There have been a number of review papers on layered silicate and carbon nanotube reinforced polymer nanocomposites, in which the fillers have high aspect ratios. Particulate–polymer nanocomposites containing fillers with small aspect ratios are also an important class of polymer composites. However, they have been apparently overlooked. Thus, in this paper, detailed discussions on the effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on the stiffness, strength and toughness of such particulate–polymer composites are reviewed. To develop high performance particulate composites, it is necessary to have some basic understanding of the stiffening, strengthening and toughening mechanisms of these composites. A critical evaluation of published experimental results in comparison with theoretical models is given.

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Effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate–polymer composites

This review is designed to be a comprehensive source for polymer nanocomposite research, including fundamental structure/property relationships, manufacturing techniques, and applications of polymer nanocomposite materials. In addition to presenting the scientific framework for the advances in polymer nanocomposite research, this review focuses on the scientific principles and mechanisms in relation to the methods of processing and manufacturing with a discussion on commercial applications and health/safety concerns (a critical issue for production and scale-up). Hence, this review offers a comprehensive discussion on technology, modeling, characterization, processing, manufacturing, applications, and health/safety concerns for polymer nanocomposites.

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Review article: Polymer-matrix Nanocomposites, Processing, Manufacturing, and Application: An Overview

PEEK Biomaterials in Trauma, Orthopedic, and Spinal Implants

Biomass pyrolysis kinetics: A comparative critical review with relevant agricultural residue case studies

Thermosetting (bio)materials derived from renewable resources: A critical review

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the density gradient technique (DGT) were used to determine, both isothermally and dynamically, the crystallization kinetics of polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The data were analyzed by a model utilizing, for the first time, two crystal nucleation and growth processes which were observed experimentally in a typical Avrami plot of the isothermal data. Thus, by modeling the data as two separate Avrami type crystallization processes occurring in parallel, both isothermal and dynamic data could be predicted with the same model constants. The first process provided an Avrami exponent of 2.5 and an onset temperature of 320°C. The second process displayed an Avrami exponent of 1.5 and an onset temperature of 342°C. The validity of this dual mechanism crystallization model was proven in practice by predicting with best fit model constants, a wide range of crystallinities of both neat and carbon fiber-reinforced PEEK samples that had been made at different cooling rates from the melt.

Crystallization kinetics of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrices

A simple apparatus was designed and constructed capable of measuring the unsteady-state permeability and the capillary pressure simultaneously in a simulated composite impregnation experiment. It was found that the Kozeny-Carman equation used to describe the permeability of composites during impregnation adequately described experimental results for woven fabric preform up to porosity values of 0.5. Above this value, observed deviations were attributed to interfacial effects between adjacent woven fabric layers. For woven fabric preforms made of T-300 carbon fibers, a maximum capillary pressure of 3.7 × 104 Pa (=5.4 psi) was observed at low porosity values. Thus, the capillary pressure may compete with other pressure sources in low pressure processes, such as the prepregging process. The woven fabric preform used in this study is observed to have a permeability similar to a unidirectional fibrous preform along the transverse direction. Furthermore, an existing modeling methodology capable of predicting permeability and capillary pressure through different preforms was found to be valid for fibrous preforms of complex orientation.

Simultaneous measurements of permeability and capillary pressure of thermosetting matrices in woven fabric reinforcements

Nanoclay reinforcement effects on the cryogenic microcracking of carbon fiber/epoxy composites

Reference LTC-ARTICLE-1990-001 URL: http://jcm.sagepub.com/ Record created on 2006-06-26, modified on 2016-08-08

Prediction of process-induced residual stresses in thermoplastic composites

The processing, structure and properties of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) semicrystalline thermoplastic as matrix polymer for high performance composites has been investigated in this work. In processing PEEK samples with different crystallinities, a specially designed mold capable of cooling the polymer in excess of 115°C/s from its melt temperature was constructed. In addition, during processing studies, a reaction of PEEK in the presence of copper was discovered. Analysis of the samples in terms of their crystallinity values also provided a new method for measuring crystallinity of the matrix in the composite. Crystallization of low crystalline samples at room temperature in the presence of methylene chloride was also confirmed for the first time with polarized microscopy. However, at the same time, the excellent hygrothermal resistance of PEEK was also confirmed. Finally, dynamic mechanical and stress-strain experiments with samples of different crystallinities elucidated the dependence of these properties to crystallinity. However, this study also elucidated that under normal processing conditions for high performance composites, PEEK properties may not be strongly affected by different levels of crystallinity.

James C. Seferis

Papers

Crystallization kinetics of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) matrices

Simultaneous measurements of permeability and capillary pressure of thermosetting matrices in woven fabric reinforcements

Nanoclay reinforcement effects on the cryogenic microcracking of carbon fiber/epoxy composites

Prediction of process-induced residual stresses in thermoplastic composites

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK): Processing-structure and properties studies for a matrix in high performance composites