https://www.scientific.net/KEM Latest Results for Key Engineering Materials en-us https://www.scientific.net https://www.scientific.net/Image/JournalCover/3 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.-1 Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br /> <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.3 10.4028/p-2jLzzv Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Toshio Haga, Hiizu Ochi, Hiroshi Fuse, Hisaki Watari, Shinichi Nishida <br />In Al-5%Mg strip cast using a high-speed twin roll caster, surface cracks can occur and these cracks remain even after cold rolling. In order to eliminate cracks, cast strip was directly rolled in a semisolid state. Casting speed of the strip was 30 m/min. Cast semisolid strip was rolled at various reductions. Semisolid high-speed roll casting could be achieved using a copper roll and small roll load. Semisolid rolled strip was cold rolled down to 1 mm. The surface condition, microstructure and tensile strength of the cast and rolled strips were evaluated. Mechanical properties of the semisolid and cold rolled strip were compared to those of hot rolled and cold rolled strip, and those of only cold rolled strip. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.9 10.4028/p-PK0hi6 Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Toshio Haga, Hiizu Ochi, Hiroshi Fuse, Hisaki Watari, Shinichi Nishida <br />Semisolid forging of Al-10%Mg near the solidus line temperature was conducted. Al-10%Mg could be forged at a 50% reduction without cracks occurring. The casting structure of the metal changed to a plastic forming structure. Tensile stress, proof stress and elongation were also improved by semisolid forging. In particular, the elongation was remarkably improved. Improvement of proof stress was less than that of tensile strength or elongation. Fe was also added to Al-10%Mg to make a model alloy representing recycled Al-10%Mg, and semisolid forging was conducted. Elongation decreased, but tensile stress and proof stress increased slightly (by approximately 10%) with the addition of Fe. Semisolid forging was found to be useful for reducing the undesirable effects of the addition of Fe content on various mechanical properties of Al-10%Mg. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.15 10.4028/p-O4Umgq Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Satomi Takamatsu, Natsumi Tsuchida, Shinsuke Suzuki <br />For the fabrication of aluminum alloy foams, TiH2 is used as a foaming agent. However, the detailed aspect of TiH2 after fabrication is unclear. The objective is to reveal the aspect of TiH2 by observing the inner surface of pores. The aluminum alloy foam was fabricated by adding TiH2 into hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy in the semi-solid state and subsequent solidification. The stereo microscopic images and Scanning Electron Microscope images on the inner surface showed that many small angular particles were fixed on the surface. According to the element mapping on the gas-solid interface, it was revealed that those angular particles contained Ti inside. Based on the nominal particle size of the titanium hydride powder used in this study, these small particles are considered to be derived from titanium hydride. Additionally, hydrogen was released during Thermogravimetry-Differential Thermal Analysis and Mass Spectrometry. The results indicate that the titanium hydride was not completely decomposed during the foaming process. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.27 10.4028/p-hswN5r Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Wen Xiang Wu, Jian Kui Chen, Wei Chen, Zhou Ping Yin <br />Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology is particularly favored for such devices due to its broad color spectrum, design flexibility, low power consumption, and suitability for miniaturization. While conventional OLED fabrication predominantly relies on vapor deposition, inkjet printing has recently emerged as a promising alternative for large-area OLED manufacturing because of its high material utilization and capability for scalable patterning. In this process, light-emitting materials are deposited in liquid form onto the substrate and subsequently dried to form a uniform thin film. However, several challenges remain. In particular, the solvent evaporation rate must be precisely controlled to minimize droplet shrinkage during drying, which can compromise film uniformity and adhesion. Moreover, external parameters such as temperature and humidity significantly influence the drying dynamics, and the choice of solvents and polymers plays a critical role in achieving the desired film quality. To address these challenges, we propose optimizing the ambient pressure to achieve improved curing morphology. