• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.422-428
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• 2023

The electrical contact resistance between the bipolar plate (BP) and the carbon felt electrode (CFE), which are in contact by the stack clamping pressure, has a great impact on the stack efficiency because of the relatively low clamping pressure of the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) stack. In this study, a polyethylene (PE) composite-CFE hybrid bipolar plate structure is developed through a local heat welding process to reduce such contact resistance and improve cell performance. The PE matrix of the carbon fiber composite BP is locally melted to create a direct contact structure between the carbon fibers of CFE and the carbon fibers of BP, thereby reducing the electrical contact resistance. Area specific resistance (ASR) and gas permeability are measured to evaluate the performance of the PE composite-CFE hybrid bipolar plate. In addition, an acid aging test is performed to measure stack reliability. Finally, a VFRB unit cell charge/discharge test is performed to compare and analyze the performance of the developed PE composite-CFE hybrid BP and the conventional BP.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.509-519
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• 2024

In this study, the static analysis of carbon nanotube-reinforced composites (CNTRC) beams resting on a Winkler-Pasternak elastic foundation is presented. The developed theories account for higher-order variation of transverse shear strain through the depth of the beam and satisfy the stress-free boundary conditions on the top and bottom surfaces of the beam. To study the effect of carbon nanotubes distribution in functionally graded (FG-CNT), we introduce in the equation of CNT volume fraction a new exponent equation. The SWCNTs are assumed to be aligned and distributed in the polymeric matrix with different patterns of reinforcement. The rule of mixture is used to describe the material properties of the CNTRC beams. The governing equations were derived by employing Hamilton's principle. The models presented in this work are numerically provided to verify the accuracy of the present theory. The analytical solutions are presented, and the obtained results are compared with the existing solutions to verify the validity of the developed theories. Many parameters are investigated, such as the Pasternak shear modulus parameter, the Winkler modulus parameter, the volume fraction, and the order of the exponent in the volume fraction equation. New results obtained from bending and stresses are presented and discussed in detail. From the obtained results, it became clear the influence of the exponential CNTs distribution and Winkler-Pasternak model improved the mechanical properties of the CNTRC beams.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.89 no.6
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• pp.557-570
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• 2024

Due to interfacial ageing, chemical action and interfacial damage, the interface debonding may appear in the interfaces of composite laminates. Particularly, the laminates display a side-dependent effect at small scale. In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) and anisotropic thick nanoplate model is proposed to investigate the effects of imperfect interface and nonlocal parameter on the bending deformation, vibrational response and buckling stability of one-dimensional (1D) hexagonal quasicrystal (QC) layered nanoplates. By combining the linear spring model with the transferring matrix method, exact solutions of phonon and phason displacements, phonon and phason stresses of bending deformation, the natural frequencies of vibration and the critical buckling loads of 1D hexagonal QC layered nanoplates are derived with imperfect interfaces and nonlocal effects. Numerical examples are illustrated to demonstrate the effects of the imperfect interface parameter, aspect ratio, thickness, nonlocal parameter, and stacking sequence on the bending deformation, the vibrational response and the critical buckling load of 1D hexagonal QC layered nanoplate. The results indicate that both the interface debonding and nonlocal effect can reduce the stiffness and stability of layered nanoplates. Increasing thickness of QC coatings can enhance the stability of sandwich nanoplates with the perfect interfaces, while it can reduce first and then enhance the stability of sandwich nanoplates with the imperfect interfaces. The biaxial compression easily results in an instability of the QC layered nanoplates compared to uniaxial compression. QC material is suitable for surface layers in layered structures. The mechanical behavior of QC layered nanoplates can be optimized by imposing imperfect interfaces and controlling the stacking sequence artificially. The present solutions are helpful for the various numerical methods, thin nanoplate theories and the optimal design of QC nano-composites in engineering practice with interfacial debonding.

