Papers by Keyword: Reinforcement

Abstract: The durability and strength of acrylic dentures are crucial for patient satisfaction and oral health. However, denture failure rates remain a significant concern. Reinforcing acrylic dentures with nanoparticles such as zirconia improves the mechanical properties of PMMA dentures. This study examines the enhancement of mechanical and physical properties of heat-cured PMMA dentures reinforced with varying amounts (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 wt.%) of YSZrO₂-NP and porcelain particles. The components were fabricated with standard dimensions in a dental flask, compacted using a hydraulic press, and polymerized for 120 minutes in a thermos-stated water curing bath. The properties analyzed included flexural strength, hardness, wear resistance, microstructure, and biocompatibility. The Flexural strength increased significantly with YSZrO₂-NP reinforcement (315% at 7 wt.%), whereas porcelain particles reinforcement showed a minimal increase (40% at 9 wt.%). Hardness slightly decreased for all YSZrO₂-NP/PMMA compositions (51% at 9 wt.%), while porcelain reinforcement showed a slight increase across all amounts, reaching up to 11% at 9 wt.%. Wear resistance improved with all filler additions in the PMMA. SEM analysis revealed uniformly dispersed particles in the PMMA matrix for 1-5 wt. % porcelain particles and ZrO₂NP composites. In contrast, 7-9 wt. % reinforcement showed non-uniform dispersion. Reinforcing PMMA with YSZrO₂-NP and porcelain particles enhanced its mechanical and physical properties. Therefore, micro- and nanoparticles of ceramics are a viable option for improving the strength and rigidity of PMMA dentures.

Abstract: Concrete, often conceptualized as an inert construction material, is fundamentally a dynamic composite that undergoes continuous physicochemical transformations throughout its service life, governed by natural degradation processes and mechanical aging. Despite its widespread utility, concrete’s quasi-brittle behavior, characterized by low tensile strength and susceptibility to abrupt failure under traction-dominated loading regimes, remains a critical limitation in structural engineering. To address these intrinsic vulnerabilities, the rehabilitation of concrete infrastructure has emerged as a pivotal research domain, with advanced retrofitting techniques focusing on enhancing tensile performance and transitioning failure modes from brittle to ductile. Among these, externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has gained prominence as a high-efficacy solution for augmenting load-bearing capacity and structural resilience. This study employs a parametric finite element analysis (FEA) framework in Abaqus/CAE to systematically evaluate the mechanical efficacy of two distinct carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) retrofitting strategies: (1) externally bonded CFRP plates and (2) internally embedded CFRP reinforcement within the beam’s cross-section. The computational investigation quantifies the influence of reinforcement placement on critical performance metrics, including ultimate load capacity, deformation ductility, and failure mechanisms. Numerical results demonstrate that internally integrated CFRP reinforcement significantly enhances structural ductility and peak load resistance, while maintaining a marginal mass differential. These findings underscore the critical role of reinforcement topology in optimizing stress redistribution and crack mitigation, offering actionable insights for the design of next-generation retrofitting protocols that prioritize both strength and serviceability. The study advances the discourse on sustainable infrastructure rehabilitation by delineating a pathway for leveraging embedded composite systems to transcend the inherent limitations of conventional concrete matrices.

Abstract: Modern engineering components require composites that are robust, lightweight, and inexpensive as integrated particulate for solid strengthening and corrosion resistance alloy. This study envisions a snail shell particulate (SSP) as a potential biofillers on aluminium alloy due to its inherent characteristics. The fabrication of the developed alloy was done through liquid stir casting method with determination to examine the correspondent physical, optoelectrical, electrochemical, and microstructural behaviour for chemical application. Composite infringement varies from 10% - 25% SSP after optimization using design of experiment. The result of electrochemical analysis showed a notable decrease in corrosion rate with increased SSP content from 12.06 mm/yr, of control sample to (75Al-25SSP) which had a corrosion rate of 7.59 mm/yr, resulting in a 40.1% drop-in degradation rate. Notably, microhardness properties increase from 28.1 to 45.5 HRB as a result of solid strengthening characteristics of doped fillers. Opto-electrical assessment demonstrated decreasing resistivity with higher SSP content, indicating improved current flow resistance. The microstructural properties showcased SSP's distinctive dispersion with few micro pores. The intermetallic phases confirmed their integration into the metal matrix by providing an enhancing adhesion and solid crystalline structure.

Abstract: The need to obtain a uniformly distributed reinforced particulate on AA6063 aluminium alloy for improved mechanical, corrosion and structural properties has necessitated this study. A well synthesised biocompactable particulate of rice hulls/periwinkle shells under varying matrix of 85Al-9.0RHA-6.0PSA, 85Al-7.5RHA-7.5PSA, and 85Al-6.0RHA-9.0PSA was developed and compared with the control for manufacturing application. The microstructural evolution was observed using SEM/EDS quantification. The intermetallic assessment was done using X-ray Diffractometer (XRD). The diameter of indentation was used to measured the microhardness respnses. The corrosion rate and polarization resistance was examined using Liner polarization resistance technique and open circult potential route under simulated 3.65% NaCl. From the results, 85Al-9RHA-6PSA composite sample exhibited slightly lower Cr, lower j_corr, and higher Pr of 0.3562 mm/year, 3.066E-05 A/cm² and 139.33 Ω, respectively against the control sample. An indication of a significant passive characteristics. The 85Al-9RHA-6PSA composite sample also exhibited few dimples, shrinkage cavities and micropores. With composite alloys, good crystalline were observed inform of Al₁₆Co₇Zr₆Al₁₅Co₄ and Al_0.52Co_0.48Al₁₆Co₇Zr_6. The hardness properties improvement from 54.8 to 63.8% provides a significant effect of solid strengthening performance of the hulls/shells as a biocompactability infringement of structural alloy.

