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Showing papers in "Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites in 2012"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, three bio-composites, i.e., flax, linen and bamboo fabric reinforced epoxy resin, were manufactured using a vacuum bagging technique, and the influence of alkali treatment (with 5'wt% NaOH solution for 30'min) on tensile properties of single-strand yarns, surface morphology and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated.
Abstract: In this article, three bio-composites, i.e. flax, linen and bamboo fabric reinforced epoxy resin, were manufactured using a vacuum bagging technique. The influence of alkali treatment (with 5 wt% NaOH solution for 30 min) on tensile properties of flax, linen and bamboo single-strand yarns, surface morphology and mechanical properties (with respect to tensile and flexural properties) of the composites were investigated. It was found that the failure mechanism of single-strand fibres under tension consists of fibre breakage and slippage simultaneously. The alkali treatment had a negative effect on the tensile strength and modulus of the flax, linen and bamboo single-strand yarns. However, after the treatment, the tensile and flexural properties of all the composites increased, e.g. the tensile and flexural strength of the treated flax/epoxy composite increased 21.9% and 16.1%, compared to the untreated one. After the treatment in all the composites, the tensile fractured surfaces exhibited an improvement of...

317 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of natural fiber based hybrid composites is presented, which is found to be predominantly affected by factors which include variation in fiber volume/weight fraction, variation in stacking sequence of fiber layers, fiber treatment and environmental conditions.
Abstract: Hybrid composites are manufactured by combining two or more fibers in a single matrix. Hybrid composites can be made from artificial fibers, natural fibers and with a combination of both artificial and natural fibers. Hybrid composites can help us to achieve a better combination of properties than fiber reinforced composites. The constituent fibers in a hybrid composite can be altered in a number of ways leading to variation in its properties. The importance of this review can be attributed to the significant aspects of natural fiber based hybrid composites which are found to be predominantly affected by factors which include variation in fiber volume/weight fraction, variation in stacking sequence of fiber layers, fiber treatment and environmental conditions.

243 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, natural fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites have been developed by hot pressing through film-stacking procedure, the reinforcement materials used are nettle, Grewia optiva an...
Abstract: In this study, natural fiber reinforced polylactic acid composites have been developed by hot pressing through film-stacking procedure. The reinforcement materials used are nettle, Grewia optiva an...

135 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of number of layers on moisture absorption, thickness swelling, volume swelling, and density were measured as a function of immersion time, and it was observed that the moisture diffusion rate into composites increases with an increase in the jute-fiber-to-epoxy ratio.
Abstract: Woven jute fibers, a class of affordable and biodegradable ‘green’ fibers, are being increasingly used as a substitute for the artificial glass and carbon fibers used in polymer composites. However, all natural fiber composites absorb water and swell in a moist environment. For the first time, the swelling and weight gain behavior of bio-based composites made from jute fibers and bio-based or ordinary epoxy is presented in this experimental characterization study. Several such composites specimens were made using a low-pressure resin injection process similar to resin transfer molding; the specimens were made according to ASTM D 570 consisted of three compositions: pure resin, pure resin with a single jute fabric layer, and pure resin with two jute fabric layers. The effects of number of layers on moisture absorption, thickness swelling, volume swelling, and density were measured as a function of immersion time. It is observed that the moisture diffusion rate into composites increases with an increase in the jute-fiber-to-epoxy ratio. The type of epoxy used as the matrix appeared to have an influence on the moisture absorption percentages of the composites – the study showed that both water absorption and swellings were higher in the bio-epoxy parts compared to the epoxy parts. The swelling of composites was correlated with an increase in diameters of jute fiber in water and possibilities for the appearance of micro-cracks around fibers in composites were discussed. The data on moisture absorption, thickness swelling, and volume swelling of bio-based composites made from woven jute fibers, and bio-based and ordinary epoxies presented in this article will lead to a better understanding of how these composites react in wet environmental conditions.

