Single jersey knitted fabrics are generally used to make underwear and outerwear such as T-shirts. Knit fabric can more easily deform or stretch by compressing or elongating the individual stitches that form the fabric. Cotton yarns, which are not elastomeric, do not have the ability of recovery to rearrange the stitches. As a consequence, single-knit fabrics may have permanent deformation. To improve the recovery performance of circular single-knit fabrics, it is now a common practice to knit a small amount of spandex fiber or yarn with companion cotton yarn. In this study the physical, dimensional, and mechanical properties of back plaited cotton/spandex single jersey knitted fabrics were investigated and the results are compared with knitted fabrics made from 100% cotton and the effect of spandex percentage was also studied. It was found that as the loop length increases, the wales density was not affected and specific fabric hand and extension increased, but bursting strength and fabric recovery decreased. The presence of Lycra in single jersey knitted fabric increases of course density, fabric thickness, and knitted fabric recovery, while fabric width, fabric porosity, and extension were decreased.
Oil palm mesocarp fibre obtained from a palm oil processing mill was washed with detergent and water to remove the oil and sun-dried to enhance good adhesion to Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). The fibre was pulverized and filtered through a sieve of pore size 300 microns. The Oil Palm Mesocarp Fibre Reinforced Thermoplastic (OPMFRT) was produced with a form of hand lay-up method and varying fibres weight ratio in the matrix from 5 wt% to 25 wt% in steps of 5 wt%. Tensile test was carried out to determine the tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break of the material. The hardness and impact strength of the composite were also determined. The results showed that tensile modulus and hardness of the OPMFRT increased by 50% and 24.56%, respectively, while tensile strength, impact strength, and percentage elongation of the OPMFRT decreased by 36.78%, 39.07%, and 95.98%, respectively, as fibre loading increased from 5 wt% to 25 wt%. The study concluded that the application of the OPMFRT developed should be restricted to areas demanding high rigidity and wear resistance.
This study deals with the influence of radial body forces on FGM and non-FGM pressure vessels. It contains an extended overview of pressure vessels made from both kinds of material. Furthermore, full mathematical development of stress-strain field for both kinds of cylindrical vessels while being influenced by body forces has been performed. In addition, a new power law model for FGM materials was suggested and discussed. Finally, tables of composed plastic-elastic states are discussed.
We report a composite capable of advanced manufacturing and damage repair. Microwave energy is used to induce thermal reversible polymerization of the matrix allowing for microwave assisted composite welding and repair. Composites can be bonded together in just a few minutes through microwave welding. Lap shear testing demonstrates that microwave welded composites exhibit 40% bond strength relative to composites bonded with epoxy resin. Double cantilever beam testing shows 60% recovery in delamination strength after microwave assisted composite repair. The interfacial adhesion and composite repair after microwave exposure are examined by X-ray computed tomography. The microwave processing is shown to be reproducible and consistent. The ability to perform scalable manufacturing is demonstrated by the construction of a large structure from smaller components.
Material behaviour of structural components is very important to understand. In fibre reinforced polymer composite materials, this is more difficult in comparison to isotropic materials as they are made up of two constituents: the fibre and the matrix. For aerospace composite materials, the matrix is usually an epoxy resin that cures at a high temperature. This curing regime is known to introduce residual stresses to the composite material as it cools from the high cure temperature. However, how to consider these residual stresses in a structural analysis is still widely debated. In this paper, the authors investigated the offset of thermal residual strains introduced by the cure regime by the swelling of the composite when exposed to moisture.
Photocure fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) with varying chopped quartz-fiber lengths were incorporated into a dental photocure zirconia-silicate particulate-filled composite (PFC) for mechanical test comparisons with a popular commercial spherical-particle amalgam. FRC lengths included 0.5-mm, 1.0 mm, 2.0 mm, and 3.0 mm all at a constant 28.2 volume percent. Four-point fully articulated fixtures were used according to American Standards Test Methods with sample dimensions of 2×2×50 mm3 across a 40 mm span to provide sufficient Euler flexural bending and prevent top-load compressive shear error. Mechanical properties for flexural strength, modulus, yield strength, resilience, work of fracture, critical strain energy release, critical stress intensity factor, and strain were obtained for comparison. Fiber length subsequently correlated with increasing all mechanical properties, p < 1.1×10-5. Although the modulus was significantly statistically higher for amalgam than all composites, all FRCs and even the PFC had higher values than amalgam for all other mechanical properties. Because amalgams provide increased longevity during clinical use compared to the standard PFCs, modulus would appear to be a mechanical property that might sufficiently reduce margin interlaminar shear stress and strain-related microcracking that could reduce failure rates. Also, since FRCs were tested with all mechanical properties that statistically significantly increased over the PFC, new avenues for future development could be provided toward surpassing amalgam in clinical longevity.
