Influence of Alkali Treatment and Maleated Polypropylene (MAPP) Compatibilizer on the Dry-Sliding Wear and Frictional Behavior of Borassus Fruit Fine Fiber (BFF)/Polypropylene (PP) Polymer Composites for Various Engineering Applications

Tribological properties of the novel Borassus fruit fine fiber- (BFF-) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with respect to fiber matrix surface modifications have been described. Composites were fabricated by an injection molding process using Borassus fruit fine fiber (BFF) of 5 wt.% as reinforcement and polypropylene (PP) as a matrix component. Fibers were treated with alkali (T) to remove the residual lignin (if present) and to enhance the interfacial adhesion between the fiber/matrix interface. Alkali treatment reveals additional reactive functional groups here on the surface of the Borassus fiber, allowing effective interaction bonding with the polypropylene matrix. Borassus fibers are primarily treated with an alkali solution to extract weaker unstructured amorphous constituents so that the fibers retain crystallized components, thereby strengthening the fiber’s strength. A 5 wt.% of maleated polypropylene (MAPP) was used as a compatibilizer to improve the interfacial adhesion between fiber and the polymer matrix. The wear and frictional behavior of BFF/PP composites with respect to the modifications were evaluated by steel counterface utilizing pin-on-disc test contraption under dry-sliding conditions. The sliding velocity, applied load, and sliding distance were maintained as 2.198 m/s, 9.81–29.43 N, and 4000 m, respectively. The results demonstrate that the reinforcement of BFF to polypropylene matrix and the modifications improved the wear properties of the neat polymer matrix. Findings concluded that the abrasive wear resistance of T + PP + MAPP composite showed better interfacial adhesion and bonding, thus resulting in better tribological performance as compared to the other three compositions under different loading conditions. The effective substantial improvement of the coefficient of friction has been observed in alkali-treated fiber and polypropylene matrix with MAPP compatibilizer (T + PP + MAPP) composites due to the presence of MAPP compatibilizer and alkali-treated fibers. The frictional coefficient of T + PP + MAPP possesses better interfacial bonding strength upon NaOH treatment, and coupling agent, which results in enhancement of effective contact surface area and good surface friction characteristics, has been observed under different loading conditions. The fracture mechanism of worn-out portions of BFF/PP composites was studied using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy to analyze various imperfections like debonding, splits, fiber cracks, and wreckage or fragments formation.

Improving the Alignment of Dynamic Sheet-Formed Mats by Changing Nozzle Geometry and Their Reinforcement of Polypropylene Matrix Composites

The main objective of this study was to improve the orientation of fibres within the mats produced using dynamic sheet forming (DSF). DSF is used to make fibre mats by forcing a fibre suspension through a nozzle onto a rotating drum. In this research, the effect of nozzle geometry on the orientation of hemp fibres within DSF mats was investigated. The orientation of fibres within the mats produced was assessed using ImageJ (OrientationJ) and X-ray diffraction. It was found that, as the contraction ratio of the nozzle increased, the orientation of fibres within the fibre mats increased. It was also found that the composite tensile strength increased with increased fibre orientation.

A Morphology-Based Model to Describe the Low-Temperature Impact Behaviour of Rubber-Toughened Polypropylene

The roles of the rubber particle size, the rubber particle size distribution and the constitutive behaviour of the isotactic polypropylene matrix have been studied by combining the Lazerri–Bucknall energy criterion for cavitation with the Van der Sanden–Meier–Tervoort ligament model adapted for impact conditions. It is concluded that an optimised morphology offers great potential to achieve enhanced mechanical properties with far less rubber and hence achieve a superior stiffness/toughness/processing balance.

Assessment of Contact Pressures between a Mandibular Overdenture and the Prosthodontic Area

In this paper, we assess the pressure between the overdenture located in the mandible and supported by a bar retained on two implants and the prosthodontic area. For testing, a model of an edentulous mandible was created using a mold by FRASACO with two implants and a “rider” bar inserted. A complete mandibular denture with polypropylene matrices was made. Three types of matrices of various stiffness were applied. The mandible and overdenture geometry was mapped using a digital image obtained with a Steinbichler Comet L3D 3D scanner. Finite element method calculations were performed in the Abaqus FEA software. The results demonstrate that the maximum contact pressure is observed when the loads are associated with canines. A critical case for the lower posterior is chewing performed by the molars. The pressure zone is the largest for POM-1 with Young’s modulus of 1.5 GPa and is reduced by 5.0% and 7.8% for POM-2 (E = 2.5 GPa) and POM-3 (E = 3.5 GPa), respectively. The stress distribution under the prosthesis mostly depends on the region loaded onto it. The applied load produces a slight contact pressure between the denture and the prosthodontic area in the anterior zone. A change in polypropylene matrix stiffness does not affect contact pressures.

Anisogrid lattice cylinders made of thermoplastic composite under buckling loading

Anisogrid lattice cylinders have been produced by means of an innovative out-of-autoclave (OOA) process by using thermoplastic prepreg. Unidirectional thermoplastic tapes with polypropylene matrix and glass fibers were wound on cylindrical mandrels at room temperature. Composite consolidation was achieved by using the compression of a heat-shrink tube during its shape recovery in oven. A cylindrical anisogrid lattice structure was manufactured and mechanically tested under vertical loading. Results from the buckling test revealed the optimal adhesion between prepreg layers after the out-of-autoclave molding. Numerical modelling of buckling has been performed to correlate the structural behavior of the anisogrid lattice cylinder with composite material properties and geometrical features. A parametric model of the lattice structure has been defined for this aim. The proposed manufacturing technology combines the advantages of thermoplastic composites (reparability, easy handling, easy storage, long prepreg life, productivity) with the designing potential of anisogrid lattice structures in terms of lightness and stiffness.