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This study was an attempt to combine fused deposition modelling and hot press moulding technique to fabricate hybrid polymer composites using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer, woven glass fibre (GF) and woven carbon fibre (CF). The composite specimens were subjected towere subjected to mechanical and thermal characterization.Tensile strength of GF/ABS and GF/CF/ABS composite were far higher than the virgin ABS. GF/ABS composites displayedimproved thermal resistance by giving a final residue of 42.36%, followed by GF/CF/ABS hybrid composites as per the thermogravimetric analysis. Thermomechanical analysis revealed the coefficient of thermal expansion in the order: ABS > GF/ABS > GF/CF/ABS. The entropy obtained from the DSC curve was of higher value for composites than the ABS. The ABS based composites fabricated from this technique can be applicable to structural parts in the automobiles, aircrafts, shipping vessels, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Cu2O composites and melamine–formaldehyde‐coated sisal fibers (MF‐sisal fibers) modified PLA/Cu2O hybrid composites were prepared. The effect of Cu2O and MF‐sisal fibers on the tensile properties, fracture morphology, crystallinity, thermal and electrical conductivity, thermal stability, water absorption, UV resistance, and laser‐assisted metallization by electroless plating were systematically studied. The addition of MF‐sisal fibers recompensed the tensile properties (strength and elongation at break [EB]) and thermal stability of the PLA/Cu2O composites. The crystallinity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity of the PLA matrix marginally increased in the presence of Cu2O and MF‐sisal fibers. The water absorption was reduced for the PLA/Cu2O composites but increased for the MF‐sisal fibers modified PLA/Cu2O hybrid composites due to the presence of free hydroxyl groups present in the MF‐sisal fibers. The presence of Cu2O obstructed the UV transmission through the PLA composites and hybrid composites, clearly showing the UV shielding efficiency of the Cu2O particles. The samples were irradiated with fiber pulse laser for metallization by electroless plating. The SEM micrographs of the irradiated samples revealed an increase in surface roughness with increasing fluence. Further, Talysurf series 2 was used to quantify the roughness of the irradiated composites. Finally, the laser treated samples were selectively metallized by electroless plating. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:3264–3274, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green composites were fabricated using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvaierate) (PHBV) as the matrix and spent coffee bean powder (SCBP) as a filler by simple solution casting method. The effect of varying concentrations (5-25 wt.%) of SCBP on the thermal and mechanical properties was studied. The SCBP filler had better thermal properties than the matrix and the composites. There was slight increase in the glass transition temperature of the composites with higher concentration of the filler when compared to the PHBV matrix. The weight remaining at endset temperatures of the composites was found to be higher than for the matrix indicating enhanced thermal stability. The contact angle of the composites increased with increasing filler content changing from 75.8° to 97°. The tensile strength and modulus of the composite films reduced with increasing filler concentration but a reverse trend was observed in case of the % elongation at break. However, the tensile properties were comparable with other synthetic polymers such as LDPE, HOPE etc. Furthermore, the recycling of films did not significantly affect the mechanical and thermal properties. Hence, with comparable thermal and tensile properties, these biocomposite films can be considered for replacing the conventional synthetic non-biodegradable polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene for packaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]