Hierarchical wood cellulose fiber/epoxy biocomposites – Materials design of fiber porosity and nanostructure

Delignified chemical wood pulp fibers can be designed to have a controlled structure of cellulose fibril aggregates to serve as porous templates in biocomposites with unique properties. The potential of these fibers as reinforcement for an epoxy matrix (EP) was investigated in this work. Networks of porous wood fibers were impregnated with monomeric epoxy and cured. Microscopy images from ultramicrotomed cross sections and tensile fractured surfaces were used to study the distribution of matrix inside and around the fibers – at two different length scales. Mechanical characterization at different relative humidity showed much improved mechanical properties of biocomposites based on epoxy-impregnated fibers and they were rather insensitive to surrounding humidity. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of cellulose-fiber biocomposites were compared with those of cellulose-nanofibril (CNF) composites; strong similarities were found between the two materials. The reasons for this, some limitations and the role of specific surface area of the fiber are discussed.     

Effects of fiber–matrix interaction on multiple cracking performance of polymeric fiber reinforced cementitious composites

The effects of polymeric fiber addition on the multiple cracking performance of composites have been investigated. For this purpose, cement-based matrices incorporating fly ash and a latex emulsion have been designed. Prismatic samples have been prepared and subjected to four-point bending load. The load-midpoint deflection curves and crack patterns have been determined. Meanwhile, flexural strength and relative toughness values have been calculated. Finally, the number of visible cracks formed throughout the testing period has been analyzed.Test results showed that the toughening improvement mechanisms of PP and PVA fibers in a cement-based matrix are extremely different and matrix modifications significantly change the multiple cracking performance. The addition of a latex emulsion in a weak matrix decreased the multiple cracking tendency of PP fiber reinforced composites. However, the same modification attempt improved the multiple cracking capacity of weak matrix in case of PVA fiber reinforcement. The possible causes of this performance improvement have been discussed with the aid of microstructure investigations.     

Rheological characterization of long fiber thermoplastics – Effect of temperature,fiber length and weight fraction

Isothermal squeeze flow tests were conducted on E-Glass/polypropylene long fiber thermoplastics (LFT) to obtain the rheological characteristics of the material over a range of squeeze rates (0.5–60 mm/min). A transversely isotropic power-law model has been incorporated to capture the combined effect of shear and extensional flow behavior. Scott’s approach [Bird RB. Useful non-Newtonian models; 1976. p. 13–34] was used to obtain the shear power-law parameters, which were then used to calculate the radial velocity in the r-direction. The continuity equation was used to calculate transverse velocity in the z-direction. Radial and through the thickness velocity profiles were determined to obtain the extensional and the shear strain rates. Finally the extensional and shear viscosities were determined at strain rates calculated. Good agreement between the experimental applied stress and the predicted curves from the model was achieved. Effects of mold separation, mold temperature, and fiber length on viscosity at constant fiber weight fraction were examined. Effect of fiber weight fraction on viscosity at constant fiber length, mold separation and temperature was examined. Results indicate that viscosities decrease with either increase in mold temperature or decrease in fiber length at constant mold separation and fiber weight fraction. Viscosities also decreased with decrease in fiber weight fraction.     

Kerr bistability in an optical fiber ring resonator with a 3 × 3 planar fiber coupler

A theoretical study of bistability caused by the optical Kerr effect in a type 1 optical fiber ring resonator connected to a 3 × 3 planar coupler is presented. The dependence of the bistability on various parameters of the fiber and the coupler is investigated. A comparison between the bistable characteristics of this ring resonator and those of a fiber ring resonator with a 3 × 3 equilateral triangular (nonplanar) fiber coupler is made.     

Experimental study of a bow-tie-shaped optical fiber ring resonator with two 2 × 2 fiber couplers

An experimental study of a bow-tie-shaped double-coupler fiber ring resonator is presented. Multiple resonances of the transmitted output intensity and the splitting of the main resonance dip or peak have been observed. The experimental results are discussed and compared with theoretical results. The observed output property suggests the possible applications of the resonator as periodic Butterworth-like, narrow-band passing, and blocking filters.     

