Glass Fiber Research Articles

Sustainable materials selection in industrial construction: A life-cycle based approach to compare the economic and structural performances of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) and steel

In recent years, Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (GFRPs) have shown positive characteristics in terms of both environmental and structural performance, thus proving to be promising materials that can be used in construction to replace traditional materials, such as steel. Regarding environmental performance, the use of GFRP instead of steel can lead to a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO2 emissions, thus containing the environmental impact during their life cycle and contributing to the energy transition. From a structural point of view, the high corrosion resistance and durability of GFRP structures minimise maintenance requirements and greatly extend their lifespan, which can even be considered unlimited, even in terms of reusability.This paper jointly evaluates for the first time the structural performance and economic viability of industrial constructions made from GFRP pultruded profiles. These performances are then compared with that of equivalent steel constructions. This is done through a standardised and exportable model based on life cycle cost (LCC) which is developed in four phases: (1) technical-mechanical properties and structural analysis of the buildings; (2) modelling and cost estimation; (3) evaluation of the LCC indicator; (4) performance comparison of design alternatives.The elaborations show that industrial GFRP structures, while having a higher investment cost than equivalent steel constructions, can guarantee lower maintenance costs in the long run. Interesting quantitative results are: (i) the construction cost of the GFRP structure exceeds that of the steel structure by about 15%; (ii) maintenance costs are much higher in the steel structure than in the GFRP structure, due to the greater susceptibility to corrosion of structural steel; (iii) in relation to its very high durability, the residual value of GFRP structures coincides with the construction cost, while the residual value of steel structures decreases significantly; (iv) the composite structure has a Global Cost less than 26% of that of the steel structure, being the most economically advantageous alternative considering the costs related to the whole life cycle, also confirming itself as a fairer and more accessible alternative.The proposed Life Cycle Cost-based model can find multiple applications in the field of civil engineering as a valid support for the selection between alternative structural materials, useful for the transition to a more circular, just, and sustainable construction industry.

Response of circular type sandwich panel using JUCO-glass fiber with PU foam under three-point bending loading

In this study, a circular type honeycomb sandwich panel using natural JUCO and synthetic woven glass fiber was fabricated, and the bending properties like bending strength, modulus of rupture (MOR), and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were evaluated. Polyurethane (PU) foam was injected into the core structure to improve the bending strength. The orientation of jute and cotton fiber was varied to investigate the best stiffness and strength. In addition, twill-type JUCO fiber mat and synthetic woven glass fiber were also used to fabricate the circular type honeycomb sandwich panel. Finite element modeling was undertaken to validate the experimental results. Prior to the finite element analysis, a tensile test was carried out to determine the boundary conditions. Injecting polyurethane foam into the honeycomb core does not show any significant impact on bending properties. However, the deformation rate increased considerably by adding PU foam in the core structure. According to the results, honeycomb sandwich panels made of woven glass fiber with PU foam exhibited more homogenous deflection and bending compliance compared with others.

Molecular dynamics simulation of deposition of high waxy crude oil on different pipeline walls

ABSTRACT Wax deposition occurs in the process of waxy crude oil pipeline transportation, which seriously affects the normal operation of crude oil pipeline. At present, non-metallic pipes have been proved to be effective in delaying the occurrence of wax deposition. Therefore, based on the pipeline walls of 20 G steel, glass fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), and polyethylene (PE), the microscopic mechanism of wax deposition during the pipeline transportation of waxy crude oil was studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation results show that the waxy crude oil clusters undergo diffusion, deposition, reverse diffusion processes, and finally a wax deposition layer is formed on the pipeline surface. On the pipe walls of different materials, the surface free energy affects the interface energy of the solid-liquid contact surface between the waxy crude oil and the pipe wall, which is the main factor for the low surface free energy pipe to have the anti-wax effect. At the same time, according to the analysis of the contact angle on different materials in the simulation results, the difference in pipeline materials can only delay the formation speed of the wax deposition layer and cannot completely prevent the occurrence of wax deposition..

