scholarly journals Development of Bio-Inspired Hierarchical Fibres to Tailor the Fibre/Matrix Interphase in (Bio)Composites

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 804
Author(s):  
Estelle Doineau ◽  
Bernard Cathala ◽  
Jean-Charles Benezet ◽  
Julien Bras ◽  
Nicolas Le Le Moigne

Several naturally occurring biological systems, such as bones, nacre or wood, display hierarchical architectures with a central role of the nanostructuration that allows reaching amazing properties such as high strength and toughness. Developing such architectures in man-made materials is highly challenging, and recent research relies on this concept of hierarchical structures to design high-performance composite materials. This review deals more specifically with the development of hierarchical fibres by the deposition of nano-objects at their surface to tailor the fibre/matrix interphase in (bio)composites. Fully synthetic hierarchical fibre reinforced composites are described, and the potential of hierarchical fibres is discussed for the development of sustainable biocomposite materials with enhanced structural performance. Based on various surface, microstructural and mechanical characterizations, this review highlights that nano-objects coated on natural fibres (carbon nanotubes, ZnO nanowires, nanocelluloses) can improve the load transfer and interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the fibres, and the resulting mechanical performances of biocomposites. Indeed, the surface topography of the fibres is modified with higher roughness and specific surface area, implying increased mechanical interlocking with the matrix. As a result, the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between fibres and polymer matrices is enhanced, and failure mechanisms can be modified with a crack propagation occurring through a zig-zag path along interphases.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pezhman Mohammadi ◽  
A. Sesilja Aranko ◽  
Christopher P. Landowski ◽  
Olli Ikkala ◽  
Kristaps Jaudzems ◽  
...  

Silk and cellulose are biopolymers that show a high potential as future sustainable materials.They also have complementary properties, suitable for combination in composite materials where cellulose would form the reinforcing component and silk the tough matrix. Therein, a major challenge concerns balancing structure and properties in the assembly process. We used recombinant proteins with triblock architecture combining structurally modified spider silk with terminal cellulose affinity modules. Flow-alignment of cellulose nanofibrils and triblock protein allowed a continuous fiber production.The protein assembly involved phase separation into concentrated coacervates, with subsequent conformational switching from disordered structures to beta sheets. This gave the matrix a tough adhesiveness, forming a new composite material with high strength and stiffness combined with increased toughness. We show that versatile design possibilities in protein engineering enable new fully biological materials, and emphasize the key role of controlled assembly at multiple length scales for realization.<br>


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Sung ◽  
B. S. Thompson

An essential ingredient of the next generation of robotic manipulators will be high-strength lightweight arms which promise high-performance characteristics. Currently, a design methodology for optimally synthesizing these essential robotic components does not exist. Herein, an approach is developed for addressing this void in the technology-base by integrating state-of-the-art techniques in both the science of composite materials and also the science of flexible robotic systems. This approach is based on the proposition that optimal performance can be achieved by fabricating robot arms with optimal cross-sectional geometries fabricated with optimally tailored composite laminates. A methodology is developed herein which synthesizes the manufacturing specification for laminates which are specifically tailored for robotic applications in which both high-strength, high-stiffness robot arms are required which also possess high material damping. The parameters in the manufacturing specification include the fiber-volume fraction, the matrix properties, the fiber properties, the ply layups, the stacking sequence and the ply thicknesses. This capability is then integrated within a finite-element methodology for analyzing the dynamic response of flexible robots. An illustrative example demonstrates the approach by simulating the three-dimensional elastodynamic response of a robot subjected to a prescribed spatial maneuver.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Anil K. Matta ◽  
Naga S. S. Koka ◽  
Sameer K. Devarakonda

Magnesium Metal Matrix Composites (Mg MMC) have been the focus of consideration by many researchers for the past few years. Many applications of Mg MMCs were evolved in less span of time in the automotive and aerospace sector to capture the benefit of high strength to weight ratio along with improved corrosion resistance. However, the performance of these materials in critical conditions is significantly influenced by several factors including the fabrication methods used for processing the composites. Most of the papers addressed all the manufacturing strategies of Mg MMC but no paper was recognized as a dedicated source for magnesium composites prepared through stir casting process. Since stir casting is the least expensive and most common process in the preparation of composites, this paper reviews particulate based Mg MMCs fabricated with stir casting technology. AZ91 series alloys are considered as the matrix material while the effect of different particle reinforcements, sizes , weight fractions on mechanical and tribological responses are elaborated in support with micro structural examinations. Technical difficulties and latest innovations happened during the last decade in making Mg MMCs as high performance material are also presented.


