High Bending Strength Research Articles

Assessing the Conformity of Mycelium Biocomposites for Ecological Insulation Solutions

In this study, different combinations of mycelium biocomposites (MBs) were developed using primary substrates sourced from the local agricultural, wood processing, and paper industries. The physicomechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and fire behavior were evaluated. The highest bending strength was achieved in composites containing waste fibers and birch sanding dust, with a strength competitive with that of synthetic polymers like EPS and XPS, as well as some commercial building materials. The lowest thermal conductivity was observed in hemp-based MB, with a lambda coefficient of 40 m·W·m−1·K−1, making these composites competitive with non-mycelium insulation materials, including synthetic polymers such as EPS and XPS. Additionally, MB exhibited superior fire resistance compared to various synthetic foams and composite materials. They showed lower peak heat release rates (134–243 k·W·m−2) and total smoke release (7–281 m2·m−2) than synthetic polymers, and lower total heat release (6–62 k·W·m−2) compared to certain wood composites. Overall, the mechanical and thermal properties, along with the fire performance of MB, support their potential as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based and traditional composite materials in the building industry.

Ablation and mechanical properties of carbon/high silica/phenolic composites: Using experimental analysis and five machine learning models for correlating and generalizing to diverse compositional ratios

This paper investigates the thermal and mechanical properties of carbon/high silica/phenolic composites with varying reinforcement ratios. Five hybrid samples were fabricated: 100% carbon, 75% carbon/25% silica, 50% carbon/50% silica, 25% carbon/75% silica, and 100% silica. A three-point bending test evaluated their strength, while an ablation test at 3000°C for 1 minute measured backside temperature, linear ablation rate, and mass ablation rate. Results indicated that the 100% carbon sample had the highest bending strength, while the 50% carbon/50% silica sample achieved the lowest linear and mass ablation rates, demonstrating an effective balance between fire retardancy and insulation, resulting in minimal backside temperature during ablation. Additionally, five machine learning models (Linear Regression, Decision Trees, Random Forests, Gradient Boosting Machines, and Neural Networks) were utilized to predict mass ablation rate, linear ablation rate, and strength. Decision Trees and Gradient Boosting Machines exhibited the highest prediction accuracy, while Linear Regression struggled with non-linear data, resulting in lower accuracy for ablation rate predictions. Notably, these models were also able to generalize to other percentages, showcasing their robustness and versatility in optimizing material compositions beyond the tested scenarios. This study highlights the potential of machine learning in predicting the properties of advanced composites, contributing to the development of high-temperature resistant materials.

Effect of diamond grain size on mechanical properties and cutting performance of PCD tool in milling of Cf/SiC composites

The polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools have excellent cutting performance in machining composites. However, the tool wear mechanism of PCD tools in milling Cf/SiC composites remains unclear. There are few researches on the effect of diamond grain size on the cutting performance of PCD tools and material removal mechanism. In this paper, four PCD samples with different grain sizes were prepared under high-temperature and high-pressure condition. The microstructure, flexural strength, and cutting performance of PCD samples was tested. The wear mechanism of the tools was analyzed by observing the wear morphology of the front and rear cutting surfaces of the PCD tools. The influence of diamond grain size on the cutting performance of PCD tools was investigated in terms of tool life, surface roughness and material removal mechanism. The results indicated that the highest bending strength was found in the PCD sample with the grain size of 5 μm, as the diamond grain size increased, the bending strength of the PCD tool decreased. Tool failure was caused by fiber bundles and chip dust scratching the binder and diamond grains. In the same cutting distance, due to the difference in bonding between diamonds of different grain sizes. The 2 μm~30 μm grain size of the PCD tool wear was the slowest, 5 μm grain size of the fastest PCD tool wear. As the grain size decreased, the machined surface quality of Cf/SiC composites improved. The fiber removal mechanisms employed the gradual transition from shear removal to bending removal as the grain size increased.

Polylactide Composites Reinforced with Pre-Impregnated Natural Fibre and Continuous Cellulose Yarns for 3D Printing Applications.

