Reinforcement, mechanical

The molecular origins of mechanical reinforcement of polymer nanocomposites have been studied by various analytical and numerical methods, which led to two different opinions one attributes exclusively the reinforcement to nanoparticle 

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In addition, it was found that the blends with highly fibrillar structure exhibited a significantly lowered viscosity. Increased shear rate caused slight changes in the blend morphology but did not enhance the fiber formation. Thus, in addition to shear, elongational forces are needed to achieve a well-fibrillated blend structure and significant mechanical reinforcement. 

The figure demonstrates substantial increase in concentration of SiOH groups concurrently on using higher proportion of water. This clearly indicates that many of the SiOH groups are yet to polymerize under these conditions but could not do so as the samples as a whole complete gelation. Visually these composites are not transparent as earlier and also show comparatively less mechanical reinforcement when tested. 

Literatures are available on POSS-polymer composites synthesized from different thermoplastics [71-74]. These composites are lightweight and show good fire retardancy, thermal stability, and mechanical reinforcement. Literatures on POSS-rubber composites are yet to come in a big way. 

The results obtained by Kuila et al. and Acharya et al. [63,64] from the EVA elastomer blended with lamellar-like Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles demonstrate that MH nanocrystals possess higher flame-retardant efficiency and mechanical reinforcing effect by comparison with common micrometer grade MH particles. Kar and Bhowmick [65] have developed MgO nanoparticles and have investigated their effect as cure activator for halogenated mbber. The results as shown in Table 4.2 are promising. 

Masonry, both reinforced and unrein forced, is a common construction material in petrochemical facilities. However, unreinforced masonry is inappropriate in blast resistant design due to its limited strength and its nonductile failure mechanisms. Reinforced masonry walls with independent structural framing for vertical loads arc commonly used in blast resistant design. 

Unlike mechanical reinforcement, which benefits from individualization of the particles, achieving electrical conductivity in the polymer matrix requires some level of ag-... 

Another approach to exploit the properties of nanocarbons consists in integrating them in standard fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPC). The rationale behind this route is to form a hierarchical composite, with the nanocarbon playing a role at the nanoscale and the macroscopic fiber providing mainly mechanical reinforcement. This strategy typically aims to give FRPCs added functionality, improve their interlaminar properties and increase the fiber surface area. The first two properties are critical for the transport industry, for example, where the replacement of structural metallic... 

In addition to mechanical reinforcement, the presence of nanocarbons in these hierarchical composites can also be used for piezoresistive structural health monitoring or damage evaluation by thermal imaging. Other functions of the nanocarbon, for example in structural supercapacitors, are likely to emerge in the near future. 

Coleman JN, Khan U, Gun ko YK. Mechanical reinforcement of polymers using carbon nanotubes. AdvMater. 2006 Mar 17 18(6) 689-706. 

For applications where only mechanical properties are relevant, it is often sufficient to use resins for the filling and we end up with carbon-reinforced polymer structures. Such materials [23] can be soft, like the family of poly-butadiene materials leading to rubber or tires. The transport properties of the carbon fibers lead to some limited improvement of the transport properties of the polymer. If carbon nanotubes with their extensive propensity of percolation are used [24], then a compromise between mechanical reinforcement and improvement of electrical and thermal stability is possible provided one solves the severe challenge of homogeneous mixing of binder and filler phases. For the macroscopic carbon fibers this is less of a problem, in particular when advanced techniques of vacuum infiltration of the fluid resin precursor and suitable chemical functionalization of the carbon fiber are applied. 

Apart from the promising electrochemical properties that will be exhaustively discussed through this chapter, carbon nanotubes have become a hot research topic due to their outstanding electronic, mechanical, thermal, optical and chemical properties and their biocompatibility. Near- and long-term innovative applications can be foreseen including nanoelectronic and nanoelectromechanical devices, held emitters, probes, sensors and actuators as well as novel materials for mechanical reinforcement, fuel cells, batteries, energy storage, (bio)chemical separation, purification and catalysis [20]. 

