An extended invariant approach to laminate failure of fibre-reinforced polymer structures

This paper presents the extension and validation of omni-failure envelopes for first-ply failure (FPF) and last-ply failure (LPF) analysis of advanced composite materials under general three-dimensional (3D) stress states. Phenomenological failure criteria based on invariant structural tensors are implemented to address failure events in multidirectional laminates using the “omni strain failure envelope” concept. This concept enables the generation of safe predictions of FPF and LPF of composite laminates, providing reliable and fast laminate failure indications that can be particularly useful as a design tool for conceptual and preliminary design of composite structures. The proposed extended omni strain failure envelopes allow not only identification of the controlling plies for FPF and LPF, but also of the controlling failure modes. FPF/LPF surfaces for general 3D stress states can be obtained using only the material properties extracted from the unidirectional (UD) material, and can predict membrane FPF or LPF of any laminate independently of lay-up, while considering the effect of out-of-plane stresses. The predictions of the LPF envelopes and surfaces are compared with experimental data on multidirectional laminates from the first and second World-Wide Failure Exercise (WWFE), showing a satisfactory agreement and validating the conservative character of omni-failure envelopes also in the presence of high levels of triaxiality.

Mechanical Properties of Polyester Toughened with Nano-Silica

The fabrication of nanocomposites has played role to the development of the nanotechnology and the technology of advanced composite materials. Thermoset polymers are used in engineering applications widely. Their mechanical properties can be change with adding particles. The mechanism of toughening polymers has been suggested recently by reinforcing well dispersed particles to the plain polymer. Nano-silica particles were added to thermoset polymer of polyester to evaluate their influence on the mechanical properties of the toughened polymer using both experimental and numerical methods. The Representative Volume Element (RVE) approach, which employs finite element models, has been developed to achieve that aim numerically for various types of nano-particle reinforcement ratios. In each case, the stiffness has been calculated with using the equivalent homogeneous material concept. Experimentally, toughened thermoset polymers of polyester reinforced with nano-silica were prepared with different particle content ratio. Several tests were conducted on the nanocomposite, and it was observed increasing nano-silica ratio caused increase in Young’s modulus and decrease in ductility.

Using Recycling Aluminum Cans as Composite Materials Aluminum Fiber

The sustained and developing construction industry needs a vast amount of material because it is becoming more extensive and sustainable day by day. Problems are also increasing in line with development. Many advanced composite materials and solutions are coming up in the current construction industry to solve these problems. However, these require more comfortable and extensive use. For that, we have to find out cheap and sustainable materials. This research paper aims to combine advanced materials and solutions to create more sustainable solutions and new material. That will enrich the industry and increase more use in the path of development of the construction industry. The factors that have to consider in doing so, these materials and solutions are how much economical, available in the market, able to solve chronic problems, easier to use, and sustainability. Recycled aluminum cans are going to be the material for this study.

Advanced Composites with Aluminum Alloys Matrix and Their Fabrication Processes

This chapter introduces advanced aluminum alloy matrix composites and their manufacturing processes. In the beginning, the state of the art is characterized and the general characteristics of aluminum and its practical applications are presented, starting with the history of aluminum. The current approximate distribution of bauxite resources in the world and the production of bauxite and alumina in the leading countries of the world, as well as the production of primary and secondary aluminum and the range of aluminum end products, are presented. Aluminum alloys intended for plastic deformation and castings, and composite materials in general and with a matrix of aluminum alloys in particular, have been characterized in general. Against this background, a detailed review of the results of the Author’s own research included in numerous projects and own publications on advanced composite materials, their production technology, their structure, and properties were done. The range of aluminum alloy matrices of composite materials was adequately characterized, which include AlSi12, AlSi7Mg0.3, AlMg1SiCu, AlMg3, AlMg5, and AlMg9, respectively. Composite materials tested in terms of manufacturing technology include three groups. The first group includes gas pressure infiltration with liquid aluminum alloys of suitably formed porous preforms. Porous frameworks as a reinforcement for pressure-infiltrated composite materials with a matrix of aluminum alloys are produced by three methods. Al2O3 powder with the addition of 30–50% carbon fibers is uniaxially pressed, sintered, and heated to thermally degrade the carbon fibers and create the required pore sizes. In the second case, the ceramic porous skeleton is produced with the use of halloysite nanotubes HNTs by mechanical milling, press consolidation, and sintering. A third method is SLS selective laser sintering using titanium powders. Another group of manufacturing technologies is the mechanical synthesis of the mixture of AlMg1SiCu aluminum alloy powder and respectively, halloysite nanotubes HNTs in a volume fraction from 5 to 15% or multi-wall carbon nanotubes MWCNTs in a volume fraction from 0.5 to 5%, and subsequent consolidation involving plastic deformation. The third group of analyzed materials concerns composite surface layers on substrates of aluminum alloys produced by laser feathering of WC/W2C or SiC carbides. The structure and properties of the mentioned composite materials with aluminum alloys matrices are described in detail. The chapter summary provides final remarks on the importance of advanced aluminum alloy composite materials in industrial development. The importance of particular groups of engineering materials in the history and the development of the methodology for the selection of engineering materials, including the current stage of Materials 4.0, was emphasized. The importance of material design in engineering design is emphasized. Concepts of the development of societies were presented: Society 5.0 and Industry 4.0. The own concept of a holistic model of the extended Industry 4.0 was presented, taking into account advanced engineering materials and technological processes. Particular attention was paid to the importance of advanced composite materials with an aluminum alloy matrix in the context of the current stage of Industry 4.0 of the industrial revolution. Growth in the production of aluminum, its alloys, and composites with its matrix was compared with that of steel. Despite the 30 times less production, aluminum is important due to its lower density. The challenges posed by the development in the Industry 4.0 stage, including the expectations of the automotive and aviation industry, force constant progress in the development of new materials with the participation of aluminum, including the composite materials with an aluminum alloy matrix presented in this chapter.

