An all polymeric electrically conductive thermoset adhesive resin system is prepared for future lightning strike protection applications. Polyaniline (PANI)‐based hybrid nano‐composite is prepared by incorporating high apparent‐density type vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF‐H) as additional conductive filler. Electrical, mechanical and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of PANI‐dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), and divinylbenzene (DVB) system are improved with addition of VGCF‐H. Different weight percentages of VGCF‐H in the PANI‐DBSA/DVB matrix, are studied, and their effect on composite's properties are investigated. Electrical conductivity up to 1.89 S/cm with the addition of 5 wt% VGCF‐H is achieved, which is almost 300% improvement compared with previous system. However, the maximum flexural modulus is obtained at 3 wt% of VGCF‐H. The change in the electronic structure of PANI with the addition of VGCF‐H is investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) analysis. Rheological study and Differential scanning calorimetry analysis were employed to show the effect of VGCF‐H concentration on curing profile of the nanocomposites. EMI shielding properties of the composite with and without VGCF‐H are measured in X‐band frequencies and compared. Composite with 5 wt% VGCF‐H has shown EMI shielding effectiveness about 51 dB in X‐band, which is higher than the composite without VGCF‐H (around 22 dB). POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:956–963, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers

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This study aims to create a statistical design analysis of the synthesized Silver-Titanium dioxide nanocomposite materials using HVPG technique. The analysis was obtained to report the nature of nanomaterials produced for a specific growth time and temperature. The synthesized nanocomposite materials were characterized using the Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-ray system. Using the JMP ANOVA Software, the experimental results revealed an empirical equation to predict the behavior of the synthesized material formed at different growth zones.

In this study, the structures and mechanical properties of the silver-titanium dioxide nanocomposite material were investigated using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). These properties include surface roughness, hardness, and reduced Young's modulus. The nanocomposite material was successfully synthesized using the Horizontal Vapor Phase Growth (HVPG) technique which yielded shapes such as nanoparticles, nanospheres, nanorods, triangular nanocomposites, and nanocrystals. Characterization of nanocomposite materials was done through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy to elucidate material shape, diameter, and composition. The pour plate technique combined with McFarland standards was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the nanocomposite material against Staphylococcus aureus . The nanocomposite material was able to eradicate bacteria and was suitable for coating applications effectively.

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The present study explores the failure and surface characteristics of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (GFRP). Stepwise loading was applied in this study to understand the multi-static loading effect on the laminates before final failure. The loading was set three times to reach 10 kN with loading–unloading movement before final load until failure. The results showed that the angle of the GFRP UD laminates’ position significantly impacts the system’s failure. The results were analyzed using theoretical calculation experiment analysis, and then the failure sample was identified using ASTM D3039 standard failure. The laminates with 0° layer on edge ([0/90]S laminates) underwent preliminary failure before final failure. The mechanism of stepwise loading can be used to detect the effect of preliminary failure on the laminates. The [0/90]S laminates are subjected to stress concentration on the edge due to fiber alignment and discontinued fibers in the 0-degree direction. This fiber then fails due to debonding between the fiber and the matrix. The laminates’ strength showed that [90/0]S specimens have an average higher strength with 334.45 MPa than the [0/90]S laminates with 227.8 MPa. For surface roughness, the value of Ra increases more than six times in the 0° direction and three times in the 90° direction. Moreover, shore D hardness showed that the hardness was decreased from 85.6 SD then decreased to 70.4 SD for [0/90]S and 65.9 SD for [90/0]S. The matrix debonding, layer delamination and fiber breakage were reported as the failure mode behavior of the laminates.

Over the last few years, fused filament fabrication (FFF) has become one of the most promising and widely used techniques for the rapid prototyping process. A number of studies have also shown the possibility of FFF being used for the fabrication of functional products, such as biomedical implants and automotive components. However, the poor mechanical properties possessed by FFF-processed products are considered one of the major shortcomings of this technique. Over the last decade, many researchers have attempted to improve the mechanical properties of FFF-processed products using several strategies—for instance, by applying the short fiber reinforcement (SFR), continuous fiber reinforcement (CFR), powder addition reinforcement (PAR), vibration-assisted FFF (VA-FFF) methods, as well as annealing. In this paper, the details of all these reinforcement techniques are reviewed. The abilities of each method in improving tensile, flexural, and compressive strength are discussed.

Structures, morphological control, and antibacterial activity of silver-titanium dioxide (Ag/TiO2) micro-nanocomposite materials against Staphylococcus aureus are investigated in this study. Horizontal vapor phase growth (HVPG) technique was used to synthesize the Ag/TiO2 micro-nanomaterials, with parameters of growth temperature and baking time. The materials were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and atomic force microscope (AFM). The result indicated that the HVPG technique is able to synthesize Ag/TiO2 with many shapes in micro- and nanoscale such as nanoparticles, nanorods, triangular nanomaterials, and nanotubes. The results showed that the shape of micro- and nanocomposites material could be arranged by adjusting the parameters. The results revealed that the nanorods structure were obtained at 1000°C growth temperature and that 8 hours of baking time was ideal for antibacterial application. Treating the S. aureus stock with Ag/TiO2 nanocomposites is able to reduce bacterial growth with a significant result.