Recent Advances in composite Material Technology ...

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Composite material is a combination of fiber and matrix material that has very important engineering properties like high strength and stiffness, corrosion resistance, lightweight, easy to fabricate and comparatively low cost. It is now widely used in various demanding applications ranging from children toys up to aerospace applications. There are still many more areas in composite material materials that need to be explored.

Therefore, this issue included papers related to various aspects of composite materials ranging from design, manufacture and characterization. The purpose of this special issue was to attract the materials scientists, researchers, academicians, engineers and managers to discuss and exchange experimental and theoretical results, novel designs, work-in-progress, experience, case studies and trend-setting ideas in the area of composite materials.


Scope of the Special issue:

• Polymer composites
• Natural fiber composites
• Design of composites
• Expert system in composites
• Short fiber composites
• Composite manufacture
• Automotive composites
• Concurrent engineering in composite development

Title:	Factors Affecting Adhesive Shear Strength of Overlaid Composite Panel
Author(s):	Salim Hiziroglu and Roman Rabiej
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 1-4
Abstract:	The objective of this study was to evaluate adhesive shear strength between veneer overlay and particleboard substrate as the profiles traditional raised panels. Test samples were manufactured using red oak (Quercus rubra) and yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) veneer and commercially manufactured particleboard. Surface roughness of each type of veneer and substrate panels was evaluated by using a fine stylus techniques. Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) based adhesive was applied to either veneer overlay or particleboard substrate at various rates. It was found that surface roughness of substrates based on Average Roughness (Ra) had a significant influence on the adhesive shear strength. It was also determined that loss of the adhesive shear strength due to the poor surface characteristics of the substrate can be compensated by a rate of the adhesive spread and its application directly to the surface of the particleboard substrate
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Title:	Some of the Properties of Particleboard Panels Made from Eucalyptus
Author(s):	Mehmet Nacar, Salim Hiziroglu and Hulya Kalaycioglu
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 5-8
Abstract:	The objective of this study was to evaluate some of the physical and mechanical properties of particleboard panels made from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis.). Three-layer experimental panels with two density levels were produced using different resin content and press cycles. Static bending, internal bond strength and thickness swelling of the samples were determined. Average values of 894,963 psi, 2,532 psi were found for Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) for the specimens respectively. Overall both physical and mechanical properties of the experimental panels were found to be comparable to those of commercial particleboard panels manufactured from different species. Bending properties of the samples manufactured using two levels of resin content and density were determined statistically different from each other. Overall mechanical properties increased with increasing panel density, press time and resin content. Based on the finding in this study, it appears that low quality eucalyptus can be used to manufacture wood composite panels without having any adverse influence on panel properties.
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Title:	The Effect of Natural Fiber on the Shear Strength of Soil
Author(s):	Bujang B.K. Huat, Faisal Hj. Ali and 1Shukri Maail
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 9-13
Abstract:	This study describes a research that has been carried out to study the effect of natural fiber, in the form of plant roots, on the shear strength of soils. Two types of residual soil, namely the carbonaceous shale residual soil and the granitic residual soil, were vegetated with a mix plant species of grass and legumes and treated with compound fertilizer, in a glasshouse experiment. Soil samples containing the natural fibber, in the form of plant root, were then tested in the laboratory using both the conventional and a modified large shear box test apparatus for their shear strength. The results showed that the presence of natural fiber in the form of plant roots had a significant effect on the shear strength of both soils, in both the unsaturated and saturated conditions. The influence on the shear strength appeared to increase with increase in the fiber (root) proliferation and time given for the plant to grow
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Title:	Study of Fiber Surface Treatment on Reinforcement/Matrix Interaction in Twaron Fiber/ENR Composites
Author(s):	I. Ahmad, T. S. Chin, C. K. Cheong, A. Jalar and I. Abdullah
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 14-20
Abstract:	The effects of chemical treatment on aramid fibers have been studied in Twaron-ENR composite system using micromechanical and mechanical testing. Both untreated (HM) and treated with epoxy adhesion activation (HMA) aramid fibers were bonded to ENR matrix. The adhesion between aramid fibers and Epoxidized Natural Rubber (ENR) was measured using microbond method. It was found that the interfacial shear strength (IFSS) between aramid fibers and ENR matrix has been improved for both HM and HMA fibers with the introducing of RFL treatment. The results obtained from microbond pull-out test seem to be agree with the effective mechanical properties of Twaron-ENR composite measured using tensile and impact tests. This behaviour was supported by scanning electron microscope analysis of the specimens following tensile testing. From the results it can be concluded that both epoxy adhesion activation and RFL coated fiber improved the interaction between the aramid fiber and ENR matrix.
