Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.4
Journals
Materials
Special Issues
Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites
materials-logo
Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced Composites".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2021) | Viewed by 55314

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Sylwester Samborski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Associate Professor, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Lublin University of Technology, 36 Nadbystrzycka St., 20-618 Lublin, Poland
Interests: mechanics of materials; damage identification; fracture; delamination; acoustic emission; finite element method, machine technology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am honored to announce a Special Issue of the “Materials” journal (IF 2.972) on Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites. The issue is thought to cover all the newest outcomes and trends in modeling, fabrication, testing and damage detection of the contemporary FRP materials. The encouragement to publish valuable papers is addressed to a wide group of scientists and practitioners, working in the field of composites. Below you will find a short characteristics of the Special Issue, followed by a set of keywords, as it is seen by the Guest Editor.

The Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites have reached today a significant level of applications in many branches of industry, in fabrication of spaceships, airplanes, bridges, high-performance cars, boats, sports equipment etc. Their properties can be tailored towards the prospective applications - designers can chose among various matrix and fiber materials, as well as ply sequences, including those elastically coupled, to gain a desired behavior of the resultant composite structures. An important subject of the contemporary research are techniques, devices and production technologies for actuation, monitoring and data transmission in the FRP structures. On the other hand, the risk of damage is relatively high which brings a need to detect and to identify various types of defects, in order to provide a sufficient level of safety and to study damage tolerance of highly responsible composite structures. This demands both an arrangement and an assessment of electrical, thermal, mechanical and other properties of the FRPs, both in static and dynamic regime. Any of the techniques for damage detection or identification, such as acoustic emission or thermography, as well as the methods for the internal structure exploration-fractography or X-ray tomography cannot be overestimated in the process of the composites’ development. Moreover, proper design of the FRP structures, as well as planning of the experiments is nowadays impossible without appropriate modeling techniques, such as the Finite Element Method (FEM) and the respective strength, stability, damage and fracture criteria to be implemented in the software.

In the light of the above, any progress in design, manufacturing and testing methods is of great importance for further expansion of the field of application of the advantageous materials which are fiber-reinforced composites.

Hereby I would like to encourage any of the researchers working in the field to submit their valuable papers and in this way strengthen the scientific impact of the prospective Special Issue of the “Materials” journal.

Assoc. Prof. DSc Eng. Sylwester Samborski
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. Materials 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 2600 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

  • Fiber-reinforced composite
  • Delamination
  • Fracture toughness
  • Damage tolerance
  • Buckling and warping
  • Crashworthiness
  • Vibrations
  • Impact
  • Nondestructive testing
  • Elastic couplings
  • Finite element modeling
  • Elastic waves propagation
  • Acoustic emission
  • Prepreg

Published Papers (19 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 15953 KiB  
Article
Design of Circular Composite Cylinders for Optimal Natural Frequencies
by Gokhan Serhat
Materials 2021, 14(12), 3203; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma14123203 - 10 Jun 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2145
Abstract
This study concerns optimizing the eigenfrequencies of circular cylindrical laminates. The stiffness properties are described by lamination parameters to avoid potential solution dependency on the initial assumptions of the laminate configurations. In the lamination parameter plane, novel response contours are obtained for the [...] Read more.
