Sisal chemically modified with lignins: Correlation between fibers and phenolic composites properties

Sisal fibers have been chemically modified by reaction with lignins, extracted from sugarcane bagasse and Pinus-type wood and then hydroxymethylated, to increase adhesion in resol-type phenolic thermoset matrices. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) results showed that acidic sites predominate for unmodified/modified sisal fibers and for phenolic thermoset, indicating that the phenolic matrix has properties that favor the interaction with sisal fibers. The IGC results also showed that the phenolic thermoset has a dispersive component closer to those of the modified fibers suggesting that thermoset interactions with the less polar modified fibers are favored. Surface SEM images of the modified fibers showed that the fiber bundle deaggregation increased after the treatment, making the interfibrillar structure less dense in comparison with that of unmodified fibers, which increased the contact area and encouraged microbial biodegradation in simulated soil. Water diffusion was observed to be faster for composites reinforced with modified fibers, since the phenolic resin penetrated better into modified fibers, thereby blocking water passage through their channels. Overall, composites` properties showed that modified fibers promote a significant reduction in the hydrophilic character, and consequently of the reinforced composite without a major effect on impact strength and with increased storage modulus. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Um modelo analítico e computacional para consideração de efeitos de envelhecimento em estruturas de material compósito

Os materiais compósitos reforçados por fibras apresentam vantagens quando comparados aos materiais de construção mais tradicionais como concreto e aço. Por outro lado, devido ao fato destes materiais serem relativamente recentes no mercado, questões a respeito de sua durabilidade são ainda objeto de discussão e faz-se necessária intensa pesquisa sobre o envelhecimento dos compósitos. Como conseqüência, recentemente têm surgido inúmeros trabalhos à respeito da degradação dos compósitos considerando efeitos como temperatura, oxidação, radiação UV, condições de carregamento, etc. A maioria destas pesquisas, no entanto, são realizadas a nível de material e não são diretamente aplicáveis à situações de projeto. Desta forma, existe grande demanda por novos estudos e dados compatíveis com aplicações estruturais. Neste trabalho apresenta-se um modelo analítico-numérico adequado para, interpretação e aplicação destes dados experimentais em análise e projeto de estrutural. A formulação proposta inclui relações constitutivas elásticas anisotrópicas com envelhecimento, relações constitutivas viscoelásticas anisotrópicas com envelhecimento em termos de variáveis de estado, análise de falhas com critério de degradação ajustado à idade do material e considera-se grandes deslocamentos e pequenas deformações. As diferenças essenciais entre os processos de envelhecimento em endurecimento e amolecimento são descritos juntamente com as relações constitutivas para cada caso. Estas equações são deduzidas na forma adequada para análise numérica via método dos elementos finitos usando uma solução incremental-iterativa com consideração de efeitos pos-críticos. Vários exemplos são apresentados, incluindo análises elásticas, viscoelásticas e de falha com envelhecimento.

Aproveitamento da fibra do epicarpo do coco babaçu em compósito com matriz epóxi: estudo do efeito do tratamento da fibra

Nowadays the environmental issues are increasingly highlighted since the future of humanity is dependent on the actions taken by man. Major efforts are being expended in pursuit of knowledge and alternatives to promote sustainable development without compromising the environment. In recent years there has been a marked growth in the development of reinforced composite fiber plants, as an alternative for economic and ecological effects, especially in the substitution of synthetic materials such as reinforcement material in composites. In this current study the chemical- physical or (thermophysics )characteristics of the babassu coconut fiber, derived from the epicarp of the fruit (Orbignyda Phalerata), which the main constituents of the fiber: Klason lignin, insoluble, cellulose, holocellulose, hemicellulose and the content of ash and moisture will be determined. A study was conducted about the superficial modification of the fibers of the epicarp babassu coconut under the influence of chemical treatment by alkalinization, in an aqueous solution of NaOH to 2.5% (m/v) and to 5.0% to improve the compatibility matrix / reinforcement composite with epoxy matrix. The results of the changes occurred in staple fibers through the use of the techniques of thermogravimetric analyses (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results found on thermal analysis on samples of fiber without chemical treatment (alkalinities), and on fiber samples treated by alkalinization show that the proposed chemical treatment increases the thermal stability of the fibers and provides a growth of the surface of area fibers, parameters that enhance adhesion fiber / composite. The findings were evaluated and compared with published results from other vegetable fibers, showing that the use of babassu coconut fibers has technical and economic potential for its use as reinforcement in composites

