Polymer Nano Composite Research Papers (original) (raw)

2025, World Scientific News

Composites are one of the most important materials of twenty first century having wide range of applications in the field of electronics to aeronautics and space industries. The excellent mechanical properties and low specific weights are basis of their demanding importance in technology. Polymer composites are a special type composite that are having organic or inorganic polymers as matrix and particles, small fibers in the range of millimeter to nanometer range are used as reinforcing material. These are tech friendly because of having remarkable features like light weight, high specific strength and high stiffness, economic efficiency, easier way of fabrication, good resistance towards fatigue, etc. In polymer nanocomposites solid particles or fibers in the nano range (<100 nm, in at least one dimension) are embedded in polymer matrices. They are very important for industrial applications due to their very high surface area compared to microcomposites. It is noteworthy to mention that minute amount of nanoaterials (5 wt%) are needed to bring magical changes in the composite behaviour. Polymer nanocomposites are unique in terms of thermal stability, mechanical behaviour, toughness and barrier potential.

2025, AIP Conf. Proc.

The positive impact of nanoparticles on the behaviour of composite microstructures has been studied. These studies include the material characteristic features, the production methods, suitability with the other phases, surface area, the scattering process, rigidity, and other topics. The assessment of the selection of nanomaterials for a particular tender and their impact on the bulk material connected to loading has remained neglected. This is unfortunate because the review was necessary. As a result, the effects of nanoparticles were investigated in this work, constructed on definite filler categories. It also demonstrated the optimal filler quantity for the improvement of mechanical parameters (such as strength and stiffness) and fracture toughness from both an interlaminar and an intralaminar point of view. In addition, the impacts of soft fillers, hard fillers, and hybrid additives were analysed and grouped to demonstrate how certain fillers might have amazing effects on the enhancement of particular properties. In addition, the most effective application of nanomaterials in relation to loading conditions was articulated in order to provide structural engineering engineers and scientists with a prompt suggestion. This research provides some insight into how nano-filler and nano-particles affect the beginning of damage in fiber-reinforced plastic composites as well as their behaviour.

2024, Polymers and Polymer Composites

Polyvinyl chloride/wood flour (WF)/organoclay (OMMT) ternary composites were prepared by melt blending. Chemically
treated and untreated pine WF were used as filler, and organically modified montmorillonite orOMMT was added in order to
get a potential synergy effect between polyvinyl chloride, untreated wood flour (UWF), or chemically treated WF. The
OMMT loading in the composites was 0.5, 1, or 1.5 wt%. The chemically treated and UWF loadings were 1, 5, and 10 wt%. The
composite specimens were subjected to mechanical tests (evaluation of tensile strength, elongation at break, and Shore A
hardness), thermal stability (Beilstein test), processability characterizations, water resistance absorption, and morphological
(optical microscopy) observations. The main results showed that the chemically treated WF were more efficient than the
UWF for improving the mechanical and physical properties of polyvinyl chloride. Similar results were reported in the scientific
literature. Therefore the chemically treated WF can be a cheap, eco-friendly, and renewable substitute for chalk as a filler
which is normally used in the fabrication of Polyvinylchloride based cable insulators.

2024

Low-density rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams obtained from renewable resources (with the polyol system comprising up to 80% of rapeseed oil esters) have been produced and tested for strength and fracture toughness in a range of foam density of importance for practical applications. In order to enhance the mechanical characteristics of the foams, the effect of several nano-and micro-fillers has been investigated experimentally. It is demonstrated that nano-fillers, such as organically modified nanoclays, carbon nanotubes, ZnO nanoparticles, increase both the strength and toughness of the foams whereas such micro-fillers as milled carbon fibers, while providing substantial increase in stiffness, have little effect on foam strength and toughness. Scaling models relating filled solid polymer properties to those of the filled foams have been considered and shown to have a predictive potential.

2024, AIP Conf. Proc.

2024, Journal of Elastomers & Plastics

The versatility and potential have framed natural rubber (NR) nanocomposites as the focal point in the polymer research field and industry. Currently, NR nanocomposites filled with hybrid nanostructures is an interesting area than single filler or conventional filler systems. Halloysite nanotube (HNT) and bentonite clay are well-studied potential fillers of polymers. This work is an attempt to study the effect of hybrid filler system of HNT and organically modified bentonite nanoclay (NC) in the properties of NR. NR/HNT-NC systems with varied filler concentrations were prepared in a two-roll mixing mill. Properties such as cure characteristics, morphology, mechanical, thermal, and transport behavior were analyzed in detail. The prepared composites had better wear properties than gum vulcanizates. Improvement in physical properties was observed due to the increased contact surface area between the filler and the matrix. The nanocomposite with 2 wt% hybrid filler shows a 31% decrease ...

