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Epoxy-impregnated aramid composites, notable for their excellent mechanical and insulation qualities, are pivotal in electrical engineering and electronics. However, their performance is severely restrained by interface issues. This research proposes an effective modification strategy for improving interface property by employing non-thermal atmospheric plasma to introduce active functional groups onto aramid paper. The modified composites demonstrated a 26 % increase in tensile strength and a 20 % enhancement in breakdown strength at best, alongside inhibited charge transport properties and reduced partial discharge under operational electric fields. Molecular simulation suggests that plasma treatment bolsters interface hydrogen bonding, restricting the chain mobility of the resin molecular, and thus augmenting inter-phase compatibility. This study offers a factual perspective on improving resin-impregnated composites, laying a theoretical foundation for advancing high-performance materials in power industries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research hypothesis states that the impregnation of the honeycomb paper core of lightweight sandwich panels with modified starch, sodium silicate and epoxy resin (LiquidWood®) resin has a significant effect on its elastic properties. In this study, a recycled paper was used in three thicknesses, seven types of cell shapes, including two after numerical optimization and three types of impregnating agents. The method of digital image analysis determined the elastic constants of manufactured paper cores, which were subjected to axial compression in two directions. Based on the experimental results, elastic constants of the cores were calculated and compared with the results of numerical calculations. It has been shown that each of the impregnating solutions used improved the stiffness of the paper core. The best results were obtained for LiquidWood® epoxy resin and modified starch. An important parameter of cell geometry affecting their rigidity is the angle of the cell wall φ, as well as the arrangement of the common cell wall in relation to the direction of load. The numerical models developed were positively verified.

Sandwich panels are new kind of layered composites that usually are composed of three layers and their core layer's thickness is higher and the outer layers are determinative in determination of the products strength and stiffness. The core layer is commonly made of honeycomb paper, corrugated paper and polyurethane etc. In this study, effects of face and adhesive types on mechanical properties of sandwich panels made from honeycomb paper were investigated. The variables included three types; beech face, poplar face and hardboard (S2S face, veneer less) and adhesive type (two types; epoxy and PVA). Out of experimental panels specimens were cut and tested according to DIN E 326-1 standard. Mechanical properties of panels, included modulus of elasticity as well as modulus of rupture at the edge and surface (based on DIN EN 310 standard) and Impact Bending Strength (IBS) of the panels (based on ASTM D 3499 standard) were measured. The gathered data were analyzed as completely randomized factorial design. Highest mechanical properties were reported for panels glued with epoxy resin and containing fiberboard at the middle. According to results, optimum condition of producing sandwich panels was observed in uses of epoxy resin and fiberboard S2S face, veneer less) at the middle.

In this paper, the temporal space charge dynamics under both temperature and voltage polarity reversal of an epoxy resin impregnated crepe paper are characterized by pulsed electroacoustic method. It is found that the space charge injection and the interfacial traps located between the epoxy and paper plays an important role in determining the space charge dynamics. The results reveal that below 353 K, the calculated interfacial charge density is consistent with the Maxwell-Wagner (MW) model, while above 353 K, it is smaller than the measured value. The time constant during charging is much smaller than that predicted by the MW model and the space charge injection showed polarity effect, which leads to the interfacial charge densities under polarity poling voltage not being equal. It is proposed that the interfacial traps and space charge injection should be responsible for the observed space charge dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Pulp & Paper is the property of China Pulp & Paper Magazines Publisher and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Solid insulation materials need to be robust in terms of both mechanical and electrical performance for application in a high-voltage superconducting apparatus. It is known that creepage discharge characteristics of solid insulation materials are inferior to their electrical breakdown characteristics with penetration. Therefore, electrical breakdown accidents in a superconducting apparatus could occur as a form of creepage discharge rather than electrical breakdown with penetration. In this study, we conduct dielectric experiments on the