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Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 30699

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Albertino Arteiro

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Guest Editor

DEMec, Faculdade de Engenharia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); multifunctional materials; experimental mechanics; simulation; materials by design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) are becoming more and more prominent in the fields of structural engineering due to their favourable specific properties and design flexibility. As the demand for ever lighter structures increases, especially for the mobility industry, new advances in the synthesis, characterization, and simulation of this important class of advanced materials are expected to have a profound impact towards accelerating their time-to-market and robustness, which will be key for a more sustainable future.

This Special Issue aims to collect research papers, communications and review articles with original contributions to the development, production, testing, and modelling of PMCs, with special focus on new classes of fibre-reinforced polymers, such as thermoplastic-based composites, spread-tow thin-ply laminates, nano-reinforced PMCs, hybrid PMCs, and bio-sourced PMCs. The Special Issue covers, among other topics:

Synthesis of advanced constituents for PMCs;
Manufacturing of PMCs;
Processing simulation of PMCs;
Experimental characterization of novel PMCs
Simulation of damage and failure in PMCs;
Virtual testing of PMCs;
Coupled multi-physics simulation of PMCs;
Multi-scale modelling of PMCs;
Data-driven approaches to the simulation of PMCs;
PMCs engineering by simulation – PMCs-by-design approaches.

Scientists are invited and encouraged to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible.

Prof. Dr. Albertino Arteiro
Guest Editor

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

polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
manufacturing processes
experimental characterization
experimental micromechanics
damage
failure
multi-physics simulations
computational micromechanics
multi-scale
data-driven approach
materials-by-design

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 5167 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fluorinated Polydopamine Shell Decorated Fillers in Polytetrafluoroethylene Composite for Achieving Highly Reduced Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

by Yuanying Yu, Xiao Chen, Dajun Hou, Jingjing Zhou, Pengchao Zhang, Jie Shen and Jing Zhou

Polymers 2024, 16(7), 987; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16070987 - 04 Apr 2024

Viewed by 338

Abstract

The noticeable difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coatings and copper substrates is a major challenge for thermal debonding of the copper-clad laminate (CCL) in high-frequency communications. Theoretically, ceramic fillers with low CTEs in the coating can effectively reduce the gap, and there remains a trade-off between the dispersibility of fillers and the interfacial interactions with the polymeric matrix. Here, we propose a novel approach to prepare a pentafluorobenzoyl chloride (PFBC)-modified polydopamine (PDA) shell on silica particles by using amidation. Such modified particles perform excellent dispersion and exhibit diminished interfacial gaps in the PTFE matrix, which highly reduces CTE to 77 ppm/°C, accounting for only 48.1% of the neat coating. Moreover, the composite exhibits enhanced mechanical strength and toughness, and consequently suppresses thermal debonding in CCL under high-temperature conditions. Therefore, results present a promising potential for its use in the next-generation CCL of high-frequency communication devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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12 pages, 2829 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Performance Evaluation of Polymer Matrix Composite Helical Springs

by Ling Chen, Liwei Wu, Hongjun Fu and Youhong Tang

Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3900; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183900 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1494

Abstract

Helical springs are indispensable mechanical parts widely used in industry. Lightweight is one of the development trends of helical springs. In this study, three kinds of lightweight polymer matrix composite helical springs (PMCHSs) with unidirectional, multistrand, and wrapped textile structural reinforcement (PMCHS-U, PMCHS-M, and PMCHS-W) were designed, manufactured, and evaluated. The performance of these PMCHSs and the relationship between their performance and their corresponding polymer matrix composite spring wire rods (PMCRs) were studied through the torsion test of the PMCRs and the compression and resilience tests of the PMCHSs. The results showed that the performance of the PMCHSs could be effectively improved by using the wrapped structure as the reinforcement. The compression capacity of PMCHS-W was 72.6% and 137.5% higher than that of PMCHS-M and PMCHS-U, respectively. The resilience performance of the PMCHSs decreased with the increase in the spring constant. The performances of the PMCHSs and a steel spring were compared. The results showed that the spring constant of the steel spring could be achieved when the masses of PMCHS-U, PMCHS-M, and PMCHS-W were only 75%, 63%, and 49% of the mass of the steel spring, respectively. This research is of great significance to the improvement in lightweight spring performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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24 pages, 5586 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical Analysis of Micro-Residual Stresses in a Carbon/Epoxy Polymer Matrix Composite during Curing Process

by Paulo Teixeira Gonçalves, Albertino Arteiro, Nuno Rocha and Luis Pina

Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2653; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132653 - 29 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2007

