In root-treated anterior teeth a better aesthetic can be achieved by using translucent and tooth-coloured post and core restorations instead of traditional metal post systems. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the fracture strength of tooth-coloured ceramic and fibre-reinforced posts as well as titanium posts with clinically proven gold alloy posts as a control. Two all-ceramic, one...

In the automotive and other industries, the visual appearance of external surfaces is a key factor in perceived product quality. Traditionally, the quality of automotive surface finish has been judged by expert human auditors. A set of 17 fibre-reinforced composite plates was previously manufactured to have a range of surface finish quality, and these plates were previously ranked by three expe...

Although fiber-reinforced composite materials have often been considered as periodic materials in theoretical models, the distribution of fibers is random in real materials. This random distribution of fibers is closely related to their transverse failure behavior. This paper proposes the use of statistical functions which describe random point patterns as a quantification of the dispersion of ...

The main advantage of multidirectionally reinforced composites is the freedom to orient selected fiber types and hence derives the benefits of varying fibre volume fractions and there by accommodate the design loads of the final structure of composites. This technology provides the means to produce tailored composites with desired properties. Due to the high level of fibre integrity with throug...

Reinforcement of flexible fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) composites with standard textile fibres is a potential low cost solution to less critical loading applications. The mechanical behaviour of FRPs based on mechanically bonded nonwoven preforms composed of either low or high modulus fibres in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix were compared following compression moulding. Nonwoven pr...

Composite materials are finding increasing application in mechanical systems because of their desirable physical characteristics compared with metals; for example, high strengthand stiffness-to-weight ratios, and the potential for constructing complex shapes without joints or extensive machining. In addition, the dynamic behaviour of composite structures can be manipulated by judicious selectio...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the translucency characteristics of new flowable bulk-filling resin composites at various thicknesses. Experimental short fibre-reinforced composite was also tested. METHODS Two new brands of flowable bulk composites (Venus Bulk Fill and SureFil SDR Flow), experimental short fibre-reinforced resin composite (FC) and, as control, conventional flow (Filtek Supreme Flow XT ...

A surface-mounted chirped fibre Bragg grating (CFBG) sensor has been used for the first time to monitor delamination growth within a composite material (a transparent, unidirectionally reinforced glass fibre/epoxy resin double-cantilever beam (DCB) specimen). The specimens were tested using a constant displacement rate, with the delamination length being measured using complementary techniques:...

This paper presents the first conceptual study into creating a Plantae-inspired vascular network within a fibre-reinforced polymer composite laminate, which provides an ongoing self-healing functionality without incurring a mass penalty. Through the application of a 'lost-wax' technique, orthogonal hollow vascules, inspired by the 'ray cell' structures found in ring porous hardwoods, were succe...

This paper studies the fracture behaviour of unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced carbon matrix composites and its relation with the type of fibre-matrix interface developed in the composite. Model unidirectional carbon-carbon composites were prepared using the same type of fibre and different pitches as matrix precursors. These included both commercial pitches and synthesized in the laborato...