• Advances in materials Research
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.191-209
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• 2022

Very slow degradation of synthetic based polymers has created a severe environmental issue that increased awareness towards research in polymers of biodegradable property. Soy protein isolate (SPI) is a natural biopolymer used as matrix in green composites but it has limitations of low mechanical properties and high water sensitivity. To enhance mechanical properties and reduce water sensitivity of Jute-SPI composites, SPI was modified with pine rosin which is also a natural cross-linking agent. 30% glycerol on the weight basis of a matrix was used as a plasticizer. The fibre volume fraction was kept constant at 0.2 whereas the pine rosin in SPI ranged from 5% to 30% of the matrix. The effects of pine rosin on mechanical, thermal, water sensitivity and surface morphology have been characterized using various techniques. The mechanical properties and water absorbency were found to be optimum for 15% pine rosin in Jute-SPI composite. Therefore, Jute-SPI composite without pine rosin and with 15% pine rosin were chosen for investigation through characterization by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The surface morphology of the composite was influenced by pine rosin which is shown in the SEM image. TGA measurement showed that the thermal properties improved due to the addition of pine rosin. Antimicrobial test showed antimicrobial property in the composite occurring 15% pine rosin. The research paper concludes that the modification of SPI resin with an optimum percentage of pine rosin enhanced mechanical, thermal as well as water-resistant properties of jute fibre reinforced composites.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.111-115
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• 2005

Recently, natural fibers draw much interests in composite industry due to low cost, light weight, and environment-friendly characteristics compared with glass fibers. In this study, mechanical properties were evaluated for two extreme cases of jute fiber orientations, i.e. the unidirectional yarn composites and the felt fabric composites. Samples of jute fiber composites were fabricated by RTM process using epoxy resin, and tensile, compression, and shear tests were conducted. As can be expected, unidirectional fiber specimens in longitudinal direction showed the highest strength and modulus. Compared with glass/epoxy composites of the similar fabric architecture and fiber volume fraction, the tensile strength and modulus of jute felt/epoxy composites reached only 40% and 50% levels. However, the specific tensile strength and modulus increased to 80% and 90% of the glass/epoxy composites. The main reason for the poor mechanical properties of jute composites is associated with the weak interfacial bonding between fiber and matrix. The effect of surface treatment of jute fibers on the interfacial bonding will be examined in the future work.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2000

This study has been investigated to apply fiber reinforced composites instead of asbestos as a friction material. the reinforced used was E-glass fiber and binder resin was phenol having good mechanical properties and heat resistance. And it has been also investigated the effect of molding conditions and some additives such and carbon black, alumina and rubber powder in E-glass fiber/phenol resin composite on the friction on the friction and wear characteristics. As a result, it was found that the molding conditions of E-glass fiber/phenol resin composites for friction materials had to be different from those of phenol resin and was found that the wear rate of E-glass fiber/phenol resin composites added alumina powder was higher than of composites added carbon black in the same wear distance. And it was found that friction coefficient of E-glass/phenol resin composites added carbon black was decreased and that of the composites added the powder of natural rubber and ABS rubber were increased compared to the composites.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2010

It is necessary to develop new methods to prevent catastrophic failure of structural material in order to avoid accidents and conserve natural and energy resources. Design of intelligent materials with a self-diagnosing function to prevent fatal fracture of structural materials was achieved by smart composites consisting of carbon fiber tows or carbon powders with a small value of ultimate elongation and glass fiber tows with a large value of ultimate elongation. The changes in electrical resistance of CF-GFRP/GFRP (carbon fiber and glass fiber-reinforced plastics/glass fiber-reinforced plastics) composites increased abruptly with increasing strain, and a tremendous change was seen at the transition point where carbon fiber tows were broken. Therefore, the composites were not to monitor damage from the early stage. On the other hand, the change in electrical resistance of CP-GFRP/GFRP (carbon powder dispersed in glass fiber-reinforced plastics/glass fiber-reinforced plastics) composites increased almost linearly in proportion to strain. CP-GFRP/GFRP composites are superior to CF-GFRP/GFRP composites in terms of their capability to monitor damage by measuring change in electrical resistance from the early stage of damage. However, the former was inferior to the latter as an application because of the difficulties of mass production and high cost. A method based on monitoring damage by measuring changes in the electrical resistance of structural materials is promising for improved reliability of the material.

• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2019

In this study, we investigated the effect of fiber alignment in helicoidal structure on the mechanical properties of biomimetic fiber-reinforced composites. Using finite element analysis, circular biomimetic fiber composites were designed and studied. Various amounts of pressure loads were applied to a surface of the composites, and then bending and failure behaviors of the composites were analyzed. The results showed various failure morphologies according to the orientation of the fibers, and it turned out that the fiber alignment in helicoidal structure significantly improved the bending strength of the composite under pressure loading. This was because the fiber alignment in various directions for each layer dispersed effectively the fracture energy from the external load into multiple directions.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2000

A process has been successfully used to manufacture 6061/Graphite composite material and the Graphite particles are distributed uniformly within the Al alloy matrix. The 6061 powders was mixed with natural Graphite particles in a ball milling blender and cold compacted specimens were extruded into rods 15mm in diameter at 450$^{\circ}C$. The results showed that tensile properties of the composites with Graphite content have been reduced. The emergence of fine microstructures appeared to be related to the graphite volume. Heat-treated composites were found to possess good mechanical properties as compared with those of non heated composites. A model was used that the tensile strength of the composites would be estimated from the theoretical calculation and experimental data.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2009

Natural fiber-filled polymer composites have attracted great interest due to increasing environmental concerns and their low costs. In this study, the properties of rice husk flour-filled polypropylene (PP) were analysed in view of the large quantities of this agricultural product available as residue in Brazil. The rice husk flour (RHF) was characterized by SEM and particle size distribution. The properties of the composites were studied by MFI, DMA, DSC and TGA analyses. A commercial PP modified with maleic anhydride (MAPP) was used as coupling agent. It was verified that RHF decreased the MFI of the composites and that the coupling agent decreased it even more. The efficiency of MAPP was confirmed by the high storage modulus and high loss factor of the coupled composites.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.197-208
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• 2009

Changes occurring in jute and coir fiber composites with 2-8% concentration of a NaOH treatment for 24 h were investigated, respectively, for void content, microscopy images, mechanical properties and water absorption. The jute and coir fibers were vacuum dried before molding composite specimens. Mechanical properties indicated good adhesion between natural fibers and PP. Jute fibers, when alkali-treated with 2% concentration for 24 h, showed best improvement in tensile strength by 40% and modulus by 9%, respectively, while coir fibers, when alkali-treated with 6% concentration for 24 h, showed best improvement in tensile strengths by 62% and modulus by 17%, respectively. With 2% concentration of alkali-treatments, the elongation of jute and coir composites reached 8% and 13.5%, respectively. Moisture absorption for jute and coir composites are 50% and 60% lower than untreated fiber composites, respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.88-91
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• 2004

In this study, a number of natural fiber henequen reinforced polymer matrix composites were successfully fabricated by means of a compression molding technique using chopped henequen fibers surface-treated with different electron beam irradiation (EBI) dosages, thermoplastic poly(butylene succinate), thermosetting unsaturated polyester and phenolic resins. Their interfacial and thermal characteristics were studied in terms of interfacial shear strength, fracture surface, dynamic mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and thermal stability using single fiber microbonding test, SEM, DMA, TMA, and TGA. The results show that their interfacial and thermal properties significantly depend on the intensity of EBl treatment on the natural fiber surface.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.92-95
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• 2004

Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of environmentally- friend natural fiber reinforced polymer composites playa very important role in controlling the overall mechanical properties. In this work the IFSS of Ramie and Kenaf fibers/epoxy systems were evaluated using the combination of micromechanical technique, microdroplet test to find out an optimal condition in accordance with final purpose by comparing to each other. Clamping effect on fiber elongation was determined as well. In addition, the mechanical properties of the natural fibers were investigated using single fiber tensile test and analyzed statistically by both uni- and bimodal Weibull distributions. Microfailure modes of different natural fiber structures were observed using optical microscope.