Poro-viscoelastic properties of anisotropic cylindrical composite materials

A new poro-viscoelastic mechanical model, which is able to predict strain creep, stress relaxation and instant elasticity for anisotropic cylindrical composite materials based on the characteristics of dentinal biomaterials of cylindrical microstructures, is described. The model enables evaluation of the poro-viscoelastic properties of dentinal biomaterials with no cracks and with fatigue-cracks. The predicted poro-viscoelastic properties obtained from the present anisotropic constitutive model agree well with the available experimental data for both wet and dry situations. The present model can be applied to anisotropic cylindrical composite materials other than biomaterials.     

Deterioration of the Strong sp2 Carbon Network in Carbon Nanotubes during the Mechanical Dispersion Processing—A Review

The unique mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) make them an ideal reinforcement for the metal matrix composites (MMCs). The successful incorporation of CNTs as reinforcement in MMCs can result in the development of lightweight and high-strength structures which can eventually result in weight savings for the automobile and aerospace industries. In the last two decades extensive research has been carried out to improve the dispersion of CNTs in metal and polymer matrices. Challenges remain to effectively disperse CNTs within the matrix materials with minimal damage during the composite processing stages. The ultra-high Young's modulus and other superior mechanical and thermal properties of CNTs have been attributed to the strong sp² A. M. Esawi and M. A. El Borady, Carbon nanotube-reinforced aluminium strips. Compos. Sci. Technol. 68, 486 (2008).[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds present in their structures. In order to fully utilize the unique properties of CNTs as reinforcement, damages to CNTs in the form of damaging these sp²C-C bonds have to be minimized. A variety of processing techniques have been developed to fabricate CNTs reinforced MMCs but mechanical alloying (MA) via powder metallurgy (PM) is most widely used process to develop the nano-composites. The role of processing variables during PM and their effects on the structural integrity of CNTs have been reviewed in this work. Governing principles to predict the mechanical properties of CNTs with incorporating the key process variables are deduced. With the help of these governing equations, critical study of the processes parameters and their effects on the structural integrity of CNTs, it is possible to optimize the processing methodologies of CNTs reinforced MMCs and get the maximum benefit from the unique properties of CNTs. It is assumed that better dispersion of CNTs in the metal matrices, retaining the structural integrity of CNTs and optimization of process parameters would result in better mechanical and tribological properties of CNTs reinforced MMCs.     

Nonlocal excitonic–mechanical interaction in a nanosystem

The dynamics of a nanoparticle during its dipole interaction with an excitonic excitation in an extended quasi-one-dimensional polarizable medium is investigated. Bundles of J-aggregates of dye molecules are considered as an example of the latter. The nonlocal excitonic–mechanical interaction between the field of an amplifying or absorbing nanoparticle and excitons in a bundle has been simulated numerically. It has been found that the interaction between the field of the induced nanoparticle dipole and the fields of the molecular dipoles in an aggregate can lead to a change in the particle trajectory and excitonic pulse shape. The possibility of controlling the nanoparticle by excitonic pulses and the reverse effect of the nanoparticle field on the dynamics of excitons due to the nonlocal excitonic–mechanical interaction has been demonstrated.     

Fatigue behaviour and structural health monitoring by acoustic emission of E-glass/epoxy laminates with piezoelectric implant

This paper represents the continuation of our research on built-in piezoelectric sensor for structural health monitoring of composite materials. Experimental research is focused on examining the effects of the embedded sensors on the structural integrity of composite laminates subjected to mechanical tests. A series of composite specimens with and without embedded sensor are tested in fatigue loading while constantly monitoring the response by acoustic emission technique. The acoustic signals are analysed using the classification k-means method in order to identify the different damage mechanisms and to follow the evolution of these mechanisms for both types of composite materials (with and without sensor). The mechanical behaviour of composites with and without embedded sensor shows no difference in the form. The incorporation of piezoelectric sensor causes low degradation of mechanical properties of composites. Comparing embedded sensor to sensor mounted on the surface, the embedded sensor showed a much higher sensitivity. It is thus verified that the embedded acoustic emission sensor had great potential for acoustic emission monitoring in fibre reinforced composite structures.     

