed of preforms combined with matrix materials. The fiber structure in the preform has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the composite. Precise control over preform dimensions and internal fiber structural uniformity, termed ‘accurate shape control’, is essential to ensure reliable and stable composite component mechanical properties. This paper reviews current research progress on fabric deformation mechanisms, focusing on experimental characterization and numerical simulation. Experimental methods for fabric deformation include tensile, compression, bending, and shear deformation, whereas numerical methods encompass macroscopic continuum, discrete, and semi‐discrete models. The insights offered in this paper will aid a greater understanding of fabric deformation mechanisms, enabling an accurate prediction of complex shape molding and effective process parameter design, ultimately facilitating the structural design and engineering applications of textile composites.Highlights Recent trends and challenges in the study of fabric deformation mechanisms are presented. The experimental methods for fabric deformation were summarized and evaluated. Representative numerical modeling techniques and simulation methods are discussed. Some recommendations on potential future research directions are detailed.

Characterization and mechanism analysis of interfacial shear strength between individual aramid fiber and epoxy by oxygen plasma treatment at elevated temperatures: Experiment and simulation

The weak adhesion between aramid fibers Ⅲ and the resin matrix, due to its smooth surface and high inertness of the fibers. This property restricts the mechanical properties of the composites in high temperatures environments. This work describes the treatment of aramid fibers Ⅲ with oxygen plasma to introduce reactive oxygen-containing functional groups onto fiber surface. The analysis focused on the impact of interfacial friction and interfacial wettability on the transfer of load across composites at various temperatures. According to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the fiber surface showed an increase in the number of active groups after plasma treatment. In addition, two new oxygen-containing functional groups -C-O- and -O-CO appeared. The use of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) showed that the plasma treatment has an etching effect on the fiber surface and increases the roughness of the fiber surface. Furthermore, after plasma treatment, the fibers adhered to the resin matrix through hydrogen bonding and π-π bonding. The utilization of this technique led to a significant enhancement in the interfacial properties of monofilament composites across various temperature ranges. The IFSS of plasma-treated aramid fiber Ⅲ/EP exhibited increases of 38 % at the test temperature of 25℃. Surprisingly, the IFSS of plasma-treated aramid fiber III/EP exhibited a significant increase of 52 % at the test temperature of 120℃. In this paper, COMSOL software was utilized to simulate the IFSS before and after plasma treatment at different temperatures. Mechanistically explains the effect of temperature on the interfacial mechanical properties of composites.

High strength and self-lubrication graphite/SiC composites

For the reaction-formed graphite/SiC composites, the presence of cracks and poor mechanical properties seriously affect their reliability as wear resistant or sealing materials. In this work, a porous carbon preform was pressure formed first by carbon-composite-powder (PFC@G) and carbon black, impregnated with resin and carbonized subsequently, which can heal the micro-cracks, increased the strength of porous carbon preforms and finally reduce the reactivity of liquid Si and carbon during the reaction forming process. The results show that the modified porous carbon preform has a 4.8% reduction in porosity and a 3.98 times increase in compressive strength. After reactive melt infiltration, the prepared graphite/SiC composites had a compact and isotropic structure and obtained the highest carbon content of 66.18 vol.%. In addition, the coupling effect of the PFC@G size on the carbon content and mechanical properties of composites was studied. With the decreasing of the PFC@G size, the mechanical properties of the composites increased and the carbon content decreased. The sample with a carbon content of 48 vol.% and a bending strength of 137 MPa exhibited excellent self-lubrication properties.

Predicting the modulus of elasticity of clayey soil composites reinforced with scrap tire rubber fibers using a composite material model

In this study, composite material models are used to predict the modulus of elasticity of a composite consisting of scrap tire rubber fibers and clayey soils. The calculated modulus of elasticity is compared with the reference modulus obtained from experimental testing. Predicting the effective mechanical properties of composites is crucial in situations where testing is impractical, challenging, or costly. The analysis involves various approaches within the elasticity framework, utilizing rheological models such as Voigt, Reuss, Hirsch-Dougill, Popovics, Halpin-Tsai, Hashin, and the Bache & Napper–Christensen estimation. These models aim to predict the effective Young's modulus of the composite system comprising soil and rubber fibers. The maximum discrepancies observed are 10.66%, 12.71%, and 12.98% for both soils. Voigt, Hashin, and Bache estimations provide highly accurate predictions of the effective Young's modulus, showing excellent agreement with experimental results across different fiber volume fractions ranging from 10% to 50%.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Al-La-Mn Composites Reinforced by AlN Particles.