2024, Composites Part B-engineering

Effect of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) content on the surface roughness, wettability, and scratch hardness properties of wood/polypropylene nanocomposites were investigated. To meet this objective, pine wood flour, polypropylene with and without coupling agent (maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene), and multi-walled carbon nanotube (0, 1, 3 or 5 wt%) were compounded in a twin screw co-rotating extruder. The mass ratio of the pine wood flour to polypropylene was 50/50 (w/w) in all the composite formulations. Test samples were manufactured using injection molding machine from the pellets. The surface roughness, wettability, and scratch hardness properties of the wood/polypropylene nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes were determined. The surface roughness values of the nanocomposite specimens decreased with increasing MWCNT content. The MWCNT reinforced wood/polypropylene nanocomposites without coupling agent had higher surface roughness values than the ones with coupling agent. The wettability of the nanocomposite specimens decreased with increasing content of the MWCNT. The incorporation of the coupling agent into the wood/polypropylene nanocomposites decreased the wettability of the specimens. The scratch hardness values of the nanocomposite specimens improved with increasing MWCNT content.

2024, Mechanics of Composite Materials

The effects of weathering on the physical and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/wood flour (WF) composites with and without nanoclay were investigated. The composites were placed in a xenon-arc weatherometer chamber, and then their color changes, flexural strength (MOR) and modulus (MOE), and water uptake were evaluated during 1800 h of their accelerated weathering. The study showed that the water uptake and thickness swelling of the composite increased and their MOR and MOE decreased with weathering time, but the addition of nanoclay diminished these effects. The composite materials based on cellulosc fibers, namely wood-plastic composites (WPCs), demonstrate remarkable environmental and economical advantages, and therefore, they have recently attracted much attention . In manufacturing WPCs, natural fibers and/or fillers (in various forms, such as wood flour and fiber, kenaf fiber, hemp, sisal, etc) and thermoplastic materials (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, etc.) are commonly used . Compared with the traditional synthetic fillers, the natural fibers have several advantages, such as a high specific strength and modulus, low cost, low density, renewable nature, absence of associated health hazards, easy surface modification, wide availability, and relative nonabrasiveness . WPCs are increasingly used for nonstructural applications in the automotive, furniture, and building industries. Despite the remarkable progresses in the manufacturing and processing technologies of WPC products, their application in outdoor environments is still a major concern. The physical degradation and biodeterioration of the wood and polymer constituents of

2024, Journal of Engineering Advancements

Natural fiber reinforced polymer composite offers ecological safety towards a sustainable environment. Meanwhile, the deficiency of the poor interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix draws the attention of researchers to be sorted out. The use of inorganic nanofiller is considered as a possible solution to overcome the hurdle nowadays besides strengthening the composite properties. This article thoroughly reviews the use of inorganic nanofillers in natural fiber composites, covering different manufacturing processes and properties. Factors of various manufacturing techniques occupied for composite fabrication are investigated. Moreover, the influences of different nanofillers on mechanical, thermal, chemical, and physical properties of composites are discussed. In addition, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of the bio composites are critically reviewed that usually exhibit the interfacial bonding and the fractures of the specimen. Furthermore, application of such natural ...

2024, Polymers

The sustainable use of agricultural waste to generate valuable products while minimizing environmental burdens is increasing rapidly. Multiple sources of fibers have been intensively studied concerning their application in various fields and industries. However, few publications have extensively discussed the property’s performance of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) composites. With main properties similar to composites currently listed for industrial applications, OPEFB is worth listing as a potential composite for industrial applications and non-structural material alternatives. OPEFB-reinforced polymer composites are expected to be applied to automotive interior parts. This study aims to determine the effect of adding zinc oxide (ZnO) and polyurethane on OPEFB-reinforced polymer composites for automotive interior parts. This composite was produced using the hand lay-up method with 70% resin, 15% OPEFB fiber, 15% polyurethane as a blowing agent, and four variations of ZnO at ...

2024, Chemistry & Chemical Technology

New polymer composites on the basis of epoxy resin and different fine dispersed mineral powders (andesite, bentonite, diatomite, liquid glass and quartz sand) were obtained and their mechanical (ultimate strength), thermal (temperature dependence of the softening) and water absorption properties were investigated. It was established that all properties of these materials were essentially improved, when the same fillers modified by tetraetoxysilane (TEOS) were used. It was experimentally shown that composites containing binary fillers-diatomite and andesite at definite ratio-are characterized with so called synergistic effect-the increase in maximal physical or chemical properties. Separately the experimental data on coefficients of reagents diffusion, sorption and penetration, mechanical strengthening, coefficient of heat conductivity and stability to sulfur acid have been investigated. It was shown that exploitation properties of these materials were essentially better in comparison with well known silicate composites. Created materials were characterized by low shrinkage and also low internal stress after hardening. Using the method of mathematical modeling of experiment the optimization of the composition of obtained materials has been performed. Experimental results were explained in terms of structural peculiarities of polymer materials.