Development of Quality Control Methods for Dispersibility and Stability of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes in an Aqueous Medium

The attractive properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) such as mechanical strength and high electrical and thermal conductivity are often undercut by their agglomeration and re-agglomeration tendencies. As a result, the application of SWCNT as additives in advanced composite materials remain far from their potential, with proper dispersion being the major inhibitor. This work presents a dispersion quality control approach for water-based SWCNT dispersions (dispersed by a unique combination of physical and chemical methods), using complementary and easily scalable, characterization methods. UV-Vis spectroscopy, rheological measurements, and precipitant sheet resistance were used to understand the properties of the initial solution through processing and application. From an industrial perspective, these methods are fast and easy to measure while giving a repetitive and quick indication of dispersion quality and stability. The methods were correlated with microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to validate dispersion and SWCNT quality under various dispersing energies. The protocol was then applied to estimate the stability of SWCNT solutions, as well as the effectiveness of different surfactants in aiding dispersion. The simple, fast, and scalable combination of different characterizations provides good SWCNT dispersion and can be used as a quality control system for industrial production and usage.

Modeling and analysis of high aspect ratio wing considering random structural parameters

With the application of advanced composite materials in High-Aspect-Ratio wings (HARW), the randomness of structural parameters, such as elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio, is enhanced. Hence, in order to explore the whole picture of aeroelastic problems, it is of great significance to study the role of random structural parameters in aeroelastic problems. In this paper, the dynamic response of flexible HARW considering random structural parameters is analyzed. An aeroelastic model of a one-dimensional cantilevered Euler–Bernoulli beam considering aerodynamic forces acting on the wing is established based on Hamilton's principle. Adopted the idea of simplifying calculation, the effect of random structural parameters is analyzed. Then, considering the elastic modulus and torsional stiffness as continuously one-dimensional random field functions, and discretized by local method. The first and second order recursive stochastic nonlinear finite element equations of wing are derived by using perturbation method. Based on it, statistical expression of aeroelastic effects of the wing is derived. Monte Carlo method is adopted to verify the effectiveness of the method. Numerical simulations indicate that the method proposed can well mirror the statistical characteristics of aeroelastic response.

Supersonic Aerodynamic Instability Characteristics of Bidirectional Porous Functionally Graded Panel

The objective to alleviate the detrimental effects of supersonic flutter of aerospace structures necessitates the development of advanced composite materials. Porous functionally graded materials are viable alternatives to replace the metal/alloys used for critical components. The present work investigates the supersonic flutter characteristics of hinged-hinged panel for the porosity grading across the thickness and/or along the streamwise direction. Also, the possibility to alleviate the detrimental effects is investigated through the study of influence of streamwise and spanwise curvatures. A geometrically nonlinear finite element model of panel is derived using first-order shear deformation theory while the aerodynamic pressure on panel is accounted using the first-order piston theory. The results revealed that symmetric distribution of porosity with minimum porosity at the midspan and maximum porosity at core displays the better performance. Porosity and streamwise curvature reduces critical aerodynamic pressure and enhances flutter amplitude. For higher streamwise curvatures/porosity, panel undergoes snap-through buckling resulting in complex vibrations. Whereas the spanwise curvature substantially enhance the critical dynamic pressure thereby eliminates complex oscillations and snap-through. But moderately increases the flutter amplitude and frequency beyond its critical aerodynamic pressure. At higher spanwise curvatures, the effectiveness of bidirectional grading decreases making its through-thickness grading as dominant.