Achieving high-performance 3D printing composite filaments requires addressing challenges related to fibre wetting and uniform fibre/polymer distribution. This study evaluates the effectiveness of solution (solvent-based) and emulsion (water-based) impregnation techniques to enhance fibre wetting in bleached flax yarns by polylactide (PLA). For the first time, continuous viscose yarn composites were also produced using both impregnation techniques. All the composites were carefully characterised throughout each stage of production. Initially, single yarns were impregnated and consolidated to optimise formulations and processing parameters. Solution impregnation resulted in the highest tensile strength (356 MPa) for PLA/bleached flax filaments, while emulsion impregnation yielded the highest tensile strength for PLA/viscose filaments (255 MPa) due to better fibre wetting and fibre distribution. Impregnated single yarns were then combined, with additional polymer added to produce filaments compatible with standard material extrusion 3D printers. Despite a reduction in the mechanical performance of the 3D-printed composites due to additional polymer impregnation, relatively high tensile and bending strengths were achieved, and the Charpy impact strength (>127 kJ/m2) for the viscose-based composite exceeded the reported values for bio-derived fibre reinforced composites. The robust mechanical performance of these filaments offers new opportunities for the large-scale additive manufacturing of structural components from bio-derived and renewable resources.

Method to improve the bonding strength of polyethylene terephthalate core with glass fiber reinforced skins in a sandwich composite

AbstractComposite materials provide an alternative to conventional structural materials. Sandwich composites show high bending strength and superior strength‐to‐weight ratio. The major drawback in sandwich composites is debonding of skin from core, that causes failure of a component during the usage at different loads. To overcome this issue, the current work identifies a solution of introducing nylon screws (M6 × 32) to adhere firmly the skins consisting of glass fibers with PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) core. The sandwich composites were fabricated by vacuum infusion process. Two flat sandwich composites were fabricated; one with nylon screws placed perpendicular to the skin and the other a plain sandwich composite. Mechanical characteristics of the specimens such as fracture toughness, flexural strength and shear strength were studied. Specimens with nylon screws showed 21.78% more fracture toughness compared to plain specimen. The presence of screws acts as hindrance to the propagation of cracks in the interfacial region resulting in the enhancement of debonding resistance of the specimens. Also, sandwich specimens with nylon screws exhibited 136% and 142% improvement in flexural and shear strength respectively when compared to plain sandwich specimens. The investigation of scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of tested specimens indicates strong interfacial bonding between skin and the core of specimens with nylon screws.Highlights Introduction of light‐weight nylon screws in z‐direction enhanced the bonding between face sheets and foam core. Sandwich composites with nylon screws exhibited superior bending and shear strength compared to plain specimens. Crack propagation in the interfacial region is restricted by the presence of nylon screws. Investigation of fractured specimens indicated a strong interfacial bonding in the specimens with screws.

Effects of Core and Surface Materials on the Flexural Behavior of Lightweight Composites Sandwich Beams

Sandwich composite elements are used in many sectors thanks to their low weight/strength ratios, high bending strength, good thermal insulation properties, and low costs. It is widely used in the machinery and construction industry, especially in land, sea, and air vehicles. The main objective of this research is to design and produce lightweight, durable, insulated, and low-cost, sustainable building elements that will meet emergency shelter needs after disasters. For housing purposes, 24 sandwich beams were prepared, eight designs with different surface coatings and core materials, and three in each design group. The effects of surface coating and core material on behavior were investigated with four-point bending experiments. Load-displacement relationships were determined from the experiments, and the beams' load-carrying capacities and failure patterns under the effects of bending and shearing were determined. In addition, theoretical methods determined maximum load values and compared them with the results of the experiments. As a result of the experiments, it was concluded that the best-performing design under bending effects was sandwich beams with plywood surface and XPS core.