Abstract

The manufacturing process in thermoset-based carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) usually requires a curing stage where the material is transformed from a gel state to a monolithic solid state. During the curing process, micro-residual stresses are developed in the material due to the different chemical–thermal–mechanical properties of the fiber and of the polymer, reducing the mechanical performance of the composite material compared to the nominal performance. In this study, computational micromechanics is used to analyze the micro-residual stresses development and to predict its influence on the mechanical performance of a pre-impregnated unidirectional CFRP made of T700-fibers and an aeronautical grade epoxy. The numerical model of a representative volume element (RVE) was developed in the commercial software Abaqus^® and user-subroutines are used to simulate the thermo-curing process coupled with the mechanical constitutive model. Experimental characterization of the bulk resin properties and curing behavior was made to setup the models. The higher micro-residual stresses occur at the thinner fiber gaps, acting as triggers to failure propagation during mechanical loading. These micro-residual stresses achieve peak values above the yield stress of the resin 55 MPa, but without achieving damage. These micro-residual stresses reduce the transverse strength by at least 10%, while the elastic properties remain almost unaffected. The numerical results of the effective properties show a good agreement with the macro-scale experimentally measured properties at coupon level, including transverse tensile, longitudinal shear and transverse shear moduli and strengths, and minor in-plane and transverse Poisson’s ratios. A sensitivity analysis was performed on the thermal expansion coefficient, chemical shrinkage, resin elastic modulus and cure temperature. All these parameters change the micro-residual stress levels and reduce the strength properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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12 pages, 4271 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Eco-Friendly Hybrid PLLA/Chitosan/Trichoderma asperellum Nanomaterials as Biocontrol Dressings against Esca Disease in Grapevines

by Mariya Spasova, Nevena Manolova, Iliya Rashkov and Mladen Naydenov

Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2356; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122356 - 10 Jun 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1642

Abstract

Fungi constitute the largest number of plant pathogens and are responsible for a range of serious plant diseases. Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (P. chlamydospora) and Phaeoacremonium aleophilum (P. aleophilum) are the main fungal pathogens causing esca disease in grapevines. On the other hand, there are beneficial microorganisms such as Trichoderma spp., which are able to control the growth of many phytopathogens. In the present study, innovative, eco-friendly hybrid nanomaterials were created by electrospinning PLLA, followed by the formation of a film of chitosan/Trichoderma asperellum (T. asperellum) spores on the fibers. The polymer carrier used in this study plays an active role in ensuring the viability of the biological agent during storage and, when placed in contact with moisture, ensures the agent’s normal development. Oligochitosan, as well as low molecular weight and high molecular weight chitosan, were used. The effects of chitosan molecular weight on the dynamic viscosity of chitosan solutions, film formation, mechanical properties, spore incorporation and growth were studied. The morphology of the prepared nanomaterials, and the presence of a film based on the formation of chitosan/T. asperellum spores on the PLLA fibers, were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface chemical compositions of the fibrous materials were studied using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The mechanical properties of the obtained materials were also tested. The microbiological screening that was performed revealed that the eco-friendly hybrid nanomaterials incorporated with the beneficial microorganism, T. asperellum, to hamper the growth of the pathogenic P. chlamydospora and P. aleophilum fungi. The suppression rate depended on the viscosity of the chitosan solution used for the film formation. The use of oligochitosan resulted in the most effective infection of the material with T. asperellum spores. The environmentally friendly hybrid nanomaterials obtained in this study—in which the bioagent was embedded—are promising bioactive dressings for protecting grapevines against esca disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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16 pages, 2158 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative X-ray Shielding Properties of Single-Layered and Multi-Layered Bi₂O₃/NR Composites: Simulation and Numerical Studies

by Arkarapol Thumwong, Jitsuna Darachai and Kiadtisak Saenboonruang

Polymers 2022, 14(9), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14091788 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1483