Is polar bear hair fiber optic?

New direct measurement of high optical attenuation rates in polar bear hairs-2-8 dB/mm in the visible-and reanalysis of the data of Tributsch et al. [Sol. Energy Mater. 21, 219 (1990)] seem to rule out the UV waveguiding proposed by Grojean et al. [Appl. Opt. 19, 339 (1980)]. The case against fiber-optic polar bear hairs is summarized, and four conditions are given that any variation of the model of Grojean et al. would have to satisfy.     

Elimination of Kerr bistability in an optical fiber ring resonator with a 3 × 3 planar fiber coupler

A special property of a type 3 optical fiber ring resonator with a 3 × 3 planar coupler in which the circulating intensity is independent of the phase change of the ring resonator can be used to eliminate unwanted Kerr bistability. At the same time the device can be used as a two-channel frequency division multiplexer or demultiplexer or a switch. Another method for the elimination of Kerr bistability is the use of two fibers whose nonlinear refractive-index coefficients have opposite signs to build the ring resonator.     

Tunable Tm-doped fiber ring laser operating at 1.9 μm band using force-induced fiber grating as wavelength tuner

We report wavelength-tunable operation of a Tm-doped silica fiber laser by using a force-induced long-period fiber grating (LPFG) formed in a fiber ring resonator. The laser output wavelength is tuned by moving the transmission passband that is generated between adjacent resonance wavelengths due to the force-induced LPFG. By changing the grating period around 900 μm, we control the laser output wavelength between 1845 and 1930 nm.     

Pulse shaping fiber laser at 1.5 μm

In this paper we present, for the first time to our knowledge, a new pulse shaping technology (modulation schemes for seed laser) used to mitigate pulse narrowing effect and SBS effect in a high energy Er:Yb codoped fiber master oscillator power amplifier system at 1.5 μm to obtain longer pulse duration and higher energy. An average power of over 1.3 W and a pulse energy of over 0.13 mJ were obtained at 10 kHz repetition rate with a pulse duration of 200 ns and near-diffraction-limited beam quality (M(2)<1.2).     

Uniform amplitude multi-wavelength single-longitudinal-mode Brillouin–erbium fiber lasers

A multi-wavelength single-longitudinal-mode (SLM) Brillouin–erbium fiber laser has been proposed and demonstrated by using the broadband linear gain and the narrow band gain of stimulated Brillouin scattering both in Er-doped fiber. Eight orders of lased Stokes have been observed with relatively uniform amplitudes and rigid spacing of 11?GHz. Each Stokes frequency works on SLM operation owing to very short oscillating cavity. The output signal-to-noise ratio is as high as 50?dB. The hybrid gain of two mechanisms in Er-doped fiber is helpful to improve the flatness of the multi-wavelength combs.     

Post-impact fatigue damage growth in fiber–metal laminates

Fiber–metal laminates (FMLs) are a family of hybrid materials currently being considered for use in airframe structural applications. Post-impact fatigue strength tests were carried out on several varieties of GLAss REinforced (GLARE) aluminum laminates. The panels were impacted in a drop weight impact tower located at the Institute for Aerospace Research of the National Research Council of Canada. Observations made by other researchers that the internal impact damage in FMLs is confined to the immediate impact site were confirmed. The impacted specimens were cycled in tension–tension fatigue until failure. Cracks developed along side the dent and also at the edges of the gauge section of the specimen. Aluminum baseline specimens had significantly lower fatigue lives than the FML specimens. The stress-state surrounding the dent is complicated and contributed to unusual fatigue crack initiation behavior in some GLARE variants.     

