Pumpkin waste powder was used as a coloring and strengthening filler in epoxy to prepare a natural gelcoat . The Pumpkin powder was mixed with different weight ratios (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8%) to the epoxy matrix to select the best value of powder addition. The effect of the pumpkin particle size on the mechanical properties (impact, flexural, hardness, and wear loss) using two different sizes (2.5 and 1.25 microns) was studied. The impact strength increased from (10.09 KJ/ m2) for neat epoxy to (14.79 KJ/ m2) for epoxy with 1% of micron pumpkin fibers ( MPF) with particle size 2.5 micrometer and (14.21 KJ/ m2) for epoxy with 4% (1.25 MPF), flexural strength increased from (41.94 MPa) for neat epoxy to (~ 46 MPa) for epoxy with 1% of 2.5 MPF and to (50.17 MPa) for epoxy with 4% of 1.25 MPF, hardness of neat epoxy was (~ 77) and almost maintained its value for epoxy with 1% of 2.5 MPF and for epoxy with 4% of 1.25 MPF. At almost the weight fractions addition of pumpkin fibers to epoxy, the (EP/1.25MPF) composite shows a higher wear resistance than the (EP/2.5MPF) composite. The density, thermal conductivity, and water diffusion (for 1-4 weeks' immersion) of (EP/2.5MPF) and (EP/1.25MPF) composites were carried out at different weight percentages of pumpkin fibers. SEM and EDS techniques were employed to fix the microstructure and the elemental composition of (EP/2.5MPF) and (EP/1.25MPF) composites, respectively. The internal structure of the composites has been linked with their macroscopic characteristics, such as the color degree of natural gelcoats and their mechanical and thermal properties.
Effect of nano and micro SiO2 particles with different weight percent (2,4,6,8 and 10) %wt on the Interlaminar fracture toughness (GIc) of 16-plies of woven roving glass fiber /epoxy composites prepared by hand lay – up technique were investigated. The specimens were tested using DCB test (mode I).
Area method was used to compute the interlaminar fracture toughness. The results show that, GIc would increase with the increasing in the filler content, the main failure in microcomposites and nanocomposites was delamination in the layers, the delamination reduced with increasing in the filler content.
The need for optical fibers has emerged for its ability to transmit information with less attenuation and over long distances. In this work, four optical fibers with core radii from 1 μm to 4.75 μm in steps of 1.25 μm and a numerical aperture of 0.17 were studied and their modes properties have been calculated at a wavelength of 633 nm by using RP Fiber Calculator (free version 2022). Also, the effect of increasing the core radius on these properties has been studied. Multimode fibers can be obtained when the radius of the fiber core is large compared to the operating wavelength of the fiber which is less than the cutoff wavelength of the mode. Otherwise, a single-mode fiber is obtained. It has been concluded that all the calculated p
... Show MoreIn this search, Ep/SiO2 at (3, 6, 9, 12 %) composites is prepared by hand Lay-up method, to measure the change in the thermal conductivity and Impact Strength of epoxy resin before and after immersion in H2SO4 Solution with a 0.3N for 10 days. The results before immersion decreases with the increase of the weight ratios of the reinforcement material (SiO2), It changed from (82.6×10-2 to 38.7×10-2 W/m.°C) with change weight ratios from (3 to 12) % respectively, but after immersion time in the chemical solution where it was (65.6×10-2 W/m.°C) at the weight ratios (6 %) and became (46.6 × 10-2 W/m.°C) after immersion in sulfuric acid. The results of the Impact strength decreased by increasing the percentage weight ratio, it changed f
... Show MorePolyimide/MWCNTs nanocomposites have been fabricated by solution mixing process. In the present study, we have investigated electrical conductivity and dielectric properties of PI/MWCNT nanocomposites in frequency range of 1 kHz to 100 kHz at different MWCNTs concentrations from 0 wt.% to 15 wt.%. It has been observed that the electrical conductivity and dielectric constants are enhanced significantly by several orders of magnitude up to 15 wt.% of MWCNTs content. The electrical conductivity increases as the frequency is increased, which can be attributed to high dislocation density near the interface. The rapid increase in the dielectric constant at a high MWCNTs content can be explained by the form
The effects of reinforcing polymers with glass and graphite particles on enhancing their flexural properties are investigated. Five composites were fabricated using the same polymer matrix material with different volume fractions of reinforcement particles. They comprise glass particles and graphite particles each having volume fractions of 20% and 30% as well as a hybrid composite having 10% glass and 10% graphite. Three-point bending tests using a Universal Testing Machine were carried out on specimens of the above mentioned composites, as well as specimens of the polymer matrix material to determine their flexural properties. The experimental test results indicate that the flexural stiffness of all the composites wer
... Show MoreGlobal warming and environmental damage have become major problems. The production of Portland cement releases large quantities of gas, which cause pollution to the atmosphere. This problem can be solved via the use of sustainable materials, such as glass powder. This study investigates the effect of partial replacement of cement with sustainable glass powder at various percentages (0, 15, 20, and 25%) by weight of cement on some mechanical properties (compressive strength, flexural strength, absorption, and dry density) of Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC) containing a percentage of Polypropylene fibers (PRPC) of 1% by weight. Furthermore, steam curing was performed for 5 hours at 90oC after hardening the sample directly. The RPC was
... Show Moreloaded reinforced concrete circular short columns. An experimental investigation into the behavior
of 24 short reinforced concrete columns with and without steel fibers was carried out. The columns
had a circular section (200 mm diameter and 900 mm long). Test variables include concrete
strength, spacing of spiral reinforcement, and inclusion of steel fibers. The axial stress and axial
strains were obtained and used to evaluate the effects of the presence of steel fibers. It was found
that the addition of steel fibers slightly improves the load carrying capacity of the tested columns
whereas it significantly enhances the ductility of these specimens. Test results also indicated that for
the same confinement parameter
Improving the ability of asphalt pavement to survive the heavily repeated axle loads and weathering challenges in Iraq has been the subject of research for many years. The critical need for such data in the design and construction of more durable flexible pavement in bridge deck material is paramount. One of new possible steps is the epoxy asphalt concrete, which is classified as a superior asphalt concrete in roads and greatly imparts the level of design and construction. This paper describes a study on 40-50 penetration graded asphalt cement mixed with epoxy to produce asphalt concrete mixtures. The tests carried out are the Marshall properties, permanent deformation, flexural fatigue cracking and moisture damage. Epoxy asphalt mixes perf
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