Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Physics and Theory".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 13401

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Airframe and Engine, Faculty of Aviation, Polish Air Force Univerisity, Deblin, Poland
Interests: mechanical and tribological properties of polymers and polymer composites; processing of thermoplastic, thermosetting and chemosetting polymer composites; exploatation and relibility of polymer composites

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Applied Mechanics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, Lublin, Poland
Interests: vibration of complex structure; dynamic and energy harvesting of composite materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to original results of research related to the analysis of broadly understood dynamic mechanical properties of polymer composites. The scope of the test results applies to polymer composites with both a thermoplastic and a hardenable matrix. The dynamic mechanical properties tests include both single-impact shock tests and cyclic quasi-static tests, typical dynamic fatigue tests, as well as vibration tests with different characteristics. The variability of loads mainly includes mechanical loads. Nevertheless, in many cases, the mechanical loads are associated with controlled or not thermal loads.

The aim of this Issue is to share the recent developments in determining the impact of the exploitation of polymer composites under dynamic mechanical loads on their properties, including their durability and reliability.

Best regards
Prof. Dr. Aneta Krzyzak
Prof. Dr. Marek Borowiec
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • dynamic mechanical load
  • dynamic mechanical analysis
  • polymer composites
  • dynamical exploitation of polymer composites
  • vibration
  • impact load
  • durability and reliability of polymer composites
  • dynamic mechanical properties of polymer composites

