Synthesis and characterization of novel polyazomethines containing perylene units

Polyazomethines including perylene units in the main chain were synthesized via polycondensation of diaminoperylene with aromatic dialdehydes. UV/vis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis techniques were carried out for the characterization of the synthesized diaminoperylene, dialdehydes and polyazomethines including perylene units (PAM-PERs). The number-average molecular weight (M_n), weight-average molecular weight (M_w) and polydispersity index (PDI) values of PAM-PERs were determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Thermal properties of PAM-PERs was determined by using TGA/DTA and DSC systems. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels, and electrochemical and optical (E_g) band gap values were calculated by using the results of cyclic voltammetry and UV/vis, respectively. Conductivity measurements of PAM-PERs were carried out with electrometer by using four-point probe technique. The conductivity was observed to be increased by doping agent iodine.     

A multi-scale analysis of the microstructure and the tensile mechanical behaviour of polyamide 66 fibre

Multi-scale analyses were carried out on polyamide 66 (PA66) fibres by single fibre mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy observations, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) characterisation coupled with profile fitting procedure and μ-Raman extensometry. The study has attempted to reveal the microstructural parameters controlling tensile mechanical performance (i.e. stiffness and damage), to describe the micro-mechanisms of deformation involved during loading and finally to suggest a microstructural model. The main role played by isotropic amorphous regions during the first steps of deformation and the initiation of enthalpic deformation modes at higher strain levels were observed either by WAXD or μ-Raman spectroscopy. A crystallization process, induced by mechanical loading, was noted. The final deformation regime, described as viscoplastic, was seen to be activated beyond a threshold strain-value and to be due to macrofibril sliding. These coupled analyses have revealed the discontinuous character of the microfibrillar structure and have enabled a microstructural model for the fibre to be proposed.     

Synthesis, characterization and hydrolysis of aromatic polyazomethines containing non-coplanar biphenyl structures

New polyazomethines containing electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl group and non-coplanar biphenyl structures were prepared at room temperature under reduced pressure. It was found that these polyazomethines would undergo hydrolysis in DMSO solution at temperature higher than 50 °C. The hydrolysis, evidenced by ¹H NMR spectra and GPC chromatograms, was resulted from the reverse reaction of azomethine formation and was facilitated at higher temperature. The GPC results also suggested that post-polymerization would be possible if polyazomethine films were heated at elevated temperature (200 °C) under reduced pressure (0.27 torr). The HOMO (−5.69 to −5.96 eV) and LUMO (−3.04 to −3.18 eV) energy levels of the new polyazomethines are much lower than those of other polyazomethines. Combined with the excellent solubility and good thermal stability, non-coplanar biphenyl structure containing electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl group could be a new candidate as electron acceptor for the structure design of new conjugated polymers.     

Thermal,Mechanical and Morphological Characterization of Jute/Gelatin Composites

Jute fabrics/gelatin biocomposites were fabricated using compression molding. The fiber content in the composite varied from 20–60 wt%. Composites were subjected to mechanical, thermal, water uptake and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Composite contained 50 wt% jute showed the best mechanical properties. Tensile strength, tensile modulus, bending strength, bending modulus and impact strength of the 50% jute content composites were found to be 85 MPa, 1.25 GPa, 140 MPa and 9 GPa and 9.5 kJ/m², respectively. Water uptake properties at room temperature were evaluated and found that the composites had lower water uptake compared to virgin matrix.     

含液晶基元聚氨酯对普通聚氨酯性能的影响

合成了一类既含有刚性液晶基元又含有柔性链段的主链型含液晶基元聚氨酯(LCPU)，以端羟基四氢呋喃-环氧乙烷共聚醚为基体材料，多异氰酸酯N-100为固化剂，探讨这类含液晶基元聚氨酯对聚氨酯弹性体力学性能的影响。结果表明，5种含液晶基元聚氨酯随着柔性链段长度的变化和在聚氨酯弹性体中加入比例的变化。表现出对聚氨酯弹性体力学性能的影响有较大的差异。与未改性聚氨酯弹性体相比，改性后聚氨酯弹性体共混物垃伸强座量大提高71％倍．断裂伸长率最大提高8．7倍．     

Mechanical properties of natural rubber/grafted cellulose fibre composites

Mechanical properties of natural rubber/allyl acrylate and allyl methacrylate grafted cellulose fibre composites are presented. Stress/strain measurements and dynamic mechanical measurements indicate that the adhesion between grafted fibres and matrix is better than that in samples containing untreated cellulose fibres. This makes it possible to vary the composite properties by varying the fibre type and/or fibre amount.     

