• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.290-295
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• 2021

The application of lightweight structural composites to automobiles as a solution in line with global fuel economy regulations to curb global warming is recognized as a megatrend. This study was conducted to provide a technical approach that can respond to the issue of replacing parts that require conductive properties to maximize the application of thermoplastic carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRPs), which are advantageous in terms of repair, disposal and recycling. By utilizing the properties of the low-viscosity polymerizable oligomer matrix, it was possible to prepare a thermoplastic CFRP exhibiting excellent impregnation properties while uniformly mixing the conductive filler. Various carbon-based conductive fillers such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoplatelets, graphite, and pitch-based carbon fibers were filled up to the maximum content, and electrical and thermal conductive properties of the fabricated composites were compared and studied. It was confirmed that the maximum incorporation of filler was the most important factor to control the conductive properties of the composites rather than the type or shape of the conductive carbon filler. Experimental results were observed in which it might be advantageous to apply a one-dimensional conductive carbon filler to improve electrical conductivity, whereas it might be advantageous to apply a two-dimensional conductive carbon filler to improve thermal conductivity. The results of this study can provide potential insight into the optimization of structural design for controlling the conductive properties of thermoplastic CFRPs.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.3448-3451
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• 2022

Biochar is a novel carbon based material derived from waste that shows promising properties for several applications. In this paper we investigate its potential use as a low cost, greener alternative to commonly used aggregates employed to enhance the neutron shielding performance of concrete. Monte Carlo simulations are performed with the PHITS code to estimate the neutron attenuation of blank and biochar-reinforced concrete exposed to high energy neutrons. We find that the shielding performance of concrete with 15% biochar is comparable with commonly used materials such as Boron Carbide at 20% and exceeds that of Basalt fibers with the same concentration, making these composites an interesting greener alternative to current solutions. A combination of biochar and heavier fillers also show extremely promising performance.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.405-411
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• 2011

Using combinations of carbon and glass fiber composites normally used for strengthening of concrete structures, the hybrid effect from strengthening concrete structures using the composite is studied. To produce the hybrid effects, the specimens were made with optimum proportions of carbon fibers with glass fibers. Then, direct tensile tests were conducted on the hybrid FRP (fiber reinforced polymer) specimens. Unlike the woven fiber sheet currently used in construction sites, the FRP specimens have to be directly combined with the fibers, which make the work very complicated. Therefore, direct tensile test specimens manufacturing method based on the combination of high-tension carbon fibers and E-type glass fibers was proposed and the effects of hybridization is studied through the direct tensile test. By comparing the ductility index, the modulus of elasticity, and the stress-strain curves of the specimens, the most optimum glass to carbon fiber combination ratio for the hybrid FRP was found to be 9 to 1 with ductile K-type epoxy. The study results are discussed in detail in the paper.

• Composites Research
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

The electrical conductivity of carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP's) has been improved by indium-tin oxide (ITO) nano-particle coating on carbon fibers for the purpose of lightning strike protection of composite fuselage skins. ITO nano-particles were coated on the surface of carbon fibers by spraying the colloidal suspension with 10~40% ITO content. The electrical conductivity of the CFRP has been increased more than three times after ITO coating, comparable to or higher than that of B-787 composite fuselage skins with metal wire-meshes on the outer surface, without sacrificing the tensile property due to the existence of nano-particles at fiber-matrix interface. The damage area by the simulated lightning strike was also verified for different materials and conditions by using ultrasonic C-scan image. As the electrical conductivity of 40% nano-ITO coated sample surpass that of the B-787 sample, the damage area by lightning strike also appeared comparable to that of the materials currently employed for composite fuselage construction.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.1687-1694
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• 2014

