Property changes of wood-fiber/HDPE composites colored by iron oxide pigments after accelerated UV weathering

Four kinds of iron oxide pigments were added into wood-fiber/high-density-polyethylene composites （WF/HDPE） at three different concentrations, to determine the effects of pigments on the changes in the color and mechanical properties of the composites before and after UV accelerated weathering. HDPE, wood fibers, pigments and other processing additives were dry-mixed in a high-speed mixer. The mixtures were extruded by two-step extrusion process with a self-designed twin-screw/single-screw extruder system. Color of the samples was determined according to CIE 1976 L^＊a^＊b^＊ system by a spec- trophotometer and the bending properties were tested to evaluate the mechanical properties before and after accelerated UV weathering. The result shows that the modulus of elasticity of WF/HDPE did not obvi- ously changed after incorporating with the pigments, but the bending strength increased. After accelerated aging for 2000 h, both color and mechanical properties significantly changed. Iron oxide red and black performed better than the other two pigments, and the pigments dosage of 2.28% in the composites is favourable.

Effect of Twisted Fiber on Flexural Property and Microstructure of Woven Fabric Reinforced Composite

Two kinds of 2.5D deep straight-joint structure ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene（UHMWPE）（twisted and original） fibers woven fabric reinforced epoxy resin composites were prepared by the hand lay-up method. Subsequently, the flexural property, microstructures, and failure mechanisms of the composites were also investigated. The average flexural strength of 2.5D deep bend-joint structure twisted fiber and original fiber woven fabric composites were 176.66 MPa and 204.45 MPa, respectively. The results of the characteristics indicated that the twist was the main factor which affected the flexural performance. Flexural property vitally relied on the strength of the fiber itself. Twist decreased the strength of the yarns, which meant that when the mechanical property of woven fabric reinforced composites was improved, the yarns must be kept straight in the woven fabric. The study are extremely valuable to guide the improvement of the mechanical property of the woven fabric reinforced composites.

Flexural behaviors of steel reinforced ECC/concrete composite beams

An engineered cementitious composite （ECC） is introduced to partially substitute concrete in the tension zone of a reinforced concrete beam to form an ECC/reinforced concrete （RC） composite beam, which can increase the ductility and crack resisting ability of the beam. Based on the assumption of the plane remaining plane and the simplified constitutive models of materials, the stress and strain distributions along the depth of the composite beam in different loading stages are comprehensively investigated to obtain calculation methods of the load-carrying capacities for different stages. Also, a simplified formula for the ultimate load carrying capacity is proposed according to the Chinese code for the design of concrete structures. The relationship between the moment and curvature for the composite beam is also proposed together with a simplified calculation method for ductility of the ECC/RC composite beam. Finally, the calculation method is demonstrated with the test results of a composite beam. Comparison results show that the calculation results have good consistency with the test results, proving that the proposed calculation methods are reliable with a certain theoretical significance and reference value.

Study of microstructure and flexural properties of microcellular acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene nanocomposite foams: experimental results

In this paper, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene （ABS） nanocomposite foams are produced using carbon dioxide through the solid-state batch process. Microcellular closed-cell foams are produced with the relative density ranging from 0.38 to 0.97. The effects of the processing conditions on the density, morphology, and flexural properties of ABS and its nanocomposite foams are studied. It is found that nanoclay particles, as nucleating sites, play an important role in reducing the size of cells and increasing their number in the unit volume of foamed polymer, as well as increasing the flexural modulus of foam through reinforcing its matrix.

Repair of automotive bumpers and bars with modified friction stir welding

This study reports the investigations for repair of thermoplastic based automotive bumpers and bars with modified friction stir welding(MFSW)process.For MFSW,consumable tool of polyamide6(PA6)composite has been used for joining of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS)composites.The dissimilar thermoplastics were processed for maintaining a useful range of melt flow properties followed by preparation of feed stock filament for fused deposition modeling(FDM)process through screw extrusion.Finally,3D printed PA6 based consumable rapid tool(RT)was prepared for MFSW.The joints prepared were subjected to flexural,hardness,morphological and thermal testing.The study has suggested the that maximum mechanical strength was obtained for sample welded at 1400 r/min,50 mm/min transverse speed and 3 mm plunge depth,whereas the minimum mechanical strength was obtained for sample welded at 1000 r/min,30 mm/min transverse speed and 2 mm plunge depth.The results are also supported with thermal analysis and photomicrographs.

Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Flexural Vibration Transfer Properties of High-Pressure Periodic Pipe

According to the theory of phononic crystals, the hydraulic pipeline is designed to be a periodic structure composed of steel pipes and hoses to suppress the vibration of the hydraulic system with band gaps. We present theoretical and experimental investigations into the flexural vibration transfer properties of a high-pressure periodic pipe with the force on the inner pipe wall by oii pressure taken into consideration. The results show that the vibration attenuation of periodic pipe decreases along with the elevation of working pressure for the hydraulic system, and the band gaps in low frequency ranges move towards high frequency ranges. The periodic pipe has good vibration attenuation performance in the frequency range below 1000 Hz and the vibration of the hydraulic system is effectively suppressed. A11 the results are validated by experiment. The experimental results show a good agreement with the numerical calculations, thus the flexural vibration transfer properties of the high- pressure periodic pipe can be precisely calculated by taking the fluid structure interaction between the pipe and oil into consideration. This study provides an effective way for the vibration control of the hydraulic system.

Effect of moisture and fungal exposure on the mechanical properties of hem-fir plywood

Hem-fir plywood were exposed to two brown rot fungi, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Postia placenta, and one white rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, to investigate the effect of fungal decay on mechanical properties of plywood. Results showed that modulus of rupture （MOR） and modulus of elasticity （MOE） of hem-fir plywood declined significantly by inoculating fungi, and weight loss of sample had a modest decrease. The fungi also made a greater effect on MOR than on MOE. Of three fungi, Postia placenta caused a most significant weight loss, and Gloeophyllum trabeum resulted in a largest flexural properties loss. Substantial declines in MOR and MOE of hem-fir plywood were also observed when the plywood samples were stored under wet conditions over 15 weeks, even in the absence of fungal attack.

A Review on Strengthening of Timber Beams Using Fiber Reinforced Polymers

Fiber reinforced polymer(FRP)has been used in the construction industry because of its advantages such as high strength,light weight,corrosion resistance,low density and high elasticity.This paper presents a review of bonding techniques adopted to strengthen timber beams using FRP to achieve larger spans.Different methods of bonding between FRP and timber beams have been summarized with a focus on the influencing factors and their effects as well as relevant bond-slip models proposed for fundamental understanding.Experimental investigations to evaluate the flexural performance of timber beams strengthened by FRP bars,sheets and wraps have also been critically reviewed to identify key influencing parameters.Limited research available on the shear performance of FRP reinforced timber beams have been analyzed to determine the influencing factors of the shear performance in timber-FRP beams.The paper finally presents an overall summary of the current-state-of-the-art and proposes some future research directions in the field.

Mechanical Behavior and Failure Mechanism of 2.5D(Shallow Bend-joint, Deep Straight-joint) and 3D Orthogonal UHWMPE Fiber/Epoxy Composites by Vacuum-assistant-resin-infused

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene（UHMWPE） fiber/epoxy composites were fabricated by a vacuum assisted resin infused（VARI） processing technology. The curing condition of composites was at a cure temperature of 80 ℃ for 3h in a drying oven. The characteristics of 2.5D（shallow bend-joint and deep straight-joint） structure and 3D orthogonal structure were compared. The failure behavior, flexural strength, and microstructures of both composites were investigated. It was found that the flexural property was closely related to undulation angle θ. The flexural strength of 3D orthogonal structure composite was superior to the other two structures composites with the same weave parameters and resin.

Plate reinforced square hollow section X-joints subjected to in-plane moment

The static test of 13 square hollow section(SHS) X-joints with different β and different types of plate reinforcement under in-plane moment in brace was carried out. Experimental test schemes, failure modes of specimens, moment-vertical displacement curves, moment-deformation of the chord, and strain strength distribution curves were presented. The effect of β and plate reinforcement types on in-plane flexural property of SHS X-joints was studied. Results show that punching shear of chord face disappears, brace material fracture appears and concave and convex deformation of chord decrease when either collar plates or doubler plates were welded on chord face. Moment-vertical displacement curves of all specimens have obvious elastic, elastic-plastic and plastic stages. As β increases, the in-plane flexural ultimate capacity and initial stiffness of joints of the same plate reinforcement type increase, but ductility of joints decreases. With the same β, the in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of doubler plate reinforced joints, collar plate reinforced joints, and unreinforced joints decrease progressively. Thickness of reinforcement plate has no obvious effect on in-plane flexural initial stiffness and ultimate capacity of joints. As thickness of reinforcement plate increases, the ductility of reinforced X-joints decreases. The concave and convex deformation of every specimen has good symmetry;as β increases, the yield and ultimate deformation of chord decrease.