Effect of PAN-based and pitch-based carbon fibres on microstructure and properties of continuous Cf/ZrB2-SiC UHTCMCs

In this paper the microstructure and mechanical properties of two different C_f/ZrB₂-SiC composites reinforced with continuous PyC coated PAN-derived fibres or uncoated pitch-derived fibres were compared.Pitch-derived carbon fibres showed a lower degree of reaction with the matrix phase during sintering compared to PyC/PAN-derived fibres. The reason lies in the different microstructure of the carbon. The presence of a coating for PAN-derived fibres was found to be essential to limit the reaction at the fibre/matrix interface during SPS. However, coated bundles were more difficult to infiltrate, resulting in a less homogeneous microstructure.As far as the mechanical properties are concerned, specimens reinforced with coated PAN-derived fibres provided higher strengths and damage tolerance than uncoated pitch-derived fibres, due to the higher degree of fibre pull-out. On the other hand, the weaker fibre/matrix interface resulted in lower interlaminar shear, off-axis strength and ablation resistance.     

Morphology and tensile properties of unreinforced and short carbon fibre reinforced Nylon 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube-composites

The morphology and the tensile properties of unreinforced and short carbon fibre (SCF) reinforced Nylon 6/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-composites are investigated. The morphology analysis shows that MWCNT and SCF are randomly oriented in the composites. Furthermore, the SCF fail due to fibre pull-out, while the MWCNT fail due to fracture. Young's modulus and tensile strength of SCF reinforced Nylon 6 and Nylon 6/MWCNT-composites increase with increasing total filler volume content. Replacing SCF by MWCNT further enhances Young's modulus and the tensile strength. An additive modelling approach leads to better results at low MWCNT-volume contents, while at higher MWCNT loadings a multiplicative modelling approach results in a better approximation of the experimental data. Thus the SCF reinforced Nylon 6/MWCNT-composites behave at low MWCNT-volume contents like a polymer composite containing two different types of fillers, while at higher MWCNT loadings a behaviour of a short fibre reinforced nanocomposite is observed.     

三聚氰胺结构型阻燃聚氨酯的合成及性能研究

采用化学接枝法设计制备出羟甲基三聚氰胺多元醇,通过与聚氨酯预聚体原位缩聚,使三聚氰胺以化学键合形式均匀分散在聚氨酯预聚体中制备结构型三聚氰胺/聚氨酯复合材料。采用FTIR表征三聚氰胺的接枝过程,SEM表征复合材料的断面形貌,考察了结构型三聚氰胺/聚氨酯复合材料的力学和阻燃性能。结果表明:结构型三聚氰胺/聚氨酯复合材料的力学性能、阻燃性能都有显著提高。相比于添加型三聚氰胺/聚氨酯复合材料,结构型三聚氰胺/聚氨酯复合材料对力学恶化的影响较小;填充量10wt%时结构型复合材料的氧指数即达到了33.5,并满足UL94 V-0级别。     

Effect of zircon and anatase titanium dioxide nanoparticles on glass fibre reinforced epoxy with mechanical and morphological studies

In recent years, researchers have been interested in incorporating inorganic nanoparticles into thermosetting epoxy composites to improve their mechanical properties. This research explores the diffusion of ball milled zircon (ZrSiO₄) and anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles with glass fibre reinforced epoxy polymer (GFRP) composites at the same weight percentages (0:0, 2.5:2.5, 5:5, and 7.5:7.5) to improve mechanical properties. The ZrSiO₄ and TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by an ultrasonic liquid processor, and composites were fabricated using the compression molding technique. The void percentage was calculated from the theoretical and measured densities of composites. Mechanical tests were conducted in accordance with ASTM standards. The particle sizes of zircon and titanium dioxide were calculated as 70.5 nm and 64.5 nm, respectively, using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), which reveals the fibre pullout, damaged interfaces, filler dispersion, and voids in specimens. The chemical composition, crystalline structure, and size were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the GFRP composite with Zircon and TiO₂ incorporated at a concentration of 5:5 wt% has a greater tensile strength of 74.34%, a tensile modulus of 18.14%, a flexural strength of 33.55%, a flexural modulus of 33.61%, a shore "D" hardness of 4.66%, and a capacity to absorb energy of 61.14% in notched specimens with neat GFRP. With filler addition, the percentage of elongation at failure in the 5:5 wt percent for the tensile test is 44.36%, and the flexural test is 24.38% higher than the neat sample. Hence, this work improves the GFRP composites' mechanical and structural properties.     

