• Carbon letters
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.58-61
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• 2013

In this work, the effect of catalysts on the mechanical properties of carbon fibers-reinforced epoxy matrix composites cured by cationic latent thermal catalysts, i.e., N-benzylpyrazinium hexafluoroantimonate (BPH) was studied. Differential scanning calorimetry was executed for thermal characterization of the epoxy matrix system. Mechanical interfacial properties of the composites were studied by interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), critical stress intensity factor ($K_{IC}$), and specific fracture energy ($G_{IC}$). As a result, the conversion of neat epoxy matrix cured by BPH was higher than that of one cured by diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM). The ILSS, $K_{IC}$, $G_{IC}$, and impact strength of the composites cured by BPH were also superior to those of the composites cured by DDM. This was probably the consequence of the effect of the substituted benzene group of BPH catalyst, resulting in an increase in the cross-link density and structural stability of the composites studied.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2024

Upon direct/indirect exposure to flame or heat, composite structures may burn or thermally buckle. This issue becomes more important in the natural fiber-based composite structures with higher flammability and lower mechanical properties. The main goal of the present study was to obtain an optimal eco-friendly composite system with low flammability and high thermal buckling resistance. The studied composite consisted of polypropylene (PP) and short abaca fiber (AF) with eggshell powder (ESP) and halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs) additives. An optimal base composite, consisting of 30 wt.% AF and 70 wt.% PP, abbreviated as OAP, was initially introduced based on burning rate (BR) and the Young's modulus determined by horizontal burning test (HBT) and tensile test, respectively. The effects of adding ESP to the base composite were then investigated with the same experimental tests. The results indicated that though the BR significantly decreased with the increase of ESP content up to 6 wt.%, it had a very destructive influence on the stiffness of the composite. To compensate for the damaging effect of ESP, small amount of HNT was used. The performance of OAP composite with 6 wt.% ESP and 3 wt.% HNT (OAPEH) was explored by conducting HBT, cone calorimeter test (CCT) and tensile test. The experimental results indicated a 9~23 % reduction in almost all flammability parameters such as heat release rate (HRR), total heat released (THR), maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE), total smoke released (TSR), total smoke production (TSP), and mass loss (ML) during combustion. Furthermore, the combination of 6 wt.% ESP and 3 wt.% HNT reduced the stiffness of OAP to an insignificant amount by maximum 3%. Moreover, the char residue analysis revealed the distinct differences in the formation of char between AF/PP and AF/PP/ESP/HNT composites. Afterward, dilatometry test was carried out to examine the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of OAP and OAPEH samples. The obtained results showed that the CTE of OAPEH composite was about 18% less than that of OAP. Finally, a theoretical model was used based on first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) to predict the critical bucking temperatures of the OAP and OAPEH composite plates. It was shown that in the absence of mechanical load, the critical buckling temperatures of OAPEH composite plates were higher than those of OAP composites, such that the difference between the buckling temperatures increased with the increase of thickness. On the contrary, the positive effect of CTE reduction on the buckling temperature decreased by raising the axial compressive mechanical load on the composite plates which can be assigned to the reduction of stiffness after the incorporation of ESP. The results of present study generally stated that a suitable combination of AF, PP, ESP, and HNT can result in a relatively optimal and environmentally friendly composite with proper flame and thermal buckling resistance with no significant decline in the stiffness.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2018

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), reinforced with different contents of silica (with or without modification using silane coupling agents), was prepared by a modified sol-gel method involving hydrolyzation of tetraethoxysilane over an acid catalyst. The structures of the as-prepared samples were characterized using various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The mechanical properties of the as-prepared samples were discussed in detail. The results revealed an increasing of the storage modulus (G') with increase in the silica content without modification. In contrast, G' decreased after modification using silane coupling agents, indicating a reduction in the silica-silica interaction and improved dispersion of silica in the SBR matrix. Both tensile stress and hardness increased with increase in the silica content (with modification) in the SBR matrix, albeit with low values compared to the samples with un-modified silica, except for the case of silica modified using (3-glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GPTS). The latter observation can be attributed to the special structure of GPTS and the effort of oxygen atom lone-pair.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2022

To realize the infinite possibilities of materials derived from wood, it is necessary to overcome the weak moisture stability of wood. Thus, the development of an eco-friendly hydrophobic coating agent is essential, and of these, woody biomass-based materials are strongly attractive as coatings. In this study, eco-friendly hydrophobic wood coatings were prepared using carnauba wax purified from palm leaves and sprouts, and kraft lignin. The physicochemical properties of the carnauba wax/lignin blends according to the ratio of carnauba wax and lignin were observed by morphology and functional group change. In addition, the coating performance of carnauba wax/lignin blend coatings was confirmed by measuring the contact angle change. It was found that the addition of lignin could accelerate the atomization of wax particles, and that micro-roughness can be realized when applied to the actual wood surface, to ensure that the coating effect over time lasts longer. In addition, it was confirmed that the addition of lignin increases the hydrogen-bond-based interaction with the wood of the coating, thereby providing better coating stability and increasing the durability of the coating solvent under friction. The carnauba wax/lignin paint developed in this way is eco-friendly because all components are made of wood-based raw materials and have an excellent affinity with wood surfaces. Therefore, it is expected to be applicable to the coating process of wood-plastic composites and timber composites.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2023

