Water Immersion Aging of Epoxy Resin and Fique Fabric Composites: Dynamic-Mechanical and Morphological Analysis.

Fiber-reinforced composites are among the most investigated and industrially applied materials. Many studies on these composites using fibers, especially with natural fibers, were made in response to an urgent action for ambient preservation. A particularly relevant situation exists nowadays in the area of materials durability.

Physical and Mechanical Characterization of Titica Vine () Incorporated Epoxy Matrix Composites.

Titica vine () is a typical plant of the Amazon region commonly used for making baskets, bags, brooms and furniture, owing to its stiff fibers. In spite of its interesting properties, there is so far no reported information regarding the use of titica vine fibers (TVFs) in engineering composite materials. In this work, the TVF and its epoxy composites were for the first time physically, thermally and mechanically characterized.

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of Thermally Aged Fique Fabric-Reinforced Epoxy Composites.

Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is one of the most common methods employed to study a material's viscoelastic properties. The effect of thermal aging on plain epoxy and a fique fabric-reinforced epoxy composite was investigated by comparing the mass loss, morphologies, and DMA properties of aged and unaged samples. In fact, thermal aging presents a big challenge for the high-temperature applications of natural fiber composites.

Energy Absorption and Limit Velocity of Epoxy Composites Incorporated with Fique Fabric as Ballistic Armor-A Brief Report.

Polymer composites reinforced with natural fabric have recently been investigated as possible ballistic armor for personal protection against different levels of ammunition. In particular, fabric made of fique fibers, which is extracted from the leaves of the , was applied as reinforcement for polymer composites used in a multilayered armor system (MAS). The superior performance of the fique fabric composites as a second MAS layer motivated this brief report on the determination of the absorbed energy and capability to limit velocity in the stand-alone ballistic tests.

Ballistic Performance of Guaruman Fiber Composites in Multilayered Armor System and as Single Target.

Multilayered armor systems (MAS) with a front ceramic layer backed by a relatively unknown Amazonian guaruman fiber-reinforced () epoxy composites, as second layer, were for the first time ballistic tested against the threat of 7.62 mm rifle ammunition. The amount of 30 vol% guaruman fibers was investigated in three distinct configurations: (i) continuous aligned, (ii) 0-90° cross-laid, and (iii) short-cut randomly dispersed.

Effect of Chemical Treatment and Length of Raffia Fiber () on Mechanical Stiffening of Polyester Composites.

In recent decades, the unique characteristics of natural fibers have promoted their use as reinforcement in polymeric composites. This is verified in several industrial sectors, from packaging to automotive and civil construction. Among the natural fibers, the raffia fiber extracted from the palm tree and introduced in the Amazon region a long time ago; started to be considered for the production of polymeric composites only in recent years.

Tucum Fiber from Amazon Palm Tree: Novel Reinforcement for Polymer Composites.

The replacement of synthetic fibers by natural fibers has, in recent decades, been the subject of intense research, particularly as reinforcement of composites. In this work, the lesser known tucum fiber, extracted from the leaves of the Amazon palm tree, is investigated as a possible novel reinforcement of epoxy composites. The tucum fiber was characterized by pullout test for interfacial adhesion with epoxy matrix.

Composites with Natural Fibers and Conventional Materials Applied in a Hard Armor: A Comparison.

Natural-fiber-reinforced polymer composites have recently drawn attention as new materials for ballistic armor due to sustainability benefits and lower cost as compared to conventional synthetic fibers, such as aramid and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In the present work, a comparison was carried out between the ballistic performance of UHMWPE composite, commercially known as Dyneema, and epoxy composite reinforced with 30 vol % natural fibers extracted from pineapple leaves (PALF) in a hard armor system. This hard armor system aims to provide additional protection to conventional level IIIA ballistic armor vests, made with Kevlar, by introducing the PALF composite plate, effectively changing the ballistic armor into level III.

Graphene-Incorporated Natural Fiber Polymer Composites: A First Overview.

A novel class of graphene-based materials incorporated into natural lignocellulosic fiber (NLF) polymer composites is surging since 2011. The present overview is the first attempt to compile achievements regarding this novel class of composites both in terms of technical and scientific researches as well as development of innovative products. A brief description of the graphene nature and its recent isolation from graphite is initially presented together with the processing of its main derivatives.

Mechanical Properties of Natural Fabric Reinforced Epoxy Matrix Composite Prepared by Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion Molding.

Natural lignocellulosic fibers and corresponding fabrics have been gaining notoriety in recent decades as reinforcement options for polymer matrices associated with industrially applied composites. These natural fibers and fabrics exhibit competitive properties when compared with some synthetics such as glass fiber. In particular, the use of fabrics made from natural fibers might be considered a more efficient alternative, since they provide multidirectional reinforcement and allow the introduction of a larger volume fraction of fibers in the composite.

Curing Kinetic Parameters of Epoxy Composite Reinforced with Mallow Fibers.

Knowledge about the curing behavior of a thermosetting resin and its composites includes the determination of kinetic parameters and constitutes an important scientific and technological tool for industrial process optimization. In the present work, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique was used to determine several curing parameters for pure epoxy and its composite reinforced with 20 vol % mallow fibers. Analyses were performed with heating rates of 5, 7.

Effect of Graphene Oxide Coating on Natural Fiber Composite for Multilayered Ballistic Armor.

Composites with sustainable natural fibers are currently experiencing remarkably diversified applications, including in engineering industries, owing to their lower cost and density as well as ease in processing. Among the natural fibers, the fiber extracted from the leaves of the Amazonian curaua plant () is a promising strong candidate to replace synthetic fibers, such as aramid (Kevlar™), in multilayered armor system (MAS) intended for ballistic protection against level III high velocity ammunition. Another remarkable material, the graphene oxide is attracting considerable attention for its properties, especially as coating to improve the interfacial adhesion in polymer composites.