Estudo comparativo de pás para aerogeradores de grande porte fabricadas em materiais compósitos reforçadas com fibra de carbono ou fibra de vidro

The research and development of wind turbine blades are essential to keep pace with worldwide growth in the renewable energy sector. Although currently blades are typically produced using glass fiber reinforced composite materials, the tendency for larger size blades, particularly for offshore applications, has increased the interest on carbon fiber reinforced composites because of the potential for increased stiffness and weight reduction. In this study a model of blade designed for large generators (5 MW) was studied on a small scale. A numerical simulation was performed to determine the aerodynamic loading using a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. Two blades were then designed and manufactured using epoxy matrix composites: one reinforced with glass fibers and the other with carbon fibers. For the structural calculations, maximum stress failure criterion was adopted. The blades were manufactured by Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM), typical for this type of component. A weight comparison of the two blades was performed and the weight of the carbon fiber blade was approximately 45% of the weight of the fiberglass reinforced blade. Static bending tests were carried out on the blades for various percentages of the design load and deflections measurements were compared with the values obtained from finite element simulations. A good agreement was observed between the measured and calculated deflections. In summary, the results of this study confirm that the low density combined with high mechanical properties of carbon fibers are particularly attractive for the production of large size wind turbine blades

Fracture resistance of bleached teeth restored with different procedures

This study evaluated the fracture resistance of teeth submitted to internal bleaching and restored with different non-metallic post. Eighty mandibular incisors were endodontically treated and randomly divided in 10 groups (n = 8): G1- restored with composite resin (CR), G2- CR + fiber-reinforced composite post (FRC, Everstick post, Sticktech) cemented with resin cement self-etch adhesive (RCS, Panavia F 2.0, Kuraray), G3- CR + FRC + self-adhesive resin cement (SRC, Breeze, Pentral Clinical), G4- CR+ glass fiber post (GF, Exacto Post, Angelus) + RCS, G5- CR + GF + SRC. The G6 to G10 were bleached with hydrogen peroxide (HP) and restored with the same restorative procedures used for G1 to G5, respectively. After 7 days storage in artificial saliva, the specimens were submitted to the compressive strength test (N) at 0.5 mm/min cross-head speed and the failure pattern was identified as either reparable (failure showed until 2 mm below the cement-enamel junction) or irreparable (the failure showed <2 mm or more below the cement-enamel). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey test (α = 0.05). No significant difference (p < 0.05) was found among G1 to G10. The results suggest that intracoronal bleaching did not significantly weaken the teeth and the failure patterns were predominately reparable for all groups. The non-metallic posts in these teeth did not improve fracture resistance.

Effect of post length on the fatigue resistance of bovine teeth restored with bonded fiber posts: A pilot study

This study evaluated the influence of the cementation length of glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) on the fatigue resistance of bovine teeth restored with an adhesively cemented FRC. Thirty roots of single-rooted bovine teeth were allocated to 3 groups (n = 10), according to the ratio of crown length/root length (post cementation length): group 1 = 2/3, group 2 = 1/2, and group 3 = 1/1. The roots were prepared, the fiber posts (FRC Postec Plus) were cemented, and the specimens were submitted to 2 million mechanical cycles. After fatigue testing, a score was given based on the number of fatigue cycles until fracture, and data were submitted to statistical analysis. All specimens were resistant to fatigue. Taking into account the methodology and results of this study, the evaluated fiber posts can be cemented based on the ratio of crown/root at 1/1. Further clinical studies must be conducted to verify this ratio.