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Title:	Flexural Properties of Arenga pinnata Fibre Reinforced Epoxy Composites
Author(s):	H.Y. Sastra, J.P. Siregar , S.M. Sapuan, Z. Leman and M.M. Hamdan
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 21-24
Abstract:	The aim of this study is to determine the flexural properties of Arenga pinnata fiber as a natural fiber and epoxy resin as a matrix. The Arenga pinnata fibers were mixed with epoxy resin at the various fiber weight percentages of 10, 15 and 20% Arenga pinnata fiber and with different fiber orientations such as long random, chopped random and woven roving. Hand lay up processes in this experiments were to produce specimen test with the curing time for the composite plates is in the room temperature (25-30C). Results from the flexural tests of Arenga pinnata fiber reinforced epoxy composite are that the 10 wt.% woven roving Arenga pinnata fiber showed the highest value for maximum flexural properties. The flexural strength and flexural modulus values for 10 wt.% of woven roving Arenga pinnata fiber composite are 108.157 MPa and 4421.782 MPa respectively. The results above indicate that the woven roving Arenga pinnata fiber has a better bonding between its fiber and matrix compare to long random Arenga pinnata fiber and chopped random Arenga pinnata fiber.
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Title:	Photopyroelectric Spectroscopy of MnO Doped Ceramic ZnO at Different Sintering Temperatures
Author(s):	B.Z. Azmi, Zahid Rizwan, M. Hashim, A.H. Shaari, W.M.M. Yunus and E. Saion
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 25-29
Abstract:	: The band-gap energy, Eg, of ZnO doped with 0.1 to 2.0 mol% of MnO and sintered at different isothermal sintering temperatures is studied by photopyroelectric spectroscopy in the wavelength range of 300 to 800 nm. This energy is estimated from the plot (ρhυ)2 versus hυ and is about 3.0 eV for the samples sintered at 850°C at all doping levels. Samples sintered at higher temperatures (1050 and 1300°C), the value of Eg decreases with the MnO mol% and beyond 1 mol%, Eg becomes constant at about 2.0 eV. The increase in steepness factor (σA, in A-region and σB, in B-region) is related to sintering temperature at low doping level. The dielectric constant, ranging from 300 to 3100, increases with the increase in sintering temperature and decreases with the increase in frequency indicating the formation of insulating layer near the grain boundaries. The X-ray diffractrometry shows that the crystal structure of ZnO doped with different MnO mol% at all sintering temperatures remains to be of hexagonal type but a small peak is found related to the new phase ZnMn2O4 only at 1050°C sintering temperature and 2 mol% of MnO doping level. The grain size ranges from 2 - 30 µm, increases with the MnO mol% and sintering temperature. The density is decreased from 95.5 to 87% with the increase of sintering temperature and doping level.
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Title:	Ultrasonic Studies of Silver Borotellurite Glasses
Author(s):	Halimah M.K., Sidek H.A.A., Daud W.M., Zainul H. and Z.A. Talib
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 30-33
Abstract:	A series of glasses [TeO2)x(B2O3)1-x]1-y[Ag2O]y with x = 0.65 and y = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 were synthesized by rapid quenching. Longitudinal and shear ultrasonic velocity were measured at room temperature and at 5 MHz frequency. Elastic properties, Poisson’s ratio, micro hardness and Debye temperature have been calculated from the measured density and ultrasonic velocity at room temperature. The experimental results indicate that the elastic constants depend upon the composition of the glasses. The role of the Ag2O inside the glass network is discussed
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Title:	Tensile Behavior and Morphological Studies of TPNR-KF-CF Hybrid Composite
Author(s):	H. Anuar, S. H. Ahmad, R. Rasid and S. Zakaria
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 34-39
Abstract:	Synergistic effect on hybrid system of thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR)-kenaf fiber (KF)-carbon fiber (CF) was investigated. It was found that tensile strength reduced drastically with the incorporation of KF. However, the domination of KF content prior to CF directing to the enhancement of tensile modulus of the hybrid. It was also found that hybridization of 50:50 CF to KF has yield in lower cost and moderate loss in tensile property. In order to enhance the tensile property of the hybrid, fibers were treated with the used of MAPP on KF and sulfuric acid surface treatment on CF. However, the treatment applied resulted in rather poor tensile strength and low Young’s modulus. From the morphological observation, it was clearly seen that KF cross-section is not uniform as compared with synthetic CF. Both fibers were randomly orientated. Oxidative treatment via sulfuric acid had roughened the CF surface and pittings were clearly observed
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Title:	Strain Measurements Using Fibre Bragg Grating Sensor
Author(s):	Bashir Ahmad Tahir, Jalil Ali and Rosly Abdul Rahman
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 40-48
Abstract:	Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors are widely accepted as strain and vibration monitoring devices for advanced composite mechanical structures. The advantages of using the FBG sensors include their small physical size, insensitivity to electromagnetic interference, lightweight, multiplex ability and ability to be used at relatively high temperature and environmentally unfavorable conditions. However, most research related to the use of embedded FBG sensors has only focused on the static strain measurement and identification of vibration mode shapes of the structures. The fiber optic grating sensors have been used in this research work in static operating conditions. The feasibility of using a FBG sensor system in real-time monitoring of strain in an optic fibre has been demonstrated experimentally. In this paper a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensing system for strain measurements is being described. Low cost and simple grating-based FBGS has been used to produce the strain and induce Bragg wavelength shift. Experimental and theoretical results showing the capability of the proposed system to perform strain measurements and giving a linear response are presented.