penetration and creepage discharge characteristics of epoxy resin and polypropylene laminated paper under cryogenic temperature by using three kinds of electrode systems. The first is for creepage discharge experiments along the surfaces of solid insulation materials in liquid nitrogen. The second is for creepage discharge experiments across the interface between two different solid insulation materialsmaking contact in liquid nitrogen. The third is for experiments of electrical breakdown with penetration on solid insulation materials in liquid nitrogen. Dielectric experiments are conducted with an absolute pressure of 0.1 MPa under alternating current and lightning impulse voltages. Experimental results for electrical breakdown characteristics of solid insulation materials with penetration are compared with the creepage discharge characteristics on the surface and interfaces between solid insulation materials. Moreover, the criteria for electric field intensities at creepage discharge voltages in various conditions are deduced as empirical formulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to overheating of electronic components during work, more and more attention has been paid to the research of high thermal conductivity polymer composites in recent years. However, traditional way to improve the thermal conductivity of polymer is not ideal. Here, a high-performance polyline-folded graphite paper (PFGP)/epoxy resin (EP) composite was prepared by using polyline-folded graphite paper and liquid epoxy resin as fillers and matrix, respectively. Its out-of-plane thermal conductivity and the improvement efficiency per 1 wt% are as high as 24.19 Wm −1 K −1 and 349%, respectively. Most importantly, this approach is very simple and can be industrialized compared to traditional polymer compounding methods. The thermodynamic finite element analysis in this work simulated the thermal conductivity of PFGP/EP composite at different mass fractions, which can verify the accuracy of the experimental values. These results indicate that the PFGP/EP composites have great prospects in the field of thermal interface materials. • Polyline-Folded graphene paper can create ultra-efficient heat transfer paths. • The prepared composite has an extremely high thermal conductivity. (24.19 Wm−1K−1). • The prepared composite is an excellent candidate for CPU heat dissipation. • The prepared composite can be initially industrialized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research hypothesis states that the impregnation of the honeycomb paper core of lightweight sandwich panels with modified starch, sodium silicate and epoxy resin (LiquidWood®) resin has a significant effect on its elastic properties. In this study, a recycled paper was used in three thicknesses, seven types of cell shapes, including two after numerical optimization and three types of impregnating agents. The method of digital image analysis determined the elastic constants of manufactured paper cores, which were subjected to axial compression in two directions. Based on the experimental results, elastic constants of the cores were calculated and compared with the results of numerical calculations. It has been shown that each of the impregnating solutions used improved the stiffness of the paper core. The best results were obtained for LiquidWood® epoxy resin and modified starch. An important parameter of cell geometry affecting their rigidity is the angle of the cell wall φ, as well as the arrangement of the common cell wall in relation to the direction of load. The numerical models developed were positively verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The addition of reinforced material (polymer and mineral fillers) to epoxy resin matrices results in the improvement of the overall performance of the composite, allowing the application of these materials as tribo-materials in industrial applications. Enhancement of the tribological properties (low friction coefficient, increased wear resistance and non-stick properties) of epoxy coatings is done by embedding fillers with various particle sizes and with different filler volume fractions. The aim of this work is to determine the factors influencing the wear-reducing mechanisms of the fillers. This was done by wear tests carried out on a pin-on-disc apparatus and on a Taber Abraser device. A significant decrease in the wear rate was recorded with the formulations containing polymer fillers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene (PE) and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP), due to their self-lubricating nature. The particle size of silica (SiO2) fillers was found to play a significant role, coarse particles reducing the wear rate due to the bond at the resin/filler interface. It was shown that not all fillers helped improving the wear resistance; the SiO2 fillers with lower particle size had a negative effect on the wear resistance of the epoxy coating, by causing discontinuities in the material. The worn surfaces were analyzed using light microscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM), to help better understand the wear mechanisms involved.

