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The study investigates the fabrication and analysis of nickel microparticle-reinforced composites fabricated using the digital light processing (DLP) technique. A slurry is prepared by incorporating Ni-micro particles into a resin vat; it is thoroughly mixed to achieve homogeneity. Turbidity fluctuations are observed, initially peaking at 50% within the first two minutes of mixing and then stabilizing at 30% after 15–60 min. FTIR spectroscopy with varying Ni wt.% is performed to study the alterations in the composite material's molecular structure and bonding environment. Spectrophotometric analysis revealed distinctive transmittance signatures at specific wavelengths, particularly within the visible light spectrum, with a notable peak at 532 nm. The effects of printing orientation in the X, Y, and Z axes were also studied. Mechanical properties were computed using tensile strength, surface roughness, and hardness. The results indicate substantial enhancements in the tensile properties, with notable increases of 75.5% in the ultimate tensile strength and 160% in the maximum strain. Minimal alterations in surface roughness and hardness suggest favorable printability. Microscopic examination revealed characteristic fracture patterns in the particulate composite at different values for the wt.% of nickel. The findings demonstrate the potential of DLP-fabricated Ni-reinforced composites for applications demanding enhanced mechanical performance while maintaining favorable printability, paving the way for further exploration in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low thermal resistance of composite materials poses a major hindrance in using them for various applications. These limitations are subdued by flame and fire retardants, which when added into polymers and composites provides an enhanced thermal and flame resistance. In this review, the various methods of improving the fire retardancy of composite materials are discussed along with a description of widely used flame retardant additives. The recent progress in the field of flammability and flame retardancy of composite materials is the main focus of this article and considered only recently published works. Additionally, the mechanism of combustion with an emphasis on the flammability of polymer composites is deliberated. The basic idea of improving the fire retardancy of composite is either by enhancing the composite constituents - reinforcement and matrix or by providing a coating to the composite. The flame retardancy mechanism and the methods to improve them are the hot topics for research as the light weight polymer composites are replacing metallic structures. Treatment of reinforcement, matrix, along with the various commonly used flame retardant additives are studied in this article. The circularity, sustainability, and environmentally friendly aspects of composites need to be taken care while considering waste management in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conductive ink research area has attracted much interest from researchers. The possibility of fabricating flexible and simple electronic devices offers many advantages for electronic devices, such as energy storage, wearable devices, and smart devices. Graphene conductive ink has gained much attention from scientists owing to its excellent electrical, optical, and mechanical properties. Numerous scientists have reported the modification of graphene properties to meet the demand for the application. Among the presented graphene synthesis methods, the electrochemical exfoliation process is simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly. Moreover, the electrochemical exfoliation approach can be conducted in a water solution, thus decreasing production costs and making it environmentally safe. This review article presents the progress in the electrochemical exfoliation of graphene to produce graphene-conductive ink. Progress on graphene conductive ink and its hybrid is also presented. In particular, the potential application of graphene in energy storage, sensors, and other possible applications is summarized in the last part. • Graphene-based conductive inks show promise for flexible, cost-effective electronics like energy storage and wearable devices. • Electrochemical exfoliation: A simple, eco-friendly method for large-scale graphene production, suitable for conductive inks. • Review of recent advances in electrochemically exfoliated graphene and hybrid inks, their properties, and applications. • Exploration of graphene ink applications in energy storage, sensors, and flexible displays for wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]