Fiber Polymer Composites Research Articles

Synergetic Impact of Carbon Nanotube and/or Graphene Reinforcement on the Mechanical Performance of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composite

The exceptional and distinctive properties of the allotropes of carbonaceous nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes and graphene have attracted many researchers and engineers to enhance the performance of fibrous polymeric composites. This article extrapolates the synergetic impact of carbon nanotube (CNT) and multi-layered graphene (MLG) reinforcement onto the mechanical performance of glass fiber/epoxy composites. Magnetic stirring and ultra-sonication process have been carried out under optimized parameters for incorporation of CNT-MLG into the epoxy polymer. Incorporation of 0.1wt% of carbon nanotube to the glass fiber/epoxy composites enhances a flexural strength of 10% and addition of 0.1 wt. % of multi layered graphene to the glass fiber/ epoxy composites enhances a flexural strength of 6% when differentiated with neat GE. Embodiment of 0.1 wt. % CNT and MLG to the glass fiber/epoxy composites in three different ratios like 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 showcases a 13%, 12.25% and 14.7% enhancement in the flexural strength respectively with respect to the neat glass fiber/epoxy composites when tested at room temperature. Among them, the ratio 2:1(CNT: MLG) contributes higher strength due to the combined action of high aspect ratio of CNT and higher specific surface area of multi-layered graphene thus, facilitating efficient stress transfer from matrix to the reinforcements. Thermal characterizations have been carried out using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The fractography of the samples is examined through the scanning electron microscope.

Effect of operating parameters and abrasive particle size on three-body abrasion performance of alkali-treated eucalyptus fiber reinforced polyvinyl chloride composite

The use of natural fiber polymer composites is being considered in many applications. In the current work, the three-body abrasion performance of an alkali-treated eucalyptus and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite was studied at different applied loads (40 to 130 N), sliding velocities (1.86 to 3.73 m/s), sliding distance (up to 4.0 km), and abrasive particle size (0.25 to 0.75 mm). The results showed that the applied load and sliding distance affected three-body abrasion. At lower applied loads and shorter sliding distances, higher specific wear rates (Ws) and more obvious worn surface features were exhibited, while sliding velocity had less of an effect on the wear behavior. The Ws and worn surface roughness increased as abrasive particle size increases, and deeper grooves and higher deformation on the worn surface were found due to the enhanced material loss from the larger particle size abrasive.

Effective thermal conductivity of 3D-printed continuous fiber polymer composites

3D printing, especially fused filament fabrication, presents a potentially attractive manufacturing technique for thermal applications such as polymer heat exchangers due to the ability to create complex internal geometries which can be used to enhance convective heat transfer. Recently, commercial and modified open-source printers have utilized continuous fibers such as carbon fiber to create continuous fiber reinforced polymer composites (FRPCs) which enhance the mechanical properties of the printed products. This continuous filler network can also serve to improve thermal conductivity. In this study, the effective thermal conductivity of 3D-printed FRPCs is characterized using a steady-state, modified, guarded hot plate apparatus. The effect of the fiber direction and volume fraction on the effective thermal conductivity of the 3D-printed composites was characterized experimentally and modeled analytically using series and parallel models. Thermal conductivities of up to 2.97 W/mK were measured for samples in which the fibers were aligned with the direction of heat flow. Measured values were in good agreement with analytical model predictions. The importance of fiber conductivity on overall performance of the FRPCs was further demonstrated using a handlaid-up, pitch-based carbon fiber sample which exhibited an effective thermal conductivity of 23.6 W/mK.

Self-healing of structural carbon fibres in polymer composites

Carbon fibre–reinforced composites (CFRCs) are increasingly used in aeroplanes, satellites and offshore wind turbines. Access those systems for repair when the material is damaged may be difficult. Researchers have incorporated vascular systems containing healing agents into CFRCs, enabling them automatically to recover from delamination and debonding. However, self-recovery of the structural fibres that give CFRCs their exceptional mechanical properties is still impossible. This paper describes a method to make CFRCs self-heal following structural fibres’ damage. This involves automatically delivering epoxy-based healing agents containing short carbon fibres (SCFs) to cracks through an embedded vascular system. Cracks are created by disk-cutting through the carbon fibre layer of CFRC specimens. The SCFs in the released healing agents can be aligned in a local electric field produced by applying a potential to the broken structural carbon fibres. The alignment reconnects the structural carbon fibres. Process parameters were investigated to observe their effects on the healing performance and determine the optimum healing agent composition and conditions. In comparison to using conventional healing agents without SCFs and electric alignment which restored 25.2% of a CFRC’s original strength, employing the proposed approach increased the recovery to 47.3%.