Modification of the Surface Crystallinity of Polyphenylene Sulfide and Polyphthalamide Treated by a Pulsed-Arc Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet.

Atmospheric plasma jets generated from air or nitrogen using commercial sources with relatively high energy densities are commonly used for industrial applications related to surface treatments, especially to increase the wettability of polymers or to deposit thin films. The heat fluxes to which the substrates are subjected are typically in the order of 100-300 W/cm2, depending on the treatment conditions. The temperature rise in the treated polymer substrates can have critical consequences, such as a change in the surface crystallinity or even the surface degradation of the materials. In this work, we report the phase transitions of two semicrystalline industrial-grade polymer resins reinforced with glass fibers, namely polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and polyphthalamide (PPA), subjected to plasma treatments, as well as the modeling of the associated heat transfer phenomena using COMSOL Multiphysics. Depending on the treatment time, the surface of PPS becomes more amorphous, while PPA becomes more crystalline. These results show that the thermal history of the materials must be considered when implementing surface engineering by this type of plasma discharge.

Radial compression performance of glass fiber reinforced polyurethane composite tube with open-hole

Glass fiber reinforced polyurethane matrix composite (GFRP) is a novel composite material. GFRP circular tubes are widely used in engineering because of its excellent mechanical properties. It is inevitable to open holes on GFRP circular tubes when connecting with other components due to the use requirements and structural needs. The radial compression test, theoretical analysis, and finite element calculation of GFRP circular tubes produced by the braiding-winding-pultrusion process are carried out, to study the influence of holes on the compression performance of tubes. The GFRP circular tube has four layers with different fiber angles. From the inner to the outer structure layer, they are the inner woven layer, winding layer, longitudinal fiber layer, and outer woven layer. The mechanical properties of a 0° unidirectional plate are better than those of a 90° unidirectional plate according to the mechanical properties test. The radial compression tests are carried out on GFRP circular tubes with a length of 300 mm, an outer diameter of 140 mm, and a wall thickness of 6 mm. The theoretical calculation of the bearing capacity of the GFRP circular tube under the radial compression load in the elastic stage and the failure stage is well matched with the bearing capacity obtained from the test. The theoretical calculation can effectively predict the bearing capacity of the GFRP circular tube. The radial compression test of GFRP tubes is simulated by ABAQUS, which is a finite element software. The good agreement between the finite element calculation results and the test results verifies the feasibility of the finite element. Based on the above research, finite element models are established for different types of GFRP circular tubes to study the influence of opening ratio on the load borne by GFRP circular tubes. The results show that the hole with the opening rate less than or equal to 1/10 has little effect on the load of the GFRP circular tube. This paper studies the influence of opening on the radial compression properties of GFRP tubes, which has certain reference value for the opening of composite tubes in engineering.

Fabrication and Characterization of Ce3+-Doped Lithium Alumino-Silicate Scintillating Glass-Ceramic and Fiber.

Ce3+-doped lithium alumino-silicate (Li-Al-Si) scintillating glass was prepared using a melting method and crystallized via heat treatment. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of nanocrystals in the materials. Radioluminescence spectra, obtained by X-ray excitation, and luminescence spectra, obtained by 338 nm excitation, showed that the luminescence intensity increased after crystallization. The glass was combined with pure silica as the inner cladding to fabricate a hybrid fiber core using a melt-in-tube technique. The composition of the fiber core was examined using an electron probe microanalyzer. The glass fiber produced strong blue luminescence under UV excitation. After a micro-crystallizing heat treatment of the hybrid fiber at 850 °C in a reducing atmosphere, a Ce3+-doped lithium alumino-silicate glass-ceramic scintillating hybrid fiber was obtained. The nanocrystal structure of the fiber core was examined using micro-Raman spectroscopy. Excitation and luminescence spectra of the hybrid fiber before and after micro-crystallization were measured using microspectrofluorimetry. The results demonstrated that the fiber remained luminous after micro-crystallization. Hence, this work provides a new way to prepare scintillating glass-ceramic hybrid fibers for neutron detection.

