Self-assembling of few-layer graphene onto glass fibers and strength enhancement mechanism of few-layer graphene-reinforced GFRP

"Improved mechanical performance of hybrid sandwich composites: Innovative layering of bamboo mats and chopped glass fiber with aramid honeycomb and PVC foam cores"

Mechanical and thermal conductivity properties of alkali-resistant glass fiber shale ceramsite lightweight concrete based on microstructure

Mechanical properties and heavy metal adsorption capacity of tannic acid-modified recycled glass fiber reinforced composite mortar

Recovery of glass fiber from retired wind turbine blades based on low-temperature plasma assisted flotation.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of natural dentin modulators on the bond strength and adhesive interface of resin materials bonded to dentin oxidized by sodium hypochlorite. Forty bovine roots underwent endodontic treatment and were assigned to four groups: control gel, Libidibia ferrea 10% gel, Apis mellifera 10% gel, and sodium hypochlorite irrigation. Glass fiber posts were cemented using a universal adhesive system and dual-cure resin cement. Bond strength was assessed by the push-out test, and the failure pattern and resin tag penetration were also evaluated. The results showed that both L. ferrea and A. mellifera treatments enhanced bond strength and resin tag extension compared to the control and sodium hypochlorite groups, with no difference between the two natural modulators, regardless of the root canal third. Cohesive failures were more frequent in the natural modulator groups, whereas adhesive failures predominated in the control and sodium hypochlorite groups. The findings indicate that natural dentin modulators improved the adhesive performance of resin materials bonded to dentin previously oxidized by sodium hypochlorite.

Abstract This study examines the influence of Glass–Carbon and Basalt–Carbon fiber reinforcements on the mechanical performance of Polyamide 66/Polytetrafluoroethylene (PA66/PTFE) blend composites for structural applications. An 80 wt.% Polyamide 66 and 20 wt.% Polytetrafluoroethylene thermoplastic blend was selected as the matrix material for composite development. The hybrid fibers combination (10 wt. % Short Glass fibers (SGF) and 10 wt. % Short Carbon fibers (SCF)) GC and (10 wt. % each of Short Basalt fibers—SBF and Short Carbon fibers– SCF) BC composites were used as the reinforcement phases. For the fabrication process—twin screw extrusion method followed by injection molding was used. For these GC and BC hybrid composites, the mechanical behaviour was evaluated using ASTM Methods. Results showed the appreciable improvement in mechanical strength over PA66/PTFE Blend. It was noticed for the GC and BC hybrid composites, 108.76% and 92.08% increase in tensile strength, 138.82% and 104.07% in flexural strength respectively over neat blend. Further, the impact strength with notched condition was responded with 16% rise in strength for GC and 26.8% drop for BC over the blend. The hybrid composites GC and BC exhibit an increase in heat deflection temperature of 231.9 °C and 229.7 °C respectively over 62.8 °C of blend at higher load. In addition, the incorporation of hybrid fibers resulted in a reduction in the melt flow index compared to the neat blend. SEM-based fracture analysis revealed that fiber fracture, deformation at the matrix–fiber interface, and the presence of non-resin regions due to fiber overlap were some of the reasons for the composite failure.

ABSTRACT The transition toward a sustainable circular economy increasingly emphasizes the importance of effective recycling of fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, used in aerospace, wind energy, automotive, marine, and construction. However, managing end‐of‐life FRP composites remains a major challenge due to their complex composition and varied fiber–matrix combinations. Regulatory drivers, including bans on landfill of composite waste and Europe's Waste Framework Directive, are pushing industries to prioritize recycling over traditional disposal. This paper presents an up‐to‐date review of current policies, industrial practices, and recycling technologies for FRPs, distinguishing between thermoplastic and thermoset matrices and between glass and carbon fiber reinforcements. The authors analyze recycling routes—mechanical, thermal, chemical—according to their maturity, energy demand, and suitability for different composite types. Industrial case studies are included, demonstrating practical implementation of recycling. The paper proposes actionable policy recommendations for harmonizing EU guidelines and promoting the adoption of high‐value recycling. The aim is to provide composite stakeholders with a coherent overview of the evolving landscape of FRP recycling, thus enabling informed decisions and facilitating a sustainable composite industry. The original contribution of this study is the systematic evaluation of state‐of‐the‐art standards, policies, and industrial practices performed within the OVERLEAF project, and their synthesis into a recommended qualitative framework to support decision‐making for FRP composite recycling.

