Properties Of Fibers Research Articles

Universal intumescent polyelectrolyte complex treatment for cotton, polyester, and blends thereof

Inhibiting the flammability of natural, synthetic, and blended textiles with a single treatment is challenging because of differing fiber properties and chemistries. Intumescent surface treatments that promote char formation can be applied in the form of a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) containing nitrogen and phosphorus compounds that combat burning in both the condensed and gas phase. Poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP) comprise a PEC that reduces the flammability of cotton, polyester, and polyester/cotton (PECO). The incorporation of melamine renders each substrate self-extinguishing. The degradation of PAH is seen to differ between substrates, with gas phase degradation being more prevalent on polyester and heterocyclization occurring on cellulose. Quantitatively, cotton flammability is reduced more than that of polyester, but significant improvements are made to the char yield, heat release, and volatile emission for all fabric types. This water-based coating is rapidly applied in two steps for fire protection. These results demonstrate the versatility of PEC coatings as environmentally-benign fire protection for a variety of chemistries.

Repercussion of fiber content on the mechanical, thermal, and thermomechanical properties of natural fibers reinforced thermoplastic composites for automotive application

Natural fibers are becoming very popular as a reinforcement in composite materials owing to their benefits, such as low-price, lightweight, availability, and environmental friendliness. In this study, abaca fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites were created with the help of the injection molding method. Prior to composite fabrication, abaca fibers were chemically treated with a 5 wt% caustic soda (NaOH) solution to improve the bonding between the abaca fibers and the matrix and to enhance their properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to assess the fiber surface microstructures before as well as after the chemical treatment, along with the fractured surfaces of tensile specimens. The mechanical properties, such as tensile, bending, and impact strength, of abaca/PP and abaca/HDPE composites were evaluated and compared. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) methods were utilized to investigate the thermal behavior of composites. Also, the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) method was utilized to explore the thermomechanical properties of the fabricated composites. The outcomes of the experimental findings showed that abaca/PP composite with 10 and 20 wt% fibers is the best choice of material to be used in the automobile industry.

Investigation of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced ABS/Epoxy Blended Polymer Composite

This research investigates the formation of polymer blends by blending Epoxy LY556 with Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) at weight percentages ranging from 2 to 10% wt. The thermal properties, morphological characteristics, tensile strength, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) characteristics of these composites were examined. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) studies confirmed the presence of binary blends. The miscibility of epoxy/ABS blends is shown by the presence of a single melting peak in the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) findings indicate that epoxy and ABS blends exhibit greater thermal stability than pure epoxy. The tensile strength increased from 183.6 to 380.6 MPa, flexural strength increased from 165.3 MPa to 335.6 MPa, ILSS increased from 32.4 MPa to 72 MPa for 8% wt. of ABS blending, and the laminates witnessed a decrease in density and hardness values. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images demonstrate the commendable blending characteristics and the synergistic impact of the ABS/Epoxy composite, yielding superior outcomes to the pure epoxy material.

Toward durable polylactic acid/poly(methyl methacrylate) polyblend fibers with high performance

AbstractPolylactic acid/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLA/PMMA) composite fibers with high performance were fabricated using melt spinning technique. The crystallization, lamellae orientation and physical properties of composite fibers were investigated systematically. The addition of PMMA (0–20 wt%) has improved the hydrolysis resistance of composite fibers by preventing water molecules from penetrating and diffusing through the fibers, but the strength and heat resistance were reduced at the same time. The stereocomplex crystallites (SC) formed before spinning by introducing poly(D‐lactide) (PDLA) (3 wt%) in poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) matrix and acted as nucleating agents to enhanced the crystallization and lamellae orientation of PLLA matrix, which improved the physical properties of PLA composite fibers resultful. The tensile strength of PLA fibers with 3 wt% PDLA and 5 wt% PMMA was increased 31% as well as the boiling water shrinkage and the hydrolysis rate were decreased 30% and 33% in relation to PLLA fibers. Finally, the hydrolysis resistance was further enhanced on the basis of realizing high strength and heat resistance, which is of great significance for preparing durable PLA fiber materials and expanding their application.