102 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Libo Yan1
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of alkali treatment (with 5'wt. % sodium hydroxide solution for 30'min) on the compressive, in-plane shear, impact properties and vibration characteristics of flax- and...
Abstract: In this article, the effect of alkali treatment (with 5 wt. % sodium hydroxide solution for 30 min) on the compressive, in-plane shear, impact properties and vibration characteristics of flax- and ...

95 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluate the influence of fiber hybridization and frequency on the dynamic mechanical properties of ramie/glass hybrid fiber-reinforced polyester composites and evaluate the storage modulus.
Abstract: This study aims to evaluate the influence of fiber hybridization and frequency on the dynamic mechanical properties of ramie/glass hybrid fiber-reinforced polyester composites. The storage modulus ...

94 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the possibility of recycling glass fiber reinforced composites by using microwave pyrolysis was examined and a scrap blade from a wind turbine was fragmented and microwave-pyrolysed.
Abstract: The possibility of recycling glass fibre-reinforced composites by using microwave pyrolysis was examined. A scrap blade from a wind turbine was fragmented and microwave-pyrolysed. The glass fibre r ...

87 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, four types of hollow glass microspheres, having the density of 0.125-0.60 ǫg/cm3, were filled into epoxy-matrix, and volume fraction of hollowglass microsphere was varied from 0% to 60%.
Abstract: Four types of hollow glass microspheres, having the density of 0.125–0.60 g/cm3, were filled into epoxy-matrix, and volume fraction of hollow glass microsphere was varied from 0% to 60%. The therma...

78 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Zeyang Sun1, Yang Yang1, WH Qin1, ST Ren1, Gang Wu1 
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the flexural behavior of six concrete beams with various reinforcements, including ordinary steel bars, steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite composite bars, pure fiber-reinforced polymer bars (either carbon fiber reinforced polymer bars or basalt fiber reinforced polymers), and hybrid bars (steel bars and basalt fibre reinforced polymer composites).
Abstract: Experimental studies investigating the flexural behavior of six concrete beams were conducted with various reinforcements, including ordinary steel bars, steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bars, pure fiber-reinforced polymer bars (either carbon fiber reinforced polymer bars or basalt fiber reinforced polymer bars), and hybrid bars (steel bars and basalt fiber reinforced polymer bars). The test results show the following: (a) steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bar beams exhibit stable post-yield stiffness after the yielding of the inner steel bar of the steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bar and concrete crushed after the rupture of the outer fiber-reinforced polymer of the steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bar; (b) the ordinary reinforced concrete beam has the largest ductility coefficient, but the ultimate load was just approximately 31% of that of the corresponding steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bar beams; (c) brittle shear failure was observed for both fiber reinforce...

77 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the shear behavior of deep concrete beams reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer for flexure and without shear reinforcement was investigated, and a total of 13 beams were tested under different conditions.
Abstract: This article investigates the shear behavior of deep concrete beams reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer for flexure and without shear reinforcement. A total of 13 beams were tested under...