The Mg-Al-RE series heat-resistant magnesium alloys are applied in automotive engine and transmission system components due to their high-temperature performance. However, after serving at a high temperature for a long time, the Al11RE3 phase coarsened and even decomposed, while the Mg17Al12 phase grew and dissolved, which limits the service temperature of Mg-Al-RE series heat-resistant magnesium alloys to a maximum of 175 °C. In this study, a new preparation method for in situ AlN particles was presented. The AlN/Mg-4Al-4La-0.3Mn composites were prepared by a master alloy and casting method. The effects of various contents of AlN (0.5-3.0 wt.%) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg-4Al-4La-0.3Mn (AE44) alloy at room (25 °C) and high temperatures (150-250 °C) were investigated. Microstructure analysis revealed that the inclusion of AlN led to a reduction in both the grain size and second phase size in the AE44 alloy, while also improving the distribution of the second phase. The average grain size, Al11La3 phase, Al2La phase, and Al3La phase of the 2.0 wt.% AlN/AE44 composite were 135.7, 9.6, 1.9, and 12.6 μm, respectively, which were significantly lower than those of the AE44 matrix alloy (179.8, 12.6, 3.3, 17.8 μm). The refinement was attributed to the ability of AlN particles to serve as heterogeneous nucleation cores for α-Mg and, at the same time, impede the growth of the solid-liquid interface, eventually leading to grain refinement. With the increase in the AlN content, the mechanical properties of composites initially exhibited an increase at both room and high temperatures, followed by a subsequent decrease. When the AlN content was 2.0 wt.%, the composite exhibited optimal strength and plasticity matching. At room temperature, the TYS, UTS, and EL values of the 2.0 wt.% Mg-4Al-4La-0.3Mn composite were 96 MPa, 175 MPa, and 7.0%, respectively, which were increased by 26 MPa, 27 MPa, and 0.7% when compared with the base alloy. The TYS of the 2.0 wt.% Mg-4Al-4La-0.3Mn composite at 150 °C, 200 °C, and 250 °C were 17 MPa, 14 MPa, and 22 MPa higher than those of the matrix alloy, respectively. The main strengthening mechanisms were second phase strengthening, load transfer strengthening, and thermal mismatch strengthening. At elevated temperatures, AlN particles effectively pinned the grain boundaries, inhibiting their migration, and hindered dislocation climbing, resulting in excellent mechanical properties of the composites at high temperatures. This study contributes to the advancement of in situ AlN particle preparation methods and the exploration of effects of AlN on the properties and microstructure of Mg-Al-RE alloys at high temperatures (150-250 °C).

The Effect of Chopped Carbon Fibers on the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Toughness of 3D-Printed PLA Parts: An Experimental and Simulation Study

The incorporation of fiber reinforcements into polymer matrices has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance the mechanical properties of composites. This study investigated the tensile and fracture behavior of 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) composites reinforced with chopped carbon fibers (CCFs) through experimental characterization and finite element analysis (FEA). Composite samples with varying CCF orientations (0°, 0°/90°, +45°/−45°, and 0°/+45°/−45°/90°) were fabricated via fused filament fabrication (FFF) and subjected to tensile and single-edge notched bend (SENB) tests. The experimental results revealed a significant improvement in tensile strength, elastic modulus, and fracture toughness compared to unreinforced PLA. The 0°/+45°/90° orientation exhibited a 3.6% increase in tensile strength, while the +45°/−45° orientation displayed a 29.9% enhancement in elastic modulus and a 29.9% improvement in fracture toughness (259.12 MPa) relative to neat PLA (199.34 MPa√m). An inverse correlation between tensile strength and fracture toughness was observed, attributed to mechanisms such as crack deflection, fiber bridging, and fiber pull-out facilitated by multi-directional fiber orientations. FEA simulations incorporating a transversely isotropic material model and the J-integral approach were conducted using Abaqus, accurately predicting fracture toughness trends with a maximum discrepancy of 8% compared to experimental data. Fractographic analysis elucidated the strengthening mechanisms, highlighting the potential of tailoring CCF orientation to optimize mechanical performance for structural applications.

