Polymer Matrix Composite Materials Research Articles

MANUFACTURING METHODS OF FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITES

Before talking about polymer matrix composites, it is necessary to examine the structure of composite materials and to get to know composite materials. When we look at composite materials; composites are considered one of the most important members of the advanced material group. Composites; are artificial materials formed by combining two or more materials at a macro level in order to collect their properties in a single material while preserving their components. Polymer matrix composite materials are used in many areas today. For the production of polymer matrix composites, it is necessary to select the appropriate matrix reinforcement and additional materials and to structure these materials correctly. One of the most important steps during production is polymerization. There are various methods that can be used when producing polymer matrix composites. These methods can be listed as; hand lay-up method, spray method, press molding method, transfer molding method, vacuum molding method, cold molding method, autoclave molding method, filament winding method and matrix injection method. Keywords: polymer composites, fiber-reinforced composites, particle-reinforced composite.

The Potential of Ramie Fiber as Reinforcement in Calcium Carbonate-Filled Polyester Resin Matrix Composites for Roofing Applications

Polymer matrix composite roofing materials available in the Indonesian market typically consist of 30%wt chopped strand mat glass fiber embedded in unsaturated polyester resin, filled with 30 parts per hundred resin (PHR) calcium carbonate. The aim of this research is to evaluate whether natural ramie fibers can potentially replace glass fibers. In the first stage of the study, we compared three types of natural fibers abundant in Indonesia: banana stem fibers, sugarcane bagasse, and ramie. Showed that ramie fiber performed the best. Its flexural strength, flexural modulus, and impact toughness were the highest, measured at 191.57 MPa, 6691 MPa, and 0.056 J/mm², respectively. In the second stage, we produced composite material specimens with the same composition as commercial roofing materials but replaced the glass fibers with ramie fibers. Compared to the material without ramie fibers, the composite reinforced with ramie fibers shows an increase in tensile strength to 47.53 MPa from 34.62 MPa, an increase in maximum water absorption over 14 days to 3.746% from 1.145%, and an improvement in the sound transmission class to 26 dB from 23 dB. Additionally, the ramie fibers did not significantly affect the density of the composite material. However, the inclusion of ramie fibers resulted in a reduction of the elastic modulus to 1324 MPa from 1630 MPa, and a higher mass loss in the TGA examination, at 86.95% compared to 74.65%. Ramie fiber composites achieve the minimum roofing requirement of 40 MPa tensile strength, thus having the potential to replace glass fibers.

A review: Enhancing tribological properties of journal bearings composite materials

Abstract Tribology is the science of studying friction, wear, and lubrication. Composite materials consist of two or more constituents (phases): the discontinuous phase represents the reinforcement and the continuous phase represents the matrix. Journal bearing is manufactured from various composite materials. This article reviews the literature on improving the tribological properties of journal bearings made of composite materials (polymer matrix composite materials and metal matrix composite materials) by dividing the previous studies into six primary sections depending on the kinds of composite materials. An efficient method was utilized to solve the problems of composite journal bearings in water lubrication such as wear resistance, reduced friction, and increased service life of journal bearings in various applications especially in ships. The impact of composite materials, which were added through thermoplastic such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyether-ether-ketone, POM, and PA66, thermoset such as epoxy, polyester, and phenolic reinforced with fibers, and thermoplastic with thermoset (PTFE/epoxy composite) to reduce wear rate and coefficient of friction, and also the addition of nanomaterials to composite journal bearing to enhance the tribological properties in various applications were examined. The last section used metal matrix composite reinforced to other metal or alloy to give the attractive mechanical properties used to improve wear resistance and friction coefficient of journal bearing. The novelty of this article lies in the comprehensive analysis of various composite materials and their effect on the tribological properties of journal bearings, providing future insights into bearing design and optimization to improve performance.

