Production of PP Composites Reinforced with Flax and Hemp Woven Mesh Fabrics via Compression Molding

Hemp and flax fibers are among the most interesting vegetable fibers that can be used to reinforce polymeric matrices. In line with the global environmental requests, the use of these fibers especially coupled with thermoforming polymers are increasing more and more in order to expand their applications and replace synthetic fibers and thermosetting plastics. However, one of the major limitations of vegetable fibers is their poor adhesion with polymeric matrices that is often overcome by fibers chemical treatments or by using coupling agents within the matrix. Aiming to produce polypropylene (PP) bio composite laminates reinforced by hemp and flax fibers without additional process steps, this paper deals on the study of their production via the compression molding technique by using woven fabrics characterized by a large mesh size able to ensure a mechanical anchoring between fibers and matrix. Two different forming strategies that differ in the time required for reaching the maximum values of compression pressure and in the dwelling time at this value were used in order to investigate how the yarn impregnation was affected by them. To expand the applications of composites under investigation, tensile, bending, Izod, heat deflection temperature (HDT) and bearing tests were carried out. The results highlighted how the use of a waiting time before the reaching of the maximum moulding pressure allowed a better matrix flow within the vegetable yarn leading to higher mechanical performances.

Impact of Laser Texturing on Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloys

Surface laser texturing is used to ensure mechanical anchoring and strengthen adhesion between the interfaces of bond coatless thermal barrier coating system. To anticipate a possible loss of mechanical properties and to adapt to the perpetual evolutions of chemical compositions of the system, we analyzed the microstructural evolutions of different Ni-based single crystal superalloys, induced during infrared nanosecond laser ablation. Localized asperities composed of a melted, re-solidified matter, with a different microstructure from that of the bulk material, were generated. Regarding asperity morphologies, recrystallization within the latter could be avoided. Then, to compare different Ni-base single crystal superalloys, the thermal-affected volumes were characterized for two patterns textured under different energetic conditions. It seems that all the studied single crystal superalloys behaved quite similarly during nanosecond laser ablation. Finally, according to these results, ablation kinetics between the γ and γ’ phases of Ni-based superalloys could not be homogeneous.

High Performance Recycled CFRP Composites Based on Reused Carbon Fabrics Through Mild Solvolysis Route

An original wet recycling method is developed for large carbon-fibers reinforced-polymers composite panels, addressed through a proof-of-concept fabrication of a new composite part based on recycled fibers. The recycling process relies on formic acid as separation reagent at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure conditions. Electron microscopy and thermal analysis indicate that the recycled fibers are covered by a thin layer of about 10wt.% of residual resin, alternating with few small particles, as compared to the virgin fibers exhibiting a smooth surface. The mechanical properties of composites based on neat and recycled fibers are determined from interlaminar shear strength, compression, compression after impact and Iosipescu shear tests. The recycled composites show promising shear and strength values with a deterioration of performances limited to about 10 to 33% depending on the property as compared to the reference. The recycled carbon fibers can thus be reused for structural applications requiring moderate to high performances. The loss of properties is attributed to a lower adhesion between fresh epoxy resin and recycled carbon fibers having lost their sizing, partly compensated by a good interface between fresh and residual cured epoxy thanks to mechanical anchoring as well as chemical reactions.

One-Step Enameling and Sintering of Low-Carbon Steels

Powder technology allows manufacturing complex components with small tolerances, saving material without subsequent machining. There is a growing trend in using sintered steel components in the automotive industry. Within 2020, about 2544 million US dollars was invested for manufacturing sintered components. Not only does this industry uses steel components, but the gas cooker industry also uses steel in its burners since they are robust and usually demanded by Americans, with forecasts of 1097 million gas cookers in 2020. Steel gas burners have a ceramic coating on their surface, which means that the burner is manufactured in two stages (casting and enameling). This work aims to manufacture the gas burners by powder metallurgy, enameling and sintering processes in a single step. To achieve this aim, the ASC100.29 iron powder has been characterized (flow rate, relative density and morphology); subsequently, the most suitable parameters for its compaction and an adequate sintering temperature were studied. Single-step sintering and enameling was achieved by compacting iron powder at 500 MPa and sintering at 850 °C for 5 min. The necessary porosity for mechanical anchoring of the coating to the substrate is achieved at this sintering temperature. Bending resistance tests, scratching, degradation under high temperature and basic solution and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize and validate the obtained samples.

