• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2017

The article explains about development of flame retardant self-reinforced composites (FR-SRC) through compression molding technique by utilizing Polypropylene (PP), Ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and chitosan. The effect of APP and chitosan on mechanical, thermal and flame retardant properties in FR-SRC were studied. The mechanical strength of FR-SRC is enhanced than Pure SRC. However, the strength is decreased significantly with increasing the concentration of both flame retardant fillers. But comparison, chitosan filled FR-SRC is stronger than APP filled FR-SRC. In case of flame retardancy, APP is more effective than chitosan. These results can be applicable to provide light weight and recyclable flame retardant self-reinforced composites for automobile and packaging industries, etc.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.225-231
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• 2002

Severe cracks on Reinforced Concrete (RC) structures caused by structural displacement can be often one of the main reasons for the degradation of tensile and flexural rigidities of RC structures and for the deterioration of durability and serviceability of RC structures through accelerated steel corrosion. These combined factors adversely affect the performance of RC concrete, leading to shortened life time of RC structures. In consideration of these problems, we conducted 3 point bending experiments by employing three different types of concrete specimens: fiber-net reinforced concrete (FNRC), polypropylene-fiber reinforced concrete (PFRC), and plain concrete (PC). FNRC is well known for its strong corrosion resistance, light self-weight, and excellent tensile strength, while PFRC is known to be effective in crack control. FNRC was found to have the best first and final crack resistances followed by PFRC and PC, as evidenced by the highest initial crack load and the smallest final crack width, respectively. The FNRC specimens with various tensile strength of fiber net exhibited greater ultimate strengths than those for PFRC and PC. Furthermore, the crack widths of FNRC specimens were smaller than those calculated by the crack-width estimation equation of the KCI and ACI code. Therefore, we conclude that fiber net reinforcement is effective not only on crack control, but also on loading share.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.495-511
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• 2023

In this research, the impact of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on the fracture energy of self-compacting concrete was thoroughly examined. Enhancing the fracture energy is very important to increase the crack propagation resistance. The study focused on evaluating the self-compacting properties of the concrete through various tests, including J-ring, V-funnel, slump flow, and T50 tests. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the concrete, such as compressive and tensile strengths, modulus of elasticity, and fracture parameters were investigated on hardened specimens after 28 days. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of micro-silica and nano-silica not only decreased the rheological aspects of self-compacting concrete but also significantly enhanced its mechanical properties, particularly the compressive strength. On the other hand, the inclusion of polypropylene fibers had a positive impact on fracture parameters, tensile strength, and flexural strength of the specimens. Utilizing the response surface method, the relationship between micro-silica, nano-silica, and fibers was established. The optimal combination for achieving the highest compressive strength was found to be 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.1% fibers. Furthermore, for obtaining the best mixture with superior tensile strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, and fracture energy, the ideal proportion was determined as 5% micro-silica, 0.75% nano-silica, and 0.15% fibers. Compared to the control mixture, the aforementioned parameters showed significant improvements of 26.3%, 30.3%, 34.3%, and 34.3%, respectively. In order to accurately model the tensile cracking of concrete, the authors used softening curves derived from an inverse algorithm proposed by them. This method allowed for a precise and detailed analysis of the concrete under tensile stress. This study explores the effects of micro-silica, nano-silica, and polypropylene fibers on self-compacting concrete and shows their influences on the fracture energy and various mechanical properties of the concrete. The results offer valuable insights for optimizing the concrete mix to achieve desired strength and performance characteristics.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.299-313
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• 2014

Effects of polypropylene (PP) fibers, steel fibers (SF) and hybrid on the properties of highstrength fiber reinforced self-consolidating concrete (HSFR-SCC) under different volume contents are investigated in this study. Comprehensive laboratory tests were conducted in order to evaluate both fresh and hardened properties of HSFR-SCC. Test results indicated that the fiber types and fiber contents greatly influenced concrete workability but it is possible to achieve self consolidating properties while adding the fiber types in concrete mixtures. Compressive strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and rigidity of concrete were affected by the addition as well as volume fraction of PP fibers. However, the properties of concrete were improved by the incorporation of SF. Splitting tensile and flexural strengths of concrete became increasingly less influenced by the inclusion of PP fibers and increasingly more influenced by the addition of SF. Besides, the inclusion of PP fibers resulted in the better efficiency in the improvement of toughness than SF. Furthermore, the inclusion of fibers did not have significant effect on the durability of the concrete. Results of electrical resistivity, chloride ion penetration and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests confirmed that HSFR-SCC had enough endurance against deterioration, lower chloride ion penetrability and minimum reinforcement corrosion rate.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.709-737
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• 2014

Fibre-reinforced self-compacting concrete (FRSCC) is a high-performance building material that combines positive aspects of fresh properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with improved characteristics of hardened concrete as a result of fibre addition. To produce SCC, either the constituent materials or the corresponding mix proportions may notably differ from the conventional concrete (CC). These modifications besides enhance the concrete fresh properties affect the hardened properties of the concrete. Therefore, it is vital to investigate whether all the assumed hypotheses about CC are also valid for SCC structures. In the present paper, the experimental results of short-term flexural load tests on eight reinforced SCC and FRSCC specimens slabs are presented. For this purpose, four SCC mixes - two plain SCC, two steel, two polypropylene, and two hybrid FRSCC slab specimens - are considered in the test program. The tests are conducted to study the development of SCC and FRSCC flexural cracking under increasing short-term loads from first cracking through to flexural failure. The achieved experimental results give the SCC and FRSCC slabs bond shear stresses for short-term crack width calculation. Therefore, the adopted bond shear stress for each mix slab is presented in this study. Crack width, crack patterns, deflections at mid-span, steel strains and concrete surface strains at the steel levels were recorded at each load increment in the post-cracking range.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.566-574
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• 2016

