This paper presents the first conceptual study into creating a Plantae-inspired vascular network within a fibre-reinforced polymer composite laminate, which provides an ongoing self-healing functionality without incurring a mass penalty. Through the application of a 'lost-wax' technique, orthogonal hollow vascules, inspired by the 'ray cell' structures found in ring porous hardwoods, were succe...

Mechanical anisotropy greatly influences the applications of materials printed by additive manufacturing techniques such as Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) and selective laser sintering. However, mechanical MJF-printed fibre–reinforced polymer composites has not been well understood. In this work, effect fibre length on performance glass polyamide 12 (GF/PA12) is systematically investigated. Both experi...

Thermoplastic-based polymers are gathering importance in several engineering fields like electrical, electronic, automotive, aerospace, and structural. The additions of secondary phase reinforcements such as natural synthetic fibre improve thermoplastic-based polymer’s properties. thermoplastic combinations found to have low mechanical strength incompatibility need special treatment for synthes...

Pultrusion is a rapid and cost-effective manufacturing technology for continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite profiles. As the cross-sections of pultruded profiles grow to meet increasing performance requirements, challenges concerning heat transfer are encountered. In this study, two-dimensional finite element model was used simulate fluid flow physics pultrusion process diameters ...

OBJECTIVES.: The aim was to investigate the adhesion of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) to a short glass fibers reinforced semi-IPN polymer matrix composite resin. The effect of surface roughness on adhesion was also studied. For comparison, different commercial restorative materials were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Experimental composite FC resin was prepared by mixing 22.5 wt% of...

This paper studies the fracture behaviour of unidirectional carbon fibre reinforced carbon matrix composites and its relation with the type of fibre-matrix interface developed in the composite. Model unidirectional carbon-carbon composites were prepared using the same type of fibre and different pitches as matrix precursors. These included both commercial pitches and synthesized in the laborato...

The introduction of carbon-fibre reinforced plastics in load bearing automotive structures provides a great potential to reduce vehicle weight and fuel consumption. A reduction in overall manufacturing cost can be realised through part integration and use of cost-effective materials such as heavy tow carbon fibre. There is a current drive within the automotive industry to develop the technologi...