Influence of phosphomolybdate modified with quaternary ammonium salts on enhancing the flame retardancy and antibacterial characteristics of epoxy resin/aluminum diethylphosphinate composites

In this work, we synthesized a series of compounds, denoted as xCTAB@AMP, by incorporating varying different molar fractions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) into ammonium phosphomolybdate (AMP). The effects of CTAB modification on the surface characteristics, morphology and hygroscopicity of AMP were studied. Moreover, we explored the combined flame-retardant impact between xCTAB@AMP and aluminum diethylphosphinate (ADP) when incorporated into epoxy resin (EP), as well as the resulting composite's mechanical properties, thermal stability and antibacterial properties. The EP composite containing 50 molar percent CTAB-modified AMP (EP/50CTAB@AMP/ADP) demonstrated remarkable flame retardancy, achieving a UL-94 V-0 rating and increasing limiting oxygen index (LOI) to 30.0%. This formulation significantly lowered the peak heat release rate (PHRR) to 452 kW/m2, a 65% reduction to that of EP, and the total heat release (THR) to 68 MJ/m2, a 24% decrease to that of EP. Additionally, compared to EP, the peak smoke production rate (PSPR) of this composite was decreased by 30% (0.28 m2/s), the total smoke production (TSP) was reduced by 25% (30.2 m2), and peak carbon monoxide release rate (PCOP) was diminished by 34% (0.038 g/s). The combination of 50CTAB@AMP and ADP in the EP matrix exhibited an exceptional synergistic flame-retardant effect. Concurrently, the CTAB modification bolstered the interfacial interactions between AMP and the EP matrix, which enhanced the mechanical properties of EP/AMP/ADP composites. As a result, the tensile strength and elongation at break of the EP/50CTAB@AMP/ADP composite increased by 13% and 15%, respectively, compared to the EP/AMP/ADP. Moreover, the 50CTAB@AMP maintained its inherent antibacterial activity, which endowed the EP/50CTAB@AMP/ADP composite with a potent inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus, a common pathogenic bacterium.

Improvement of silicon and epoxy phase interface by constructing rigid interpenetrating networks based on bismaleimide to enhance ablative, mechanical and thermal properties

Polysiloxanes are widely used in the preparation of ablative-resistant resins due to their tailored reactivity and ceramisable properties. Nevertheless, the mechanical and thermal properties may be negatively impacted by the presence of flexible chain segments and poor compatibility. In this study, the phase interface of silicon between epoxy was improved by a rigid interpenetrating crosslinked network constructing by bismaleimide. The pyrolysis of the silicone was inhibited and the oxidation resistance of the resin was enhanced. Both graphitization and ceramisation of the char layer during ablation are significantly improved. This endows the modified resin with outstanding ablative properties, with mass and linear ablation rates reduced to 0.0666 g/s and 0.0512 mm/s, respectively, which exceed those of some conventional ablative-resistant resins. Remarkably, the thermal and mechanical properties are significantly enhanced benefiting from the rigid crosslinked network and improved phase interfaces. Moreover, the destruction of mechanical properties of composites in high temperature environments caused by organosilicones has been effectively addressed. Bismaleimide/silicone co-modified epoxy resins can be used not only as ablative-resistant coatings, but also for the preparation of fire-resistant carbon fibre composites, providing a novel approach to the production of cost-effective, recyclable structural integrated materials for thermal protection.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of tungsten matrix composites synergistically reinforced with TiC-ZrC particles prepared by spark plasma sintering

In this paper, W-TiC-ZrC composites with extremely high strength were prepared by high-energy ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering. The microstructure morphology and structural evolution of the composites were thoroughly analyzed by SEM, EDS, EBSD, XRD, XPS and TEM, and the mechanical properties of the composites were accurately evaluated by microhardness tests and compression tests at room temperature and high temperatures. The results show that the micromorphology of W-TiC-ZrC composites changes from a spherical shape to an elongated shape with the increase of TiC-ZrC addition. Meanwhile, the grain size decreased from 1.32 μm to 0.32 μm with the increase of the reinforcing phase content, however, the strength has a significant enhancement, and the microhardness and compressive strength of the W-3%TiC-3%ZrC composites are 952.0 HV and 2754.6 MPa, respectively. In addition, the W-3%TiC-3%ZrC composites were also shown to exhibit sufficient thermal stability, with compressive strengths of 2716.2 MPa, 2560.8 MPa, and 2323.8 MPa at 200 °C, 400 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. The extremely high strength of W-matrix composites is due to the formation of various second phases in the composites. The appearance of the second phases plays a role in fine grain strengthening, dispersion strengthening, solid solution strengthening, and thermal mismatch strengthening.

