Glass Fiber Research Articles

Fostering sustainability: The environmental advantages of natural fiber composite materials – a mini review

In recent decades, natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRCs) have become an attractive substitute for conventional materials such as glass fiber and have attracted considerable interest from researchers and academics, particularly in the context of environmental protection. Environmental factors and their impact on the fundamental properties of renewable materials are becoming an increasingly popular area of study, particularly natural fibers and their composites. While this area of research is still expanding, natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites (NFRCs) have found widespread use in a variety of engineering contexts. Natural fibers (NFs) such as pineapple leaf (PALF), bamboo, abaca, coconut fibers, jute, banana, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and others have many desirable properties, but their development and use present researchers with a number of obstacles. These fibers have attracted attention due to their various advantageous properties, such as lightness, economy, biodegradability, remarkable specific strength, and competitive mechanical properties, which make them promising candidates for use as biomaterials. As a result, they can serve as alternative materials to traditional composite fibers such as glass, aramid, and carbon in various applications. In addition, natural fibers have attracted the interest of an increasing number of researchers because they are readily available in nature and as by-products of agricultural and food systems, contributing to the improvement of the environmental ecosystem. This interest coincides with the search for environmentally friendly materials to replace synthetic fibers used in the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. The use of natural fibers is not only logical but also practical, as their fibrous form can be easily extracted and strengthened by chemical, physical, or enzymatic treatments. This article provides a brief overview of NFRCs, looking at their chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. It also highlights some of the significant advances associated with NFRCs from an economic, environmental, and sustainability perspective. Additionally, it provides a concise discussion of their diverse applications, all with a focus on their positive impact on the environment.

Compressive behaviour of self compacting concrete column strengthened by hybrid confinement of fibre reinforced polymer sheet and fibre rope

AbstractThe compressive behavior of self-consolidating concrete columns strengthened by hybrid confinement of polypropylene fiber rope and glass fiber-reinforced polymer sheet was investigated experimentally. We cast and tested eight column specimens under axial compression load. (Six confined SCC columns and two conventional SCC columns.) The concrete grade utilized is SCC M40. For reinforcement, the SCC columns are enclosed with GFRP wrap and polypropylene fiber rope in various volumetric ratios. The compressive resistance of a confined SCC column, strength enhancement, stress-strain relationship, ductility ratio, and load deflection relationship are the parameters studied. The results are compared to establish the adequacy of the confinement. The wrapping of GFRP increases the load-carrying capacity and modulus of elasticity.

Low-loss nodeless hollow-core anti-resonant soft glass fiber for the 4μm mid-infrared spectral range

Low-loss nodeless hollow-core anti-resonant soft glass fiber for the 4μm mid-infrared spectral range

Super absorbent polymers (SAP) in building materials: Application opportunities through physico-chemical and mechanical analysis

This paper shows the physicochemical and mechanical characterization of a new plaster material lightened with superabsorbent polymers (SAP) and reinforced with fibers. First, an experimental campaign has been conducted to determine the ideal quantity of sodium polyacrylate polymer (NaPA) to be added, analysing three water/plaster ratios and three different amounts of SAP. The aim is to achieve the maximum reduction in density and optimal mechanical resistance. Once this analysis was conducted, a 0.7 water/plaster ratio and 0.015 SAP/gypsum ratio were determined as the ideal mixture. With this, a complete characterization of the new material was conducted, also considering the incorporation of three different fibers. SAP addition led to a significant apparent density reduction in the new plaster compounds produced, reaching values up to 27 % lower than the reference samples. From those samples with fibers, kevlar and glass fiber got a better mechanical performance, always exceeding the limit values established by current regulations. In the same way, the incorporation of these superabsorbent polymers has managed to reduce the original plaster material thermal conductivity by up to 32 %, as porosity increased. Thus, it has been confirmed that the incorporation of superabsorbent polymers in the production of plaster compounds is a viable alternative to produce lightweight prefabricated elements within wide field of application for the design of new prefabricated elements.

