Chengkan Xu^1,2,4, Xiaofei Wang³, Yixuan Li², Guannan Wang^2,*, He Zhang^2,4,*

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.140, No.1, pp. 957-974, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.047327

Abstract Structural damage in heterogeneous materials typically originates from microstructures where stress concentration occurs. Therefore, evaluating the magnitude and location of localized stress distributions within microstructures under external loading is crucial. Repeating unit cells (RUCs) are commonly used to represent microstructural details and homogenize the effective response of composites. This work develops a machine learning-based micromechanics tool to accurately predict the stress distributions of extracted RUCs. The locally exact homogenization theory efficiently generates the microstructural stresses of RUCs with a wide range of parameters, including volume fraction, fiber/matrix property ratio, fiber shapes, and loading direction. Subsequently, the conditional generative adversarial network… More > Graphic Abstract

Dongsheng Jia, Yingjie Xu^*, Liangdi Wang, Jihong Zhu, Weihong Zhang

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.140, No.1, pp. 171-199, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.046703

Abstract The abalone shell, a composite material whose cross-section is composed of inorganic and organic layers, has high strength and toughness. Inspired by the abalone shell, several multi-layer composite plates with different layer sequences and thicknesses are studied as bullet-proof material in this paper. To investigate the ballistic performance of this multi-layer structure, the complete characterization model and related material parameters of large deformation, failure and fracture of Al₂O₃ ceramics and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) are studied. Then, 3D finite element models of the proposed composite plates with different layer sequences and thicknesses impacted by a 12.7 mm armor-piercing incendiary… More >

Tezara Cionita^1,*, Mohammad Hazim Mohamad Hamdan², Januar Parlaungan Siregar^3,4,*, Deni Fajar Fitriyana⁵, Ramli Junid⁶, Wong Ling Shing⁷, Jamiluddin Jaafar⁸, Agustinus Purna Irawan⁹, Teuku Rihayat¹⁰, Rifky Ismail¹¹, Athanasius Priharyoto Bayuseno¹¹, Emilianus Jehadus¹²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 457-483, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.045814

Abstract Recent decades have seen a substantial increase in interest in research on natural fibres that is aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs). Due to their renewable resources and biodegradability, natural fiber-reinforced composites have been investigated as a sustainable alternative to synthetic materials to reduce the usage of hazardous waste and environmental pollution. Among the natural fibre, jute fibre obtained from a bast plant has an increasing trend in the application, especially as a reinforcement material. Numerous research works have been performed on jute fibre with regard to reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Nevertheless, current demands on sustainable materials have required… More >

Joseph O. Dirisu^1,*, Imhade P. Okokpujie^2,3,*, Olufunmilayo O. Joseph¹, Sunday O. Oyedepo¹, Oluwasegun Falodun⁴, Lagouge K. Tartibu³, Firdaussi D. Shehu¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 485-511, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.045188

Abstract Research into converting waste into viable eco-friendly products has gained global concern. Using natural fibres and pulverized metallic waste becomes necessary to reduce noxious environmental emissions due to indiscriminately occupying the land. This study reviews the literature in the broad area of green composites in search of materials that can be used in automotive brake pads. Materials made by biocomposite, rather than fossil fuels, will be favoured. A database containing the tribo-mechanical performance of numerous potential components for the future green composite was established using the technical details of bio-polymers and natural reinforcements. The development of materials with diverse compositions… More > Graphic Abstract

R. VENKATESAN^*, S. R. DARSON IMMANUEL JOHN, N. RAJESWARI

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 261-273, 2019, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2019.36.03.6

Abstract Nanocomposite films of chitosan (CH) incorporated with different wt. % of the polyoligomericsilsesquioxane (POSS) were prepared by solution casting. The thermal, mechanical, morphological and antimicrobial properties of the nanocomposites were examined. TGA analyses of the nanocomposites indicate that the filler enables the enhancement of thermal stability of chitosan. The tensile strength of the nanocomposite films is enhanced (10.9 MPa for neat chitosan to 24.0MPa for 5wt. % filled chitosan) by the addition of POSS while the elongation at break is reduced. The nanocomposite films exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. This activity increases with… More >