2024, Journal of Applied Polymer Science

Polyurethane (PU) based on castor oil and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) was synthesized by a two‐step method in the presence of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) as catalyst. The PU obtained was blended with various amounts of cellulose fibers extracted from alfa stems to prepare composite materials. The influence of cellulose fibers on the thermal and mechanical properties of different composites was demonstrated by means of several characterization techniques, such as thermomechanical, structural, and morphological analyses. The hydrogen bonding interaction and the possible formation of urethane links between PU and hydroxyl groups of cellulose provide a good fiber‐matrix interface. The infrared absorption vibration of the NH bond, which is 3336 cm−1 for pure PU, in fact shifts to 3319 cm−1 for a composite containing 25% of cellulose. Moreover, the variation of glass transition temperature, Tg, versus cellulose content is linear, for example, Tg of pure PU and of a composite contai...

2024, Polymer Composites

The study used d‐optimal mixture design of experiments to formulate a ceramifiable EVA/PDMS composite with optimized ceramified flexural strength properties after being exposed to elevated temperatures. The ideal amounts of inorganic fillers and their interaction within the polymer composite were studied. It was found that good polymer and ceramic properties were achieved when using 59% EVA/PDMS polymer blend with inorganic fillers of 11% calcium carbonate, 10% aluminium hydroxide, 11% muscovite mica, and 9% calcined kaolinite, respectively. TGA, SEM, and PXRD were employed to study the behavioral changes of the EVA/PDMS composite during and postceramification process. Although all inorganic fillers used were important, muscovite mica played a special role not only in the ceramification process, but also in keeping the ceramic product physically stable. Microstructural analysis of the cross‐sectional area of the ceramic product showed that it was multilayered with an inhomogeneous d...

2024, 2010 Annual Report Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectic Phenomena

Experiments were conducted to measure the ac breakdown strength of 0.5 mm, thick epoxy alumina nanocomposites with different filler concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 5wt%. The experiments were performed as per the ASTM D 149 standard. It was observed that the ac breakdown strength was marginally lower up to 1wt% filler concentration and then increased at 5wt% filler concentration as compared to the unfilled epoxy. The Weibull shape parameter (β) increased with the addition of nanoparticles to epoxy. The dependence of thickness on the ac breakdown strength was also analyzed by conducting experiments on 1mm and 3mm thick unfilled epoxy and epoxy alumina nanocomposites of 1wt% and 5wt% filler concentrations. The DSC analysis was done to understand the material properties at the filler resin interface in order to study the effect of the filler concentration and thereby the influence of the interface on the ac breakdown strength of epoxy nanocomposites.

2024, Applied Clay Science

In the present work, the effect of sodium montmorillonite (Na + Mt) on the resulting properties of semi-finished (crust) leather has been thoroughly studied. Na + Mt has been added during retanning process of tanned (wetblue) leather in specific conditions. The morphological analysis by scanning electron microscopy has pointed out that Na + Mt particles are homogeneously distributed and finely dispersed within the leather structure. The presence of clay mineral has affected the thermal stability of leather in nitrogen and air (assessed by thermogravimetry), as well. According to the sixty second vertical flammability test results Na + Mt particles have significantly reduced the burning length of the semi-finished leather. A barrier mechanism of the Na + Mt during combustion process is proposed. Mechanical properties (namely, tensile and tear strength) have proven to be considerably improved by using 1 and 3 mass% of Na + Mt; these results have clearly indicated the reinforcing effect of clay mineral platelets that somehow physically interact with leather.

2024, Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology

On the basis of the fusion behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), the influence of compounding route on the properties of PVC/(layered silicate) nanocomposites was studied. Four different compounding addition sequences were examined during the melt compounding of PVC with montmorillonite (MMT) clay, including (a) a direct dry mixing of PVC and nanoclay, (b) an addition of nanoclay at compaction, (c) an addition of nanoclay at the onset of fusion, and (d) an addition of nanoclay at equilibrium torque. Both unmodified sodium montmorillonite (Na +-MMT) and organically modified montmorillonite (Org.-MMT) clays were used, and the effect of the addition sequence of the clay during compounding on its dispersion in the matrix was evaluated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron miscroscopy. The surface color change, dynamic mechanical analysis, and flexural and tensile properties of PVC/clay nanocomposites were also studied. The experimental results indicated that both the extent of property improvement and the dispersion of nanoparticles in PVC/(layered silicate) nanocomposites are strongly influenced by the degree of gelation achieved in PVC compounds during processing. The addition of nanoclay to PVC must be accomplished at the onset of fusion, when PVC particles are reduced in size, in order to produce nanocomposites with better nanodispersion and enhanced mechanical properties. Overall, rigid PVC nanocomposites with unmodified clay (Na +-MMT) were more thermally stable and exhibited better mechanical properties than their counterparts with organically modified clay (Org.-MMT).

