• Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.6
• /
• pp.423-430
• /
• 2013

In this research, a paramteric study to account for the effect of interfacial strength and nanotube agglomeration on the elastoplastic behavior of carbon nanotube reinforced polypropylene composites is performed. At first, the elastoplastic behavior of nanocomposites is predicted from molecular dynamics(MD) simulations. By combining the MD simulation results with the nonlinear micromechanics model based on the Mori-Tanaka model, a two-step domain decomposition method is applied to inversely identify the elastoplastic behavior of adsorption interphase zone inside nanocomposites. In nonlinear micromechanics model, the secant moduli method combined with field fluctuation method is used to predict the elastoplastic behavior of nanocomposites. To account for the imperfect material interface between nanotube and matrix polymer, displacement discontinuity condition is applied to the micromechanics model. Using the elastoplastic behavior of the adsorption interphase zone obtained from the present study, stress-strain relation of nanocomposites at various interfacial bonding condition and local nanotube agglomeration is predicted from nonlinear micromechanics model with and without the adsorption interphase zone. As a result, it has been found that local nanotube agglomeration is the most important design factor to maximize reinforcing effect of nanotube in elastic and plastic behavior.

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

• Elastomers and Composites
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.70-77
• /
• 2011

A new piece of test equipment, the slurry wear tester (SWT), was proposed in this study to evaluate the wear behavior of rubber vulcanizate in environmental contact with slurry. Natural rubber (NR) and chloroprene rubber (CR) were chosen as the basic matrices to test the slurry wear. The fluids used to fill the chamber of the SWT were 35% HCl and NaCl solution. The Akron abrasion test was used for comparison with SWT. According to the results of the Akron abrasion test, CR vulcanizate abraded more rapidly than NR vulcanizate under same test condition. It was found that the hysteresis of rubber was key factor contribute to the wear behavior. However, the slurry wear rate of the NR and CR vulcanizates did not change significantly, even with changes in the concentration of acid and the immersion time in both HCl and NaCl solutions; the fluid decreased the friction between the abrasive paper and the specimen. It also reduced the heat generated from repeated deformation and wear debris at the surface of the SWT's abrasion arm. Thus, these phenomena affected the wear behavior of rubber vulcanizate and caused different results in the conventional Akron abrasion test. This outcome could have resulted in an incorrect analysis if the slurry wear behavior of the rubber vulcanizate was estimated by the conventional abrasion tests, which are operated under dry conditions.

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

• Journal of Adhesion and Interface
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2001

Curing behavior and interfacial properties were evaluated using electrical resistance measurement and tensile/compressive fragmentation test. Electrical resistivity difference (${\Delta}R$) during curing process was not observed in a bare carbon fiber. On the other hand, ${\Delta}R$ appeared due to the matrix contraction in single-carbon fiber/epoxy composite. Logarithmic electrical resistivity of the untreated single-carbon fiber composite increased suddenly to the infinity when the fiber fracture occurred under tensile loading, whereas that of the ED composite reached relatively broadly up to the infinity. Comparing to the untreated case, interfacial shear strength (IFSS) of the ED treated composite increased significantly in both tensile fragmentation and compressive Broutman test. Microfailure modes of the untreated and the ED treated fiber composite showed the debonding and the cone shapes in tensile test, respectively. For compressive test, fractures of diagonal slippage were observed in both untreated and the ED treated composite. Sharp-end shape fractures exhibited in the untreated composite, whereas relatively dull fractures showed in the ED Heated composite. It is proved that ED treatments affected differently on the interfacial adhesion and microfailure mechanism under tensile/compressive tests.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.40-44
• /
• 2016

Nuclear fuel cladding used in a nuclear power plant must possess superior oxidation resistance in the coolant atmosphere of high temperature/high pressure. However, as was the case for the critical LOCA (loss-of-coolant accident) accident that took place in the Fukushima disaster, there is a risk of hydrogen explosion when the nuclear fuel cladding and steam reacts dramatically to cause a rapid high-temperature oxidation accompanied by generation of a huge amount of hydrogen. Hence, an active search is ongoing for an alternative material to be used for manufacturing of nuclear fuel cladding. Studies are currently aimed at improving the safety of this cladding. In particular, ceramic-based nuclear fuel cladding, such as SiC, is receiving much attention due to the excellent radiation resistance, high strength, chemical durability against oxidation and corrosion, and excellent thermal conduction of ceramics. In the present study, cladding with $SiC_f/SiC$ protective films was fabricated using a process that forms a matrix phase by polymer impregnation of polycarbosilane (PCS) after filament-winding the SiC fiber onto an existing Zry-4 cladding tube. It is analyzed the oxidation and microstructure of the metal cladding with $SiC_f/SiC$ composite protective films using a drop tube furnace for thermal shock test.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.518-525
• /
• 2013

