In recent years, low-cost carbons derived from recycled materials have been gaining attention for their potentials as filler in composites and in other applications. The electrical and mechanical properties of polymer composites can be tuned using different percentages and different kind of fillers: either low-cost (e.g., carbon black), ecofriendly (e.g., biochar), or sophisticated (e.g., carbo...

Three types of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) homogeneous epoxy composites with different SWCNT loadings (0.01–15%) have been evaluated for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) in the X-band range (8.2–12.4 GHz). The effect of the SWCNT structure including both the SWCNT aspect ratio and wall integrity, on the EMI SE have been studied and are found to correlate...

Using porcelain and resin-mixed composites as experimental materials, cubic polymerized composites were prepared by the accumulation of thin slices cured by laser scanning. The composites were then fired, and bulk ceramic bodies were made. The optimal firing conditions of polymerized composites and firing shrinkage were investigated. The results showed that cubic ceramic bodies in a form homolo...

Natural composites exhibit exceptional mechanical performance that often arises from complex fiber arrangements within continuous matrices. Inspired by these natural systems, we developed a rotational 3D printing method that enables spatially controlled orientation of short fibers in polymer matrices solely by varying the nozzle rotation speed relative to the printing speed. Using this method, ...

A model for the piezoelectric and pyroelectric activities of 0–3 composites of ferroelectric particles in a linear matrix has been developed based on the polarization behavior of the inclusions. The model is applied to simulate the piezoelectric activity of a lead zirconate titanate/epoxy system polarized under different fields and the piezoand the pyroelectric properties of lead titanate/ poly...

We use molecular dynamics simulations to characterize multilayer graphene reinforced epoxy composites. We focus on two configurations, one where the graphene layers are parallel to polymer/graphene interface and a perpendicular case, and characterize the in situ curing process of the resin and the thermo-mechanical response of the composites. The yield stress of the composites under uniaxial lo...

Sandwich structure composites produced by epoxy core and aluminium skin were developed as potential building materials. Interface bonding between core and skin was controlled by varying kenaf content. Five different weight percentage of kenaf loading ranging from 10 wt% to 50 wt% were employed in the core manufacturing in order to study the mechanical properties of the sandwich composite. Prope...

An innovative recycling process for thermoset polymer composites developed by Connora Technologies (Hayward, CA, USA) was studied. The process efficacy has already been tested, and it is currently working at the plant level. The main aspect investigated in the present paper was the environmental impact by means of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. Because of the need to recycle and recove...

The internationally growing demand for electrical energy is one of the most prominent triggers stimulating research these days. In this highly interdisciplinary research area, electrical engineers, material scientists and chemists collaborate for the design and fabrication of the next generation of high-voltage machinery and electro-technical devices. Nanocomposites with enhanced thermal conduc...

The introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modifies bulk polymer properties, depending on intrinsic quality, dispersion, alignment, interfacial chemistry and mechanical properties of the nanofiller. These effects can be exploited to enhance the matrices of conventional microscale fibrereinforced polymer composites, by using primary reinforcing fibres grafted with CNTs. This paper presents a me...