Vinyl Ester Composites Research Articles

Mechanical, wear and thermal behaviour of rice husk microfibre and ZrO2 bioceramic from Phyllanthus niruri extracts reinforced vinyl ester composites

Mechanical, wear and thermal behaviour of rice husk microfibre and ZrO2 bioceramic from Phyllanthus niruri extracts reinforced vinyl ester composites

Mechanical and tribological behavior of pineapple leaf and kenaf fiber reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composites

The modern world demands the implementation of natural fiber-based polymer composites over synthetic fiber composites due to their eco-friendly nature, abundant availability, competing strength, economical favorability, and lightweight quality. In this present investigation, varied combinations of hybrid pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) and kenaf fiber-reinforced vinyl ester composites were fabricated by compression molding technique. The physical properties, mechanical properties, and tribological behavior were experimentally analyzed and reported. The physical properties, such as theoretical density, experimental density, and porosity percentage are evaluated and studied. Statistical mechanical tests such as tensile, flexural, compression, microhardness, and impact study are also evaluated possibly. Tribological behavior was simply studied by pin-on-disc tribometer apparatus under dry sliding conditions, and its specific wear rate and coefficient of friction were determined and analyzed. The morphological features of the tensile fractured samples and worn surfaces of the wear-tested specimen were analyzed by using a scanning electron microscope and its effects were investigated. From the results reported, it was claimed that the 20PALF/20KF/60VE sample was getting higher mechanical properties of 51% increased tensile strength, 55% flexural strength, 41.5% compression strength, 52% impact results, and 52% increased harness value compared to the neat resin sample. Overall results state that the hybridized combinations of PALF and kenaf fibers reinforced composites attained good mechanical and tribological properties and appear promising for printed circuit board and electrical switchboard applications.

Effect of hybrid filler loading (Polyalthia longifolia seed and graphite) on the mechanical and thermal properties of vinyl ester composites

AbstractThis research paper focuses on the use of solid biomass waste, specifically a combination of Polyalthia longifolia seed (PLSF) and graphite (GH) powder, as reinforcements in vinyl ester (VE) composites. The composites were produced via the hand layup method, with the filler concentration varying from 0 to 15 wt% of PLSF and 0–9 wt% of graphite. The objective was to examine the influence of the hybrid filler on the mechanical characteristics of the composites. The mechanical properties of composites prepared from P. longifolia seeds and graphite powder were experimentally characterized. These properties included tensile strength, flexural strength, impact resistance, and hardness. The hybrid composite had a maximum tensile strength of 48.4 MPa, and its tensile modulus was 1.66 GPa. The hybrid filler at 15% wt% of PLSF and 6% of graphite has the highest flexural strength, which is around 148 MPa. The ultimate impact strength and hardness were measured to be 41.3 kJ/m2 and 44.5, respectively, after the addition of 15 and 6 wt% of hybrid filler. In comparison to neat vinyl ester resin, the PLSF/GH‐VE composites exhibited an increase in tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness of 2.69, 1.82, 3.03, and 1.59 times, respectively. Hybrid composite surfaces were analyzed using scanning electron microscopes to determine surface characteristics and fractured surfaces. In addition, the PLSF/GH‐VE composites have been utilized in the production of components for four‐wheelers.Highlights Investigated the impact of hybrid filler‐reinforced vinyl ester composites. Mechanical and thermal properties were experimentally characterized. Surface characteristics and fractured surfaces were examined. PLSF/GH‐VE composites are used in producing components for four‐wheelers.

Characteristics of Coconut Fibre Combined with Vinyl Ester Composites Through Material Testing and Machining

Characteristics of Coconut Fibre Combined with Vinyl Ester Composites Through Material Testing and Machining

Influence of Inner Gas Curing Technique on the Development of Thermoplastic Nanocomposite Reinforcement.