Research on the Compounding Scheme of High-Efficiency and Environmentally Friendly Water-Based Well Cleaning Fluid and Analysis of Its Application Effect

In the process of oil well production, the deposition and enrichment of heavy oil and wax are common phenomena. The deposition of these high-viscosity organic substances will not only seriously affect the normal production of oil wells but also cause certain pollution to the environment. Traditional well-washing operations usually rely on high temperatures and strong cleaning chemicals, which have the problems of low cleaning efficiency at low temperatures and poor environmental protection. Therefore, it is particularly important to study a more efficient and environmentally friendly water-based well-washing fluid. At present, most oilfields in China use diesel or organic cleaning agents to clean oil wells, which not only increases the cost of well-washing operations but also may cause pollution to the environment. In response to this problem, the core of this study lies in its innovative compounding scheme. The scheme includes preferred alkaline components, surfactants, emulsifiers, and solubilizers, and introduces glass fiber cutting and erosion technology. This well-washing fluid can effectively remove wax and heavy oil attached to the well wall at a lower temperature, which not only improves cleaning ability but also greatly reduces the dependence on high temperature. The water-based well-washing fluid provided in this study is composed of water, alkaline substances, surfactants, emulsifiers, and glass fibers. Emulsifiers such as Tween 80, OP-20, and polyethers form a stable emulsification system to help disperse and encapsulate oil and grease particles.

Firefly Algorithm-Driven Development of Resistive Ink-Coated Glass and Mesh Fibers for Advanced Microwave Stealth and EMI Shielding Applications

Firefly Algorithm-Driven Development of Resistive Ink-Coated Glass and Mesh Fibers for Advanced Microwave Stealth and EMI Shielding Applications

Fluid-Dynamics-Rectified Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Preparing Graphene-Skinned Glass Fiber Fabric and Its Application in Natural Energy Harvest.

Graphene chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth directly on target using substrates presents a significant route toward graphene applications. However, the substrates are usually catalytic-inert and special-shaped; thus, large-scale, high-uniformity, and high-quality graphene growth is challenging. Herein, graphene-skinned glass fiber fabric (GGFF) was developed through graphene CVD growth on glass fiber fabric, a Widely used engineering material. A fluid dynamics rectification strategy was first proposed to synergistically regulate the distribution of carbon species in 3D space and their collisions with hierarchical-structured substrates, through which highly uniform deposition of high-quality graphene on fibers in large-scale 3D-woven fabric was realized. This strategy is universal and applicable to CVD systems using various carbon precursors. GGFF exhibits high electrical conductivity and photothermal conversion capability, based on which a natural energy harvester was first developed. It can harvest both solar and raindrop energy through solar heating and droplet-based electricity generating, presenting promising potentials to alleviate energy burdens.

Hybridization effect of Kevlar and glass fiber on carbon/epoxy composites to enhance the damage strength under low velocity impact. Part II: Numerical simulations

The research outlined in this paper extends the authors previous work to explore the impact resistance enhancement of CFRP composites through numerical simulations, focusing on the incorporation of a hybrid combination of Kevlar and glass fibers. Experimental drop weight low velocity impact and advanced NDT tests on CFRP and hybrid laminates were carried out in previous work. The current work focuses on the analysis of the dynamic behavior of hybrid composite subjected to LVI by numerical simulation methods. The numerical simulations have been validated with experiments and the damage area of numerical and experimental tests were compared. CFRP and hybrid laminates were modeled using Abaqus/Explicit FEA software to investigate the damage modes and mechanisms. The history curves of simulation results such as load/displacement-time etc. compared with experimental. Results show that incorporating 25% Kevlar fibers on the outer layer of the CFRP, denoted as [01K/06C/01K] resulted in a reduction of laminate deflection by 63.64%. Additionally, the stress distribution expanded over a larger area. A good concurrence between the simulation and experimental findings has been established, indicating that the modeling approach is suitable for conducting further parametric investigations.