Fabrication of the Cu/AgCuTi/Nb composite for superconducting radio-frequency material under extreme service conditions based on electroplating additive manufacturing

The primary objective of this study is the development of Cu/Nb composite materials for Superconducting Radio-Frequency (SRF) applications under extreme service conditions characterized by a strong RF electromagnetic field, extremely low temperatures, and relatively low heat loss. A novel integrated manufacturing approach is proposed, which combines cold-sprayed AgCuTi alloy as an intermediate coating on the Nb surface and an electroplated Cu layer with a subsequent heat treatment brazing effect. This strategy aims to address the significant challenge of non-intermelting Cu and Nb while also considering effective lateral heat transfer. Mechanical property tests showed that the bond strength of Nb/AgCuTi/Cu composites exceeded 150 MPa. Low-temperature thermal transport tests indicate that the Residual Resistance Ratio (RRR) of the Cu layer surpasses 150, with a thermal conductivity at 4.2 K exceeding 1600 W/(m·K). Moreover, both the composite interface and mechanical properties of the specimens remain stable even after undergoing cyclic cold shock experiments. These findings suggest that the Nb/AgCuTi/Cu composite material developed in this study meets the technical requirements for long-term stable and high-performance operation in high-current and high-power superconducting accelerators.

Exploring thermal and in-situ mechanical properties of flexible 2D tungsten disulfide foam-polymer composite for thermal management

In the realm of thermal management applications, there is a growing need for flexible materials that can efficiently dissipate heat. Polymer composites incorporating two-dimensional (2D) materials offer promising solutions due to their superior thermal and mechanical properties. Tungsten disulfide (WS2) is an excellent filler candidate for polymer composites due to its superior thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and electrical properties. Unlike graphene, WS2 has a tunable bandgap, exhibits higher thermal resistance in inert atmospheres, is an effective lubricant over a wide temperature range of −190°C to over 800°C, and offers superior gamma radiation shielding. However, high-density 2D material polymer composite fabrication faces challenges due to the agglomeration tendency and sedimentation of heavy nanomaterials within the polymer matrix. This poor dispersion stability negatively impacts the performance and reliability of the composite. We developed a flexible WS2 foam-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite via freeze drying and vacuum-assisted infiltration, which not only overcomes fabrication challenges but also enables unique filler reinforcement foam designs. The thermal conductivity of WS2-PDMS foam was 1.57 times higher than that of neat PDMS. These thermal properties were modeled using the Lewis-Nielsen model. In-situ tensile tests were conducted to understand the mechanical reinforcing behavior and failure mechanisms of WS2 foam, which were further studied using the Gibson and Ashby model. The addition of WS2 into PDMS resulted in an elastic modulus 1.56 times higher than that of neat PDMS. The composite's mechanical properties were analyzed using the Halpin-Tsai model. These findings highlight the potential of WS2-PDMS composites for flexible thermal management applications.

A scale-span method to characterize the mechanical property of BCF/PEEK considering uncertain structural characteristics

The focus of this study is exploring a scale-span characterization method to predict the mechanical properties of Braided Carbon Fiber Reinforced Poly Ether Ether Ketone (BCF/PEEK) considering structural uncertainty. Firstly, a complicated micro-scale Representative Volume Element (RVE) model that considers the random position and size of fiber was established via the developed Python script. Analogously, a mathematical expression adopted by the trust region algorithm was proposed to accurately describe the detailed cross-sectional shapes and fluctuation amplitude characteristics of BCF/PEEK for the sake of establishing the precision meso-scale RVE model. Then, the corresponding elastic properties that consider fiber volume fraction and fiber distribution location were characterized via the span-scale characterization method. Meanwhile, the influence of fiber bundle fluctuation amplitude and fiber volume fraction on the mechanical properties was investigated as well. In addition, the mechanical properties of BCF/PEEK with the change of the braid angle between warp and weft yarn were predicted via the established meso-scale RVE model. Finally, a series of experiments have been carried out. The maximum and minimum absolute prediction deviation of all elastic property parameters were only 4.07 % and 1.41 %, respectively, which verified the proposed scale-span characterization method can predict the mechanical properties of composites well.

