Effect of Temperature Control and Rotational and Traverse Speeds on the Mechanical Properties of Friction Stir-Welded Polypropylene Plates.

In the present study, the effects of temperature and rotational and traverse speeds on the mechanical properties of polypropylene joints that are welded by friction stir welding using a non-rotational shoulder and a heat-assisted welding process is investigated. Tensile properties, microhardness measurements, microscopy observations, and thermal analysis are carried out in the present research to evaluate the effect of the welding parameters on the mechanical properties of welded joints. The experiments are conducted and analyzed by means of a central composite design using an analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Influence of drying temperature on the properties of Colombian banana fibers for its potential use as reinforcement in composite materials.

This study investigated the impact of drying temperature on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of banana pseudostem fibers sourced from the Cordoba region in Colombia. Banana fibers (BFs) were extracted through mechanical decortication from the banana pseudostem (BP) of the plant and subsequently oven-dried at temperatures of 40 °C and 90 °C. Six mathematical models were employed to analyze the drying behavior of the fibers.

Cashew Nutshells: A Promising Filler for 3D Printing Filaments.

Cashew nutshells from the northern region of Colombia were prepared to assess their potential use as a filler in polymer matrix filaments for 3D printing. After drying and grinding processes, cashew nutshells were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR), and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Three different filaments were fabricated from polylactic acid pellets and cashew nutshell particles at 0.

Characterization of bovine ruminal content focusing on energetic potential use and valorization opportunities.

This work characterized the bovine ruminal content excluding stomach tissue obtained from a slaughterhouse plant located in Cordoba, Colombia. The goal is to establish possible energetic uses and valorization potential instead of risky local current contaminant practices. Samples of ruminal content (RC) were collected under two conditions as-fresh and dry.