A novel sample preparation method to avoid influence of embedding medium during nano-indentation

The effect of the embedding medium on the nano-indentation measurements of lignocellulosic materials was investigated experimentally using nano-indentation. Both the reduced elastic modulus and the hardness of non-embedded cell walls were found to be lower than those of the embedded samples, proving that the embedding medium used for specimen preparation on cellulosic material during nano-indentation can modify cell-wall properties. This leads to structural and chemical changes in the cell-wall constituents, changes that may significantly alter the material properties. Further investigation was carried out to detect the influence of different vacuum times on the cell-wall mechanical properties during the embedding procedure. Interpretation of the statistical analysis revealed no linear relationships between vacuum time and the mechanical properties of cell walls. The quantitative measurements confirm that low-viscosity resin has a rapid penetration rate early in the curing process. Finally, a novel sample preparation method aimed at preventing resin diffusion into lignocellulosic cell walls was developed using a plastic film to wrap the sample before embedding. This method proved to be accessible and straightforward for many kinds of lignocellulosic material, but is especially suitable for small, soft samples.     

Enhancements in crystallinity,thermal stability,tensile modulus and strength of sisal fibres and their PP composites induced by the synergistic effects of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) treatments

In this investigation, sisal fibres were treated with the combination of alkali and high intensity ultrasound (HIU) and their effects on the morphology, thermal properties of fibres and mechanical properties of their reinforced PP composites were studied. FTIR and FE-SEM results confirmed the removal of amorphous materials such as hemicellulose, lignin and other waxy materials after the combined treatments of alkali and ultrasound. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed an increase in the crystallinity of sisal fibres with an increase in the concentration of alkali. Thermogravimetric results revealed that the thermal stability of sisal fibres obtained with the combination of both alkali and ultrasound treatment was increased by 38.5 °C as compared to the untreated fibres. Morphology of sisal fibre reinforced composites showed good interfacial interaction between fibres and matrix after the combined treatment. Tensile properties were increased for the combined treated sisal fibres reinforced PP composites as compared to the untreated and pure PP. Tensile modulus and strength increased by more than 50% and 10% respectively as compared to the untreated sisal fibre reinforced composite. It has been found that the combined treatment of alkali and ultrasound is effective and useful to remove the amorphous materials and hence to improve the mechanical and thermal properties.     

石墨烯/羟基磷灰石复合材料力学性能的数值研究

为了研究石墨烯/羟基磷灰石复合材料力学性能（弹性模量和泊松比）,开发了石墨烯/羟基磷灰石复合材料的随机分布模型自动生成算法及相应的计算程序;建立石墨烯/羟基磷灰石复合材料的有限元模型,计算添加不同质量分数的石墨烯对复合材料力学性能的影响,通过与实验数据对比验证算法的有效性.结果表明：添加0.25%~1.25%（质量分数）的石墨烯可使复合材料的弹性模量增加12%~50%,表明添加少量石墨烯即能有效地改善羟基磷灰石的力学性能.     

Damage Mechanisms of Hierarchical Composites: Computational Modelling

Computational studies of damage mechanisms in hierarchical composites, including biocomposites, nanoparticle reinforced polymer composites and other materials are discussed. Different methods of the analysis of hierarchical effects in the multiscale composites are demonstrated, among them, hierarchical fiber bundle model, 3D multiscale finite element models, analytical studies. Considering wood as a gradient, cellular material with layered composite cell walls, one analyzed the effect of wood structure on damage resistance of wood. The influence of nanoparticles distribution in unidirectional polymer matrix composites with secondary nanoreinforcement on the strength and damage resistance of the composites is demonstrated. The concept of nanostructuring of interfaces and grain boundaries as an important reserve of the improvement of the materials properties is formulated.     

