• Advances in concrete construction
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.331-343
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• 2017

In this study a polymer concrete, made up of natural aggregates and an orthophthalic polyester binder, reinforced with natural Alfa fibers has been studied. The results of flexural testing of unreinforced polymer concrete with different rates of charges (marble) showed that the concrete with 20% of marble is stronger and more rigid compared to other grades. Hence, a rate of 20% of marble powder is selected as the optimal value in the development of polymer concrete reinforced Alfa fibers. The fracture results of reinforced polymer concrete with 1 and 2 wt% of chopped untreated or treated Alfa fibers showed that treated Alfa (5% NaOH) fiber reinforced polymer concrete has higher fracture properties than other composites. We believe that this type of concrete provides a very promising alternative for the building industry seeking to achieve the objectives of sustainable development.

• Composites Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.213-219
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• 2020

Recently, global facing environmental issues have been raised caused by plastic waste. Hence, increasing the demand for interest in environmentally friendly materials. In this row, research on engineering composite materials also replacing the synthetic reinforcement by introducing natural fibers. However, focus on the strength and interfacial adhesion between matrix and reinforcement is very essential in natural fiber composite, which is insufficient in the literature. There are number of approaches for improving the mechanical strength of the composites, one of the common methods is to reinforce additive nanoparticles. The present investigation, bio-additives were synthesized utilizing bio-waste, cheap, bio-degradable sea-weed powder that could replace expensive nanomaterials and reinforced into the CFRP composite through Hand lay-up followed by a vacuum process. Mechanical properties were evaluated and analyzed through microanalysis. The results concluded that synthesized additives are effective for improving mechanical properties such as tensile, flexural, impact, and shear strength. Overall, the results confirmed that the fabricated composites have potential applications in the field of engineering applications.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.79-92
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• 2015

In this study, free vibration analyses of symmetric laminated cantilever and simply supported damaged composite beams are investigated by using finite element method (FEM). Free vibration responses of damaged beams are examined using Euler Bernoulli beam and classical lamination theories. A computer code is developed by using MATLAB software to determine the natural frequencies of a damaged beam. The local damage zone is assumed to be on the surface lamina of the beam by broken fibers after impact. The damaged zone is modeled as a unidirectional discontinuous lamina with $0^{\circ}$ orientations in this study. Fiber volume fraction ($v_f$), fiber aspect ratio ($L_f/d_f$), damage length ($L_D$) and its location (${\lambda}/L$), fiber orientation and stacking sequence parameters effects on natural frequencies are investigated. These parameters are affected the natural frequency values significantly.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.335-347
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• 2007

Green composites composed of long maize fibers and poly $\varepsilon$-caprolactone (PCL) biodegradable polyester matrix were manufactured by the thermo-mechanical processing termed as 'Sequential Molding and Forming Process' that was developed previously by the authors' research group. A variety of processing parameters such as fiber area fraction, molding temperature and forming pressure were systematically controlled and their influence on the tensile properties was investigated. It was revealed that both tensile strength and elastic modulus of the composites increase steadily depending on the increase in fiber area fraction, suggesting a general conformity to the rule of mixtures (ROM), particularly up to 55% fiber area fraction. The improvement in tensile properties was found to be closely related to the good interfacial adhesion between the fiber and polymer matrix, and was observed to be more pronounced under the optimum processing condition of $130^{\circ}C$ molding temperature and 10 MPa forming pressure. However, processing out of the optimum condition results in a deterioration in properties, mostly fiber and/or matrix degradation together with their interfacial defect as a consequence of the thermal or mechanical damages. On the basis of microstructural observation, the cause of strength degradation and its countermeasure to provide a feasible composite design are discussed in relation to the optimized process conditions.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.274-280
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• 2020

This study compared the mechanical properties of bamboo fiber composites and kenaf fiber composites through physical treatment (ultrasonic treatment). Kenaf, a composite of PP reinforced with bamboo fiber, was made using injection molding technology. PP was used as a binder and the ultrasonic treatment time of bamboo and kenaf was increased by 30 minutes to compare and study various mechanical properties of bamboo and kenaf composites through physical treatment. Interfacial properties such as internal cracks and internal structure of the wave cross section were confirmed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). As a result of the ultrasonic treatment, most of the characteristics were fragile as the ultrasonic treatment time was increased, and it was confirmed that the natural characteristics of the twisted fibers had a great influence on the characteristics of the composite material.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.253-260
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• 2008

