S. Pavlidou

TL;DR: In this paper, the structure, preparation and properties of polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites are discussed in general, and detailed examples are also drawn from the scientific literature.

TL;DR: In this article, an analytical method based on an adaptation of the free volume theory approach is proposed for estimating the incipient looseness and any further interfacial relaxation caused by water absorption in composite materials.

TL;DR: In this paper, composites containing clean glass fabrics, fabrics treated with a silane coupling agent and fabrics coated with a polydimethylsiloxane elastomer have been studied.

TL;DR: Differences in migration behaviour between mono- and multilayer materials are discussed and conditions for accelerated migration tests are proposed based on worst-case activation energy in the 40-60°C range.

Abstract: The current trend in textiles is to move away from traditional uses and seek for increased complexity and ‘intelligence’ in terms of applications, so as to include them in the group of advanced materials, along with metal, ceramics, and polymers. Intensive research is in progress, following a multi-directed scheme where two key sectors can be distinguished: textiles structures and functionality. Representative examples of these two approaches are herein discussed regarding their applications, potentials, and challenges. Namely, the cases of natural-fibre-reinforced composites, and of anti-microbial and flame-retardant textiles are concisely described, highlighting the major issues.