Due to their inherent advantages, micro-sized horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT) are preferred over vertical (VAWT) for urban applications. Typically, HAWTs on the market constructed using steel, alloys, or fibre-reinforced composites, with latter being most economical and stable in comparison steel alloy-based HAWTs. Nevertheless, light of increased emphasis cost savings environmental sustai...

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...

Aim of this work was to investigate the tensile, flexural and dielectric properties of composites made by reinforcing Sansevieria cylindrica as a new natural fibre into a rubber based polyester matrix. The fibres extracted by retting and manual processes were used to fabricate the composites. These composites were tested for the properties which mentioned above and compared with those of establ...

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...

In spite of their popularity in fulfilling aesthetic requirements, plastic brackets still present some disadvantages because of their low elastic modulus, decreased fracture toughness, and reduced wear resistance. Fibre-reinforced composites are well established in dentistry and consist of a polymer matrix in which reinforcing fibres are embedded. Stress is transferred from the polymer matrix t...

The potential use of natural biopolymer composites in a variety of applications that requires biodegradability and better mechanical properties has renewed many researchers interest on the composites. This research involves the analysis of flexural properties for natural fibers specifically kenaffiber mat in a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix (KMPLA). The polylactic acid has been chosen as a matrix...