Materials Science, Composites

Article Mechanics

Pullout behavior of recycled macro fibers in the cementitious matrix: Analytical model and experimental validation

Hong Yuan, Y. C. Fan, X. M. You, Bing Fu, Q. Q. Zou

Summary: A novel mechanical recycling method for waste GFRP composites has been developed to produce macro fibers, which are then used in the production of green FRC. The study improves the trilinear bond-slip model based on shear-lag theory by introducing a slip coefficient to consider different slip behaviors at the final pullout stages. Bond parameters are obtained through an inverse analysis using an improved PSO algorithm. The study demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed analytical model through comparison with pullout test results and explores the sensitivity of different parameters on the pullout behavior of macro fibers.

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES (2024)

Article Mechanics

Prediction of elastic properties of 3D4D rotary braided composites with voids using multi-scale finite element and surrogate models

Hao Huang, Zitong Guo, Zhongde Shan, Zheng Sun, Jianhua Liu, Dong Wang, Wang Wang, Jiale Liu, Chenchen Tan

Summary: The conventional evaluation of 3D braided composites' mechanical properties through numerical and experimental methodologies hinders material application due to the expenses, time constraints, and laborious efforts involved. This study establishes a multi-scale finite element model and a surrogate model for predicting the elastic properties of 3D4D rotary braided composites with voids. By optimizing a neural network model, the results are validated and provide valuable insights into the microstructure and properties of these composites.

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES (2024)

Article Mechanics

Effect of stitch density on the damage inhibition and compression strength after high-velocity impact of UHMWPE fiber composites

Yuhang Xiang, Zhongwei Zhang, Xiaoning Yang, Yuan Lin, Guokai Zhang, Chunming Song, Ziming Xiong

Summary: This paper investigates the effect of stitch density on the high-velocity impact damage inhibition and CAI strength of UHMWPE fiber composites. The results show that a smaller stitch space can significantly reduce delamination area and increase compressive load, but it may affect the CAI performance.

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES (2024)

Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Effect of fibre concentration on the mechanical properties of welded reinforced polypropylene

E. Mofakhami, L. Gervat, B. Fayolle, G. Miquelard-Garnier, C. Ovalle, L. Laiarinandrasana

Summary: This study investigates the effects of fibre concentration on the mechanical response of welded glass-fibre-reinforced polypropylene (GF-PP). Experimental observations reveal a significant reduction in weld ratio, up to 60%, indicating a decreased strength compared to the bulk material. Increasing fibre content in the welded material results in a decrease in stress at break and strain at the maximum stress. The use of DIC technique and X-ray microtomography further confirms the localized strain amplification in the welded zone due to the significant increase in fibre density.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2024)

Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Bolted joint method for composite materials using a novel fiber/metal patch as hole reinforcement-Improving both static and fatigue properties

Johnny Jakobsen, Benny Endelt, Fahimeh Shakibapour

Summary: This study proposes a new bolted/pinned joining method for composite applications, which improves load transfer by introducing a patch-type reinforcement. Experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in both static and fatigue load conditions compared to existing methods. Finite element simulations highlight the advantage of this method, as it creates a more efficient load-transferring mechanism through different stress distributions.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2024)

Article Engineering, Multidisciplinary

Uncovering the hidden structure: A study on the feasibility of induction thermography for fiber orientation analysis in CFRP composites using 2D-FFT

Renil Thomas Kidangan, Sreedhar Unnikrishnakurup, C. Krishnamurthy, Krishnan Balasubramaniam

Summary: The induction heating process can accurately identify fiber orientation and stacking order, making it a valuable tool for large-area inspection and quality control in manufacturing fiber-reinforced composites.

COMPOSITES PART B-ENGINEERING (2024)

Article Mechanics

Structural topology optimization of three-dimensional multi-material composite structures with finite deformation

Zongliang Du, Yunhang Guo, Chang Liu, Weisheng Zhang, Riye Xue, Yilin Guo, Shan Tang, Xu Guo

Summary: This work presents an explicit three-dimensional topology optimization approach for multi-material composite structures considering finite deformation. The approach uses different sets of three-dimensional Moving Morphable Voids (MMVs) to identify each phase material, resulting in explicit geometric descriptions of the optimized composite structures and a reduction in the number of design variables. By decoupling the topology description and finite element analysis, redundant degrees of freedom are eliminated, mitigating the convergence issue of finite deformation analysis caused by low-density elements and leading to significant computational savings.

