• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.282-287
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• 2018

In this paper, we explore interfacial properties of the mineralized CNTs when they are employed as reinforcing fillers in a polymer nanocomposite using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Recently, several studies on mineralizing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with an aid of nitrogen doping to CNTs have been reported. However, there is a lack of studies on the reinforcing effects of the mineralized CNTs when it is employed as a filler of nanocomposites. Silica ($SiO_2$) is used as a mineral material and poly (methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) is used as a polymer matrix. Pull-out simulations are conducted to obtain the interfacial energy and the interfacial shear stress. It was found that the silica mineralized CNTs have higher interfacial interaction with the polymer matrix. In the future, by examining various thermomechanical properties of the mineralized-CNT-filler/polymer nanocomposites, we will search for potential applications of the novel reinforcing filler.

• Composites Research
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.357-372
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• 2021

The energy harvesting device is known to be promising as an alternative to solve the resource shortage caused by the depletion of petroleum resources. In order to overcome the limitations (environmental pollution and low mechanical properties) of piezoelectric elements capable of converting mechanical motion into electrical energy, many studies have been conducted on a polymer matrix-based composite piezoelectric energy harvesting device. In this paper, the output performance and related applications of the reported piezoelectric composites are reviewed based on the applied materials and processes. As for the piezoelectric fillers, zinc oxide, which is advantageous in terms of eco-friendliness, biocompatibility, and flexibility, as well as ceramic fillers based on lead zirconate titanate and barium titanate, were reviewed. The polymer matrix was classified into piezoelectric polymers composed of polyvinylidene fluoride and copolymers, and flexible polymers based on epoxy and polydimethylsiloxane, to discuss piezoelectric synergy of composite materials and improvement of piezoelectric output by high external force application, respectively. In addition, the effect of improving the conductivity or the mechanical properties of composite material by the application of a metal or carbon-based secondary filler on the output performance of the piezoelectric harvesting device was explained in terms of the structure of the composite material. Composite material-based piezoelectric harvesting devices, which can be applied to small electronic devices, smart sensors, and medicine with improved performance, can provide potential insights as a power source for wireless electronic devices expected to be encountered in future daily life.

• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.192-201
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• 2018

The use of 3D printing for rapid tooling and manufacturing has promised to produce components with complex geometries according to computer designs and it is emerging as the next generation key of manufacturing. Due to the intrinsically limited mechanical/electrical properties and functionalities of printed pure polymer parts, there is a critical need to develop 3D printable polymer composites with high performance. This article gives a review on 3D printing techniques of polymer composite materials and the properties and performance of 3D printed composite parts as well as their potential applications in the various fields.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2023

Because polymer-based composites are lightweight and have excellent properties, their demand is growing rapidly as a way to fulfill properties that are difficult to achieve with a single material. As a result, there has been a lot of research on polymer nanocomposites, which are made by dispersing particles with a size of 1-100 nm in a polymer matrix. In addition, many nanocomposites using thermoplastic resins as matrix materials are being studied. In this study, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)-based nanocomposites containing organic nanoclays modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as interlayer materials were prepared. Among various nanoclays, vermiculite (VMT) has been studied to increase the mechanical and thermal properties of polymeric materials due to its low cost, abundant reserves and unique properties. However, the strong interlayer bonding of VMT has limited its utilization due to its poor exfoliation and dispersion performance within polymer matrices. In this study, the mechanical properties of the VMT content were confirmed by tensile tests, the dispersion of VMT particles in the PET matrix was evaluated by TEM cross-sectional images, and the nitrogen gas barrier properties were evaluated.

• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.66-72
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• 2016

Porosity in polymer matrix composites increases rapidly during thermochemical decomposition at high temperatures. The generation of pores reduces elastic moduli and failure strengths of composite materials, and gas pressures in internal pores influence thermomechanical behaviors. In this paper, micromechanical finite element analysis is carried out by using two-dimensional representative volume elements for unidirectionally fiber-reinforced composites with porous matrix. According to the state of the pores, effective elastic moduli, poroelastic parameters and failure strengths of the overall composites are investigated in detail. In particular, it is confirmed that the failure strengths in the transvers and through-thickness directions are predicted much more weakly than the strength of nonpored matrix, and decrease consistently as the porosity of matrix increases.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.81-85
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• 2017