This study concerns optimizing the eigenfrequencies of circular cylindrical laminates. The stiffness properties are described by lamination parameters to avoid potential solution dependency on the initial assumptions of the laminate configurations. In the lamination parameter plane, novel response contours are obtained for the first and second natural frequencies as well as their difference. The influence of cylinder length, radius, thickness, and boundary conditions on the responses is investigated. The lamination parameters yielding the maximum response values are determined, and the first two mode shapes are shown for the optimum points. The results demonstrate that the maximum fundamental frequency points of the laminated cylinders mostly lie at the inner lamination parameter domain, unlike the singly curved composite panels. In addition, the second eigenfrequency shows a nonconvex response surface containing multiple local maxima for several cases. Moreover, the frequency difference contours appear as highly irregular, which is unconventional for free vibration responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 11559 KiB  
Article
Numerical and Experimental Extraction of Dynamic Parameters for Pyramidal Truss Core Sandwich Beams with Laminated Face Sheets
by Miroslaw Wesolowski, Mariusz Ruchwa, Eduards Skukis and Andrejs Kovalovs
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5199; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13225199 - 17 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1912
Abstract
Sandwich beams that are composed of laminated face sheets and aluminum pyramidal truss cores are considered to be essential elements of building and aerospace structures. In this paper, a methodology for the experimental and numerical analysis of such structures is presented in order [...] Read more.
Sandwich beams that are composed of laminated face sheets and aluminum pyramidal truss cores are considered to be essential elements of building and aerospace structures. In this paper, a methodology for the experimental and numerical analysis of such structures is presented in order to support their industrial application. The scope of the present research covers both the experimental and numerical extraction of the dynamic parameters of the sandwich beams. Vibration tests are performed while using an optical system for three-dimensional vibrations sensing. The in-plane and out-of-plane vibration modes can thus be examined. A detailed numerical model of the sandwich beam is developed, including an adhesive joint (an additional layer of material) between the parent components of the beam. The numerically predicted modal parameters (eigenfrequencies, mode shapes, modal loss factors) are comported with their corresponding experimentally-obtained values. The modal loss factors are predicted based on the strain energy method, for which a brief theoretical introduction is provided. The obtained experimental and numerical results coincide with good accuracy. The circumstances for possible model simplifications are provided depending on the solution objectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 6939 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation of Delamination in Composite Continuous Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Laminates with Elastic Couplings
by Jakub Rzeczkowski, Sylwester Samborski and Marcelo de Moura
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5146; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13225146 - 15 Nov 2020
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 2471
Abstract
This paper presents an experimental evaluation of influence of the elastic couplings on the fracture toughness as well as on delamination initiation and propagation in carbon/epoxy composite laminates. For this purpose the mode I double cantilever beam (DCB) tests according to the American [...] Read more.
This paper presents an experimental evaluation of influence of the elastic couplings on the fracture toughness as well as on delamination initiation and propagation in carbon/epoxy composite laminates. For this purpose the mode I double cantilever beam (DCB) tests according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D5528 Standard were performed on specimens with different delamination interfaces and specific lay-ups composition exhibiting the bending-twisting (BT) and the bending-extension (BE) couplings. The critical strain energy release rates (mode I c-SERR, GIC) were calculated by using the classical methods, namely: the modified beam theory (MBT), the compliance calibration (CCM) and the modified compliance calibration (MCC). In order to evaluate an accuracy of the different methods, the values of c-SERR obtained by using standardized data reduction schemes were compared with values calculated by using the compliance based beam method (CBBM). All the methods give rise to comparable values of the GIC, which makes the CBBM an appealing choice, since it does not depend on crack length monitoring during the test. Initiation and propagation of delamination were investigated by using the acoustic emission (AE) technique. Moreover, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were performed after the experimental tests in order to investigate a fracture surface at delamination plane. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 13087 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Glue Cohesive Stiffness on the Elastic Performance of Bent Wood–CFRP Beams
by Bartosz Kawecki and Jerzy Podgórski
Materials 2020, 13(22), 5075; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13225075 - 11 Nov 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2642
Abstract
This paper presents experimental, theoretical and numerical studies of wood-CFRP beams bonded with polyurethane (PUR) adhesive. The analyses include two types of CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) strengthening configurations and pure glue laminated timber beams as a reference. Through detailed analyses of a double-lap [...] Read more.
