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To create a hybrid material of ramie and flax fibers with silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles, it should have better thermal and mechanical properties. Across industries, sustainable materials are growing in demand for high performance, which is the impetus behind this study. A sustainable future is more about contributing to sustainable alternatives like ramie and flax fibers made from traditional synthetic materials. A key area focused on increasing strength, temperature resistance, and stiffness will be the addition of SiC nanoparticles to hybrid fibers. The research process carefully mixes the ramie and flax fibers with SiC nanoparticles to achieve optimal flexibility, thermal stability, and balance of strength. Hybrid material is examined using characterization techniques such as mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy to determine the functioning of the microstructure. The possibility of composite material recycling, the impact of hybrid fibers, and accounting for natural fibers for sustainability are considered possible in this research. It should be innovative material development that has significant implications from the findings that meet environmental sustainability goals and satisfy performance requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum alloy and its allied composites are gaining popularity and find their exclusive application in all industries for more than two decades. Due to their increased usage, Al metal matrix composites were experimented by reinforcing them with variety of particles. The current study attempted the use of titanium carbide (TiC) and boron nitride (BN) as reinforcing materials for the Al7050 alloy through the stir casting technique. The percentage of reinforcement of TiC was kept constant as 8% by wt., and the BN was varied as 2% and 3% by wt. Mechanical properties, such as compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact energy, microhardness (Vickers), the microstructure were studied using an optical microscope and by corrosion tests using polarization techniques. The results conclude that the Al hybrid composite with 8% TiC and 3% BN provides superior performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, four varieties of hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) panels made of kevlar-29 and natural fibers are studied. All panels have kevlar-29 face sheets and natural fiber core, such as jute, flax, sisal, and hemp. This research focuses on the behavior of these hybrid FRP panels under flexural and impact loading so that the panels can be explored for the structural/semi-structural members of army shelters, portable helipad, and roofing panels in high-altitude areas. Natural fibers are chemically treated with NaOH to improve hydrophobicity. The panels are vacuum bagged, the fiber volume fraction is 0.39, and the thickness is close to 4 mm. Three-point flexural loading using the universal testing machine and low-velocity impact loading up to 24 J under drop weight impact test setup is carried out to characterize the panels. Damage area, delamination, permanent deformation, indentation depth, energy absorbed, flexural strength, and modulus are measured. The hybrid flax/kevlar panel and hemp/kevlar panel, each resist impact with permanent deformation less than 0.5 mm up to 24 J. Without significant face sheet or core fiber breakage, the delamination is spread over a small radial distance of 18.5 and 24.5 mm, respectively. Interface matrix breakage causes delamination. The load vs deflection curve is almost linear under flexural loading, and specimens failed under compression at 240 MPa. The numerical simulation is also done using ANSYS and LS-DYNA for detailed study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linum usitatissimum commonly known as flax fibers, emerges as a promising reinforcement phase for artificial polymer resins, boasting ecological benefits, low density, and easy accessibility. However, the mechanical behavior of such composites hinges crucially on factors such as fiber mat thickness, nanoTiO2 filler content, and the application of cryogenic treatment. Addressing this complex interplay, this study employs a hand lay-up technique for composite construction, subjecting nanocomposite plates to the challenging liquid nitrogen conditions at 77 K post-manufacture. Recognizing the need for an optimized approach, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Box-Benhken designs is employed to enhance the mixing features of linum usitatissimum polymer composites. The study calculates anticipated mechanical strength values through rigorous ANOVA inferential analysis, uncovering the pivotal roles played by fiber mat thickness, nanofiller content, and cryogenic treatment in the two feature interactions (2FI) model components. The methodology proves robust with high R2 values (0.9670 for tensile, 0.9845 for flexural, and 0.9670 for interlaminar shear strength) consistently aligning with experimental findings. The study culminates in identifying optimized parameters for maximal mechanical properties--300 gsm flax fiber thickness, 5 wt.% nano TiO2 concentration, and a 15-min cryogenic treatment--a result that advances our understanding of fundamental factors influencing composite performance and provides practical guidelines for applications in fields requiring superior mechanical strength in challenging environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The automotive, biomedical, and aerospace industries are among those with a rising need for lightweight materials with enhanced mechanical and tribological qualities. Composites based on magnesium alloys have attracted interest because of their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and promise to improve component performance. Magnesium (Mg) alloy-based composites find applications in sports and leisure equipment, aerospace, biomedical implants, and more. The research outlined here serves a critical need in the field of materials science and engineering, particularly regarding the development of advanced magnesium (Mg) alloy-based composites. In this study, we have created a new aluminum composite using the AZ31 alloy mixed with 5% boron carbide (B4C) and 5% molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as reinforcement through a powder metallurgical technique. The magnesium alloy contains 3% aluminum and 1% zinc. Our research aims to understand the mechanical and tribological behaviors and the impact of Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) process parameters on AZ31 magnesium alloy. We need to modify these properties for various applications. Many industrial researchers have studied the machinability of magnesium alloys using EDM. We conducted wear tests on AZ31 alloy reinforced with both B4C and MoS2 in altered quantities using a pin-on-disc setup. The outcome displays that the wear resistance of these composites is considerably better matched to other magnesium matrix composites (MMCs). We also measured various densities of the hybrid composite, including apparent density, green density, and sintered density, which were found to be 0.839, 1.495, and 1.504 g/cm3, respectively—better than other composites. In addition, the hybrid composite exhibited a substantial increase in micro hardness, reaching 22.012 HV, indicating improved wear resistance of the material. Comparatively, low density, minimum wear profile, and maximum hardness were recorded for the sample of AZ31 + 5%MoS2 + 5%B4C. The influence of EDM parameters was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study utilized response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) to optimize the formulation of polymer composites with three key variables: silane concentration, silane dipping time, and the number of nanoparticles. RSM and analysis of variance were employed to explore the effects of these variables on the composite’s mechanical properties, while ANN was used for analyzing complex interactions between parameters. The results reveal a significant correlation between the predicted and actual response values derived from the models. Notably, silane treatment of fiber was identified as the primary factor influencing the composite’s flexural strength. The study found that all fiber-related properties substantially affected both flexural strength and hardness, with silane dipping time being the most critical factor. Additionally, incorporating nanoparticles improved the fiber matrix’s strength by enhancing agglomeration. ANN achieved a 95% accuracy in predicting flexural strength and hardness. Comparisons among experimental data, the regression model, and ANN confirmed the robustness of the ANN predictions. The optimal composition identified for flexural strength was 5 wt % nanoparticles, 10 wt % silane treatment, and a 20-min dipping time. For hardness, the ideal formulation was 5 wt % nanoparticles, 15% silane treatment, and a 20-min dipping time in silane. This comprehensive approach offers a refined method for developing high-performance polymer composites with tailored properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]