A review on mechanical characterization of polymer matrix composites & its effects reinforced with various natural fibres

The recent development in technologies has increased the usage of non-renewable resources during production. However, it has been a threat and unable to be replenished once used. Natural fibre strengthens in a more significant way and its widely applicable in polymer composites materials. Furthermore, the use of plant fibres in polymer composites is due to its low cost and significant properties. Also, the natural fibres make the composite lighter when compared to synthetic fibres. As a result, the massive demand for natural fibre composites commercially in the industrial sector for a safe environment. However, the development has many drawbacks and critical issues. The review focuses on various kinds of plant fibre polymer-Composite, along with its characteristics and applications. This review paper summarizes the chemical, mechanical, and physical properties of plant fibre and its reinforced polymer composites techniques.

Experimental and simulation study of eigen frequency responses of Luffa cylindrica sponge fibre polymer composite

The vibration frequencies of plant fibre (Luffa cylindrical sponge) reinforced composite structure has been studied in this article Initially, a simulation model of Luffa fibre reinforced polymer composite plate has been developed through the commercial finite element analysis package. Further, the finite element frequency solutions are compared with own experimental frequency data (recorded using the in-house fabricated Luffa fiber composite) for the validation purpose. The current analysis mainly performed on two composite plate fabricated using the different weight of fibre (no fibre and 6.4%). Moreover, the simulation frequencies are computed using the experimental elastic properties of Luffa fibre polymer composite plate. After the necessary verification, the simulation model has been extended to explore the influence of various structural parameters on the free vibration frequency.

A comprehensive review of current developments on the waste-reinforced polymer-matrix composites for automotive, sports goods and construction applications: Materials, processes and properties

In recent times, the world is changing and gearing up with latest and new technologies in that scenario the development and growth of the composite materials is increasing day by day. Natural fibres are one of the realistic and ecological alternatives to synthetic fibres as reinforcement for polymer composite materials due to their low cost, environmental friendliness, natural abundance, and mechanical properties. Natural fibres are given first priority compared all types of fibres because of their attractive characteristics such as biodegradable nature, low cost, ecofriendly and good strength to weight ratio in the engineering products and minimal health hazards. An overview on the recent trends in the physio-mechanical properties, thermal properties, electrical properties such as dielectric constant, microstructural interfacial adhesion, different methods used for the fabrication of the natural fiber polymer composites and their respective applications of NFPC’s has been discussed thoroughly in this critical review. According to the literature survey, the various work has carried out on the natural fibers which shows its importance comparatively with the other synthetic fibers. This review states the potential of natural fibre which can be used to reinforce the polymer matrix for several applications such as sports goods, electrical and electronics, automotive, construction industry etc.

Mechanical and Tribological Characterization of Hybrid Composites: A Review

Abstract A review on the mechanical and tribological characterization of hybrid fibers reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials is presented in this article. Fiber reinforced polymer composites are used in aircraft, boats, ships, helicopters, sporting equipments, chemical processing instruments and automobiles. Using more than one fibers in a single polymer matrix gives the more improvements than single fiber polymer composites. Hybridization (A mixture of fibers, during a process known as hybridization, so as to take advantage of the two fibers) in the field of FRPs can enhance the mechanical characteristics of particular fibre-reinforced polymer composite. By the addition of filler to the composite materials will further increase the performance of composites. This revise shows that tribological and mechanical characteristics of FRP composite improves because of inclusion of comparably high elongation fibers (Glass and basalt).Now a day’s hybrid composites are used in high end applications

Acoustophoretic assembly of millimeter-scale Janus fibers.

This article presents a method for the assembly of millimeter-scale Janus fibers using acoustophoresis as an assembly mechanism. An acoustic flow cell mounted to a 3D printer combines acoustophoresis and additive manufacturing in a unique approach that allows for the assembly of textured Janus fibers. A dispersion consisting of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filler particles in a UV curable polymer resin is passed through an acoustically excited capillary tube. To fundamentally understand this process, we develop a suspension balance model that accounts for acoustophoresis and concentration-driven shear-induced diffusion. Once assembled, the particle-polymer dispersion is cured using UV illumination to create a polymer composite fiber with particles immobilized on one side in a Janus-like configuration. The Janus fiber is observed to modify the light transmission profile when rotated on an optical microscope stage. Tensile measurements of the fiber show that the Young's modulus of the Janus fiber (50.5 MPa) is approximately twice that of a fiber fabricated from the polymer alone (24.7 MPa). The process we describe here could serve as a pathway for the fabrication of a variety of functional Janus fibers with possible applications to wearable textiles, soft robotics or surgical sutures.