10.29007/jxp9 ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashi Kant Sharma ◽  
Aniruddha Chopadekar ◽  
Samarth Bhatia

Slurry infiltrated fibrous concrete (SIFCON) is a new and unique type of high performance concrete invented by Lankard in 1979, containing high percentage of fiber about 6% to 20% by volume. SIFCON possesses high strength as well as large ductility and has excellent potential for structural application. The matrix in SIFCON has no coarse aggregate but high cementitious content. The aim of study is to evaluate the performance of SIFCON mortar with lower fiber percentage and to minimize the fine aggregate usage by replacing it with industrial waste i.e. steel slag. Thereby, it also helps in effective disposal of industrial waste and helps in mitigating environmental pollution. The main objective of this study is to determine the effect of partial replacement of sand with steel slag on the mechanical properties of SIFCON mortar. The experimental program was carried out with 2%, 3% and 4% of fiber content by volume combined with replacement of sand by steel slag in proportion of 10% and 20% by weight. For this purpose, compressive strength, flexural strength, split tension and impact strength of SIFCON specimens were tested after 7 and 28 days of curing, yielding positive results.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 4321-4331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peidong Li ◽  
Qiao Han ◽  
Yangyang Yuan ◽  
Xiaomin Zhang ◽  
Hongchen Guo ◽  
...  

A method and key factors for preparing high performance catalysts for side-chain alkylation of toluene with methanol were developed and proposed.


Composite materials, be they highly oriented continous-fibre structural materials or short-fibre and even particulate composites, remain critically dependent upon matrix properties. Interest in the use of thermoplastic matrices has spread from conventional injection moulding composites into collimated continuous fibre materials. As the critical applications of such materials have been explored, so the demands on matrix properties have become clearer, and potentially more stringent. The demand for advanced properties is set primarily by response of the matrix, and fibre matrix interface to hostile working environments involving temperature, chemical attack, and physical abuse. Such properties are a reflection of molecular structures and their resulting morphology, but the achievement of desirable properties is bounded also by synthesis on the one hand and component fabrication on the other. By definition, such highly engineered materials and their related processes must exhibit ‘reliability’. The paper attempts to relate the interaction between structure and properties for such materials concentrating on high-performance structural composites and a view of the broad requirements if such materials are to have use.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pezhman Mohammadi ◽  
A. Sesilja Aranko ◽  
Christopher P. Landowski ◽  
Olli Ikkala ◽  
Wolfgang Wagermaier ◽  
...  

Silk and cellulose are biopolymers that show a high potential as future sustainable materials.They also have complementary properties, suitable for combination in composite materials where cellulose would form the reinforcing component and silk the tough matrix. Therein, a major challenge concerns balancing structure and properties in the assembly process. We used recombinant proteins with triblock architecture combining structurally modified spider silk with terminal cellulose affinity modules. Flow-alignment of cellulose nanofibrils and triblock protein allowed a continuous fiber production.The protein assembly involved phase separation into concentrated coacervates, with subsequent conformational switching from disordered structures to beta sheets. This gave the matrix a tough adhesiveness, forming a new composite material with high strength and stiffness combined with increased toughness. We show that versatile design possibilities in protein engineering enable new fully biological materials, and emphasize the key role of controlled assembly at multiple length scales for realization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Jiangtao ◽  
Jiang Fangming ◽  
Xing Qiong ◽  
Yang Qi ◽  
Li Mi

High-strength engineered cementitious composite (HS-ECC) reinforced with polyethylene (PE) fiber characterizes wider crack widths than the conventional polyvinyl alcohol fiber-reinforced ECC (PVA-ECC), weakening the self-healing potential of HS-ECC. The properties of HS-ECC are tailored by introducing crumb rubber (CR), as artificial flaws can lower the matrix toughness and the crack width, leading to an enhanced self-healing potential of HS-ECC. In this study, CR is used to entirely replace silica sand (SS) with three equivalent aggregate-to-binder ratios of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6, and two CR particle sizes (i.e., CR1 and CR2) are also considered to investigate the effects on density, compressive properties, and tensile performances of HS-ECC. Although CR substitution of SS influences adversely the mechanical strengths of HS-ECC, it can reduce the HS-ECC matrix fracture toughness, activate more microcracks, and reduce the crack width. Moreover, CR-modified HS-ECC specimens featuring the smallest crack width were preloaded to three specific strain levels, including 0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%, and then experienced wet–dry conditioning to exhibit effective mechanical and non-mechanical property recovery. The further hydration of binder materials enhances the interfacial bond stress and thus retains the mechanical performances of self-healed HS-ECC, which is expected to improve the practical application and benefit the sustainability of HS-ECC.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. eaav5577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunya Zhang ◽  
Frederick M. Heim ◽  
Jamison L. Bartlett ◽  
Ningning Song ◽  
Dieter Isheim ◽  
...  

Nature’s wisdom resides in achieving a joint enhancement of strength and toughness by constructing intelligent, hierarchical architectures from extremely limited resources. A representative example is nacre, in which a brick-and-mortar structure enables a confluence of toughening mechanisms on multiple length scales. The result is an outstanding combination of strength and toughness which is hardly achieved by engineering materials. Here, a bioinspired Ni/Ni3C composite with nacre-like, brick-and-mortar structure was constructed from Ni powders and graphene sheets. This composite achieved a 73% increase in strength with only a 28% compromise on ductility, leading to a notable improvement in toughness. The graphene-derived Ni-Ti-Al/Ni3C composite retained high hardness up to 1000°C. The present study unveiled a method to smartly use 2D materials to fabricate high-performance metal matrix composites with brick-and-mortar structure through interfacial reactions and, furthermore, created an opportunity of developing advanced Ni-C–based alloys for high-temperature environments.


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