Effect of hollow glass microspheres on transverse properties of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy composites

AbstractHollow glass microsphere (HGM)—based composites are gaining popularity in materials research due to their ability in altering material characteristics drastically. The current study investigates HGMs filled carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CE) composites on transverse properties, aiming for aerospace and defense applications mainly in composite pressure vessels. Unidirectional laminates of Carbon/Epoxy with varying HGM percentages (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 wt. %) were wounded onto a flat‐plate mandrel using a 4‐axis filament winder, along with a baseline sample without HGM for comparison. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and thermal stability were analyzed by carrying out dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The fracture mechanism of the samples loaded under tension was investigated using FESEM. Experimental results indicate reduction in density with increase in HGM content, up to 0.4% HGM there is increase in transverse tensile strength of 25% compared to baseline and further increase in HGM content, decrease trend is observed. 30% decrease in transverse compressive strength is observed compared from baseline to 1.0 wt. % of HGM. No significant change was noticed in the thermal stability and Tg on introduction of HGM. Microscopy images of fractured samples revealed effective physical interaction and dispersion of the HGM within the matrix.Highlights Transverse mechanical properties are tested to know the influence of HGM filler on filament wound composites. Density of the composite decreases with increase in HGM content. Thermal stability and Tg shows less change on introduction of HGM in composites.

Study on the characteristics of novel fiber extracted from Foxtail palm fruits – A steps towards the sustainable development

This study explores the properties of fibers extracted from the fruits of the Foxtail palm (FPF) and assesses their potential for advancing sustainable development. Antibacterial assays demonstrated that these fibers significantly inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enterica, with inhibition zones of 24 mm and 30 mm, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a predominantly crystalline structure, which is crucial for use as reinforcing materials, showing distinct peaks at 20° and 30° diffraction angles that signify the presence of cellulose I. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the fibers’ complex composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, indicated by the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and aliphatic functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a rough and irregular surface texture adorned with numerous microfibrils and cavities, which are beneficial for mechanical interlocking with polymer matrices. The densely arranged cellulose microfibrils, approximately 210 µm in diameter, lend the fibers high tensile strength and stiffness. Although some surface imperfections were observed, the inherent porosity of the fibers facilitates resin absorption, enhancing their reinforcement capabilities in composite materials.

Dynamic compressive behavior of hybrid basalt-polypropylene fibers reinforced coral aggregate concrete

In this study, the effects of strain rate, fiber type, and hybrid fiber content on the dynamic mechanical properties of basalt-polypropylene fiber reinforced coral aggregate concrete (HBPRCAC) under impact loading are investigated using a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) with a 75 mm diameter. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of basalt fiber (BF) and polypropylene fiber (PF), particularly when mixed, effectively reduced the failure of HBPRCAC. With an increase in strain rate, the failure of HBPRCAC exhibited a more severe pattern; even at low strain rates, cracks directly passed through the coral aggregate, causing damage. The failure modes of BF and PF were related to the strain rate. The probability of BF and PF being pulled out was higher at low strain rates than at high strain rates, where BF and PF predominantly exhibited snap failures. Additionally, the dynamic increase factor (DIF) of the dynamic compressive strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity for HBPRCAC demonstrated a decimal logarithmic linear increase with strain rate, while the dynamic critical strain and impact toughness of HBPRCAC exhibited a linear increase with strain rate. The mixed addition of BF and PF had varying effects on the strain rate sensitivity of HBPRCAC's dynamic mechanical properties, but the fiber mixing content was significantly positively correlated with the strain rate effects on the dynamic compressive mechanical properties of HBPRCAC. The dynamic compressive strengths of BPCAC-0.1 and BPCAC-0.2 at strain rates of 128–135 s−1 were increased by 78.66 % and 88.47 %, respectively, compared to those at strain rates of 33–36 s−1. The dynamic moduli of elasticity for BPCAC-0.1 and BPCAC-0.2 showed increases of 16.47 % and 13.06 %, respectively, compared to that of coral aggregate concrete. Moreover, the critical strain and impact toughness of BPCAC-0.2 were the highest at all tested strain rates.