Nickel powders were troweled on roughened Al base plate using a friction tool made from tool steel. Friction stir processing (FSP) was carried out using a load of 8 kN and with a tool rotation speed of 800 rpm and thus a surface composite was processed. Processed samples were characterized for revealing the microstructural features. SEM and XRD analysis revealed the presence of fine Ni particles in the stir zone which lead to a significant increase in hardness. Using the “refined energy model,” the maximum temperature developed within the processed zone was estimated and found to be around 275°C. Impression creep behaviour was assessed on both the base metal and processed zone at the temperature of 30, 100, and 200°C. Creep curves were generated and steady state creep rate (SSCR) values were found out to determine the activation energy. It is observed that friction stirred regions record higher creep rate values compared to the base metal. Estimated activation energy is in the range of 6 to 16 kJ/mol. Activation energy is marginally lower in the base metal compared to friction stir processed region.
A nonlocal elastic shell model considering the small scale effects is developed to study the free vibrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes subject to different types of boundary conditions. Based on the nonlocal elasticity and the Flügge shell theory, the governing equations are derived which include the interaction of van der Waals forces between adjacent and nonadjacent layers. To analytically solve the problem, the Rayleigh-Ritz method is employed. In the present analysis, different combinations of layerwise boundary conditions are taken into account. Some new intertube resonant frequencies and the associated noncoaxial vibrational modes are identified owing to incorporating circumferential modes into the shell model.
A full biocomposite was fabricated from Cordenka CR fibre and furan resin. High fibre mass fractions (FMF) were achieved by pressing the CR fibres into unidirectional sheets prior to incorporation into the resin. Results of testing indicated that the tensile properties of the biocomposite were improved by the initial increase of FMF from 51 to 64%, with a subsequent increase of FMF to 75% resulting in a deterioration of those properties. Examination of the tensile fracture surfaces with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed moderate deterioration in fibre-matrix adhesion after the initial increase of FMF. Further increase of the FMF to 75% was shown by SEM to result in worse fibre-matrix adhesion. On the other hand, the flexural, interlaminar-shear, and dynamic mechanical properties were adversely affected by the increase in fibre-mass fraction from 51 through 75%. These effects were mainly attributed to reduced fibre wetting that resulted in weakened fibre-matrix interfacial bonding and subsequent poor stress exchange at the fibre-matrix interface. Observations made with a digital microscope revealed normal crack behaviour in the laminated composite, and the shear fracture modes were I and II. This biocomposite has mechanical properties comparable to those of flax and glass fibre-reinforced furan resin biocomposites.
Electrically conductive woven, knitted, and nonwoven composite fabrics are prepared by in situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole using suitable oxidant and dopant. These composite fabrics show surface resistivity in the range ~1 to 2 kΩ. These composite fabric can alter their resistivity with various stimuli such as mechanical strain, pH, and humidity. So, in the present study, their response to pH, humidity, and mechanical strain is investigated. For all fabrics, similar behaviour has been observed regarding pH versus resistivity. The resistance of the composite fabric increases with the increase of alkalinity of pH. However, as bending strain increases, resistance steeply decreases for cotton fabrics, steeply increases for polyester fabrics, and initially decreases and then increases for wool fabrics. Regarding humidity sensitivity, sigmoid curves have been obtained for all kinds of fabrics.
The present paper reports phase, microstructure, and compressive strength of ZrO2 reinforced Fe Metal Matrix Nanocomposites (MMNCs) synthesized by powder metallurgy (P/M) technique. High purity grade iron metal powder was mixed with varying percentage of zirconium dioxide (5–30 wt%), compacted, and sintered in argon atmosphere in the temperature range of 900–1100°C for 1 to 3 hours. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of specimens was done in order to study the phases present and scanning electron microscopy was carried out to determine the morphology and grain size of the various constituents. XRD result shows the presence of Fe, ZrO2, and Zr6Fe3O phase. Zr6Fe3O phase forms due to reactive sintering and is not reported earlier by researchers throughout the globe. SEM results showed the presence of dense microstructure with the presence of Fe, ZrO2, and some nanosize Zr6Fe3O phases.