This paper presents experimental, theoretical and numerical studies of wood-CFRP beams bonded with polyurethane (PUR) adhesive. The analyses include two types of CFRP (carbon fibre-reinforced polymer) strengthening configurations and pure glue laminated timber beams as a reference. Through detailed analyses of a double-lap connection on blocks with and without CFRP strips, the authors state that neglecting the cohesive stiffness of adhesive layers may lead to an overestimation of an overall beam’s stiffness. This is significant with wood–CFRP connections, which showed values two times lower than with wood–wood connections. Theoretical modelling of the equivalent area used in a theory of composites provided much stiffer behaviour of the beams than in laboratory experiments. It proves that a PUR glue eliminates the possibility of using simple models that assume a perfect connection between bonded parts. These conclusions led the authors to use the finite element method (FEM) to take into account the cohesive stiffness. The FEM, based on the properties obtained from a double-lap joint analysis, allowed for the precise prediction of the elastic stiffness of the beams. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4971 KiB  
Article
Laboratory and Numerical Analysis of Steel Cold-Formed Sigma Beams Retrofitted by Bonded CFRP Tapes—Extended Research
by Ilona Szewczak, Katarzyna Rzeszut, Patryk Rozylo and Malgorzata Snela
Materials 2020, 13(21), 4960; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13214960 - 04 Nov 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2004
Abstract
The presented research is a part of a broader study of strengthening methods closely associated with cold-formed sigma steel beams with tapes made of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Polymer/Plastic (CFRP). The presented results are a continuation and extension of the tests described in previous [...] Read more.
The presented research is a part of a broader study of strengthening methods closely associated with cold-formed sigma steel beams with tapes made of Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Polymer/Plastic (CFRP). The presented results are a continuation and extension of the tests described in previous work by the authors and refer to high-slenderness thin-walled steel sigma beams subjected to a significant large rotation. The main idea of this expanded study was to identify the effectiveness of CFRP tapes with respect to different locations, namely at a bottom-tensioned or upper-compressed flange. Six beams with a cross-section of an Σ140 × 70 × 2.5 profile by “Blachy Pruszyński” and made of S350GD steel with a span of L = 270 cm were tested in the four-point bending scheme. Two beams, taken as reference, were tested without reinforcement. The remaining beams were reinforced with the use of a 50-mm wide and 1.2-mm thick Sika CarboDur S512 CFRP tape, with two beams reinforced by placing the tape on the upper flange and two with tape located on the bottom flange. The CFRP tape was bonded directly to the beams (by SikaDur®-30 adhesive). Laboratory tests were aimed at determining the impact of the use of composite tapes on the limitation of displacements and deformations of thin-walled structures. In order to perform a precise measurement of displacement, which is, in the case of beams subjected to large rotations, a very difficult issue in itself, the Tritop system and two coupled lenses of the Aramis system were used. Electrofusion strain gauges were used to measure the deformation. In the next step, numerical models of the analyzed beams were developed in the Abaqus program. Good compliance of the results of laboratory tests and numerical analyses was achieved. The obtained results confirm the beneficial effect of the use of tapes (CFRP) on the reduction in displacements and deformations of steel cold-formed elements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 5165 KiB  
Article
Laboratory and Numerical Analysis of Steel Cold-Formed Sigma Beams Retrofitted by Bonded CFRP Tapes
by Ilona Szewczak, Katarzyna Rzeszut, Patryk Rozylo and Sylwester Samborski
Materials 2020, 13(19), 4339; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13194339 - 29 Sep 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2130
Abstract
In this paper, the retrofitting method of thin-walled, cold-formed sigma beams using bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) tapes is proposed. The effectiveness of the presented strengthening method is investigated by the means of laboratory tests and numerical analysis conducted on simply supported, [...] Read more.