Published Papers (7 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 13429 KiB  
Article
On the Thermomechanical Behavior of 3D-Printed Specimens of Shape Memory R-PETG
by Ștefan-Dumitru Sava, Nicoleta-Monica Lohan, Bogdan Pricop, Mihai Popa, Nicanor Cimpoeșu, Radu-Ioachim Comăneci and Leandru-Gheorghe Bujoreanu
Polymers 2023, 15(10), 2378; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15102378 - 19 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1293
Abstract
From commercial pellets of recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol (R-PETG), 1.75 mm diameter filaments for 3D printing were produced. By varying the filament’s deposition direction between 10° and 40° to the transversal axis, parallelepiped specimens were fabricated by additive manufacturing. When bent at room [...] Read more.
From commercial pellets of recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol (R-PETG), 1.75 mm diameter filaments for 3D printing were produced. By varying the filament’s deposition direction between 10° and 40° to the transversal axis, parallelepiped specimens were fabricated by additive manufacturing. When bent at room temperature (RT), both the filaments and the 3D-printed specimens recovered their shape during heating, either without any constraint or while lifting a load over a certain distance. In this way, free-recovery and work-generating shape memory effects (SMEs) were developed. The former could be repeated without any visible fatigue marks for as much as 20 heating (to 90 °C)-RT cooling–bending cycles, while the latter enabled the lifting of loads over 50 times heavier than the active specimens. Tensile static failure tests revealed the superiority of the specimens printed at larger angles over those printed at 10°, since the specimens printed at 40° had tensile failure stresses and strains over 35 MPa and 8.5%, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fractographs displayed the structure of the successively deposited layers and a shredding tendency enhanced by the increase in the deposition angle. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis enabled the identification of the glass transition between 67.5 and 77.3 °C, which might explain the occurrence of SMEs in both the filament and 3D-printed specimens. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) emphasized a local increase in storage modulus of 0.87–1.66 GPa that occurred during heating, which might explain the development of work-generating SME in both filament and 3D-printed specimens. These properties recommend 3D-printed parts made of R-PETG as active elements in low-price lightweight actuators operating between RT and 63 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 56042 KiB  
Article
Crushing Responses of Expanded Polypropylene Foam
by Yueqing Xing, Deqiang Sun, Meiyun Zhang and Guowei Shu
Polymers 2023, 15(9), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092059 - 26 Apr 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1716
Abstract
This paper aimed to experimentally clarify the crushing mechanism and performance of expanded polypropylene foam (EPP) and analyze the influence of density and thickness on its mechanical behavior and energy absorption properties under static crushing loadings. Hence, a series of compression tests were [...] Read more.
This paper aimed to experimentally clarify the crushing mechanism and performance of expanded polypropylene foam (EPP) and analyze the influence of density and thickness on its mechanical behavior and energy absorption properties under static crushing loadings. Hence, a series of compression tests were carried out on EPP foams with different densities and thicknesses. For foam with a density of 60 kg/m3, the mean crushing strength, energy absorption (Ea), energy absorption efficiency (Ef), specific energy absorption (SEA), and energy absorption per unit volume (w) increased by 245.3%, 187.2%, 42.3%, 54.3%, and 242.8%, respectively, compared to foam with a density of 20 kg/m3. Meanwhile, compared to foam with a thickness of 30 mm, the mean crushing strength, energy absorption (Ea), energy absorption efficiency (Ef), SEA, and energy absorption per unit volume (w) for foam with a thickness of 75 mm increased by 53.3%, 25.2%, −10.8%, −4.7%, and −10.6%, respectively. The results show that foam density has a significantly greater influence on static compressive performance than foam thickness. The microstructures of the EPP foam before and after static compression were compared by observing with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and the failure mechanism was analyzed. Results showed that the load and energy as well as the deformation and instability processes of its cells were transferred layer by layer. The influence of density on the degree of destruction of the internal cells was obvious. Due to its larger mass and larger internal damping, thicker foams were less damaged, and less deformation was produced. Additionally, the EPP foam exhibited a considerable ability to recover after compression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 6963 KiB  
Article
A Novel Framework for Qualification of a Composite-Based Main Landing Gear Strut of a Lightweight Aircraft
by Muhammad Ayaz Ahmad, Syed Irtiza Ali Shah, Sabih Ahmad Khan, Haris Ali Khan and Taimur Ali Shams
Polymers 2023, 15(6), 1402; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15061402 - 11 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1636
Abstract
The determination of suitable testing and qualification procedures for fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite structures is an active area of research due to the increased demand, especially in the field of aerospace. This research illustrates the development of a generic qualification framework for a [...] Read more.
The determination of suitable testing and qualification procedures for fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composite structures is an active area of research due to the increased demand, especially in the field of aerospace. This research illustrates the development of a generic qualification framework for a composite-based main landing gear strut of a lightweight aircraft. For this purpose, a landing gear strut composed of T700 carbon fiber/epoxy material was designed and analyzed for a given lightweight aircraft having mass of 1600 kg. Computational analysis was performed on ABAQUS CAE® to evaluate the maximum stresses and critical failure modes encountered during one-point landing condition as defined in the UAV Systems Airworthiness Requirements (USAR) and Air Worthiness Standards FAA FAR Part 23. A three-step qualification framework including material, process and product-based qualification was then proposed against these maximum stresses and failure modes. The proposed framework revolves around the destructive testing of specimens initially as per ASTM standards D 7264 and D 2344, followed by defining the autoclave process parameters and customized testing of thick specimens to evaluate material strength against the maximum stresses in specific failure modes of the main landing gear strut. Once the desired strength of the specimens was achieved based on material and process qualifications, qualification criteria for the main landing gear strut were proposed which would not only serve as an alternative to drop test the landing gear struts as defined in air worthiness standards during mass production, but would also give confidence to manufacturers to undertake the manufacturing of main landing gear struts using qualified material and process parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 10311 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Computational Exploration of Chitin, Pectin, and Amylopectin Polymers as Efficient Eco-Friendly Corrosion Inhibitors for Mild Steel in an Acidic Environment: Kinetic, Thermodynamic, and Mechanistic Aspects
by Ahmed Fawzy, Arafat Toghan, Nada Alqarni, Moataz Morad, Magdi E. A. Zaki, Moustafa M. S. Sanad, Abbas I. Alakhras and Ahmed A. Farag
Polymers 2023, 15(4), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15040891 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 1859
Abstract
Herein, the inhibition impacts of chitin, pectin, and amylopectin as carbohydrate polymers on the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M HCl were researched utilizing various experimental and theoretical tools. The acquired outcomes showed that the inhibition efficiencies (% IEs) of the tested [...] Read more.
Herein, the inhibition impacts of chitin, pectin, and amylopectin as carbohydrate polymers on the corrosion of mild steel in 0.5 M HCl were researched utilizing various experimental and theoretical tools. The acquired outcomes showed that the inhibition efficiencies (% IEs) of the tested carbohydrate polymers were increased by raising their concentrations and these biopolymers acting as mixed-kind inhibitors with major anodic ones. The acquired % IEs values were reduced with rising temperature. The higher % IEs of the tested polymers were inferred via powerful adsorption of the polymeric molecules on the steel surface and such adsorption obeyed the Langmuir isotherm. The computed thermodynamic and kinetic quantities confirmed the mechanism of physical adsorption. The kinetics and mechanisms of corrosion and its protection by polymeric compounds were illuminated. The results obtained from all the techniques used confirmed that there was good agreement with each other, and that the % of IEs followed the sequence: chitin > amylopectin > pectin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 4678 KiB  
Article
DMA of TPU Films and the Modelling of Their Viscoelastic Properties for Noise Reduction in Jet Engines
by Moritz Neubauer, Michael Pohl, Michael Kucher, Robert Böhm, Klaus Höschler and Niels Modler
Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5285; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235285 - 3 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1936
Abstract
Due to current developments in jet engine design, the acoustic performance of conventional acoustic liners needs to be improved with respect to lower frequency spectrums and broadband absorption. In this context, the present study aimed to determine the viscoelastic material properties of a [...] Read more.
Due to current developments in jet engine design, the acoustic performance of conventional acoustic liners needs to be improved with respect to lower frequency spectrums and broadband absorption. In this context, the present study aimed to determine the viscoelastic material properties of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film for targeted application in novel acoustic liners with integrated film material for enhanced noise reduction. Therefore, a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed to determine these viscoelastic material properties. Based on the acquired data, the time-temperature shift (TTS) was applied to obtain the material’s temperature- and frequency-dependent mechanical properties. In this regard, the William-Landel-Ferry (WLF) method and an alternative polynomial approach determining the shift factors were investigated and compared. Furthermore, a generalized Maxwell model—so-called Prony-series—with and without pre-smoothing utilizing of a fractional rheological model was applied to approximate the measured storage and loss modulus and to provide a material model that can be used in finite element analyses. Finally, the results were discussed concerning the application of the films in acoustic liners under the conditions of a standard flight cycle and the applied loads. The present investigations thus provide a method for characterizing polymer materials, approximating their mechanical behavior for vibration applications at different ambient temperatures and enabling the identification of their operational limits during the application in acoustic liners. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 9430 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of the Dynamic and Static Compression Mechanical Properties of Closed-Cell PVC Foams
by Houqi Yao, Yuezhao Pang, Xin Liu and Jia Qu
Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3522; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173522 - 27 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1875
Abstract
Closed-cell polyvinyl chloride foam (PVC) possesses many advantages, including its light weight, moisture protection, high specific strength, high specific stiffness, and low thermal conductivity, and is widely used as the core material in composite sandwich structures. It is increasingly used in fields with [...] Read more.
Closed-cell polyvinyl chloride foam (PVC) possesses many advantages, including its light weight, moisture protection, high specific strength, high specific stiffness, and low thermal conductivity, and is widely used as the core material in composite sandwich structures. It is increasingly used in fields with light weight requirements, such as shipbuilding and aerospace. Some of these structures can be affected by the action of dynamic loads during their lifespan, such as accidental or hostile blast loads as well as wind-loaded debris shocks. Examining the material properties of PVC foams under dynamic load is essential to predict the performance of foam sandwich designs. In this study, the compressive responses of a group of PVC foams with different densities were investigated under a broad range of quasi-static conditions and high strain rates using a universal testing machine and a lengthened Split Hopkinson press bar (SHPB) fabricated from titanium alloy. The results show that the mechanical properties of foam materials are related to their density and are strain rate-sensitive. The compressive strength and plateau stress of the foams were augmented with increased foam density. In the quasi-static strain rate range, the compressive strength of PVC foams at 10−1 s−1 was 27% higher than that at 10−4 s−1. With a strain rate of 1700 s−1, the strength was 107% higher than the quasi-static value at 10−4 s−1. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