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES (2024)

Article Mechanics

A unified hybrid Ritz-SEA acoustic vibration coupling method of a rectangular plate coupled with fast multipole boundary integration

Yiming Zhao, Zhonggang Wang, Zhigang Yang, Bin Qin

Summary: The paper proposes a Ritz and statistical energy analysis (Ritz SEA) hybrid method for calculating rectangular plate acoustic vibration coupling in the mid-frequency range. This method combines the fast convergence and ability to handle arbitrary boundary conditions of the Ritz method with the power flow equation of the statistical energy analysis method. The results show that this approach effectively filters out random fluctuations in mid-frequency domains while demonstrating exceptional stability and precision.

COMPOSITE STRUCTURES (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Prediction of mechanical properties of 3D tubular braided composites at different temperatures using a multi-scale modeling framework based on micro-CT

Yuyang Zhang, Huimin Li, Xin Liu, Yanhong Chen, Chengwei Qin, Daining Fang

Summary: Establishing a prediction model for the mechanical properties of three-dimensional tubular braided composites at different temperatures is of great significance. This study adopted a multi-scale modeling framework based on micro-computed tomography to consider the characteristics of the real yarn cross section and establish a realistic trans-scale finite element model for the composites. The predicted mechanical properties were found to be significantly affected by temperature.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Analysis of interfacial characteristics in polymer nanocomposites via visual particle recognition methodology and micromechanical predictive models

R. Mohsenzadeh, B. H. Soudmand, A. H. Najafi, M. Fattahi, D. P. Uyen

Summary: This study examines the morphological features of nano-zeolite nanoparticles incorporated into ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene nanocomposites. The dispersion of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix was improved following nano-zeolite incorporation. The size and distribution of nanoparticles were determined through tailored histograms, and the effective elastic moduli of nanocomposites were calculated, considering interfacial effects.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Tailoring the mechanical and combustion performance of B/HTPB composite solid fuel with covalent interfaces

Yue Jiang, Juyoung Leem, Ashley M. Robinson, Shuai Wu, Andy H. Huynh, Dongwon Ka, Ruike Renee Zhao, Yan Xia, Xiaolin Zheng

Summary: The effect of interface engineering on the combustion and mechanical performance of high-loading B/HTPB composites was investigated in this study. It was found that both covalently bonded and nonpolar/nonpolar interfaces effectively reduced the aggregation of B particles, promoting combustion efficiency and burning rate, and enhancing the mechanical properties of the composites.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Influence of realistic microscopic fiber misalignments on compressive damage mechanisms of 3D angle-interlock woven composites: In-situ measurements and numerical simulations

Xiaoyu Wang, Tao Zheng, Zhixing Li, Licheng Guo

Summary: In this study, the first in-situ measurements of fiber misalignments in 3D angle-interlock woven composites (3DAWCs) were conducted using a high-resolution optical microscope. It was found that the microscopic fiber misalignments follow a normal distribution. By incorporating realistic fiber misalignments into the model, the overestimated predictions can be effectively corrected, and better agreement with experimental results is achieved. Furthermore, the influence of fiber misalignments on compressive damage mechanisms was studied.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Interfacial reinforcement of carbon fiber composites through a chlorinated aramid nanofiber interphase

Steven U. Mamolo, Henry A. Sodano

Summary: This study demonstrates that chlorination of ANFs and oxygen plasma treatment of carbon fibers enables the formation of a chlorinated ANF (Cl-ANF) interphase, resulting in a 79.8% increase in interfacial shear strength and a 33.7% increase in short beam strength in CFRP composites. This method provides a rapid and reliable process to improve the mechanical properties of CFRPs without degrading the tensile strength of the carbon fibers.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