In this paper, the retrofitting method of thin-walled, cold-formed sigma beams using bonded carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) tapes is proposed. The effectiveness of the presented strengthening method is investigated by the means of laboratory tests and numerical analysis conducted on simply supported, single-span beams made of 200 × 70 × 2 profile by “Blachy Pruszyński” subjected to a four-point bending scheme. Special attention is paid to the evaluation of possibility to increase the load capacity with simultaneous limitation of beams displacements by appropriate location of CFRP tapes. For this purpose, three beams were reinforced with CFRP tape placed on the inner surface of the upper flange, three with CFRP tape on the inner surface of the web, three beams with reinforcement located on the inner surface of the bottom flange, and two beams were tested as reference beams without reinforcement. CFRP tape with a width of 50 mm and a thickness of 1.2 mm was used as the reinforcement and was bonded to the beams by SikaDur®-30 adhesive. Precise strain measurement was made using electrofusion strain gauges, and displacement measurement was performed using two Aramis coupled devices in combination with the Tritop machine. Numerical models of the considered beams were developed in the Finite Element Method (FEM) program Abaqus®. Experimental and numerical analysis made it possible to obtain a very high agreement of results. Based on the conducted research, it was proved how important is the impact of the applied reinforcement (CFRP tapes) in thin-walled steel structures, with respect to the classic methods of strengthening steel building structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4363 KiB  
Article
Aerodynamic Performance of an Adaptive GFRP Wind Barrier Structure for Railway Bridges
by Yiqing Dai, Xuewei Dai, Yu Bai and Xuhui He
Materials 2020, 13(18), 4214; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13184214 - 22 Sep 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2396
Abstract
Wind barrier structures on railway bridges are installed to mitigate the wind effects on travelling trains; however, they cause additional wind loads and associated aerodynamic effects on the bridge. An innovative concept was developed for a wind barrier structure in this study that [...] Read more.
Wind barrier structures on railway bridges are installed to mitigate the wind effects on travelling trains; however, they cause additional wind loads and associated aerodynamic effects on the bridge. An innovative concept was developed for a wind barrier structure in this study that used a glass–fibre–reinforced polymer (GFRP) that may deform properly when subjected to a crosswind. Such deformation then allows for wind to pass, therefore reducing the wind loads transferred to the bridge. Wind tunnel experiments were conducted on a 1/40-scale train and bridge models with the proposed GFRP barrier subjected to airflow at different speeds up to 20 m/s. The side-force and overturning-moment coefficients of both the train and the bridge were evaluated to characterise the aerodynamic effects. The results show that favourable side-force and overturning-moment coefficients of the train were provided by wind barriers taller than 10 cm. The aerodynamic coefficients of the train were not significantly affected by the airflow speeds; meanwhile, the overturning-moment coefficient of the bridge decreased with the increase in airflow speed due to smaller wind resistance of the barrier after deformation. A numerical analysis was conducted on both the reduced- and full-scale models of the train–barrier–bridge system and the results supported the findings obtained from the wind tunnel experiments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 9957 KiB  
Article
Chatter Detection in Milling of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composites by Improved Hilbert–Huang Transform and Recurrence Quantification Analysis
by Rafał Rusinek and Paweł Lajmert
Materials 2020, 13(18), 4105; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13184105 - 16 Sep 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2395
Abstract
In the paper, the problem of chatter vibration detection in the milling process of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is investigated. Chatter analysis may be considered theoretically based on data from impact test of an end mill cutter. However, a stability region obtained in such [...] Read more.
In the paper, the problem of chatter vibration detection in the milling process of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic is investigated. Chatter analysis may be considered theoretically based on data from impact test of an end mill cutter. However, a stability region obtained in such way may not agree with the real one. Therefore, this paper presents a method that can predict chatter vibrations based on cutting force components measurements. At the beginning, a stability lobe diagram is created to establish the range of experimental test in the plane of tool rotational speed and depth of cut. Next, an experiment of composite milling is performed. The experimentally-measured time series of cutting forces are decomposed with the use of the improved Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT). To detect chatter, statistical methods and recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) are used. However, much better results are obtained when new chatter indexes are proposed. The indexes, derived directly from the HHT and RQA methods, can be used to build an effective chatter prediction system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

30 pages, 24200 KiB  
Article
A Review of Current Challenges and Case Study toward Optimizing Micro-Computed X-Ray Tomography of Carbon Fabric Composites
by Armin Rashidi, Tina Olfatbakhsh, Bryn Crawford and Abbas S. Milani
Materials 2020, 13(16), 3606; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13163606 - 14 Aug 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4275
Abstract
X-ray computed tomography provides qualitative and quantitative structural and compositional information for a broad range of materials. Yet, its contribution to the field of advanced composites such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers is still limited by factors such as low imaging contrast, due [...] Read more.