3D printing of high-stiffness and high-strength glass fiber reinforced PEEK composites by selective laser sintering

Glass fiber reinforced poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) composites are emerging as structural materials of multifunctional devices in space applications, due to their outstanding mechanical properties, electrical insulating properties, and resistance to irradiation. Here, a new approach for preparing glass fiber/PEEK powders tailored for selective laser sintering (SLS) process is proposed. The surface of glass fiber is modified with the sulfonated PEEK following the designed procedure. The flowability of glass fiber/PEEK powders is also improved by adding the nano-scale SiO2 flow agent. The glass fiber reinforced PEEK composites are successfully 3D printed using the glass fiber/PEEK powders. Further, the enhancement of interfacial bonding between PEEK and glass fiber is analyzed through quasi-static tension tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the SLSed glass fiber reinforced PEEK composites. The average ultimate tensile strength reaches approximately 100 MPa using these optimal process parameters, while the average elastic modulus is around 7 GPa. Finally, the upper limit of fiber weight fraction is evaluated with the X-ray computed tomography (XCT) and the high-fidelity discrete element method (DEM) simulation.

The ways and mechanisms of using CFRP materials to strengthen the flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams

Due to the increasing demand for structural strengthening and retrofitting solutions, Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials has emerged as a promising technology to improve the performance of existing structures. FRP material is a composite material composed of fiber-reinforced plastics, known for its excellent strength and resistance to corrosion. The primary components of this material consists of various fibers, such as glass fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber, along with a resin matrix, such as epoxy resin, polyester resin. FRP materials are commonly employed in construction engineering to enhance the flexural strength of concrete structures. This paper, through methods of literature review and building physical models, investigates the effectiveness of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) materials in enhancing the bending strength of reinforced concrete beams. This study aims to examine the impact of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) sheets on the flexural strength of reinforced concrete beams, which aims to establish calculation formulas based on the specific impacts observed. The findings of this study demonstrate the capacity of FRP materials, specifically CFRP materials, to improve the bending strength of reinforced concrete beams. The usage of FRP materials for structural reinforcement offers a durable, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight solution that can prolong the lifespan and improve the structural efficacy of existing infrastructure.

Development and method validation of a sampling technique for a reproducible detection of synthetic cannabinoids in exhaled breath using an in vitro pig lung model.

Alternative matrices, especially exhaled breath (EB), have gained increasing attention for a few years. To interpret toxicological findings, knowledge on the toxicokinetic (TK) properties of a substance in EB is indispensable. Whilst such data are already accessible for various drugs (e.g. Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), they are still not available for new psychoactive substances, particularly synthetic cannabinoids (SCs). As SCs raise a high public health concern, the aim of this study was to assess these data in future TK studies in pigs. For this purpose, an in vitro sampling technique of EB was initially developed, being prospectively applied to anesthetized and ventilated pigs for the detection of SCs in a controlled and reproducible manner as exemplified by cumyl-5F-P7AICA. Furthermore, a method for the qualitative and quantitative detection of cumyl-5F-P7AICA in EB using glass fiber filters (GFF) was established und fully validated. Therefore, cumyl-5F-P7AICA (0.5 mg/mL in ethanol abs.) was initially nebulized using a ventilation machine and a breathing tube, as they are also used in surgeries. The aerosol was delivered into a simulated pig lung. To collect EB, a pump was connected to that part of the breathing tube, that contains EB (expiratory limb), and sampling was performed repeatedly (n=6) for 15 min (2 L EB/min) each using GFF. For extraction of the substance, the GFF were macerated with acetone and the remaining experimental components were rinsed with ethanol. After sample preparation, the extracts were analyzed by LC-MS/MS. In the complete experimental setup, about 40% of the initially nebulized cumyl-5F-P7AICA dose was found with 3.6 ± 1.3% being detected in the GFF. Regarding the comparably high loss of substance, the open ventilation system and a conceivable adsorption of the SC in the ventilator have to be considered. However, the herein introduced approach is promising to determine the TK properties of cumyl-5F-P7AICA in EB.