Effect of Carbon Fiber Fabric Modification on the Tensile Mechanical Characteristics of Polyether Ether Ketone/Carbon Fiber Fabric Composites

In the aviation industry lightweight, high-strength materials have replaced metals to lighten vehicles and reduce fuel consumption. Polymer matrix composite materials have thus been chosen because they are highly resistant to oxidation and chemicals, are lightweight compared to metals, and are simple to manufacture. The aim of this study was to increase the compatibility of carbon fiber fabric (CFF) with polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer. Meldrum’s acid and nitric acid modified CFFs were assessed using energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PEEK matrix composites reinforced with CFF were produced by a compression molding method. The composites were characterized by tensile strength tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We concluded that the CFF modification improved the compatibility between CFF and PEEK. The enhancement of the tensile properties of the composites was another indication of this modification’s beneficial effects.

Electro-mechanical analysis of nanostructured polymer matrix composite materials for 3D printing using machine learning

Recently, additive manufacturing (AM) techniques like 3D printing have emerged as a potentially game-changing example of digital manufacturing. However, high entry barriers of a tiny material library, different processing defects, and unpredictable product quality are still holding back its widespread use in the industry. Due to its remarkable success in data tasks like classification, regression, and clustering, machine learning (ML) has recently gained a great deal of interest in the subject of the material library. This paper examines the current state of ML applications in several key areas of AM, including polymer matrix composite materials and machine parameter optimization. Composite filaments have been extruded using Polylactic Acid (PLA) as it is a biodegradable material and shows how High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) enhances physical strength. All the parameters for the filament extruder have been designed by machine learning. Thermal stability is a significant concern for polymers that have been overcome by introducing Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles. The microstructure, surface texture, electro-mechanical behavior, and other general features of extruded filaments made from recycled plastics have been investigated. The extrusion temperature, approximated using ML, is in excellent agreement with the surface texture and microstructure of the polymers, as confirmed by FESEM, EDX, and Particle analysis. Extruded filaments experienced 2500 Vs and confirmed their non-conductivity up to 77.7GΩ. Tensile strength and elongation at break, two measures of mechanical properties, have been examined. Incorporation of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles improved mechanical properties significantly. When it comes to 3D printing, the physical properties and potential uses of each composite material are different.

Reinforcing effects of ground tyre rubber on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of polyethylene terephthalate

This study examines the use of waste and recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) along with micro-sized ground tire rubber (GTR) to produce a polymer matrix composite (PMC) material. The PMC materials are made in a Twin-screw extruder, with different ratios of rPET to GTR ranging from 90:10 to 50:50. In order to assess the performance of the newly created rPET-GTR matrix composite materials, the physical, mechanical properties are empirically observed. The thermal properties and crystallinity (Xc) of PMC materials are analysed using DSC. SEM and microscopic imaging are used to determine the characteristics of rPET-GTR composite materials, including elemental compositions like carbon, oxygen, and silicon. The functional group and chemical structure are confirmed through IR spectra analysis using FTIR techniques. The inclusion of micro-sized GTR has shown a significant effect on the physical (density = 1.306 - 1.208 g/cm3, water absorption = 1.76%–10.74%, and melt flow index = 8.12 - 12.79 gm/10 min), mechanical (tensile strength = 52.78 – 73.58 MPa, impact strength = 110.64 - 138.44 J/m, hardness = 56.14 - 76.37, and flexural modulus = 66.23 - 106.32 MPa), and thermal (melting temperature = 220.25°C–192.57°C, Xc = 20.30 to 30.58%) properties of rPET. These studies all work together to improve the performance of waste rPET and GTR materials by repurposing them. It helps to promote sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and expands the range of applications (automotive parts, building materials, sports equipment, electrical insulation and prosthetics) for rPET-based composites with potential uses in the polymer industries.