Abstract

This work theoretically compared the X-ray attenuation capabilities in natural rubber (NR) composites containing bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) by determining the effects of multi-layered structures on the shielding properties of the composites using two different software packages (XCOM and PHITS). The shielding properties of the single-layered and multi-layered Bi₂O₃/NR composites investigated consisted of the transmission factor (I/I₀), effective linear attenuation coefficient (µ_eff), effective mass attenuation coefficient (µ_m,eff), and effective half-value layer (HVL_eff). The results, with good agreement between those obtained from XCOM and PHITS (with less than 5% differences), indicated that the three-layered NR composites (sample#4), with the layer arrangement of pristine NR (layer#1)-Bi₂O₃/NR (layer#2)-pristine NR (layer#3), had relatively higher X-ray shielding properties than either a single-layer or the other multi-layered structures for all X-ray energies investigated (50, 100, 150, and 200 keV) due to its relatively larger effective percentage by weight of Bi₂O₃ in the composites. Furthermore, by varying the Bi₂O₃ contents in the middle layer (layer#2) of sample#4 from 10 to 90 wt.%, the results revealed that the overall X-ray shielding properties of the NR composites were further enhanced with additional filler, as evidenced by the highest values of µ_eff and µ_m,eff and the lowest values of I/I₀ and HVL_eff observed in the 90 wt.% Bi₂O₃/NR composites. In addition, the recommended Bi₂O₃ contents for the actual production of three-layered Bi₂O₃/NR composites (the same layer structure as sample#4) were determined by finding the least Bi₂O₃ content that enabled the sample to attenuate incident X-rays with equal efficiency to that of a 0.5-mm lead sheet (with an effective lead equivalence of 0.5 mmPb). The results suggested that the recommended Bi₂O₃ contents in layer#2 were 82, 72, and 64 wt.% for the combined 6 mm, 9 mm, and 12 mm samples, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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17 pages, 7107 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of the Damage Effect on Fiberglass-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites for Wind Turbine Blades

by Mariana Domnica Stanciu, Silviu Marian Nastac and Ionut Tesula

Polymers 2022, 14(7), 1471; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071471 - 04 Apr 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2087

Abstract

The structure of wind turbine blades (WTBs) is characterized by complex geometry and materials that must resist various loading over a long period. Because of the components’ exposure to highly aggressive environmental conditions, the blade material suffers cracks, delamination, or even ruptures. The prediction of the damage effects on the mechanical behavior of WTBs, using finite element analysis, is very useful for design optimization, manufacturing processes, and for monitoring the health integrity of WTBs. This paper focuses on the sensitivity analysis of the effects of the delamination degree of fiberglass-reinforced polymer composites in the structure of wind turbine blades. Using finite element analysis, the composite was modeled as a laminated structure with five plies (0/45/90/45/0) and investigated regarding the stress states around the damaged areas. Thus, the normal and shear stresses corresponding to each element of delaminated areas were extracted from each ply of the composites. It was observed that the maximum values of normal and shear stresses occurred in relation to the orientation of the composite layer. Tensile stresses were developed along the WTB with maximum values in the upper and lower plies (Ply 1 and Ply 5), while the maximum tensile stresses were reached in the perpendicular direction (on the thickness of the composite), in the median area of the thickness, compared to the outer layers where compression stresses were obtained. Taking into account the delamination cases, there was a sinuous-type fluctuation of the shear stress distribution in relation to the thickness of the composite and the orientation of the layer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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13 pages, 3872 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Typha angustifilia Fiber–Matrix Bonding Parameters on Interfacial Shear Strength Analysis

by Syifaul Huzni, Ikramullah Ikramullah, Israr B. M. Ibrahim, Syarizal Fonna, Teuku Arriessa Sukhairi, Andri Afrizal, Umar Muksin, Abdul Khalil H. P. S., Sri Aprilia and Samsul Rizal

Polymers 2022, 14(5), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14051006 - 02 Mar 2022

Viewed by 1921

Abstract

The microbond test of natural fibers tends to produce scattered interfacial shear stress (IFSS) values. The sources of this scattering are known, but the roles they play in producing high IFSS scattering remain to be investigated. In this study, a numerical method was used to simulate microbond testing and to examine the experimental parameters in a microbond test of Typha angustifolia fiber/epoxy. Three parameters were considered: fiber diameter, fiber length embedded in the epoxy, and the distance between the vise and the specimen. The geometries were modeled and analyzed by ABAQUS software using its cohesive zone model features. There were two types of contact used in this analysis: tie constraint and surface-to-surface. The results showcased the roles of the following experimental parameters: a larger fiber diameter from a sample increased the IFSS value, a longer embedded length reduced the IFSS value, and a shorter vise–specimen distance increased the IFSS value. The IFSS scattering in the microbond test could have originated from the interaction between these parameters. Of the three parameters, only the vise–specimen distance was found to be able to be reasonably controlled. When the IFSS value was atypically large, fiber diameter and/or embedded length potentially drove the scattering. This study advises further compilation and classification of the role of each experimental parameter in modulating the IFSS value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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22 pages, 8412 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thickness-Prediction Method Involving Tow Redistribution for the Dome of Composite Hydrogen Storage Vessels

by Hui Wang, Shuang Fu, Yizhe Chen and Lin Hua

Polymers 2022, 14(5), 902; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050902 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2201

