The article provides an overview of biocomposite application in the automotives via a documentation of their history, chronology and progressive steps taken to break into the production lines of a number of key auto makers. It offers a detailed analysis of the key factors that have motivated the research and subsequent adoption of biocomposites; taking a peek at the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges experienced in the process. Auto makers and parts suppliers that have been a force behind this campaign, have also been accorded a fair share in the article. Future projection of role of these materials in the industry; with the ideas well dressed in form of bio concept cars caps up the paper. Automotive refers to; passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2553–2569, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers

A low-resistance nanofibrous composite membrane composed of ternary structures was fabricated via one-step multi-jet free surface electrospinning for effective PM2.5 capture.

The paper discusses the extent to the scale of the electrospun fiber membrane. Literatures show that two distinct methods of raising electrospun nanofiber production can be employed via spinning from a setup of multiple nozzles arranged side by side or from an expanse of polymer solution (needleless electrospinning). Both of these methods are thoroughly explored by considering the variations available within either of their respective productivities. Their mechanisms are duly dealt with by looking at principles and parameters behind the process performances and an analysis of the strategies devised to deal with the shortcomings and ensure process feasibility is given. It has to be noted that most of the available work on electrospinning and their applications is achieved via single needle electrospinning. In this review, a projection is taken to be accomplished whether the nanofiber production can be consistently raised to commercial levels at the exceptional application routes so far produced by the conventional electrospinning means.

In this study, investigation has been made on the impact response of twill weave carbon fabric/epoxy foam sandwich composites by subjecting two types of stacking sequences of a sandwich composite structure, SC1 and SC2 to quasi-static indentation and low velocity impact loading. SC1 and SC2 had a sequence of [0/90, ±45, Core, 0/90, ±45], [0/90, ±45, 0/90, ±45, 0/90, Core, 0/90, 0/90, 0/90, 0/90], respectively. This work was done by use of material testing system and an instrumented Drop-Weight Machine (CEAST 9350 drop tower). Foam sandwich composite structures are mainly used in making an Engine Hood. The analysis was done with increase of impact energy on both types of stacking sequences, until complete perforation of the specimens at 25 Joule impact energy occurs. The failure processes of the damaged specimens under the three different impact energies (5 J, 15 J, and 25 J) were evaluated by comparing load–displacement curves. Images of damaged samples were taken from both impacted side and non-impacted side and compared for all impact energies. Cross-sections of damaged specimens were also inspected visually and discussed. The load-displacement curves were obtained to characterize the failure mechanisms in the face sheets and core. Failure modes were also studied by sectioning the samples at the impact location and observed under an optical microscope. The primary damage mode was found due to the fiber fracture, delamination, matrix crack, and foam crack.

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One of the merits of modeling is that the computer-generated data is used in optimizing equipment and experimental designs, eliminating the costs associated with scaling up by experimentation. In this work, the filtration performance of nanofibers aligned diversely within virtual webs was numerically analyzed using Star CCM + and Ansys Fluent software. This knowledge was then used to fabricate two distinctly oriented nanofiber membranes via free surface electrospinning. Their filtration performance was studied by capillary flow porometry technology using POROLUX™ 100. The results of this were in agreement with the simulation work.

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Banana fibers obtained from the stems of the edible fruit bearing plants by mechanical decortication were characterized for their chemical content, diameter variability and the effect of treatment on the hygroscopic and morphological fiber parameters. The fiber chemical content was analyzed using the Chinese Ramie standard. Two treatments were done; in one, using sodium hydroxide and in another, fibers were pre treated with NaOH followed by Vinyl-trimethoxy silane. Morphology was studied using light microscope and SEM. Results of the fiber surface morphology, diameter variations and the rate of moisture absorption between fibers that had been subjected to different treatments were analyzed using by statistical tools.