Effect of SiC nanoparticles on mechanical and damping properties of epoxy/polysulfide rubber blend composite

Blend polymer matrix composite material are becoming more and more popular due to their promising mechanical properties. In this research, blend polymer mixture was make from epoxy resin (EP) blended with different weight percentages of polysulfide rubber (PSR) (0, 3, 6, 10, 15, and 20%). Then tensile, impact, bending strength and damping ratio were evaluated to get the high quality of mechanical properties for the blend matrix. Due to the requirements to enhance the mechanical properties of this blend; a various weight fraction of carbide silica (SiC) nanoparticle was used as a reinforcement in the ratios of (0, 1, 3, and 5%) by weight to the best ratio of the blended matrix. Tensile, impact, bending and damping ratio tests were also conducted to get the best mechanical properties for the blend materials. Experimental results for the blend matrix showed that adding polysulfide rubber to epoxy resin resulted in a decrease in Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and bending strength; however damping ratio and the impact strength increased. It is found that the weight fraction of 6% of PSR is the Better case, which gave the better mechanical characteristics properties for mixture. Utility of this mixture; it has intermediates between flexible properties of a mixture at the highest rate of PSR and brittle mechanical properties for EP resin. Mechanical and damping properties showed an increasing when the carbide silica (SiC) with a weight fraction of 3% added, then it decreased slightly.

Decomposition Kinetics and Lifetime Estimation of Thermoplastic Composite Materials Reinforced with rCFRP.

Because of the high demand for carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials across all industries, the reuse and/or recycling of these materials (rCFRP) is necessary in order to meet the principles of the circular economy, including recycling and reuse. The objective of this study is to estimate the lifespan of thermoplastic matrix composite materials reinforced with waste materials (CFRP), which undergo only a mechanical cutting process. This estimation is carried out through the thermal decomposition of polymers, including polymer matrix composite materials, which is a complex process due to the numerous reactions involved. Some authors calculate these kinetic parameters using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as it is a quick method, and it allows the identification of gases released during decomposition, provided that the equipment is prepared for it. This study includes a comparison between polyamides 11 and 12, as well as between polyamide composite materials with carbon fiber (CF) and polyamides reinforced with CF/epoxy composite material. The latter is treated with plasma to improve adhesion with polyamides. The behavior of weight as a function of temperature was studied at speeds of 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, and 20 °C/min, finding stability of the polyamides up to a temperature of 400 °C, which was consistent with the analysis by mass spectroscopy, where gas evolution is evident after 400 °C. The estimation of the lifespan was carried out using two different methods including the Toop equation and the free kinetics model (MFK). The energy of the decomposition process was determined using the MFK model, which establishes the energy as a function of the degree of conversion. It is estimated that at 5% decomposition, mechanical properties are lost.

Removal of Contaminants in Water with Scallop Shell Waste

Currently, the cultivation and harvesting of mollusks is a crucial activity worldwide. However, this industry generates a large amount of mollusk shell waste disposed of in landfills, causing environmental pollution. In addition, the companies linked to this item allocate large sums of money to depositing the shells in authorized landfills. In South America, Chile is one of the leading producers worldwide of scallop shell (Argopecten purpuratus) waste, creating a growing environmental and financial problem in the country, especially considering that there has yet to be progress in the development of new technologies that may reuse this waste in Chile. This study used different techniques to completely characterize the northern Chile scallop shell waste’s physical and chemical properties for the first time. The XRD result corresponded with calcite crystal structures (CaCO3), and the XFR showed 97.68% purity. Three particle sizes were obtained: BS (595–100 µm), MS (250–595 µm), and SS (<250 µm). In addition, the potential use of these wastes to remove contaminants present in water from the wine industry (caffeic acid) and some drinking water (arsenic(III)) was evaluated. The powder with the smallest particle size (SS), which has a surface area of 1 m2/g, 0.0050 m3/g of pore volume and pore diameter of 18.0 nm, removed 100.0% of CA and 23.0% As(III) in a pH condition of 4.6. The results show that scallop shell waste can be used to treat water and reinforce polymeric matrix composite materials to improve mechanical properties.