X-ray computed tomography provides qualitative and quantitative structural and compositional information for a broad range of materials. Yet, its contribution to the field of advanced composites such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers is still limited by factors such as low imaging contrast, due to scarce X-ray attenuation features. This article, through a review of the state of the art, followed by an example case study on Micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis of low X-ray absorptive dry and prepreg carbon woven fabric composites, aims to highlight and address some challenges as well as best practices on performing scans that can capture key features of the material. In the case study, utilizing an Xradia Micro-CT-400, important aspects such as obtaining sufficient contrast, an examination of thin samples, sample size/resolution issues, and image-based modeling are discussed. The outcome of an optimized workflow in Micro-CT of composite fabrics can assist in further research efforts such as the generation of surface or volume meshes for the numerical modeling of underlying deformation mechanisms during their manufacturing processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 4212 KiB  
Article
Prediction and Measurement of the Damping Ratios of Laminated Polymer Composite Plates
by Hugo Sol, Hubert Rahier and Jun Gu
Materials 2020, 13(15), 3370; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13153370 - 29 Jul 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2525
Abstract
Laminated composites materials are mostly used in dynamically loaded structures. The design of these structures with finite element packages is focused on vibrations, elastic deformations and failure control. Damping is often neglected because of its assumed secondary importance and also because of dearth [...] Read more.
Laminated composites materials are mostly used in dynamically loaded structures. The design of these structures with finite element packages is focused on vibrations, elastic deformations and failure control. Damping is often neglected because of its assumed secondary importance and also because of dearth of information on relevant material properties. This trend is prone to change as it is now realised that damping plays an increasingly important role in vibration comfort, noise radiation and crash simulations. This paper shows in a first step how to identify the orthotropic elastic and damping properties of single layer fibre-reinforced composite material sheets using a new extended version of the Resonalyser procedure. The procedure is based on the elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle and uses a mixed numerical experimental method. In a subsequent step, the complex laminate stiffness values are computed using the identified single layer material properties. To validate this approach, the modal damping ratios of arbitrary laminated plates of different materials at several resonance frequencies are predicted and experimentally verified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 10076 KiB  
Article
Low Velocity Impact Response and Tensile Strength of Epoxy Composites with Different Reinforcing Materials
by Sebastian Sławski, Małgorzata Szymiczek, Jarosław Kaczmarczyk, Jarosław Domin and Eugeniusz Świtoński
Materials 2020, 13(14), 3059; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13143059 - 08 Jul 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2999
Abstract
This paper presents the results of research concerning multilayered epoxy composites reinforced with different materials. The strength of multilayered composites depends, to a large extent, on the reinforcing material. The authors decided to compare the low velocity impact response and perform tensile strength [...] Read more.