2024, Journal of Nanomaterials

Durability and wear properties of traffic marking paints are one of the most important challenges in traffic management. This provides high-value cost-benefit, crowd reducing, improving journey times and decreasing environmental targets which are made by standing or slow-moving traffic. Because of the volume of traffic passing, climatic conditions, type of road surface, and drivers’ behavior, a traffic marking paint gradually loses its basic properties such as durability and night visibility (RL) that may potentially lead to accidents because of a loss of cognitive perception for drivers. Therefore, an effective wear resistance traffic marking paint is desirable to reduce wear, extending the lifetime and durability of paints. Analyzing this effect via microgranules, nanoclay application is the aim of this study. Clay/acrylic resin nanocomposite is synthesized using Cloisite® 30B with different percentages. Finally, production of traffic marking paint nanocomposites with this nanocom...

2024, TENSILE STRENGTH OF POLYESTER MATRIX COMPOSITES WITH INCORPORATION OF KAOLIN WASTE FROM THE AMAZON REGION (Atena Editora)

In recent years, growing interest in sustainable materials reflects the quest to reduce environmental impact. The strategy of reducing the proportion of polyester resin in composites stands out for its potential in saving resources and reducing carbon emissions, especially when using waste that would previously have been discarded. In this context, this study aims to evaluate how the incorporation of kaolin waste influences the tensile strength of polyester matrix composites. Five formulations were prepared, ranging from 0 to 40 wt.% kaolin waste, with a particle size of 50-100 mesh. The density of the kaolin waste and the composites were calculated. The composites were manufactured by the compression molding method, using a stainless-steel mold with dimensions of 300 x 160 x 2.5 mm. Through tensile tests, it was possible to identify that kaolin waste composites exhibit higher tensile strength, exceeding by 24.19%, 30.94%, 47.38% and 16.10% the tensile strength of the neat polyester for addition of kaolin waste 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt.%, respectively. The mechanical properties obtained were treated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test. Furthermore, a fractographic analysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to analyze in detail the fracture surfaces of the tested samples and understand the failure mechanisms of each composite material.

2024, Journal of physics

In order to inhibit the metallic corrosion in the oil pipelines,the protection method with composite coating of Unsaturated polyester and reinforced by Caolin at weight percentage (20%) was studied .where, the work samples were classified into two groups according to internal composite coatings layers for all group of these samples.The first group is nitrocellulose coating reinforced by nano and Micro Powder of Mgo ,The Second group is sodium silicate coating reinforced by nano powder of Mgo ,The following weight percentages (0%,1%,3% and5%) were adopted as reinforcement ratios for nano powders,as well as the weight percentages (0%,3%,5% and7%) as reinforcement ratios for micro powders Tribology properties and Electrochemical Corrosion Resistance by Polarization method (Tafel) and Adhesion Strength were studied, The results showed an improvement in the corrosion resistance of protected steel by coatings compare with uncoated steel, As well as improvement in mechanical properties and adhesion strength of composite coatings.

2024, Polymer Composites

This study reports the results of an experimental investigation on thermal and physical properties of composite materials made of unsaturated polyester (UPE) and Emirati red shale to be used as insulating materials. Stable composites with filler content ranging from 0 to 60 vol.% were prepared. The characterized properties of the UPE-shale composites, namely; density, thermal conductivity, water retention, thermal stability, microstructure, and chemical resistance, showed promise for constructive applications as a thermal insulator. Up to filler content of 30 vol%, the thermal conductivity of the UPE-shale composites did not exceed that of neat polymer and the water retention at room temperature was <0.2%. The effect of the main components in the filler (alumina and silica) on composite properties was detected at filler content >40 vol%, which led to increase the thermal conductivity with filler content. On the other hand, incorporating of shale into UPEs matrix improved its thermal stability. In addition, the UPE-shale composites showed high resistance to acid and base impregnation. Increasing the shale content has improved clearly the composite resistance to alkaline medium. The potential for development in the field of energy saving and construction utilizing such cheap and abundant filler from natural resources seems to be very promising. Production of composite material with competitive thermal insulation properties utilizing cheap and abundant filler from natural resources seems to be very promising.

2024, Polymers

2024, Materials Advances

Clays have been used as early as 2500 BC in human civilization for medicinal purposes.

2024, Chemical Modification on Woven Jute and Nonwoven Wet-Laid Glass Fiber Sheet Reinforced Poly-(ε-Caprolactone) Composites

High-moisture regains nature of cellulosic fibers considered one of the critical drawbacks for jute-based applications. To minimize this by developing better interfacial adhesion, a hydrophobic nonwoven wet-laid glass fiber sheet used the woven jute fabric in this experiment. For this purpose, woven jute fabric was categorized into untreated, silane, alkali, and alkali-silane combined treatment then compounded with the solution of polycaprolactone (PCL). Fabrication of composites performed the following sandwich method based on different hot-pressing time with temperature for detecting a prominent fabrication parameter. Surface treated jute fibers characterized using FTIR spectroscopy. Hence, the mechanical and thermal properties of composites were investigated to find the consequence of chemical treatments into woven jute fabric. Alkali-silane combined chemical treatments resulting in improved 48.38% of tensile strength over untreated optimized composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) used for displaying interfacial adhesion between fiber and polymer matrix. Besides, further investigation demonstrated due to the combined chemical treatment of alkali-silane optimized composites significantly enhanced the thermogravimetric (TGA) stability in contrast to other composites.