Multi‐Frequency Ultrasound Directed Self‐Assembly

AbstractUltrasound‐directed self‐assembly (DSA) utilizes the acoustic radiation force associated with a standing ultrasound wave field to organize particles dispersed in a fluid medium into specific patterns. State‐of‐the‐art ultrasound DSA methods use single‐frequency ultrasound wave fields, which only allow organizing particles into simple, periodic patterns, or require a large number of ultrasound transducers to assemble complex patterns. In contrast, this work introduces multi‐frequency ultrasound wave fields to organize particles into complex patterns. A method is theoretically derived to determine the operating parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase) of any arrangement of ultrasound transducers, required to assemble spherical particles dispersed in a fluid medium into specific patterns, and experimentally validated for a system with two frequencies. The results show that multi‐frequency compared to single‐frequency ultrasound DSA enables the assembly of complex patterns of particles with substantially fewer ultrasound transducers. Additionally, the method does not incur a penalty in terms of accuracy, and it does not require custom hardware for each different pattern, thus offering reconfigurability, which contrasts, e.g., acoustic holography. Multi‐frequency ultrasound DSA can spur progress in a myriad of engineering applications, including the manufacturing of multi‐functional polymer matrix composite materials that derive their structural, electric, acoustic, or thermal properties from the spatial organization of particles in the matrix.

The Influence of Copper Oxide Particle Size on the Properties of Epoxy Resin

This study examines the relationship between the size of copper particles and the properties of epoxy resin. Epoxy resin is a type of thermosetting resin commonly used as a matrix in polymer matrix composite materials reinforced with glass or carbon fibers. As part of this study, three microscale and two nanoscale composite samples modified with copper oxide particles of varying sizes were produced. This study included mechanical property tests such as static tensile tests, static bending tests, and impact tests. The results of the strength tests were compared to modeling results. Additionally, an accelerated thermal aging process was conducted to determine the impact of external conditions on the behavior of the produced composites. This study concluded with an analysis of thermal conductivity. The test results revealed that the size of the copper particles significantly impacted the tested properties. The composites with copper oxide particles on the nanoscale demonstrated the best results. These composites have promising applications in the automotive and aviation industries due to their strength, resistance to external factors, and increased thermal conductivity, suggesting their potential for producing materials that effectively dissipate heat.

Effects of infill density on mechanical properties of additively manufactured chopped carbon fiber reinforced PLA composites

Abstract In this present study, the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method was used to fabricate the composites. Before three-dimensional (3D) printing, samples were designed according to the ASTM D256, D790 and D3039 standards for impact, flexural and tensile tests, respectively, using Onshape software before conversion to an STL file format. Afterward, the digital file was sliced with infill densities of 60%, 80%, and 100%. The composite samples contained chopped carbon fiber (cCF) and poly lactic acid (PLA), as reinforcement and matrix, respectively. The cCF/PLA (simply called cCFP) filaments were printed into various cCFP composite (cCFPC) samples, using a Viper Share bot 3D machine with different infill densities before the aforementioned mechanical testing. The tensile strength of cCFP were obtained as 25.9MPa, 26.9MPa and 34.75MPa for 60%, 80% and 100% infill density cCFP samples, respectively. Similarly, the flexural strength of cCFP were obtained as 11.8MPa, 12.55MPa and 18.4MPa and impact strength was 47.48kJ/m2, 48.45kJ/m2 and 48.96kJ/m2 for 60%, 80% and 100% infill density cCFP samples, respectively. The fractured/tested samples were examined and analyzed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to investigate the presence of fiber and void in the tensile sample. Based on the experimental results, it was evident that a high infill density of 100% with the highest reinforcement exhibited maximum impact strength, tensile and flexural strengths and moduli when compared with other lower carbon content of cCFPC samples. Therefore, the optimal 3D-printed cCFPC sample could be used for engineering application to benefit from properties of the polymer matrix composite materials and possibilities through additive manufacturing (AM).

Enhancing the cell viability and antibacterial properties of alginate-based composite layer by adding active particulates

Because of their exceptional biological, mechanical, and structural capabilities, polymer matrix composite materials are immensely appealing in the biomedical industry, particularly for surface activation of metallic implants and tissue engineering. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of adding 5% active metallic particles (Mg particles and Ag nanoparticles) to an alginate matrix on cell survival (fibroblast MG-36 cells), antibacterial activity, surface texture, roughness, and wettability. The incorporation of 5% Mg particles and Ag nanoparticles in polymeric matrix employed composite material with outstanding properties. The adding of Mg and Ag particles boosted wettability by decreasing the contact angle from 56.83° to 0°. The activity of Candida albicans and Porphyromanoas gingivalis was significantly reduced, particularly with Ag nanoparticles, which fight bacteria by blocking cell development and improving the antimicrobial properties of composite materials. The use of Ag nanoparticles to strengthen alginate resulted in higher fibroblast proliferation for MG-63 cell at the outer layer, which resulted in superior cell viability (24, 48, and 72). Meanwhile, due to Mg's high activity, the reverse effect was found when Mg particles were used, making the composite surface more active (enriched with Mg ions).