Abstract: Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) play a significant role in diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, and structural sectors due to their unique characteristics, including low density, high hardness, wear-resistance, and corrosion resistance. Typically, these composite materials employ synthetic reinforcements like SiC and Al2O3, which contribute to higher production costs. However, agricultural waste materials, which are abundantly available worldwide and pose environmental and health risks, have shown potential as suitable reinforcement materials for AMMCs. This study focuses on the development of a novel aluminium metal matrix composite by incorporating Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) particles into AA 7075 in varying percentages (5wt%, 10wt%, 15wt%, 20wt%). Stir casting was employed to produce the composite samples. Mechanical and anticorrosive experiments were conducted to evaluate the resulting materials. The research findings indicate a significant enhancement in the tensile strength and hardness of the composites, along with a reduction in corrosion rates. The most favorable samples exhibited an 8.25% increase in tensile strength, a 23.9% improvement in hardness, and a remarkable 61.6% decrease in corrosion rate.

Abstract: Corrosion refers to the deterioration of both metal and non-metal objects caused by their electrochemical reactions with the environment around them. The objective of this study work is to investigate the corrosion characteristics of Aluminium that has been strengthened with leadwood particles. Aluminium and organic leadwood particles were combined through the process of smelting and stir-casting, using various weight ratios. Linear politization method was used to determine the corrosion rate. Taffel plots were used to determine the polarization potential and the corrosion current. The results indicated that Leadwood can be successfully used to reinforce and enhance the corrosion resistance of Aluminium. 2% leadwood reinforced sample was corroding at a rate of 1.3366mm/yr, an improvement of 37.5% to the parent Aluminium sample (2.1416mm/yr), while the 3% pulverized leadwood reinforce sample’s corrosion rate was 1.9053mm/yr (10.9% corrosion improvement).

Abstract: In order to develop sustainable materials for a variety of industries, hybrid polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers are emerging as a critical option. The various forms of hybrid composites and the employment of various polymers—such as thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers—when paired with natural fibers are the main topics of this narrative theoretical review. The article examines the applications of various composites in industries such consumer products, construction, automotive, and aerospace, providing insights into how polymer choice affects a composite's applicability for a given application. Through an examination of recent advancements in hybrid composite design and polymer utilization, this analysis offers a thorough grasp of the present trends and potential applications of these materials in promoting sustainable engineering practices.

Abstract: Due to tighter restrictions on the use of hazardous lead-bearing solder alloys, lead-free solder research has seen significant growth in recent years. The most common SAC alloys have emerged as viable candidates for the substitution of conventional Sn-Pb alloys among the representative lead-free solders (Sn-Cu, Sn-Bi, Sn-Zn, Sn-In, Sn-Ag, and Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC)). These alloys have limited use in contemporary microelectronic packaging devices due to various worries about the existence of brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs) like Ag₃Sn and Cu₆Sn₅ in these materials. Over the years, numerous lead-free solder alloy alternatives with nanoparticle reinforcement have been proposed as an alternative to limit the growth of IMCs and enhance solder joint durability. This paper details the development of lead-free solders with selected fillers and reinforcements to date. The thermal cyclic test method was also discussed as one of the alternatives for reliability test techniques to be explored in future studies on this topic. In conclusion, fillers and reinforcements are also essential for enhancing interconnection’s heat cycle efficiency. Exploring various fillers and reinforcements that can be used to advance lead-free solder technology with thermal cyclic methods will open more investigation opportunities for lead-free solders.

Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental study on hybrid fiber-reinforced concrete pipes (HFRCP). The mechanical behavior of HFRCP, including load capacity, failure mode, and energy dissipation capacity, was evaluated through diametral compression tests. The results were compared with those obtained for reinforced concrete pipes (RCP) using traditional steel cage reinforcement and steel fiber-reinforced concrete pipes (SFRCP). A total of 26 pipes with a 600 mm internal diameter were tested, including 4 RCP, 14 HFRCP, and 8 SFRCP pipes. For the hybrid fiber reinforcement, macro steel fibers (SF) and macro polypropylene fibers (PPF) were used, combined at two different doses: 20-0.5 kg/m³ and 20-1.0 kg/m³ of SF and PPF, respectively. The results indicated that HFRCP achieved a load capacity equivalent to RCP and greater than SFRCP for the fiber dosages utilized. Additionally, HFRCP exhibited a ductile failure mode without concrete detachment or diametral crushing.

Abstract: The article presents the results of experimental studies of the effect of material anisotropy and the presence of tunnel inhomogeneity of 3D-printed elements relative to the direction of compression on the mechanical and strength characteristics of the obtained samples. Test samples made by 3D printing using PETG plastic were used for the research. Research was performed for solid samples and samples with a system of free and reinforced cavities. The results of experimental studies allow us to study the influence of the presence of geometric and structural heterogeneity of bodies on their mechanical and strength characteristics during their 3D printing. Thepeformed studies allow to optimally choose the modes of 3D printing of elements taking into account the anisotropy of the material in order to ensure their maximum strength characteristics. The results of experimental studies confirm the results of numerical calculations [1] obtained on the basis of the finite element method.