The creation of highly oriented, co-extruded polypropylene (PP) tapes allows the production of recyclable ‘‘all-polypropylene’’ (allPP) composites, with a large temperature processing window and a high volume fraction of highly oriented PP (>90%). The wholly thermoplastic nature of these ‘self-reinforced’ composites implies that the mechanical performance may vary with temperature. This paper d...

In this study, oil palm empty fruit bunch fibres (EFB) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by two different methods i.e. physical treatment of the composites using electron beam irradiation and chemical treatment by adding coupling agent such as maleated PP. The composites pellets were then subjected to injection moulding for preparation of test pieces for physical, mechanica...

Synthetic fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials have been widely used in engineering fields, e.g., civil, automotive, and aerospace industry, due to their high specific modulus strength, corrosion resistance, relatively durability. The interface between matrix is critical for the short-term long-term performance of FRP shear lag stress transfer from via interface. This paper presen...

Lightweight design, using high performance composites, which directly yields a reduced need for fuel is in the focus of new developments for traffic engineering. The increased substitution of traditional, metal based materials by fibre-reinforced composites in the aviation industry exemplifies this trend. In addition to mechanical properties, e.g. an increase in strength, that leads to direct w...

Modelling the longitudinal compressive failure of carbon-fibre-reinforced composites has been attempted for decades. Despite many developments, no single model has surfaced to provide simultaneously a definitive explanation for the micromechanics of failure as well as validated predictions for a generic stress state. This paper explores the reasons for this, by presenting experimental data (inc...

Hemp fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites (HFRUPE) were subjected to water immersion tests in order to study the effects of water absorption on the mechanical properties. HFRUPE composites specimens containing 0, 0.10, 0.15, 0.21 and 0.26 fibre volume fraction were prepared. Water absorption tests were conducted by immersing specimens in a de-ionised water bath at 25 C and 100 C fo...

Studies on fibre reinforced composites are now receiving greater attention. Industrial applications have been successful in areas like aerospace, automobile, marine, construction and sporting goods. The first generation of epoxy resins for use in carbon fibre composites are able to achieve optimized high stiffness modules and high heat resistance by a high crosslink density, reached through the...

Using the cutting of long fibre reinforced polymer and ceramic particle reinforced aluminium as the examples, this paper tends to understand some common features in the mechanics modelling of machining composites. It demonstrates that an accurate characterisation of matrix deformation, matrix–reinforcement interaction, and reinforcement deformation are key factors for the establishment of amode...

With the increasing prevalence of polymer composites in engineering applications, invariably mechanical failures of these components are occurring. Key to addressing this is fractographic analysis; the examination of fracture surfaces to deduce information about the damage and failure of components. The fractography of isotropic materials, particularly metals, has been used as a tool for many y...

Magnetoelectric 0-1 composites comprising CoFe2O4 (CFO) nanoparticles in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer-fibre matrix have been prepared by electrospinning. The average diameter of the electrospun composite fibres is ∼325 nm, independent of the nanoparticle content, and the amount of the crystalline polar β phase is strongly enhanced when compared to pure PVDF polymer fibres. The piezo...