• Composites Research
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.202-208
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• 2018

In this paper, mechanical and hygroscopic properties of teak sawdust and recycled polypropylene (RPP) composites are evaluated and compared with virgin polypropylene (VPP) matrix based composites. Verities of composites are prepared by variation in the plastic types, wood plastic ratio and the addition of coupling agent in the formulations. Mixing of wood sawdust and polypropylene is done by a twin screw extruder, and then sheets of wood plastic composites (WPCs) are produced by using the compression molding method. The results show that recycled matrix composites exhibit better tensile, flexural strength with low impact strength than virgin matrix based composites. Recycled composites show low water absorption and thickness of swelling than virgin matrix based composites. The results confirm that wood content in the polymer matrix affects the performance of composites while presence maleated polypropylene (MAPP) improves the properties of the composites significantly. Developed RPP matrix composites are as useful as VPP matrix composites and have the potential to replace the wood and plastics products without any adverse effect of the plastics on the environment.

• Computers and Concrete
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.93-104
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• 2013

The use of rock wool waste, an industrial by-product, in cement-based composites has positive effects on the environment because it reduces the problems associated rock wool disposal. The experiments in this study tested cement-based composites using various rock wool waste contents (10, 20, 30 and 40% by weight of cement) as a partial replacement for Portland cement in mortars. The pozzolanic strength activity test, flow test, compressive strength test, dry shrinkage test, absorption test, initial surface absorption test and scanning electron microscope observations were conducted to evaluate the properties of cement-based composites. Test results demonstrate that the pozzolanic strength activity index for rock wool waste specimens is 103% after 91 days. The inclusion of rock wool waste in cement-based composites decreases its dry shrinkage and initial surface absorption, and increases its compressive strength. These improved properties are the result of the dense structure achieved by the filling effect and pozzolanic reactions of the rock wool waste. The addition of 30% and 10% rock wool wastes to cement is the optimal amount based on the results of compressive strength and initial surface absorption for a w/cm of 0.35 and 0.55, respectively. Therefore, it is feasible to utilize rock wool waste as a partial replacement of cement in cement-based composites.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.9-18
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• 1975

Polymer emulsion was used as the admixture for the purpose of increasing the mechanical properties of cement mortar. The effect of polymer emulsion admixture on compressive strength and tensile strength and chemical resistance, relative humidity on compressive and tensile strength, sand particles on water absorption were studied. The results were as follows. 1. Polymer emulson modified mortar cured under 95% of realative humidity showed lower strength than the mortar cured at dry condition. 2. The maximum strength was attained at 10~20% of polystyrene and polyacrylic acid ester polymer-cement mortar. 3. The modified mortar (sand size rate (-9＋35)mech:(-35＋60)mech=4 : 1) was 1.5 times lower than the modified mortar (1 : 1) in water absorption. 4. Compared with the ordinary mortar, the modified mortar showed 2~3 times greater chemical resistance for 5% HCl or 5% H2SO4.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.91-94
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• 2005

Polypropylene as a matrix has been used for wood polymer composites(WPC). In preparing WPC, the coupling agent, Polypropylene grafted Maleic Anhydride(PP-G-MA) was used in order to obtain a good interfacial bonding force between matrix and fillers and dispersion of wood powders. In this study, the effects of wood powder contents and water absorption on the mechanical properties were experimentally investigated. The tensile strength and flexural strength of composites reached its peak value when the wood powder content was around 60 wt%. However, the peak value of the impact was observed about 30 wt% of wood powder content. The tensile strength and flexural strength increase with increasing the wood power contents. But the impact strength decrease with increasing the wood powder contents. The slight change was observed with the water absorption in the WPC. The optimal condition of the compositions such as Anti-oxidant and UV stabilizers for the outdoor application was suggested in this research.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.329-341
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• 2017

The challenge of replacing conventional plastics with biodegradable composite materials has attracted much attention in product design, particularly in the tensile-related areas of application. In this study, fibres extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) were treated and utilized in reinforcing polyester matrix by hand lay-up technique. The effect of fibre loading and combined influence of alkali and silane treatments on porosity and water absorption parameters, and its correlation with the tensile behaviour of composites was analyzed. The results showed that tensile strength decreased whilst modulus of elasticity, water absorption and porosity parameters increased with increasing fibre loading. The composites of treated oil palm EFB fibre exhibited improved values of 2.47 MPa to 3.78 MPa for tensile strength; 1.75 MPa to 2.04 MPa for modulus of elasticity; 3.43% to 1.68% for porosity and 3.51% to 3.12% for water absorption at respective 10 wt.% fibre loadings. A correlation between porosity and water absorption with tensile behavior of composites of oil palm EFB fibre and positive effect of fibre treatment was established, which clearly demonstrate a connection between processing and physical properties with tensile behavior of fibre composites. Accordingly, a further exploitation of economic significance of oil palm EFB fibres composites in areas of low-to-medium tensile strength application is inferred.

• Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.23-30
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• 1997

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the water environmental effect on the mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Moisture concentration absorbed in CFRP under various water environment was calculated and degradation of mechanical properties for each wet composite laminates is investigated by performing the flexual and tensile test. The results show that moisture absorption is accelerated in higher temperature environment and under the same temperature sea water environment prompts more absorption than fresh water. As increasing the water temperature and moisture concentration tensile and flexual strength decreased as much as 25%-40% compared with dry condition.

• Carbon letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.187-189
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• 2012

This study investigates the flexural properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced basalt/epoxy composites under conditions with and without moisture absorption. The basalt/CNT/epoxy composites were fabricated using 1 wt% silanized MWCNTs and kept in seawater for over 4 months. The flexural properties of the moisture absorbed specimens were evaluated and compared with those of dry specimens. The flexural properties of basalt/CNT/epoxy composites were found to decrease with moisture absorption. The flexural strength and modulus of moisture absorbed specimens were 22% and 16% lower, respectively, than those of the dry specimen. Scanning electron microscope examination of the fracture surfaces revealed that the decreases of flexural properties in the moisture absorbed specimen were due to the weakening of interfacial bonding from swelling of the epoxy matrix.

• Proceedings of the KWS Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.240-242
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• 2000

This study was investigated absorption properties of electromagnetic wave in thermal sprayed Sr-ferrite coatings. The experiment of this study was ; manufactured thermal spraying powder for improving absorption-efficiency, processed for increasing strength of thermal spray coatings, and measured the electromagnetic wave shielding efficiency. This study was obtained excellent absorption-efficiency by thermal sprayed Sr-ferrite coatings.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.133-151
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• 2016

Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) has been originally developed in Japan to offset a growing shortage of skilled labors, is a highly workable concrete, which is not needed to any vibration or impact during casting. The utilizing of fibers in SCC improves the mechanical properties and durability of hardened concrete such as impact strength, flexural strength, and vulnerability to cracking. The purpose of this investigation is to determine the effect of steel fibers on mechanical performance of traditionally reinforced Self-Competing Concrete beams. In this study, two mixes Mix 1% and Mix 2% containing 1% and 2% volume friction of superplasticizer are considered. For each type of mixture, four different volume percentages of 60/30 (length/diameter) fibers of 0.0%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2% were used. The mechanical properties were determined through compressive and flexural tests. According to the experimental test results, an increase in the steel fibers volume fraction in Mix 1% and Mix 2% improves compressive strength slightly but decreases the workability and other rheological properties of SCC. On the other hand, results revealed that flexural strength, energy absorption capacity and toughness are increased by increasing the steel fiber volume fraction. The results clearly show that the use of fibers improves the post-cracking behavior. The average spacing of between cracks decrease by increasing the fiber volume fraction. Furthermore, fibers increase the tensile strength by bridging actions through the cracks. Therefore, steel fibers increase the ductility and energy absorption capacity of RC elements subjected to flexure.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1164-1170
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• 2002

The effect of fly ash addition to the kaolin block has been investigated. The addition affected the firing temperature and physical properties such as water absorption and compressive strength. The starting materials were from korea natural resources and the fly ash were from the power plant using coal as fuel, containing free carbon of 8∼9 wt%. The starting natural materials were mixed with 5 different proportions of fly ash, pressed and then sintered at 1050, 1100, 1150 and 1200${\circ}C$. With sintering temperature, water absorption decreased and compressive strength increased. When specimens were sintered at the temperature lower than 1100${\circ}C$, water absorption increased and strength decreased with fly ash content. In contrast, when sintering was done at the temperature higher than 1150${\circ}C$, water absorption increased with fly ash content similarly but strength was improved.