Oriented strand board (OSB) is an important wood composite used in situations where fungal decay and termite attack can occur. To counter these threats, powdered zinc borate biocide is commonly added to OSB. The effectiveness of biocides depends on their even distribution within composites and resistance to leaching, but little is known about the distribution of zinc borate in OSB. Zinc is denser than wood and it should be possible to map its distribution in OSB using X-ray micro-CT. We test this hypothesis and chemically register zinc in OSB using SEM-EDX. Zinc borate particles aggregated at the wood-adhesive interface in OSB, creating interrupted lines of zinc oriented in the x-y plane. Zinc borate particles were also found in the lumens of wood cells. Zinc was distributed throughout OSB, although slightly less was present in the core of the composite than in surface layers. A network of zinc remained in OSB after leaching in water. The resistance of zinc to leaching may be due to its incorporation in glue-lines within OSB, in addition to its low water-solubility. We conclude that X-ray micro-CT is a powerful tool for studying the distribution of zinc in OSB and other wood composites containing zinc borate.
Abrasive waterjet machining (AWJM) is an emerging machining process in which the material removal takes place due to abrasion. A stream of abrasive particles mixed with filtered water is subjected to the work surface with high velocity. The present study is focused on the experimental research and evaluation of the abrasive waterjet machining process in order to evaluate the technological factors affecting the machining quality of CFRP laminate using response surface methodology. The standoff distance, feed rate, and jet pressure were found to affect kerf taper, delamination, material removal rate, and surface roughness. The material related parameter, orientation of fiber, has been also found to affect the machining performance. The kerf taper was found to be 0.029 for 45° fiber orientation whereas it was 0.036 and 0.038 for 60° and 90°, respectively. The material removal rate is 18.95 mm3/sec for 45° fiber orientation compared to 18.26 mm3/sec for 60° and 17.4 mm3/sec for 90° fiber orientation. The Ra value for 45° fiber orientation is 4.911 µm and for 60° and 90° fiber orientation it is 4.927 µm and 4.974 µm, respectively. Delamination factor is found to be more for 45° fiber orientation, that is, 2.238, but for 60° and 90° it is 2.029 and 2.196, respectively.
The aims of this research are to investigate the effect of different surface treatment methods on the different properties of date palm fiber (DPF) compared to raw DPF fibers such as surface morphology, density, thermal stability, and tensile properties. The first surface treatment is called surface hand cleaning which can be carried out by cleaning the fibers by soft sand cloth; the second one is the same as the first one after DPF heat treatment in the furnace at 100°C for 1.5 h and the third one is by chemical treatment with 1% NaOH at 100°C for 1 h. The results showed that the mechanical performance of DPF was enhanced by the different treatments and the chemical treatment has pronounced effect on the behavior of DPF. Raw fibers showed the highest variability and presented the lowest value of Weibull modulus, whereas the fibers showed less variability by carrying out the different treatments. Moreover, using soda treatment cleans the fiber surface which causes fibrillation and therefore the tensile strength of the fibers increases.
Composites have monopolized the automotive, construction, and packaging industry. Their high strength to weight ratio has made them an integral part of numerous engineering applications. In this study biodegradable matrix is combined with areca frond fibres for developing composites for low strength structural applications. Areca frond fibres were extracted and treated with sodium bicarbonate to improve the surface characteristics. Hand lay-up and compression moulding techniques were used to fabricate composites having unidirectional fibre orientation. The specimens prepared were exposed to varied environments, namely, sunlight, OTG oven, steam oven, and hot air oven, for curing and the results were analyzed to best suit the implicated requirements. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in surface characteristics of the frond fibres after treatment. Tensile and flexural strength of starch based/areca frond reinforced composites were evaluated according to ASTM standards. Test results revealed that composites cured in a steam oven resulted in improved tensile and flexural strength compared to other curing environments.