77 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In most experiments, small-size fiber reinforced polymer-confined concrete cylinders are used to study the axial compressive behavior as mentioned in this paper, and based on the experimental results, many strength models and st...
Abstract: In most experiments, small-size fiber reinforced polymer–confined concrete cylinders are used to study the axial compressive behavior. Based on the experimental results, many strength models and st...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Titania nanoparticle dispersion and its effect on thermal properties of epoxy-based nanocomposite were examined by producing it via ultrasonic vibration process in this paper, which revealed a good dispersion of nanoparticle up to an optimum level of loading (10 wt%), which results in its improved glass transition temperature and thermal stability.
Abstract: Titania nanoparticle dispersion and its effect on thermal properties of epoxy-based nanocomposite were examined by producing it via ultrasonic vibration process. Atomic force microscope images of the epoxy/TiO2 nanocomposite revealed a good dispersion of nanoparticle up to an optimum level of loading (10 wt%), which results in its improved glass transition temperature and thermal stability. But, a higher particle loading in epoxy reflects decrease in the glass transition temperature and thermal stability of the nanocomposite, which may be attributed to the significant increase in clustering of the nanoparticles.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a brake friction composites with good friction performance were developed using plant flax fiber, mineral basalt fiber, and wollastonite as reinforcements, natural graphite as solid lubricant, zircon as abrasive, vermiculite and baryte as functional and space fillers, and cardanol-based benzoxazine-toughened phenolic resin as binder.
Abstract: Eco-friendly brake friction composites with good friction performance were developed. The raw materials utilized were selected according to eco-friendly criterion that natural products should be preferably chosen. The formulations are composed of plant flax fiber, mineral basalt fiber, and wollastonite as reinforcements, natural graphite as solid lubricant, zircon as abrasive, vermiculite and baryte as functional and space fillers, and cardanol-based benzoxazine-toughened phenolic resin as binder. To isolate the flax fibers, chemical and physical methods including drying, room temperature alkaline solution, and acid steam treatment were performed and fibers with micro-fibrillated structure on the surface were formed. A new cardanol-based benzoxazine synthesized by the reactions among cardanol, aniline, and formaldehyde was used as toughening for phenolic resin. The effects of both the content of treated flax fibers and friction temperature on friction performance, friction coefficient and specific wear ra...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers were subjected to various chemical pre-treatments like Mercerization, benzoylation, and permanganate treatment with the aim of improving the adhesion with the matrix as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Palmyra palm leaf stalk fibers were subjected to various chemical pre-treatments like Mercerization, benzoylation, and permanganate treatment with the aim of improving the adhesion with the matrix....