Effective mechanical properties of “fuzzy fiber” composites

In this paper we investigate the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber composites, where the carbon fibers are coated with radially aligned carbon nanotubes. For this purpose we develop a general micromechanics method for fiber composites, where fibers are coated with radially aligned microfibers (“fuzzy fiber” composites). The mechanical effective properties are computed with a special extension of the composite cylinders method. The in-plane shear modulus is determined using an extended version of the Christensen’s generalized self consistent composite cylinders method. The proposed methodology provides stress and strain concentration tensors. The results of the method are compared with numerical approaches based on the asymptotic expansion homogenization method. The combination of composite cylinders method and Mori–Tanaka method allows us to compute effective properties of composites with multiple types of “fuzzy fibers”. Numerical examples of composites made of epoxy resin, carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes are presented and the impact of the carbon nanotubes length and volume fraction in the overall composite properties is studied.     

Low-switching power (<45 mW) optical bistability based on optical nonlinearity of ytterbium-doped fiber with a fiber Bragg grating pair

We propose a new optical bistable device (OBD), which is constructed by connecting two symmetrical fiber Bragg gratings with a ytterbium-doped fiber to form a nonlinear Fabry–Perot cavity. The principle of this new OBD is described using the transfer-matrix method, and the two groups of transmitted and reflected optical bistability loops under different parameters are investigated symmetrically. Compared with single fiber Bragg grating switching, whose switching power is greater than 2?kW, this new device has evident merits in reducing the switching power to less than 45?mW.     

Basalt fiber–epoxy laminates with functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Cross-ply laminates reinforced with basalt fibers and functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were fabricated from unidirectional epoxy prepregs. MWCNTs with varied surface conditions were prepared by oxidization or esterification, and then dispersed into a DGEBA epoxy system. The dispersion of the MWCNTs in the epoxy was improved by surface modification, resulting in improved composite mechanical properties as well. Significant increases in elastic modulus and strength were observed for epoxies with functionalized MWCNTs, especially for esterified species. When MWCNT – filled epoxies were used as matrices for basalt fiber/epoxy laminates, however, the reinforcement effects of MWCNTs on the composite elastic modulus exceeded micromechanics based semi-empirical predictions and were independent of surface functionalization. SEM morphological observations and the results of the micromechanical model revealed that nanotube re-distribution and orientation during processing was responsible for the enhancement of fiber-dominated mechanical properties. This work demonstrated the feasibility of in situ alignment and dispersion of functionalized nanotubes in multi-scale composite laminates.     

A magnetic method for non destructive monitoring of fiber dispersion and orientation in steel fiber reinforced cementitious composites—part 1: method calibration

Steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) is a composite material which is becoming more and more widely employed in building construction. The mechanical behaviour of the material and the performance of structural elements may significantly depend on the fiber dispersion and orientation with respect to the stress pattern. Non-destructive monitoring of fiber dispersion related issues hence becomes of the foremost importance in order to reliably anticipate the structural performance of elements made with fiber reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs), as well as for quality control during manufacturing. In this paper a new method for the detection of fiber density and orientation is presented, which is based on the employment of a probe sensitive to the magnetic properties of the steel fibers. The presence and the relative position of steel fibers modify the flux linked by the winding of the probe thus resulting in an impedance variation. The local average concentration and orientation of the fibers can be thus assessed by measuring the variation of the probe inductance. The performance of the method has been analyzed with reference to a self-consolidating high performance FRCC slab and thoroughly verified by means of comparison with destructive monitoring of fiber local concentration and orientation. Besides its good sensitivity, the method is also characterized by ease of use, since it just requires to lean the probe on the surface of the specimen, without any particular care about the coupling. This guarantees a high degree of repeatability and low uncertainty in the measurements, even, e.g. on vertical elements or slabs accessible from the bottom.     