Ultra-thin overlays (UTOL) are a standard highway pre-maintenance method used to improve the road surface performance of asphalt pavements and to repair minor rutting and cracking. However, the thin thickness makes it very sensitive to external changes, which increases its wear and shortens its life. So, this paper aims to prepare a durable and skid-resistance asphalt ultra-thin overlay using epoxy asphalt (EA) and steel slag. First, the physical properties of EA were characterized by penetration, softening point, flexibility, and kinematic viscosity tests. The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test characterizes EA's rheological properties. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), kinematic viscosity, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterized the EA's curing process. Finally, the pavement performance of an epoxy ultra-thin overlay (EUTOL) prepared with EA and steel slag was tested. The results show that the epoxy resin particles increase with the increase in epoxy resin dosage, and at 40%, its epoxy particles are uniformly distributed with the most significant area share. With the addition of epoxy resin, the needle penetration of EA decreases and then increases, the flexibility decreases at a slower rate, and the softening point rises significantly. Moreover, the growth of the elastic component in EA significantly improved the high-temperature viscoelastic properties. Considering its physical and rheological properties, the optimal doping amount of 40% was selected. By analyzing the curing behavior of EA (optimum dosage), the combination temperature of EA is 150 °C, which meets the needs of mixing and paving asphalt mixtures. After 12 h of maintenance at 120 °C, its reaction is sufficient. The skid-resistance durability, high-temperature, low-temperature, water stability, and fatigue resistance of UTOL can be effectively improved using steel slag coarse aggregate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rapid economic development in China, new and aging road infrastructure is susceptible to premature distresses like potholes under environmental and traffic loading, posing safety risks. Although epoxy resins for crack repair materials exhibit favorable adhesion and mechanics, polyurethanes are emerging for roads to enhance the durability and wear resistance of epoxy resins. This paper summarizes polyurethane-modified epoxy resins for pavement repair, referring to their mechanical properties, adhesive properties, durability and toughness, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance. The polyurethane modification mechanism and the effect of curing agent on the properties of polyurethane-modified epoxy resins are discussed. Polyurethane-modified epoxy resins show potential to combine the strengths of both polyurethanes and epoxy resins for advanced pavement repair materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive consumption of fossil fuels has led to the serious accumulation of carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere and global warming. Bioconversion technologies that utilize biomass resources to produce chemical products are becoming widely accepted and highly recognized. The world is heavily dependent on petroleum-based products, which may raise serious concerns about future environmental security. Most commercially available epoxy resins (EPs) are synthesized by the condensation of bisphenol A (BPA), which not only affects the human endocrine system and metabolism, but is also costly to produce and environmentally polluting. In some cases, straw tar-based epoxy resins have been recognized as potential alternatives to bisphenol A-based epoxy resins, and are receiving increasing attention due to their important role in overcoming the above problems. Using straw tar and lignin as the main raw materials, phenol derivatives were extracted from the middle tar instead of bisphenol A. Bio-based epoxy resins were prepared by replacing epichlorohydrin with epoxylated lignin to press carbon fiber sheets, which is a kind of bio-based fine chemical product. This paper reviews the research progress of bio-based materials such as lignin modification, straw pyrolysis, lignin epoxidation, phenol derivative extraction, and synthesis of epoxy resin. It improves the performance of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) while taking into account the ecological and environmental protection, so that the epoxy resin is developed in the direction of non-toxic, harmless and high-performance characteristics, and it also provides a new idea for the development of bio-based carbon fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study of the flammability and thermal decomposition products of glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin (GFRER) with the addition of cardanol-based phosphorus-containing benzoxazine monomer (CBz) and graphene and their combinations in different proportions (up to 20 wt.%). The addition of CBz alone or in combination with graphene resulted in an increase in the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and self-extinguishing in the UL-94 HB test. The flame-retardant samples had better tensile mechanical properties than the sample without additives. The differential mass-spectrometric thermal analysis (DMSTA) of the thermal decomposition products of GFRER without additives and with the addition of CBz and graphene was carried out. CBz addition promoted the thermal decomposition of high-molecular-weight products of epoxy resin decomposition in the condensed phase and at the same time decreased the time of release of low-molecular-weight thermal decomposition products into the gas phase. Graphene addition resulted in an increase in the relative intensities of high-molecular-mass peaks compared to GFRER without additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The