Materials Science Forum Vol. 1172

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to compare the impact strength of epoxy composites made of basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) with those that have nanoclay filler. The matrix materials were Epoxy resin (LY556) and Hardener (HY951), the reinforcing material was basalt fiber, and the filler was warmed montmorillonite nanoclay with a volume percentage of 4%. nanoclay was preheated to 45°C for 40 minutes. The fiber of basalt The control group is epoxy composite (N=20). An experimental group (N=20) of epoxy composite reinforced with basalt fiber and 4% nanoclay filler is created using the hand layup technique. The two groups samples are tested. Results are analyzed using the SPSS-V26 statistical tool, the basalt fiber with 4% volume fraction of warmed nanoclay filler epoxy composite shows the better impact strength, the mean significant difference is p<0.048. The impact strength of BFRP composites containing 4% volume fraction of nanoclay is 9.14% higher than that of BFRP composites without filler, according to the study's limitations.

Abstract: This research focuses on evaluating the wear behavior of aluminum 7075 alloy reinforced with titanium diboride (TiB₂), zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂), and nanoclay to develop composites with enhanced wear resistance for industrial applications. The incorporation of these reinforcements improves the mechanical and tribological properties of the alloy by refining the microstructure and promoting uniform dispersion of hard ceramic particles. A total of 20 dry sliding wear tests were conducted, revealing that wear loss increases significantly with rising applied load. Among the influencing factors, ZrO₂ exhibited the highest contribution to reducing wear rate at 37.84%, followed by load (33.21%) and sliding speed (14.92%). Regression analysis confirmed that increasing ZrO₂ content, applied load, and sliding speed reduces wear rate due to improved hardness, grain refinement, and toughness. TiB₂ and nanoclay further enhance the load-bearing capacity and stability of the alloy under severe wear conditions. The synergistic effect of the reinforcements results in superior wear resistance, making the Al7075 hybrid composite a promising material for high-performance and wear-critical applications in the automotive, aerospace, and structural industries.

Abstract: Natural fibre composites are gaining importance in engineering and automotive sectors due to their sustainability, lightweight nature, and cost-effectiveness. However, their flexural modulus and other mechanical properties require enhancement to meet industrial standards. This study aims to improve the performance of hybrid composites reinforced with hemp, jute, and coir fibres in an epoxy matrix. Specimens were fabricated using the hand lay-up technique followed by compression moulding and tested according to ASTM standards. Mechanical characterization included hardness, tensile, flexural, compressive, and impact tests, along with water absorption analysis. The results demonstrated significant improvements, with maximum hardness of 80 HRM, tensile strength of 16.95 N/mm², compressive strength of 5.268 N/mm², flexural strength of 95.96 N/mm², and impact resistance of 0.20 J. Water absorption varied between 11.6% and 25%, depending on resin-to-fibre ratios. One-way ANOVA confirmed statistically significant differences among formulations (p = 0.005), validating the effect of fibre–resin composition. The optimal formulation (75% epoxy with balanced fibre reinforcement) achieved superior mechanical performance, establishing hybrid natural fibre composites as a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional materials.

Abstract: The aim of this research seeks to investigate the mechanical properties of Borassus flabellifer (Borassus palm) and Carica papaya (papaya) hybrid composites fibers reinforced in regards to strength, stiffness, and toughness under different test conditions. It also compares the performance of hybrid composites with composites based on individual fibers. The study involves two groups of composite materials. Group 1. The analysis of ultimate tensile strength of Borassus palm and Carica papaya composite value is 17.020 N/mm². Group 2. The analysis of impact strength of Borassus palm and Carica papaya composite value is 0.35. The hybrid composites, made from Borassus palm and papaya fibers are have very good Tensile and impact strength. That can be an alternative to synthetic fibers. In this study it observed that the hybrid composites, made from Borassus palm and papaya fibers are very suitable for mechanical applications.

Abstract: This study presents the Assessment of the structural, compositional, and performance characteristics of the obtained fiber from Bauhinia Racemosa (BR). Epoxy composites reinforced with Bauhinia Racemosa fiber (BRF) Were produced through the use of the compression molding process. Chemical analysis revealed that BRF contains a high percentage of cellulose, while exhibiting relatively low amounts of lignin, ash, and wax. Mechanical performance was assessed through tensile, flexural, and impact strength tests. Examination of the fracture surfaces using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that fiber pull-out was one of the main modes of failure, matrix cracking, and fiber breakage. Keywords: Bauhinia Racemosa fiber, Chemical composition, Mechanical properties, Scanning Electron Microscope, Eco-Friendly materials.