RUBY AHMED¹, MOHAMMAD OMAISH ANSARI², FARMAN ALI¹, SHAHID PERVEZ ANSARI^1,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.36, No.3, pp. 243-251, 2019, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2019.36.03.4

Abstract Polyaniline (PANI) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS₂ ) were used to prepare nanocomposites by in-situ oxidative polymerization of acidified aniline in presence of dispersed MoS₂ in the reaction mixture. Electron Microscopy (SEM & TEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize these nanocomposites. SEM micrographs showed that PANI is present on the layers of MoS₂ which were exfoliated during the preparation and the presence of MoS₂ is also confirmed by XRD peaks. The nanocomposites were studied for their electrical conductivity and stability of electrical conductivity in terms of d.c. electrical conductivity retention.… More >

KAVITA^*, R.K. TIWARI

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.36, No.2, pp. 195-205, 2019, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2019.36.02.7

Abstract The effect of poly (vinyl butyral) and acid functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNT) on the thermal and mechanical performance of Kevlar fiber reinforced novolac epoxy nanocomposites was investigated and presented in this paper. Nanocomposite containing 1.5 wt. % poly (vinyl butyral) and 0.5 wt. % f-MWCNT exhibited best thermal and mechanical properties (except flexural strength) among all the nanocomposites reported here. It showed ~5%, 27% and 126 % improvement in tensile strength, young’s modulus and impact strength respectively as compared to the neat novolac epoxy Kevlar composite.Nanocomposite containing 0.5 wt. % f- MWCNT and 2 wt. % poly (vinyl butyral)… More >

KRISHAN KUMAR PATEL, RAJESH PUROHIT

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.36, No.1, pp. 23-37, 2019, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2019.36.01.3

Abstract Microwave (MV)-induced thermo-responsive shape memory thermoplastic polyurethane (SMTPU)/ MWCNT composites were prepared in micro-compounder. Composites containing different amount of multiwall Carbon nanotube (MWCNT) varying from 0 to 1.5 phr in SMTPU matrix were prepared. Maximum stretching strength, recovery force and tensile strength for 1.5 CNTPU (1.5 phr MWCNT in SMTPU matrix) was increased by 120%, 100% and 24% respectively as compared to SMTPU. MV-induced shape memory is a novel approach for fast, clean and remote heating during operation. MWCNT is strong absorber of microwave irradiation so that SMTPU/ MWCNTs nanocomposites successfully triggered by microwave. More >

R. SARAVANAN^*, A. SURESHBABU

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.37, No.1-2, pp. 43-54, 2020, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2020.37.1-2.4

Abstract In this research work, multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) particulate filler of various (0.9, 1.2, 1.5, & 1.8 wt %) weight percentage was used along with epoxy resin. A novel method of distributing the MWCNT in epoxy had been employed to reduce the agglomeration problem by charging the MWCNT electrostatically. The electrostatic charged (MWCNT) and uncharged (MWCNT) were loaded on to matrix and then it was stirred by a mechanical mixer for 300 minutes continuously to achieve uniform distribution. The nano filler reinforced composite was fabricated by using hand layup method and mechanical testing (Tensile and Flexural) were performed as… More >

NALINI SHARMA^1,*, AJAY SINGH², RAJ KUMAR DUTTA³

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.37, No.1-2, pp. 1-15, 2020, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2020.37.1-2.1

Abstract Controlled Release fertilizers (CRFs) are new generation agrochemicals which aid in decreasing environmental pollution. In the present study, novel CRF beads are synthesized by the technique of sol-gel polymerization. CMC polymer at various concentrations was used as a matrix and kaolin was used as a binder to enhance mechanical properties of the beads. The study also reveals the incorporation of Kaolin at different concentrations and optimization of the same. Fe3+ was used as a cross-linker to obtain spherical beads. Also, a study was done to optimize the cross linking time and concentration of cross linking solution. The usage of polymers… More >