usage of jute/cotton natural composites has surged in almost all fields of engineering due to their advantage of possessing high strength to weight ratio and biodegradability. This paper deals with the fabrication and investigation of mechanical properties of jute/cotton fiber reinforced epoxy composite which is relatively a hybrid composite. In this study, the composite is fabricated by a hand layup process followed by compression molding method with varying the number of layers of composite laminates also with different cutting angles. The composites are prepared with four different proportions of jute/cotton fibers. Various mechanical tests are conducted and the result shows that the 14-layer jute/cotton composite has optimum properties achieved and also observed that 90° has better properties than the others cutting angles. Statistical analysis of composites was done by ANOVA-table; based on mean effective plots, the optimum levels of parameters have been identified, and significant contribution of parameters is determined by analysis of variance Also, failure morphology analysis is done using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) through which the internal structures of the tested specimen are analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premature debonding between carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and concrete is a critical issue in structural reinforcement applications, often leading to a significant reduction in the load-carrying capacity of the system. This failure mode is typically initiated by inadequate adhesion at the interface, compromising the effectiveness of CFRP in enhancing the structural performance of concrete elements. To address these issues, this study explores the impact of silica sand on the mechanical and adhesion properties of epoxy resin composites. Initially, this paper investigates the physical and mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites by varying the ratios of silica sand from 0% to 15% by volume. Subsequently, it examines the effectiveness of these composites as sealing materials to enhance the bond strength between CFRP and concrete. Incorporating a 10% silica content improves the mechanical properties of the epoxy resin, with the tensile strength increasing from 29.47 MPa to 35.52 MPa and an elastic modulus from 4.38 GPa to 5.83 GPa. Furthermore, silica sand enhances the adhesion strength between CFRP and concrete, as confirmed by the increase in the pull-out force from 14.21 kN to 18.79 kN. Silica particles improve surface roughness and interlocking, contributing to a better load distribution and stress transfer at the interface. Therefore, silica-filled epoxy resin is an efficient material for CFRP–concrete bonding applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a study of the dependence of the impact strength of impregnated 3D printed samples on the type of used hardener (PEPA and TETA) and the curing mode after impregnation for samples with different directions of plastic laying during the printing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxy resins were reinforced with different ZnO nanofillers (commercial ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), recycled ZnO and functionalized ZnO NPs) in order to obtain ZnO–epoxy composites with suitable mechanical properties, high adhesion strength, and good resistance to corrosion. The final properties of ZnO–epoxy composites depend on several factors, such as the type and contents of nanofillers, the epoxy resin type, curing agent, and preparation methods. This paper aims to review the preparation methods, mechanical and anti-corrosion performance, and applications of ZnO–epoxy composites. The epoxy–ZnO composites are demonstrated to be valuable materials for a wide range of applications, including the development of anti-corrosion and UV-protective coatings, for adhesives and the chemical industry, or for use in building materials or electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents experimental results from three-point bending tests for a composite made of quadriaxial glass fiber fabrics and an epoxy resin. Two composites were tested, one with 8 layers and the other with 16 layers; both had the same matrix (the epoxy resin). Tests were carried out, using five different test rates from 10 mm/min to 1000 mm/min. The following parameters were recorded and calculated: Young's modulus, flexural stress, flexural strain, energy, force, and all four for the first peak. The experimental data reveal no sensitivity for these materials based on the test rates, at least for the analyzed range; but, the characteristics for the thicker composite, with 16 layers of fabric, are slightly lower than those for the thinner composite, with 8 layers. The results pointed out that, for the same thickness of composite, certain characteristics, such as stress at the first peak, the flexural modulus, strain at the first peak, and energy at the first peak, are not sensitive to the test rate in the range 10–1000 mm/min. The energy at the first peak is double for the 16-layer composite compared to the 8-layer composite, but the specific energy (as energy on cross-sectional area) has close values: 103.47 kJ/m2 for the 8-layer composite and 106.51 kJ/m2 for the 16-layer composite. The results recommend this composite for applications in components with resistance to bending or for low-velocity impact protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing highly efficient and multifunctional epoxy resins (EPs) that overcome the shortcomings of flammability and brittleness is crucial for pursuing sustainable and safe application but remains a huge challenge. In this paper, a novel biomass-containing intumescent flame retardant containing a rigid–flexible and multi-siloxane bridge structure (DPB) was synthesized using siloxane; 