Papers by Keyword: Polymer Matrix Composites

Abstract: Currently, composites with a polymer matrix are most widely used in various industries, including the oil and gas sector, as an alternative to traditional metal materials. The most widespread of non-metallic pipes in the Russian Federation are pipelines made of fiberglass. One of the clear advantages of polymeric materials over metal products is their corrosion resistance. At the same time, upon contact with liquids containing abrasive particles, composites with a polymer matrix can degrade with varying degrees of intensity. Such as type of degradation like hydroabrasive wear of pipelines is common and can lead to equipment failure. Various linings are applied to the inner surface of fiberglass pipes to minimize hydroabrasive wear. This study attempts to assess the durability of coated and uncoated composite polymer materials under conditions of hydroabrasive wear, as well as to compare the properties with other materials currently used in industry.

Abstract: Surface metallization is amongst the recent trends in the polymer and polymer matrix composites (PMCs) research industries to improve the electrical and thermal properties and exploit the subsequent utilization in the aerospace sector. Specifically, polymer matrix composites have been subjected to the limitations in form of high temperature exposure and substrate deterioration. The present study encompasses a new strategy in the manufacturing and metallization process. The first stage in the manufacturing of hybrid thermoplastic-thermoset composite was the hot compaction which comprised of primary preform preparation enabling the partial impregnation of the thermoplastic resin through the fabric reinforcement layer. The subsequent stage entailed the preform vacuum bagging and conducting catalyzed thermoset resin impregnation. The vacuum resin infusion step included a cocuring cycle to generate a fiber reinforced composite comprising of thermoplastic and impregnated thermoset resin with improved adhesion. Resin flow front movement was analyzed during the resin infusion process. Composite metallization was achieved through cold spray (CS). CS process parameters influence on the coating quality and characterization of laminates through microstructural analysis and results have been reported. The hybrid composite with thermoset resin through thickness and in-plane impregnation was achieved with the intact adherent thermoplastic layer after the curing cycle. In the CS metallization, the effective operative window of stand-off distances (SoD) and temperature has been determined.

Abstract: The effect of compatibilizer agent was studied when adding Aluminum fine powder (Al) to reinforce in Polypropylene (PP) by compared between polymer matrix composites (PMCs) and PMCs added Polypropylene graft maleic anhydride (PP-g-MAH).The average particle size of the aluminum fine powder was around 75 μm filled in polypropylene with different proportions of 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10wt%. PMCs were prepared using the internal mixer. The results found that when the amount of aluminum fine powder increased, the mechanical properties had changed, i.e., tensile strength, and Young’s Modulus increased, while the impact strength and elongation at break decreased. But, when adding compatibilizer 1wt% it was found that the trend of tensile strength, and Young’s Modulus increased that compared with non-compatibilizer, but the impact strength and elongation at break decreased. The part of the morphology of PMCs with non-compatibilizer was found that the particle of aluminum fine powder dispersed in the matrix phase, but there were many microvoids between filler and matrix. But, PMCs with compatibilizer caused the microvoids between filler and matrix to be reduced.

Abstract: Biobased products have been widely used to prevent damage to the environment. In this context, the use of composites reinforced with natural fibers, replacing synthetics ones, has motivated several researches in last years. The objective of the present work was to characterize composites prepared with unsaturated polyester resin and untreated sisal fibers by tensile and flexural tests. The untreated sisal fibers reinforcement was investigated using 25 g and 50 g masses. The fibers were randomly arranged into the resin to mold composite boards, using the compression molding technique without heating, in a curing process at 25°C for 48 hours. The results indicated that composite with 50 g presented better tensile strength (49%), flexural strength (71%) and flexural modulus (137%). The increase of fibers content improved the mechanical behavior of the composite. In addition, the use of natural fibers replacing a portion of petroleum-based resin can increase the sustainable concept of the products and reduce manufacturing costs, because it can be used less resin.

Abstract: Advanced continuous polymer matrix composite materials provide considerable increase in flexural property values as compared with their bulk and monolithic counter parts. In this research work the effect of fiber orientation on the flexural strength of epoxy matrix composite materials reinforced with glass fiber was studied. Filament winding technique was employed for fabrication of composite with various fiber orientations. The flexural strength value of the glass fiber reinforced composite was comprehensively studied by means of three point bending flexural test and analysed by scanning electron microscopy. Experiments were conducted as per ASTM standards and it was concluded that reinforcement with 0^o orientation of glass fibers shown improved flexural strength as compared to 45^o and 90^o orientation of fibers.