Structural changes of polyacrylonitrile precursor fiber induced by γ-ray irradiation

The structural changes of polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers under γ-ray irradiation were studied. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated that chemical reactions occurred in the irradiated fibers. The thermal and thermal mechanical behaviors of the fibers, which were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetry (TG) and thermal mechanical analysis (TMA), changed under irradiation, since ladder structure had formed in the fibers under irradiation prior to the heating process. The crystallinity and crystallite size were found to decrease with the increase of irradiation time, as the chemical reactions induced by γ-ray irradiation affected the crystal structure of the fibers. γ-ray irradiation may be useful in accelerating the thermal stabilization of PAN precursor fibers.     

Optical-fiber double-loop resonator with a nonplanar 3 × 3 fiber coupler

We present for the first time to our knowledge a new and simple single-mode optical-fiber double-loop resonator. The double-loop resonator consists of two fiber loops constructed from a nonplanar 3 × 3 directional fiber coupler and two fiber delay lines. When the lengths of the fiber loops are different, additional periodic-resonance notches appear. The depths and the positions of these notches depend on the difference between the phase changes, and the coupling of the two fiber loops. This double-loop resonator can be used as a spectral filter and a sensor.     

Tapered chalcogenide–tellurite hybrid microstructured fiber for mid-infrared supercontinuum generation

Fibers exhibiting flattened and decreasing dispersion are important in nonlinear applications. Such fibers are difficult to design, particularly in soft glass. In this work, we develop a preliminary design of a highly nonlinear tapered hybrid microstructured optical fiber (TH-MOF) with chalcogenide glass core and tellurite glass microstructure cladding. We then numerically studied its dispersion, loss, and nonlinearity-related optical properties under fundamental mode systematically using the infinitesimal method. The designed TH-MOF exhibits low chromatic dispersion that is similar to a convex function with two zero-dispersion wavelengths and decreases with fiber length from 2 to 5 μm band. The potential use of the TH-MOF in nonlinear applications is demonstrated numerically by a supercontinuum spectrum of 20 dB bandwidth covering 1.96–4.76 μm generated in 2-cm-long TH-MOF using near 3.25-μm fs-laser pump.     

Enhancement of fiber–matrix adhesion by laser ablation-induced surface microcorrugation

Micrometer-sized surface corrugations produced on Kevlar fiber surfaces by laser ablation were found to dramatically enhance the mechanical adhesion between the fibers and the epoxy matrix in a fiber-reinforced composite. Symmetric and asymmetric corrugation structures were produced by irradiating the fibers with high-fluence UV laser pulses at various incidence angles. The interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between the fibers and the matrix was measured using the microbond fiber-pullout method. Upon laser ablation treatment, the IFSS increased by 120% with symmetric corrugation profiles obtained with laser irradiation normal to the fiber axis, and 5-fold with asymmetric corrugation profiles obtained with the laser incidence angle at 45° to the fiber axis. A similar enhancement was observed in pullout tests under wet conditions. A simple model based on an elementary analysis of the expected strain field in the presence of interface corrugation is found to provide a quantitative explanation of the observed strength enhancement factors.

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Effects of Υ-ray irradiation on carbon fiber surface graft modification

为提高碳纤维／环氧树脂复合材料的界面粘结性能,采用7射线共辐照接枝方法对碳纤维表面改性,利用X光电子能谱仪（XPS）、扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、电子万能材料试验机,研究了在缩乙二醇丙酮溶液和环氧氯丙烷丙酮溶液中经200kGy剂量的Υ射线辐照接枝后,碳纤维的表面化学元素及官能团组成、表面形貌、复合材料剪切断面形貌及其层间剪切强度（ILSS）的变化。研究表明,缩乙二醇类接枝液的接枝效果较理想,碳纤维接枝率达7％;辐照处理碳纤维表面O／C比值和含氧官能团含量增加,以此制备的碳纤维／环氧复合材料的ILSS提高,最大提高率达31．2％;同时还发现辐照接枝后的碳纤维表面粗糙度增大。