Effect of silica coating on flexural strength of fiber posts

Purpose: Fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts can be air-abraded to obtain good attachment to the resin cement. This study tested the effect of silica coating on the flexural strength of carbon, opaque, and translucent quartz FRC posts. Materials and Methods: Six experimental groups of FRC posts (n = 10 per group) were tested, either as received from the manufacturer or after chairside silica coating (30-μm CoJet-Sand). Results: There was no significant difference in the flexural strength of nonconditioned (504 to 525 MPa) and silica-coated (514 to 565 MPa) specimens (P > .05) (analysis of variance). The type of post did have a significant effect on flexural strength (P < .05). Conclusion: Chairside silica coating did not affect the flexural strength of both carbon and quartz FRC posts.

Microtensile bond strength between a quartz fiber post and a resin cement: Effect of post surface conditioning

Purpose: To test the bond strength between a quartz-fiber-reinforced composite post (FRC) and a resin cement. The null hypothesis was that the bond strength can be increased by using a chairside tribochemical silica-coating system. Materials and Methods: Thirty quartz-FRCs (Light-Post) were divided into 3 groups according to the post surface treatment: G1) Conditioning with 32% phosphoric acid (1 min), applying a silane coupling agent; G2) etching with 10% hydrofluoric acid (1 min), silane application; G3) chairside tribochemical silica coating method (CoJet System): air abrasion with 30-μ SiO x-modified Al2O3 particles, silane application. Thereafter, the posts were cemented into a cylinder (5 mm diameter, 15 mm height) with a resin cement (Duo-Link). After cementation, the specimens were stored in distilled water (37°C/24 h) and sectioned along the x and y axes with a diamond wheel under cooling (Lab-cut 1010) to create nontrimmed bar specimens. Each specimen was attached with cyanoacrylate to an apparatus adapted for the microtensile test. Microtensile testing was conducted on a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). The data obtained were submitted to the one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α = 0.05). Results: A significant influence of the conditioning methods was observed (p < 0.0001). The bond strength of G3 (15.14 ± 3.3) was significantly higher than the bond strengths of G1 (6.9 ± 2.3) and G2 (12.60 ± 2.8) (p = 0.000106 and p = 0.002631, respectively). Notwithstanding the groups, all the tested specimens showed adhesive failure between the resin cement and FRC. Conclusion: The chairside tribochemical system yielded the highest bond strength between resin cement and quartz-fiber post. The null hypothesis was accepted (p < 0.0001).

Does the thickness of the resin cement affect the bond strength of a fiber post to the root dentin?

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of cement thickness on the bond strength of a fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) post system to the root dentin. Eighteen single-rooted human teeth were decoronated (length: 16 mm), the canals were prepared, and the specimens were randomly allocated to 2 groups (n = 9): group 1 (low cement thickness), in which size 3 FRC posts were cemented using adhesive plus resin cement; and group 2 (high cement thickness), in which size 1 FRC posts were cemented as in group 1. Specimens were sectioned, producing 5 samples (thickness: 1.5 mm). For cement thickness evaluation, photographs of the samples were taken using an optical microscope, and the images were analyzed. Each sample was tested in push-out, and data were statistically analyzed. Bond strengths of groups 1 and 2 did not show significant differences (P = .558), but the cement thicknesses for these groups were significantly different (P < .0001). The increase in cement thickness did not significantly affect the bond strength (r2 = 0.1389, P = .936). Increased cement thickness surrounding the FRC post did not impair the bond strength.

Damping behavior of hygrothermally conditioned carbon fiber/epoxy laminates

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites have been used in wide variety of applications including, aerospace, marine, sporting equipment as well as in the defense sector due to their outstanding properties at low density. In many of their applications, moisture absorption takes place which may result in a reduction in mechanical properties even at lower temperature service. In this work, the viscoelastic properties, such as storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″), were obtained through vibration damping tests for three carbon fiber/epoxy composite families up to the saturation point (6 weeks). Three carbon fiber/epoxy composites having [0/0] s, [0/90] s, and [±45] s orientations were studied. During vibration tests the storage modulus (E′) and loss modulus (E″) were monitored as a function of moisture uptake, and it was observed that the natural frequencies and E′ values decreased with the increase during hygrothermal conditioning due to the matrix plasticization. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fatigue resistance of bovine teeth restored with resin-bonded fiber posts: Effect of post surface conditioning

