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Special Issue "Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite II"

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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: 15 May 2024 | Viewed by 5582

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Dr. Dilip Depan

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Chemical Engineering Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, USA
Interests: polymer nanocomposites; biomaterials; tissue engineering; nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Dear Colleagues,

Advanced high-performance polymer nanocomposites are receiving tremendous attention for their breadth of applications, as large strides have been made in design, processing, synthesis, characterization, and high-end user applications. Many applications require polymer nanocomposites to be lighter, stronger, and more durable with tunable properties. Great progress has been made in the design and synthesis of smarter and versatile nanocomposites to promote human welfare. High-performance polymer nanocomposites reinforced by fibers and other fillers have been successful in aerospace and automotive applications owing to their superior strength. Nonetheless, further strides are needed to develop nanocomposites for self-healing, biocompatible, and high-energy storage applications. The intention of this Special Issue is to collect recent articles in the field of fiber-reinforced polymer nanocomposites and their applications. This Special Issue will cover topics such as functional polymer nanocomposites, carbon nanotubes and nanofibers, graphene, polymer–fiber interphase, degradation and stability, smart and self-healing polymer nanocomposites, shape–memory polymers, and their MD simulations.

Dr. Dilip Depan
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 nanocomposites
mechanical properties
rheological properties
carbon nanotubes and nanofibers
polymer–fiber interphase
degradation and stability of polymer nanocomposites
self-healing polymer nanocomposites
nanoscale characterization of polymer nanocomposites
MD simulations
shape–memory polymer nanocomposites

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1074 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Poly(etheretherketone) Post’s Mechanical Strength in Comparison with Three Metal-Free Biomaterials: An In Vitro Study

and

Polymers 2023, 15(17), 3583; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15173583 - 29 Aug 2023

Viewed by 721

Abstract

The thinking about metallic replacement has begun in a global context of reducing metallic alloys’ use in odontology. Among the materials proposed for their replacement, poly(etheretherketone) may present interesting properties, especially in removable dentures’ frames. The purpose of this study is to evaluate fracture resistance of PEEK posts-and-cores compared to non-metallic CAD/CAM materials and fiber glass posts. Forty extracted maxillary central incisors were prepared to receive posts. Samples were divided into four groups depending on whether they had been reconstructed with LuxaCam^® PEEK, Enamic^®, Numerys GF^® or LuxaPost^®. Samples were submitted to an oblique compressive test and results were statistically analyzed with ANOVA and Student’s tests (or non-parametric tests depending on the conditions). Glass fiber posts and Numerys GF^® reveal a significantly higher fracture resistance than LuxaCam^® PEEK and Enamic^®. No exclusively dental fracture has been noted for the Enamic group, which significantly distinguishes these samples from the three other groups. In our study, it appears that the conception of posts and cores with hybrid ceramic never conducts to a unique tooth fracture. By weighting the results according to the materials used, our data, obtained for the first time on this type of PEEK block, cannot confirm the possibility of using PEEK for inlay-core conception, excepted for specific cases when the material is considered in a patient presenting allergies or systemic disease contraindicating resin or metal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite II)

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27 pages, 6021 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Mode I Interlaminar Fracture Toughness in Multidirectional 3D-Printed Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with Continuous Carbon Fiber

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Polymers 2023, 15(10), 2403; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15102403 - 22 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1225

Abstract

It is well known that the use of continuous reinforcing fibers can largely improve the typical low in-plane mechanical properties of 3D-printed parts. However, there is very limited research on the characterization of the interlaminar fracture toughness of 3D-printed composites. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of determining the mode I interlaminar fracture toughness of 3D-printed cFRP composites with multidirectional interfaces. First, elastic calculations and different FE simulations of Double Cantilever Beam (DCB) specimens (using cohesive elements for the delamination, in addition to an intralaminar ply failure criterion) were carried out to choose the best interface orientations and laminate configurations. The objective was to ensure a smooth and stable propagation of the interlaminar crack, while preventing asymmetrical delamination growth and plane migration, also known as crack jumping. Then, the best three specimen configurations were manufactured and tested experimentally to validate the simulation methodology. The experimental results confirmed that, with the appropriate stacking sequence for the specimen arms, it is possible to characterize the interlaminar fracture toughness in multidirectional 3D-printed composites under mode I. The experimental results also show that both initiation and propagation values of the mode I fracture toughness depend on the interface angles, although a clear tendency could not be established. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite II)