On the post-impact fatigue behavior and theoretical life prediction of CF/ PEEK-titanium hybrid laminates using an energy dissipation approach

Chunming Ji, Jiqiang Hu, Rene Alderliesten, Jinchuan Yang, Zhengong Zhou, Yuguo Sun, Bing Wang

Summary: This paper investigates the effect of impact damage on the fatigue behavior of CF/PEEK-titanium hybrid laminates. A fatigue life model is proposed to predict the S-N curves of the laminates based on energy dissipation approach. The energy dissipation behavior of the laminates under different experimental conditions is analyzed through post-impact fatigue tests, and the correlation between impact damage and fatigue dissipation energy is determined. The validity of the proposed model is verified through fatigue tests under different stress ratios and impact energy levels.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Acoustic emission-based failure load prediction for plain woven laminates under quasi-static indentation

Yuhang Liu, Kai Huang, Junfeng Ding, Shangyang Yu, Zhixing Li, Li Zhang, Licheng Guo

Summary: This study proposes a method for accurately predicting the penetration failure load of composites using acoustic emission (AE) data. The method includes a cyclic loading test schedule and an extrapolation method based on uncertainty. The results show that this method can accurately predict the failure load when LR equals 1.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Mechanical, thermal insulation, and ablation behaviors of needle-punched fabric reinforced nanoporous phenolic composites: The role of anisotropic microstructure

Hongxiang Cai, Bo Niu, Zhen Qian, Tong Li, Peng Wang, Liang Li, Yu Cao, Yayun Zhang, Donghui Long

Summary: This study investigates the mechanical, thermal insulation, and ablation behaviors of needle-punched fabric reinforced nanoporous phenolic composites (NPC) under different directional mechanical or thermal loads. The results show that the woven fabric acts as the primary load-bearing structure in certain directions, and horizontally stacked woven fabrics effectively protect the internal material from thermal erosion. Furthermore, the angle between the woven fabric and thermal load significantly influences the ablation mechanism.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

A novel pultrusion method and axial compression behavior of 3-D braiding-winding-pultrusion composite tubes at different temperatures

Xi Liu, Wei Shen, Jincun Fu, Toshiaki Natsuki, Lvtao Zhu

Summary: The 3-D carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composite tubes were designed and formed using a novel braiding-winding-pultrusion processing technique. The effects of temperature environments on the mechanical responses and damage behaviors of the composite tubes were investigated, and it was found that the structural design of the tubes directly affects their axial bearing capacity.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Self-healing and in-situ real-time damage-reporting fiber-reinforced composite

Weihao Yuan, Ziyang Zhang, Yueshan Li, Yudong Huang, Zhengxiang Zhong, Zhen Hu

Summary: In this study, the simultaneous self-healing of matrix and interface damage of fiber-reinforced composites was achieved by integrating extrinsic self-healing based on microcapsules and internal self-healing based on coordination interaction. The high exothermic action of epoxy resin and mercaptan repair agent in the self-healing process was observed using infrared thermal imaging technology for in-situ and real-time damage detection.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

Super thermal-insulation PS/PMMA/CNTs composite foams with shape recovery property formed by the synergy of ultrasound and H2O in scCO2 foaming

Yaguang Yang, Fangfang Zou, Cuifang Lv, Zuoze Fan, Guangxian Li, Xia Liao

Summary: In this study, polymer foams with high expansion ratio and low thermal conductivity were successfully prepared through the introduction of ultrasound and water. Carbon nanotubes played a positive role in enhancing the melt strength of the foam and absorbing thermal radiation. Additionally, the reusability of the foam was further improved with increasing filler contents.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)

Article Materials Science, Composites

A simple rheological method for the experimental assessment of the fiber percolation threshold in short fiber biocomposites

Libera Vitiello, Martina Salzano de Luna, Veronica Ambrogi, Giovanni Filippone

Summary: The identification of the percolation threshold in short fiber composites is crucial for assessing material properties and biodegradation speed. In this study, an original rheological approach was used to estimate the percolation threshold of hemp and kenaf-based composites, which showed good agreement with conventional dielectric spectroscopy analyses.

COMPOSITES SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2024)