Achieving quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs) that simultaneously deliver fast ion transport and intrinsic thermal safety remains a central challenge for lithium batteries, as improvements in ionic conductivity are often coupled with increased flammability and interfacial instability. Here, we present a spray-assisted in situ assembly strategy to construct azolate hybrid frameworks (AHFs) directly on glass fiber substrates, followed by thermal polymerization to yield a chemically integrated QSSE. The heterocyclic AHF provides ordered lithium-philic coordination sites and continuous ion-transport pathways, enabling efficient Li+ migration while maintaining high thermal robustness. As a result, the resulting LiFePO4|FP10v-GF|Li cell sustains stable cycling for over 500 cycles at 25°C and 100 cycles at 60°C. Notably, the framework architecture enables molecular level confinement of triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a flame-retardant component, establishing a nitrogen phosphorus synergistic flame-retardant mechanism without compromising electrochemical compatibility. Consequently, high-loading Li||LiFePO4 cells exhibit stable cycling under practical conditions (E/C = 0.56g Ah-1, N/p = 3.27) and successfully withstand accelerated rate calorimetry tests from 25°C to 300°C without thermal runaway. This work demonstrates how framework chemistry and molecular confinement can be synergistically integrated to decouple ionic conductivity from flammability, providing a general design principle for intrinsically safe, high-energy quasi-solid-state lithium batteries.

Wearable haptic actuators are important to provide users with tactile feedback to enhance immersive human-machine interaction. Most of the existing actuators, although soft and small, typically work at a high voltage of kilovolt level, which brings about safety risks for users. In this work, via functional group modification on a piece of glass fiber membranes, we construct a flexible electroosmotic actuator that can operate at a voltage as low as 20 volts, falling at the safe voltage for the human body. The actuator delivers feedback forces exceeding the tactile perception threshold of human skin and maintains stable performance in 2500 cycles. We also constructed a haptic patch that satisfies the two-point discrimination threshold at fingertips by arranging actuators with an interspacing of 3mm. Integrating the haptic patch into a VR system, we demonstrate its ability to reproduce complex tactile sensations and enhance immersion, showing the potential of the actuator strategy in safe operation and accurate communication in immersive human-machine interaction.

Evaluate an optical fiber illuminator associated with a hollow glass post on resin cement's adhesive, physicochemical, and biological properties. To enhance light transmission throughout the root canal, a photopolymerization optical fiber device was developed. Eighty bovine teeth were distributed into five groups (n = 16): CD (Commercial post, Allcem dual-cured cement); PL (Hollow post, Allcem light-cured cement); PD (Hollow post, Allcem dual-cured cement); POL (Optical illuminator, hollow post, Allcem light-cured cement); POD (Optical illuminator, hollow post, Allcem dual-cured cement). About 2 mm slices (n = 12) from cervical, middle, and apical thirds underwent a push-out bond test, fracture analysis, conversion of monomer degree (DC%), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and MTT cytotoxicity. Micro-CT (n = 4) evaluated the cementation interface. Apical third exhibited higher adhesive strength compared to the middle third (p < 0.001). Fiber optic lighting with a hollow glass fiber post and dual-cured cement (POD) from apical showed the highest bond strength and DC%. EDS proved suitable chemical components. Hollow glass fiber post and dual-cured cement (PD) from apical exhibited higher cell viability compared to commercial post (p < 0.001). Micro-CT with 3D reconstruction evidenced the excellent adaptation of the post. The illuminator device efficiently improved cement's adhesive strength, degree of conversion for the dual-cured cement, especially in the apical third, and enhanced the biocompatibility of the proposed system. This novel optical device enhances light transmission within the root canal, improving post bonding and potentially leading to better clinical outcomes in the restoration of endodontically treated teeth.

Standardizing microplastic quantification by scanning electron microscopy: Structural performance of filter membranes and implications from bottled drink analysis.

