• International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2008

The cracking problem in concrete is widespread and complex. This paper reviews the problem and focuses on those parts of the problem that are more readily solved. Polymer fibers are shown to have promise in several important areas of the cracking problem. To investigate one of these areas of the cracking problem more completely, an experimental research program focusing on the early-age properties of fibers was carried out. This study researched the properties of four polymer fibers; two of the fibers were macrofibers, and two were microfibers. Each fiber was tested at several dosage rates to identify optimum dosage levels. Early-age shrinkage, long-term shrinkage, compressive strength, and tensile strength were investigated. Long-term shrinkage and strength impacts from the polymer fibers were minimal; however, the polymer fibers were shown to have a great impact on early-age shrinkage and a moderate impact on early-age strength.

• Composites Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.29-39
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• 2015

Natural fibers reinforced polymer composites are being used in several low strength applications. More research is going on to improve their mechanical and interface properties for structural applications. However, these composites have serious issues regarding flammability, which are not being focused broadly. A limited amount of literature has been published on the flame retardant techniques and flammability factor of natural fibers based polymer matrix composites. Therefore, it is needed to address the flammability properties of natural fibers based polymer composites to expand their application area. This paper summarizes some of the recent literature published on the subject of flammability and flame retardant methods applied to natural fibers reinforced polymer matrix composites. Different factors affecting the flammability, flame retardant solutions, mechanisms and characterization techniques have been discussed in detail.

• 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.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.436-441
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• 2007

In this work, the multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) were functionalized with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate(SDBS) and then MWNTs/Lyocell composite fibers were prepared. The properties of MWNTs, the functionlization on the surface of MWNTs and their dispersion in the cellulose matrix were characterized by TEM, SEM, WAXD and FT-IR. The results showed that SDBS has been coated successfully onto the surface of the MWNTs by functionlization. This can improve effectively the dispersion uniformity of MWNTs in NMMO aqueous solution and is helpful to prepare a spinnable spinning dope. Moreover, the resultant MWNTs/Lyocell composite fibers still have cellulose II crystal structure, and their tensile strength and initial modulus increased with the increasing draw ratio and reached the optimal value with adding 1 wt% MWNTs. The thermal stability of the composite fiber was also improved by the addition of the MWNTs.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.449-458
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• 2007

The aims of this study were to investigate the intercalation of polymer chains with organoclays and improve the thermo-mechanical properties of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) hybrids by comparing PBT hybrids synthesized using two different organoclays. The organoclays; dodecyltriphenylphosphonium-montmorillonite ($C_{12}PPh-MMT$) and dodecyltriphenylphosphonium-mica ($C_{12}PPh-Mica$), were used to fabricate the PBT hybrid fibers. Variations in the properties of the hybrid fibers with the organoclays within the polymer matrix, as well as the draw ratio (DR), are discussed. The thermo-mechanical properties and morphologies of the PBT hybrid fibers were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and mechanical tensile properties analysis. The nanostructures of the hybrid fibers were determined using both scanning and transmission electron microscopies, which showed some of the clay layers to be well dispersed within the matrix polymer, although some clustered or agglomerated particles were also detected. The thermal properties of the hybrid fibers were found to be better than those of the pure PBT fibers at a DR = 1. The tensile mechanical properties of the $C_{12}PPh-MMT$ hybrid fibers were found to worsen with increasing DR. However, the initial moduli of the $C_{12}PPh-Mica$ hybrid fibers were found to slightly increase on increasing the DR from 1 to 18.

• Carbon letters
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.64-68
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• 2000

This paper describes the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance of carbon fibers with and without additions of boron oxide additives, and describes the changes in the properties resulting from increased heat treatment temperature (HTT) of the fibers. Carbon fibers in this experiment were heat treated up to $2800^{\circ}C$ each with and without boron oxide treated on the surface of fibers. In the case of boron oxide added carbon fibers, they do not show the improvement of tensile strength and modulus compared to those of no treated carbon fibers below $2200^{\circ}C$ since they are doped substitutionally with boron above $2600^{\circ}C$, which accelerate the graphitization of carbon fibers. Boron oxide implanted carbon fibers showed high resistance to oxidation, however, when carbon fibers were heat treated below $2200^{\circ}C$, they showed almost the same trend of air oxidation.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2003

Thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (TLCP)/poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate) (PEN)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) ternary blends were prepared by melt blending, and were melt-spun to fibers at various spinning speeds in an effort to improve fiber performance and processability. Structure and property relationship of TLCP/PEN/PET ternary blend fibers and effects of annealing on those were investigated. The mechanical properties of ternary blend fibers could be significantly improved by annealing, which were attributed to the development of more ordered crystallites and the formation of more perfect crystalline structures. TLCP/PEN/PET ternary blend fibers that annealed at 18$0^{\circ}C$ for 2 h, exhibited the highest values of tensile strength and modulus. The double melting behaviors observed in the annealed ternary blend fibers depended on annealing temperature and time, which might be caused by different lamellae thickness distribution as a result of the melting-reorganization process during the DSC scans.

• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.259-262
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• 2005

Wool and alpaca fibers were coated with polypyrrole by vapor-phase polymerisation method. The changes in frictional and tensile properties of the single fibers upon coating with the conductive polymer are presented. Coating a thin layer of polypyrrole on the alpaca and wool fibers results in a significant reduction in the fiber coefficient of friction, as the conducting polymer layer smooths the protruding edges of the fiber scales. It also reduces the directional friction effect of the fibers. Depending on the type of fiber, the coating may slightly enhance the tensile properties of the coated fibers.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2013

Fibers of microbial polyesters, poly(3-hydroxy butyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxy butyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (HB-co-HV) were prepared by electrospinning method. The obtained fibers were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and oil absorption. The formation of fibers was strongly dependent on a concentration of solution. At a low concentration, the fibers contained beads which is from aggregation of polymer due to short evaporation time. The fine fibers with $2-5{\mu}m$ diameter were obtained at 20 wt% concentration. The contact angle measurement showed that the fiber had higher water contact angle than the film due to the lotus-like effect. Oil absorbency showed that the fiber had higher than the film. Specially, the HB-co-HV fiber which was spinned from 20 wt% absorbed 65% oil which is much higher than that of a normal polypropylene-based oil paper.

• Carbon letters
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2000

Carbon fiber was reacted with gaseous silicon monoxide which is produced from pack-powder mixture at elevated temperature. As a result of the reaction, two kinds of SiC fiber were obtained. The first one was SiC fibers which were converted from carbon fiber. The fiber is constituted with polycrystal like fine grains or monolithic crystals that have a size from sub-micron to $10\;{\mu}m$. Their size depends on the temperature during the conversion reaction. The second one was ultra-fine SiC fibers that were found on the surface of the converted SiC fibers. The ultra-fine fibers have diameters from 0.08 to $0.2\;{\mu}m$ and their aspect ratio were larger than 100. The chemical composit ion of the ultra-fine fibers was analyzed using an Auger electron spectroscopy. In result, the fibers consist of 51% silicon, 38% carbon and 11% oxygen by weight.