• Composites Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-6
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• 2009

This paper presents an experimental study on the piezoresistive behavior of nanocomposite strain sensors subjected to various loading modes and their capability to detect structural deformations and damages. The electrically conductive nanocomposites were fabricated in the form of a film using various types of thermoplastic polymers and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) at various loadings. In this study, the nanocomposite strain sensors were bonded to a substrate and subjected to tension, flexure, or compression. In tension and flexure, the resistivity change showed dependence on measurement direction, indicating that the sensors can be used for multi-directional strain sensing. In addition, the sensors exhibited a decreasing behavior in resistivity as the compressive load was applied, suggesting that they can be used for pressure sensing. This study demonstrates that the nanocomposite strain sensors can provide a pathway to affordable, effective, and versatile structural health monitoring.

• 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.33 no.3
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• pp.91-100
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• 2020

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastic resin that has outstanding thermal stability, mechanical strength, inherent flame retardancy, chemical resistance, and electrical properties. Due to these outstanding properties, it is preferred as a matrix for composite materials. Many studies have been conducted to produce composites with carbon fibers and glass fibers to improve mechanical properties and provide functionality of PPS. In this review paper, we report a brief introduction to the fabrication and applications of PPS composites with carbon nanotubes, graphene, carbon fibers, and glass fibers.