Improvement In Strength Research Articles

Mechanical properties of a mortar with aluminum fibers waste of drink cans

The aim of this study is to utilize drink cans as fibers to reinforce mortars production. for this purpose, we cut the cans into various sizes to investigate how the width and length of the fibers affect the mechanical properties of the mortar (2x10, 4x10 and 2x20)mm, as well as using different percentages 0,5%,1%, 1,5%, 2%, and 2,5% by the weight of the cement. The results of this study showed improvement of mechanical strength of the mortar especially the flexural strength. The comperessive strength increased by 14% compared to the control mortar, whereas the flexural strength increased by 14% and 20% compared to the control mortar of the fiber MF1 and MF2, while the addition of 2% of aluminium in fiber MF3 incresed the flexural strength by more than 39% compered to mortar not reinforced. The addition of alimunium fiber have helped in reducing the cracking of the mortar . Consequently, incorporating aluminum fibers from drink cans into the mortar mix will significantly impact the indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, ductility, and post-cracking behavior.

Investigating the mechanical and fracture behaviour of Ti-based nanocomposites reinforced with single and bi-crystalline hBN nanosheets

The design and manufacturing of graphene and hBN-based nanocomposites is taking the era of material design to new horizons. The present article employs MD simulations to investigate the mechanical, fracture, and interfacial behaviour of the Ti-based nanocomposites reinforced with pristine as well as defective single and bi-crystalline hBN nanosheets. The nanocomposites exhibited over ∼100 % improvements in the failure strengths as compared to pristine Ti matrices. Reinforcement of the Ti matrices with single and bi-crystalline hBN nanosheets improved the failure strengths of the nanocomposites from 4.06 GPa to 9.74 GPa and 9.80 GPa, respectively. However, an increase in vacancy defect (Single or Di-vacancy) concentration (0–6%) resulted in a successive reduction of the failure strength of the nanocomposites. Moreover, the deformation mechanisms in Ti matrices reinforced with pristine and defective nanosheets were observed to be governed by {101‾1} <101‾2‾ > compression twin and {101‾0} <112‾0 > prismatic slip dislocations, respectively. Furthermore, the pull-out and pull-up velocities models of interfacial shear and cohesive strengths, respectively, were employed to confirm the observed results.

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AZ91D magnesium alloy fabricated via GTA wire arc additive manufacturing

This study aims to address elemental segregation and poor mechanical properties in as-deposited AZ91D magnesium alloy fabricated via wire arc additive manufacturing through heat treatment. Three distinct heat treatments are investigated: solution treatment (T4), artificial aging treatment (T5), and a combination of solution and aging treatment (T6). Microstructural analysis reveals equiaxed grains in all samples. In the T4 state, the eutectic phase along grain boundaries dissolvs into the matrix, reducing elemental segregation but increasing grain size. In the T5 state, elemental segregation is further reduced; however, due to the relatively low aging temperature, the microstructural features of the as-deposited state are largely retained. In the T6 state, solution treatment increases grain sizes, and the uneven distribution of the reprecipitated β phase leads variations in mechanical properties between vertical and horizontal directions. Compared to the as-deposited state, the T6 treatment achieves a synergistic improvement in both strength and ductility. The ultimate tensile strength increases to 262.3 MPa, and the elongation rises to 13.8%, representing improvements of 12.5% and 32.7%, respectively, compared to the as-deposited values of 233.2 MPa and 10.4%.

Effect of prefatigue-induced persistent slip bands on the strength-ductility match in -oriented Cu single crystals

To explore the effect of persistent slip bands (PSBs) formed during cyclic loading on the static mechanical behavior of materials, [1‾12]-oriented Cu single crystals are selected as target materials, and the tensile behavior of Cu single crystals prefatigued to the stress saturation stage at different plastic shear strain amplitudes (γpl) and the corresponding microstructures, surface deformation features and fracture morphologies are systematically studied. The results show that the formation of few soft PSB ladder-like structures in hard dislocation veins during prefatigue deformation at γpl = 3.7 × 10−4 below the plateau region of cyclic stress-strain (CSS) curve can promote a synchronous improvement of strength and ductility (SISD) compared with the unfatigued crystal. As γpl increases to a lower value of 9.0 × 10−4 within the plateau region, the strength and ductility reduce sharply compared with the case at γpl = 3.7 × 10−4 due to more concentrated plastic deformation caused by a high volume fraction of prefatigue-induced PSBs. With continuously increasing γpl to a higher value of 2.3 × 10−3 within the plateau region, non-uniform dislocation distribution in labyrinth structures and the short spacing between labyrinth walls as well as the fine dislocation cells formed during tension jointly give rise to a slight increase in strength and ductility compared with the crystal prefatigued at γpl = 9.0 × 10−4. As γpl is increased to the level beyond the plateau region, the ductility and ultimate tensile strength continuously increase, resulting from the co-existence of wider deformation bands and dense dislocation walls.