Facile and rapid one-pot microwave-assisted synthesis of Pd-Ni magnetic nanoalloys confined in mesoporous carbons

An easy and rapid one-pot microwave-assisted soft-template synthesis method for the preparation of Pd-Ni nanoalloys confined in mesoporous carbon is reported. This approach allows the formation of mesoporous carbon and the growth of the particles at the same time, under short microwave irradiation (4 h) compared to the several days spent for the classical approach. In addition, the synthesis steps are diminished and no thermopolymerization step or reduction treatment being required. The influence of the Pd-Ni composition on the particle size and on the carbon characteristics was investigated. Pd-Ni solid solutions in the whole composition range could be obtained, and the metallic composition proved to have an important effect on the nanoparticle size but low influence on carbon textural properties. Small and uniformly distributed nanoparticles were confined in mesoporous carbon with uniform pore size distribution, and dependence between the nanoparticle size and the nanoalloy composition was observed, i.e., increase of the particle size with increasing the Ni content (from 5 to 14 nm). The magnetic properties of the materials showed a strong nanoparticle size and/or composition effect. The blocking temperature of Pd-Ni nanoalloys increases with the increase of Ni amount and therefore of particle size. The magnetization values are smaller than the bulk counterpart particularly for the Ni-rich compositions due to the formed graphitic shells surrounding the particles inducing a dead magnetic layer.

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Graphical abstract PdNi nanoalloys confined in mesoporous carbon exhibiting magnetic properties dependent on thealloys composition and size were synthesized by a fast microwave approach

     

Application of nano-indentation, nano-scratch and single fibre tests in investigation of interphases in composite materials

Three novel experimental techniques were employed in this work in order to investigate the influence of the interphase region in polymer–glass composites on the bulk material properties: (i) the microdroplet test is a single fibre test designed to characterize the fibre–matrix bond (interface region) and to determine the interfacial shear stress in composite material; (ii) the nano-indentation test, a novel nano-hardness technique with ability to produce an indent as low as a few nanometres was employed in order to measure nano-hardness of the fibre–matrix interphase region; and (iii) the nano-scratch test, used in conjunction with the nano-indentation test for measurement of the interphase region width. The microdroplet test (MDT) has been used to characterize the interfacial bond in fibrous composite materials. The specimen consists of a fibre with a drop of cured resin pulled while the drop is being supported by a platinum disc with a hole. A properly tested specimen fails at the droplet’s tip–fibre interface, revealing the ultimate interfacial shear strength. In this study, finite element analysis (FEA) of the MDT has been focused toward simulation of the fibre–matrix interphase region. The influence of several functional variations of the material properties across the interphase layer on the stress distribution at the droplet’s tip was analysed. The results showed that the variation of the interphase properties significantly affects the stress distribution at the fibre–droplet interface, and, therefore, the stress redistribution to composite material. These results led to further experimental investigation of the interphase region, in order to obtain the material properties essential for the interfacial stress analysis. The interphase region in dry and water aged polymer–glass composite materials was investigated by means of the nano-indentation and the nano-scratch techniques. The nano-indentation test involved indentation as small as 30 nm in depth, produced along a 14 μm path between the fibre and the matrix. The distinct properties of the interphase region were revealed by 2–3 indents in dry materials and up to 15 indents in water aged, degraded materials. These results indicated interdiffusion in water aged interphase regions. The nano-scratch test involves moving a sample while being in contact with a diamond tip. The nano-scratch test, used in conjunction with the nano-indentation test, accurately measured the width of the interphase region. The results showed that the harder interphase region dissolved into the softer interphase region (both regions being harder/stronger than the matrix) expanding its width after aging in water.     

A review on abaca fiber reinforced composites

This paper reviews literatures and information on Abaca fibers (Musa textilis Nee) as reinforcing material for aerospace composite materials. Characterization of Abaca as well properties of Abaca reinforced composites and its applications were discussed. Therefore, challenges and future works for Abaca Reinforced composites were explored. Studies reveal that Abaca fiber pre-treatment helps in improving the mechanical properties of the composite. In addition, there have been efforts in combining Abaca fibers to existing mixture of synthetic composites to improve its mechanical properties and environmental performance. The future of Abaca is seen as one of the potent sources of reinforcing fiber for various material construction including aerospace materials.     