This paper presents the results of research concerning multilayered epoxy composites reinforced with different materials. The strength of multilayered composites depends, to a large extent, on the reinforcing material. The authors decided to compare the low velocity impact response and perform tensile strength tests on several composites, to ascertain the mechanical properties of the prepared composites. Five different reinforcing materials were provided for the research (two fabrics made from aramid fibers, two fabrics made from carbon fibers and one fabric made from polyethylene fibers). The composites were manufactured by the vacuum supported hand laminating method. The low velocity impact response tests were conducted with the use of a pneumatic launcher. Three strikers with different geometry (conical striker, hemispherical striker and ogival striker) were used. A comparison of the resulting damage to the composites after the impact of the strikers was based on the images obtained using an optical microscope; tensile tests were also performed. The experimental investigation showed significant differences in the mechanical properties of the composites, depending on the applied reinforcing material. It was found that, as a result of the impacts, less damage occurred in the composites which were characterized by a lower Young’s modulus and a higher tensile strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 14844 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Layer Arrangement on the Distortional Post-Buckling Behavior of Open Section Beams
by Tomasz Kubiak, Mariusz Urbaniak and Filip Kazmierczyk
Materials 2020, 13(13), 3002; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13133002 - 06 Jul 2020
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1866
Abstract
The paper deals with the design of the stacking sequence of layers in the laminate beams with open-cross sections in order to create the desired behavior in the post-buckling range. Laminate beams with channel and lipped channel cross-sections made of glass fiber reinforced [...] Read more.
The paper deals with the design of the stacking sequence of layers in the laminate beams with open-cross sections in order to create the desired behavior in the post-buckling range. Laminate beams with channel and lipped channel cross-sections made of glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminate with different layer arrangements (symmetrical and nonsymmetrical) have been considered. In case of the nonsymmetrical stacking sequences, hygro-thermally curvature stable (HTCS) laminates have been taken into account. Pure bending was assumed as the type of load. In the case of beams with open cross-sections, this load type can cause the lateral-distortional buckling mode. A parametric study was performed to analyze the influence of layer arrangement on post-buckling behavior. The finite element method was used to developed numerical models and conduct simulations. Additionally, the experimental tests of the channel section beams were performed in order to validate the developed numerical models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 4478 KiB  
Article
Biobased Polyethylene Hybrid Composites with Natural Fiber: Mechanical, Thermal Properties, and Micromechanics
by Patrycja Bazan, Przemysław Nosal, Barbara Kozub and Stanisław Kuciel
Materials 2020, 13(13), 2967; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13132967 - 02 Jul 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2684
Abstract
The work assumed the possibility of the introduction natural fibers as a hybrid reinforcement of bio-polyethylene composites. Coconut fibers, basalt fibers and wood flour were used in different combination as a hybrid merger. Mechanical tests were conducted. An increase in the mechanical properties [...] Read more.
The work assumed the possibility of the introduction natural fibers as a hybrid reinforcement of bio-polyethylene composites. Coconut fibers, basalt fibers and wood flour were used in different combination as a hybrid merger. Mechanical tests were conducted. An increase in the mechanical properties was shown as an effect of the introduction of the fibers info the polymeric matrix. A synergic influence of hybrid reinforcement was also presented. Experimental results were compared with modeling parameters. The hydrothermal and accelerated thermal ageing effects on the mechanical behavior of composites were presented. Scanning electron microscope images were observed in order to analyze structure of examined composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5864 KiB  
Article
Stability and Load-Carrying Capacity of Thin-Walled FRP Composite Z-Profiles under Eccentric Compression
by Hubert Debski, Sylwester Samborski, Patryk Rozylo and Pawel Wysmulski
Materials 2020, 13(13), 2956; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13132956 - 02 Jul 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 1978
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of eccentric compressive load on the stability, critical states and load-carrying capacity of thin-walled composite Z-profiles. Short thin-walled columns made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite material fabricated by the autoclave technique are examined. In experimental tests, the thin-walled [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effect of eccentric compressive load on the stability, critical states and load-carrying capacity of thin-walled composite Z-profiles. Short thin-walled columns made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic composite material fabricated by the autoclave technique are examined. In experimental tests, the thin-walled structures were compressed until a loss of their load-carrying capacity was obtained. The test parameters were measured to describe the structure’s behavior, including the phenomenon of composite material failure. The post-critical load-displacement equilibrium paths and the acoustic emission signal enabling analysis of the composite material condition during the loading process were measured. The scope of the study also included performing numerical simulations by finite element method to solve the problem of non-linear stability and to describe the phenomenon of composite material damage based on the progressive failure model. The obtained numerical results showed a good agreement with the experimental characteristics of real structures. The numerical results are compared with the experimental findings to validate the developed numerical model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 5727 KiB  
Article
Bio-Based Polyethylene Composites with Natural Fiber: Mechanical, Thermal, and Ageing Properties
by Patrycja Bazan, Dariusz Mierzwiński, Rafał Bogucki and Stanisław Kuciel
Materials 2020, 13(11), 2595; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13112595 - 06 Jun 2020
Cited by 38 | Viewed by 3992
Abstract
The study evaluated the possibility of using natural fibers as a reinforcement of bio-polyethylene. Flax, coconut, basalt fiber, and wood flour were used in the work. Strength tests like static tensile test, three-point flexural test, or impact strength showed a positive effect of [...] Read more.
