Simulation and Test for the Lightning Damage of the Glass Fiber Composites

Theoretical deducing, simulated lightning test and finite element simulation are used to research the mechanism and state of lightning damage of the aircraft composites sandwich panels. It provides the basis for the design of the aircraft lightning protection. The three-dimensional finite element model of the composites panel is constructed through the thermal electrical-mechanical multi-Physics coupling field. According to the structure and the role process, the lightning effect of the aircraft composites is analysed to study the damage mechanism and the possible state of the composites panel that is struck by lightning. The impact current generator is used to carry out the simulated lightning test to observe the lightning effect of the composites panel. By comparing the results of the test and the simulation, the effectiveness and the correctness of the simulation are verified.

Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites with Sugarcane Bagasse Filler

Natural fibers reinforced polymer composites have gained more interest because of their biodegradable, light weight, less expensive sources, easy processing, high specific modulus and also environmentally friendly appeal. This paper presents an overview of a study aimed at showing on how the bio-composites which is bagasse fibers combined with resins as an alternative of bagasse-fiber-based composites panel. Transforming bagasse fibers into panel products provides a prospective solution. Bagasse-fiber-based composites offer potential as the core material replacing high density and expensive wood-based fiberboard. Biodegradable composites reinforced with bagasse fibres after being modified or treated by alkali treatment were prepared and also the mechanical properties were investigated. The bio-composites panel samples were processed by hot press machine. All panels were made with aspect ratios between bagasse fibers and polystyrene thermoplastics resins and also the sieve size of bagasse fibers which has short fibers and combination of short fiber and granules fibers. The polystyrene was added as a modified from natural fibers to determine the effect it had on physical and mechanical properties of the panel. Resin content level and panel density were very important in controlling the strength properties of the panels. Surface hardness value, compressive strength, bending strength and bending modulus values all increases in resin content level and panel density. Bagasse-based-panel products can be commercialize successfully if have good development of a cost manufacturing process on an establishment of a market base for the products.

Malaysian Foxtail Grass - A Potential Source of Natural/Agro Fibre for Polymer Composite Panel

Foxtail grass, also known as rumput bulu by the local people, is one of the fast growing grasses abundantly available all over Malaysia. A full grown Foxtail grass attains a height of about 0.5 1.5 meters. The fibres were prepared by mechanical grinding procedure and the fibre size and length produced can be controlled through the grinding time of this grass material. The weight loss of the different grinding time was calculated. The polymer composites panel were then made from the mixing the polystyrene with various size of fibre produced. Flexural test exhibited good and comparable strength properties. The results show that this grass fibre may be considered as one of the potential sources of natural/ agro fibres for polymer composites panel.

Interfacial Treatment of Multi-Layer Woven Silk Reinforced Epoxy Composites

The aim of the project is to study the interlaminar fracture toughness, GIC of woven silk reinforced epoxy composite. Silk fibre has been treated with silane coupling agent and the silk/epoxy composites has been fabricated with different number of silk fibre layers. The processing technique used to prepare the sample is a vacuum bag cured in an autoclave. In this study, test specimens were fabricated by using silk fibre of between 8 to 14 layers. The first set of composites panel consisted of plain silk fibre while the second sets consisted of silk fibre which has been treated with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane. Mode I test based on double cantilever beam specimens (DCB) method have been used over all the specimens. The results of the GIC were plotted and compared. GIC of the composites in set 2 were found to be higher than the value in set 1. During the test, crack propagation is stable and no fibre bridging occurred between both sides of fracture surfaces. All the failure that occurred were at the fibre-matrix interface as seen using SEM. The GIC of woven silk/epoxy composites can be enhanced by surface treatment using coupling agent. Surface treatment and number of woven silk fibre layers has affected the interlaminar fracture properties of the composite panel.