Erimiş Filament Üretim Yöntemi ile Üretilen Kompozit Yapılarda Yöne Bağlı Yüzey Özelliklerinin İncelenmesi ve İyileştirilmesi

Additive manufacturing methods, which have begun to be used in final product production beyond producing prototypes, are popular research topics today. The Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) method, which has a wider usage area and user base, is the most well-known among these methods. The method in which the polymer is extruded in layers has advantages such as design freedom and topology optimization, as well as disadvantages such as surface roughness and low production speed. The number of materials that can be used in the FFF method is diversifying day by day, and polymeric composites can also be produced beyond pure polymers. The use of engineering polymers such as polyamide in this production method creates many new opportunities. In addition, the start of production of short fiber reinforced polymeric composites has paved the way to produce high-performance final products. In this study, the effects of parameters such as layer thickness and printing orientation on the surface roughness of samples produced using polyamide and short carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite materials were examined. Chemical surface treatment was applied to the surfaces of 3D-printed samples to improve surface roughness. It was concluded that the increase in layer thickness increases the surface roughness, the -/+45 filling orientation creates higher roughness than the 0 and 90 orientations, and the surface quality can be increased by chemical surface modification.

Design of a large format printing platform that allows the extrusion of composite materials based on pellets and continuous fibers.

Commonly additive manufacturing (AM) through the technique of extrusion of molten material is used to manufacture prototypes. This is mainly because the materials commonly used in these technologies are thermoplastics of low mechanical performance. That is why this project seeks the development of an extrusion head that uses polymeric matrix composite materials in the form of pellets and reinforcements of natural or synthetic continuous fibers in order to be used in a large format MA system, which allows the manufacture of objects with better functional and mechanical performance than those found conventionally. For this purpose, different stages were carried out for the development of the project, starting with the design and construction of the printing platform; followed by the design of an extrusion head that allows the integration of a polymeric matrix and continuous fibers. As a result, printed traces were obtained using PLA pellets and glass fiber, resulting in a total coating of the fiber on the printed material.

Eco-Design of Polymer Matrix Composite Parts: A Review.

This research presents a series of analyses related to the eco-design of polymer matrix composite parts, addressing various aspects of it. The main objective was to clarify the definition of ecological design, the benefits of its implementation and its importance in all stages of obtaining a product (design, manufacturing, recycling). Global environmental issues are presented, emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainable approaches in product design and manufacturing. Special attention is paid to the analysis of waste recycling technologies for polymer matrix composite materials. The analysis carried out identifies specific ecological design principles applicable to these materials and presents recent trends in the field. Relevant case studies are highlighted, demonstrating the benefits of ecological design in order to obtain sustainable products. Additionally, the conducted research allowed for finding answers to the questions "what", "why", "when" and "how" it is necessary to apply the principles of eco-design in the case of composite materials with a polymer matrix. In general, the research promotes eco-design as an indispensable strategy for sustainable and responsible production, inspiring companies to adopt these principles for the benefit of the environment and their business performance.