Investigating mechanical properties of polymethylmethacrylate/silver nanoparticle composites by molecular dynamics simulation

The molecular dynamics simulation (MD) was carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of pristine polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and the composites of PMMA mixed with the silver nanoparticles (PMMA/AgNPs) at two AgNP weight fractions at 0.60 and 1.77 wt%. From the stress–strain profiles by the tensile process, it can be seen that the improvement on Young’s modulus is insignificant at these lower AgNP fractions. The tensile strength of pristine PMMA can be slightly improved by the embedded AgNPs at 1.77 wt%, because the local density and strength of PMMA in the vicinity of AgNP surface within about 8.2 Å are improved. For the temperature effect on the mechanical properties of pristine PMMA and PMMA/AgNP composite, the Young’s moduli and strength of pristine PMMA and PMMA/AgNP composite significantly decrease at temperatures of 450 and 550 K, which are close to the predicted melting temperature of pristine PMMA about 460 K. At these temperatures, the PMMA materials become more ductile and the AgNPs within the PMMA matrix display higher mobility than those at 300 K. When the tensile strain increases, the AgNPs tend to get closer and the fracture appears at the PMMA part, leading to the close values of Young’s modulus and ultimate strength for pristine PMMA and PMMA/AgNP composite at 450 and 550 K.

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Graphical abstract Stress–strain curves of pristine PMMA, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/silver nanoparticles (AgNP) (0.60%), and PMMA/AgNP (1.77%). Inset images: local shear strain of pristine PMMA (red) and PMMA/AgNP (1.77%) (green).

     

Improvements in carbon fibre reinforced composites by inkjet printing of thermoplastic polymer patterns

A thermoplastic polymer solution was inkjet printed in a pre‐defined hexagonal pattern onto carbon fibre reinforced epoxy resin (CFRP), leading to a significant increase in strength, stiffness and toughness of the final aerospace grade compo‐site system. The approach consisted of depositing low‐viscosity polymer microdroplets having chemically and me‐chanically comparable properties to epoxy polymer, onto CFRP before curing and solidification. The microdroplets remained arrested between composite plies without direct contact with the neighbouring microdroplets ensuring preservation of the structural integrity of the new composite system after curing. The key to achieving this synergistic effect was in appropriately selected additive materials; however, the novel aspects also included the method itself, which enabled an accurate crack arrest mechanism.

     

Laser abrading of carbon fibre reinforced composite for improving paint adhesion

Surface contaminations (originating from manufacturing processes), smooth surface, and poor wettability of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite impair its successful paint adhesion. Surface pre-treatment of composite materials is often required. Previous approaches of using manual sand-papering result in non-uniform surface conditions and occasional damages to the fibres. Furthermore, the process is labour intensive, slow and can be hazardous to the workers if protections are not appropriate. This paper reports an investigation into a new surface treatment method based on laser multi-tasking surface abrading and surface cleaning/texturing for the improvement of paint adhesion. A KrF Excimer laser with a wavelength of 248 nm is used as the laser source. Significant improvement in paint adhesion has been demonstrated compared with as-received and sand-papered samples. This improvement is achieved by eliminating surface contaminants, minimizing chain scission and increasing in surface active functional groups as well as increasing in surface roughness. The former two play dominant roles.     

Recent progress in asymmetric Biginelli reaction

The Biginelli reaction, which involves the interaction of ethyl acetoacetate, urea, and an appropriate aryl aldehyde, was first discovered by Pietro Biginelli about 120 years ago. The Biginelli products (3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1 $H$ )-ones) are interesting materials due to their significant pharmacological and structural profiles. In the last decades, the asymmetric synthesis as a powerful tool has an effective impact on the Biginelli products and has increased their potencies and applications as drugs. Having the importance of this subject in mind, in this review we wish to present the recent rapid progress of asymmetric Biginelli reaction.     