Effect of matrix and fibre type on the impact resistance of woven composites

Thermoplastic composites are emerging in the automotive industry as serious competitors to typical epoxy composites thanks to their higher toughness and reprocessability. Additionally, composites with polymer fibres can yield higher impact resistance than composites with conventional structural fibres like carbon and glass, while still delivering a high stiffness. In this work, woven composites with different fiber types (aramid, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO), polyarylate (PAR), carbon) and different matrices (epoxy, polypropylene) were investigated under penetrating impact. It was found that aramid-PP composites absorb 2.82 times the energy of aramid-epoxy. PBO-PP absorbed almost twice as much energy as the other polymer fibre composites. PBO-PP and PAR-PP fractured the specimen with an unusual “X” shape while all other composites exhibited a “+“shape, which is typical for woven fabric composites. It is hypothesised that the unusual failure shape and the high energy absorption are linked to the high fibre anisotropy.

Effect of weave structure on the slicing cut resistance of woven fabrics

Cutting processes using blades have found applications in many industries; for example, in garments, fiber–polymer composites, and high-performance fabric forming. In recent decades, the process of cutting the material using a robotic-controlled blade has raised concern about the value of the pressure and the cut force required for a certain type of woven fabric and the estimation of its value before the pressing and cutting process. A simple theoretical relation was established based on the fabric structure and yarn shear stress. The model formulation and experimental results to describe the basic theory of blade cutting fracture for woven fabric of different designs was derived. In this work, the experimental investigation of the effect of the fabric specifications, normal load, and the cutting speed on the cutting force was carried out, which indicates that the value of the specific cutting resistance of the fabric was found to be highly correlated with the fabric structure, warp and weft yarn count, Young’s modulus of the fabric, and fractional cover factors ratio ζ.

Mechanical Behavior of Coir Fiber Reinforced Polymer Resin Composites with Saturated Ash Particles

This work is done in order to determine the influence of flyash on mechanical properties and fracture analysis. The carbon (ash) particles independently integrated with coir fiber polymer composites. The test samples were manufactured with different dimensions of coir fiber such as the powder's size, content and mesh size. Tension, compression, impact and flexural tests are carried out in the composite materials prepared according to the ASTM techniques. Using SEM photos, the fracture faces are analyzed. It was inferred from the final results that ash powder composite provides good flexural and tensile strength than without ash powder composite, while ash powder composite material provides good impact strength and compressive strength with increase in content of ash particles.

Performance Analysis of Composite Helicopter Blade Using Synergistic Damage Mechanics Approach

The damage behavior of a helicopter rotor blade made of carbon fiber polymer composite has been numerically investigated using a synergistic damage mechanics (SDM) model. Laminates of the quasi-isotropic stacking sequence have been considered in this study. The simulations were performed, corresponding to a hovering condition and for a range of the angles of attack and rotational speeds of the blade. The aerodynamic and centrifugal loads due to different angles of attack and rotational speeds have been computed by using fluid dynamics simulations. A structural analysis was then performed using the aerodynamic loads. Using the SDM model, the matrix crack density and crack multiplication were evaluated to predict the damage initiation site and maximum crack density occurring in the plies of the laminate under the operational conditions. It was observed that maximum crack appeared in the blade at extreme operational conditions; among the different plies, a ply was cracked by the maximum amount. A crack density of around was predicted in the ply at an operational condition with a 500 rpm blade rotation and an 18 deg angle of attack of the blade. The present study demonstrates application of the progressive damage modeling in designing a composite helicopter blade by considering its performance parameters.

Effect of Natural Fiber (NF) Mix on Mechanical Strength of NF Plastic Composites (NFPC)

Natural fibers from plants are gaining importance and may substitute wood in the production of wood plastic composites (WPC). To ensure continuity of fiber supply and sustainability of WPC industries, fibers of various types could be mixed together to obtain Mix WPC. However, research need to be carried out to identify the contribution of different fiber type collectively to the mechanical properties of Mix natural fiber polymer composite (NFPC). In this study, preliminary work on the use of natural fibre (NF) such as kenaf, sugar palm and pineapple leaf fibers in the preparation of Mix NFPC were carried out. Four different fiber mix samples with different fiber ratio and size were formulated using polypropylene (PP) as the polymer matrix. Montmorrilonite (MMT) filler was added at constant amount for enhancement of composite mechanical properties. Samples were mixed and prepared using a twin screw extruder and mini injection moulding resepectively. Individual fibers and NFPC prepared were characterized using thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Tensile, flexural and impact strength of the composites were determined. Generally, it was found that addition of fiber mix at 50% fiber loading enhance the tensile and flexural strength of the various NFPC with minimal exceptions. The impact strength of the composites were comparable to that of blank PP implying that addition of fiber gives additional advantage besides being eco-friendly. It was also found that higher kenaf loading and different size of fiber mix contribute positively to the various strengths measured. In addition to that, composition of individual fibers also contribute to the mechanical properties of the NFPCs.