Experimental study on the improvement of bamboo properties using amide polymer repair material based on the principle of self-energy dissipation

Traditional bamboo and wood components have different holes due to their own and external factors, and the appropriate hole repair technology is the key to improve the component's energy dissipation capacity. In this paper, based on the principle of in-situ free radical polymerization and hollow glass microsphere (HGM) reinforced polymer, PAM hydrogel (PAMHG) with better deformation recovery ability and PAM/HGM amide polymer (AP) with better mechanical properties were prepared. Based on the principle of self-energy dissipation of components, AP is used to improve the deformation capacity of hollow bamboo. The ratio of PAMHG and AP was optimized by single factor test and orthogonal test. The performance of AP was verified by bending test, SEM, energy consumption analysis，durability test and statistical analysis of small diameter round bamboo. The size of the bamboo sample is 250 mm (L)×15 mm (D)×2.5 mm (t), in accordance with LY/T 3347–2023 " Testing methods for physical and mechanical properties of small diameter round bamboo " (China). The results showed that an appropriate amount of glycerol could effectively improve the volume stability of the hydrogel. HGM effectively improved the strength of the polymer, and when the mass ratio of HGM/PAM was 0.48, the maximum compressive strength was 0.8 MPa, which was 2.4 times higher than that of the undoped HGM, and at this time, the optimal polymer ratios were 25 g of AM, 1 g of MBA, 0.01 g of APS, 2 g of TEA, 2 g of Carbomer SF-1, a volume ratio of 1:1 of glycerol/deionized water that the dispersion medium was 70 ml, and HGM was 12 g. The average energy dissipation of grouted bamboo at ultimate load was 2.02 times that of the control group, and the highest bending strength and elastic modulus were 128.01 MPa and 11.24 GPa, which were 41.39 % and 39.75 % higher than that of the control group, respectively. The SEM results revealed that the AP partially prepolymerized solution could infiltrate into the cells and pores of the bamboo material to achieve filling, bonding, as well as reinforcing the bamboo tissue. In addition, the durability test shows that AP has good resistance to environmental pressure. The results of this paper can provide a reference for the restoration materials of bamboo and wood components.

Highly Deformable and Robust Ionic Structure for Multi‐Tissue Adaptive Hemostatic Sponges

AbstractAccidental trauma is always accompanied by tissue defects with noncompressible hemorrhages. Deformable and tough biomaterials are desirable for self‐compressible hemostasis, although their preparation is challenging. Here, a critical‐size calcium phosphate (C–CaP) with polymer‐like high deformability and mineral‐like high bending strength is prepared, which is hybridized with silk fibroin (SF) to fabricate a hemostatic sponge (SF‐C). C–CaP endows SF‐C with an ultrahigh elastic modulus (36.0 kPa) among analogous materials, leading to an ultrafast water absorption rate (1.2 g cm−3 s−1) and space‐filling rate (200.0%/s). The deformability of the SF‐C sponge further enables self‐adaptability to defects with micrometre‐scale precision. Consequently, SF‐C achieves rapid hemostasis in both damaged soft tissues and hard tissues in rats, resulting in less blood loss and a shorter hemostatic time than those of clinical materials. This study provides a promising hemostatic material for the treatment of hemorrhages in defective tissues and expands the current knowledge by revealing the critical‐sized ionic structure and unique mechanics of C–CaP.

Marble-Looking Fired Clay Tiles Produced by Utilizing Local Clay and Glass Cullet

This research is aim at developing marble-looking fired clay tile by utilizing waste glass cullet (CGC) mixed up with local plastic clay, sediment soil, and laterite clay. Boric oxide is also used as sintering aid. The experimental formulation is divided into 3 groups (A, B, and C) with 27 formulas. Test samples are moulded at 100 bar by Uni-axial pressing in dimension 50 x 100 x 7 mm and fried at temperature 850 °C. The initial results show that all formulas can develop marble texture and achieve Thai Industrial Standard TIS 2508-2555. Reducing firing temperature to 800 °C is the further investigation. However, formulas consisting 90% glass cullet are not selected, due to difficulty of molding workpieces. The final results of firing 800o C show that formula A6 containing 15% Plastic clay, 85% glass cullet, 2% boric oxide has the highest bending strength and lowest water absorption (<1%). Its properties are similar to formula C6 containing 15% laterite soil 85% glass cullet, 2% boric oxide. They can pass Thai Industrial Standard TIS 2508-2555 Floor Tiles BIb. Analyzing microstructure the fired specimens of these formulas by Scanning Electron Microscope has found glassy phases and dense matrix structures. Furthermore, Nepheline, Quartz, Cristobalite, Wollastonite, Devitrite, and Albite are identified by X-Ray Diffractometer. It can be summarized that marble texture surface fired clay tile can be developed by utilizing waste glass and low cost local materials.