Properties and Mechanism on Flexural Fatigue of Polypropylene Fiber Reinforced Concrete Containing Slag

Properties and mechanism were investigated on flexural fatigue of concrete containing polypropylene fibers and ground granulated blast furnace slag（GGBFS）.Four polypropylene fibers’volume fractions and five slag proportions were considered.An experiment was conducted to obtain the fatigue lives at three stress levels in 20 Hz frequency and at a constant stress level of 0.59 in four frequency respectively.Mechanism and evaluation were investigated based on the experimental data.Fatigue life span models were established.The results show that the addition of polypropylene fibers improves the flexural fatigue cumulative strength and fatigue life span.It is proposed that the slag particles and hydrated products improve Interfacial Transition Zone（ITZ）structure and benefit flexural fatigue performance.A composite reinforce effect is found with the incorporation of slag and polypropylene fibers.The optimum mixture contents 55%slag with 0.6%polypropylene fiber for the cumulative fatigue stress.Fatigue properties are decreased as the stress level increasing,the higher frequency reduces the fatigue strength more than lower frequency at a constant stress level.

COMPUTATION OF FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF HA/PLLA COMPOSITE USING A CELL MODEL APPROACH

A three-dimensional finite element analysis was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of predicting the flexural properties of hydroxyapatite-reinforced poly-L-lactide acid （HA/PLLA） biocomposite using three different schemes. The scheme 1, originated from a beam analysis, was used to determine the flexural modulus analytically while the scheme 2 and 3 were designed to have different loading and boundary conditions using a finite element cell modeling approach. An empirical approach using Chow＇s formula and experimental data were used for comparison with the predicted results. In order to reduce the computational time and save the storage space involved in determining the effect of varying particle volume fractions on the flexural properties of HA/PLLA, a superelement technique was applied. The results using the scheme 3 and the Chow＇s formula were found to be in reasonable agreement with experimental results over the range of particle volume fraction. In addition to the Chow＇s formula, local stress distribution and the failure processes in HA/PLLA were simulated using the finite element technique.

Flexural Properties of Grooved Perforation Sandwich Composites

Selecting H-60 PVC foam, four-axis E-glass non-woven fabric and vinyl resin, a type of innovative reinforced sandwich composite as grooved perforation sandwich （GPS） were fabricated by VIMP. The interfacial structure between the face and core of the sandwich is innovative because of the acuminate grooves in both sides of foam core and the holes perforated along core’s height. The fabrication results show that VIMP is a high-speed and cost-effective manufacturing method. The mechanical properties of the reinforced foam core were tested. The typical flexural failure modes of sandwich specimens were observed. The flexural stiffness and ultimate bearing capacity of sandwich were studied by ordinary sandwich beam theory and finite element method.

THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY(2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE)COPOLYMER HYDROGELS USED AS INTRAVAGINAL RINGS

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)(PHEMA)and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-sodium methacrylate) [P(HEMA-co-SMA)]hydrogels with different compositions were prepared to be used as intravaginal rings,and their gelation time,water content,mechanical properties and morphology were investigated.The water content of PHEMA and P(HEMA-co-SMA) hydrogels decreased as the concentration of the monomer and the degree of crosslinking increased,while the water content significantly increased as the content of SMA,the hydrophilic monomer,increased.The increasing of the concentration of the crosslinking agent affected the tensile and flexural properties highly.The presence of a proper small amount of SMA also led the tensile and flexural modulus to move to a higher level.The results showed that P(HEMA-co-SMA) hydrogel with high drug load and good mechanical properties at optimum preparation conditions can be prepared for intravaginal rings to deliver nonhormonal contraceptives.These results may be applied to prepare better intravaginal drug delivery devices.

The Manufacture of Structured Flax/Hemp Fiber Thermoplastic Composites and Its Flexural Properties

Flax and hemp fibers were used as reinforcing materials to commingle with polypropylene(PP)fiber to realize the mixture of two materials at the stage of yarn.Meanwhile,PP filaments were introduced to produce a core-spun yarn with flax/PP as core and PP filament as outer sheath.The commingled yarns were woven into 2D fabric which was used as the prefabricated material.The composite laminates were prepared by hot press technology.The effects of manufacture technology,yarn structure,and fiber weight fraction on flexural properties of composites were investigated.

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Epoxy Resin Modified with N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)terahydrophthalic Anhydrideimide

A novel epoxy-imide resin based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A and N-（4-hydroxyphenyl）terahydrophthalic anhydrideimide（HTAM） was synthesized. The structural characterization of the epoxy-imide resin was conducted by FT-IR spectra. 4,4＇-diaminodiphneylmethane（DDM） was used as a curing agent for the epoxy-imide resin. The thermal properties of the cured resin were evaluated with dynamic mechanical analyses（DMA） and thermogravimetric analysis（TGA）. The results showed that the cured resin exhibited a high glass transition temperature（Tg） of 186 ℃ when the molar amount of HTAM was 0.04 mol in the resin. The yields of the cured resin at 800 ℃ raised from 16.45% to 19.41%. The flexural properties were also measured, the flexural strength raised from 79.4 to 95.7 MPa, and the flexural modulus exhibited from 2.6 to 3.0 GPa.