ABSTRACT To address the severe durability degradation of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites from seawater-induced fiber-matrix interfacial corrosion during long-term marine service, this study aims to enhance the seawater corrosion resistance of composites by constructing a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-reinforced interfacial protective layer. A novel interfacial reinforcement strategy was proposed, utilizing amine-functionalized MWCNTs to in-situ build a strongly bonded protective layer, effectively retarding the penetration of moisture and corrosive media. Glass fiber fabrics were modified with amine-functionalized MWCNTs, and composites were fabricated via vacuum-assisted resin infusion molding, followed by a 12-month simulated seawater immersion test. Results show that the functionalized MWCNTs significantly enhance fiber-matrix interfacial bonding via synergistic mechanical interlocking and proposed chemical interaction. The water absorption of composites increased progressively over 12 months, approaching equilibrium after approximately 10 months. The modified composite achieved up to 18.3% lower equilibrium water uptake versus the unmodified sample. After 12 months of artificial seawater exposure, the modified composites exhibit only a 5.6% reduction in interlaminar shear strength (from 83.2 MPa to 78.5 MPa), demonstrating superior performance retention relative to the unmodified composites (9.2% reduction).This work provides an efficient interfacial solution for marine composite durability and insights into the design of corrosion-resistant fiber-reinforced polymer composites.

Accuracy of conventional impression versus direct digital scanning strategies for CAD-CAM post-and-core restorations in dual-post molars: A combined clinical and in vitro study.

This study investigates Ga-loaded porous phosphate glass fibres (PGFs) coated with clove oil (clv) (1.5 and 3 w/v%) as multifunctional materials capable of antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound-healing properties. PGFs were prepared via coacervation combined with supramolecular templating and electrospinning (ES). Porosity was induced via the removal of the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) used as a soft template. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the majority of porous PGFs have diameters ranging from ∼0.5 to 4 µm. PGFs around 1-4 µm have highly porous walls (pores ∼300 nm in diameter), whereas the smaller ones are hollow, with non-porous walls and perfectly round channels. Results have identified PGFs loaded with 1 mol% Ga2O3 and 3 w/v% clv as ideal compositions, exhibiting the strongest radical scavenging (up to ∼70% DPPH, ∼53% ABTS), the highest inhibition of hydroxyl radicals (OH˙) (∼34% reduction) and the highest phenolic content (∼18 mg GAE/g). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays demonstrated that PGFs' dissolution products show a protective effect under oxidative stress by significantly reducing intracellular ROS levels while maintaining high keratinocyte (HaCaT) viability over 72 h. Similarly, in fibroblast-like (MC3T3-L1-E1), the same PGFs' dissolution products enhanced H2O2 scavenging activity and improved cytocompatibility. Time-dependent MTS assays in HaCaTs demonstrated sustained cell viability over 72 h across two tested concentrations (5% and 10% v/v), with stable metabolic activity and no evidence of significant cytotoxicity. Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was confirmed by optical density (OD) measurements and colony-forming unit (CFU) analysis, which showed a significant reduction in viable bacteria for PGFs containing 1 mol% Ga2O3 coated with 3 w/v%. This antibacterial effect is hypothesised to result from the release of Ga ions, while clv contributes mainly to the antioxidant activity. In contrast, PGFs' dissolution products, regardless of Ga and clv loading, did not exhibit a measurable antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In vitro wound healing scratch assays showed that dissolution products from Ga- and clv-containing PGFs enhance cell migration, accelerating wound closure in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts. This work demonstrates the successful synthesis of porous PGFs by combining soft templating with the coacervation method and the enhanced beneficial properties of PGFs coated with a natural antioxidant, proving their potential for advanced wound-healing applications. Further in vivo studies will be required to confirm the in vitro potential.

The utilization of existing telecommunication infrastructure for environmental monitoring via opportunistic sensing is rapidly advancing the field of distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS). However, while custom-engineered sensing cables are highly characterized for hydrostatic pressure, the complex mechanical response of standard armored telecommunication networks remains largely unquantified. This study experimentally investigates the non-linear distributed pressure sensitivity of three commercial telecommunication cables (Anti-Rodent, Duct, and Microcable) across a hydrostatic pressure range of 0 to 800 PSI. Measurements were conducted using Tunable Wavelength Coherent Optical Time Domain Reflectometry (TW-COTDR) with a 20 cm spatial resolution, utilizing a stepped depressurization protocol with 15-min stabilization holds to isolate true steady-state longitudinal strain. The results reveal that protective cable armoring induces severe mechanical non-linearity. The rigid Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) rods of the Anti-Rodent cable acted as a structural vault at low pressures before yielding to become highly sensitive above 400 PSI. Conversely, the corrugated steel tape of the Duct cable exhibited high initial sensitivity followed by mechanical stiffening, while the unarmored Microcable maintained a linear response. These findings establish that a single linear calibration coefficient is invalid for heavily armored infrastructure, highlighting the critical need for structural characterization prior to opportunistic field deployments.