Controlling the pore size of carbonate apatite honeycomb scaffolds enhances orientation and strength of regenerated bone

To restore functions of long bones and avoid reconstruction failure, segmental defects should be quickly repaired using abundant amounts of regenerated bone with high mechanical strength and orientation along the bone axis. Although both bone volume and bone matrix orientation are important for faster restoration of long bones with segmental defects, researchers have primarily focused on the former. Artificial bone scaffolds with uniaxial channels, (e.g., honeycomb (HC) scaffolds), are considered adequate for regenerating bone oriented along the bone axis. The channel size may affect the orientation, amount, and strength of the regenerated bone. In this study, we investigated the effects of channel size in carbonate apatite HC scaffolds on the orientation of bones regenerated in segmental bone defects and determined the adequate channel size. Carbonate apatite HC scaffolds, with different channel sizes (350, 550, 730, and 890 μm in length on the side of the square aperture), were fabricated by extrusion molding of a mixture of calcium carbonate and organic binder, debinding, and subsequent phosphatization to convert the composition from calcium carbonate to carbonate apatite. No significant difference in the amounts of regenerated bones was observed for different channel sizes. However, bone along the bone axis was formed in the channels ≤550 μm in size but not in channels ≥730 μm. The HC scaffolds with a channel size of 350 μm regenerated bone with higher bending strength than those with a channel size of 890 μm. However, bone regenerated with the HC scaffolds having channel sizes of 350, 550, and 730 μm showed equal bending strength. Thus, the adequate channel size for fast regeneration of high-strength bone, oriented to the bone axis, is ≤730 μm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the effect of channel size on bone orientation and strength. The findings of this study are relevant to the fast repair of segmental bone defects.

Effect of Y2O3 on thermophysical parameters and mechanical properties of Al-Al2O3 composites and compatibility with high temperature Al-Si alloys

Abstract Al-Al2O3 is a crucial encapsulation composite used in solar thermal storage systems. This study utilized Al and Al2O3 powders as raw materials, with Y2O3 serving as a sintering aid, to prepare Al-20Al2O3-xY2O3 composites (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 wt%) through the cold pressure sintering method. The latent heat, thermal conductivity, and bending strength of the Al-20Al2O3-xY2O3 composites were measured. The compatibility of the composites with Al-12 wt%Si alloys was analyzed. Furthermore, the relationships between thermophysical parameters, mechanical properties, compatibility, and microstructure were explored. The oxidation mechanism of Al and the wetting angle of the composites with Al-12Si were simulated using LAMMPS software. It was concluded that with an increase in Y2O3 content, the bending strength, thermal conductivity, and compatibility of the composites initially increased and then decreased. The Al-20Al2O3-0.2Y2O3 composite exhibited the least porosity, highest bending strength (76.32 MPa), and thermal conductivity (46.82 W/(m·K)). In compatibility testing, the diffusion distance of Si atoms was shortest (90 μm) in the Al-20Al2O3-0.2Y2O3 composite. Moreover, this composite had the largest wetting angle (88°) with the Al-12Si alloy, resulting in good compatibility between them.

High strength of SiC–AlN–TiB2–VC multiphase ceramics induced by interface reactions