Structural Health Monitoring of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Laminates with Carbon Nanotube-Coated Glass Fiber Sensing Layer after Low-Velocity Impact Using Electrical Resistance Tomography

Structural health monitoring (SHM) of composite materials is of great significance in various practical applications. However, it is a challenge to accurately monitor the damage of composites without affecting their mechanical properties. In this paper, an embedded sensing layer based on carbon nanotube-coated glass fiber is designed, combined with electrical resistance tomography (ERT) for in situ damage monitoring. Multi-wall carbon nanotube-coated glass fiber (MWCNT-GF) is prepared and embedded into laminates as an in situ sensing layer. Low-velocity impact experiments demonstrate that the embedded sensing layer has high compatibility with the composite laminates and has no adverse effect on its impact response; although, the energy absorption behavior of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates containing MWCNT-GF occurs about 10% earlier than that of GFRP laminates overall. ERT technology is used to analyze the laminates after a low-velocity impact test. The results show that the in situ monitoring method with the embedded MWCNT-GF sensing layer can achieve high precision in imaging localization of impact damage, and the error of the detected damage area is only 4.5%.

Robust Solid–Solid Phase Change Coating Encapsulated Glass Fiber Fabric with Electromagnetic Interference Shielding for Thermal Management and Message Encryption

AbstractElectromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding composites with both thermal response/management functions and message transfer/encryption behavior are ideal for use in fields such as aerospace, construction engineering, and military equipment. In this work, a self‐cross‐linking supramolecular solid–solid phase change polyethylene glycol (ScPEG) coating is prepared based on multiple hydrogen bonds, which is used for encapsulating glass fiber fabric (GFF) modified with silver nanowires (AgNWs). The solid–solid phase change coating is obtained through the hydrolysis‐condensation of PEG with a reactive silanol end group. Polyethylene glycol molecular chains can store and release heat by switching between the crystalline and amorphous state. The silanol groups can form supramolecular networks through the physical cross‐linking of multiple hydrogen bonds, resulting in an excellent thermal stability. In particular, hydrogen bonds between ScPEG and AgNW‐modified GFF (A‐GFF) enhance interfacial interactions, and the resulting robust structure enables an efficient stress transfer. ScPEG‐coated A‐GFF can achieve a tensile strength of up to 191 MPa and a tunable EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 40 to 72 dB depending on the number of fabric layers. Moreover, the fabric exhibits a flexible thermal response characteristic, an outstanding thermal management capability, and potential message encryption behavior.

Experimental study on the free and constrained vibration performance of composite wave springs

This article proposes a glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) wave spring and conducts a study on its free and constrained vibration characteristics and compression performance. Initially, a stiffness prediction model for composite wave spring is established using laminated plate theory and Moore’s theorem. Additionally, the failure mode of the composite wave spring was predicted and experimentally confirmed using ABAQUS and the 3D-Hashin failure criterion. Finally, the vibration characteristics of composite wave spring and metal helical spring are investigated using the B&K testing system in both free and constrained states. The experimental stiffness and ultimate load of the composite wave spring are 20.67 N/mm and 1386.67 N. The composite wave spring exhibits good vibration reduction performance in both free and constrained states, with maximum vibration attenuation amplitudes of 122.71 and 144.93 dB. In comparison, the metal helical spring has maximum vibration attenuation amplitudes of 41.65 and 111.89 dB.

Vibroscope method for determination of cross-sectional area of glass and carbon fibres – Theory and further development

Accurate determination of cross-sectional area of glass and carbon fibres by the vibroscope method is examined. Complete derivations of the central frequency solutions are presented, to make these derivations accessible in modern scientific literature. The effect of non-zero bending stiffness is included. The influence of shape of fibre cross-sectional area is analysed. Only small deviations in cross-sectional areas are found due to fibre shape, allowing for the use of the vibroscope method for fibres with non-circular cross-sectional areas. Two correction factors are introduced for the effect of volume change and area change of a tensioned fibre, allowing determination of the cross-sectional area of the non-tensioned fibre. A model plot of the vibroscope equation is presented, showing the numerical effect of the corrections on the fibre cross-sectional area depending on the applied tension force. The relations shown by the model plot have implications for the experimental settings of the vibroscope method.