Synergistic effect of glass fibre and Al powder on the mechanical properties of glass-ceramics

To explore the synergistic effect of glass fibre and Al powder on the mechanical properties of glass-ceramics, blast furnace slag was chosen as the main material, and glass fibre and Al powder as reinforcement materials. The phase compositions, microstructures, compressive properties, and apparent density of the glass-ceramics with varying quantities of glass fibre and Al powder were investigated. The experimental results indicated that Al powder could exist as a simple substance in glass-ceramics and form a dense net coating on the surface of blast furnace slag to improve the plasticity of the glass-ceramic. The glass fibre had better reinforcement effect than Al powder because of its extremely high mechanical strength. The plasticity of glass-ceramics, however, severely decreased; the glass-ceramics exhibited brittle failure during compression. A slight increase in the content of CaSi₂ and SiO₂ in the glass-ceramics was closely related to the addition of glass fibre. Considering safety and economy, glass-ceramics with 6% Al and 14% glass fibre (S4) have the best mechanical properties. The compressive strength, strain at maximum force, and apparent density were 40?MPa, 19% and 1.974?g/cm³, respectively.     

The effect of various anhydride modifications on mechanical properties and water absorption of oil palm empty fruit bunches reinforced polyester composites

The chemical modification of oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) using non‐catalysed reaction with acetic, propionic and succinic anhydrides were investigated. Proof of modification was indicated by the increase of weight and was confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared analysis (FT‐IR). The mechanical and water‐absorption properties of all anhydride‐modified EFB composites were evaluated at different volume fractions (V_f). The properties were improved for these modified fibres, whereas unmodified EFB fibres exhibited poor mechanical properties and higher water absorption. Acetic anhydride modification showed the greatest benefit on composite properties, followed by propionic and succinic anhydride modification. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Reproportioning of steel fibre reinforced concrete mixes and their impact resistance

In this experimental investigation, a practical rapid method of proportioning steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) mixes is developed and validated. The basis for developing this is to use the reproportioning method, which has already been developed for proportioning normal density cement concrete mixes, for SFRC mixes. Based on the results of the trial mix, two SFRC mixes having 28 day target strength of 30 and 50 MPa are designed using this technique and examined regarding its validation. In addition, the impact resistance of these reproportioned Plain Concrete (PC) and SFRC is studied at 7 and 28 days. It is observed that the SFRC has developed significant impact resistance even for a small addition of steel fibres. Pulse velocity test is conducted at different ages to assess the quality of concrete. It is found that all concrete specimens could be classified under good quality.     

Low temperature synthesis of carbon nanofibres on carbon fibre matrices

Carbon nanofibres are grown on a carbon fibre cloth using plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition from a gas mixture of acetylene and ammonia. A cobalt colloid is used as a catalyst to achieve a good coverage of nanofibres on the surface of the carbon fibres in the cloth. The low temperature growth conditions that we used would allow growth on temperature sensitive polymers and fibres. The nanofibres grown by a tip growth mechanism have a bamboo-like structure. A significant increase of the bulk electrical conductivity of the carbon cloth was observed after the nanofibre growth indicating a good electrical contact between carbon nanofibres and carbon fibres. The as-grown composite material could be used as high surface area electrodes for electrochemical applications like fuel cells and super-capacitors.     

Tribo-mechanical characterization of spark plasma sintered chopped carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide composites

Short carbon fibre (C_f) reinforced silicon carbide (SiC) composites with 7.5 wt% alumina (Al₂O₃) as sintering additive were fabricated using spark plasma sintering (SPS). Three different C_f concentrations i.e. 10, 20 and 30 wt% were used to fabricate the composites. With increasing C_f content from 0 to 20 wt%, micro-hardness of the composites decreased ~28% and fracture toughness (K_IC) increased significantly. The short C_f in the matrix facilitated enhanced fracture energy dissipation by the processes of crack deflection and bridging at C_f/SiC interface, fibre debonding and pullout. Thus, 20 wt% C_f/SiC composite showed >40% higher K_IC over monolithic SiC (K_IC≈4.51 MPa m^0.5). Tribological tests in dry condition against Al₂O₃ ball showed slight improvement in wear resistance but significantly reduced friction coefficient (COF, μ) with increasing C_f content in the composites. The composite containing 30 wt% C_f showed the lowest COF.     