Simulation analysis of cryogenic mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced silicon-containing epoxy resin composite

Simulation analysis of cryogenic mechanical properties of carbon fiber reinforced silicon-containing epoxy resin composite

Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete Using RCC and PCC

Analysis of Mechanical Properties of Fiber Reinforced Concrete Using RCC and PCC

Investigation of mechanical and physico-chemical properties of new natural fiber extracted from Bassia indica plant for reinforcement of lightweight bio-composites

In this investigation, novel cellulose fibers were acquired from the Bassia Indica plant to serve as a reinforcement source in composite materials. The morphological characteristics were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The surface chemistry, crystallinity, and functional groups of Bassia Indica fibers were analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), which assess the crystal structure, elemental composition, and surface functional groups, respectively. The thermal behavior of Bassia Indica fibers were assessed through Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Anatomical techniques demonstrated the abundant presence of fibroblasts in the fibers. The presence of lignocellulosic fiber (lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose) was confirmed through ATR-FTIR analysis. The analysis of physical properties unveiled a fiber density of 1.065 ± 0.025 g/cm³ and a diameter of 145.58 ± 7.89 μm. The crystalline size of Bassia Indica fibers reached 2.23 nm, with a crystallinity index of 40.12 %, and an activation energy of 93.78 kJ/mol, TGA research revealed that Bassia Indica fibers are thermally stable up to 260.24 °C. Additionally, the fibers experienced maximum degradation at 321.23 °C. Weibull statistical analysis was performed using parameters 2 and 3 to calculate the observed dispersion in the experimental tensile results after analyzing the mechanical properties of the fibers possessing a tensile strength of 417.50 ± 7.08 MPa, Young's modulus of 17.46 ± 1.55 GPa, stress at failure of 1.17 ± 0.02 % and interfacial shear strength of 6.99 ± 1.10 MPa. The results were additionally compared to how they were stated in the relevant sources. Bassia Indica fibers can be considered a viable choice for reinforcing lightweight bio-composites.

Effect of halloysite addition on the dynamic mechanical and tribological properties of carbon and glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites

Composite materials have become prominent in the aerospace, automotive, wind energy, biomedical, and machine tool industries. This has demanded the evaluation of the dynamic mechanical and tribological behaviour of composites to understand their performance and ensure their reliability and safety in varied operating conditions. In this study, the effect of halloysite nano-clay addition on the dynamic mechanical and tribological properties of the carbon/glass hybrid composites was investigated. The composites were produced with the vacuum assisted resin infusion process. by varying the content of halloysite nano-clay (1, 3, and 5 wt%). The dynamic mechanical properties of the manufactured composites were examined at temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 180 °C. The tribological properties of the specimens were assessed by varying the applied load (10, 20, and 30 N), sliding speed (1.5, 3, and 4.5 m/s) and sliding distance (500, 1000, and 1500 m). Box-Behnken design was utilized to optimize the number of experiments. The results showed that the halloysite-added samples had better dynamic mechanical and tribological properties than the carbon/glass hybrid composites. Especially, hybrid composites containing 3 wt% halloysite outperformed the other composites investigated. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to examine the worn surface and wreckage in the investigated composite specimens.

Mechanical and thermal properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer-clay nanocomposites

Abstract The effect of Montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay on static mechanical and thermal characteristcs of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites is studied. The static tensile properties of epoxy/MMT nanoclay, which are important properties of GFRP composites, are investigated. The predicted stress-strain curves of epoxy with 0 and 1 wt.% of nanoclay follow experiments. The predicted elastic modulus and tensile strength of epoxy with 3 wt.% of nanoclay are 74 and 230% higher than neat epoxy. For GFRP composites with 0, 1, 3, and 5 wt.% of MMT nanoclays, the measured tensile strengths are 587, 600, 628, and 724 MPa, and flexural strengths are 626, 726, 906, and 542 MPa. For composites with former nanoclays, interlaminar shear strengths are 23, 25, 31, and 28 MPa, and Izod impact strengths are 83, 94, 207, and 145 kJ/m2. Thus, mechanical strengths of composites with 0–5 wt.% of nanoclays improve considerably than pristine sample. The predicted static tensile stress-strain curves of GFRP composites with above nanoclays follow experimental behavior. For GFRP composites with 0 and 1 wt.% of MMT nanoclays, glass transition temperatures are 91 and 101°C, and storage moduli at ambient temperature are 35 and 41 GPa. The thermal conductivities of GFRP composites with 0, 1, and 3 wt.% of MMT nanoclays at ambient temperature are 0.32, 0.36, and 0.42 W/(m·K). Thus, thermal properties of composites are affected significantly on addition of nanoclays.

Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Materials for 3D Printing of Ankle Foot Orthoses

Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Materials for 3D Printing of Ankle Foot Orthoses

EXPRESS: Feasibility of a Fiber-Dispersive Raman Spectrometer for Biomarker Detection.