To improve the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) biocomposites reinforced with sulfuric acidtreated green algae (SGA), SGA/graphite nanoplatelets (GNP)/PP biocomposites were prepared and their properties were evaluated depending on the particle size and content of GNP. The flexural and impact strength of SGA/GNP/PP biocomposites decreased with the addition of GNP, whereas the flexrual and storage moduli were greatly improved with increasing GNP loading. SGA/GNP/PP biocomposites reinforced with GNP5 showed generally better mechanical properties compared to that reinforced with GNP15 mainly due to the improved dispersion of the smaller GNP. SGA/GNP/PP biocomposites reinforced with GNP5 showed a lower resistance to the thermal expansion because the relatively uniform dispersion of smaller GNP was responsible for the effective heat transfer to the polymer matrix. As a result, SGA/GNP/PP biocomposite was acceptable for the general purpose application due to the improved flexural resistance, storage moduli, and damping characteristics.

• Composites Research
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.138-144
• /
• 2017

Damage sensing of polymer composite films consisting of poly(dicyclopentadiene) p-DCPD and carbon nanotube (CNT) was studied experimentally. Only up to 1st ring-opening polymerization occurred with the addition of CNT, which made the modified film electrically conductive, while interfering with polymerization. The interfacial adhesion of composite films with varying CNT concentration was evaluated by measuring the wettability using the static contact angle method. 0.5 wt% CNT/p-DCPD was determined to be the optimal condition via electrical dispersion method and tensile test. Dynamic fatigue test was conducted to evaluate the durability of the films by measuring the change in electrical resistance. For the initial three cycles, the change in electrical resistance pattern was similar to the tensile stress-strain curve. The CNT/p-DCPD film was attached to an epoxy matrix to demonstrate its utilization as a sensor for fracture behavior. At the onset of epoxy fracture, electrical resistance showed a drastic increase, which indicated adhesive fracture between sensor and matrix. It leads to prediction of crack and fracture of matrix.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.88-99
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical properties of experimental composite resins made with the spherical and crushed fillers. The 14 experimental composite resins containing 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%(w/w) in spherical filler group and 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70%(w/w) in crushed filler group, incorporated in a Bis-GMA matrix (Aldrich Co., USA), were made with 1% ${\gamma}$-methoxy silane treated fillers. The polymer matrix was made by dissolving 0.7%(w/w) of benzoyl peroxide(Janssen Chemical Co. Japan) in methacrylate monomer, whereupon 0.7%(v/v) N,N-dimethyl-p-toluidine(Tokyo Kasei Co. Japan) was added to the monomer. The weight percentage of each specific particle size distribution could be determined from a knowledge of the specific gravity, the weight(w/w), and corresponding volume %(v/v) of the filler sample in resin monomer. In crushed silica group and spherical silica group, the diametral tensile strengths and compressive strengths were measured with Instron Testing Machine(No.4467), and analyzed in 14 experimental composite resins made by filler fractions. The shear bond strength of 14 experimental composite resins to bovine enamel was measured with universal testing machine(Instron No.4467). The fracture surfaces were sputter-coated with a gold film and investigated by SEM. The results were as follows; 1. The diametral tensile strength was tendency to increase in crushed silica group, but not in spherical silica group. The highest diametral tensile strength was found in 20% filler fractions of two groups. 2. The compressive strength was higher in 15%(w/w) and 20%(w/w) in spherical silica group than in crushed silica group, but not in spherical silica group. 3. The significant correlation was noticed in increase in shear bond strength in crushed silica group, but not in spherical silica group. 4. The significantly highest shear bond strength was noticed in 50% filler concentration in crushed silica group, and in 15% filler concentration in spherical silica group, it was not significant in relation. 5. In crushed silica group, cut surface of resin matrix and the interface between resin and filler is obvious. In spherical silica group, fractures that occurred through the filler particles were round in shape.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2010

Carbon fiber has many potential applications in a wide array of fields of solar cell, fuel cell, batteries, and polymer matrix composites due to an exceptional mechanical properties and chemical stability. In this study, the effects of catalysts on the property of carbon nanostructures grown on the carbon fiber were systematically investigated. The surface treatment of carbon fiber and catalysts synthesis for carbon nanostructures growth were carried out by one-pot ELP method and thermal CVD, respectively. The surface morphology and crystal structure of carbon nanostructures were examined using a field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Depending on the type of catalysts and the molar ratio, various types of carbon nanostructures like carbon nanotube, carbon nanofilament, carbon nanospring and etc. were synthesized on the surface of carbon fibers surface.