In this work, a comprehensive shrinkage and tensile strength characterization of unsaturated polyester (UPE-8340) and vinyl ester (VE-922) epoxy matrices and composites reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was conducted. The aspect ratio of UPE and VE with methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) was kept at 1:16.6; however, the weight of the MWCNTs was varied from 0.03 to 0.3 gm for the doping of the reinforced nanocomposites. Using a dumbbell-shaped mold, samples of the epoxy matrix without MWCNTs and with reinforced UPE/MWCNT and VE/MWCNT nanocomposites were made. The samples were then cured in a typical ambient chamber with air and an inner gas (carbon dioxide). The effect of the MWCNTs on UPE- and VE-reinforced composites was studied by observing the curing kinetics, shrinkage, and tensile properties, as well as the surface free energy of each reinforced sample in confined saline water. The CO2 curing results reveal that the absence of O2 shows a significantly lower shrinkage rate and higher tensile strength and flexural modulus of UPE- and VE-reinforced nanocomposite samples compared with air-cured reinforced nanocomposites. The construction that was air- and CO2-cured produced results in the shape of a dumbbell, and a flawless surface was seen. The results also show that smaller quantities of MWCNTs made the UPET- and VE-reinforced nanocomposites more stable when they were absorbed and adsorbed in concentrated salt water. Perhaps, compared to air-cured nanocomposites, CO2-cured UPE and VE nanocomposites were better at reducing shrinkage, having important mechanical properties, absorbing water, and being resistant to seawater.

Effect of Fiber Length and Loading on the Mechanical Characterization of Cyperus Pangorei Fiber Reinforced Vinyl Ester Composites

Polymer composites fabricated using plant fibers have become a dominant role in number of industries due to the outstanding results of their physical and mechanical characteristics when compared to traditional materials. The current study aims to develop lightweight and affordable composite materials using Cyperus pangorei fiber (CPF) and a vinyl ester (VE) resin matrix. Comparing the characteristics of composite materials created with different fiber lengths (3 to 11 mm) and contents (10 to 50% weight). The composite with 7mm fiber length and 40% of fiber content demonstrated the highest level of stability among the various fiber weight and lengths percentages tested. A composite system's fiber contents have a significant impact on its overall performance. The bonding of fibers and matrix of the specimens were good, according to SEM analysis. As a result, the current study suggests that the optimal CPF-reinforced VE composites would be a capable substitute to traditional materials for value-added engineering products.

Effect of MWCNT Anchoring to Para-Aramid Fiber Surface on the Thermal, Mechanical, and Impact Properties of Para-Aramid Fabric-Reinforced Vinyl Ester Composites

In the present work, para-aramid fabrics (p-AF) were physically modified via an anchoring process of 0.05 wt% MWCNT to the aramid fiber surfaces by coating the MWCNT/phenolic/methanol mixture on p-AF, and then by thermally curing phenolic resin of 0.01 wt%. Para-aramid fabric-reinforced vinyl ester (p-AF/VE) composites were fabricated using p-AF/VE prepregs by compression molding. The effect of MWCNT anchoring on the thermo-dimensional, thermal deflection resistant, dynamic mechanical, mechanical, and impact properties and the energy absorption behavior of p-AF/VE composites was extensively investigated in terms of coefficient of linear thermal expansion, heat deflection temperature, storage modulus, tan δ, tensile, flexural, and Izod impact properties and a drop-weight impact response. The results well agreed with each other, supporting the improved properties of p-AF/VE composites, which were attributed to the effect of MWCNT anchoring performed on the aramid fiber surfaces.

Mechanical characterization of banana-nylon fibre reinforced Vinyl ester composites

ABSTRACT Hand lay-up was used to create banana and nylon Fibre-reinforced vinyl ester (VE) composites with random orientation of the short fibre ratio (banana:nylon = 1:1). To make it environmentally conscious, natural fibre (banana) was added in synthetic fibre (nylon). After fabrication, different mechanical testing was conducted. Tensile strength improves by 47% at 10 wt. % fibre loading and 13% at 20 wt.% fibre loading. Flexural strength improved by up to 213% at 15 wt. % fibre loading. At 20 wt. % fibre loading, the mean hardness number reaches its maximum. The mean impact energy is highest at 15 wt. % fibre loading. Furthermore, the highest water absorption is 2.3% with a fibre loading of 20 wt.%. After 15 wt.% fibre loading, which is suggested for optimal performance, the manufactured composites exhibit a declining trend in tensile, flexural, and impact capabilities. As a result, scanning electron micrographs were collected at 20 wt.% fibre loading to investigate the type of fibre-matrix bonding, voids, fibre agglomeration, and fibre pullouts phenomena. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy was also explored to show a decline in hemicelluloses content. As-fabricated composites have several technological uses, including leisure and sports products, maritime sectors, and airplanes.