Enhanced mechanical properties of glass fibre epoxy composites by 2D exfoliated graphene oxide filler

Graphene oxide (GO) received a significant attention in the scientific community due to their excellent mechanical properties identifying themselves as an alternative and combinatory to various other metals and composites. Though GO possess excellent strength, it was observed from the literature that graphene oxide consisting of hydroxyl group elements ensue in poor bonding. Thus reduced functional group density (rFGD) graphene is preferred which has an advantage of good bonding, alongside very small quantity as a filler is required to achieve the enhancement equivalent to graphene oxide which forms the novelty of the current work. In current case, 3, 6 and 9 wt% of rFGD is dispersed into E-glass fibre reinforced composite by traditional hand layup technique. The obtained results revealed that, the tensile, flexural and impact strength have shown superior enhancement with 3 and 6 wt% of rGO than neat E-glass epoxy (0 wt% rGO), whereas an asymptotic decrement is noticed at 9 wt% when tested with ASTM standards except for impact strength. The microstructural studies also indicated the proper adhesion and alignment of fibres without any agglomerations corroborate the enhancement of properties. These overall finding supports the suitability of the developed laminates for potential use in structural applications in aerospace industry.     

Effects of plasma treatment on mechanical properties of rubber/cellulose fibre composites

Natural rubber materials reinforced with cellulose fibres have been studied with respect to crosslink density, tensile strength and stress relaxation. The fibres have been grafted with butadiene or divinylbenzene by plasma treatment. Chemiluminescence analysis was used to indicate the grafting on the surface of the cellulose fibres and also to estimate the effect of the plasma on the cellulose fibres. The results indicate the possibility of obtaining a surface layer on the fibres, which is a conceivable way of improving the mechanical properties of rubber composites.     

Effects of electron irradiation on physical properties of rubber/cellulose fibre composites

Short term stress–strain properties were investigated for natural rubber reinforced with short cellulose fibres at various fibre loads. Stress–strain measurements were also performed on natural rubber composites containing cellulose fibres, electron irradiated in the presence of butadiene or N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, where the latter monomer produced the greatest improvement in stress–strain properties. Chemiluminescence analysis indicated the existence of a surface layer on the fibres after irradiation treatments, and water absorption measurements showed a decrease in water uptake for composites containing irradiated fibres. The results demonstrate the improvement of mechanical properties with a reduced sensitivity to moisture.     

Mechanical activation-assisted autoclave processing and sintering of HfB2-HfO2 ceramic powders

This study reports on the synthesis and consolidation of HfB₂-HfO₂ ceramic powders via mechanical activation-assisted autoclave processing followed by pressureless sintering (PS) or spark plasma sintering (SPS). HfCl₄, B₂O₃ and Mg starting powders were mechanically activated for 5 min to obtain homogeneously blended precursors with active particle surfaces. Autoclave synthesis was carried out at a relatively low temperature at 500 °C for 6 or 12 h. As-synthesized powders were purified from reaction by-products such as MgO and MgCl₂ by washing and acid leaching treatments. The characterization investigations of the as-synthesized and purified powders were performed by using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), stereomicroscope (SM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and particle size analyzer (PSA). The purified powders with an average particle size of about 190 nm comprised the HfB₂ phase with an amount of 79.6 wt% in addition to the HfO₂ phase and a very small amount of Mg₂Hf₅O₁₂ phase after mechanical activation for 5 min and autoclave processing for 12 h. They were consolidated at 1700 °C both by PS for 6 h and SPS for 15 min. The Mg₂Hf₅O₁₂ phase decomposed during sintering and bulk samples only had the HfB₂ and HfO₂ phases. The bulk properties of the sintered samples were characterized in terms of microstructure, density, microhardness and wear characteristics. The HfB₂-HfO₂ ceramics consolidated by PS exhibited poor densification rates. A considerable improvement was obtained in the relative density (~91%), microhardness (~16 GPa) and relative wear resistance (2.5) values of the HfB₂-HfO₂ ceramics consolidated by SPS.