Materials Science Forum Vol. 1196

Abstract: The research aims to examine the wear characteristics of a Magnesium (Mg) and Boron Nitride (BN) nanocomposite. Mg reinforced with 2.5 weight percent BN exhibits dry sliding wear characteristics. This study investigates these characteristics using the pin-on-disk wear testing apparatus outlined in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard G99. This study examined wear factors such as load, Sliding Velocity (SV), and Sliding Distance (SD). The wear rate assessments were performed according to the specifications outlined in ASTM Standard G99. The Levenberg-Marquardt (trainlm) algorithm, within MATLAB R2021a's Artificial Neural Network (ANN) Toolbox, estimates a wear rate for Mg reinforced with BN (2.5 wt.%). This algorithm's feed-forward neural network training employs a 3-5-1 architecture, with 3 input neurons, 5 hidden neurons within a single hidden layer, and 1 output neuron. ANNs were developed using experimental data from the pin-on-disk wear test. The average percentage discrepancy between the experimental data and the predicted values from the ANN was 3.49%, indicating that the inaccuracy in wear loss prediction for Mg reinforced with BN (2.5 wt.%) is 15.58%.

Abstract: This research explores the impact of the addition of nanoclay on mechanical properties of glass-reinforced polymer (GRP) composites for large-scale applications. Nanoclays (0, 1, 3, and 5 wt.%) were added to an epoxy matrix via VARTM and ultrasonication. The outcome indicates that 3 wt.% nanoclay gives the best improvement, increasing tensile modulus by 226%, tensile strength by 8.5%, and fatigue life by 194% as compared to the unmodified GRP. SEM and XRD analysis validated enhanced fiber–matrix bonding and intercalation. Higher than 5 wt.% nanoclay resulted in agglomeration and decreased toughness. The optimized nanoclay-filled GRP composites have better mechanical performance and are thus appropriate for aerospace, automotive, marine, and infrastructure applications.

Abstract: An aluminum composite panel (ACP) is a flat panel composed of stiff, sturdy, yet relatively light aluminum plates or sheets. A core material, often composed of polyethylene (PE) and polyurethane (PU), is sandwiched between the two plates. It is imperative to develop alternatives to these two fundamental materials because they are combustible and cannot withstand high temperatures or heat. It can withstand extreme temperatures and flames. Using Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) and PolyTetraFluoroEthylene (PTFE)/Teflon, the research aims to model core material changes that will subsequently be compared with the ACP core from Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). In order to model temperature variation input (150°C, 200°C, and 250°C) and wind onslaught for wind speeds of 13.8 m/s (strong), 16 m/s (hazardous), and 33 m/s (storm), Ansys 2024 R2 software is utilized. According to the data, ACP with PEEK core material softens at 167.02°C and is better resistant to temperatures up to 250°C. Compared to PTFE/Teflon and LDPE core materials, this one is more resistant to high temperatures. However, the core material from PTFE/Teflon is subject to a powerful storm wind onslaught, with a maximum stress of 1010.12 Pa, which is more than that of PTFE/Teflon, let alone LDPE.

Abstract: With the advancement of equipment and machinery in industrial activities, vibrations generated during operation can adversely affect machine performance. Therefore, in this study, a magnesium alloy was selected as a vibration damping material. A magnesium alloy containing 5 wt.% zinc was produced to enhance corrosion resistance and strength. Carbon steel (S45) was employed in the fabrication of magnesium alloy-based composites. For the optimization of the damping composite, holes with diameters of Ø6 and Ø8 mm were made in the center of the S45 cylindrical rods. The damping properties of the composites were evaluated by measuring the loss factor. Among the composites, the Ø6 specimen exhibited a significantly higher loss factor compared to the Ø8 specimen. This enhanced damping performance of the Ø6 composite is attributed to improved capillary pressure during the manufacturing process, which led to better infiltration, stronger interfacial bonding, and more effective energy dissipation mechanisms. At the contact interface of the Ø6 composite, intermetallic compounds such as MgZn₂, Mg₄Zn₇, and Fe₃Mg₇Zn₃ were observed. These compounds promote energy dissipation through mechanisms such as interfacial slip and microcrack arrest, thereby improving the loss factor.