Raman spectroscopy is among the top analytical techniques for ultra-low-dense organic matter, crucial to the search for life and analysis of celestial body surfaces in space exploration missions. Achieving the ultimate sensitivity in in situ Raman spectroscopy necessitates a breakthrough in detecting inelastically scattered light. Single-photon detectors (SPD) operating in photon counting mode, which can differentiate between Raman and luminescence responses, are promising candidates for the challenging scientific requirements. Since large SPD arrays are not yet commercially available, a dispersive element can be adapted to a single-pixel detector. By exploiting chromatic dispersion in optical fibers and picosecond-pulsed excitation, we delay the arrivals of different spectral components onto a single-pixel SPD. This method also separates weak Raman signals from stronger luminescence through correlated time-domain measurements. We study the impact of fiber properties and the excitation wavelength of a pulsed laser on the spectral resolution of the fiber-dispersive Raman spectrometer (FDRS). Additionally, we demonstrate the FDRS's potential for studying biomarkers and discuss its feasibility for analyzing inclusions in ice matrices.

Study on Low-Velocity Impact and Residual Compressive Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber–Epoxy Resin Composites

Room temperature drop hammer impact and compression after impact (CAI) experiments were conducted on carbon fiber–epoxy resin (CF/EP) composites to investigate the variation in impact load and absorbed energy, as well as to determine the residual compressive strength of CF/EP composites following impact damage. Industrial CT scanning was employed to observe the damage morphology after both impact and compression, aiding in the study of impact-damage and compression-failure mechanisms. The results indicate that, under the impact load, the surface of a CF/EP composite exhibits evident cratering as the impact energy increases, while cracks form along the length direction on the back surface. The residual compressive strength exhibits an inverse relationship with the impact energy. Impact damage occurring at an energy lower than 45 J results in end crushing during the compression of CF/EP composites, whereas energy exceeding 45 J leads to the formation of long cracks spanning the entire width of the specimen, primarily distributed symmetrically along the center of the specimen.

An experimental investigation on mechanical characteristics of steel-fiber-reinforced volcanic concrete

Raw materials of concrete are one of the main pollution resources. Sustainable concrete is one of the significant solutions that can be used to reduce carbon emission. This study aims to use volcanic ash (VA) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) for producing sustainable concrete. The effects of VA on the properties of steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) are evaluated. The fresh and hardened concrete's characteristics of steel fiber volcanic ash concrete (SFVC) is presented and assessed. Slump test, compressive strength, splitting tensile tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry are used to investigate the effect of VA concrete performance. Five groups of SFVC were prepared using sixteen different mixes; 0 %, 2.5 %, 5.0 %, and 7.5 % of VA were used as a partial replacement of cement with 0, 0.5,1.0 %, and 1.5 % of steel fiber (SF). The findings demonstrated that concrete sustainability could be improved by employing VA as a partial replacement for cement, resulting in improved mechanical performance with a slight reduction in workability. The optimum mechanical and microstructure properties of SFVC were achieved with the incorporation of 5 % VA instead of cement with 1 % steel fiber, at age 28 days. The increase in compressive strength and tensile strength up to 25 % and 31 %, respectively. The employing of VA as a SCMs material resulted in better ITZ between aggregate and cement mortar and exhibited a dense surface with less pores compared to control mix.

Enhanced mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties of waste PET plastics reinforced with coated biodegradable kenaf fibers for infrastructure applications

The surge in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle production has led to a rise in waste PET plastics. Recycling these waste PET plastics for infrastructural purposes offers a feasible solution to curb environmental pollution and the climatic impact caused by dumping vast quantities into landfills. Hence, efforts have been directed towards creating waste PET plastic composites reinforced with coated biodegradable natural kenaf fibers for infrastructural use. In the current research, waste PET plastic bottles (WPET) were processed into value-added composites compounded with coated kenaf natural fibers (CK) using the twin-screw extruder (TSE) and compression molding machines at an optimized temperature of 250 °C with a constant fiber weight percentage and epoxy coating concentration of 10 wt% and 25 % conc., respectively. The composites underwent analysis for mechanical, thermal, and microstructural properties based on relevant ASTM standards. Results indicate significant enhancement in surface interactions/interface and improved mechanical and thermal properties of kenaf fibers due to epoxy coating. Thermal stability improved to 409.4 °C from 397.0 °C due to coating, with a higher melting peak of 252.8 °C. These materials exhibit suitability for energy and building infrastructural applications, presenting an alternative, economical, and sustainable approach to managing the abundance of waste PET plastic bottles.