The study evaluated the possibility of using natural fibers as a reinforcement of bio-polyethylene. Flax, coconut, basalt fiber, and wood flour were used in the work. Strength tests like static tensile test, three-point flexural test, or impact strength showed a positive effect of reinforcing bio-polyethylene-based composites. The effect of water and thermal ageing on the mechanical behavior of composites was assessed. In order to analyze the structure, SEM microscope images were taken and the effect of natural fibers on the change in the nature of cracking of composites was presented. Composites with natural fibers at a content of 12% by weight, resulting in increase of strength and rigidity of materials. The greatest strengthening effect for natural fibers was obtained for the composite with basalt fibers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 6436 KiB  
Article
Influence of Particle Size on Toughening Mechanisms of Layered Silicates in CFRP
by Julia Hutschreuther, Raphael Kunz, Josef Breu and Volker Altstädt
Materials 2020, 13(10), 2396; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13102396 - 22 May 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2575
Abstract
Carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxies are frequently used for lightweight applications that require high mechanical properties. Still, there is potential regarding the improvement of the interlaminar-fracture toughness. As matrix toughening with nanoparticles is one possibility, in this study two different layered silicates are used to reinforce [...] Read more.
Carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxies are frequently used for lightweight applications that require high mechanical properties. Still, there is potential regarding the improvement of the interlaminar-fracture toughness. As matrix toughening with nanoparticles is one possibility, in this study two different layered silicates are used to reinforce carbon fiber composites. The first type is a synthetical K-Hectorite (K-Hect) with outstanding lateral extension (6 µm) that has shown high toughening ability in resins in previous work. The other is a commercial montmorillonite (MMT) with a smaller size (400 nm). The aim of this study is to show the influence of the particles on mode I and mode II fracture toughness, especially the influence of particle size. Therefore, double-cantilever-beam tests and end-notched-flexure tests were carried out. Additionally, the fracture mechanisms were investigated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is concluded, that the larger Hectorite particles are beneficial for mode I fracture behavior because of enhanced toughening mechanisms. One the other hand, the mode II energy dissipation rate is increased by the smaller montmorillonite particles due to sufficient interaction with the formation of hackling structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 6338 KiB  
Article
Progressive Failure Analysis of Thin-Walled Composite Structures Verified Experimentally
by Patryk Rozylo, Miroslaw Ferdynus, Hubert Debski and Sylwester Samborski
Materials 2020, 13(5), 1138; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13051138 - 04 Mar 2020
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 2863
Abstract
The subject of the presented research was a thin-walled composite column made of CFRP (carbon-epoxy laminate). The test sample had a top-hat cross-section with a symmetrical arrangement of laminate layers [90/−45/45/0]s. The composite structure was subjected to the process of axial [...] Read more.