Fiber metal laminates, which are hybrid materials consisting of metal sheets and composite layers, have contributed to aerospace and automotive industries due to their reduced weight and improved damage tolerance characteristics. In this study, the impact performance of the laminates, which are comprised of a self-reinforced polypropylene and two aluminum sheets, and the pure aluminum alloy sheet material were investigated experimentally via numerical simulation. In order to compare the impact performance, the laminates and aluminum alloy were examined by assessing the impact force, energy time histories, and specific energy absorption. ABAQUS is a commercial software that is used to simulate the actual drop-weight tests. Based on this study, it is noted that the impact performance of the laminates was superior to that of the aluminum alloy. In addition, a good agreement between the experimental and numerical results can be achieved when the impact force and energy time histories from the experiments and the numerical simulations are compared.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.61-75
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• 2016

Climate changes brought on by human interventions have proved to be more devastating than predicted during the recent decades. Recognition of seriousness of the situation has led regulatory organisations to impose strict targets on allowable carbon dioxide emissions from automotive vehicles. As a possible solution, it has been proposed that Fibre Metal Laminate (FML) system is used to reduce the weight of future vehicles. To facilitate this investigation, FML based on steel and self-reinforced polypropylene was stamp formed into dome shapes under different blank holder forces (BHFs) at room temperature and its forming behaviour analysed. An open-die configuration was used in a hydraulic press so that a 3D photogrammetric measurement system (ARAMIS) could capture real-time surface strains. This paper presents findings on strain evolutions at different points along and at $45^{\circ}$ to fibre directions of circular FML blank, through various stages of forming. It was found initiation and rate of deformation varied with distance from the pole, that the mode of deformations range from biaxial stretching at the pole to drawing towards flange region, at decreasing magnitudes away from the pole in general. More uniform strain distribution was observed for the FML compared to that of plain steel and the most significant effects of BHF were its influence on forming depth and level of strain reached before failure.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Demand for energy consumption reduction is increasing according to the development expectations of future mobility. Lightweight structural materials are known as a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency. In particular, fiber reinforced polymer composite (FRP) is attracting attention as a material that can replace existing metal alloys due to its excellent mechanical properties and light weight. In this paper, industrial applications and research trends of carbon fiber reinforced composites (CFRP, carbon FRP) and self-reinforced composites (SRC) were reviewed based on the reinforcement, polymer matrix, and manufacturing process. In order to overcome the expensive process cost and long manufacturing time of the epoxy resin-based autoclave method, which is mainly used in the aircraft field, mass production of CFRP-applied electric vehicles has been reported using a high-pressure resin transfer molding process including fast-curing epoxy. In addition, thermoplastic resin-based CFRP and interface enhancement methods to solve the recycling issue of carbon fiber composites were reviewed in terms of materials and processes. To form a perfect matrix-reinforcement interface, which is known as the major factor inducing the excellent mechanical properties of FRP, studies on SRC impregnated with the same matrix in polymer fibers have been reported. The physical and mechanical properties of SRC based on various thermoplastic polymers were reviewed in terms of polymer orientation and composite structure. In addition, a copolymer matrix strategy for extending the processing window of highly drawn polypropylene fiber-based SRC was discussed. The application of CFRP and SRC as lightweight structural materials can provide potential options for improving the energy efficiency of future mobility.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.179-187
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• 2020

Existing composite forming processes such as the autoclave, prepreg compression forming (PCF), RTM, etc. require high production costs because of their long processing time. On the other hand, microwave heating process (MHP) can reduce the production costs since both mold and composite material can be heated directly. The aim of this study is to manufacture a mold consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), quartz glass, stainless steel clamps, and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) bolts for fabricating FML based on self-reinforced polypropylene (SRPP) using the MHP. First, the flame test was carried out prior to the MHP to check the temperature on the mold and whether the spark occurred at the mold and the edge of the FML. Second, the uniaxial tensile test was then conducted to obtain the mechanical properties of the FML manufactured by the MHP. The mechanical properties were compared with those of the FML fabricated by the PCF. As a result, the MHP using the PTFE mold can manufacture the FML more rapidly than the PCF, and obtain acceptable mechanical properties.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.159-168
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• 2011

In this study, we find out the feasibility of self-consolidating concrete with EP nylon fiber. Three kinds of method were used; when length of nylon fiber is differed for the experiment to investigate usability of nylon fiber with enhanced performance by dispersing-agent coating in self-consolidating concrete, when mixing in other organic fibers (polypropylene, cellulose) and in case of Binary Blended and Ternary Blended concrete mixed with different types of mineral admixtures (blast-furnace slag and fly ash). Based on the results of the experiment described above, comparison was made on the basic properties and dynamic characteristics of general fiber reinforced concrete mixed with enhanced performance nylon fiber and SCC mixed with enhanced performance nylon fiber as a Mock-up test prior to the experiment of application to the actual structure. Considering characteristics and durability of the fresh and hardened self-compacting concrete, dynamic characteristics and durability were found to be more outstanding when using nylon fiber for the mineral admixtures used, dynamic characteristics and durability were found to be more outstanding when using blast-furnace slag.