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.33 10.4028/p-w8WDY1 Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Risti Suryantari, Chia Yi Huang <br />In-plane switching (IPS) liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with low operating voltages and high contrast ratios can be achieved by optimizing the electrode structure. The optimized electrode structure may produce a strong transverse electric field within the IPS liquid crystal (LC) cell, resulting in a smaller on-state voltage (Von). This work investigates the electro-optical properties of IPS-LC cells with different electrode configurations through simulation studies. Four configurations are proposed herein, including two flat-IPS and two wall-IPS LC cells with different geometric dimensions. The results reveal that reducing the geometric dimensions within similar structures leads to a lower Von and a higher contrast ratio due to the stronger electric field generated by narrower electrodes and smaller gaps. The wall-IPS configuration exhibits a lower Von and a higher contrast ratio compared to the flat-IPS configuration because the stronger electric field can more effectively reorient the LC molecules in the wall-IPS LC cell. The voltage-induced director orientations in both the flat-IPS and wall-IPS configurations confirm that the transverse electric field in the wall electrodes is stronger than that in the flat electrodes at equivalent voltages. Consequently, the LC molecules experience significant reorientation, which results in a reduced Von and an increased contrast ratio in the wall-IPS LC cells. The wall IPS-LC cell with a low voltage and high contrast ratio has the potential for the development of high-performance advanced LC devices. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.39 10.4028/p-ltYsd8 Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Tanawit Srisantirut, Weera Pengchan, Toempong Phetchakul <br />Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were deposited onto glass and silicon substrates utilizing Electron Cyclotron Resonance Chemical Vapor Deposition (ECR-CVD) with an Argon/Acetylene gas mixture. Substrate biases were varied (0V, -55V, -100V) for both nitrogen-doped and undoped films. Optical band gap (Eg) decreased with increasing negative substrate bias specifically from 2.6 eV to 2.2 eV for nitrogen-doped DLC and from 1.6 eV to 1.3 eV for undoped DLC. Nitrogen doping generally results in films with wider band gaps compared to undoped films at equivalent biases to sp hybrid bond formation increasing bias reduces the band gap within each film type. I-V measurements revealed an increase in open-circuit voltage from approximately 0.648 V to a range of 0.678–0.698 V for cells incorporating nitrogen-doped DLC. This improvement is attributed to enhanced corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity suggesting the suitability of nitrogen-doped DLC for photovoltaic applications. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.47 10.4028/p-b57hzW Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Hazim Guzali, Nur Idayu Ayob, Aliza Aini Md Ralib, Mohamad Adzhar Md Zawawi, Cik Rohaida Che Hak, Zuraida Ahmad <br />This paper presents the simulation study of passivated backgated graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) with different channel lengths using Victory Device tool by Silvaco TCAD. The passivated backgated GFETs were designed for radiation device applications. Six GFETs models with channel lengths ranging from 0.1 µm to 10 µm were analyzed to investigate the influence of variation in channel length on the conductivity of GFET. Nearly all devices with shorter channel lengths exhibit ambipolar characteristics with V-shaped curves, indicating the conductivity of holes and electrons at different bias conditions. Interestingly, GFETs with longer channels, specifically 3 µm, 5 µm, and 10 µm, exhibited unexpected W-shaped transfer characteristic curves, featuring multiple charge neutrality points (CNPs). This behavior is attributed to the non-uniform doping induced by charge interactions between the channel and the passivation layer. The central region of the channel may experience a higher doping effect due to impurity diffusion from the passivation material compared to the region near to the metal electrodes. However, the W-shaped curves of longer channel GFETs become less prominent when compared to smaller channel length devices. This suggests that high conductivity in shorter channel GFETs dominates the overall transfer curve performance. The analysis of output characteristics (ID–VD) at VG = 10 V further supports the influence of channel length on device performance, with the shortest channel length (0.1 µm) recording the highest saturation current (ISAT), followed closely by 0.6 µm, aligning with its strong ambipolar transfer characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of channel scaling in designing stable and reliable backgated GFETs for radiation applications. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.57 10.4028/p-4DryyJ Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Shien Kai Liao, Jun Zin Zhang, Hung Yuan Li, Cheng Hsien Kuo <br />This study explores the use of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) structures, Schwarz Primitive, Diamond, and Gyroid, as liquid cooling heat sinks to enhance heat dissipation. Both uniform and graded-density designs were evaluated through numerical simulations and validated via metal additive manufacturing using AlSi10Mg alloy. The results show that increasing TPMS density improves thermal conductivity, while graded-density configurations offer a balanced performance between conduction and convection. Among the tested models, the graded-density Gyroid structure demonstrated the most efficient heat transfer, suggesting that TPMS-based heat sinks, particularly with density gradation, hold strong potential for next-generation thermal solutions in high heat flux environments. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.67 10.4028/p-cIarq7 Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Chin Lung Chiang, Wen Rui Zheng <br />This study, based on the concept of a circular economy, utilizes cellulose from water bamboo shoot shell to synthesize a phosphorus-nitrogen flame retardant. This material is then used to improve the thermal properties of epoxy resin, resulting in a flame-retardant composite material with wider application potential. First, the husks were ground into powder, boiled, and dried. The powder was then reacted with phenyl phosphine (phenyl phosphinic acid), followed by the addition of triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC). Finally, epoxy resin and a hardener (DDM) were added to form the flame-retardant composite material. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the residual char rate increased from 15.3% to 25.5%, and the integrated programmed decomposition temperature (IPDT) increased from 659°C to 1058°C, demonstrating the composite's excellent thermal properties. The LOI value of pure epoxy resin was only 23%, but with the addition of a 40% flame retardant, the composite's LOI reached 26%. While epoxy resin does not achieve any UL-94 rating, the addition of a 40% flame retardant resulted in a V-0 rating with no dripping. This is because the phosphorus-based flame retardant forms a char layer upon high-temperature combustion, protecting the substrate from dripping. SEM was also used to observe the composite's surface morphology. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.73 10.4028/p-JQ8oHw Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Laongdaw Techawinyutham, Supichaya Mo-on <br />Natural fiber reinforced biopolymer composites have gained attention due to their eco-friendliness, biodegradability, sustainability, and mechanical properties. In this study, hemp fiber-reinforced polybutylene succinate (PBS) composites were prepared with various fiber loadings ranging from 0 to 40 wt%, with increments of 10 wt%. The hemp fibers were treated with NaOH to remove impurities on fiber surface. The thermal and rheological properties of hemp fiber/PBS composites were analyzed. The results indicated that the addition of hemp fiber significantly enhanced the rheological properties, with increased fiber concentration. However, the thermal properties of the composites did not improve with the addition of hemp fibers because of the lower thermal stability of natural fibers. The optimal hemp fiber concentration in PBS matrix was 30 wt% since it provided a balance between thermal and rheological properties. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.81 10.4028/p-ehEo7x Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Nitin Kumar Arya, Aparna Singh <br />This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of composites made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and alkali-treated Saccharum munja fibers (SMF) at varying fiber concentrations (0 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt%) using a twin extruder-based 3D printing process without any blending material other than fiber and matrix. The fibers were treated with 5 wt% NaOH solution to enhance surface properties and fiber–matrix adhesion. Comprehensive characterization was performed, including mechanical testing (tensile and flexural), thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), morphological evaluation (scanning electron microscopy (SEM)), crystallinity evaluation (X-ray diffraction (XRD)), and functional groups identification (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)). Additionally, four-dimensional X-ray microscopy (FDXM) was employed to assess void content in the composite samples. Alkali treatment significantly influenced the composite's crystallinity, thermal stability, and mechanical performance. The study demonstrates the effective utilization of natural fibers in HDPE matrices for making sustainable composite materials using additive manufacturing. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.89 10.4028/p-2rXWfs Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Suphaphit Natheetumrong, Duangdao Aht-Ong, Prasit Pattananuwat <br />Hemp fibers, naturally rich in cellulose and possessing a porous structure with abundant hydroxyl groups, offer strong electrolyte uptake, while the favourable interactions between Zn2+ ions and hydroxyl groups help suppress dendrite growth. In this study, cellulose was extracted from hemp through alkaline treatment and bleaching, followed by blending with sodium alginate to fabricate the separator. SEM and chemical composition analyses confirmed effective fiber separation and cellulose purity, whereas XRD, FTIR, and TGA verified the crystalline structure, functional groups, and thermal stability, respectively. The hemp-derived cellulose fibers were processed into separators with Rapid-Köthen sheet former. Zinc plating/stripping tests demonstrated stable cycling from 0.5 to 8 A cm-2 and more than 3000 cycles at 5 A cm-2, indicating strong potential for aqueous Zn-ion battery applications. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.95 10.4028/p-Ai7z5K Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Khampon Pansod, Naruemon Sumrith, Jittimon Wongsa <br />This study investigates the mechanical behavior of epoxy composites reinforced with hybrid water hyacinth fibers and powder to develop sustainable epoxy-based hybrid composites. Epoxy resin (YD-535) and hardener (TH-7255) were mixed at a 100:35 weight ratio. Water hyacinth fibers were incorporated at a fixed 5 vol%, while powder with particle sizes of 250–425 µm was added at 5, 10, 15, and 20 vol%. The composites were fabricated using the casting method and evaluated according to ASTM standards for tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness properties. The results reveal that tensile strength peaked at 10PF, while all powder-reinforced samples exhibited higher tensile modulus than the fiber-only composite. Flexural modulus increased significantly at 5PF and 10PF, demonstrating the stiffening effect of particulate fillers. Impact strength decreased at lower powder contents but improved at 10PF. Hardness increased progressively with powder loading, with 20PF achieving the highest value. These findings highlight the effectiveness of hybrid reinforcement in enhancing the mechanical performance of epoxy composites. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.101 10.4028/p-d3AEzu Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Abdul Rashid Othman, Ahmad Humaizi Hilmi, Asna Rasyidah Abdul Hamid, Siti Aisyah Azman <br />Lightweight and sustainable materials for protective systems are increasingly required to replace conventional synthetic composites. This study investigates the blast response of banana fibre–epoxy composite panels, with and without graphite particulate reinforcement, for potential bomb blanket applications. Panel-scale specimens (25 cm × 25 cm × 2 cm) were subjected to controlled explosive loading using Plastic Explosive (P.E.) No. 4 initiated by PETN detonators. Relative deflection behaviour was evaluated using high-speed visual observation and a dough medium indicator. Graphite-reinforced panels showed reduced apparent peak deflection, lower residual deformation, and improved structural integrity compared to non-graphite panels. The enhanced performance is attributed to improved stiffness, crack deflection, and fibre–matrix cohesion induced by graphite addition. These findings indicate that banana fibre–graphite epoxy composites have potential as sustainable protective materials for bomb blanket applications. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.107 10.4028/p-g1AzAK Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Witoon Eawboonyanurak, Wirada Kunthawongse, Pimwalun Sutakhote, Jetsadaporn Priyadumkol <br />Duckweed (Lemnaceae) is a rapidly growing aquatic plant with promising potential as a bio-based feedstock for composite materials due to its high cellulose and biomass productivity. To enable its utilization in material engineering applications, proper preprocessing is essential to ensure stability, uniformity, and compatibility with polymer matrices. Drying represents a critical step in this processing chain, yet the drying behavior of duckweed remains insufficiently characterized. This study investigated convective hot air drying of duckweed at 60 °C for 5–7 h, focusing on thin-layer modeling, effective moisture diffusivity, color stability, and energy efficiency. Six thin-layer models were evaluated, with the Midilli et al. model providing the best fit (R2 &gt; 0.998, lowest RMSE). Effective diffusivity increased with drying time, while energy consumption rose only slightly. Color analysis revealed reductions in L* and b* and an increase in a*, with ΔE stabilizing after 6 h, identifying this as the optimal drying duration balancing energy efficiency, product stability, and quality. The results provide essential drying parameters for duckweed processing, thereby supporting its future application as a sustainable candidate material in composite engineering. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.113 10.4028/p-bf3Xea Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Naruemon Sumrith, Chakaphan Ngaowthong <br />This study examines the mechanical properties of epoxy composites reinforced with water hyacinth powder, aiming to utilize aquatic biomass waste as a sustainable reinforcement material. Water hyacinth powder with a particle size of 250–425 µm was incorporated into the epoxy matrix at 5, 10, 15, and 20 vol%. The composites were fabricated through casting, followed by room-temperature curing and post-curing at elevated temperatures. Mechanical tests, including tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness measurements, were conducted according to relevant ASTM standards. The results showed that low filler contents, particularly 5–10 vol%, enhanced tensile strength, tensile modulus, and hardness due to improved stress transfer and matrix stiffening. However, flexural strength and impact resistance decreased as filler loading increased, mainly due to particle agglomeration and interfacial defects. Overall, the findings indicate that water hyacinth powder is a promising reinforcement at moderate contents, offering potential for lightweight, non-structural composite applications while supporting sustainable material development. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.121 10.4028/p-D4TIdL Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Yeng Fong Shih, Tzu Yu Pan, Tzu Ying Lu, Ting Hsuan Huang, Chun Wei Chang, Yi Hsien Chung <br />This study aims to utilize sugarcane bagasse, an agricultural by-product, for the production of cellulose nanofibers. The preparation process combines deep eutectic solvent (DES) treatment with chemical oxidation methods. The objective is to develop sugarcane bagasse cellulose nanofibers (SBCNFs) using a green approach that ensures high yield and low energy consumption. The resulting SBCNFs are incorporated into polylactic acid (PLA) to create environmentally friendly products with net-zero carbon potential, as well as biocomposites that exhibit high thermal resistance and mechanical strength, thereby increasing the product's added value. The results show that DES effectively removes lignin and hemicellulose from sugarcane bagasse. The fibers obtained through DES treatment were successfully oxidized via chemical methods, yielding nanofibers with diameters ranging from 18.9 to 26.7 nm. Furthermore, the heat deflection temperature (HDT), tensile strength, and impact strength of the SBCNF/PLA composites reached 116.7°C, 62.5 MPa, and 27.2 J/m, respectively. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.129 10.4028/p-ZOzn0X Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Panidpim Sawangbunditkun, Itthichai Preechawuttipong, Robert Peyroux <br />The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of welding energy on tensile strength the physical appearance of rupture of the weld interface by the ultrasonic welding for bamboo strip material in welding 3 conditions of interlayer on weld interface, which are water, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, and without adding anything. The bamboo strips are made of 3 years old bamboo internode of Dendrocalamus sericeus genus from Thailand at the middle zone, which was dried at temperate 105 °C in the oven and then cut by hand knife into bamboo strip with the size of 0.5 x 5 x 50 mm3. All 3 welding conditions were performed by ultrasonic machine under the same fixed force at 50 daN and fixed amplitude at 60% while the 6 different conditions, while the welding energy was varying with 50 J, 100 J, 200 J, 300 J, 400 J, and 500 J. The tensile strength determined according to the ASTM D3379 standard, and the paper grip technique was applied. The results indicated that all 3 welding conditions were nearly identical in strength when considering the optimal welding energy, with the tensile strength in range of 15-50 MPa. However, the values obtained under all conditions still provide much lower tensile strength compared with untreated bamboo bundles, which were in the range of 250-480 MPa. The damage on the weld interface was from slipping of the bamboo strips in under weld and normal weld conditions, or damage from burning on bamboo strips in over weld condition, not rupture by tensile force on the bamboo strips weld interface. However, the outcome of this study was small-scale, and the durability was not conducted. Therefore, it is suggested that ultrasonic welding for bamboo strips or other natural materials is required to add water to enhance the tensile strength and physical appearance of the welding. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200 https://www.scientific.net/KEM.1059.135 10.4028/p-lOy3nK Publication date: 25 June 2026 <br />Source: Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1059 <br />Author(s): Andrea Bologna, Roxana Dinu, Alice Mija, Antonio Mattia Grande <br />This paper evaluates the environmental sustainability of a carbon fibre reinforced composite panel manufactured using a bio-based, recyclable and reprocessable epoxy resin synthetized from phloroglucinol, compared to one produced with traditional epoxy, through life cycle assessment. Results show a 2.42% reduction in global warming potential and an 80.7% decrease in freshwater eutrophication, enabled by bioremediation from brown algae cultivation, the source of phloroglucinol. However, increases of 1.67% and 9.76% in human toxicity for carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic categories, respectively, were observed due to solvent use at laboratory scale, which still requires optimization. The findings highlight the potential of bio-refinery processes for carbon-neutral composites, identifying key challenges for future development and scale-up. <br /> <br /> Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0200 Thu, 9 Jul 2026 07:30:57 +0200