Tribological Properties of EP Composites Reinforced with Short Glass Fiber, Graphite, PTFE and B4C Under Oil Lubrication

Tribological Properties of EP Composites Reinforced with Short Glass Fiber, Graphite, PTFE and B4C Under Oil Lubrication

Comparative analysis of static and vibration characteristics of glass fiber reinforced epoxy mono composite leaf spring and conventional steel leaf spring

Leaf springs play a vital role in heavy-duty vehicles by offering substantial load support, durability, and convenient maintenance. Lightweight leaf springs enhance vehicle performance, offering benefits like improved fuel efficiency and a smoother ride. Glass fiber reinforced composites enhance fuel efficiency and durability, providing corrosion resistance. Their design flexibility improves ride comfort, and damping properties enhance vehicle stability. The examination conducted through finite element analysis, utilizing ANSYS software, demonstrated a substantial 75.32% decrease in weight for the E-Glass-Epoxy composite leaf spring (GECLS), affirming its efficacy in enhancing strength, reducing weight, and enhancing stiffness. This underscores its superiority as a viable alternative to traditional steel leaf springs (SLS) in vehicular applications. The mono-GECLS exhibited a natural frequency that was found to be 1.9 times higher than that observed in the traditional SLS. It indicates the potential to mitigate resonance issues. After analysing the SLS and GECLS using ANSYS, it was observed that the GECLS exhibits greater values in deflection, natural frequency, and strain energy, measuring 4.659 mm, 29.98 Hz, and 440.68 mJ, respectively, compared to its steel counterpart. Conversely, the SLS demonstrates elevated values in stress, mass, and density, with readings of 283.84 MPa, 3.7695 kg, and 5920 kg/m³, respectively.

Effect of glass fibre on the strength and durability of artificially cemented alluvial clay

ABSTRACT Using cement with fibers is a cost-effective way to improve soft clays’ engineering properties. This study investigates the strength, stiffness, and durability of artificially cemented alluvial clay stabilized with glass fiber. Unconfined compressive strength and shear wave velocity tests were used, along with microstructural analysis via scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Durability and resistance to harsh weather were evaluated using wet-dry cycles. The combination of cement and glass fiber improved the mechanical response, with 0.4% glass fiber being the most effective. A blend of 0.4% glass fiber with 13% cement showed the highest strength and stiffness improvement and reduced mass loss. This mixture, supported by unique power functions forecasting its properties, is suitable for various civil engineering projects, such as unbounded sub-layers, highway barriers, stone columns, and ground improvement.

Formulation and Characterization of New Experimental Dental Composites with Zirconium Filling in Different Forms.

Short glass fibers are generally used in posterior dental restorations to enhance the mechanical properties and improve the material microstructure. Two resin-based composites (S0 and SF) were formulated and characterized to investigate the influence of zirconium in their characteristics and properties. The organic part of the investigated materials was the same (BisGMA, TEGDMA, and a photochemical polymerization system), and in the inorganic part, besides quart, glassA, and hydroxylapatite with Zn, sample S0 contained strontium glass with zirconium and sample SF contained fiber powder of chopped zirconium. The samples were characterized by the degree of conversion (DC), mechanical properties, water sorption (WS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) before and after the WS test, and antimicrobial properties. The results obtained were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's statistical tests. Both samples had a high DC. Regarding the mechanical properties, both samples were very similar, except DTS, which was higher for the composite without fibers. After 14 days, the WS value of the SF sample was lower than that of the S0 sample. Water caused significant changes in the topography of the SF sample, but thanks to its antimicrobial properties and the diffusion phenomenon, SF had a more pronounced antimicrobial effect. This study shows that the addition of appropriate amounts of Sr-Zr-glass powder gives the material in which it is added similar properties to material containing chopped zirconium glass fiber powder. According to the antimicrobial test results, resin composites containing experimental zirconia fillings can be considered in future in vitro clinical studies for posterior reconstructions with significantly improved mechanical properties.