The flexural property and its synergistic mechanism of multibody molded beetle elytron plates

To improve the applications of beetle elytron plates(BEPs,which are biomimetic sandwich plates inspired by beetle elytra),the flexural performance and its synergistic mechanism of multibody molded BEPs were investigated via cantilever testing and finite element method(FEM).The results are summarized as follows.(1)Although debonding damage causes failure of the multibody molded BEPs and honeycomb plate and the reasonable range of trabecular size for BEPs is narrow,both the optimal loading capacity per mass and failure deformation of the BEPs are over two times those of the honeycomb plate.(2)A flexural synergistic mechanism is revealed in the trabecular-honeycomb core structure of BEPs;this mechanism causes the maximum deformation of core structure to gradually transfer from the honeycomb wall to the trabeculae with the increase inη(the ratio of the trabecular radius to the distance between the center points of two trabeculae),which means the different stretching behaviors in these core structures.(3)Unlike the compressive mechanism of BEPs,by controlling and balancing the deformation degrees of the trabeculae and honeycomb walls,the flexural mechanism achieves a minimum core deformation and an optimal flexural performance.These results suggest a qualitative relationship between the deformation behavior of trabecular-honeycomb core structure and bending performance of the whole BEP,and provide a solid foundation for subsequent research and the considerable application potential of this biomimetic sandwich structure in many fields.

Nanoparticle type effects on flexural, interfacial and vibration properties of GFRE composites

Damping improvement in composite structures via introducing nanofillers generally has remarkable negative effects on the other mechanical properties. Therefore, in the present work, SiC and A1203 nanoparticles＇ infusion effects on the flexural, interracial and vibration properties of epoxy matrix and glass fiber reinforced epoxy （GFR/E） laminates were investigated. Unidirectional （UD-GFR/E） and quasi-isotropic （QI-GFR/E） laminates with [0/± 45/90]s and [90/±45/0]s stack- ing sequences were hybridized by the optimum nanoparticles percentages. Results from off-axis flexural strengths of UD-GFR/E demonstrate good fiber/nanophased-matrix interracial bonding. The interlaminar shear stress between the adjacent layers with different orientations/strains of duc- tile QI-GFR/SiC/E laminates results in decreasing the flexural strengths respectively by 24.3% and 9.1% for [0/±45/90]s and [90/± 45/0]s stacking sequences and increasing the dissipated interfacial friction energy and thus the damping by 105.7% and 26.1%. The damping of QI-GFR/E, QI-GFR/SiC/E and QI-GFR/AI203/E laminates with [90/± 45/0]s stacking sequence was increased by 111.4%, 29.7% and 32.9% respectively compared to [0/± 45/90]s stacking sequence.

Preparation and flexural properties of biomimetic laminated boards made from starch and maize stalk fiber

In this study,maize stalk tegument separated from the maize pith was crushed to obtain the fiber.The cross-linking maize starch adhesives considering four main factors(water content,gelatinization temperature,NaOH as gelatinization agent and Na2B4O7·10H2O as cross-linking agent)with three levels were prepared based on an orthogonal test scheme L9(34)in order to increase the water-resisting property and the bonding strength of the common maize starch adhesives.The bonding properties of maize starch adhesives were characterized using shearing strength under compression loading.Physical models of fiber reinforced composites were established according to the microstructure analysis of the four species of insects’elytra including Protaetia orentalis,Copris ochus Motschulsky,Anoplophora chinensis and Cytister bengalensis Aube,which will provide the biomimetic models for the biomimetic laminated boards.The maize stalk fiber biomimetic laminated boards were prepared based on the structural models of the elytra material.The flexural strength and flexural elastic modulus of the biomimetic boards were examined.The results showed that the flexural strengths of the single layer jute fiber,-reinforced maize stalk fiber boards and the dual layer jute fiber reinforced maize stalk fiber boards are higher than those of the common maize stalk fiber boards and the other three groups of jute fiber hybrid reinforced stalk fiber boards because of the biomimetic laminated design.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Tortoise Carapace Structure Bio-Inspired Hybrid Composite

A turtle carapace bio-inspired Ti matrix hybrid composite was successfully fabricated in this work. This composite incorporates two parts： the Ti-Al intermetallic multilayered composite and continuous SiC fibers-reinforced Ti matrix composite. In the Ti-Al intermetallic multilayered composite part, a series of Ti-Al intermetallics compounds, including Ti3Al, TiAl, TiAl2 and TiAl3, were formed between the Ti layers. In the continuous SiC fibers-reinforced Ti matrix composite part, SiC fibers and Ti matrix were found to be bonded well through weak interface reaction. Flexural strength of this material reached 1.21 ±0.16 GPa, measured by three-point bending test. The deformation features suggest that the hierarchical structure combining ductile Ti layers/matrix with brittle high-strength Ti-Al intermetallics layers/SiC fibers can effectively enhance the mechanical properties of the bio-inspired hybrid composite.