• Archives of Metallurgy and Materials
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.907-911
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• 2019

Effects of various friction stir processing (FSP) variables on the microstructural evolution and microhardness of the AZ31 magnesium alloy were investigated. The processing variables include rotational and travelling speed of the tool, kind of second phase (i.e., diamond, Al₂O₃, and ZrO₂) and groove depth (i.e., volume fraction of second phase). Grain size, distribution of second phase particle, grain texture, and microhardness were analyzed as a function of the FSP process variables. The FSPed AZ31 composites fabricated with a high heat input condition showed the better dispersion of particle without macro defect. For all composite specimens, the grain size decreased and the microhardness increased regardless of the grooved depth compared with that of the FSPed AZ31 without strengthening particle, respectively. For the AZ31/diamond composite having a grain size of about 1 ㎛, microhardness (i.e., about 108 Hv) was about two times higher than that of the matrix alloy (i.e., about 52 Hv). The effect of second phase particle on retardation of grain growth and resulting hardness increase was discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.18 no.1 s.91
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• pp.21-28
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• 2006

This paper presents both experimental and analytical studies for the development of an ECC(Engineered Cementitious Composites) using ground granulated blast furnace slag(slag). This material has been focused on achieving moderately high composite strength while maintaining high ductility, represented by strain-hardening behavior in uniaxial tension. In the material development, micromechanics was adopted to properly select optimized range of the composition based on steady-state cracking theory and experimental studies on matrix, and interfacial properties. A single fiber pullout test and a wedge splitting test were employed to measure the bond properties of the fiber in a matrix and the fracture toughness of mortar matrix. The addition of the slag resulted in slight increases in the frictional bond strength and the fracture toughness. Subsequent direct tensile tests demonstrate that the fiber reinforced mortar exhibited high ductile uniaxial tension behavior with a maximum strain capacity of 3.6%. Both ductility and tensile strength(~5.3 MPa) of the composite produced with slag were measured to be significantly higher than those of the composite without slag. The slag particles contribute to improving matrix strength and fiber dispersion, which is incorporated with enhanced workability attributed to the oxidized grain surface. This result suggests that, within the limited slag dosage employed in the present study, the contribution of slag particles to the workability overwhelms the side-effect of decreased potential of saturated multiple cracking.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.21-29
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• 2008

Waste shell powder was added to the high density polyethylene(HDPE), and resultant mechanical properties and flame retardancy were analyzed in terms of shell content. Compatibilizer(PE-g-MA) was used to enhance the mechanical properties of the prepared HDPE/shell composites, and several flame retardant agents($Al_2O_3$, $Sb_2O_3$) were utilized to improve flame retardancy. Addition of the compatibilizer resulted in an improved mechanical properties due to the increased interfacial bonding between HDPE matrix and shell powder. In the case of impact strength, it even reached to the impact strength of pure HDPE. Also the addition of the flame retardant agents did not exhibit mechanical property decrease. UL-94 flammability test on the prepared HDPE/shell composites indicated that at 40wt% of shell only inclusion, time to ignite the flame and the total time of flame duration increased. When flame retardant agents mixed with shell powder were added to the HDPE matrix, improved flame retardancy was observed. Generally, flame retardancy effect of $Al_2O_3$ was better than $Sb_2O_3$. UL-94 V-0 classification was observed for the specimens with $Al_2O_3$ and compatibilizer at more than 40wt% shell, and also for specimens with $Sb_2O_3$ and compatibilizer at all shell content.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.144-152
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to evaluate the resistance to degradation of three commercial compomers in an alkaline solution. Dyract(Dentsply), Elan(Kerr) and F-2000(3M) polyacid modified resin composites(compomers) were used in this study. The resistance to degradation was evaluated on the basis of mass loss(%), degradation $depth({\mu}m)$ and Si, Al, Ba loss(ppm). The results were as follows : 1. The mass loss of each brand was $1.42%{\sim}2.14%$ and there was no statistically significant difference of mass loss among Dyract, F2000 and Elan. 2. The degradation layer depth of each brand was $182.92{\sim}227.7{\mu}m$ and there was no statistically significant difference of degradation layer depth among Dyract, F2000 and Elan. 3. There was statistically significant differences in Si-loss and Al-loss among three compomers (p<0.05). Si loss was the highest value in Dyract and Al loss was the highest value in F2000. 4. There was statistically significant correlation between mass loss and degradation layer depth (r=0.60, p<0.05). 5. In SEM finding, there was some destruction of compomer matrix-filler interface in post-exposure specimen to NaOH solution. As the matrix decreased, the filler particles distinguished and the periphery of the filler particles appeared whitish color due to degradation.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.98-105
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• 2017