Study of the Adhesion of Silicate-Based Coating Formulations on a Wood Substrate

Silicate coatings are environmentally friendly inorganic-based products that have long been used for mineral substrates and protection of steel against corrosion. The development and acceptance of these coatings in the wood sector require some adjustments in formulations or special preparation of the surface to be coated to obtain durable finishes. In this work, the adhesion of various silicate-based formulations to a beech wood substrate (Fagus sylvatica L.), was assessed with the main objective to study relevant parameters and potential improvements. Adhesion strength was determined by pull-off and cross-cut tests. Other coating properties such as scratch, impact, and water resistance were also determined. Surface roughness and interface were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and coating curing was studied by attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR). The results showed that adhesion was highly dependent on formulation, penetration of the coatings into wood, and mechanical anchoring. Increasing the content of solid particles in the coating formulations or adding a polyol (glycerol, xylose), which probably acted as a coalescent, considerably decreased the adhesion strength, probably by blocking penetration into the wood by forming aggregates. Adhesion was improved by pre-mineralization of the surface, and substitution of a part of the potassium silicate binder with potassium methyl siliconate reduced the formation of cracks caused by dimensional instability of the wood.

Influence of Mercerization Process on the Surface of Coconut Fiber for Composite Reinforcement

The high consumption of green coconut water, especially in tropical countries like Brazil, generates an aggravating factor to the environment, which is associated with the waste generated after its consumption. Thus, one of the possible ways of reusing the coconut shell after consumption is through the extraction of its fibers, which are considered for several applications. In general, natural lignocellulosic fibers (NLFs) have been used for many purposes, such as reinforcement filler in composite materials, since they have low cost and good mechanical properties. With the intention of providing a better compatibility between the NLFs and the composite polymeric matrix, different types of surface treatments are carried out on the fibers, including mercerization, a chemical treatment in which a basic solution is used. In this sense, the present work aims to verify the influence of mercerization with 3% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) on coconut fiber. Among the analyses carried out, stands the scanning electron microscope (SEM) on fresh and treated coconut fibers. The SEM analyses, allowed to observe that after treatment via mercerization, the fibers displayed a greater surface roughness. This indicates the partial removal of lignin, hemicellulose and some other extracts present on the outer layer of the coconut fiber. Therefore, mercerization will probably enable a better mechanical anchoring between fiber and matrix. Results obtained suggest the effectiveness of the mercerization process. However, it was also of concern that such treatment tends to generate NaOH residues, which is a negative factor regarding sustainability.

Specialized Lead Design of Leadframe Packages for Improved Mold Adhesion

This paper presents an advanced design of Quad-Flat No-leads (QFN) and Quad-Flat Package (QFP) leadframe to mitigate the propagation of delamination between high stress level areas particularly the mold-to-leads interface. The integration of through-hole mechanism on leadframe provides mechanical anchoring of mold material to the lead junction interface and/or vice versa. To produce interlocking, the through-hole design will be penetrated by the epoxy mold compound during conventional molding process affixing each individual lead to the encapsulation material. On the other hand, the package design is materialized through repeated cycle of chemical etching and masking process during leadframe manufacturing, the mechanical anchoring can be implemented on the conventional design of carriers. This approach, considering the design and assembly method of the new leadframe design, is a cost-effective alternative in improving the interfaces of key material such as mold and leadframe.

Integration of sharp silicon nitride tips into high-speed SU8 cantilevers in a batch fabrication process

Employing polymer cantilevers has shown to outperform using their silicon or silicon nitride analogues concerning the imaging speed of atomic force microscopy (AFM) in tapping mode (intermittent contact mode with amplitude modulation) by up to one order of magnitude. However, tips of the cantilever made out of a polymer material do not meet the requirements for tip sharpness and durability. Combining the high imaging bandwidth of polymer cantilevers with making sharp and wear-resistant tips is essential for a future adoption of polymer cantilevers in routine AFM use. In this work, we have developed a batch fabrication process to integrate silicon nitride tips with an average tip radius of 9 ± 2 nm into high-speed SU8 cantilevers. Key aspects of the process are the mechanical anchoring of a moulded silicon nitride tip and a two-step release process. The fabrication recipe can be adjusted to any photo-processable polymer cantilever.