2024, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry

This research studies the thermogravimetric and dynamic mechanical analysis of woven glass/kenaf/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites filled with clay. Epoxy resin modified with 1.0 wt% silicon is sonicated with varying clay loading of 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 wt %. The resin is then spread onto alternating woven glass and NaOH-treated woven kenaf. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals the benefits of dispersing clay onto the thermal properties of nanocomposite. Higher residue and higher temperature at 10 wt% mass loss is observed in clay nanocomposite. In addition to that, kenaf treatment, woven glass reinforcement and epoxy modification also help in improving the thermal stability of composites. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) reveals that TKG1% composite possessed the highest storage modulus at room temperature with 136.74% higher than UKG1% composite due to the polymer chain diffusion between well dispersed clay structures. TKG1% also achieved the highest loss modulus which indicates strongest internal friction among other composites. Despite that, TKG1% composite exhibited the lowest T g which is 72°C. This could be reasoned with the elimination of hemicellulose due to fibre treatment that is responsible for stiffness in natural fibre. Elimination of hemicellulose is proven through Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis conducted on treated kenaf fibre at wavenumber 1514, 1696 and 1726 cm −1 .

2024, Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal

The unsaturated polyester composites were fabricated in hand lay-up method by reinforcing with jute fibre along with alumina or zirconia particles in different filler loading viz. 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt%. It was observed that with incorporation of fillers, the microhardness value of the resulting composites increases and reaches its maximum at 20 wt% filler content. Characterizations were performed on the composites fabricated with overall 20 wt% filler content (18 wt% fibre and 2 wt% metal oxide particles). Various characterizations like Vicker's microhardness testing, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), limiting oxygen index (LOI) testing and water absorption test were performed. Tensile, Flexural testing were also performed on the normal and water absorbed samples. SEM analysis ensured good dispersion of filler within the polymer matrix. EDS and XRD were performed to identify the filler in the composites. FITR spectroscopy revealed the bonding of fillers with the matrix. TG analysis showed that thermal stability, degradation temperature of jute-ZrO 2 composites were best over the others. LOI testing also shows similar trend, showing better fire resistant property of jute-ZrO 2 composites than the Al 2 O 3 dispersed. Water absorption test indicates the stability of different composite in various atmospheres (normal, boiling, simulated marine, alkali and acid water).

2024, Chemistry and Chemical Technology

2024, Journal of Applied Polymer Science

A nanocomposite based on nanoclay and resol that was modified with cardanol, a natural alkyl phenol, shows improvement for the glass‐fiber‐reinforced epoxy‐composite system. Dispersion of the nanocomposite was investigated by X‐ray, showing good results obtained by the in situ polymerization method. The mechanical properties of the final composites were improved by doping a 6 wt% of nanoclay in cardanol‐modified‐resol (CMR) into the epoxy matrix. The results show that a 15 wt% of CMR in epoxy is a most suitable ratio. Using polyamide as a curing agent instead of other traditional systems, such as anhydrides or amines for epoxy resin, overcame important limitations, further allowing for improved processability. The overall composite performance was enhanced. Additionally, the thermal stability of the system was investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 3238–3242, 2007

2024

Cardanol and its derivatives are presently thought to be particularly appealing intermediates for generating novel materials from renewable bio-sources for utilize in environmentally pleasant procedures. In order to create novel polymer composites, this study details the synthesis and characterisation of a bio resin named cardanol that is produced from cashew nut shell liquid (CSNL). Locally harvested sisal fibers were dried out in an oven to reduce humidity. These fibers were then cut into 15 mm lengths and chemically treated sisal fibers using an alkaline process. Compression moulding was used to make polymer composites of cardanol reinforced with 15% wt% 15 mm sisal fiber (SF) and bentonite nanoclay (with nanoclay% levels of 0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%). FT-IR spectroscopies were used to characterise the bio resin cardanol. Mechanical behaviour for cardanol nano composites was assessed using tensile, flexural, and impact tests and water absorption test. Furthermore, the thermal and mo...

2024, International Journal of Emerging Electric Power Systems

Resistance to surface electrical discharge was investigated for epoxy alumina and epoxy silica nanocomposites. Epoxy alumina nanocomposites with 0.1, 1, 5, 10 and 15 wt% nanoalumina fillers as well as epoxy silica nanocomposites with 0.1, 1 and 5 wt% nanosilica fillers were prepared in the laboratory using direct dispersion method. Experiments were conducted at 10kV ac voltage for different durations using IEC (b) type electrodes. The degradation of the sample surfaces were analyzed using SEM techniques, surface roughness measurements and FTIR spectroscopy. The effect of interface on the material properties were investigated by DSC analysis. It was observed that the resistance to surface degradation improved for both epoxy alumina and epoxy silica nanocomposites as compared to the performance of unfilled epoxy. Also epoxy alumina nanocomposites showed better resistance to degradation as compared to epoxy silica nanocomposites for all the filler concentrations considered. The enhance...