Mechanical strength and low-velocity impact behavior of glass fiber reinforced filament wound pipes with different number of layers after hydrothermal aging

Composite pipe is preferred over metal and other materials for water supply, liquid chemical transport, and fuel and gas transport. This is because composite pipes are more corrosion resistant, have a high strength/density ratio, high stiffness/density ratio, and more durable than metal pipes. The properties of the composite pipes employed may differ based on the operating environment. Therefore, determining the properties of the composite pipe according to the working environment is extremely important for its lifespan. The thickness of the samples is increased in line with different needs (such as increased strength). Increasing the thickness of samples, especially those exposed to different environmental conditions, and investigating the changes that will occur in the physical and mechanical properties of the samples are another important situation. In this investigation, glass fiber (GFRP) reinforced epoxy composite pipes have been examined, which were manufactured using the filament winding method with different layers [±55°]. To determine their properties in different working environments, the GFRP composite pipes were subjected to hydrothermal aging in pure water at 80°C for several days (7, 14, 21, and 28). The changes in their mechanical properties under working conditions were determined through hoop tensile strength tests and low velocity impact tests applied at different energy levels. The experimental results show that the tangential stress values increased by 10.59% as the number of layers increased. As the aging time increased, the durability of the 6-layer composite pipe decreased by 17.69%. Furthermore, the ability of the aged pipes to withstand damage was evaluated, revealing that the aging process exacerbated the damage within the pipes.

Effect of Simultaneous Application of Glass Fiber Reinforcement and Polymer-Modified Asphalt Emulsion on DBST’s Resistance to Aggregate Loss Using Laboratory Investigation

Double bituminous surface treatment (DBST) has been a widely utilized pavement maintenance material due to its capability to restore the surface roughness of existing pavement and provide a layer of protection against weathering, aging, and moisture. However, DBST is highly prone to aggregate loss at an early stage, which is a very common problem experienced by surface treatment. Therefore, to lessen the aggregate loss and prolong the service life of DBST, fiber additive can be incorporated to strengthen the adhesion between the asphalt emulsion and aggregates. This study investigated the performance of glass fiber-reinforced polymer-modified DBST against aggregate loss by conducting laboratory tests using typical DBST as the benchmark of the test results. Four laboratory tests were chosen to represent different loading applications on the surface of the pavement: the bitumen bond strength (BBS) test, the sweep test, the Hamburg wheel-track test (HWT test), and a one-third-scale model mobile load simulator (MMLS3) model. Furthermore, the curing time of the asphalt emulsion was considered in the BBS test and sweep test. Based on all results from the conducted laboratory tests, polymer-modified DBST with glass fiber reinforcement presented an increased resistance to aggregate loss compared with typical DBST. Moreover, it was found that a longer curing time of the asphalt emulsion, whether it was typical or modified, strengthened the surface treatment’s resistance to aggregate loss.

Enhancement of Filtration Performance Characteristic of Glass Fiber-Based Filter Media, Part 2: Chemical Modification with Surface-Active Treatment.

Standard glass fiber filter media were chemically modified with suitably chosen surface-active agents. The aim of these modifications was to improve the three fundamental filtration performance characteristics, namely, to increase the separation efficiency, reduce the differential pressure (∆P) and increase the dirt holding capacity (DHC). The increase in separation efficiency was considered quantitatively in terms of changes in the work of adhesion between the contaminant and the modified media substrate derived from the contact angle measurements. The experimental confirmation of this behavior was demonstrated by an improved separation efficiency especially for particles in the smaller size ranges, well below the mean porosity of the original substrate. In addition, the effect of different surface modifications, especially those of the opposite ends of the surface energy values, has clearly manifested itself in the experimental results of separation efficiency derived from the multipass evaluations. Collectively, the obtained contact angle (surface energy) and separation efficiency results are strongly indicative of a wide range of filtration performance enhancements that can be achieved through suitably chosen surface-active modification of standard substrate materials.

