ABSTRACT
Enhancing the performance of adhesively joined composite components is crucial for various industrial applications. In this study, polyamide 66 (PA66) nanofibers produced by electrospinning were coated on unidirectional carbon/epoxy prepregs to increase the bond strength of the composites. Carbon/epoxy prepregs with/without PA66 nanofiber coating on the bonding region were fabricated using the autoclave, which is often used in the aerospace industry. The single lap shear Charpy impact energy and Mode-I fracture toughness tests were employed to examine the effects of PA66 nanofibers on the mechanical properties of the joint region. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the nanofiber morphology and fracture modes. The thermal characteristics of Polyamide 66 nanofibers were explored by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We observed that the electrospun PA66 nanofiber coating on the prepreg surfaces substantially improves the joint strength. Results revealed that the single lap shear and Charpy impact strength values of the composite joint are increased by about 79 and 24%, respectively, by coating PA66 nanofibers onto the joining region. The results also showed that by coating PA66 nanofibers, the Mode-I fracture toughness value was improved by about 107% while the glass transition temperature remained constant.
ABSTRACT
In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) added polyacrylonitrile/polypyrrole (PAN/PPy) electrospun nanofibers were produced. Average diameters of the nanofibers were measured as 268 and 153 nm for 10 and 25 wt% of PPy contents, respectively. A relatively higher strain to failure values (23.3%) were observed for the low PPy content. When as-grown CNTs (1 and 4 wt%) were added into the PAN/PPy blends, disordered nanofibers were observed to form within the microstructure. To improve the interfacial properties of CNTs/PAN/PPy composites, CNTs were functionalized with H2SO4/HNO3/HCl solution. The functionalized CNTs were well dispersed within the nanofibers and aligned along the direction of nanofibers. Therefore, beads formation on nanofibers decreased. The impedance of the nanofibers was found to decrease with the PPy content and CNT addition. These nanofibers had a great potential to be used as an electrochemical actuator or a tissue engineering scaffold.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate microhardness and compressive strength of composite resin (Tetric-Ceram, Ivoclar Vivadent), compomer (Compoglass, Ivoclar, Vivadent), and resin modified glass ionomer cement (Fuji II LC, GC Corp) polymerized using halogen light (Optilux 501, Demetron, Kerr) and LED (Bluephase C5, Ivoclar Vivadent) for different curing times. METHODS: Samples were placed in disc shaped plastic molds with uniform size of 5 mm diameter and 2 mm in thickness for surface microhardness test and placed in a diameter of 4 mm and a length of 2 mm teflon cylinders for compressive strength test. For each subgroup, 20 samples for microhardness (n=180) and 5 samples for compressive strength were prepared (n=45). In group 1, samples were polymerized using halogen light source for 40 seconds; in group 2 and 3 samples were polymerized using LED light source for 20 seconds and 40 seconds respectively. All data were analyzed by two way analysis of ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests. RESULTS: Same exposure time of 40 seconds with a low intensity LED was found similar or more efficient than a high intensity halogen light unit (P>.05), however application of LED for 20 seconds was found less efficient than 40 seconds curing time (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to increase the light curing time and use appropriate light curing devices to polymerize resin composite in deep cavities to maximize the hardness and compressive strength of restorative materials.