Mixing lint grades in relation to fiber and yarn quality of Egyptian cotton

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of different mixing percentages of lint grades of Egyptian cotton varieties on fiber properties and yarn strength. Two lint grades within each variety of four Egyptian cottons from 2022 and 2023 crop seasons were used; Good to Fully Good (G/FG) and Fully Good Fair (FGF) for Giza 86, Good to Fully Good (G/FG) and Fully Good Fair to Good (FGF/G) for Giza 92, Good to Fully Good (G/FG) and Good Fair (GF) for Giza 94 and, Fully Good (FG) and Fully Good Fair (FGF) for Giza 95 with mixing percentage (30%-40%-50%) of the highest grades for each variety. Mixed lots of lint cotton grades were tested on Fiber Classifying System (FCS) instrument to measure fiber properties. Yarn strength was tested on Good Brand Lea tester at 60s and 3.6 twist factor. This experiment was conducted at Egyptian & International Cotton Classification Center (EICCC) in Cotton Research Institute (CRI), Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Giza, Egypt. Using traditional statistical analysis (normal probability distribution) with untraditional method (assumed probability distribution) illustrated that; It was remarkably increased upper half mean length,mean length, uniformity index, fiber strength, micronaire reading, maturity and linear density with increase of the percentage of the highest grade in the mixing for each studied variety. Meanwhile short fiber content showed the opposite trend, whereas, elongation had no obvious trend. Prominent improvement in yarn strength was observed when the highest lint cotton grade percentage increased from 30% through 40% and 50% in the mixing lots. Yarn strength increased from 2690 to 3170, from 2475 to 2850, from 2440 to 2845 and from 2135 to 2360 for Giza 92, Giza 86, Giza 94 and Giza 95, respectively. Generally, mixing method based on lint grades exhibited significant improvement in fiber and yarn quality properties. In the same time this method is easier than the experimental mixing methods based on micronaire reading or fiber strength. on the other hand, it is very important process in cotton production economy.

Enabling low molecular weight electrospinning through binary solutions of polymer blends

The formation of nanofibrous membranes via electrospinning is typically restricted to high molecular weight polymers in an appropriate solvent, correlated with the necessary formation of polymer chain entanglements that are needed to achieve successful production of electrospun fibers. The present work extends the electrospinning of low molecular weight polymers by investigating the electrospinning of a binary solution system consisting of two different low molecular weight polymers, using as a model system polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin in different ratios. The viscosities of the polymer solutions were characterized as a proxy for polymer chain entanglement and the resulting fibers were morphologically characterized by SEM imaging and further assessed water contact angle and molecular composition to determine the impact and homogeneity of the binary mixtures. We found that unitary solutions of either PCL or gelatin failed to generate proper fibers despite indications of chain entanglement. In contrast, binary solutions of low molecular weight PCL and gelatin generated different fiber quality and size distributions, depending on the ratio used, with direct correlations between fiber properties and the PCL:Gelatin ratio. It was discovered that the ratio of PCL to gelation was most predictive for successful fiber generation, with effective electrospinning occurring only for a define intermediate range of high blend ratios while both low and high blended binary solutions resulted in poor fiber production. Our study confirmed that this behavior was independent from absolute polymer concentration, indicating a unique interaction between these binary species which exists only under specific ratio concentrations and indicates promising new avenues to process low molecular weight polymers solutions.

Effect of Alkali on the Mechanical Properties of Sansevieria Fiber Bio-Composites

This study investigated the efficacy of different alkali (sodium hydroxide (NaOH), calcium hydroxide (CaOH), and potassium hydroxide (KOH)) in removing hemicellulose and lignin from Sansevieria fibers (SF) while maintaining cellulose content. Employing a precise immersion method, the alkali treatment significantly enhanced the crystalline properties and tensile strength of the fibers. FTIR spectroscopy demonstrated alterations in functional groups, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed improved heat resistance. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the enhanced crystallinity and reduced amorphousity of the treated fibers. Moreover, tensile testing confirmed the superior tensile strength and overall mechanical properties of the NaOH-treated fibers, attributing this positive outcome to the preservation of cellulose structure and enhanced interfacial bonding with the matrix. This study found that alkali treatment increased the potential of sansevieria fibers as composite reinforcement.