Analysis of microstructure and compressive properties of full coral concrete under fiber reinforcement

Based on the compressive tests of 120 cubes in 10 groups, the effects of different chopped fibers (polypropylene fiber PPF, glass fiber GF, basalt fiber BF) and their content on the compressive properties of coral aggregate seawater concrete (CASC) were studied. The microstructure of CASC was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the relationship between microstructure and macroscopic properties was established. The results show that the growth rate of compressive strength of fiber CASC is fast in the early stage and slow in the late stage. When 1 kg/m3, 2 kg/m3 and 3 kg/m3 of PPF were added to the CASC, the compressive strength increased by 6.2 %, 17.4 % and 9.9 %, respectively. SEM images show that PPF forms a dense, chaotic three-dimensional mesh structure in the matrix, which can effectively inhibit crack extension within a certain doping range. Compared with BF and GF, PPF has a more significant effect on improving the mechanical properties of CASC, and the optimal PPF content is 2 kg/m3. Adding PPF could improve the brittleness of concrete and make it show good ductility when it is destroyed.

An Experimental Analysis on the Impact of the Epoxy on the Torsional Behavior of Composite Fiber-Glass

The value of the torsion test is of particular interest to this line of investigation, which intends to explore the effects of epoxy % on fiberglass (a composite material). The practical result demonstrates that an increase in the percentage of epoxy has a clear impact; it was noticed that an increase in the percentage of fiber-glass results in an increase in the values of torque (T) and angle (ϴ). Three samples of epoxy and fiber are ascribed, with rates of -(Epoxy) +(Fiber Glass) being (0.5%,1%,1.5%), and three samples of polyester and fiber are credited, with rates of -(polyester) +(Fiberglass) being (0.5%,1%,1.5%). Additionally, three samples of epoxy and fiber are attributed, with rates of -(Epoxy) +(Fiberglass) being (0.5%,1%,1.5%). We get the best results for the torsion test with the first specimen (0.5% fiberglass for polyester) and the best results for the shear strain with the fourth specimen (0.5% fiberglass for epoxy). Both of these results are 120 MPa for the torsion test and 2.2 for the shear strain.

Feasibility of Repairing Concrete with Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Fiber Cloth: A Comprehensive Literature Review

This review explores the use of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber cloth as an innovative solution for the repair and reinforcement of concrete structures. UHMWPE is a polymer formed from a very large number of repeated ethylene (C2H4) units with higher molecular weight and long-chain crystallization than normal high-density polyethylene. With its superior tensile strength, elongation, and energy absorption capabilities, UHMWPE emerges as a promising alternative to traditional reinforcement materials like glass and carbon fibers. The paper reviews existing literature on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) applications in concrete repair in general, highlighting the unique benefits and potential of UHMWPE fiber cloth compared to other commonly used methods of strengthening concrete structures, such as enlarging concrete sections, near-surface embedded reinforcement, and externally bonded steel plate or other FRPs. Despite the scarcity of experimental data on UHMWPE for concrete repair, this review underscores its feasibility and calls for further research to fully harness its capabilities in civil engineering applications.

A Comparative Analysis on the Optimization of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers as Wrapping Structures on Defected Piping System using Computational Simulation Approach

This study examined the application of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) as wrapping structures for defective pipe systems. The structural behavior and performance of the CFRP and GFRP wrapping structures were assessed using computational simulation methodologies. The goal of the study was to determine the best wrapping material for strengthening the integrity and reliability of piping systems with defects by comparing the results of the simulations. The study evaluated the capability of the proposed composite wrapping structure through CAD simulation. The simulations provided preliminary analysis and visually depicted deformations, aiding in the selection of an optimized lamination orientation for the composite wrapping structure in real-world applications. Eventually, this approach could have alleviated two primary failure modes that were common in composite repair: composite overloading due to excessive thickness and composite delamination from the substrate. The results of this study would have helped enhance effective and efficient pipe repair techniques in a variety of industries by offering useful insights into the selection and use of suitable wrapping structures for repairing defective pipes.