Recently FRP of carbon fibers is utilized as a repairing and reinforcing material for concrete structures. In this study, the bond performance between CFRP planks and ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composites was evaluated in order to develop a new system of concrete bridge deck to take advantage of the FRP planks of carbon fiber using as a permanent formwork. In order to strengthen the bonding between the FRP and cast-in-place concrete, an epoxy resin circulated in the market generally was fitted with a silica sand. The bond stress of ordinary concrete appeared in 2.11~5.43MPa and the bond stress of ductile fiber reinforced cementitious composites DC1 (RF4000) and DC2 (PP) respectively were 3.91~5.60MPa, 2.92~5.21MPa and the average bond stress of DC3 (RF4000+RSC15) and DC4 (PP+RSC15) were 4.80~5.58MPa, 5.57~5.89MPa.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

Composite materials consisting of crushed carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) pieces and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin were prepared by an injection mold method to solve the problem of recycling of CFRP. The electrical properties, such as electrical resistivity, alternating current impedance and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effect, were measured for the composites. The electrical resistivity of the composites showed a percolation type of conduction behavior and no difference between parallel and perpendicular to the injection direction was observed for CFRP content higher than the critical value. Measurement of alternating current impedance revealed that the conduction mechanism is attributed to the direct conductive paths generated by distributed carbon fibers; however, strong frequency dependence of the impedance was observed for the CFRP content near the critical one. The frequency dependence of the impedance is caused by the inter-fiber connection and can be expressed as a simple equivalent circuit. The absorption component of shielding effect (SE) was smaller than the expected value estimated from its resistivity. The decline of SE is thought to be caused by the decrease in effective thickness due to fiber orientation.

• Carbon letters
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• v.23
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools possessing high hardness and abrasive wear resistance are particularly suited for drilling of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites, where tool life and consistent hole quality are important. While PCD presents superior performance when drilling CFRP, it is unclear how it performs when drilling multi-stack materials such as CFRP-titanium (Ti) stacks. This comparative study aims to investigate drilling of a Ti plate stacked on a CFRP panel when using PCD tools. The first sequence of the drilling experiments was to drill 20 holes in CFRP only. CFRP-Ti stacks were then drilled for the next 20 holes with the same drill bit. CFRP holes and CFRP-Ti stack holes were evaluated in terms of machined hole quality. The main tool wear mechanism of PCD drills is micro-fractures that occur when machining the Ti plate of the stack. Tool wear increases the instability and the operation temperature when machining the Ti plate. This results in high drilling forces, large hole diameter errors, high surface roughness, wider CFRP exit thermal damage, and taller exit Ti burrs.

• 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.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.162-168
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• 2009

As a preliminary study of optimum composite properties under cryogenic temperature, the comparison of interfacial properties of carbon or glass fibers reinforced epoxy composites was evaluated at ambient and intermediate low temperature, i.e., 25 and $-10^{\circ}C$ by using micromechanical techniques. Under tensile and compressive loading conditions, their mechanical modulus at low temperature was higher than that atambient temperature. Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) at ambient and low temperatures was compared to each other, depending on epoxy matrix toughness and apparent modulus at the interface. The IFSS was much higher at low temperature than that at room temperature because of the increased epoxy matrix modulus. Statistical distributions of tensile strengths of glass and carbon fibers were evaluated for different temperature ranges, which is dependent upon fiber's inherent flaws and rigidity.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2024

In this study, a new sustainable material was proposed to prepare precast tunnel lining segments (TLS), which were produced using a fiber-reinforced slag-based geopolymer composite. Slag was used as the geopolymer binder. In addition, polypropylene and carbon fibers were added to reinforce TLSs. TLSs were examined in terms of flexural performance, load-deflection response, ductility, toughness, crack characteristics, and tunnel boring machine (TBM) thrust force. Simultaneously, numerical simulation was performed using finite element analysis. The mechanical characteristics of the geopolymer composite with a fiber content of 1% were used. The results demonstrated that the flexural performance and load-deflection response of the precast TLSs were satisfactory. Furthermore, the numerical results were capable of predicting and realistically capturing the structural behavior of precast TLSs. Therefore, fiber-reinforced slag-based geopolymer composites can be applied as precast TLSs.