Nansilver@Unsaturated Polyester Resin: Nano-hybrid for Improvement of Mechanical Strength and Chemical Resistance of Concrete

Nansilver@Unsaturated Polyester Resin: Nano-hybrid for Improvement of Mechanical Strength and Chemical Resistance of Concrete

Elevating mechanical and thermal performance on alkali‐treated pineapple/glass fibre sandwich composite

AbstractThe present work generated hybrid composite sandwiches by incorporating 65% epoxy resin and 35% reinforcements derived from pineapple and glass fibres. The specimens were subjected to mechanical characterization by tensile, flexural and impact examinations. Among the untreated samples, the specimens containing untreated pineapple fibres (PF) with a composition of 17% PF, 18% glass fibres (three layers) and 65% epoxy by weight (17PF/TLGF) showed the most superior mechanical characteristics. Nevertheless, specimens containing fibres treated with NaOH exhibited exceptional characteristics, attaining a tensile strength of 88.121 MPa, a flexural strength of 94.213 MPa and an impact energy of 4.1 J. These data indicate a 20% enhancement in both tensile and flexural strength as well as a 63% improvement in impact strength compared to specimens containing 35% PF and lacking glass fibres (35PF/0GF). In comparison to 17PF/TLGF, the specimens treated with NaOH exhibited a 4.34% gain in tensile strength, a 4.24% increase in flexural strength and a 9% increase in impact strength. Experimental TGA was performed on the chemically treated fibre composite specimens, specifically identified as 35PF/0GF and 17PF/TLGF. Approximately 260 °C marked the beginning of decomposition for the 35PF/0GF sample, but the 17PF/TLGF sample decomposed at roughly 310°C. In addition, the fragmented surface of the 17PF/TLGF sample was analysed using SEM. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Is it Possible to Regenerate the Underactive Detrusor? Part 2 Electrical Stimulation Therapies, Treatment of Bladder Outlet Obstruction, Constipation, and Pelvic Floor Disorders ICI-RS 2024.

Detrusor muscle weakness is commonly noted on urodynamics in patients with refractory voiding difficulty. No clinical therapy has been proven to augment the strength of a detrusor contraction. This subject was discussed at a think-tank at the International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) held in Bristol, June 2024. The discussions of the think-tank are being published in two parts. This second part discusses the role of electrical stimulation therapies, treatment of bladder outlet obstruction, constipation, and pelvic floor disorders, in the enhancement of strength of a detrusor contraction. Electrical stimulation therapies, specifically sacral neuromodulation, have long been used in the salvage of patients with refractory nonobstructive voiding dysfunction. Clinical improvements can be noted in men following bladder outlet resistance reduction surgery especially, though not limited to those with demonstrable obstruction. Some patients may also show improvement with pelvic floor relaxation therapies and constipation care. However, there is a lack of high-quality urodynamic data to demonstrate an improvement in the strength of a detrusor contraction with these therapies. The think-tank recommends standards for future clinical studies examining treatments aimed at improving an underactive detrusor. Studies need to examine whether clinical improvement following treatment of patients with an underactive detrusor is associated with improvement in strength of the detrusor contraction. New therapeutic options should apply specified standards for assessing and reporting the impact on detrusor contraction.

Compatibilizing and toughening of the styrene and acrylonitrile copolymer and core‐shell impact modifier obtained by agglomerate technologies