This study evaluated the effect of post surface conditioning on the fatigue resistance of bovine teeth restored with resin-bonded fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). Root canals of 20 single-rooted bovine teeth (16 mm long) were prepared to 12 mm using a preparation drill of a double-tapered fiber post system. Using acrylic resin, each specimen was embedded (up to 3.0 mm from the cervical part of the specimen) in a PVC cylinder and allocated into one of two groups (n = 10) based on the post surface conditioning method: acid etching plus silanization or tribochemical silica coating (30 μm SiOx + silanization). The root canal dentin was etched (H2PO3 for 30 seconds), rinsed, and dried. A multi-step adhesive system was applied to the root dentin and the fiber posts were cemented with resin cement. The specimens were submitted to one million fatigue cycles. After fatigue testing, a score was given based on the number of fatigue cycles until fracture. All of the specimens were resistant to fatigue. No fracture of the root or the post and no loss of retention of the post were observed. The methodology and the results of this study indicate that tribochemical silica coating and acid etching performed equally well when dynamic mechanical loading was used.

Resin bonding to root canal dentin: Effect of the application of an experimental hydrophobic resin coating after an all-in-one adhesive

Aim: Based on the hypothesis the application of a low-viscosity hydrophobic resin coating improves the bond of all-in-one adhesive, the purpose of the study was to evaluate the bond strength of four adhesive systems to bovine root dentin using the push-out test method. Methods and Materials: The root canals of 32 bovine roots (16 mm) were prepared to a length of 12 mm using a FRC Postec Plus preparation drill. The specimens were allocated into four groups according to the adhesive system used: (Group 1) All-in-one Xeno III; (Group 2) All-in-one Xeno III+ScotchBond Multi-Purpose Plus Adhesive; (Group 3) Simplified Etch & Rinse One Step Plus; and (Group 4) Multi-Bottle Etch & Rinse All-Bond 2. A fiber-reinforced composite retention post was reproduced using an additional silicon impression and fabricated with DuoLink resin cement. The root specimens were treated with the selected adhesive systems, and the resin posts were luted in the canals with DuoLink resin cement. Each root specimen was cross sectioned into four samples (±1.8 mm in thickness), and the post sections were pushed-out to determine the bond strength to dentin. Results: Group 2 (2.9±1.2) was statistically higher than Group 1 (1.1±0.5) and Group 3 (1.1±0.5). Groups 1 and 3 showed no statistically significant difference while Group 4 (2.0±0.7) presented similar values (p>0.05) to Groups 1, 2, and 3 [(one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)] and Tukey test, α=0.05). Conclusion: The hypothesis was accepted since the application of the additional layer of a low-viscosity bonding resin improved the bond of the all-in-one adhesive. Further studies must be conducted to evaluate the long-term bond.

Three-year follow up of customized glass fiber esthetic posts

Customized glass fiber posts that is well adjusted into the root canal and have mechanical properties similar to those of dentin may be a suitable treatment for severely compromised endodontically treated teeth. This article reports a 3-year follow up of severely damaged endodontically treated teeth restored with unidirectional fiber glass customized post and core system instead of a conventional fiber post. The fabrication of this glass fiber customized post is a simple technique, providing an increased volume of fibers into the root canal, and an adequate polymerization of the post-core system. Over a three-year period, the treatments demonstrated good clinical and radiographic characteristics, with no fracture or loss of the post and/or crown. This technique can be considered effective, less invasive, and suitable for restore endodontically treated teeth.

Avaliação das propriedades mecânicas e químicas em função de diferentes cimentos resinosos e pinos não-metálicos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Resina composta indireta como alternativa funcional e estética em reabilitações protéticas

Due to mechanical and aesthetic improvement properties, continuous fiber-reinforced composites have been developed to replace the metal framework in fixed partial dentures becoming an interesting alternative to conventional treatments. A male patient, 57 years old, attended at Fixed Partial Denture Clinic of Araraquara Dental School - UNESP, complaining about upper right first molar absence. After clinical examination, it was observed: upper right second molar with amalgam restoration and periodontal bone reduction and upper right second premolar unsatisfactory treated. Following the clinical conditions and the patient expectations, it was decided to use a fiber-reinforced composite resin to make a three-element fixed bridge. The patient showed full satisfaction with the aesthetic and functional results. The case has been followed up for 60 months.