Materials Science Forum Vols. 636-637

Abstract: The nanocrystallites in a metal matrix composite (MMC) have wide importance in the sintering area. The nanocrystallites have been related with properties such as hardness and density of 316L steel matrixes. The Y2O3 and TaC dispersion in steel crystalline structures affects these properties and the sintering process. This study analyze: the 316L steel, Y2O3 and TaC crystallite size; TaC and Y2O3 dispersion in milled powder composite; MMC nanocrystallite size and micro-strain during milling process of 316L-(CFC) steel and the effects of dispersion in sintered MMC. The alloy was submitted to high energy milling. MMC was characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The diffraction was analyzed by Rietveld’s refinement method, DBWS 9807 program, and crystallite size and micro-strain were performed using Scherrer’s equation and Williamson-Hall’s method.

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to produce high speed steel – tungsten carbide – copper composites, which should have acceptable density, wear resistance and good sliding prosperities. Various amounts of WC powder were added to the HSS powder prior to compaction. The following compositions were investigated: 100% M3/2, M3/2 + 10% WC and M3/2 + 30%WC. The mixtures were prepared by mixing for 30 minutes in the 3-D pendulum motion Turbula® T2C mixer. Then the powders were cold pressed in a rigid cylindrical die at 800 MPa. Both green compacts and pre-sintered compacts (pre-sintering condition: 1150°C in vacuum for 60 minutes) were infiltrated with copper. The whole infiltration process was carried out in vacuum better than 10-3 Pa. Pre-weighed preforms of copper were carefully placed on top of the rigid skeletons in which porosity were predetermined, heated up to 1150°C, subsequently held at temperature for 15 minutes, and cooled down with the furnace to the room temperature. The dilatometer was used to detect some reaction in the sintering. The changes in as pressed and as sintered density, hardness, bending strength and tribological properties are discussed in this work.

Abstract: In the present work, Al-B4C composites were produced by casting route at 850°C and titanium-containing flux was used to overcome the wetting problem between B4C and liquid aluminium metal. The microstructure of matrix/reinforcement interface was investigated using SEM studies with or without Ti added composites. The reaction layer was also characterized with EDS analysis and X-ray mapping. It was found from the microstructural observations by high resolution field emission gun SEM (FEG-SEM) that the wetting issue was effectively solved by the formation of very thin (80-180 nm in thickness) Ti-C and Ti-B reaction layers.

Abstract: Mayor advances have been made in the field of halogen-free flame retardant composites in the last years, mainly due to increasing regulatory pressures. This paper focuses in aluminium trihydroxide (ATH) as the halogen-free flame retardant and low density polyethylene (LDPE) as the polymer matrix of the fire retardancy foam. The attempt of this article is to achieve a cellular structure by foaming these materials, when high loading levels (up to 60wt %) of ATH are introduced. This is a difficult task due to the high amount of filler in the formulation. The aim is to reduce density without losing thermal and mechanical properties. In order to characterize the cellular structure as well as the thermal, mechanical and combustion properties, a complete study of the foamed samples was made by means of scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow index (MFI), air pycnometry, mechanical testing at low strain rates, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and calorimeter bomb tests.

Abstract: The distinguishing characteristics of carbon fibre reinforced laminates, like low weight, high strength or stiffness, had resulted in the increase of their use during the last decades. Although parts are normally produced to “near-net” shape, machining operations like drilling are still needed. In result of composites non-homogeneity, this operation can lead to delamination, considered the most serious kind of damage as it can reduce the load carrying capacity of the joint. A proper choice of tool and cutting parameters can reduce delamination substantially. In this work, the results obtained with five different tool geometries are compared. Conclusions show that the choice of adequate drill geometry can reduce the thrust forces and consequently, the delamination damage.

Abstract: This paper summarizes the results obtained in the use of plastisols of vinyl chloride homopolymer (PVC), obtained by the process of emulsion polymerization, as thermoplastic matrix in the production of composite pipes and in pipe repairing. Two processing techniques commonly used with thermosetting matrices were studied: filament winding and hand lay up. The produced composite structures of PVC reinforced with glass fibres were subsequently subjected to tests in order to determine their mechanical properties. This paper concludes that it is possible to use the described technique for piping repairing with good results.

Abstract: This work establishes process windows for efficient towpreg production on a developed powder coating equipment. Three different thermoplastic towpregs were studied: one for highly demanding markets (carbon fibre/PrimospireTMPR-120) and other two for commercial applications (glass/polypropylene and glass/polyvinyl chloride). Mechanical properties of compression moulded composites obtained from the produced towpregs were also obtained and discussed.

Abstract: This work evaluates the technical performance and environmental impacts, when sugarcane bagasse is applied as reinforcement of polypropylene in a component instead neat polypropylene (PP). To achieve the goals of this study, the tensile and flexural properties and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a function of fiber content were performed. In addition, different end-of-life (EOL) options for natural fiber composites were proposed, including incineration, recycling (with economic reuse) and discharging (landfill). Besides the good mechanical properties, natural fiber composites showed great environmental performance during the entire life cycle, mainly in the cultivation phase, when sugarcane consumes carbon while growing, contributing to global warming decreases. As a conclusion, sugarcane bagasse fibers production results in lower environmental impacts compared to neat PP and the recycling with economic reuse of sugarcane bagasse-PP composite was the best alternative to minimize environmental impacts after the end-of-life.

Abstract: This work reports on the experimental and numerical study of the bending behaviour of two-dimensional adhesively-bonded scarf repairs of carbon-epoxy laminates, bonded with the ductile adhesive Araldite 2015®. Scarf angles varying from 2 to 45º were tested. The experimental work performed was used to validate a numerical Finite Element analysis using ABAQUS® and a methodology developed by the authors to predict the strength of bonded assemblies. This methodology consists on replacing the adhesive layer by cohesive elements, including mixed-mode criteria to deal with the mixed-mode behaviour usually observed in structures. Trapezoidal laws in pure modes I and II were used to account for the ductility of the adhesive used. The cohesive laws in pure modes I and II were determined with Double Cantilever Beam and End-Notched Flexure tests, respectively, using an inverse method. Since in the experiments interlaminar and transverse intralaminar failures of the carbon-epoxy components also occurred in some regions, cohesive laws to simulate these failure modes were also obtained experimentally with a similar procedure. A good correlation with the experiments was found on the elastic stiffness, maximum load and failure mode of the repairs, showing that this methodology simulates accurately the mechanical behaviour of bonded assemblies.

Abstract: The aim of this work is to assess the feasibility of using polymer mortars reinforced with untreated natural fibres instead of artificial ones, for applications requiring highly alkali resistant materials, such as tanks and drainage systems for wastewater treatment plants. For this purpose, several formulations of polyester polymer mortars reinforced with different contents of jute and piassava natural fibres were investigated. Flexural and compressive behaviour, before and after exposure to a strong alkaline solution was analysed and quantified. Test results highlighted the high potential of these materials as basis construction material for precast applications requiring specific resistance under alkaline environments.