Mechanical Properties of Raw Filaments and Printed Specimens: Effects of Fiber Reinforcements and Process Parameters.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a well-established manufacturing method for producing both prototype and functional components. This study investigates the mechanical properties of FDM components by material and process-related influencing variables. Tensile tests were conducted on seven different materials in their raw filament form, two of which were fiber-reinforced, to analyze their material-related influence. To cover a wide range from standard to advanced materials relevant for load-carrying components as well as their respective variations, polylactic acid (PLA), 30% wood-fiber-reinforced PLA, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), a blend of ABS and PC, Nylon, and 30% glass-fiber-reinforced Nylon were selected. The process-related influencing variables were studied using the following process parameters: layer thickness, nozzle diameter, build orientation, nozzle temperature, infill density and pattern, and raster angle. The first test series revealed that the addition of wood fibers significantly worsened the mechanical behavior of PLA due to the lack of fiber bonding to the matrix and significant pore formation. The polymer blend of ABS and PC only showed improvements in stiffness. Significant strength and stiffness improvements were found by embedding glass fibers in Nylon, despite partially poor fiber-matrix bonding. The materials with the best properties were selected for the process parameter analysis. When examining the impact of layer thickness on part strength, a clear correlation was evident. Smaller layer thicknesses resulted in higher strength, while stiffness did not appear to be affected. Conversely, larger nozzle diameters and lower nozzle temperatures only positively impacted stiffness, with little effect on strength. The part orientation did alter the fracture behavior of the test specimens. Although an on-edge orientation resulted in higher stiffness, it failed at lower stresses. Higher infill densities and infill patterns aligned with the load direction led to the best mechanical results. The raster angle had a significant impact on the behavior of the printed bodies. An alternating raster angle resulted in lower strengths and stiffness compared to a unidirectional raster angle. However, it also caused significant stretching due to the rotation of the beads.

Compression behavior of lightweight corrugated composite Sandwich panels with smart facesheets reinforced by shape memory alloy wires: an experimental study

AbstractThis paper presents an experimental examination of the compression demeanor of lightweight corrugated core composite (CCC) sandwich panel and corrugated core smart composites (CCSC) sandwich panels subjected to quasi‐static edgewise compression loading. The existence of shape memory alloy (SMA) wires and pre‐strain percentages of SMA are the indicators studied in this article. The fabrication procedure presented and the appraisement of the mechanical properties of the CCC and CCSC sandwich panels are expressed. The core geometry of samples is trapezoid corrugated made of aluminum. The facesheets are four layers of woven glass fiber/ epoxy laminated composite. For evaluation of the efficacy of the presence of SMA wires on mechanical specifications of sandwich panels, three SMA wires with various pre‐strain percentages (0%, 3%, and 6%) are embedded in each composite facesheet. Mechanical properties of all types of CCC and CCSC sandwich panels such as maximum force, critical damage force, specific strength, absorb energy, specific toughness, Young's modulus, and specific stiffness were evaluated. Results showed that the CCC sandwich panel has higher mechanical specifications than the CCSC sandwich panels with 0% and 3% pre‐strain. Also, increasing pre‐strained SMA wires improves all mechanical parameters of CCSC sandwich panels. CCSC sandwich panel with 6% pre‐strain has the highest compression properties than other sandwich panels. Maximum Force, Critical Damage Force, Specific Strength, Absorbed Energy, Specific Toughness, Young's Modulus, and Specific Stiffness of CCSC sandwich panel with 6% pre‐strain are 14.73 kN, 13.6 kN, 9.55 MPa/g, 26.61 kJ, 0.346 MJ/m3g, 4395 MPa and 0.61 kN/mm g, respectively.Highlights Lightweight CCC sandwich panel and CCSC sandwich panel manufactured. Compression behavior of CCC sandwich panel and CCSC sandwich panel evaluated. Pre‐strained SMA wires improves energy absorption of CCSC sandwich panels. Higher specific toughness was obtained with 6% pre‐strain SMA. Presence of SMA wires with no pre‐strain cannot improve the specific strength.

