• Advances in nano research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.385-395
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• 2021

This research concentrates on the effects of distributions and volume fractions of carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the nonlinear bending behavior of deep cylindrical panels reinforced by functionally graded carbon nanotubes under thermo-mechanical loading, hitherto not reported in the literature. Assuming the effects of shear deformation and moderately high value of the radius-to-side ratio (R/a), based on the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) and von Karman type of geometric nonlinearity, the governing system of equations is obtained. The analytical solution of field equations is carried out using the Ritz method together with the Newton-Raphson iterative scheme. The effects of radius-to-side ratio, temperature change, and boundary conditions on the nonlinear response of the functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite deep cylindrical panel (FG-CNTRC) are investigated. It is concluded that, among the five possible distribution patterns of CNT, FG-V CNTRC deep cylindrical panel is strongest with the highest bending moment and followed by UD, X, O, and Ʌ-ones. Also, considering the present deep cylindrical panel formulation increases the accuracy of the results. Hence, according to the noticeable amount of R/a in FG-CNTRC cylindrical panels, it is mandatory to apply strain-displacement relations of deep cylindrical panels for bending analysis of FG-CNTRC which certainly is desirable for industrial application.

• Composites Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2019

Although carbon nanotubes(CNTs) have outstanding theoretical mechanical and electrical properties, CNT fibers(CNTFs) have not yet reached that level. Particularly, tensile strength is only about 10% or less, so studies for making up for it are being actively conducted. As a way for improving mechanical strength, methods such as synthesizing long CNT, orientation, chemical cross-linking, hydrogen bonding and polymer infiltration are being studied. In this review paper, we report preparation methods for highly conductive and strong CNTF/Carbon composites through coating and infiltration followed by carbonization of carbon precursor polymers such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polydopamine (PDA) on CNTFs.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.553-563
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• 2023

In the current research, the nonlinear free vibrations of curved pipes made of functionally graded (FG) carbon nanotube reinforced composite (CNTRC) materials are investigated. It is assumed that the FG-CNTRC curved pipe is supported on a three-parameter nonlinear elastic foundation and is subjected to a uniform temperature rise. Properties of the curved nanocomposite pipe are distributed across the radius of the pipe and are given by means of a refined rule of mixtures approach. It is also assumed that all thermomechanical properties of the nanocomposite pipe are temperature-dependent. The governing equations of the curved pipe are obtained using a higher order shear deformation theory, where the traction free boundary conditions are satisfied on the top and bottom surfaces of the pipe. The von Kármán type of geometrical non-linearity is included into the formulation to consider the large deflection in the curved nanocomposite pipe. For the case of nanocomposite curved pipes which are simply supported in flexure and axially immovable, the motion equations are solved using the two-step perturbation technique. The closed-form expressions are provided to obtain the small- and large-amplitude frequencies of FG-CNTRC curved pipes rested on a nonlinear elastic foundation in thermal environment. Numerical results are given to explore the effects of CNT distribution pattern, the CNT volume fraction, thermal environment, nonlinear foundation stiffness, and geometrical parameters on the fundamental linear and nonlinear frequencies of the curved nanocomposite pipe.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.136-143
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• 2021

Polyurea has been investigated as a polymer matrix for composite materials because of its high mechanical strength. Although polyurea has a similar chemical structure to polyurethane, it has much higher strength and durability. In this study, the fabrication of polyurea composites reinforced with carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene oxide (GO) is demonstrated to enhance the tensile strength of the glass fibers composite. Using FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, the chemical structures of polyurea, CNT, and GO are investigated. As a result, spectroscopy analysis reveals that the chemical structure of CNT, GO, and polyurea is maintained during the fabrication of the composite structure. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the uniform distribution of CNT and GO across the polyurea matrix. The reinforcement of 1 wt% CNT in polyurea enhances the tensile strength of CNT/polyurea composites. In contrast, the reinforcement of GO in polyurea induces the degradation of the tensile strength of GO/polyurea composites.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 2023

This paper deals with the free vibration behavior of rotating composite beams reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under uniform thermal loads. The temperature-dependent beam material is assumed to be a mixture of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in an isotropic matrix and five different functionally graded (FG) distributions of CNTs are considered according to the variation along the thickness, namely the UD-uniform, FG-O, FG-V, FG-Λ and FG-X distributions where FG-V and FG-Λ are unsymmetrical patterns. Considering the Timoshenko beam theory (TBT), a new finite element formulation of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced composite (FGCNTRC) beam is created for the first time. And the effects of several essential parameters including rotational speed, hub radius, effective material properties, slenderness ratio, boundary conditions, thermal force and moments due to temperature variation are considered in the formulation. By implementing different boundary conditions, some new results of both symmetric and non-symmetrical distribution patterns are presented in tables and figures to be used as benchmark for further validation. In addition, as an alternative advanced composite application for rotating systems exposed to thermal load, the positive effects of CNT addition in improving the dynamic performance of the system have been observed and the results are presented in several tables and figures.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1085-1103
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• 2016