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors compared rotary ultrasonic machining and twist drilling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in six aspects (cutting force, torque, surface roughness, delamination, tool life, and material remove rate).
Abstract: Drilling is involved in many applications of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic composite. Twist drilling is widely used in industry. Rotary ultrasonic machining has been successfully tested to drill holes in carbon fiber–reinforced plastic. However, there are no reports on comparisons between rotary ultrasonic machining and twist drilling of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. This paper compares rotary ultrasonic machining and twist drilling of carbon fiber–reinforced plastic in six aspects (cutting force, torque, surface roughness, delamination, tool life, and material remove rate). Experimental results show that rotary ultrasonic machining is superior in almost all these aspects.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the need for improving composite laminate through-thickness properties becomes imperative as the utilization of advanced composites in structural applications grows, and the need to improve their through thickness becomes imperative.
Abstract: As the utilization of advanced composites in structural applications grows, the need for improving their through-thickness properties becomes imperative. Although the behavior of composite laminate...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a twin-screw extruder and injection molded polypropylene/E-glass fiber/nanoclay composite was used for thermal, dynamic mechanical, and impact tests.
Abstract: Polypropylene/E-glass fiber/nanoclay were compounded with a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. Thermal, dynamic mechanical, and impact tests were carried out. Differential scanning calorimetry investigations showed that the incorporation of nanoclay into polypropylene/glass fiber composite shifted the melting temperature (Tm) to higher values. The degree of crystallinity (Xc) was strongly influenced by the presence of the glass fiber and nanoclay in the matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed an increase in storage modulus (E 0 ); indicating higher stiffness of the hybrid composites when compared to the glass fiber composites and the virgin matrix. From the tancurves, a strong influence of glass fiber and nanoclay content on the magnitude of tanmax value was observed. Impact test showed a reduction in the critical strain energy release rate, Gc for hybrid composites with higher nanoclay loading. The stress intensity factor, Kc values showed insignificant effect with the presence of nanoclay and GF.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the combination of E-glass/nanoclay using unsaturated polyester matrix and the effect of nanoclay on the mechanical and free vibration behavior is studied.
Abstract: In this investigation, naturally woven coconut sheath is used as a new type of reinforcement. The hybrid composites are developed with the combination of naturally woven coconut sheath/E-glass/nanoclay using unsaturated polyester matrix and the effect of nanoclay on the mechanical and free vibration behavior is studied. It is found that the addition of nanoclay improved the mechanical and damping properties of the composite owing to the improved stiffness of the matrix by better dispersion of clay. In addition, the effect of alkali and silane treatments on fibers and different stacking sequence were investigated. It was observed that the alkali treatment of fibers improved the mechanical properties of the composites when cellulose fiber was present. This investigation presented a peculiar result in the case of silane treatment with the nanoclay, which is in contradiction with the earlier works. The stacking sequence of coconut sheath/coconut sheath/glass with alkali treatment of fibers provides the optimu...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of process parameters have been investigated in drilling of Hexcel M21-T700GC with multilayer TiAlN/TiN PVD-coated tungsten carbide drill and the results indicate that the thrust force and torque increased with the increasing cutting speed and feed rate.
Abstract: This study aims to investigate drilling process in carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites with multilayer TiAlN/TiN PVD-coated tungsten carbide drill. The effect of process parameters have been investigated in drilling of Hexcel M21-T700GC. Thrust force and torque were measured online throughout the drilling experiments. Delamination were observed using optical microscope and analyzed via a developed algorithm based on digital image processing technique. Surface roughness of each hole was measured using a surface profilometer. In addition, the progression of tool wear in various surfaces of drill was observed using tool microscope and measured using image software. Our results indicate that the thrust force and torque increased with the increasing cutting speed and feed rate. Delamination and average surface roughness that rose with the increase in feed rate, however, decreased with the increasing cutting speed. The average surface roughness tended to increase with the increase in feed rate and...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the use of coconut shell powder as filler in natural rubber is discussed, where the authors focus on using the powder as a filler in the rubber filling of the rubber.
Abstract: This work focuses on the use of coconut shell powder as filler in natural rubber. Coconut, one of the food crops in the world, generates large amounts of waste material namely coconut shell. Modifi...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, shape memory characteristics of a woven glass fibre fabric reinforced epoxy composite (reinforcement content: 38 vol.%) were assessed in three-point bending mode in a dynamic mechanical analysis.
Abstract: Shape memory characteristics of a woven glass fibre fabric reinforced epoxy composite (reinforcement content: 38 vol.%) were assessed in three-point bending mode in a dynamic mechanical analysis de...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used the interlaminar interaction to simulate out-of-plane failure of composites under dynamic loads, as impact events, and used this interaction to predict damage mechanisms involved during cutting.
Abstract: Machining processes of composites are common operations in industry involving elevated risk of damage generation in the workpiece. Long fiber reinforced polymer composites used in high-responsibility applications require safety machining operations guaranteeing workpiece integrity. Modeling techniques would help in the improvement of machining processes definition; however, they are still poorly developed for composites. The aim of this paper is advancing in the prediction of damage mechanisms involved during cutting, including out-of-plane failure causing delamination. Only few works have focused on three-dimensional simulation of cutting; however, this approach is required for accurate reproduction of the complex geometries of tool and workpiece during cutting processes. On the other hand, cohesive interactions have proved its ability to simulate out-of-plane failure of composites under dynamic loads, as impact events. However, this interlaminar interaction has not been used up to date to model out-of-p...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, short carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites with three different initial carbon fiber lengths were prepared by using extrusion compounding and injection molding techniques.