Superconducting properties of MgO-whisker reinforced BPSCCO composite

Based on a recently introduced solid-state processing method, a new class of high-temperature BPSCCO (2223) ceramic matrix composites reinforced with MgO whiskers has been developed. The (MgO)_w/BPSCCO composites are shown to possess attractive superconducting properties with significantly improved mechanical properties. It is recognized that the superconducting properties of the (MgO)_w/BPSCCO HTS composite are related to proper material microstructures achievable by optimizing the processing variables involved, such as repeated hot pressing and annealing, hot-pressing temperature and pressure level, and the length of annealing. In this paper, relationships among superconducting properties and composite processing variables are established. Also, effects of the BPSCCO (2223) phase purity and the MgO whisker reinforcement on superconducting properties of the (MgO)_w/BPSCCO composites are discussed. The important issue of the field dependence of superconducting properties of both the monolithic and the composite HTS materials is addressed.     

聚乙烯/银纳米颗粒复合物的分子动力学模拟研究

通过分子动力学模拟对聚乙烯/银纳米颗粒复合物的结构、极化率和红外光谱、热力学性质、力学特性进行计算, 分析其随模拟温度和银颗粒尺寸的变化规律. 模拟结果表明: 聚乙烯/银纳米颗粒复合物为各向同性的无定形结构, 温度升高可提高银纳米颗粒的分散均匀性; 银纳米颗粒表面多个原子层呈现无定形状态, 并在银颗粒和聚乙烯基体的界面形成电极化层, 界面区域随颗粒尺寸和温度的增加分别减小和增加; 与聚乙烯体系相比, 聚乙烯/银纳米颗粒复合物的极化率高很多, 且随温度的升高和银颗粒尺寸的减小而增大; 银颗粒尺寸直接影响界面电偶极矩的强度和振动频率, 红外光谱峰强度和峰位随颗粒尺寸发生变化; 聚乙烯/银纳米颗粒复合物具有比聚乙烯体系更高的等容热容和与聚乙烯体系相反的负值热压力系数, 热容随颗粒尺寸的变化较小, 但随温度的升高而明显减小, 具有显著的温度效应; 热压力系数随温度的变化较小, 但随颗粒尺寸的增加而减小, 具有明显的尺度效应, 温度稳定性更好; 聚乙烯/银纳米颗粒复合物的力学特性表现出各向同性材料的弹性常数张量, 具有比聚乙烯体系更高的杨氏模量和泊松比, 并且都随温度的升高和银颗粒尺寸的增大而减小, 加入银纳米颗粒可有效改善聚乙烯的力学性质. 关键词： 分子动力学模拟 聚合物纳米复合物 纳米颗粒     

Forced response of FRP sandwich panels with viscoelastic materials

In this paper a new analytical model is presented that accurately predicts the forced response of fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) sandwich plates subjected to transverse applied loads. It is based on Reddy's refined high order shear deformation theory and offers the feasibility of accounting for the viscoelastic properties of the constitutive materials without restriction to the steady state motion. This is achieved by modelling the viscoelastic behaviour of the constitutive materials using the Golla Hughes McTavish mathematical tool. Validation of the new approach is achieved by comparing results under harmonic loading conditions against data obtained using the proposed new analytical model. Subsequently, predicted responses for a given FRP sandwich plate under various transverse applied loads are presented. The results outline the importance of being able to account for the viscoelastic properties of the constitutive materials when modelling the dynamic behaviour of sandwich structures.     

Optical manipulation of complex molecular systems by high density green photons: experimental and theoretical evidence

The recent revolution in modern optical techniques revealed that light interaction with matter generates a force, known as optical force, which produces material properties known in physics as optical matter. The basic technique of the domain uses forces exerted by a strongly focused beam of light to trap small objects and subsequently to manipulate their local structures. The purpose of this paper is to develop an alternative approach, using irradiations with high-density-green-photons, which induce electric dipoles by polarization effects. The materials used for the experiments were long carbon chains which represent the framework of biological macromolecules. The physical techniques used to reveal the locally induced molecular arrangements were: dynamic viscosity, zeta potential, chemiluminescence, liquid chromatography; mass spectrometry, and Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The principal result of our experiments was the detection of different molecular arrangements within the mixture of alkane chains, generated by our optical manipulations. This induced “optical matter” displayed two material properties: antioxidant effects and large molecular aggregation effects. In order to bring the experimental results in relation with theory, we developed a physical model and the interacting force between polarizable bodies was computed. By numerical calculations stable structures for N = 6 and N = 8 particles were obtained.