Exploring the Thermophysical Properties of the Thermal Conductivity of Pigmented Polymer Matrix Composites with Barium Titanate: A Comparative Numerical and Experimental Study

This research paper focuses on investigating the thermal conductivity behavior of polymer matrix composite materials, specifically those composed of PSU and BaTiO3, both experimentally and numerically. The thermal conductivity of composites has been studied using a variety of theoretical and semi-empirical methods. However, in cases where the filler concentration is minimal, these models provide a superior estimate. To numerically resolve the thermal heat transfer for an elementary cell, the finite element method is employed in this study. The impact of contact resistance, barium titanate percentage, and quenching temperature on the composite’s effective thermal conductivity and dynamic behavior is given consideration. The results demonstrate that the suggested numerical model is in good agreement with experimental measurements as well as Hatta–Taya and Hashin–Shtrikman’s analytical models. The results provide significant insight into the thermal conductivity behavior of composites, which can inform the development of more effective thermal management solutions for composite materials. Effective thermal management is critical for the successful application of polymer matrix composite materials in various engineering applications. Thermal conductivity is a key factor in thermal management and is influenced by factors such as the concentration of filler particles, their shape, size, and distribution, and the matrix material’s properties.

Study to analyze the mechanical strength of composite glass fiber laminated with resin epoxy, resin polyester, and PVC foam under tensile loading conditions by numerically using finite element analysis via Ansys

With the development of material sciences, different kinds of materials are being developed and studied continuously. In order to significantly reduce weight and reduce emissions, composite materials are employed in aerospace, automobile, mechanical, and wind industries all over the world. Advanced polymer composites, which generally consist of continuous fibers inside a polymer matrix, give greater material qualities than metals and provide for the achievement of lightweight structural designs. Additionally, it is expensive and time-consuming to prepare samples and carry out studies with these materials. Therefore, finite element analysis and simulation have been chosen as the method for failure analysis in order to understand the complicated failure behavior of polymer matrix composite material. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the mechanical strength of glass fiber/resin epoxy, glass fiber/resin polyester, and glass fiber/PVC foam at the laminate level and lamina level under tensile loading conditions in Ansys and Ansys ACP. After analysis, this study has revealed that glass fiber laminated with resin epoxy composite has a higher life cycle and high stress-bearing capacity compared to glass fiber/resin polyester, and glass fiber/PVC foam.

Sustainable Manufacturing Process Applied to Produce Waste Polymer-Polymer Matrix Composites

Getting rid of plastic and rubber waste is one of the goals of achieving a sustainable lifestyle. Out-of-service tires and fuel and water tanks manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are the most common waste that cities suffer from. This paper aims to investigate the effect of reinforced waste polymer particles on the polyester resin matrix when producing polymer matrix composite materials from waste tires and damaged plastic water tanks with different polymeric percentages. The polymer matrix composite could be used later in different applications, such as insulators and vibration dampers. The composite materials were evaluated by measuring the Shore D hardness, tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and coefficient of thermal conductivity. The overall results showed hopeful behavior. Mixing a specific mixture of waste PVC and tires with polyester and hardener gives a higher tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and Shore D hardness compared to each material when used separately. The thermal conductivity values increase with the mixing conditions between the materials. The thermal conductivity values can be reduced by using higher percentages of a mixture of waste tires and polyester or PVC and polyester. A 4.5% PVC, 4.5% tire and 91% (polyester and hardener) mixture can be recommended to improve tensile strength performance. A mix of 8.3% PVC, 8.3% tire, and 83.4% (polyester and hardener) can be recommended for high hardness.

Biomimetic Design and Topology Optimization of Discontinuous Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composite Lattice Structures

The ever-increasing requirements for structural performance drive the research and development of lighter, stronger, tougher, and multifunctional composite materials, especially, the lattice structures, heterogeneities, or hybrid compositions have attracted great interest from the materials research community. If it is pushed to the extreme, these concepts can consist of highly controlled lattice structures subject to biomimetic material design and topology optimization (TO). However, the strong coupling among the composition and the topology of the porous microstructure hinders the conventional trial-and-error approaches. In this work, discontinuous carbon fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite materials were adopted for structural design. A three-dimensional (3D) periodic lattice block inspired by cuttlefish bone combined with computer modeling-based topology optimization was proposed. Through computer modeling, complex 3D periodic lattice blocks with various porosities were topologically optimized and realized, and the mechanical properties of the topology-optimized lattice structures were characterized by computer modeling. The results of this work were compared with other similar designs and experiments to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The proposed approach provides a design tool for more affordable and higher-performance structural materials.