In this work, SiC–AlN–TiB2–VC multiphase ceramics with high bending strength were prepared via spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1900 °C-2100 °C. The effects of interface reactions and solid solution reactions on microstructure and mechanical properties of these multiphase ceramics were investigated. Results show that the densification of multiphase ceramics is promoted effectively by the addition of Y2O3. Yttrium aluminum oxide with low melting point is formed due to the reaction between Al2O3 (on the surface of AlN) and Y2O3, which promotes the densification of SiC multiphase ceramics. Solid-solution reaction and interface reaction occur between matrix (SiC) and reinforcing phases (AlN, TiB2, and VC). Furthermore, solid-solution reactions occur between SiC and AlN, between AlN and TiB2, and between TiB2 and VC. Al5C3N phase is generated by interfacial reaction between SiC and AlN. Layered, rod-like BN(C) phase is formed at grain boundaries due to the reaction between AlN and B2O3 on the surface of TiB2 particles. Mechanical strength of multiphase ceramics is improved by the formation of solid solutions and the occurrence of these interfacial reactions. When sintered at 2000 °C, SiC multiphase ceramics with added Y2O3 exhibit excellent properties, including relative density of 99.8 %, Vickers hardness of 27.1 GPa, and bending strength of 666 MPa.

Comparative study of microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg/B4C composites: Influence of sintering method and temperature

This present work compares the effect of heating methods including microwave and spark plasma sintering (SPS) process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–B4C. 5 wt%B4C mixed with Mg powders through high-energy mixer mill for 10 min at ethanol media. After mixing, the green bodies were prepared by uniaxially pressing the mixture. The microwave heating was done at sintering temperatures of 600, 650 and 700 °C without soaking time in graphite bed. While, in the case of SPS, the mixture of the powders was directly inserted into a graphite mold and sintering process was performed at 450 °C with initial and final pressures of 10 and 30 MPa at vacuum condition of 17 Pa, sequentially. The corresponding XRD patterns revealed Mg and B4C crystalline phase alongside the reaction product of MgB2 and also MgO byproduct. The FESEM investigations depict uniform distribution of B4C reinforcements at the Mg matrix. Moreover, increasing microwave sintering temperature led to decreasing pores at the microstructure of the prepared sample. The microstructure of SPSed sample revealed almost full densification compared to that of the microwave processed samples at all the sintering temperatures applied. Also, The XPS results show the presence of Mg, O, C and B elements on the surface of prepared composite, and HRTEM with HAADF-STEM images were obtained to study the interface of matrix and reinforcement. The highest bending strength and Vickers hardness of 116 ± 6 Hv and 231 ± 11 MPa were obtained for SPSed sample as well as for the highest relative density. Although the microwave sample was sintered at 700 °C at low pressure, sintering method demonstrated considerable mechanical properties in comparison to SPSed specimen, indicating a successful preparation method as a low-cost, energy- and time-saving process.

High power factor and mechanical properties of Bi1-xSbx alloys enabled by redensification of crystal slabs

The low-cost Bi1-xSbx crystal has been considered the best low-temperature material for its high electrical properties, which also can generate high effective thermal conductivity, revealing a high potential in heat dissipation. However, the weak mechanical strength hinders practical applications. Herein, we firstly grew the Bi1-xSbx crystal by the Bridgeman method, then cleaved the crystal into slabs with different sizes for hot-pressing. The obtained materials exhibited a high bending strength of 72 MPa, which is twofold that of Bi1-xSbx [001]-direction. Furthermore, the hot-pressed Bi1-xSbx samples show high electrical conductivities, being similar to those of the single crystals, resulting in the high record power factor of 78 μW·cm-1·K-2 @110 K and 38 μW·cm-1·K-2 @300 K among the hot-pressed poly-crystalline Bi1-xSbx. This high electrical performance is beneficial to the applications of heat dissipation. Therefore, this work proves an effective way to simultaneously improve the mechanical and thermoelectric properties of Bi1-xSbx alloys.

Influence of reinforcement with multimodal distribution on thermophysical properties and fracture behavior in Al-Si/SiC composites infiltrated under super-gravity field

Super-gravity field assisted infiltration is reported as an effective method to obtain the nearly fully-dense Al-Si/SiC composites at relatively lower temperature, which inhibit the interfacial reaction and result in the enhancement of thermal conductivity (TC) and bending strength (BS). Currently, SiC reinforcement with multimodal distribution was designed to further enhance the TC and BS with lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of Al-Si/SiC composites. For the composites with monomodal SiC distribution, enlarging the size of SiC results in an enhancement of TC with the sacrifice of BS. Interestingly, for the composites with multimodal SiC distribution, the TC can be stabilized within an extended range (175-187W/m·K at 373K) with reduced CTE and higher BS. When the large to small size ratio was 1:2, the optimal comprehensive properties (CTE: 8.66×10-6K-1 ranged from 323 to 373K, TC: 179.2W/m·K at 373K, BS: 309 ± 9MPa) can be obtained. Hasselman-Johnson, Turner, and Kerner models are established to better understand the thermophysical properties, while the fracture behavior is discussed based on the track of crack propagation.