Abstract: In this study, short carbon fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites with three different initial carbon fiber lengths were prepared by using extrusion compounding and injection molding techniques...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, hybrid natural fiber composites were prepared by combining different fiber reinforcements, and both the water absorption and the mechanical properties were studied, and the effect of pretreatment of regenerated cellulose fiber using 4% NaOH solution.
Abstract: Natural fiber composites are known to absorb more water than glass fiber reinforced composites. In this study, hybrid natural fiber composites were prepared by combining different fiber reinforcements, and both the water absorption and the mechanical properties were studied. Compression molding technique was used to manufacture composite laminates from a bio-based resin (acrylated epoxidized soybean oil) and natural fibers: non-woven and woven jute, non-woven regenerated cellulose mat (Lyocell and viscose), and woven glass fiber. The composite laminates were cured at 160–170°C and 40 bar, with a fiber content of 40 wt%. We investigated effect of pretreatment of regenerated cellulose fiber using 4% NaOH solution. The gravimetric water absorption was tested by exposure to water for 10 days. Specimens were cut from composites with laser-cutting technique according to ISO standards, and tested for tensile, flexural, and impact strength. To determine the influence of water absorption on the mechanical properti...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an acoustic emission monitoring was used for detection and classification of damage mechanisms during mode I delamination test of glass/polyester composites, and the integration of harmony search and k-means algorithms was applied to cluster acoustic signals generated during delamination tests.
Abstract: In this study acoustic emission monitoring was used for detection and classification of damage mechanisms during mode I delamination test of glass/polyester composites. For this purpose, the integration of harmony search and k-means algorithms was applied to cluster acoustic signals generated during delamination test. The clustering analysis represented three clusters, each one related to a distinct damage mechanism. Considering the relationship between acoustic emission parameters and damage mechanisms, the acoustic emission signals of each cluster were assigned to a distinct damage mode. Furthermore, the dominance of various damage types was investigated based on the distribution of signals in different clusters. Finally, scanning electron microscopic observation was employed to verify the obtained results. The results indicate good performance of proposed algorithms in damage classification procedure.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the mechanical properties of polyvinylchloride-coated fabrics with Precontraint® technology were investigated and groups of off-axial tests were carried out, and the corresponding strength c...
Abstract: This article presents the mechanical properties of polyvinylchloride-coated fabrics with Precontraint® technology. First, groups of off-axial tests are carried out, and the corresponding strength c...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, an enhancement of 110% in the optimally treated fibre tensile property resulted in an improvement of composite mechanical properties (compression, tensile, interlaminar shear stress and energy consumption) ranging between 18% and 158%.
Abstract: Studies were carried out on sisal-epoxy composites prepared with different fibre weight fractions (precisely determined by a novel thermogravimetric analyser technique) containing optimally treated (18% NaOH) sisal fibres, using an improvised fabrication approach. An enhancement of 110% in the optimally treated fibre tensile property resulted in improvement of composite mechanical properties (compression, tensile, interlaminar shear stress and energy absorption) ranging between 18% and 158%. A novel fibre treatment effectiveness parameter was introduced, to quantify the translation efficiency of the enhanced fibre tensile property into the composite tensile property. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of fractured composite specimens are also presented and discussed.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the potential for the use of recycled polypropylene and underutilized wood flour as material for the development of wood-plastic composites, as well as reinforcement effect of organically modified montmorillonite on them were evaluated.
Abstract: Several composites based on recycled—virgin polypropylene, wood flour and organically modified montmorillonite (commonly called ‘nanoclay’) were prepared by melt compounding. This paper aims to evaluate the potential for the use of recycled polypropylene and underutilized wood flour as material for the development of wood–plastic composites, as well as reinforcement effect of organically modified montmorillonite on them. In order to improve the poor interfacial interaction between the hydrophilic wood flour and hydrophobic polypropylene matrix, as well as polypropylene–organically modified montmorillonite, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene was used as a compatibilizer. Some mechanical and physical properties were evaluated. Findings of this work show that both recycled and virgin polypropylene can be used in manufacture of wood–plastic composites and there is no significant difference in the properties of resulting nanocomposites. It was found that mechanical properties of polypropylene containing 40...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compared quasi-static three-point bending and fatigue damage behaviors between the three-dimensional angle-interlock woven composite and the 3-dimensional orthogon.
Abstract: This paper presents the comparisons of quasi-static three-point bending and fatigue damage behaviors between the three-dimensional angle-interlock woven composite and the three-dimensional orthogon...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of ZnO concentration on the morphology, mechanical and crystallization behaviors of iPP was studied, and three compositions of the iPP/mZnO and iPP/(nZnOsnO) composites were compared.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to study the effect of ZnO concentration on the morphology, mechanical, and crystallization behaviors of iPP. Three compositions of iPP/mZnO and iPP/nZnO composites were p...