In this study, the fiber blending ratio and strain rate effect on the tensile behavior of hybrid fiber reinforced cement composite was evaluated. Hooked steel fiber and polyvinyl alcohol fiber were used for reinforcing fiber. The fiber blending ratio of HSF+PVA were 1.5+0.5, 1.0+1.0 and 0.5+1.5vol.%. As a results, the tensile strength, strain capacity and fracture toughness of the hooked steel fiber reinforced cement composites were improved by the increase of the bond strength of the fiber and the matrix according to increase of strain rate. However, the tensile stress sharply decreased after the peak stress because of the decrease in the number of straightened pull-out fibers by micro cracks in the matrix around hooked steel fiber. On the other hand, PVA fiber showed cut-off fracture at strain rate $10^{-6}/s$ with multiple cracks. However, at the strain rate $10^1/s$, the multiple cracks and strain capacity were decreased because of the pull-out fracture of PVA fiber. The HSF1.5PVA0.5 shown the highest tensile strength because the PVA fiber suppressed the micro cracks in the matrix around the hooked steel fiber and improved the pull-out resistance of hooked steel fiber. Thus, DIF of strain capacity and fracture toughness of HSF1.5PVA were greatly improved. In addition, the synergistic response of fracture toughness was positive because the tensile stress was slowly decreased after the peak stress by improvement of the pull-out resistance of hooked steel fiber at strain rate $10^1/s$.

• Composites Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.323-330
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• 2017

In this study, multiscale analysis in which the information obtained from molecular dynamics simulation is applied to the continuum mechanics level is conducted to investigate the effects of clustering of silicon carbide nanoparticles reinforced into polypropylene matrix on mechanical behavior of nanocomposites. The elastic behavior of polymer nanocomposites is observed for various states of nanoparticulate agglomeration according to the model reflecting the degradation of interphase properties. In addition, factors which mainly affect the mechanical behavior of the nanocomposites are identified, and new index 'clustering density' is defined. The correlation between the clustering density and the elastic modulus of nanocomposites is understood. As the clustering density increases, the interfacial effect decreased and finally the improvement of mechanical properties is suppressed. By considering the random distribution of the nanoparticles, the range of elastic modulus of nanocomposites for same value of clustering density can be investigated. The correlation can be expressed in the form of exponential function, and the mechanical behavior of the polymer nanocomposites can be effectively predicted by using the nanoparticulate clustering density.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.205-215
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• 2017

Polymer membranes are cheap and easy in fabrication, and show a high permeability and selectivity, thus play pivotal roles in gas separation as well as water purification. However, polymer membranes typically exhibit the trade-off relation between permeability and selectivity; i.e. when the permeability is high, the selectivity is low and vice versa. Facilitated transport has been considered one of the solutions to address this issue. Over the last decades, facilitated transport concept had played an important role in preparing the membranes and providing ideal and various models for the transport. Understanding the nature of carrier, the mobility of matrix and the physico-chemical properties of polymer composites are crucial for facilitated transport. Depending on the mobility of carrier, facilitated transport membrane is classified into three; mobile carrier membrane, semi-mobile carrier membrane, fixed-site carrier membrane. Also, there are four types of reversible reaction between the carrier and the specific target; proton transfer reaction, nucleophilic addition reaction, p-complexation reaction and electrochemical reaction. The facilitated transport membranes have been applied in the separation of CO2, O2 and olefin (propylene or ethylene). In this review, major challenges surrounding facilitated transport membranes and the strategies to tackle these challenges are given in detail.