• Fibers and Polymers
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.102-106
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• 2003

Crystallization behaviour of blends of different MFI isotactic polypropylenes (PP), and blends of PP with carbon nanofibre have been investigated by DSC and polarizing optical microscope. Both higher MFI PP component and the carbon nanofibre in the blend influence the nucleation activity of the melt during non-isothermal crystallization. In presence of carbon nanofibre, the sherulitic growth rate is highly disturbed. The calculation of nucleation activity indicates that carbon nanofibres act as active substrate for heterogeneous nucleation.

• Composites Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2013

This paper summarizes the structural characterization of borassus fruit fibers by means of various characterization techniques, optimization of alkali treatment of borassus fruit fine fibers (BFF) with a 5% concentration sodium hydroxide solution for different time intervals (1, 4, 8 and 12 h) and the changes occurring in borassus fibers. This paper also discusses the manufacturing of BFF/PP compotes using MAPP as a compatibilizer in addition to alkali treatment. Composites were evaluated for their mechanical and morphological properties. The tensile strength and modulus, flexural strength and modulus and impact strength were increased for alkali treated/MAPP composites by 4.5%, 17%, 17.2 %, 9% and 10% respectively.

• Proceedings of the Korea Concrete Institute Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.108-111
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• 2004

The polypropylene(PP) fiber is poised as a low cost alternative for reinforcement in structural applications in comparison with other high performance fibers, such as the polyvinyl-alcohol(PVA), polyethylene, carbon and aramid fiber. The mechanical properties of the composite are strongly determined by the interfacial behavior of fiber and cementitious matrix. The crack bridging mechanism contribute to composite toughness from activation of the fiber-matrix interface where energy is dissipated through debonding of the interface and fiber pullout. In this study, therefore, the pullout behavior of PP fibers is investigated. Experimental work includes the investigation of the interfacial properties, and the composite property. The quantification of interfacial properties, the frictional bond is achieved through single fiber pullout test. A study on the effect of inclination angle on fiber pullout behavior is also conducted.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.411-417
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• 2008

The surfaces of henequen fibers, which can be obtained from the leaves of agave plants, were treated with two different media, tap water and sodium hydroxide, that underwent both soaking and ultrasonic methods for the fiber surface treatment. Various biocomposites were fabricated with untreated and treated, chopped henequen fibers and polypropylene using a compression molding method. The result is discussed in terms of interfacial shear strength, flexural properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and fracture surface observations of the biocomposites. The soaking (static method) and ultrasonic (dynamic method) treatments with tap water and sodium hydroxide at different concentrations and treatment times significantly influenced the interfacial, flexural and dynamic mechanical properties of henequen/polypropylene biocomposites. The alkali treatment was more effective than the water treatment in improving the interfacial and mechanical properties of randomly oriented, chopped henequen/PP bio-composites. In addition, the application of the ultrasonic method to each treatment was relatively more effective in increasing the properties than the soaking method, depending on the treatment medium and condition. The greatest improvement in the properties studied was achieved by ultrasonic alkalization of natural fibers, which was in agreement with the other results of interfacial shear strength, flexural strength and modulus, storage modulus, and fracture surfaces.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.204-210
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• 2011

In this study, Jute fibers reinforced polypropylene (JFRP) composites were manufactured by injection molding technique. In order to improve the affinity and adhesion between fibers and thermoplastic matrices during manufacturing, Maleic anhydride (MA) as a coupling agent have been employed. Untreated and treated surfaces of jute fibers were characterized using SEM and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Physical properties like water absorption rate were studied. Tensile and flexural tests were carried out to evaluate the composite mechanical properties. Tensile test and bending test indicated that JFRP composites show higher strength and modulus than pure PP. In addition, strength and modulus were found to be influenced by the variation of MAPP content (1%, 2%, and 3%). Tensile fracture surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope. It ensures better interfacial adhesion between fibers and matrix by increasing the percentage of MAPP.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2023

In this study, the fire resistance capabilities of polypropylene fiber-reinforced polymer-modified cement mortar were assessed to guarantee the fire resistance fo this materials, commonly employed in the repair of concrete structures. Experimental outcomes revealed that an increased water and polymer content heightened the likelihood of spalling, while longer polypropylene fibers and elevated polymer concentrations proved more effective in mitigating spalling.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.125-128
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• 2005

The dispersion of carbon nanofiber (CNF) was carried out by solution blending, mechanical mixing, and sonication. CNFs at levels of 5-50% fiber weight content were mixed with polypropylene (PP) powder, and then were melt-mixed using a twin-screw extruder. For the further alignment of fibers, extruded rods were stacked uni-directionally in the mold cavity for the compression molding. For the evaluation of mechanical properties of nanocomposites, tension, in-plane shear, and flexural tests were conducted. CNF/PP composites clearly showed reinforcing effect in the longitudinal direction. The tensile modulus and strength have improved by 100% and 40%, respectively for 50 % fiber weight content, and the flexural modulus and strength have increased by 120% and 25%, respectively for the same fiber weight content. The shear modulus showed 65% increase, but the strength dropped sharply by 40%. However, the property enhancement was not significant due to the poor adhesion between fiber and matrix. In the transverse direction, the tensile, flexural, and shear strength decreased as more fibers were added.

• 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.

• Carbon letters
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2014

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) consist of a polymeric matrix and a conductive filler, for example, carbon black, carbon fibers, graphite or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The critical amount of the electrically conductive filler necessary to build up a continuous conductive network, and accordingly, to make the material conductive; is referred to as the percolation threshold. From technical and economical viewpoints, it is desirable to decrease the conductive-filler percolation-threshold as much as possible. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymer/conductive-filler interactions, as well as the processing and morphological development of low-percolation-threshold (${\Phi}c$) conductive-polymer composites. The aim of the study was to produce conductive composites containing less multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) than required for pure polypropylene (PP) through two approaches: one using various mixing methods and the other using immiscible polymer blends. Variants of the conductive PP composite filled with MWCNT was prepared by dry mixing, melt mixing, mechanofusion, and compression molding. The percolation threshold (${\Phi}c$) of the MWCNT-PP composites was most successfully lowered using the mechanofusion process than with any other mixing method (2-5 wt%). The mechanofusion process was found to enhance formation of a percolation network structure, and to ensure a more uniform state of dispersion in the CPCs. The immiscible-polymer blends were prepared by melt mixing (internal mixer) poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF, PP/PVDF, volume ratio 1:1) filled with MWCNT.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.119-120
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• 2011

Recently, the effects of high temperature and fiber content on the residual mechnical properties of high-strength concrete were experimentally investigated. In this paper, residual mechanical properties of concrete with water to cement (w/c) ratios of 55%, 42% and 32% exposed to high temperature are compared with those obtained in fiber reinforced concretes of similar characteristics with the ranging of 0,05% to 0,20% polypropylene (PP) fibers by volume of concrete, and considered factors include pre-load levels (20% and 40% of the maximum load at room temperature). Outbreak time and water contents were tested and were determined the compressive strength. In the result, it is showed that to prevent the explosive spalling of 50MPa grade concretes exposed to high temperature need more than 0.05Vol.% PP fibers. Also, the cross-sectional area of PP fiber can influence on the residual mechanical properties and the spalling tendency of fiber reinforced concrete exposed to high temperature. Especially, the external loading increases not only the residual mechanical properties of concrete but also the risk of spalling and the brittle tendency.