2024

In the study composites were prepared using 65wt% of corncob, rice hull, walnut shell and flax shive fibers with 32 wt% of high-density polyethylene by extrusion method. Results indicated significant differences in the water absorption, thickness swelling and rheological properties of the agro fiber composites. The corncob composites exhibited the highest water absorption values. The flax shive composites showed the lowest water absorption and thickness swelling values. The rice hull composites exhibited the highest thickness swelling values. The corncob composites showed the greatest resistance to breakage whereas the walnut shell composites exhibited the least resistance to breakage. The four agro fiber composites showed higher viscosity at low shear rates and at higher shear rates the effect of the filler decreased and the matrix contributions dominated. The corncob composites exhibited the highest complex viscosity whereas the rice hull composites showed the lowest complex viscosity. The storage and loss modulus of corncob composites were the highest and increased with increasing shear rate for all the composites, except for walnut shell composites which exhibited a decrease in storage modulus with increasing shear rate. The walnut shell composites exhibited the highest damping factor whereas the corncob composites showed the lowest damping factor values.

2024

Glass fiber reinforced composites have attracted great, widely used specific industrial areas such as defense, aerospace, etc. However, composite plates are defenseless to damage accumulation such as matrix cracks, fiber delamination, and delamination, which limits the application of glass composites in specific industrial areas at limited strength levels. Therefore, analysis of the behavior of composites under the outof-plane loads is essential to optimize such material. This study examines the out-of-plane loading performance of multi-scale glass/epoxy composite laminate. To improve the load-carrying performance in the direction of out-of-plane, the halloysite nanotube (HNT) particle reinforcement was introduced to the epoxy matrix. The three-point bending tests were conducted to attain the out-of-plane load-carrying performance. The findings show that the flexural strength increases by almost 20% for the HNT-modified glass/epoxy composite compared to the unmodified counterpart; meanwhile, the toughness is effectively improved with the HNT addition. Moreover, the damage process of specimens in three-point bending tests was detected by microscopic examination.

2024, Advanced Composites Letters

The flame retardants: expandable graphite, decabromodiphenyloxid, triethylphosphate and nanofillers: natural montmoryllonite [MMT]-Nanofil ® 116, natural MMT modified with a quaternary ammonium salt-Cloisite ® 10A, synthetic layered silicate-Laponite ® RD has been used in rigid polyurethane foams (PUFs). The influence of fillers amounts on processing parameters, physical-mechanical properties (compression strength, density, water absorption, brittleness, mass loss and volume change) and thermal properties (thermal stability and storage modulus in DMA methods) of such foams has been analysed. The morphology has been characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction of the polyurethane nanocomposite foams has been indicated the partial exfoliation of the clay in the polyurethane matrix. The flame retardancy and the thermal stability of all polyurethane modified systems was improved by an addition of flame retardants or nanoclays. Best results, in comparison for pure polyurethane foam, was obtained for polyurethane modified with organically modified montmorillonite (Cloisite 10A).

2024, International Journal of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering

2024, Applied Clay Science

2024

The article verifies the possibility of synthesizing nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes and three mineralsphyllosilicates kaolinite, nontronite and sepiolite. Variability of phyllosilicates allows preparing catalyst carriers with various contents of active metals. Under the same technology conditions, the type of catalyst carrier affects the morphology and structure of the final nanotube product markedly. Synthesis of CNTs was performed by hot filament chemical vapor deposition. The produced nanocomposites were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopies and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Each of the prepared nanocomposites may be advantageous for a certain field of applications.

2024, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

The thermal stability of nanocomposites based on unsaturated polyester resin (UP) and montmorillonite (MMT) clays is reported. The coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of both neat resin and nanocomposites with various concentrations of MMT were measured and it was found that the incorporation of clay particles reduced the CTE of the polyester resin. This reduction results greater at the lower MMT concentration tested (5 wt.%). Calorimetric tests also showed that the presence of nanoclays affects the kinetics of the curing reaction and the final degree of reaction reached by the unsaturated polyester resin. Bending and tensile tests revealed that higher percentages of MMT induced higher Young's modulus while the introduction of a viscosity reducer resulted in worst mechanical performances. The fragile behaviour observed for the formulations with higher nanoclay content were confirmed by the typical cleavage surfaces of the fracture borders observed by scanning electron microscopy.