Abstract: The acceptability of polymer matrix composites for various industrial applications has been increased over the years due to their better mechanical properties. However, nonconductive nature and fibrous residuals produced during micro drilling of these materials has become major challenge for the research fraternity. The conventional machining of these materials causes high tool wear due to presence of abrasive particles. Recently, the electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) process has emerged as potential contender for the machining of nonconductive hard and brittle materials. Keeping in mind all these challenges, the present research work focuses on micro drilling of PMCs using ECDM process. The experimentation was planned as per Taguchi’s methodology using L₉ orthogonal array. Voltage, electrolyte concentration and duty factor were considered as process parameters whereas material removal rate and taper were observed as output quality characteristics. The regression equation and coefficients were obtained using regression analysis. Using this regression equations, further solutions were obtained by genetic algorithm.

Abstract: The synthesis of electrolytic grade iron (Fe) nanopowder was done by using planetary ball milling. It was found that the average crystallite size of the iron powder after 20 h milling was 32 nm. The high performance polymeric composites based on poly (aryletherketone) (PAEK) as a matrix and Fe as filler were prepared by planetary ball milling followed by hot pressing. Composites containing 50 wt.% Fe particles with varying milling time (0 to 20 h) were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the Fe particles are well dispersed in the PAEK matrix. The dielectric constant of the PAEK/Fe (50 wt.%) composite increased with ball milling time up to 5 h thereafter it decreased on further increasing the milling time. It was also found that the 10 % weight loss (T₁₀) degradation temperature and the maximum degradation temperatures of the composites were above 530 °C. However, for a given composite, these temperatures were found to decrease with increasing ball milling time.

Abstract: This work studies the performance of HDPE/kenaf biocomposite by varying the kenaf loading from 10 wt% to 50 wt%. Compounding has carried out by using single screw extruder. The result indicates that at 10 wt% of kenaf loading gave the highest tensile and impact strength which are25.32 MPa and 102.25 MPa respectively. Beside, at 10% to 50% of kenaf loading show increasing tensile modulus, flexural modulus and flexural strength with increment of kenaf fiber but decreasing in tensile strength and impact strength.

Abstract: In this research the Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under nitrogen was used to investigate the thermal decomposition processes and sound absorption coefficients was measured using Impedance tube according to ASTM standard E1050 - 10 two microphone method for 2 types of polymer matrix composites. Sample 1 was made of rice straw (RS) reinforced with polypropylene matrix and Sample 2 was made of kenaf fiber reinforced with polypropylene matrix, both composites were fabricated using hot compression moulding technique. The thermal behaviour is of practical interest for conditions associated with temperatures above the atmospheric, as in fire damage, curing or process involving heating procedures. The sound absorption coefficient for a material is the fraction or percentage of incident sound energy that is absorbed by the material. The function of absorptive materials is to transform impinging acoustic energy into heat. The thermal stability of the composites was found to be higher than that of rice straw, kenaf fibers and the polypropylene matrix. The sound absorption coefficients of composites increased as the frequency increased. However, they decreased at the frequency of 1000 Hz and increased again. This decrease and increase was due to the specific characteristic of Lignocellulosic fibers reflecting sound at 1300 Hz but absorbing sound in the middle and high frequency ranges.

Abstract: Shape memory composites and structures were produced by using carbon fiber reinforced prepregs and a shape memory epoxy resin. The matrix of the prepregs was an epoxy resin as well but without remarkable shape memory properties. This way, two different technical solutions were adopted. Shape memory composite tubes and plates were made by adding a shape memory layer between two carbon fiber reinforced skins. An optimal adhesion between the different layers was achieved thanks to the compatibility of the prepreg matrix and the shape memory material. Shape memory composite structures were also produced by joining composite shells with shape memory foams. Mechanical, dynamic mechanical and shape recovery tests were carried out to show the properties of the composite materials and structures. Results confirm the ability of this class of materials to easily change their shape without affecting the mechanical stiffness of the recovered structures.