Environmentally friendly biocomposites were made using plant-based natural fibers, such as henequen and kenaf. The natural fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) and unsaturated polyester (UP) biocomposites were examined in terms of the reinforcing effect of natural fibers on thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers. Kenaf (KE) and henequen (HQ) fibers were treated with an electron beam (EB) of 10 and 200 kGy doses, respectively, or with a 5 wt% NaOH solution. Four types of biocomposites (KE/PP, HQ/PP, KE/UP and HQ/UP) were fabricated by compression molding and each biocomposite was characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The kenaf fiber had the larger reinforcing effect on the dynamic mechanical properties of both PP and UP biocomposites than the henequen fiber. The highest storage modulus was obtained from the biocomposite with the combination of UP matrix and 200 kGy EB treated kenaf fibers.

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.13-20
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• 2005

Interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of environmentally friendly natural fiber reinforced polymer composites plays a very important role in controlling the overall mechanical performance. The IFSS of various Ramie and Kenaf fibers/epoxy composites was evaluated using the combination of micromechanical test and nondestructive acoustic emission (AE) to find out optimal conditions for desirable final performance. Dynamic contact angle was measured for Ramie and Kenaf fibers and correlated the wettability properties with interfacial adhesion. Mechanical properties of Ramie and Kenaf fibers were investigated using single-fiber tensile test and analyzed statistically by both uni-and bimodal Weibull distributions. An influence of clamping effect on a real elongation for both Ramie and Kenaf fibers were evaluated as well. Two different microfailure modes, axial debonding and fibril fracture coming from fiber bundles and single fiber composites (SFC) were observed under tension and compression.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.86-95
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• 2019

Recently, the applications of carbon fiber have been broader than ever when it comes to such industrials as automobiles, ships, aerospace, civil engineering and architecture because of their lightweight-ness and high mechanical properties. This study analyzed mechanical properties and flexural behavior of carbon fiber reinforced cement composites(CFRC) with different fiber contents and fiber lengths, and also impact resistance by natural drop test on mortar specimens was compared and examined. In addition, contents of carbon fiber(CF) were varied by 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%. Fiber lengths was used for 6 mm and 12 mm, respectively. As a result of the test, the flow value was very disadvantageous in terms of fluidity due to the carbon fiber ball phenomenon, and the unit weight was slightly reduced. In particular, the compressive strength was decreased with increasing carbon fiber contents. On the other hand, the flexural strength was the highest with 12 mm fiber length and 2% fiber content. As the results of the impact resistance test, the specimens of plain mortar takes about 2~3 times to final fracture, while the specimens of CFRC is somewhat different depending on the increase of the fiber contents. However, when the fiber length is 12 mm and the fiber content is 2%, the impact resistance was the highest.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.74 no.4
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• pp.515-520
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• 2020

In the modern era, the world is facing unprecedented challenges in form of environmental pollution and international agencies are forcing scientists and materialists to look for green materials and structures to counter this problem. Composites based on renewable sources like plant based fibres, vegetable fibres are finding increasing use in interior components of automobile vehicles, aircraft, and building construction. In the present study, jute and flax fibre based composites were developed and tested for assessing their suitability for possible applications in interior cabin and parts of automobile and aerospace vehicles. Matrix system involves epoxy as resin and fibre weight fractions used were 45% and 55% respectively. Composites samples were prepared as per American society for testing and materials (ASTM) standard and were tested for individual fiber tensile strength, composite tensile strength, and flexural strength to analyse its behavior under various loading conditions. The results revealed that the Jute fibre composites possess enhanced mechanical properties over Flax fibre composites.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.349-360
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• 2007

Recently, natural fiber reinforced composite is attracting attention and considered as an environmentally friendly material. Usually cellulosic fibers are used to reinforce the composites, but some protein fibers such as silk and wool serve the same purpose. In this paper, we proposed a method of producing artistic composite from artistic fabric by using silk fiber reinforced biodegradable plastic, which is designated as 'silk composite', for reinforcement. In order to expand applications of the silk composite, we performed the compression molding of decorative laminates with woody material, which was selected as a core material, and examined the properties of molded decorative laminates with various content of the silk composite. Since plywood and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) are widely used for decorative laminates, we selected them as core materials. As a result, flexible decorative laminates with high flexural strength were obtained by compounding the silk composite with wood materials.