The present paper is aimed to evaluate and compare the effective elastic properties of CNT- and graphene-based nanocomposites using 3-D nanoscale representative volume element (RVE) based on continuum mechanics using finite element method (FEM). Different periodic displacement boundary conditions are applied to the FEM model of the RVE to evaluate various elastic constants. The effects of the matrix material, the volume fraction and the length of reinforcements on the elastic properties are also studied. Results predicted are validated with the analytical and/or semiempirical results and the available results in the literature. Although all elastic stiffness properties of CNT- and graphene-based nanocomposites are found to be improved compared to the matrix material, but out-of-plane and in-plane stiffness properties are better improved in CNT- and graphene-based nanocomposites, respectively. It is also concluded that long nanofillers (graphene as well as CNT) are more effective in increasing the normal elastic moduli of the resulting nanocomposites as compared to the short length, but the values of shear moduli, except $G_{23}$ of CNT nanocomposite, of nanocomposites are slightly improved in the case of short length nanofillers (i.e., CNT and graphene).

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2011

In order to maximize the performance of polymer nano-composites, it is essential to understand an effect of a dispersion state on material properties as well as to achieve highly dispersed composites. In this work, a simple quantitative approach to evaluate the degree of dispersion was suggested for carbon nanotube (CNT) embedded polymer nano-composites. Through UV-visible spectroscopy analysis, the transmittance of nano-composites was measured at various dispersion states and it was found that the transmittance reduced as the dispersion state of CNT improved. Based on the results, an effective concentration factor for quantitative evaluation of dispersion state was introduced into the Beer-Lambert transmittance law. The proposed method and parameter to evaluate the degree of dispersion were verified by analyzing the transmittances at different dispersion states of CNT, concentrations of CNT and sample thicknesses.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.445-458
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• 2024

The objective of this paper is to present free vibration and static stability analyses of rotating composite beams reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under uniform thermal loads. Beam structural equations and CNT-reinforced composite (CNTRC) beam formulations are derived based on Timoshenko beam theory (TBT). The temperature-dependent properties of the beam material, such as the elastic modulus, shear modulus, and material density, are assumed to vary over the thickness according to the rule of mixture. The beam material is modeled as a mixture of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) in an isotropic matrix. The SWCNTs are aligned and distributed in the isotropic matrix with different patterns of reinforcement, namely the UD (uniform), FG-O, FG-V, FG- Λ and FG-X distributions, where FG-V and FG- Λ are asymmetric patterns. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effects of several essential parameters, including the rotational speed, hub radius, effective material properties, slenderness ratio, boundary conditions, thermal force, and moments due to temperature variation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study represents the first attempt at the finite element modeling of rotating CNTRC Timoshenko beams under a thermal environment. The results are presented in tables and figures for both symmetric and asymmetric distribution patterns, and can be used as benchmarks for further validation.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.243-256
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• 2022

A coupled finite element method (FEM)-boundary element method (BEM) for analyzing the hydroelastic response of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) floating plates under moving loads is firstly introduced in this article. For that aim, the plate displacement field is described utilizing a generalized shear deformation theory (GSDT)-based FEM, meanwhile the linear water-wave theory (LWWT)-relied BEM is employed for the fluid hydrodynamic modeling. Both computational domains of the plate and fluid are coincidentally discretized into 4-node Hermite elements. Accordingly, the C1-continuous plate element model can be simply captured owing to the inherent feature of third-order Hermite polynomials. In addition, this model is also completely free from shear correction factors, although the shear deformation effects are still taken into account. While the fluid BEM can easily handle the free surface with a lower computational effort due to its boundary integral performance. Material properties through the plate thickness follow four specific CNT distributions. Outcomes gained by the present FEM-BEM are compared with those of previously released papers including analytical solutions and experimental data to validate its reliability. In addition, the influences of CNT volume fraction, different CNT configurations, water depth, and load speed on the hydroelastic behavior of FG-CNTRC plates are also examined.

• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.355-362
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• 2013

Carbon particle based nanocomposites have been studied. Nanocomposites containing CNT and graphite particles were manipulated by aligning the micro/nano-size particles with electric field. Electric field is applied to the suspension of epoxy matrix and particulate inclusions in order to align them along the direction of the electric field. Particles aligned in a uniform direction act as a fiber in a CFRP composite. The mechanical strength and physical characteristics highly depend on particles' distribution pattern and amount. In this study, the characteristics of radioactive barrier are emphasized, which has been rarely discussed in the literature. A number of sample coupons were tested to verify their performance. The procedure of manufacturing nanocomposites by means of extremely small size particle alignment is presented in sequence. Several physical and structural performances of composites containing aligned and randomly distributed particles were compared. The results show particle alignment is very effective to enhance directional strength and radioactive barrier performance.