10 pages, 4048 KiB  
Article
DMA Investigation of the Factors Influencing the Glass Transition in 3D Printed Specimens of Shape Memory Recycled PET
by Bogdan Pricop, Ștefan Dumitru Sava, Nicoleta-Monica Lohan and Leandru-Gheorghe Bujoreanu
Polymers 2022, 14(11), 2248; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14112248 - 31 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2074
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used worldwide for packing, and for this reason, it is the main material in plastic waste. The paper uses granules of recycled PET (R-PET) as raw material for producing filaments for 3D printing, subsequently used for printing the test [...] Read more.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used worldwide for packing, and for this reason, it is the main material in plastic waste. The paper uses granules of recycled PET (R-PET) as raw material for producing filaments for 3D printing, subsequently used for printing the test specimens in different ways: longitudinally and at angles between 10° and 40° in this direction. Both the filaments and the printed specimens experience thermally driven shape memory effect (SME) since they have been able to recover their straight shape during heating, after being bent to a certain angle, at room temperature (RT). SME could be reproduced three times, in the case of printed specimens, and was investigated by cinematographic analysis. Then, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used, in R-PET granules, filaments and 3D printed specimens, to emphasize the existence of glass transition, which represents the governing mechanism of SME occurrence in thermoplastic polymers, as well as a recrystallization reaction. Subsequently, the paper investigated the 3D printed specimens by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) using a dual cantilever specimen holder. Temperature (DMA-TS) and isothermal scans (DMA-Izo) were performed, with the aim to discuss the variations of storage modulus and loss modulus with temperature and time, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Polymer Composites)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop