The Effect of the Melt Viscosity and Impregnation of a Film on the Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Composites
Generally, to produce film-type thermoplastic composites with good mechanical properties, high-performance reinforcement films are used. In this case, films used as a matrix are difficult to impregnate into tow due to their high melt viscosity and high molecular weight. To solve the problem, in this paper, three polypropylene (PP) films with different melt viscosities were used separately to produce film-type thermoplastic composites. A film with a low melt viscosity was stacked so that tow was impregnated first and a film with a higher melt viscosity was then stacked to produce the composite. Four different composites were produced by regulating the pressure rising time. The thickness, density, fiber volume fraction (Vf), and void content (Vc) were analyzed to identify the physical properties and compare them in terms of film stacking types. The thermal properties were identified by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The tensile property, flexural property, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed to identify the mechanical properties. For the films with low molecular weight, impregnation could be completed fast but showed low strength. Additionally, the films with high molecular weight completed impregnation slowly but showed high strength. Therefore, appropriate films should be used considering the forming process time and their mechanical properties to produce film-type composites.
In situ observations of fractures in short carbon fiber/epoxy composites
Abstract In contrast with traditional methods of observation, synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography (SR-CT) is an advanced technique that allows direct three-dimensional (3D) and non-destructive observation of microstructures in materials. High-resolution in situ observations (0.7 μm/pixel) of fractures in short carbon fiber/epoxy composites are achieved using the SR-CT technique, and the mechanical load response of short carbon fibers treated with oxidation and those untreated are compared. By the quantitative extraction and analysis of microstructure parameters in high-resolution 3D images, the failure mechanisms of the two materials were studied. The proportion of broken fibers to other types of fiber damage in the sample with oxidation-treated fibers increases by about 6%. Also, the oxidation treatment is able to reduce the ineffective length of the fibers by about 20%, thereby improving the mechanical properties of these composites. The results show that computed tomography can promote characterization of the internal microstructures in carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composites, which will facilitate further theoretical research on the failure mechanisms of these composites.
Organic geochemical characteristics and depositional setting of Tertiary organic-rich sediments from onshore Penyu Basin, Malaysia
Due to the poor knowledge of the organic facies characteristics of the eastern Chenor Pahang has made it remain an untapped potential in the Penyu Basin. Therefore, detailed geochemical and petrographic characterization of the Tertiary organic facies of the eastern Chenor area of the Penyu Basin was carried out to characterized its organic matter (OM) source input. Towards achieving the goal, this study focuses on determination of organic matters richness, type and origin as related to their paleoenvironmental conditions of the carbonaceous mudstone and shale using organic petrography combined with organic and inorganic geochemistry. The sedimentary succession is characterized by fine to coarse grained sandstone occurring in association with carbonaceous mudstone and shale in a predominantly fining upward sequence within a lacustrine environment. These facies are generally enriched in organic matter as indicated by the TOC results, hydrocarbon yield (S2) and extractible organic matter (EOM), suggesting significant hydrocarbon generation potential for the area.