Numerical methods for Engineers and Scientists

Bioinspired engineering of honeycomb structure – Using nature to inspire human innovation

An updated review of adhesively bonded joints in composite materials

New perspectives have arisen on basalt fibre applications due to the potential low cost of this material together with its good mechanical performance, in particular at high temperature. The idea to fill these fibres into a polymer matrix is relatively recent and could offer very interesting perspectives that have not yet been sufficiently investigated. In this work, with the principal aim of evaluating the possibility to replace glass fibres in most of their applications, mechanical tests were carried out on comparable E-glass and basalt fibre reinforced plastic laminates. The latter were cut by square plates fabricated through vacuum bag technology. The results obtained on the two laminates were compared showing a high performance of the basalt material in terms of young modulus, compressive and bending strength, impact force and energy. These good properties suggest possible applications of basalt fibres in fields where glass composites are nowadays largely applied. The short-beam strength tests confirmed what above said by denoting an interfacial adhesion similar to that between E-glass and epoxy matrix.

Mechanical characterisation of basalt fibre reinforced plastic

Natural fiber composites with plant oil-based resin

Increasing legislation to limit styrene emissions (mainly from polyester resin systems) into the work place has been the key factor in promoting new technology in the manufacture of fibre reinforced plastics composites. Styrene emissions can be reduced by the development of: resin systems with low styrene emission; improved ventilation and air filtering systems; closed moulding techniques. It is the final area on which this paper concentrates. RIFT is a variant of vacuum-driven RTM in which one of the solid tool faces is replaced by a flexible polymeric film. The process is known by several acronyms—in this paper it is referred to as RIFT (Resin Infusion under Flexible Tooling). Potentially a very clean and economical composites manufacturing method, the process draws resin into a dry reinforcement on an evacuated vacuum bagged tool using only the partial vacuum to drive the resin. It reduces worker contact with liquid resin whilst increasing component mechanical properties and fibre content by reducing voidage compared to hand lay-up. For higher performance composites, RIFT offers the potential for reduced tooling costs where matched tooling (RTM or compression moulding) is currently used. This paper reviews the progress of RIFT from its first development as the Marco method in 1950 to the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Manufacture Process (SCRIMP) today. Development of the process has been slow (compared to RTM) and generally lacking in scientific rigour. Current research is reviewed and the potential for scientific development is discussed.

Resin Infusion under Flexible Tooling (RIFT): a review

https://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/10026.1/3513/Moisture_Diffusion-July-2015-Le.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Effects of hygrothermal stress on the failure of CFRP composites

Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Flax Fibre for the Reinforcement of Composites

A comparative quantitative life cycle assessment (LCA) should consider the eight environmental impact classification factors listed in ISO/TR 14047:2003. This paper reports on the energy requirement for production of flax fibers to be used as reinforcement in composite materials. Data are compiled from a number of published sources. Only 5% of the harvested plant mass is converted into long fibers, while the other 95% could be regarded as waste; the respective coproducts (short fiber for paper manufacture, shives for animal bedding, and dust for fuel) can be collected, processed, packaged, and sold. The analysis here assumes that these coproducts are disposed of at a cost that covers the postseparation handling and hence they are not included in the flax burdens. The analysis suggests that sliver (postcarding fiber) has an embodied energy comparable to glass fiber reinforcement mat at approximately 55 GJ/tonne. Spinning fibers to produce yarn for weaving dominates the embodied energy. In the event that be...

S.M. Grove

Papers

Resin Infusion under Flexible Tooling (RIFT): a review

Effects of hygrothermal stress on the failure of CFRP composites

Life Cycle Impact Assessment of Flax Fibre for the Reinforcement of Composites

Energy use in the production of flax fiber for the reinforcement of composites.

3D FEA modelling of laminated composites in bending and their failure mechanisms