2023, Fire and Materials

This study investigates the incorporation of castor oil-based rigid polyurethane foam with mineral fillers feldspar or kaolinite clay in order to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant properties. Influence of mineral fillers on the mechanical strength was characterized by compressive strength and flexural strength measurement. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to diagnose the changes in thermal properties, while cone calorimeter test was performed to ascertain the flame retardancy of the mineral filler-incorporated rigid polyurethane foam composites. Results showed that the foams incorporated with mineral filler demonstrated up to 182% increase in compressive strength and 351% increase in flexural strength. Thermal stability of these composite foams was also found to be enhanced on the incorporation of kaolinite clay filler with an increase in 5% weight loss temperature (T 5%) from 192°C to 260°C. Furthermore, peak heat release rate (PHRR), total heat release (THR), smoke production rate (SPR), and total smoke release (TSR) were also found to decreased on the incorporation of mineral filler in the rigid polyurethane foam. So mineral fillers are ascertained as a potential filler to enhance the mechanical, thermal, and flame retardant behaviors of bio-based rigid polyurethane foam composites.

2023, Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences

The effects of snail shell powder on the mechanical properties and morphology of high density polyethylene, HDPE /snail shell powder composites were studied. The snail shell powder of particle size 83µm was incorporated into HDPE polymer resins at varying percentages of 0%, 5%, 15% and 25%. The test samples were prepared by using injection moulding machine. The mechanical and morphological properties of high density polyethylene/snail shell powder composites have been characterised by an Instron machine in accordance with ASTM standard and optical microscopy respectively. From the results, hardness was observed to increase while the tensile strength, flexural strength and elongation at break decreased as the filler load increased. The result of the optical microscopy showed that the composites are more compatible than the unfilled composites. The filler improves the compatibility by finely dispersing the filler in the polymer matrix and a better interaction adhesion between the polymer matrix and filler particles.

2023

Composites of polypropylene (PP) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) were prepared by melt blending, and the effects of ethylene-butene copolymer (EBNR) as an impact modifier, on the mechanical and thermal properties of OPEFB:PP composites were investigated by using FTIR, DSC, TGA and SEM. Composites were prepared at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% by weight of fibre. Different fibre loading, temperatures, rotation time and rotation speeds were tested to determine the optimum condition of blending. Two range sizes of fibre were used in this study and there are below 200 µm and between 200-315 µm of length (known as 200 µm and 315 µm). The study was mainly conducted on composite with 20% and 40% fibre loading. The optimum temperature and reaction period for blending OPEFB with PP were 170 o C and 10 minutes with rotation speed at 50 rpm, respectively.

2023, Progress in Rubber, Plastics and Recycling Technology

Rubber nanocomposite foams based on 60/40 ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/natural rubber (NR) were melt-mixed with flame retardant silicon dioxide (SiO2) (20 parts per hundred rubber, phr), and foamed by compression molding process. In this study, the effect of mixing phenomena of SiO2 through two different compounding techniques such as direct mixing (DM) and phase selective mixing (PSM) methods on structure, thermal stability, combustility and flame retardancy of EVA/NR blend nanocomposite foams were investigated. DM method is a melt mixing of EVA, NR, layered silicate and SiO2, followed by foaming. PSM is a new method based on pre-mixing EVA with SiO2, then melt mixing of EVA/SiO2 masterbatch with NR and layered silicate, and finally foaming. Based on TEM technique, it was found that the SiO2 was exclusively located in dispersed NR phase for the sample prepared by DM method, and the SiO2 was preferably dispersed in continuous EVA matrix when PSM method was employed. However, the dif...

2023, ACS omega

Sustainability metrics have been established that cover the economic, social, and environmental aspects of human activities. Reduce, reuse, and recycle (3R) strategy targets solid waste management in the waste generation sectors. The purpose of this work is to study the possibility of using various plastic wastes containing highdensity polyethylene (HDPE) and high-density polyethylene nanoclay (PMON) as polymer additives to modify lubricating oil. The structure of these additives was elucidated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and the particle size of PMON was determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). The thermal stability of HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON) was studied, which showed higher thermal stability, and these additives completed degradation above 500°C. The performance of HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON) in lubricating oil was evaluated as pour point depressants by standard ASTM methods. The results showed that the efficiency of these additives increases with the decrease in the dose of these additives and lubricating oil treated with HDPE at 0.25% dosage lowers PPT to −30°C , while lubricating oil treated with nanoclay HDPE (PMON7) at 0.25% dosage reduces PPT to −36°C. Photomicrographic analysis was conducted to study accumulations and modifications in the wax crystal morphology in lube oil without and with HDPE and nanoclay HDPE (PMON7). Photomicrographs revealed that wax morphology changes due to effective pour point depressants on crystal growth.

2023

In this work we briefly summarized results of extensive experiments focused on hybridization natural inorganic substrates by carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The kernel of the experiments is catalytic synthesis of CNTs on/into natural inorganic substrates involving two technological processes. The first one is incorporation of catalytically active metals into the structure of the substrates while the second one is in-situ synthesis of CNTs in a HF CVD reactor. The main objective of the experiments is to contribute to understanding the mechanism of the rise of new hybrid materials. Selection of the natural inorganic substances includes a group of minerals with similar chemical compositions but with markedly different morphologies as well as materials containing iron - colloid scraps after raw mineral mining. The main methods of characterizing the hybrids are Raman spectroscopy along with scanning and transmission electron microscopies.