A cost-effective way to utilize low-grade Ti-rich clay: Preparing cordierite-mullite composite ceramics for thermal storage

Cordierite-mullite composite ceramics were prepared by solid-state method using Panzhihua low-grade Ti-rich clay, talc, and alumina. Influences of cordierite/mullite ratio, sintering temperature, and the chemical composition of clay on the phase composition, microstructure, physical properties, and thermal properties were investigated in detail. The results showed that the impurity oxides inside the Ti-rich clay had a great ability of forming liquid. Above 1300 °C, the reaction between TiO2 of the clay and Al2O3 produced stable Al2TiO5, which was conducive to decreasing the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). At 1300–1350 °C, the secondary mullitization caused the volumetric expansion, decreasing the bending strength and increasing the CTE. The optimum ratio of cordierite to mullite ranged from 90:10 to 80:20, and the sample fired at 1400 °C exhibited the lowest water absorption and porosity (0.64 % and 1.56 %, respectively), optimal bulk density, and bending strength (2.59 g cm−3 and 87.79 MPa), as well as better CTE, thermal conductivity, and thermal storage density (2.91 × 10−6 °C−1, 4.11 W/(m⋅K) (30 °C), and 1181 kJ kg−1, respectively). Compared with the reported values of cordierite-based thermal storage ceramics prepared by using the high-grade clay or minerals, the obtained samples showed the advantages such as lower costs for raw materials, higher bending strength, higher thermal conductivity (1.63–2 times higher), low CTE, and high thermal storage density. This study demonstrated that the low-grade Ti/Fe-rich clay has excellent cost-effective potential for the preparation of thermal storage ceramics.

Low-temperature synthesis of dense Si-based nitride ceramics for solar thermal storage: Role of cordierite as sintering additive

Direct nitridation method was used to prepare dense Si-based ceramics for solar thermal storage, and the effect of cordierite as sintering additive on the sintering behaviors of the ceramics was studied. The influence priority between densification and nitride content on the properties of thermal storage ceramics was discussed. Cordierite exhibited a good capability of promoting densification, and the densification temperature could reach 1500 °C. The liquid formed by cordierite helped to construct an interlocking structure of well-grown Si2N2O flakes. Results of hot stage microscopy and DTA indicated that the endothermic silicothermic reaction between Si and cordierite proceeded at 1440–1460 °C, and released SiO gas. The SiO gas inhibited the densification, but resulted in the low-temperature synthesis of nano-sized Si3N4 whiskers. Samples added with more cordierite showed the cost-effective merits as the smaller costs of raw materials, lower densification temperature, higher thermal conductivity (1.72 W m−1 K−1 deviation), and higher bending strength (34.3–68.1 MPa deviations), compared with the samples having the larger nitride content. Densification by adding cordierite as sintering additive showed the priority on the properties of thermal storage ceramics than increasing the nitride content.

High energy-storage properties of Sr0.7Bi0.2-xLaxTiO3 lead-free relaxor ferroelectric ceramics for pulsed power capacitors

