No abstract

No abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) reinforced epoxy composite thin films were prepared by a microfabrication process and their elastic modulus was determined using a shaft-loaded blister test and linear and nonlinear elasticity models. Compared to net resin thin films, a 20% increase in elastic modulus was seen when 0.1 wt % MWNTs were added, suggesting MWNT alignment by spin coating. Electron microscopic observations of the fracture surfaces suggested high interfacial shear stress between MWNTs and the epoxy matrix, a result supported by both molecular mechanics simulation and micromechanics calculations.

No abstract

The tensile behaviour of randomly oriented, short bamboo bre reinforced polypropylene (BFRP) and short bamboo-glass bre reinforced polypropylene (BGFRP) hybrid composites fabricated by injection moulding have been studied in an eVort to develop low cost, durable natural bre reinforced composites. The eVects of bre loading, bre length, and coupling agent (maleic anhydride-graft-polypropylene (MAPP) ) on the tensile behaviour of BGFRP were examined. The eVect of chemical treatment of both bamboo and glass bres, using alkali, silane, and chitosan solutions, on the tensile behaviour of BGFRP was also examined, with the aim of enhancing the environmental durability of the natural bre composite. Compared with the modulus of un lled polypropylene, a signi cant improvement in tensile modulus was seen in BFRP and BGFRP, while the tensile strength showed only moderate improvement. The tensile modulus of BFRP increased by more than 100% whereas an increment of up to 300% was observed for BGFRP, compared with un lled PP. An 11% increase was observed in the tensile strength of samples with a PP-MAPP matrix, compared with those without MAPP. However, the coupling agent had no noticeable eVect on tensile modulus. A BGFRP sample with a bamboo bre length of 1-6 mm showed the best results in terms of tensile strength and modulus, among other samples with shorter bamboo bre length. All BGFRP samples containing modi ed bres showed higher tensile strength and modulus than unmodi ed ones. PRC/1786