2023, Materials Research

This paper deals with the post fire behavior of hybrid nanocomposites under dynamic loadings. A series of tests were performed to investigate how nanoparticles (i.e. nanoclay and graphene nanosheets) affect the post-fire overall composite behavior. Carbon fiber/epoxy-nanoclay and carbon fiber/epoxy-graphene nanosheets were manufactured. The nanoparticles employed were Cloisite 30B nanoclay, and surface modified graphene nanosheets. The epoxy system used was RemLam M/HY956. The nanocomposites were made using ultrasonic mixer for nanoparticle dispersion in acetone followed by a shear mixing of acetone/nanoparticle/hardener. The following steps involved degassing, the addition of resin to the mixture and, the hand lay-up with vacuum assisted cure. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) indicates an average decrease on peak mass loss around 41% with the addition of small amount of nanoparticles. The sample plates were exposed to a heat flux of 800 kW.m-2 for a period up to 120 seconds. The post-fire low velocity impact tests indicated the impact resistance degraded as a function of heat exposure. However, the addition of nanoclay leads to an increase on impact peak force of 11.69%. The carbon oxidation could be the main cause of the increase on impact peak load is lower than expected, only 6.72%. The model predictions are overestimated by approximately 8%. Even though, it can be a good tool for composites design.

2023, International Journal of Polymer Analysis and Characterization

Epoxy resin as the core of microcapsules (EMs) with hybrid organic/inorganic shell were utilized to bismaleimide/2,2'-diallylbisphenol A (BD) thermosetting resin to develop BD/EMs composites with excellent comprehensive properties. Because of the catalytic effect of environmental friendly EMs with amine-derivatives shell materials on BMI/BA resin, the high thermal stable inorganic boron nitride (BN) nano-particles and mesoporous silica (M-SiO2) on the surface of EMs and the chemical interaction at the interface between EMs and matrix, BD with appropriate content of EMs showed higher thermal decomposition temperature and conductivity and lower coefficient of thermal expansion than BD system. BD/EMs also exhibited better flame retardancy than BD system for the presence of BN and M-SiO2 (halogen-and phosphorous-free flame retardant) on the surface of EMs and the flame blocking and retarding effect of hybrid EMs on the BD system. 15 wt% EMs achieved 45 %, 34 % and 32 % decreases in peak heat release rate, the average heat release rate and the

2023, Polymer Bulletin

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/nanoclay/polymethyl methacrylate nanocomposites were chemically foamed using injection molding process under different processing conditions. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and standard experimental tests were employed to study the morphological and mechanical properties of nanocomposite foams. The hardness is increased by 54%, and tensile strength is improved by 10% in samples containing 2 wt% of nanoclay compared to pure polymer. The effect of input parameters on the morphological and mechanical properties is studied using Taguchi approach. According to analysis of variance results, holding pressure is the most effective parameter on cell size, cell density, and relative density with the contribution of 90%, 70%, and 41%, respectively. On the other hand, nanoclay content is the most effective parameter on the tensile strength and hardness with the contribution of 79% and 89%, respectively. Analytical hierarchy process is used as a multi-criteria decision-making method in order to select the best alternative among different samples considering different morphological or mechanical criteria based on sensitivity analyses. Polymeric nanocomposite foam sample produced at 2 wt% nanoclay, injection pressure of 140 MPa, and holding pressure of 110 MPa was the best alternative in most cases.

2023

2023, Applied Surface Science

The suitability of clay minerals-kaolinite, nontronite and sepioliteis studied for synthesis of nanocomposites based on carbon nanotubes. Particles of iron were used as catalysts. Prior to synthesis, kaolinite and sepiolite were doped by the catalytically active metal, whereas in the case of nontronite the presence was used of this metal in the matrix of this mineral. Synthesis of CNTs was performed by hot filament chemical vapor deposition method. The produced nanocomposites were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopies and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The experiment verified the potential of the three microcrystalline phyllosilicates for the growth of carbon nanotubes. Under the same technology conditions, the type of catalyst carrier affects the morphology and structure of the nanotube product markedly.

2023

2023, SN Applied Sciences

Composite materials based on natural fibers are increasing in demand in various sectors of industry because of their interesting specific properties. This work is a contribution to the valorization, of plant fibers from agricultural plantations in Cameroon, in fiber cement mortar (FCM). This paper studies the influence of the addition of oil palm mesocarp fiber (OPMF) on the physical (water absorption, density and compactness) and mechanical (compressive strength and flexural strength) properties of cement mortars. The fibers used in this paper are extracted from oil palm mesocarp (palm kernel pulp) by a mechanical and manual process. Cement mortar specimens were then made with different proportions of fibers: 0% (reference mortar), 1%, 2%, 3% and 3.5% fibers. Physical and mechanical tests are then carried out on our specimens. Regardless of the duration of immersion in water, the results show that the water absorption rate increases with a greater amount of fiber in the FCM specime...