Composite Materials – TechConnect Briefs

Optimising the Properties of Polymer Composites: Low Weight/ High Strength Composites for Commercial Applications

Hayward M., Johnston J., Dougherty T., de Silva K., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

Vinyl ester polymers have an excellent resistance to harsh and corrosive environments. This results in their wide-spread use as a polymer composite material for multiple applications in various industries such as marine materials, swimming pools [...]

Magnetic properties of ceramic composite using melt process

Lee S-H., Sunmoon University, KR

The critical transition temperature and critical current density of YBaCuO single crystal bulk were measured after heat diffusion treatment in nano powder. The superconducting start temperature was found to high at 91.62K. It can be [...]

Self-healing and self-cleaning nanocomposite coatings

Song K., Arizona State University, US

This work reports on the healing of translucency, roughness, nanoindents, and shallow scratches in polymer/nano-particle composites. Mechanical loading were applied on polymer/self-healing additive/nano-particle composites. The concentration of nano-particles and self-healing additives were optimized to 1.0 [...]

Investigating Fracture Toughness Behavior of CNT and GNP Reinforced Vinyl-Ester Resin by Altering Surface Characteristics of Nanoparticles

Gapstur C.M., Mahfuz H., Florida Atlantic University, US

In this paper, we compared the fracture toughness (KIC) and strain energy release rate (GIC) of three systems of hybrid nanocomposites by modifying surface characteristics of the carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforcements. [...]

Properties and characterisation of an aluminum – silicon nitride fiber powder metal composite

Dougherty T., Xu Y., Nuenz Limited, NZ

There is an increasing demand for new light-weighting materials to improve fuel-efficiency in the automobile and aerospace industries. This has led to an increase in the use of aluminum over traditional metals, such as steel, [...]

Reinforced Ceramic Composites Fabricated From High-Char Yield Polymers

Butler T., Dyatkin B., Deese S.M., Laskoski M., U.S. Naval Research Lab, US

Advancements in high-speed propulsion systems have spurred demand for materials which can withstand the harsh conditions necessitated by this hypersonic travel. Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) such as transition metal borides, nitrides, and carbides melt at [...]

Discovery of the dichroic effect in cuprous oxide particles for the development of novel composite materials that change colour with direction of light source

Wrigglesworth E.G., Johnston J.H., Victoria University of Wellington, NZ

When a material displays one colour in transmitted light, but a different colour in reflected light, it is known as the dichroic effect. The oldest and most famous example of this effect is the Lycurgus [...]

Development of Novel Nanocomposite Dielectrics for High Voltage, High Energy Density Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCCs) Applications.

Tan C., Aegis Technology, Inc, US

There are demanding requirements on multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC)-based power capacitors in the development of more advanced electronics and platforms for both civic and military applications. Currently used MLCCs, however, suffer from limitations of low [...]

Advanced Film Thermal Protectors for Electronic Devices

Wang Y., UCI, US

This advanced thermal protector is based on the patent (U.C. Case No. 2012-130), which provides one-way heat flow function, i.e. enabling heat dissipation from the electronic devices, while preventing outside heat from thermally damaging the [...]

The Improvement of Carbon Fibre Composites Using Nanofibre Interleaving Veils

Beckermann G.W., Hosie I., Revolution Fibres, NZ

Revolution Fibres have developed Xantu.Layr®, the world’s first commercially available nanofibre interleaving veil for use in carbon fibre reinforced composite materials. Produced using a proprietary production method (Sonic Electrospinning Technology), Xantu.Layr® is a non-woven web [...]

Self-Activated Morphing Carbon Fiber Composites Via Cyclic Internal Stresses

Casalotti A., Lanzara G., University of Roma Tre, IT

An innovative concept to exploit self-activated morphing composite materials is presented and demonstrated experimentally. In this design, shape changes of a carbon fiber composite are achieved by combining two key ingredients: fibers orientation and temperature-sensitive [...]

Recoverable Lightweight Nanocomposites

Huckleby A.B., Li J., Shahrizan Jamal M., Zhang M., Florida State University, US

The demand for lightweight and strong structures continues to rise especially for weight critical applications such as aerospace and automotive. It is also desired that the materials can recover after being deformed. In this work, [...]

Interfacial nanostructure dictates macro-structural properties of carbon-carbon composites

Singh M., Vander Wal R., Pennsylvania State University, US

Carbon-carbon composites, originally developed for aerospace applications, are materials that consist of a carbonaceous matrix with an embedded carbon filler providing the required reinforcement for thermal and mechanical stability. An important aspect of composites is [...]

A Study of Cutting Temperatures in Turning Glass-Fiber-Reinforced -Plastic (GFRP) Composites with nose radius worn tools

Chang C-S, National Ilan University, TW

Abstract: Nine kinds of chamfered main cutting edge carbide tools were used in turning of glass-fiber-reinforced plastics (GFRP) materials to study the temperature of tip's surface and the cutting forces. Force data from these tests [...]

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