Study on the microstructure and mechanical properties of hot rolled nano-ZrB2/AA6016 aluminum matrix composites by friction stir processing

In this paper, in-situ ZrB2/AA6016 particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites were prepared in molten A6016 aluminum alloy melt by KBF4-Al- K2ZrF6 reaction system. For the first time, this paper presents that after casting, the composites would be subjected to large strain hot rolling (LSHR) with 60 % undercutting and then friction stir processing (FSP) with a stirred probe speed of 1200 r/min and a traveling speed of 60 mm/min. To study the microstructure and mechanical properties of composites strengthened by large strain hot rolling combined with friction stir processing. The results show that the tensile strength of the base material is 140.1 MPa, the elongation is 46.3 %, the product of strength and elongation reaches 6.5 GPa%, and the average hardness is 43.4 HV; The tensile strength of LSHR+FSP nugget zone is 163.4 MPa, the elongation is 78.9 %, the product of strength and elongation reaches 12.9 GPa %, which is about 98.6 % higher than the base material, and the average hardness is 59.8 HV, which is about 37 % higher than the base material. SEM, EBSD, and TEM analyses showed that the average grain size is refined from 189.7 μm to 3.8 μm after LSHR+FSP. The ZrB2 particles are sufficiently fragmented, with a particle size of about 20 nm, and uniformly dispersed in the matrix. This study provides the theoretical and experimental basis for applying nanoscale ZrB2 particles reinforcing ultrafine crystalline aluminum matrix composites prepared by LSHR + FSP.

PENGARUH FRAKSI VOLUME DAN PEMBEBANAN TERHADAP SIFAT FISIK DAN MEKANIK KOMPOSIT BERPENGUAT SERBUK CANGKANG KERANG LOKAN

The increasing consumption of local clam shells which contain high nutritional value in society has resulted in an increase in waste sea shells in areas around the coast of Bengkulu Province. The high calcium content in lokan clam shells attracts researchers to study the physical and mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites reinforced lokan clam shell powder. This research aims to investigate the effect of variations in the volume fraction of lokan clam shell powder and the mold loading on the physical and mechanical properties of composites reinforced lokan clam shell powder. The process of manufacturing shell powder is carried out by heating at a temperature of 900oC for 6 hours. Variations in the volume fraction of lokan clam shell powder consist of 30, 50, 70%. Meanwhile, the mold loading was varied by 0, 500 N, and 1 kN. The manufacturing process uses hand lay-up techniques. Physical and mechanical tests on composites include water absorption tests, density, tensile tests and impact tests. The results of the research show that the powder volume fraction and mold loading influence the physical and mechanical properties of composites reinforced lokan clam shell powder. The best physical properties of composite were obtained at a powder volume fraction of 70% and a mold loading of 1 kN, namely with a density of 1.43 g/cm3. The best mechanical properties of composite were obtained at a volume fraction of 30% and a mold loading of 1 kN, namely with a tensile strength of 33.2 MPa and an impact toughness of 366.8 kJ/m2.

Sustainable and eco-friendly 3D printing filament fabricated from different recycled solid wastes and evaluate its impact on interior and furniture design

A designer's work is based on creativity, innovation, and fresh ideas therefore, they are constantly searching for creative designs, especially when it comes to furniture and internal design. Meanwhile, innovative materials and ideas are actively sought after by designers for usage in furniture and interior design. In this scope, our study explores the practical implications of using date palm fronds and plastic waste from drinking water bottle to create a composite with varying loadings of date palm frond nanoparticles (DPFNP) at 10, 20, and 30 wt % and its applications on furniture design. A desktop extruder was used to form the composites into filaments, which were subsequently used to create 3D-printed specimens. The impact of adding (DPFNP) on the composite's mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties was assessed. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) drinking water bottle waste, and filament composites presented similar FTIR spectra; however, filament composites presented increased thermal stability and mechanical strength. The filament with 10 wt% DPFNP has been effectively printed with a 3D printer, demonstrating the practicality of employing the developed filaments and perhaps encouraging new uses in furniture and interior design. As a result, employing DPFNP in the recycled PET (RPET) matrix offers a cheap substitute for making filaments. It could increase the use of 3D printing in furniture and interior design by using more environmentally friendly materials. This result will be considered the first phase of future research investigation on a full-scale furniture prototype, examining its physical, thermal, and mechanical properties.