ABSTRACT Fiber-reinforced pipes offer excellent corrosion resistance for offshore applications, but maintaining structural strength in harsh marine conditions remains challenging. This study develops a multi-method comparative framework integrating theoretical, experimental, and numerical analyses to evaluate carbon (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced pipes (GFRP) under tensile loading. Results demonstrate that CFRP outperforms GFRP with 35% higher ultimate tensile strength, approximately 30% greater axial and rotational stiffness, and 4% lower plastic strain. The framework achieves exceptional predictive accuracy, with deviations below 5% among experimental, theoretical, and numerical results. Parametric analyses identify the optimal fiber winding angle of 50° for maximum axial capacity (160 kN) and a diameter to thickness ratio of 6 for best tensile performance (185 kN). These findings provide engineers with validated quantitative design guidelines for material selection and geometric optimization of corrosion-resistant offshore pipelines, directly enhancing long-term safety and sustainability in marine environments.

A two-step recycling method for upgraded glass fiber from wind turbine blades and its failure mechanisms.

The long-term success of implant-supported prostheses (ISPs) is strongly influenced by material selection, which affects stress distribution within the implant system and surrounding cortical bone. This study aimed to assess the biomechanical behavior of a four-unit ISP supported by two implants in the posterior region, using different framework and superstructure material combinations through dynamic finite element analysis (FEA). Methods: A three-dimensional (3D) edentulous mandibular model was created using Mimics software, with two implants placed in the first premolar and second molar regions. Four framework materials—titanium (Ti), glass fiber–reinforced composite (GFRC), 3Y-TZP zirconia, and polyether ether ketone (PEEK)—were combined with two superstructure materials, 5Y-TZP zirconia and resin-matrix ceramic (RMC), forming eight groups. Dynamic loading simulated chewing forces, and stress distribution was analyzed using the von Mises criterion. Results: The results demonstrated that 3Y-TZP zirconia frameworks generated the highest stress values across implants, abutments, and cortical bone. RMC crowns consistently produced lower stress than 5Y-TZP zirconia across all the groups. PEEK showed the highest displacement, followed by GFRC, zirconia, and Ti. Conclusion: Materials with higher Young’s modulus tended to exhibit greater stress transfer to the implant, implant components, and cortical bone. In contrast, polymer-based materials may show a tendency toward greater deformation and displacement compared with metallic and ceramic materials.

The construction sector faces a dual imperative: managing the escalating volume of construction and demolition (C&amp;D) waste while simultaneously reducing reliance on quarried natural aggregates, both of which carry significant environmental costs. Recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) addresses this dual challenge by substituting demolished concrete debris for natural coarse aggregate; however, RAC is characterized by reduced compressive strength, elevated porosity, and inferior interfacial transition zone (ITZ) quality relative to natural aggregate concrete (NAC), limiting its deployment in structural applications. This investigation presents a systematic experimental programme in which M30-grade RAC employing 100% recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement was reinforced with hybrid combinations of steel fibers (SF, 6 mm hooked-end) and glass fibers (GF, 3 mm alkali-resistant) at total volume fractions of 0+0% (M1 NAC control), 0.5%+0.5% (M2), 1.0%+1.0% (M3), and 1.5%+2.0% (M4). Compressive strength (3, 7, 14, 28 days), split tensile strength, flexural strength, and water absorption were evaluated by IS standards. Relative to the NAC control (M1: CS = 38.43 MPa), the 100% RCA M2 baseline exhibited a 21.7% reduction in compressive strength; however, hybrid fiber additions progressively recovered performance, with M4 achieving 35.40 MPa (−7.9% vs NAC control but +17.6% vs unfiber-reinforced RAC baseline). More significantly, split tensile and flexural strength showed increases of 55.7% and 50.6% above NAC control for M4, respectively, confirming that fiber bridging is disproportionately beneficial for tensiledominated failure modes. The mechanistic basis for these improvements lies in steel fiber crack-bridging arresting macrocrack propagation and glass fiber microcrack suppression refining the ITZ. To extend predictive capability, a multi-output artificial neural network (ANN) with a 6-12-8-12-5 architecture was developed and trained on an N = 190 experimental datasets compiled from this study and published literature. The ANN achieved R² values of 0.987, 0.983, and 0.979 for compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength, outperforming XGBoost, Random Forest, and SVR. SHAP analysis identified RCA replacement percentage, steel fiber content, and glass fiber content as the three dominant predictors, quantitatively confirming the physical mechanisms observed experimentally.