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene 10-oxide (DOPO); and biomass vanillin. DPB could facilitate the formation of a carbon residual with an intumescent structure, which effectively blocked the propagation of heat and oxygen. As a result, the peak heat release rate (pHRR) and total heat release (THR) of DPB/EP-7.5 decreased by 38.8% and 45.0%, respectively. In terms of mechanical properties, the tensile and flexural elongations at break of DPB/EP-7.5 increased by 77.2% and 105.3%, respectively. Impressively, DPB/EP-7.5 had excellent dielectric properties, with a dielectric constant of 2.5–2.9. This was due to the Si-O bonds (multi-siloxane bridges) contained in DPB/EP, which can quench the polarization behavior of the hydroxyl group. This paper provides a facile strategy for the preparation of multifunctional EP, which will pave the way for the promotion and application of EP in the high-end field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low energy electron beam (E‐Beam) curing process has been considered a promising fabrication technology in high‐efficiency and low‐cost OOA curing, but still not been widely used in industrial applications, mainly limited by the poor mechanical properties of the CFRP resulting from the poor toughness of the low‐energy E‐Beam curable resin. This paper extended the excellent effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) toughened resin to the E‐Beam curable resin system, and focused on the influence law and mechanism of CNTs on the curing characteristics of the resin. Theoretical analysis showed that the carboxylated CNTs affect the curing characteristics by participating in the chain transfer link of the cationic curing process. According to the DSC experimental results, the activation energy of the curing reaction of the resin were reduced from 136.2 kJ·mol−1 without adding CNTs to 123.9 kJ·mol−1, 118.3 kJ·mol−1, 112.8 kJ·mol−1 and 105.8 kJ·mol−1 at 0.25 wt.%, 0.5 wt.%, 0.75 wt.% and 1 wt.% of CNTs adding amount respectively, due to which the curing degree of the E‐Beam curable CFRPs were improved with the increase of CNTs contents. Considering the E‐Beam dose attenuation and its influence on curing characteristics, prepregs were irradiated single‐sided or both sided for efficient preparation of E‐Beam cured CFRP components subsequently, for which the curing degree along the prepreg thickness were investigated through the curing reaction kinetic models and DSC experiments. This study will provide research basis for parameter optimization of CNTs contents, and performance improvement of E‐Beam cured CNTs/CFRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The micron metal particles are inevitably produced in long-term operation condition of high voltage direct current SF6 insulated apparatus, which could frequently cause the surface discharge. Degradation of long-term surface discharge will be a severe threat to the insulation strength. Aiming at this problem, the surface charge accumulation and flashover voltage of epoxy itself before and after discharge degradation by particles were compared in this paper. The composition after degradation was measured by EDS and FTIR. The microstructure was observed by SEM. The roughness was measured as well. The trap distribution was measured by SPD. The mechanism of degradation and its effect on insulation characteristics were analyzed. The results show that the surface charge accumulation increase three times after degradation. Additionally, flashover voltage decreases 19% after degradation. The smoothly surface after degradation decrease the trap energy level for 14%, which might be the change reason of surface charge accumulation and flashover voltage. This paper can offer as a reference for the effect of micron metal particles on insulation degradation in SF6 gas insulated equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing technology can print multi-material parts with multiple functions/properties, and has great potential for working in harsh application environments. However, the metal blank formed by sintering metal powder material with binder added through L-PBF has an obvious porous structure and insufficient mechanical properties, and few studies have been conducted studying this. In this paper, epoxy resin was used to impregnate the blank of porous metal parts formed by L-PBF with iron-based powder material at a certain temperature, and a cross-linked curing reaction was carried out with three kinds of phenolic resin in different proportions under the action of a curing agent, so as to fill the pores and achieve the desired mechanical properties. The characteristic peaks of each group of epoxy resin were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectrums. The microstructure, decomposition temperature, and residue of four epoxy resin dispersion systems were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a thermal gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG). The results show that the density of the porous metal parts was obviously improved, the heat resistance temperature of the parts could reach 350 °C, and the tensile strength of the sample after EP2-1 impregnation was increased by 4–6 times after curing at 160 °C for 6 h. Therefore, the use of an epoxy resin dispersion system can increase the porosity of L-PBF porous metal parts, but can also significantly improve their mechanical properties, which can help them to meet the requirements of applications as model materials, biological materials, and functional materials to provide a feasible solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Polymer Materials Science & Engineering is the property of Sichuan University, Polymer Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Polymer Materials Science & Engineering is the property of Sichuan University, Polymer Research Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)