Don t try to memorize a nitration mechanism as a sepcirate mechanism from halogenations or sulfonation. Let your understanding of one mechanism reinforce your understanding of other mechanisms. 

It is not clear whether this deviation from optimality is found in human behavior. Controlled experiments with human subjects are difficult. Also, the human capacity for conscious choice and the complexity of human affairs tend to reduce the importance of purely mechanical reinforcement. Yet to the extent that human behavior is shaped by reinforcement, as suggested by some earlier examples, similar effects may be expected. 

Polymer nanotubes composites are now extensively studied. Indeed, one may associate the properties of the polymer with those of nanotubes. This is the case of the mechanical reinforcement of standard polymer for example, but also one can take advantage of the specific electronic properties of the nanotubes. Therefore, we prepared composites with either saturated polymers like polymethylmethacrylate and MWNTs [27]. The electrical conductivity of these compounds as a function of the nanotube content exhibits for example a very low percolation threshold, (a few % in mass) and therefore they can be used as conducting and transparent layers in electronic devices such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Another type of composite that we have studied is based on the use of a conjugated polymer, polyphenylene-vinylene (PPV) known for its photoluminescence properties and SWNTs. We prepared this composite by mixing SWNTs to the precursor polymer of PPV. The conversion into PPV was subsequently performed by a thermal treatment at 300°C under dynamical vacuum [28],... 

B. Swoboda, E. Leroy, J.-M. Lopez-Cuesta, C. Artigo, C. Petter, and C.H. Sampaio, Qrganomodifed ultrafine kaolin for mechanical reinforcement and flame retardancy An example with recycled PET, in Fire Retardancy of Polymers, B. Kandola and R. Hull (Eds.), Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, U.K., 2008. 

Subclass B2 is formed by the so-called structural composites, in which an outspoken mechanical reinforcement is given to the polymer. Subgroup B21 consists of blends of polymers with compatible anti-plasticizers subgroups B22 are the most important the fibre-reinforced polymer systems. The two components, the polymer matrix and the reinforcing fibbers or filaments (glass, ceramic, steel, textile, etc.) perform different functions the fibrous material carries the load, while the matrix distributes the load the fibbers act as crack stoppers, the matrix as impact-energy absorber and reinforcement connector. Interfacial bonding is the crucial problem. 

Due to unprecedented mechanical, electrical and chemical properties, CNTs have been considered as an ideal material for various applications as well as for new fundamental investigations (1,2). In this review chapter, we will only discuss mechanical and electrical properties. In most composite structures, nanotubes are used as mechanical reinforcing agents or conductive fillers. This is also the case of PVA/nanotubes nanocomposites. 

Moreover, the carbon nanotube density is low. Thus, there is a considerable interest in using nanotubes to fabricate composite materials from the point of view of mechanical reinforcement. However, the above models assume a perfect adhesion of the nanotubes to the matrix. In practice, the interface can fail. Of course, this lowers the stress transfer and the reinforcement by the nanotubes. This is why controlling the surface chemistry of the nanotubes and their interactions with a polymer matrix are also critical challenges. 

As mentioned earlier, suspensions of particulate rods or fibers are almost always non-Brownian. Such fiber suspensions are important precursors to composite materials that use fiber inclusions as mechanical reinforcement agents or as modifiers of thermal, electrical, or dielectrical properties. A common example is that of glass-fiber-reinforced composites, in which the matrix is a thermoplastic or a thermosetting polymer (Darlington et al. 1977). Fiber suspensions are also important in the pulp and paper industry. These materials are often molded, cast, or coated in the liquid suspension state, and the flow properties of the suspension are therefore relevant to the final composite properties. Especially important is the distribution of fiber orientations, which controls transport properties in the composite. There have been many experimental and theoretical studies of the flow properties of fibrous suspensions, which have been reviewed by Ganani and Powell (1985) and by Zimsak et al. (1994). 

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