Effect of palm sprout fiber and palm kernal de-oiled cake cellulose on mechanical, fatigue, and DMA properties of toughened vinyl ester composites

Effect of palm sprout fiber and palm kernal de-oiled cake cellulose on mechanical, fatigue, and DMA properties of toughened vinyl ester composites

Improving the Mechanical Properties of Vinyl Ester Composites Reinforced by Silicon Nitride–Glass Fibers

Improving the Mechanical Properties of Vinyl Ester Composites Reinforced by Silicon Nitride–Glass Fibers

Mechanical and thermomechanical behaviour of agro-waste almond shell biochar filler interlaced chemically treated flax fibre vinyl ester composites

Mechanical and thermomechanical behaviour of agro-waste almond shell biochar filler interlaced chemically treated flax fibre vinyl ester composites

Mechanical behavior of recycled carbon fiber epoxy and vinylester composites produced by resin infusion with flexible tooling technology (RIFT)

This research aims to define a technological process to design and manufacture high-performance components with innovative composite materials and to assess a line of recycling and recovery of processing waste. The material under study is a felt (non-woven fabric) of short carbon fibres produced by recycling composite material scraps. The activities focus on determining the most suitable production processes and the related process parameters that best lend themselves the uses of recycled carbon felt. Thus, two different laminates were manufactured, adopting epoxy and vinylester resinand the same recycled carbon withthe same stacking sequence. Consequently, the same thickness was obtained,andthe process feasibility and its limits were determined. In addition, the quasi-static and FIMEC tests were conducted to investigate their behaviour under tensile and flexural loading, respectively, and highlight theinfluence of the different matrices used. The results revealed the perfectly elastic behaviour of the material, the strong anisotropy for the epoxy sample and a significant difference in mechanical response in terms of strength and modulus

Mechanical, thermal, and viscoelastic behavior of sisal fibre-based structural composites for automotive applications: Experimental and FEM analysis

Needs for lightweight materials, reducing energy consumption, enhancing sustainability, and minimizing environmental footprint are the utmost driving factors for producing natural fibre-reinforced composites (NFRC) in the automotive sector to promote a greener future. Therefore, the present study investigates the impact of different thermoset resins, alkaline treatment (different NaOH concentrations), and fibre architecture on the mechanical behavior of sisal fibre-reinforced textile structural composite (SFRTSC) panels developed from different textile structures such as chopped fibre, unidirectional (UD), bidirectional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal woven structures for automotive applications. In addition, the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of the SFRTSC panels were also carried out. The sisal/epoxy-based composites exhibited higher mechanical, thermogravimetric, and dynamic mechanical properties than vinyl ester and polyester-based composites. The 6 wt% NaOH treated sisal fibre-based composites showed higher mechanical properties (tensile, flexural, and impact) than 0, 2, 4, 8, and 10 wt% NaOH treated sisal fibre-based composites. Furthermore, the UD-SEC(sisal/epoxy-based composites)6 panel exhibited higher tensile, flexural, impact, and storage modulus than CH-SEC6, 2D-SEC6, and 3D-SEC6 panels. Additionally, a novel systematic mechanics-based approach was developed utilizing ABAQUS to create a mesoscale finite element model (FEM) model to evaluate the tensile and flexural response of SFRTSC.

Gamma-ray attenuation properties of vinyl ester composites with boron nitride reinforcement at different rates

Gamma-ray attenuation properties of vinyl ester composites with boron nitride reinforcement at different rates

Degradation in interfacial shear strength of carbon fiber/ vinyl ester composites due to long-term exposure to seawater using push-out tests

In this study, single fiber (∼7-μm diameter) push-out tests are conducted to evaluate hygrothermal effects on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of carbon fiber/vinyl ester (CF/VE) composites. Hygrothermal conditioning is achieved by saturating samples in simulated seawater at 40 °C for two years. An investigation has been conducted on the preparation, validity, and interpretation of the push-out test results. First, the authors present a polishing methodology that results in thin films of CF/VE composites in the thickness range of 15–120 μm and produces an average 41.2% drop in IFSS due to long-term hygrothermal exposure. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we show that during the push-out tests, the failure initiates locally at the zone of minimum bond strength at the bottom (away from the indenter), then propagates along the length of the interface. The influence of radial tensile stresses originating due to bending is found to be negligible. Using the SEM imaging of the pushed-out fibers, we validate the failure of the interface to be the primary source of failure. The associated results are found to depend on the thickness of the interface. We then reevaluate the results using the Weibull distribution, knowing that the failure mechanism is analogous to the weakest link theory. The results show a 25.5% drop in the IFSS of the CFVE composite, measured at an infinitesimal scale due to long-term to hygrothermal conditioning at 40 °C. A significant drop in IFSS was observed after reheating above glass transition temperature (Tg) and cooling.