Comparative study: High performance polymers of polyphenylene sulfide and polyethylenimine using Taguchi-Topsis optimization approaches

The role of high-performance thermoplastic products is increasing in the present days because of its excellent physical and mechanical properties and also capable of withstanding critical loads and temperatures. In this study, an attempt was made to improve the mechanical and physical properties of two polymers PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide) and PEI (Polyethylenimine) by addition of glass fiber as a reinforcement fiber. The glass fiber (GF) content considered as 40 wt% for both the polymers. Injection molding method was used for fabrication of PPS and PEI samples. After fabrication, mechanical tests such as tensile, impact and dimensional shrinkage (%) of samples were calculated. Taguchi and Topsis analysis techniques were applied for evaluation of major influencing parameters and determining the best experiment to be performed on the machine. After conducting the test, PPS polymer exhibited better mechanical strength values and lower shrinkage (%) compared to PEI. The best input parameters kept on the machine were observed to be gate way type, temperature and pressure. The conditions of gate way type 2, temperature 320°C, and a pressure of 100 bar are obtained as the best input parameters to be fixed on the machine for achieving higher values of mechanical strength and lower dimensional shrinkage for both PPS and PEI polymers. Out of these two polymers, PPS exhibited better mechanical and physical properties combining with GF. This polymer can extend its usage as a high-performance polymer for various industrial applications.

Flexural behaviour of bamboo concrete beams

Bamboo plants can be found in both tropical and non-tropical locations of the world, it is thought of as a naturally occurring, quick-growing, and renewable resource. Bamboo is seen as a good alternative for construction due to the high energy requirements of current building materials and the limited availability of other naturally occurring materials like wood., bamboo is considered a good alternative for construction. To minimize carbon footprints in the environment, the research illustrates the flexural properties of Bamboo reinforced concrete to be able to use it as a successful replacement for steel bars. To study the flexural behavior, the total reinforcement constant and partially replaced steel with bamboo at 0%, 25%, 50%, 60%, 75% & 100%. Bamboo is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of construction applications, and it can also be employed in a variety of housing applications, notably roofing, and flooring. Moreover, bamboo culms are often used directly as structural members such as beams, slabs, and columns without any alteration. Bamboo can also be used as reinforcement in concrete as a replacement for steel. The shear and flexural behavior of bamboo-reinforced concrete beams is significantly better than that of plain concrete beams. Furthermore, bamboo fiber-reinforced concrete is a good alternative to existing fiber-reinforced concrete, such as glass and steel fibers.

Mechanical properties of GFRP bars exposed to natural erosion environment: A case study

Unlike traditional steel bars, the long-term performance of GFRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic) bars in natural erosion environments remains unclear. This study simulated the water environment at the entrance of the Chai River, a tributary to Dianchi Lake in China, and investigated the mechanical properties of GFRP bars under varying corrosion concentrations. Microstructural analysis using SEM (scanning electronic microscopy) was also conducted to uncover the degradation mechanism. The results showed that after 180 days of immersion in natural water and exposure to environmental concentrations of 5 times, 10 times, and 20 times, the tensile strength of GFRP bars exhibited reductions of 2.8 %, 4.2 %, 7.2 %, and 9.5 %, respectively. However, the compressive strength decreased by 38.0 %, 48.6 %, 50.2 %, and 53.2 % under the same condition. As the number of corrosion cycles increased, the rate of strength decline decreased gradually. The combined action of hydroxyl ions generated through bicarbonate hydrolysis and water molecules in the solution led to the breakdown and swelling of the resin matrix, ultimately causing detachment at the fiber-resin interface. An analysis was conducted on the time-shifted regression equation of the accelerated conversion factor (ASF) under different concentrations, based on the correlation between natural erosion and acceleration testing. It was observed that a strong correlation exists between the strength retention rate and the natural erosion environment at 5 times the concentration. Finally, an improved time-shift method based on the Arrhenius theory was proposed to predict the tensile strength of GFRP bars in a natural erosion environment.