AbstractParticle size distribution and the compatibility of core‐shell impact modifiers play a crucial role in determining the mechanical properties of the resin. This study presents the synthesis of a core‐shell impact modifier, a copolymer of polybutadiene grafted with styrene and acrylonitrile (PBL‐g‐SAN), using emulsion polymerization to enhance the mechanical properties of SAN resin. Polymer agglomeration technologies were employed to increase the particle size of polybutadiene latex, resulting in particles approximately 300 nm in diameter. Moreover, the effects of core‐shell modifiers with different constitutions on the mechanical properties of ABS resin were investigated. By optimizing the grafting polymerization process, improvements in impact strength of ABS resin were observed. When the St/AN ratio of the core‐shell modifier is 75/25, with a core‐shell ratio of 60/40 and MMA content at 2.5%, the impact strength of ABS resin reaches its peak while maintaining high tensile strength. The incorporation of methyl methacrylate improved the dispersion of core‐shell modifiers in SAN resin. Compared to commercial ABS resins with the same SAN and rubber content, the modified resin demonstrated a nearly 20% improvement in impact performance, and significant reductions in both production time and costs due to the polymer agglomeration method.Highlights The 300 nm polybutadiene latex was synthesized by polymer agglomeration technology. The relationship between the composition of these core‐shell modifiers and the mechanical properties of ABS resin was explored. The ABS resin with impact strength exceeding 20% of commercial material is prepared.

Investigating the mechanical properties of composites containing exfoliated graphite/epoxy sensors: Experimental testing and simulation

One approach to structural health monitoring (SHM) involves embedding sensors within a composite material. However, the integration of these sensors can potentially introduce flaws that might affect the composite’s mechanical properties. This research aims to explore the impact of embedding exfoliated graphite (EG)/epoxy sensors on the mechanical characteristics of composite systems through laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. Sensor strips composed of varying volume fractions of EG/epoxy were fabricated. Tensile test specimens were prepared by embedding these sensors in the epoxy matrix oriented both lengthwise and widthwise. Baseline specimens of EG/epoxy without sensors were also created for comparison. Tensile tests were performed on the samples to evaluate the effects of the embedded sensors on the composite’s elastic modulus and tensile strength. The results indicated a slight improvement in both elastic modulus and tensile strength with the introduction of EG. Crucially, the orientation of the sensors within the samples had a significant impact on the composite’s mechanical properties. Samples with widthwise-aligned sensors showed reduced tensile strength due to delamination along the sensor edges. Finite element simulations using a viscoelastic model based on the experimental data were conducted to analyze the effect of sensor alignment on mechanical properties. The findings revealed that a grid pattern alignment of sensors significantly enhanced mechanical performance compared to lengthwise or widthwise alignment, particularly at 0.1% and 0.3% EG volume fractions, highlighting the effectiveness of a grid pattern for embedding sensors in SHM applications.

Efficacy of Acacia Gum Biopolymer in Strength Improvement of Silty and Clay Soils under Varying Curing Conditions

Acacia gum (AG), a polysaccharide biopolymer, has been adopted to improve the strength of three cohesive soils by subjecting them to diverse environmental aging conditions. Being a polysaccharide and a potentially sustainable construction material, the AG yielded flexible film-like threads after 48 h upon hydration, and its pH value of 4.9 varied marginally with the aging of the stabilized soils. The soil samples for the geotechnical evaluation were subjected to wet mixing and were tested under their Optimum Moisture Content (OMC), as determined by the light compaction method. The addition of AG modified the consistency indices of the soils due to the presence of hydroxyl groups in AG, which also led to a rise in OMC and reduction in Maximum Dry Unit weight (MDU). The Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) were determined under thermal curing at 333 K as well as on the same day of sample preparation. The least performing condition of the soil’s CBR was evaluated under submerged conditions after allowing the AG-stabilized specimens to air-cure for a period of 1 week. The UCS specimens tested after 7 days were subjected to the initial 7 days of thermal curing at 333 K. A dosage of 1.5% of AG yielded the UCS of 2530 kN/m2 and CBR of 98.3%, respectively, for the low compressible clay (LCC) after subjecting the sample to 333 K temperature for 1 week. The viscosity of the AG was found to be 214.7 cP at 2% dosage. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and average particle size determination revealed the filling of pores by AG gel solution, adsorption, and hydrogen bonding, which led to improvements in macroproperties.

Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Relief Induces Changes in Gut Microbiome Composition: A Secondary Analysis of Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Aerobic exercise alters gut microbiome composition, yet the impact of gentle physiotherapy on gut microbiome and its relation to muscle strengthening and physical function remains unexplored. Physiotherapy exercises modulate gut microbiome composition and changes in gut microbes are linked to improvements in muscle strength or function. Secondary data analysis of samples from a randomized controlled trial. Level 2b. Data from a 6-week randomized controlled trial of physiotherapy for knee pain were analyzed. Gut microbiota profiling utilized 16S sequencing. We compared intervention and control (usual care) groups using microbial diversity metrics. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) that changed after the program were identified with ALDEX2, and correlations between these ASVs and measures of physical function, muscle strength, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were explored. No diversity changes were observed between standard care (n = 43) and physiotherapy (n = 34). Physiotherapy led to significant increases in Alistipes, Bacteroides, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, and Faecalibacterium ASVs. Of these, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Faecalibacterium were associated with postintervention muscle strength. Increase in Faecalibacterium was correlated with a decrease in IL-6 in the physiotherapy group. Physiotherapy had modest effects on gut microbiome composition affecting 4 taxa. Increases in muscle strength were correlated with increases in 2 taxa including Faecalibacterium. Faecalibacterium was also linked to reduced inflammation. Improved walking speed was linked to an increase in Alistipes with no differences found for strength or squatting ability. Improved gut microbiome composition is linked to better overall health outcomes, including enhanced immune function, reduced inflammation, and improved metabolic health. This is particularly relevant for patients with osteoarthritis, who are known to have a high prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities. Integrating physiotherapy protocols that positively influence the gut microbiome can thus enhance overall patient outcomes.

Laser-assisted automated tape laying: Effects of placement rate and heated tooling on layer bonding and tensile properties

This paper investigates the processing parameters placement rate and tooling temperature of laser-assisted automated tape laying (ATL). Plates with carbon fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PEEK) were produced at 6 m/min, 9 m/min and 18 m/min, and 23°C and 250°C tooling temperature, respectively. Correlations of processing conditions with micrographs, void content, thickness, the degree of crystallinity and the shear strength of the compression shear test, including a fractographic analysis, were derived. Processing conditions that increase the degree of crystallinity were only found to improve the compression shear strength at 6 m/min placement rates, primarily due to a void content below 3.4 % and degree of crystallinity above 26 %. The fractographic analysis derived from the compression shear test revealed a strong correlation between the degree of crystallinity and the size of ductile drawings. In contrast, the transverse tensile test showed no influences on the ATL processing conditions, whereas the tensile strength in fiber direction decreased by 11 % from a placement rate of 6 m/min to 18 m/min. ATL with a 250°C tooling temperature increased the strengths by 14 % compared to those at room temperature. A further tensile strength improvement of 0° and 90° to 1754 MPa and 75 MPa was obtained by a subsequent out-of-autoclave consolidation using vacuum bagging.

Effect of hot-wire method on microstructure and mechanical properties of wire arc additive repaired superalloy

This study shows that the hot wire is an effective way to reduce the amount of undesirable Laves phase during the repair of 718Plus components, which are detrimental to the mechanical properties. The complex relationship between microstructure and hotwire was studied in detail. Five damaged components were repaired by depositing the melted 718Plus wire onto the wrought substrate using directed energy deposition-arc (DED-arc). A finite element model was used to provide clues for the thermal process analysis. The hot-wire method enhanced the cooling rate of the molten pool and suppressed the remelting behaviour of secondary dendritic arms (SDA) in the reheated zone. The resultant microstructure contained refined dendrites with more obvious SDA, which allows the production of tiny reticular Nb-rich liquid spots between dendrites during final solidification stage. These spots beyond a threshold of Nb could cause eutectic reaction, leading to the morphologic transformation from long-stripped to granular Laves phase and a lower volume fraction. Moreover, the hot-wire method hindered the dynamic precipitation of γ' phase due to the shortened precipitation time, which was responsible for the inferior mechanical properties. The heat-treatment re-optimized the precipitation of γ' phase and further dissolved Laves phase to release more Nb for γ' phase, which leads to the improvement of strength about 10 %.

Mechanical and micro-mechanical investigations of nano-SiO2 and polypropylene fiber reinforced cement soil in marine environments

The degradation of cement-stabilized soil foundations in coastal environments is primarily caused by the corrosive effects of chloride and sulfate ions. While Nano-SiO2 enhances the mechanical properties of cemented soil, it may also increase brittleness, affecting safety and cost-effectiveness. Polypropylene fibers improve ductility by inhibiting crack propagation but contribute minimally to strength enhancement. To optimize performance, this study employed 3.6% Nano-SiO2 and 0.8% polypropylene fibers. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests indicate that with increasing curing time, erosion from Cl− and SO 4 2 − significantly increases the brittleness of Nano-modified cemented soil, with compressive strength initially rising and then declining. The incorporation of polypropylene fibers further enhances both compressive strength and deformation modulus. At 60 days of curing, the composite cemented soil exhibits strength improvements greater than the sum of the individual gains in various environments, with compressive strength increases of 248.9, 159.9, and 102.9% in freshwater, chloride, and sulfate conditions, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that excessive expansion products from Cl− and SO 4 2 − reduce Nano-SiO2’s effectiveness. The C-S-H gel fills the indentations on the fiber surface and tightly envelops it, while Nano-SiO2 further enhances the mechanical interlocking between the fibers and the matrix, thereby improving durability in marine.