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Title:	Thermal Wave Study on Carbon Nanotube-filled Polymer Films at Low Temperatures by Using Flash Technique
Author(s):	M. Haydari, M. M. Moksin, N. Yahya, W. M. M. Yunus and V. I. Grozescu
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 49-52
Abstract:	Thermal wave method was used to determine the thermal diffusivity of the carbon nanotube-filled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film composites at low temperatures. The diffusivity was found consistently increased with increasing carbon nanotube (CNT) concentration or decreasing temperature or both. At any particular temperature dramatic increase in thermal diffusivity was noticed at the beginning as CNT concentration was systematically increased up to 1% turning point from which the thermal diffusivity increases further at much smaller rate. This two-slope phenomenon may be related to the CNT alignment in the sample. At lower concentrations CNT is relatively more easily aligned than at higher concentrations above the turning point as the samples were mechanically stirred during the preparation. Adding more CNT also adds to the sample heterogeneity that prone to phonon scattering and hence the diffusivity increases at smaller rate. However, thermal diffusivity enhancement with addition of CNT is still the case since the latter are of ultrahigh thermal conductivity and aspect ratio.
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Title:	Adhesion and Bonding Properties of Plybamboo Manufactured from Gigantochloa scortechinii
Author(s):	Anwar, U.M.K., Paridah, M.T., Hamdan, H., Abd Latif, M and Zaidon, A
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 53-58
Abstract:	This study investigates the bonding properties of plybamboo manufactured from Gigantochloa scortechinii locally known as buluh semantan. Since the wettability of G. scortechinii was relatively high, additional amount of extender has to be added to control the viscosity of the mix to be in the range suitable for bonding the bamboo using phenol formaldehyde resin. The best formulation of the adhesive was 67% resin, 6.7% filler and 26.3% extender. Using this formulation, the bamboo sheets can be assembled within 50 min without significantly affecting the dry glue bond strength. Generally, the bonding strength of plybamboo met the minimum requirements of Malaysian Standard.
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Title:	Low Temperature Study on Thermal Behavior of Colossal Magnetoresistance (CMR) Sample (La1-x Erx) 0.67 Ca0.33 MnO3 at by Using Flash Technique
Author(s):	M .Haydari, M.M. Moksin, W.M.M. Yunus, I.V. Grozescu and S.A. Halim
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 59-62
Abstract:	The technique is a new version of a conventional flash technique, which is developed for measuring wide range thermal diffusivity of solids at low temperature. The thermal diffusivity of the colossal magneto resistive samples, , was measured in the temperature range from 100 to 300K. The results show that the thermal diffusivity abruptly decreases with increasing temperature up to the transition temperature from metal to insulator. Thermal diffusivity in insulator part doesn’t show any anomaly and its value is almost constant. The results are consistent with electrical resisitivity in all the samples.
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Title:	Optical Properties of Borotellurite Glasses
Author(s):	Halimah M.K., Daud W.M., Sidek H.A. A., Zainal A.T., Zainul H. and Jumiah Hassan
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 63-66
Abstract:	A series of binary tellurite glass was prepared and some of physical and optical properties were investigated. The optical absorption was recorded at room temperature in the wavelength range of 200 to 800 nm. From the absorption edge studies, the value of the optical band gap Eopt and Urbach energy E have been evaluated. The value of Eopt lies between 2.71eV to 2.16eV for the indirect transition and for direct transition the values vary from 2.90eV to 3.15eV. From the experimental results, values of the optical energy gap are calculated and found to be dependent on the glass composition.
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Title:	Static Torsion Capacity of a Hybrid Aluminum Glass Fiber Composite Hollow Shaft
Author(s):	S.A. Mutasher, B. B. Sahari and A. M. S. Hamouda, S.M. Sapuan
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 67-71
Abstract:	Through out this paper an experimental study was carried out to study the static torsion capability of hybrid aluminum glass fiber composite shaft. A hybrid shaft was fabricated using a wetted filament winding method by winding glass fibers on aluminum tube with different winding angles and number of layers. The torque-angle of twist response was obtained and the failure modes of the hybrid shaft were studied. The results show that the static torque capacity for winding angle of 45o is higher than 90o. For [+45/-45]3s laminates, the maximum static torsion approximately 7.5 times higher than the pure aluminum tube. It was also found that the aluminum tube yielded first followed by the crack propagation in composite shaft along the fiber direction, which caused eventually the delamination of composite layers from the aluminum tube. Then the white regions appear in composite layer and finally the fiber breakage and the catastrophic failure took place.
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Title:	Development of Gasification System Fuelled with Oil Palm Fibres and Shells
Author(s):	A. Azali, A.B. Nasrin, Y.M. Choo, N.M. Adam and S.M. Sapuan
Source:	American Journal of Applied Sciences : 72-75
Abstract:	Oil palm biomass, a by-product of palm oil mill is a valuable source of energy in Malaysia. It has many desirable properties, making it a suitable feedstock material in a biomass gasifier. This research highlights the design and operation of gasification system fuelled with oil palm fibres and shells. This research also reports the possibilities of using producer gas from burning technique for power generation.
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