In this preliminary investigation, dolomite was added to the low-density polyethylene/kenaf core fiber (LDPE/KCF) biocomposites by using an internal mixer at 150°C, followed by compression molding at the same temperature. The dolomite contents were varied from 0 to 18 wt.%. The processing and stabilization torques, the stock and stabilization temperatures, the tensile and impact strengths, and the thermal decomposition properties of the prepared biocomposites have been characterized and analyzed. The processing recorder results of the LDPE/KCF biocomposites indicated that the stabilization torques and stabilization temperatures have increased with the addition of dolomite. Mechanical testing results showed that the presence of dolomite has increased the tensile stress, tensile modulus, and impact strength of the LDPE/KCF biocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis results displayed that the thermal decomposition properties of the biocomposites have also increased with the increase of the dolomite content. This research led to the conclusion that the addition of dolomite in lower amounts (<20 wt.%) could act as a secondary filler for improving the processing, mechanical and thermal properties of LDPE/KCF biocomposites without surface treatments of the natural fiber.
The classical failure criteria are phenomenological theories as they ignore the actual failure mechanism and do not concentrate on the microscopic events of failure. The main objective of the current investigation is to modify the classical failure theories to comprise the essential failure mechanism (interfacial shear failure) in the thin-layered woven-roving composite materials. An interfacial shear correction factor (MH6) is introduced into the nondimensional shear terms in the studied classical failure criteria. Thus the validity of applying these theories to the investigated material will be augmented. The experimental part of the current study is conducted on thin-layered circular specimens. The specimens are fabricated from two plies of fiber E-glass woven-roving fabric reinforced with polyester. The fabrics are laid to have [±45°] or [0°, 90°] fiber orientation. The specimens used are plain, where no macroscopic sources of stress concentration exist or having circular notches of five, seven, or nine mm radii. The specimens are subjected to low cycle completely reversed fatigue bending loading where the S-N and the R.D.-N curves are plotted for each group of specimens.
The morphology of the fracture surfaces of polymer/date pits composites was investigated. Polymers used in this study were high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polystyrene (PS). Date pits in the form of granules were two types of date pits: khlaas (K) and sekari (S). Two coupling agents, diphenylmethane-4 4′-diisocyanate (DPMI) and ethylene propylene grafted with malice anhydride (EP-g-MA), were used to ease the incorporation of date pit particles into polymer matrix. The SEM micrographs of the neat composites, that is, with no coupling agents, showed coarse morphology with bad dispersion, adhesion, and distribution of date pit particles within the polymer matrix. On the other hand, PS100/K composites coupled with DPMI and EP-g-MA had reasonable dispersed phase size with good distribution and adhesion to the composite matrix which in turn improve the mechanical properties of the resulted polymer/date pits composites.
The primary objective of this research is to develop a multiscale simulation framework to arrive at more realistic estimates of cure-induced residual stresses in the vicinity of the fiber-matrix interface in thick thermoset composites. The methodology involves simulations at the part level—employing homogenized rendering of the composite using micromechanics approach—within a finite element framework to obtain part-level temperature and degree-of-cure gradients and strains, and imposition of this information as boundary conditions at the mesoscale simulations, employing microstructural representative volume elements (RVE). A simple implementation of the multiscale framework, involving simulations at the part as well as the RVE levels, is demonstrated in the context of a thick, unidirectional continuous-glass-fiber-reinforced thermoset composite. The trends in the mesoscale residual stresses estimated by employing different RVE-level thermal and thermomechanical boundary conditions—displaying different degrees of coupling between the global and part-level simulations—are then examined. Significant differences are observed in the estimates of mesolevel cure-induced residual stress evolution obtained from simulations with a conventional symmetric RVE and those obtained by employing the multiscale approach involving detailed boundary conditions that realistically account for global thermal and mechanical strain histories.
This paper addresses multiscale stiffness homogenization methodology to extract macroscale elastic mechanical properties of four types of sustainable concretes from their nanoscale mechanical properties. Nine different sustainable concrete mixtures were studied. A model based on micromechanics was used to homogenize the elastic properties. The hardened cement pastes were homogenized by three analytical methods based on Self-Consistent and Mori-Tanaka schemes. The proposed multiscale method combines advanced experimental and analytical methods in a systematic way so that the inputs are nanoscale phases properties extracted from statistical nanoindentation technique and mechanical properties of mixture ingredient. Predicted elastic properties were consistent with traditional experimental results. Linking homogenized mechanical properties of sustainable concrete to volume proportions through an analytical approach provides a critical first step towards rational optimization of these materials.