Materials Have Driven the Historical Development of the Tennis Racket

The tennis racket has developed since the origins of Lawn Tennis in the 1870s. This study investigated how the tennis racket developed from 1874 to 2017, using measurements and material classifications for 525 samples. Racket measurements covered geometric, inertial and dynamic properties, and the number of strings. Rackets predating 1970 were mainly wooden, and typically characterised by head areas below 0.05 m2, masses over 350 g and natural frequencies below 120 Hz. Rackets from the 1970s were made from wood, metal and fibre–polymer composites, with most postdating 1980 made from fibre–polymer composites with a larger head, lower mass and higher natural frequency than their predecessors. Principal component analysis was used to reduce the dimensionality of the number of variables. Principal component one (PCA1) accounted for 35% of the variance in the measured racket properties, and was found to be significantly affected by material. Head width was best correlated with principal component one (r = 0.897, p < 0.001), followed by head length (r = 0.841, p < 0.001) and natural frequency (r = 0.813, p < 0.001). Early rackets were constrained by the limitations of wood, and the move to composites, which began in the 1970s, allowed this observed increase in head size and natural frequency. As material development has been a major driver of racket design in the past, we propose that new materials and manufacturing techniques, like additively manufactured composites, could further improve the tennis racket. The measurement techniques described here can be used to monitor developments in racket design.

Multi-response optimization of hybrid filler composition for pultruded jute fiber reinforced polymer composite

Sustainability and ecological awareness draw the attention of researchers towards natural fiber polymer composites, and continuous efforts are being made to improve their properties by altering the material composition and processing method. In the present work, an investigation of the effect of the fillers loading on the tensile and flexural properties along with hardness and cross-sectional shrinkage of the pultruded jute fiber reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites is presented. A setup was designed and developed indigenously for pultrusion of FRP composite to achieve the objective of the current work. The objective of the present work is to investigate the effect of different fillers on characteristics of pultruded jute fiber reinforced polymer (PJFRP) composite and to propose a composition of hybrid filler for optimization of characteristics. A new approach has been presented in this work to develop hybrid filler by mixing three different fillers — bagasse fiber, carbon black (CB) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) — to optimize the characteristics PJFRP composite. Various compositions of hybrid filler are prepared as per Taguchi L9 orthogonal array for experimentation and further Grey relation method is used for multi-response optimization. The hybrid filler content of any composition is kept fixed i.e. 15% of resin weight to prepare a blend of unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) matrix and hybrid filler in all experiments. It was found that the all performance characteristics under consideration other than tensile strength have been improved by about 15 to 47% when PJFRP composite with hybrid filler (optimum composition) is compared to PJFRP composite without filler. The tensile strength, flexural strength, hardness, and cross-sectional shrinkage were found 61.39 MPa, 155.48 MPa, 42.67 HRK, and 4.99% respectively by using an optimum composition of hybrid filler in PJFRP composite. The predicted grey relation grade and experimental grey relation grade shows good agreement.

Styrene-Free Soybean Oil Thermoset Composites Reinforced by Hybrid Fibers from Recycled and Natural Resources

The development of sustainable fiber-polymer composites using renewable or recycled feedstocks has received considerable attention from both academia and industry. In this study, a soybean oil base...

An upper bound of in-plane shear modulus for unidirectional fibrous composites

An upper bound of in-plane shear modulus for a general class of unidirectional fibrous polymeric composites of periodic structure is presented in an explicit form, according to linear elasticity approach. The fibers that reinforce the polymeric matrix are continuous, parallel to each other, and thus, no agglomeration occurs. To formulate the fiber arrangement inside the matrix, a reliable geometric body-centered model was adopted. The theoretical predictions were compared with experimental data found in the literature, together with theoretical results obtained from other workers, and a reasonable accordance was observed.

Development of mechanical properties in banana fiber composite

Abstract The main objective of this article is to study the utilization of natural fibres in polymer composites. In this article concentrated on reinforcement of polymer plastics with different proportions of banana and glass fibre composites. Since, epoxy based hybrid (glass/banana) composites play vital role in developing light weight structural materials, this study focuses on utilizing glass/banana as reinforcement fiber loading fiber is constant in epoxy resin. This composite was fabricated using hand lay-up process this influence of glass/banana loading on the mechanical properties of was studied initially. Test results revealed that the composite glass/banana composition has better mechanical properties.

On developing method for determining materials properties and combustion system structural elements of launch vehicles separated parts

The article considers a new class of problems, which studies the issues of burning the launch vehicle (LV) separating structures made from polymer composite material, including fillers and carbon fiber. As illustrated by the structure of the payload fairing (PF), which must undergo forced burning after the mission, four concepts for determining the materials properties are proposed. In conducting experiments in the wind tunnel with the implementation of the actual conditions of high-speed flow, the PF structural model is introduced in the consideration. The results of theoretical and experimental studies performed to determine the properties of the materials that make up the filler and carbon fiber are presented.