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16 pages, 6121 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing the Mechanical Properties of Historical Masonry Using Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymers

Ithan Jessemar R. Dollente

Daniel Nichol R. Valerio

Pauline Rose J. Quiatchon

Anabel B. Abulencia

Ma. Beatrice D. Villoria

Lessandro Estelito O. Garciano

Michael Angelo B. Promentilla

Ernesto J. Guades

and

Jason Maximino C. Ongpeng

Polymers 2023, 15(4), 1017; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15041017 - 17 Feb 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1192

Abstract

Current research into the production of sustainable construction materials for retrofitting and strengthening historic structures has been rising, with geopolymer technology being seen as an advantageous alternative to traditional concrete. Fiber reinforcement using this novel cementitious material involves a low embodied carbon footprint while ensuring cohesiveness with local materials. This study aims to develop fly ash-based geopolymers reinforced with six different types of fibers: polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene, chopped basalt, carbon fiber, and copper-coated stainless steel. The samples are produced by mixing the geopolymer mortar in random distribution and content. Twenty-eight geopolymer mixes are evaluated through compressive strength, split-tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity to determine the fiber mix with the best performance compared with pure geopolymer mortar as a control. Polyvinyl alcohol and copper-coated stainless-steel fiber samples had considerably high mechanical properties and fracture toughness under applied tensile loads. However, the polypropylene fiber source did not perform well and had lower mechanical properties. One-way ANOVA verifies these results. Based on these findings, polyvinyl alcohol and stainless-steel fibers are viable options for fiber reinforcement in historical structures, and further optimization and testing are recommended before application as a reinforcement material in historic structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite II)

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14 pages, 3573 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Introduction of SWCNTs as a Method of Improvement of Electrical and Mechanical Properties of CFRPs Based on Thermoplastic Acrylic Resin

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Polymers 2023, 15(3), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15030506 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1269

Abstract

The aim of this research was to improve the electrical and mechanical properties of carbon-fibre-reinforced polymers (CFRP) based on thermoplastic acrylic resin ELIUM^®, by introducing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) into their structure. The laminates were fabricated using the infusion technique of infiltrating the carbon fabric with the mixture of acrylic resin and SWCNTs. The addition of SWCNTs improved the electrical conductivity through the thickness of the laminate by several times compared to the laminate without modification. No defects or voids were observed in the structure of the fabricated nanocomposites. The introduction of SWCNTs into the CFRP structure increased the Young’s modulus, interlaminar shear strength and impact resistance. DMA analysis showed almost no change in the glass transition temperature of the fabricated SWCNT/CFRP nanocomposites compared to the reference laminate. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite II)

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16 pages, 6954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling of Web-Crippling Behavior of Pultruded GFRP I Sections at Elevated Temperatures

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Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5313; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235313 - 05 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 761

Abstract

The concentrated transverse load may lead to the web crippling of pultruded GFRP sections due to the lower transverse mechanical properties. Several investigations have been conducted on the web-crippling behavior of the GFRP sections under room temperature. However, the web-crippling behavior is not yet understood when subjected to elevated temperatures. To address this issue, a finite element model considering the temperature-dependent material properties, Hashin failure criterion and the damage evolution law are successfully developed to simulate the web-crippling behavior of the GFRP I sections under elevated temperatures. The numerical model was validated by the web-crippling experiments at room temperature with the end-two-flange (ETF) and end bearing with ground support (EG) loading configurations. The developed model can accurately predict the ultimate loads and failure modes. Moreover, it was found that the initial damage was triggered by exceeding the shear strength at the web-flange junction near the corner of the bearing plate and independent of the elevated temperatures and loading configurations. The ultimate load and stiffness decreased obviously with the increasing temperature. At 220 °C, the ultimate load of specimens under ETF and EG loading configurations significantly decreased by 57% and 62%, respectively, whereas the elastic stiffness obviously reduced by 87% and 88%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fibre-Reinforced Polymer Composite II)

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