Deformation, fracture, and fatigue crack growth behavior in TiB-reinforced near-α Ti matrix composites fabricated using powder metallurgy technique

Titanium matrix composites with TA15 alloy as the matrix and TiB (ranging from 0 to 4 vol%) as reinforcement were produced via powder metallurgy-based hot press sintering, employing AlB2 precursor. The addition of TiB to TA15 led to a substantial reduction in the colony and prior β grain sizes, and an increase in the lath thickness in the composites. Plastic deformation due to planar slip, which traverses across the α/β-ligament phase boundaries within each colony, may cause TiB particles located on colony boundaries to break, potentially more so than those within the colony. The composite containing 1 vol% TiB exhibited simultaneous improvements in strength, ductility, and strain hardening rate, attributed to colony refinement and possibly a sizable amount of intra-boundary TiB. Further increase in the TiB content led to significant drops in ductility, which was further exacerbated by the precipitation of α2-Ti3Al phase. A substantial decrease in the mode I fracture toughness, attributed to reduced colony size and diminished crack deflection, was noted in the composite with 1 vol% TiB. The colony size refinement also contributed to a reduction in the threshold stress intensity factor range, ΔK0, for the fatigue crack growth, owing to the decreased tortuosity of the fatigue crack front. This study elucidates the intricate relationship between TiB location, microstructure, and mechanical properties, providing insights for the design of TiB-reinforced titanium alloys with both α and β phases.

Effect of pore structure characteristics on the properties of red mud-based alkali-activated cementitious materials

This study used a mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP) to establish a Menger sponge model and a thermodynamic fractal model to investigate the influence mechanism of changes in the pore structure of red mud-based alkali-activated cementitious materials under different Na2O contents on their mechanical properties and volume stability. The results indicate that the thermodynamic fractal model can better reflect the pore size distribution within the entire pore size measurement range, with a correlation coefficient R 2 maintained between 0.98347 and 0.99854. Moreover, the thermodynamic fractal model can well reflect the relationship between the pore structure characteristics of the matrix and its macroscopic properties, with the increase of Na2O content, the N-(C)-A-S-H gel content continuously increased, and the pore fractal dimension increased from 2.42609 to 2.72440, indicating a denser pore structure, which promoted the improvement of compressive and flexural strength of the matrix at 28 days while deteriorating volume stability.

A novel integrated hot forming with in-situ stress relaxation-aging for titanium alloy thin-walled components

The simultaneous achievement of high strength and precision in the fabrication of titanium alloy thin-walled components is a long-standing issue. This work proposes a novel integrated forming process, named Hot Forming with In-situ Stress Relaxation-Aging (short for HF-ISRA) to solve the special issue. In contrast to usual isothermal forming, the forming temperature in the proposed process is raised to the solution treatment temperature. Dies at a lower temperature realize in-situ stress relaxation-aging after hot forming. The role of the dies, in addition to forming, is also achieved post-forming heat treatment. This novel process comprises three main steps: solution heat treatment, rapid forming at solution temperature, and in-situ stress relaxation-aging. An experimental prototype of HF-ISRA was developed for V-bending test, in which a sheet blank was rapidly heated using electric current and the forming die was heated using heating rods. The process window of the proposed HF-ISRA was established based on the V-bending and uniaxial tensile tests of the TA15 titanium alloy. The results showed that compared with cold forming, the springback angle obtained using the optimized HF-ISRA decreased by 97.8 %, from 9°06′ to only 12′. The tensile strength at room temperature and 500 °C was improved by 4.4 % and 10.9 % compared with the as-received material, respectively. The relaxation mechanisms of αs were the precipitation, growth, and then globularization. The relaxation mechanism of αp was dislocation movements. The strength improvement in HF-ISRA was due to the formation of αs and dislocations strengthening. The stress-induced twinning in αs was also a contributor. The proposed novel process provides a new route for the fabrication of titanium alloy thin-walled components with high precision and strength.