Abstract: The toxicity, bioaccumulation, and persistence of heavy metals, especially copper (Cu²⁺), in ecosystems make their poisoning of water supplies a serious environmental and public health risk. Numerous treatment processes, such as ion exchange, membrane filtering, chemical precipitation, and electrochemical methods, have been developed to remove copper from wastewater. However, these technologies often face challenges related to high operational costs, energy consumption, and the generation of secondary waste. In this regard, adsorption has become a viable, economical, and environmentally sustainable heavy metal removal method. This paper offers a thorough examination of Cu²⁺ adsorption with bio-adsorbents, natural clays, and modified clays (organoclays Key adsorption parameters examined included pH, metal concentration, temperature, contact time, and adsorbent dosage. With their increased surface area and adsorption capacity, modified and functionalized clays and bio-adsorbents demonstrated superior performance. While functionalized biochar and organoclay composites were experimentally shown to have the highest adsorption capacity, while most natural and modified adsorbents demonstrated substantial removal efficiencies. Both monolayer and multilayer adsorption were indicated by the adsorption isotherms fit well to the Langmuir and Freundlich models. For the majority of adsorbents, kinetic investigations showed that the most accurately described the adsorption behavior. These findings suggest that due to their high cation exchange capacity (CEC) and large surface area, natural and modified adsorbents can be employed to remove Cu²⁺ from wastewater.

Abstract: The research consists of incorporating CTAB into the layers of the the bentonite structure, integrating acid-treated bentonite with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and obtaining an organic material adsorbent. The physical and chemical properties of the sample modifications are identified by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric/thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). The bentonite used in this study was recovered from the Trebia deposit, located on the north-western flank of the Tidiennit massif in the Nador region (northeast Morocco). The composite developed in the present study is a practical adsorbent for the treatment of industrial wastewater. CTAB was successfully inserted into acid-activated bentonite, demonstrating intercalation processes through X-ray diffraction, FTIR, SEM, and TGA/DTA. The modified Bentonite structure showed increased interlayer space due to the introduction of molecules or ions. The TGA/DTA graphs confirmed the hydrophobic alteration of Bentonite, with reduced clay dehydration and a surfactant decomposing on the surface and interlayer spaces. Morphologically, CTAB formed large particles and cavities.

Abstract: The main objective of this study is to optimize the reverse osmosis process in order to ensure the potabilization of water from the Oued Oum Er-Rbia, by determining the most influential parameters. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to apply daily PCA-based monitoring on Oued Oum Er-Rbia’s raw water to optimize membrane operation under Moroccan field conditions.To better understand the interactions between quality and hydraulic parameters influencing membrane performance, data were collected from Oued Oum Er-Rbia over multiple seasons. The parameters monitored included turbidity, salinity, temperature, and Silt Density Index (SDI), all known to affect fouling and pretreatment requirements.

Abstract: The research presented in this scientific paper focuses on modeling the dynamics of multicomponent systems with particles of different geometries using the GROMACS software package. Three main types of particles were analyzed in the study: spheres, ellipsoids, and plates, each of which has its own unique geometric characteristics that affect their behavior in the environment. The modeling allowed us to investigate the influence of particle shape on their diffusion, self-organization, and interaction between particles of different shapes. In particular, spherical particles, having an isotropic geometry, show the highest diffusion coefficient, since their symmetrical structure minimizes the resistance of the environment. This, in turn, makes them ideal for modeling simple interactions in liquids or colloids. Ellipsoidal particles, due to their anisotropy, have a slightly reduced diffusion coefficient, since their orientation in space affects the motion. Plates, which have a significant surface area relative to the volume, demonstrate the lowest diffusion rate, which is associated with a large interaction with the environment and the resistance created by their geometry. The results of the study also showed that the diffusion coefficient decreases with increasing particle size for all types. At the same time, spheres demonstrated the highest diffusion coefficient at the same size compared to other geometries, while plates have the lowest values ​​of this indicator. Analysis of the trajectories of particle motion in space using the GROMACS software allowed us to assess the influence of geometry on particle mobility. It was found that spheres exhibit the largest displacement amplitude, which indicates their high mobility and chaotic nature of the motion. Ellipsoids have a more stable motion with smaller displacements, which is associated with their geometric anisotropy. Plates, due to the large resistance of the environment, have the smallest displacements, which indicates limited mobility. It should be noted that the obtained research results open up opportunities for a deeper understanding of interactions in complex multicomponent systems and can be useful for further research in various fields. It is also worth noting that the comparison of different types of particles with different geometries and their influence on diffusion processes allowed us to obtain valuable information for improving models and practical applications in relevant fields of science and technology.