Fiber-reinforced polymer composites, which are made by combining a continuous fiber that acts as reinforcement and a homogeneous polymeric material that acts as a host, are engineering materials with high strength and stiffness and a lightweight structure. In this study, a shape memory alloy(SMA) reinforced composite actuator is presented. This actuator is used to generate large deformations in single lightweight structures and can be used in applications requiring a high degree of adaptability to various external conditions. The proposed actuator consists of numerous individual laminas of the glass-fiber fabric that are embedded in a polymeric matrix. To characterize its deformation behavior, the composition of the actuator was changed by changing the matrix material and the number of the glass-fiber fabric layers. In addition, current of various magnitudes were applied to each actuator to study the effect of the heating of SMA wires on applying current.

• Proceedings of the Acoustical Society of Korea Conference
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• autumn
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• pp.265-268
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• 1999

감쇠가 큰 고분자 복합재료에서 초음파 다중반사파를 이용한 Pulse Echo법, 공진주파수에서 내부마찰계수 측정법과 Rheometer를 이용한 동적탄성계수 측정법을 사용하여 음향감쇠계수를 측정하고 각각의 측정자료를 비교하는 연구를 수행하였다. Pulse Echo법을 이용하여 0.5, 1.0, 2.25MHz에서 음향감쇠계수를 측정하였고, 이때 폴리에틸렌기지 복합재료의 음향감쇠계수는 강화재의 부피분율에 따라 3-15dB/cm 정도로 큰 값을 나타내었다. 폴리에틸렌기지 복합재료를 600kHz 근처에서 공진주파수를 가지도록 시편을 만든 후에 내부마찰계수를 측정한 결과로 계산된 음향감쇠계수는 Pulse Echo 실험에서 구한 값과 잘 일치하는 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. Rheometer를 이용한 동적탄성계수 측정법은 0.1-100Hz의 주파수에서 측정한 자료를 TTSP 이론을 이용하여 1MHz의 결과와 비교하였는데, 단일 고분자 재료에서는 다른 측정방법과 음향감쇠계수가 일치하였지만 복합재료에서는 음향감쇠계수값이 일치하지 않는 결과를 나타내었다.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.197-203
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• 2015

Tensile properties of polypropylene based self-reinforced composites were investigated as a function of process variables of the double-belt lamination equipment such as pressure, temperature and cooling conditions. Elastic modulus was enhanced approximately 6 times from 0.2 to 1.2 GPa. The improvement mechanism was studied by identification of crystalline structure changes using DSC and XRD analysis. In addition, morphology change of self-reinforced composites was also investigated by SEM analysis in order to reveal the degree of impregnation.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.316-322
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• 2017

Carbon fiber is a material with excellent mechanical, electrical and thermal properties, which is widely used as a composite material made of a polymer matrix. However, this composite material has a weak point of interlaminar delamination due to weak interfacial bond with polymer matrix compared with high strength and elasticity of carbon fiber. In order to solve this problem, it is essential to use reinforcements. Due to excellent mechanical properties, graphene have been expected to have large improvement in physical properties as a reinforcing material. However, the aggregation of graphene and the weak interfacial bonding have resulted in failure to properly implement reinforcement effect. In order to solve this problems, dispersibility will be improved. In this study, functionalization of graphene nanoplatelet was proceeded with melamine and mixed with epoxy polymer matrix. The carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites were fabricated using the prepared graphene nanoplatelet/epoxy and flexural properties and interlaminar shear strength were measured. As a result, it was confirmed that the dispersibility of graphene nanoplatelet was improved and the mechanical properties of the composite material were increased.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.130-135
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• 2015

This study investigates the property of graphene filled polymer nanocomposites in LEO(Low Earth orbit) environment conditions. In order to improve compatibility with polymer matrices and resistance of carbon material against AO(Atomic oxygen) attack, silanization of graphene oxide with organosilane was carried out. The corresponding moieties were characterized through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Graphene oxide filled nanocomposites were prepared using solution based processing methods. The sets of specimen series were tested in an accelerated LEO simulated space environment facility. Graphene oxide and silane treated graphene oxide reinforced nanocomposites were compared with neat epoxy. The comparison revealed that the silane treated graphene filled polymer composite shows inherent resistance against atomic oxygen attack while the lack of silane treatment resulted in a reduction in performance.