Abstract

Traditional thickness-prediction methods underestimate the actual dome thickness at polar openings, leading to the inaccurate prediction of the load-bearing capacity of composite hydrogen storage vessels. A method of thickness prediction for the dome section of composite hydrogen storage vessels was proposed, which involved fiber slippage and tow redistribution. This method considered the blocking effect of the port on sliding fiber tows and introduced the thickness correlation to predict the dome thickness at polar openings. The arc length corresponding to the parallel circle radius was calculated, and then, the actual radius values corresponding to the bandwidth were obtained by the interpolation method. The predicted thickness values were compared with the actual measured thickness. The maximum relative error of the predicted thickness was 4.19%, and the mean absolute percentage error was 2.04%. The results show that the present method had a higher prediction accuracy. Eventually, this prediction method was used to perform progressive damage analysis on vessels. By comparing with the results of the cubic spline function method, the analysis results of the present method approached the actual case. This showed that the present method improved the accuracy of the design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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17 pages, 9479 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Influences of Modified Sm₂O₃ on Thermal Stability, Mechanical and Neutron Shielding Properties of Aminophenol Trifunctional Epoxy Resin

by Hongqing Wang, Qunying Huang and Yutao Zhai

Polymers 2022, 14(3), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030638 - 08 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3460

Abstract

The requirements regarding the weight and capacity reduction of neutron shielding materials have become an urgent issue for advanced nuclear facilities and plants. An epoxy-based neutron shielding material with high-temperature stability and good neutron irradiation resistance was designed in this paper to solve the above issue. Aminophenol trifunctional epoxy resin (AFG-90H) was compounded with samarium oxide (Sm₂O₃) by means of an ultrasonic-assisted method and the compatibility of Sm₂O₃ with the AFG-90H matrix was improved by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) surface modification. Fabricated Sm₂O₃-APTES/AFG-90H composites exhibited improved thermal stability, glass transition temperature and Young’s modulus with increased Sm₂O₃-APTES content. Neutronics calculation results show that the neutron permeability of 2 mm-thick 30 wt% Sm₂O₃-APTES/AFG-90H was 98.9% higher than that of the AFG-90H matrix under the irradiation of the thermal neutron source. The results show that the proper addition range of Sm₂O₃-APTES is between 20% and 25%. The Sm₂O₃-APTES/AFG-90H composite is a promising neutron shielding material for advanced nuclear system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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20 pages, 7255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hygrothermal Damage Monitoring of Composite Adhesive Joint Using the Full Spectral Response of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

by Chow-Shing Shin and Tzu-Chieh Lin

Polymers 2022, 14(3), 368; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030368 - 18 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1833

Abstract

Adhesive joints in composite structures are subject to degradation by elevated temperature and moisture. Moisture absorption leads to swelling, plasticization, weakening of the interface, interfacial defects/cracking and reduction in strength. Moisture and material degradation before the formation of defects are not readily revealed by conventional non-destructive examination techniques. Embedded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors can reflect the swelling strain in adhesive joints and offer an economical alternative for on-line monitoring of moisture absorption under hygrothermal aging. Most of the available works relied on the peak shifting phenomenon for sensing. Degradation of adhesive and interfacial defects will lead to non-uniform strain that may chirp the FBG spectrum, causing complications in the peak shifting measurement. It is reasoned that the full spectral responses may be more revealing regarding the joint’s integrity. Studies on this aspect are still lacking. In this work, single-lap joint composite specimens with embedded FBGs are soaked in 60 °C water for 30 days. Spectrum evolution during this period and subsequent tensile and fatigue failure has been studied to shed some light on the possible use of the full spectral response to monitor the development of hygrothermal degradation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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17 pages, 7598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