Wire arc direct energy deposited multiphase steel through in situ micropowder alloying: mechanical and metallurgical studies

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effect of copper and titanium micropowder addition on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of additively manufactured low-carbon steel, aiming to produce a modified (multiphase) steel with ferritic low-carbon steel using in situ micropowder addition during wire arc direct energy deposition (WA-DED). Design/methodology/approach A robotic arm equipped with a GMA welding source deposited ER70S6 filler wire on AISI S235 substrate steel using WA-DED. Cu and Ti micropowders were interspersed between layers for microstructural modifications. Microscopy, spectroscopy, diffraction and mechanical testing were used to evaluate the properties of the deposited samples. Findings Incorporating Cu and Ti micropowders significantly enhanced the yield and tensile strength of the deposited material, showing an 83% increase in yield strength and a 33% increase in tensile strength. Microstructural analysis identified key phases such as ferrite, pearlite, bainite, retained austenite and martensite/austenite, with Cu and Ti acting as grain refiners. Nanoscaled Cu precipitates contribute to enhanced low-temperature toughness and a 150% improvement in impact strength at −30°C. Originality/value This study presents a novel approach to overcome the limitations of the available alloys (filler materials). This can be achieved by introducing in situ micropowder alloying during the WA-DED process. The micropowder addition allows altering the properties of the deposited material without changing the parent filler material itself, achieving the desired composition. With this approach, there is no need to manufacture the filler material with the preferred alloy composition separately and then carry out the deposition process.

Influence of Agro-Industrial Waste on Unconfined Compression Strength Parameters of Expansive Soil: An Experimental Investigation

Expansive soils pose a significant challenge in construction due to their potential to cause structural damage through its swelling and shrinking characteristics. Simultaneously, the disposal of numerous industrial and agricultural wastes poses challenges that contribute to environmental ecosystem damage. This experimental study explores the effect of agro-industrial waste on the mechanical properties of expansive soil. Specifically, the impact of incorporating agro-industrial waste materials, such as bagasse ash, plastic strips, and coir fiber, is investigated through assessments of unconfined compression strength. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was conducted to examine various parameters of different combinations involving expansive soil, bagasse ash, coir fiber, and plastic strips. The results demonstrated notable improvements in Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS), particularly when incorporating a specific combination of 10% Bagasse Ash, 0.5% Plastic Strips, and 0.75% Coir Fiber) which resulted in a remarkable 49% increase in UCS. The findings show that including plastic strips enhances UCS by 2%, Coir Fiber improves it by 5%, and a combination of Bagasse Ash, plastic strips, and Coir Fiber leads to a 7% increase in UCS. The study on incorporating agro-industrial waste materials, such as bagasse ash, plastic strips, and coir fiber, reveals substantial improvements in the mechanical properties of expansive soil. This study contributes to the sustainable utilization of agro-industrial waste for soil improvement, offering a promising avenue for eco-friendly geotechnical solutions. Future work could explore the long-term performance and scalability of these materials in various soil conditions.

Novel insights into the correlation composition-structure-property of recyclable carbon fiber reinforced thermosetting resin composites

As widely used lightweight and high-strength materials, the sustainable development of thermosetting composites is hampered by their limited recyclability. Developing simple methods for the efficient and upgraded recycling is desirable but challenging. Herein, carbon fiber reinforced degradable thermosetting resin composites were prepared, and the effects of resin degradation process and its derivatives on the sustainable recycling of carbon fiber were studied. Through the tunable departure and re-adsorption of degradation derivatives in cleaning post-treatment, recycled carbon fibers achieved not only non-destructive recovery but also simultaneously improvements in tensile strength from 3.0 GPa to 3.7 GPa and surface energy from 47.2 mN/m to 66.7 mN/m. The adhered derivatives, rich in -NH- and oxygen-containing groups, exhibited good interactions with the fiber surface and epoxy resin. Benefiting from this, the inter laminar shear strength of recycled carbon fibers reinforced epoxy composite effectively improved 24.3 %. In this work, directly reusing resin degradation products for the recycling of reinforced fibers was proposed and the key role of the composition and distribution of degradation products in recycling properties was revealed. The strategy of integrating characteristics of components to enhance material recyclability is expected to have widespread applicability, promoting the sustainable transition for thermosetting composites.