Mechanical and thermal characteristics of steam‐exploded silane grafted Kigelia Pinnata fruit (KPF) fiber reinforced vinyl ester polymer composites

AbstractThe cellulose‐rich Kigelia pinnata aqueous fruit (KPF) fiber is a valuable natural biomass and has drawn attention as a renewable resource. Vinyl ester polymer matrix composites with better interfacial properties can have higher mechanical and energy dissipation properties. It can be obtained by the use of steam‐exploded silane‐grafted KP fibers with various fractions incorporated in the polymer matrix. KPF fiber grafting was maximized at 5% concentration after a steam explosion, removing hemicelluloses and lignin, thereby enriching a 23% crystallinity index (CI), leading to rich cellulose fiber. Steam explosion along with silane grafting increases the interfacial adhesion of the KPF fibers and the matrix through the interfacial bonding structure of Si–O–Si bonds, as confirmed by FTIR. A fiber with greater tensile strength was used to fabricate the vinyl ester composites. The highest tensile value of the steam‐exploded silane surface‐modified 30% KPF fiber‐reinforced composite was 125 MPa compared to the unmodified one due to increased stress distribution and restricted polymer chain movements. Compared to the untreated 30% KPF fruit fiber composite, steam‐exploded silane‐treated fiber showed a 12% higher impact energy due to faster load transfer, causing more impact energy absorption. A relatively higher interlaminar shear strength was shown for 30% treated KPF composites than for 30% untreated KPF composites. The steam‐exploded silane‐treated fiber (30%) composite shows the greatest thermal decomposition temperature of 399 °C because silane‐surface‐treated fibers contact the organo‐functional silane group in the polymer matrix. As a result, it obstructs polymer chain motions at higher temperatures, causing increased bonding strength.

Development of thermally reduced corn stover biochar and its satin weaved sisal-reinforced vinyl ester composites

Development of thermally reduced corn stover biochar and its satin weaved sisal-reinforced vinyl ester composites

The development and multifunctional characterization of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell biochar reinforced vinyl ester composites for sustainable management

The development and multifunctional characterization of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) nut shell biochar reinforced vinyl ester composites for sustainable management

Investigations on physical, mechanical, morphological and water absorption properties of ramie/hemp/kevlar reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composites

AbstractStructural uses in the vehicle, aerospace, and sporting goods industries are being supplanted by hybrid composites that utilized natural fibers as reinforcements. The main focus of this work is to fabricate and characterize the ramie, hemp, and kevlar fabric reinforced hybrid vinyl ester composites. The composite laminates were fabricated via economically feasible and flexible hand lay‐up technique. Overall six composites were prepared by varying the stacking sequence, including both hybrid and non‐hybrid composites. The prepared composites were subjected to physical analysis (density, void fraction), mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear, and impact test), morphological analysis (scanning electron microscopy), and water absorption test. The hybrid composites exhibited lesser void percentage than the non‐hybrid composites. The mechanical properties were maximum for kevlar fabric skinned with core natural fabric reinforced composites (L‐5, L‐6) due to hybridization of highly strengthened kevlar fabrics. Moreover, the number fabric layers reinforced to achieve the standard thickness also affected the mechanical properties. All composite morphologies exhibited the same failure characteristics, including transverse interlaminar shear cracking, microbuckling, and fiber rip. The texture of the Kevlar yarns is uniform, but the texture of the natural fabric yarns is relatively less uniform. In comparison to the salt water medium, the percentage of water absorbed by composites in normal and distilled water was greater. This is due to the presence and accumulation of salt particles on the surface of the materials, which inhibits the action of water molecules, resulting in a drop in the proportion.

Effects of vacuum infusion configuration on homogeneity of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites for automotive components

In this study, the effects of vacuum infusion configuration on the homogeneities of glass fiber reinforced vinyl ester composites have been evaluated. Three different sizes of samples (100x100, 500x500, and 1000x1000 mm) were fabricated. Three different configurations were used to fabricate the samples. The first two configurations had one inlet, while the third configuration had two inlets for resin infusion. Thickness variations and hardness (Shore D) measurements were performed to determine the homogeneities of the samples. The results revealed that, for small size samples, the configurations have no obvious effect on the homogeneity of the samples, both in terms of thickness variations and hardness values. However, for larger samples, the configuration where the resin is introduced into the preform in the center of the component showed better homogeneity than other configurations. Even a better distribution is assessed with the introduction of the resin in the center of the sample, although this configuration also resulted in thickness swellings in the central areas of the sample. The thickness swellings were observed around the inlet areas for all configurations. The study shows that the resin flow in the center of the component is preferable but thickness swelling must be considered when dimensional tolerances are critical.