The subject of the presented research was a thin-walled composite column made of CFRP (carbon-epoxy laminate). The test sample had a top-hat cross-section with a symmetrical arrangement of laminate layers [90/−45/45/0]s. The composite structure was subjected to the process of axial compression. Experimental and numerical tests for the loss of stability and load-carrying capacity of the composite construction were carried out. The numerical buckling analysis was carried out based on the minimum potential energy criterion (based on the solution of an eigenvalue problem). The study of loss of load-carrying capacity was performed on the basis of a progressive failure analysis, solving the problem of non-linear stability based on Newton-Raphson’s incremental iterative method. Numerical results of critical and post-critical state were confronted with experimental research in order to estimate the vulnerable areas of the structure, showing areas prone to damage of the material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 23430 KiB  
Article
Material Characterization of PMC/TBC Composite Under High Strain Rates and Elevated Temperatures
by Przemysław Golewski, Alexis Rusinek and Tomasz Sadowski
Materials 2020, 13(1), 167; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13010167 - 01 Jan 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2794
Abstract
Polymer matrix composites (PMC), despite their many advantages, have limited use at elevated temperatures. To expand the scope of their uses, it becomes necessary to use thermal barrier coatings (TBC). In addition to elevated temperatures, composite structures, and thus TBC barriers, can be [...] Read more.
Polymer matrix composites (PMC), despite their many advantages, have limited use at elevated temperatures. To expand the scope of their uses, it becomes necessary to use thermal barrier coatings (TBC). In addition to elevated temperatures, composite structures, and thus TBC barriers, can be exposed to damage from impacts of foreign objects. Therefore, before using the thermal barrier in practice, knowledge about its behavior under high-speed loads is necessary. The paper presents results for samples with the PMC/TBC system subjected to dynamic compression using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). The substrate was made of CFRP (carbon reinforced polymer) with epoxy matrix and twill fabric. TBC was made of ceramic mat saturated by commercial hardener from Vitcas company. The tests were carried out at ambient temperature and elevated temperature—55 °C and 90 °C. Tests at ambient temperature were carried out for three pressure levels: 1, 1.5, and 2 bar. Only the pressure of 1 bar was used for the elevated temperature. Studies have shown that the limit load is 1 bar for ambient temperature. At 1.5 bar, cracks occurred in the TBC structure. Increased temperature also adversely affects the TBC barrier strength and it is damaged at a pressure of 1 bar. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

33 pages, 4960 KiB  
Review
Thermoplastic Composites and Their Promising Applications in Joining and Repair Composites Structures: A Review
by João Pedro Reis, Marcelo de Moura and Sylwester Samborski
Materials 2020, 13(24), 5832; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ma13245832 - 21 Dec 2020
Cited by 49 | Viewed by 6557
Abstract
Thermoset fiber reinforced composites, widely used in current structural applications, have complex repair procedures and generates significant amounts of scrap due to its recycling difficulties, which does not comply with the most recent environmental restrictions. These disadvantages may be overcome by using a [...] Read more.
Thermoset fiber reinforced composites, widely used in current structural applications, have complex repair procedures and generates significant amounts of scrap due to its recycling difficulties, which does not comply with the most recent environmental restrictions. These disadvantages may be overcome by using a thermoplastic matrix phase, which is very suitable to be joined and repaired by local melting, making the composite material fully recyclable. This work presents a literature review on the joining methods applicable to thermoplastic based composites and their potential applications to be used as repair procedures in structural elements. The effectiveness of selected adhesive and fusion bonding techniques for several thermoplastic composite systems is evaluated by a comparative study based on the joints’ strength and toughness results available in the literature. This work focuses on the three most promising fusion bonding techniques: Resistance welding, induction welding, and ultrasonic welding. The advantages and drawbacks for each one of these processes are discussed, as well as their suitability for several specific structural applications. In addition, several discordant aspects for each welding technique are identified and the corresponding recommendations are discussed. A compilation of analytical models for the mechanisms of heat generation and transient heat transfer modelling is also presented for each fusion bonding process in order to promote their application in numerical modelling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-19
Back to TopTop