Abstract: Tungsten has attracted considerable attention as a candidate material for plasma-facing components in future fusion reactors due to its superior high-temperature strength and plasma erosion resistance. However, its inherent brittleness and crack formation under operating conditions remain critical issues, often leading to premature failure and limiting its lifetime. In this study, tungsten matrix composites reinforced with both short and long tungsten fibers were fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) to improve fracture toughness and mechanical stability. The relative densities of bulk tungsten sintered at 1300 °C was measured to be 93.2 %, demonstrating that sintering temperature plays a significant role in densification. Additionally, fiber-reinforced composites exhibited relative densities of 90.5 % (short fiber) and 85.1% (long fiber). Microstructural observations using optical microscopy revealed that higher sintering temperatures reduced both the number and size of open pores, contributing to enhanced mechanical properties. Vickers hardness testing confirmed this trend, with bulk tungsten sintered at 1300°C achieving the highest hardness of 538 Hv. Furthermore, long fiber-reinforced composites exhibited a higher hardness of 543 Hv compared to short fiber composites, which recorded below 200 Hv. This difference is attributed to the aligned fiber structure in the long fiber composites, which promotes a more stable matrix-particle bonding compared to the random distribution in short fiber composites. These findings show that it is essential for optimizing the manufacturing process of tungsten fiber reinforced composites and securing productivity.

Abstract: Methacrylate-based polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanocomposites have emerged as promising candidates for dental resin applications due to their tunable mechanical and sorption properties. In this study, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to investigate the structural and functional behavior of dental resins incorporating monofunctional methacryl isobutyl POSS (MIPOSS) and multifunctional methacryl POSS (MAPOSS). By varying POSS content (1–10 wt%), key macroscopic properties such as density, elastic moduli, and crystallinity are evaluated and compared with experimental data. Furthermore, water sorption behavior in both MAPOSS and MIPOSS composites is explored through hydrogen bonding analysis, density projection, and water diffusion coefficients. Results reveal that MAPOSS composites exhibit superior mechanical strength and lower water uptake compared to MIPOSS, indicating enhanced durability for dental applications. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of MD simulations in guiding the rational design of advanced nanocomposites for long-lasting dental restorations.

Abstract: With an emphasis on their growing applications in a variety of industries this paper attempts to investigate the prospects for natural fibers and their composites in the future. The goals include a thorough analysis of current developments in the field, a look at new applications, a discussion of performance-boosting techniques, a look at sustainability issues and the determination of important research avenues. Even with the notable advancements there are still a number of obstacles to the broad use of natural fibers and their composites. Nevertheless these difficulties also offer important chances for further study and advancement. Their increasing use in a variety of fields such as construction, automotive, aerospace and biomedicine highlights their adaptability and rising significance.

Abstract: Shell Powder is a new material in the field of sustainable composite materials. In this study crab shell powder, an abundant natural waste resource, is used as a filler in polypropylene composites to improve mechanical properties and be friendly to the environment. The use of crab shell powder not only reduces waste entering the environment but also provides added value to the composite product. Polypropylene, a frequently used thermoplastic polymer, was chosen as the matrix due to its processability and good resistance to various chemical environments. These composites exhibit improved mechanical properties, including tensile strength and flexibility, compared to pure polypropylene. In addition, they also exhibit improved thermal stability and resistance to environmental degradation. Thus, these composites offer a promising alternative to conventional materials in a wide range of applications, including home appliances, automotive, and sports equipment, 3D printing, Medical Applications, fishing industry and food packaging while minimizing environmental impact.

Abstract: Composite research has been conducted using natural materials that do not have a negative impact on the environment. In this study, the fibers used are environmentally friendly basalt fibers, which are derived from basalt rock. In studies of the mechanical properties of materials, isotropic means having identical values in all directions. Isotropic materials are useful because they have the same physical properties in all directions, and their behavior is easier to predict. The research question is: What are the isotropic properties of basalt polyester fiber laminate when tested for tensile strength in two dimensions, specifically the X and Y planes of the test specimen. The purpose of this study is to determine the isotropic properties of polyester composite basal lamina specimens consisting of 7 layers of fibers oriented at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°, as well as a 10-layer fiber specimen with fiber orientations of 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, and 90°. This study uses variations in specimen cutting angles, namely 0°, 10°, 30°, 45°, 50°, 60°, and random. The tests to be conducted are tensile tests using the Tensilon RTG-1250 testing machine (ASTM D 638). The highest tensile strength test results were obtained by specimens with a 0° cutting angle, with an average tensile strength of 134.907 MPa in composites with 7 layers of fiber and 180.922 MPa in composites with 10 layers of fiber. The lowest tensile strength was observed in specimens with a 45° cutting angle, with an average tensile strength of 110.46 MPa in the composite with 7 layers of fiber and 126.531 MPa in the composite with 10 layers of fiber. The 7-layer fiber composite is more isotropic than the 10-layer fiber composite, as evidenced by better adhesion properties observed via SEM and improved mechanical interlocking.