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) is a material whose mechanical properties change according to the phase separation of its unique internal microstructure and is therefore used in various industries. Use of TPU as composites helps in improving the desirable characteristics and properties in accordance with usage. Eco-friendly fillers one of the fillers are on the rise and those are mostly used for reinforcing role. Suberin, which can be extracted from cork, is the main component of cork. It is known to serve high damping property of elastomer composite. The original chemical structure of Suberin is an aliphatic polyester aggregate. In this research, Suberin is obtained after depolymerization into an oligomer having 2 or 3 ester bonds through alkaline hydrolysis. The extracted suberin was added to the matrix which is thermoplastic polyurethane as an eco-friendly filler for improving vibration damping property. As a result, when 10 wt% of suberin was added into thermoplastic polyurethane the existing trade-off relationship was overcome. And it is attained the elastic modulus and damping factor at room temperature improving 92 and 59%, respectively, compared to the original matrix. Those results are from the interaction between the microstructure of TPU and suberin.

• Composites Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.232-241
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• 2022

Plasticizers are chemical additives added to polymers to have a desirable effect on mechanical properties such as processability and ductility. In this paper, we explore the use and market of eco-friendly plasticizers that can replace phthalate-based plasticizers that have been traditionally used in the plastics market. Bio plasticizers are derived primarily from biomass sources, including agricultural products, by-products and wastes. Regardless of the source of biomass, an ideal eco-friendly plasticizer should be non-toxic, have high resistance to volatilization, extraction, and migration, have good compatibility and compatibility, and be economical. The global bio plasticizer market is expected to reach USD 2.1 billion by 2030 from USD 1.3 billion in 2020, growing at a CAGR of 5.31% from 2021 to 2030.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.258-268
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• 2021

This study conducted on the introduction of recycled cellulose fibers, which are widely used in the textile industry as eco-friendly biomass materials, into polypropylene resins, which are mainly used for interior and exterior materials such as door trims and console parts of automobiles. In general, cellulose fibers can affect mechanical properties and have a lightening effect when used as a reinforcing agent. However, since cellulose fibers have hydrophilic properties and have relatively low compatibility with industrial polymer resins, they are used in combination through fiber hydrophobic surface treatment. Therefore, through this study, the reforming reaction conditions optimized in terms of hydrophobicity and workability for cellulose fibers are studied. Furthermore, polypropylene containing surface-modified cellulose fibers was prepared to compare physical properties by fiber content and study optimized content.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.202-206
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• 2018

Five solution styrene butadiene rubber/neodymium butadiene rubber (SSBR/NdBR) composites were manufactured using different ratios of SSBR and NdBR. In this study, the composites were reinforced with NdBR and silica to confirm the physical properties of SSBR used for treads of automobile tires and the dispersibility with silica. The morphologies of the rubber composites were observed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The crosslinking behaviors of the composites were tested using a rubber process analyzer (RPA), and the abrasion resistances were tested using a National Bureau of Standards (NBS) abrasion tester. The hardness values, tensile strengths, and cold resistances of the composites were also tested according to ASTM standards. Increased NdBR content yielded composites with excellent crosslinking properties, abrasion resistances, hardnesses, tensile strengths, and cold resistances. The crosslinking point increased due to the double bond in NdBR, thereby increasing the degree of crosslinking in the composites. The NdBR-reinforced composites exhibited excellent abrasion resistances, which is explained as follows. In SSBR, a breakage is permanent because a resonance structure between styrene and SSBR forms when the molecular backbone is broken during the abrasion process. However, NdBR forms an additional crosslink due to the breakdown of the molecular backbone and high reactivity of the radicals produced. In addition, the low glass transition temperature (Tg) of NdBR provided the rubber composites with excellent cold resistances.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.448-453
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• 2023

This paper explores developing sustainable 3D printing filaments using organic soybean hulls mixed with polylactic acid (PLA). The study experiments with various particle sizes and mixing ratios, examining the physical and mechanical properties of the resulting filaments. Results show that smaller soybean hull particles and specific mixing ratios enhance the filament's quality while maintaining PLA's characteristics. This research signifies a step towards environmentally friendly 3D printing materials, offering a viable alternative to conventional filaments and addressing ecological concerns in the industry.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.28-37
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• 2019

Due to their flexible tailoring qualities, composites have become fascinating materials for structural engineers. While the research area of fiber-reinforced composite materials was previously limited to synthetic materials, natural fibers have recently become the primary research focus as the best alternative to artificial fibers. The natural fibers are eco-friendly and relatively cheaper than synthetic fibers. The main concern of current research into natural fiber-reinforced composites is the prediction and enhancement of the effective material properties. In the present work, finite element analysis is used with a numerical homogenization approach to determine the effective material properties of jute fiber-reinforced epoxy composites with various volume fractions of fiber. The finite element analysis results for the jute fiber-reinforced epoxy composite are then compared with several well-known analytical models.