Performance Evaluation of Self-Compacting Glass Fiber Concrete Incorporating Silica Fume at Elevated Temperatures

In this work, the properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and SCC containing 0.5 and 1% glass fibers (with lengths of 6 and 13 mm) were experimentally investigated, as well as their performance at high temperatures. With a heating rate of 5 °C/min, high-temperature experiments were conducted at 200, 400, 600, and 800 °C to examine mass loss, spalling, and the remaining mechanical properties of SCC with and without glass fibers. According to the results of the flowability and passing ability tests, adding glass fibers does not affect how workable and self-compacting SCCs were. These findings also demonstrated that the mechanical properties of samples with and without glass fibers rose up to 200 °C but then decreased at 400 °C, whereas the mixture containing 0.5% glass fibers of a length of 13 mm displayed better mechanical properties. Both SCC samples with and without glass fibers remained intact at 200 °C. Some SCC samples displayed some corner and edge spalling when the temperature reached about 400 °C. Above 400 °C, a significant number of microcracks started to form. SCC samples quickly spalled and were completely destroyed between 600 and 800 °C. According to the results, glass fibers cannot stop SCC from spalling during a fire. Between 200 and 400 °C, there was no discernible mass loss. At 600 °C, mass loss starts to accelerate quickly, and it increased more than ten times beyond 200 °C. The ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of SCC samples with glass fibers increased between room temperature and 200 °C, and the mixture containing 0.5% glass fibers of a length of 13 mm showed a somewhat higher UPV than other SCC mixtures until it started to decline at about 400 °C.

Multi-objective optimization of glass/carbon hybrid composites for small wind turbine blades using extreme mixture design response surface methodology

Small wind turbines (SWTs) are a prominent renewable energy technology for decentralized power generation. Blade material and its profile are vital parameters for the aerodynamic performance of SWTs. Traditionally E-glass fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) are the widely accepted material for developing SWT blades. However, its application is limited by moderate tensile and fatigue properties. Alternatively, other FRC materials such as carbon, basalt and natural fiber composites are proposed as future materials for SWT blades. However, individual materials are observed to satisfy the requirements partially. Therefore, the hybridization of these materials, particularly Glass/Carbon composites is foreseen as a prospective solution for developing cost-competitive and high-strength SWT blades. There are various studies performed to obtain optimized glass/carbon hybrid composites. However, overall material properties required for SWT blades such as low cost, lightweight, moderate flexural strength and higher tensile and fatigue strengths have not been considered simultaneously during the optimization process. This work presents multi-objective optimization of Glass/Carbon hybrid composites using extreme mixture design response surface methodology (RSM) for SWT applications. The weight percentages of glass and carbon fibers are optimized to achieve desired material properties for SWT blades. The experiments are planned using extreme mixture design RSM and the regression models for desired material properties are developed with a 95% confidence level. RSM-based desirability function is employed to perform multi-objective optimization. Maximum composite desirability of 93.5% is achieved with optimal proportions of 37.9% and 27.1% for glass and carbon fibers respectively. An adequate tensile, flexural and fatigue strengths of 486.02, 435.41 and 316.27 MPa respectively are obtained for optimized glass/carbon hybrid composite at an optimum cost of 2228.76 Rs Kg−1 and density of 3.39 g cm−3. The regression models and optimization results are validated through a confirmation experiment with an error of less than 6.1%.

Laser ablation mechanism and performance of glass fiber-reinforced phenolic composites: An experimental study and dual-scale modelling

Both experimental and simulation approaches were employed to investigate the laser ablation mechanism and performances of Glass Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites (GFRP). During the ablation process, the difference in thermal conductivities of the glass fibers and the resin matrix as well as their discrepant physical and chemical reactions form a conical ablation morphology. The formation of a residual carbon layer effectively mitigates the ablation rate in the thickness direction. A higher power density results in a faster ablation rate, while a longer irradiation time leads to a larger ablation pit diameter. To account for the variation in thermal conductivity between the fiber and resin, a macro-mesoscale model was developed to differentiate the matrix from the fiber components. Finite element analysis revealed that laser irradiation leads to phenolic decomposition, glass fiber melting vaporization, and residual carbon skeleton evaporation. The dual-scale model exhibits precise prediction capabilities concerning the laser ablation process of GFRP, and its accuracy is confirmed through the comparison of simulation and experimental results for the GFRP laser ablation process. This model provides a feasible method for performance evaluation and lifetime prediction of GFRP subjected to continuous wave laser irradiation.