Ceramic capacitors are very promising to be commercialize with ease for high pulse power technology owing to their fast charging/discharging rate, high bending strength and as well as their high energy density. Small, fine, and compacted grains in conjunction with slim P-E loops, and high breakdown electric field strength (Eb) play crucial role in the improvement of recoverable energy storage density. In this work, the microstructure and electrical properties of La2O3 modified Sr0.7Bi0.2-xLaxTiO3 ceramics (SBLTO, x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, and 0.05, and short for SBTO, SBLTO-0.01, SBLTO-0.02, and SBLTO-0.05, respectively) were investigated in details. Furthermore, introducing La2O3 into SBTO ceramics not only refined grains and increased insulation resistance, but also resulted in significantly better energy-storage characteristics, as compared with the pure SBTO ceramics. Recoverable energy-storage density (Wrec) was obtained up to 5.8 J/cm3 in SBLTO-0.01 lead-free ceramic, which is better than that of other reported SBTO-based ceramics. Moreover, the Wrec of the SBLTO-0.01 ceramic also presents good frequency (2–500 Hz) and thermal (25–120 °C) stabilities under an electric field strength of 150 kV/cm. Furthermore, the charge-discharge results demonstrated a high power density∼92 MW/cm3 and a short discharging speed time∼39 ns. As a result, our work offers SBTO-based ceramics with a feasible method for enhancing the energy-storage characteristic.

Study on mechanical properties of natural fiber (Jute)/synthetic fiber (Glass) reinforced polymer hybrid composite by representative volume element using finite element analysis: A numerical approach and validated by experiment

The excellent mechanical strength with low weight of polymer-based composites makes them superior over conventional materials like steel and aluminum in terms of mechanical properties. Nowadays, researchers are working to develop natural fiber-based sustainable composite. Glass fiber, when combined with jute fiber, could greatly enhance the mechanical characteristics of composites; the sequence of the layers mostly determines these properties. In this study, the hybrid laminate of jute and glass fiber with resin polyester is developed with The representative volume element utilized in ANSYS. In ANSYS material design module, the 3D microstructure of composite material is created with various fiber volume fractions of glass fiber and jute fiber. After that, the effective elastic properties of hybrid jute/glass fiber and polyester as matrix, glass fiber/polyester, and jute fiber/polyester are evaluated and the simulation-based effective elastic property is validated by existing experiment value which showed good agreement. For further study, in Ansys ACP PrepPost, the composite laminate such as hybrid jute + glass fiber/polyester, glass fiber/polyester, and jute fiber/polyester is created with desired lamina thickness, stacking sequence, and fiber orientation. Thereafter, it was transferred to a static structure module to perform tensile and bending test analysis. Ansys ACP post-processing is utilized to investigate stress induced at each lamina of the composite specimen. This study revealed that by adding glass fiber to natural fiber, the mechanical performance is enhanced significantly, whereas hybrid jute + glass fiber/polyester (S2) demonstrated the highest tensile strength 259 MPa compared to other hybrid laminate composites. Astonishingly, The hybrid composite jute + glass/polyester (S2) exhibited 10 % higher bending strength than glass fiber/polyester (S1) and 64 % more than net jute fiber/polyester (S5). Additionally, S2 demonstrated 9.5 % higher shear strength compared to S1 and 64 % more than S5. This study will give a great understanding of how adding glass fiber to jute fiber, could enhance the mechanical properties, which will contribute to the design of an efficient composite part for automotive such as car interiors, car doors, trim panels, lightweight applications, and packaging industries.

Microstructure and mechanical behavior of TaxHf1−xC–SiC fabricated by reactive hot‐pressing: Effect of Ta:Hf ratio

AbstractTaxHf1–xC are promising candidates for many applications under harsh environments due to their unique properties. Up until now, low‐temperature densification is still a big challenge for these ceramics. Moreover, the effect of Ta:Hf ratio on microstructure development and mechanical behavior of the ceramics is not clear. In this work, highly dense TaxHf1−xC–SiC ceramics (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) were fabricated at 1700°C by a novel reactive hot‐pressing processing with 8 wt% Si as sintering aid, which present excellent mechanical properties. Fracture toughness of the ceramics is higher than 6.3 MPa·m1/2, with the highest toughness achieved in Ta0.6Hf0.4C–SiC (8.5 MPa·m1/2). With the increase of Ta content, hardness of the ceramics tends to increase, while the bending strength tends to decrease. The highest bending strength is achieved in Ta0.2Hf0.8C–SiC (637 MPa), and the highest hardness is achieved in Ta0.8Hf0.2C–SiC (17.6 GPa). This work lays the foundation for the composition design of TaxHf1−xC‐based ceramics and composites.