The effect of printing parameters on the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced PA6 matrix composites in material extrusion-based additive manufacturing

PurposeThis study aims to understand the effect of the use of different proportions and types of fibers in the polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix during material extrusion-based additive manufacturing (MEX) and the effect of the manufacturing parameters on the mechanical properties. The mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of PA composites that are reinforced with carbon fiber (CF), glass fiber (GF) and as well as hybrid fiber (HF) were investigated.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, the effect of nozzle temperature and layer thickness on the mechanical properties of composite samples was investigated in terms of their behavior under tensile, impact and compression loads, manufacturing parameters as well as fiber ratio and type. The results were also consolidated by scanning electron microscopy.FindingsAt 20 Wt.% CF reinforcement PA6 samples, a tensile strength value of 125 MPa was obtained with a 60% increase in tensile strength value compared to neatPA6. The HF-reinforced ones also measured a tensile strength value of 106.69 MPa. This corresponds to an increase of 38% compared to neatPA6. The results also show that HF reinforcement can be an important component for many composites and a suitable material for use under compression loading.Originality/valuePA6, an engineering polymer, can be produced by MEX, which offers several advantages for complex geometries and customized designs. There are studies on different carbon and GF ratios in the PA6 matrix. Using these fibers together in a HF, the examination of their mechanical properties in the MEX method and the examination of the effect of GF reinforcement in the hybrid structure, which has a cost-reducing effect, has been an innovative approach. In this study, the results of the optimization of the parameters affecting the mechanical properties in the production of samples reinforced with different ratios and types of fibers in the PA6 matrix by the MEX method are presented.

Durability and mechanical characteristics of unidirectional jute/banana and synthetic fiber reinforcement epoxy composite

Corrosive environments affect the physical and mechanical properties of natural fiber-reinforced epoxy composites. In such a context, this study focuses on the durability and corrosive impact on the mechanical properties of bast fiber-based composites. Synthetic glass fiber, and aluminium foil were also used for hybridization. The composites and hybrids were made using unidirectional jute and banana-fiber mats. Composites were immersed in a NaCl solution to create a corrosive environment, and their mechanical properties were investigated. Hybridization with glass fiber has the lowest impact on corrosive conditions. However, in a saline environment, it substantially alters the mechanical properties of composite materials. XRD and SEM were also performed for dry samples, and samples immersed in pH 8. XRD analysis revealed that adding synthetic fiber to natural fiber decreases the crystallinity. Hence, this study shows that hybridizing bast fiber with glass fiber is a noble approach to use in corrosive environments. The experimental results were verified by finite element analysis using ABAQUS.

Innovative Approaches for Manufacturing Epoxy-Modified Wood and Cellulose Fiber Composites: A Comparison between Injection Molding and 3D Printing.

The current study focused on improving the properties of polylactic acid (PLA) for wider application in load-bearing scenarios. Various methods were explored to optimize the interaction between PLA and natural fibers, particularly wood fibers (WFs). Alkalized and epoxy-impregnated WFs were evaluated against untreated WFs and cellulose fibers in both injection molding (IM) and fused deposition modeling (FDM). FTIR analysis revealed the removal of hemicellulose and lignin in alkalized WFs and uniform epoxy curing. Addition of fibers reduced PLA's thermal stability while acting as nucleating agents. Additionally, fibers augmented the storage modulus of biocomposites, with alkalized fibers exhibiting the highest tensile modulus in IM. FDM samples with a 0° raster angle showed superior impact resistance compared to IM counterparts. Moreover, raster angle significantly influenced FDM biocomposite properties, enhancing the tensile strength and modulus of untreated WF and cellulose fibers at 0°. Although FDM did not produce alkalized WF samples, epoxy impregnation emerged as a promising method for enhancing PLA/WF composite mechanical properties in the IM process, offering valuable insights for composite material development.