• Composites Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.243-248
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• 2016

Although thermoset carbon fiber composite bipolar plates not only have high mechanical properties but also high corrosion resistance in acid environment, high manufacturing cost and low bulk electrical conductivity are the biggest obstacle to overcome. In this research, thermoplastic polymer is employed for the matrix of carbon composite bipolar plate to increase both the manufacturing productivity and bulk electric conductivity of the bipolar plate. In order to increase the electrical conductivity and strength, plain type carbon fabric rather than chopped or unidirectional fibers is used. Also nano particles are embedded in the thermoplastic matrix to increase the bulk resistance of the bipolar plate. The area specific resistance and the mechanical strength of the developed bipolar plate are measured with respect to the environmental temperature and stack compaction pressure.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.122-132
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• 2001

Thermoplastic film infusion process was investigated by using a rubber tool, which intrinsically contains a thermally-expandable characteristic and effectively compensates for the pressure loss caused by thermoplastic polymer infusion. Increasing temperature up to the melting temperature of matrix, the polymer melt subsequently infused into the dry fabric, but the pressure was successfully sustained by the rubber tool. Even with the decreased resin volume, the rubber tool produced sufficiently high elastic force for continuous resin infusion. Combining D'Arcy's law with the compressibility of rubber tool and elastic fiber bed, a film infusion model was developed to predict the resin infusion rate and pressure change as a function of time. In addition, the film infusion process without the rubber tool was viewed and analyzed by a compression process of the elastic fiber bed and viscous resin melt. The compressibility of fiber bed was experimentally measured and the multiple-step resin infusion was well described by the developed model equations.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2013

We have developed the synthetic processes for the monomers of polyamide-type TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers, TPAEs) obtained from vegetable oil. TPAEs have several superior physical properties to those of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). From the common starting material, oleic acid, which is commonly found in various vegetable oils, we have synthesized three ${\omega}$-amino acid monomers ($C_9$, $C_{10}$ and $C_{11}$ ${\omega}$-amino acid) and three ${\alpha}$, ${\omega}$-dicarboxylic acids($C_9$, $C_{10}$ and $C_{11}$ ${\alpha}$, ${\omega}$-dicarboxylic acid) for TPAEs in good yields.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.286-293
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• 2004

Ester- and ether-based thermoplastic polyurethanes of different hardness were injection molded at different mold temperatures and effects of mold temperature on the physical properties of TPUs were investigated. Glass transition temperatures of soft segments of TPUs were hardly changed by mold temperatures. The phase separation of soft and hard segments of injection molded TPUs were affected little by mold temperatures. However, crystallinity of hard segments, temperature range of rubbery plateau, and tensile strength of injection molded TPUs decreased with increasing mold temperatures for TPUs of high hardness. However, injection molded TPUs of low hardness showed increases of crystallinity of hard segments, temperature range of rubbery plateau, and tensile strength with increasing mold temperatures. Different physical properties of injection molded TPUs depending on mold temperatures were attributed to different crystallization and physical crosslinking effects of hard segments.

• Journal of Aerospace System Engineering
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2022

Currently, Induction welding is attracting attention as a non-contact, clean and fast welding process. However, since thermoplastic resins are not affected by electromagnetic fields, induction welding requires a heating element called a susceptor. Researches are being conducted with the aim of achieving high-quality bonding, however, the factor of a heating element is an issue, hence the need to set a standard. Specimen fabrication and testing are conducted according to ASTM D5868. In this study, we propose that the evaluation criteria be judged on the basis of three factors; the condition of the welded joint surface, void content, and lap shear strength. Since the adhesive surface to be welded melts and solidifies as it cools, rapid temperature changes can generate pores. In addition, if the heating is not uniform, it is difficult to expect the desire performance. Using PA6 (CF 30%) thermoplastic, susceptor fabrication, induction welding and performance verification were conducted.

• Advanced Composite Materials
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.299-314
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• 2007

In the present study, natural fibers (jute, kenaf and henequen) reinforced thermoplastic (poly(lactic acid) and polypropylene) and thermosetting (unsaturated polyester) matrix composites were well fabricated by a compression molding technique using all chopped natural fibers of about 10 mm long, respectively. Prior to green composite fabrication, natural fiber bundles were surface-treated with tap water by static soaking and dynamic ultrasonication methods, respectively. The interfacial shear strength, flexural properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of each green composite system were investigated by means of single fiber microbonding test, 3-point flexural test, and dynamic mechanical analysis, respectively. The result indicated that the properties of the polymeric resins were significantly improved by incorporating the natural fibers into the resin matrix and also the properties of untreated green composites were further improved by the water treatment done to the natural fibers used. Also, the property improvement of natural fiber-reinforced green composites strongly depended on the treatment method. The interfacial and mechanical results agreed with each other.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
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• 1998.10a
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• pp.49-52
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• 1998

Preparation of conducting Polymer composites by Polymerizing Polypyrrole in thermoplastic polymer matrices has been studied by many researchers in order to enhance the stability and the Physical Properties of polypyrrole. In the previous study4 we examined the effects of the ionic group content and the copolyester molecular structures on the electrical conductivity of conductivity of polypyrrole(PPy)/copolyester composite films. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.504-507
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• 2002

Glass fiber reinforced PET (Poly-Ethylene-Terephthalate) matrix composite was manufactured by rapid press consolidation technique as functions of temperature, pressure and time in pre-heating, consolidation and solidification stages. The optimal manufacturing conditions for this composite were discussed based on the void content, tensile, interlaminar shear, and impact properties. A tensile test was attempted to investigate the mechanical properties of the composite. It is found that the level of crystallinity and microstructure affects on the tensile properties substantially.

• Elastomers and Composites
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.170-187
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• 2010

Much interest on the thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) has recently been attracted in commercial fields as well as scientific and applied researches. The TPEs have their own characteristic area especially in relation with block copolymers as well as many other polymeric materials, since they show interesting features displayed by the conventional vulcanized rubber, and at the same time, by the thermoplastics. In addition, they are characterized by a set of interesting properties inherent to block and graft copolymers, variety of blends and vulcanized materials. The importance of TPE as organic materials can be evaluated by the number of published reports (papers, patents, technical reports, etc). The input of the concept 'thermoplastic elastomer' to SciFinderScholar yields 18,508 results between 1939 and July 10, 2010, and the number increased exponentially after the mid of 1990. For the suitable introduction of the TPE, historic, scientific, technical and commercial considerations should be taken into account. This review article starts with a brief discussion on historical considerations, followed by a introduction of the main preparations and analytical techniques utilized in chemical, structural, and morphological studies. The properties, processing tools, the position among organic materials, and applications of TPEs are also briefly reviewed. Finally, the most probable trends of their future development are discussed in a short final remarks.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.88-91
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• 2004

In this study, a number of natural fiber henequen reinforced polymer matrix composites were successfully fabricated by means of a compression molding technique using chopped henequen fibers surface-treated with different electron beam irradiation (EBI) dosages, thermoplastic poly(butylene succinate), thermosetting unsaturated polyester and phenolic resins. Their interfacial and thermal characteristics were studied in terms of interfacial shear strength, fracture surface, dynamic mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and thermal stability using single fiber microbonding test, SEM, DMA, TMA, and TGA. The results show that their interfacial and thermal properties significantly depend on the intensity of EBl treatment on the natural fiber surface.