DNA/Magnetic Nanoparticles Composite to Attenuate Glass Surface Nanotopography for Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation

by Ilnur Ishmukhametov, Svetlana Batasheva, Elvira Rozhina, Farida Akhatova, Rimma Mingaleeva, Artem Rozhin and Rawil Fakhrullin

Polymers 2022, 14(2), 344; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14020344 - 17 Jan 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2605

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have extensive pluripotent potential to differentiate into various cell types, and thus they are an important tool for regenerative medicine and biomedical research. In this work, the differentiation of hTERT-transduced adipose-derived MSCs (hMSCs) into chondrocytes, adipocytes and osteoblasts on substrates with nanotopography generated by magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs) and DNA was investigated. Citrate-stabilized MNPs were synthesized by the chemical co-precipitation method and sized around 10 nm according to microscopy studies. It was shown that MNPs@DNA coatings induced chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in hTERT-transduced MSCs. The cells had normal morphology and distribution of actin filaments. An increase in the concentration of magnetic nanoparticles resulted in a higher surface roughness and reduced the adhesion of cells to the substrate. A glass substrate modified with magnetic nanoparticles and DNA induced active chondrogenesis of hTERT-transduced MSC in a twice-diluted differentiation-inducing growth medium, suggesting the possible use of nanostructured MNPs@DNA coatings to obtain differentiated cells at a reduced level of growth factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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19 pages, 21101 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Superior Interaction of Electron Beam Irradiation with Carbon Nanotubes Added Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite System

by Soo-Tueen Bee, Nicole Ooi Ker Qi, Lee Tin Sin, Hon-Meng Ng, Jun-Ven Lim, Chantara Thevy Ratnam and Chi Ma

Polymers 2021, 13(24), 4334; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244334 - 10 Dec 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1920

Abstract

This work was conducted to investigate the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) on the mechanical-physico properties of the electron beam irradiated polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) blends. The increasing of CNT amount up to 1.5 part per hundred resin (phr) has gradually improved tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PVOH/CNT nanocomposites due to effective interlocking effect of CNT particles in PVOH matrix, as evident in SEM observation. However, further increments of CNT, amounting up to 2 phr, has significantly decreased the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of PVOH/CNT nanocomposits due to the CNT agglomeration at higher loading level. Irradiation was found to effectively improve the tensile strength of PVOH/CNT nanocomposites by inducing the interfacial adhesion effect between CNT particles and PVOH matrix. This was further verified by the decrement values of d-spacing of the deflection peak. The increasing of CNT amounts from 0.5 phr to 1 phr has marginally induced the wavenumber of O–H stretching, which indicates the weakening of hydrogen bonding in PVOH matrix. However, further increase in CNT amounts up to 2 phr was observed to reduce the wavenumber of O–H stretching due to poor interaction effect between CNT and PVOH matrix. Electron beam irradiation was found to induce the melting temperature of all PVOH/CNT nanocomposite by inducing the crosslinked networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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Review

Jump to: Research

36 pages, 5474 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Modelling of Environmental Ageing of Polymers and Polymer Composites—Durability Prediction Methods

by Olesja Starkova, Abedin I. Gagani, Christian W. Karl, Iuri B. C. M. Rocha, Juris Burlakovs and Andrey E. Krauklis

Polymers 2022, 14(5), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14050907 - 24 Feb 2022

Cited by 35 | Viewed by 6323

Abstract

Polymers and polymer composites are negatively impacted by environmental ageing, reducing their service lifetimes. The uncertainty of the material interaction with the environment compromises their superior strength and stiffness. Validation of new composite materials and structures often involves lengthy and expensive testing programs. Therefore, modelling is an affordable alternative that can partly replace extensive testing and thus reduce validation costs. Durability prediction models are often subject to conflicting requirements of versatility and minimum experimental efforts required for their validation. Based on physical observations of composite macroproperties, engineering and phenomenological models provide manageable representations of complex mechanistic models. This review offers a systematised overview of the state-of-the-art models and accelerated testing methodologies for predicting the long-term mechanical performance of polymers and polymer composites. Accelerated testing methods for predicting static, creep, and fatig ue lifetime of various polymers and polymer composites under environmental factors’ single or coupled influence are overviewed. Service lifetimes are predicted by means of degradation rate models, superposition principles, and parametrisation techniques. This review is a continuation of the authors’ work on modelling environmental ageing of polymer composites: the first part of the review covered multiscale and modular modelling methods of environmental degradation. The present work is focused on modelling engineering mechanical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Polymer Matrix Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Simulation)

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