Moderate speed impact damage to 2D-braided glass-carbon composites

Hybrid glass-carbon 2D braided composites with varying carbon contents are impacted using a gas gun by impactors of masses 12.5 and 44.5. g, at impact energies up to 50. J. The damage area detected by ultrasound C-scan is found to increase roughly linearly with impact energy, and is larger for the lighter impactor at the same impact energy. The area of whitening of the glass tows on the distal side corresponds with the measured C-scan damage area. X-ray imaging shows more intense damage, at the same impact energy, for a higher-mass impactor. Braids with more glass content have a modest increase in density, decrease in modulus, and reduction in the C-scan area and dent depth at the impact site, particularly at the higher impact energies. Impact damage is found to reduce significantly the compressive strength, giving up to a 26% reduction at the maximum impact energy. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Direct electrochemistry of glucose oxidase and biosensing for glucose based on carbon nanotubes@SnO2-Au composite

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes@SnO2-Au (MWCNTs@SnO2-Au) composite was synthesized by a chemical route. The structure and composition of the MWCNTs@SnO2-Au composite were confirmed by means of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy. Due to the good electrocatalytic property of MWCNTs@SnO2-Au composite, a glucose biosensor was constructed by absorbing glucose oxidase (GOD) on the hybrid material. A direct electron transfer process is observed at the MWCNTs@SnO2-Au/GOD-modified glassy carbon electrode. The glucose biosensor has a linear range from 4.0 to 24.0 mM, which is suitable for glucose determination by real samples. It should be worthwhile noting that, from 4.0 to 12.0 mM, the cathodic peak currents of the biosensor decrease linearly with increasing the glucose concentrations in human blood. Meanwhile, the resulting biosensor can also prevent the effects of interfering species.

Sol-gel-derived titanium oxide/copolymer composite based glucose biosensor

A new type of sol-gel-derived titanium oxide/copolymer composite material was developed and used for the construction of glucose biosensor. The composite material merged the best properties of the inorganic species, titanium oxide and the organic copolymer, poly(vinyl alcohol) grafting 4-vinylpyridine (PVA-g-PVP). The glucose oxidase entrapped in the composite matrix retained its bioactivity. Morphologies of the composite-modified electrode and the enzyme electrode were characterized with a scanning electron microscope. The dependence of the current responses on enzyme-loading and pH was studied. The response time of the biosensor was < 20 s and the linear range was up to 9 mM with a sensitivity of 405 nA/mM. The biosensor was stable for at least I month. In addition, the tetrathiafulvalene-mediated enzyme electrode was constructed for the decrease of detection potential and the effect of three common physiological sources that might interfere was also investigated.

Fabrication and electrochemical behavior of a sol-gel-derived carbon ceramic composite electrode entrapping 2 : 18-molybdodiphosphate

A new type of inorganic-organic hybrid material incorporating carbon powder and alpha -type 2:18-molybdodiphosphate (P2Mo18) in a methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMOS) based gel has been produced by a sol-gel process and used to fabricate a chemically modified electrode. The P2Mo18-doped carbon ceramic composite electrode was characterized using SEM and cyclic voltammetry. Square-wave voltammetry with an excellent sensitivity was exploited to conveniently investigate the dependence of current and half-wave potential (E-1/2) on pH. The chemically modified electrode has some advantages over the modified film electrodes constructed by the conventional methods, such as long-term stability, reproducibility, and especially repeatability of surface-renewal by simple polishing in the event of surface fouling or dopant leaching. In addition, the modified electrode shows a good catalytic activity for the electrochemical reduction of bromate in an acidic aqueous solution. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Sol-gel-derived graphite organosilicate composite electrodes bulk-modified with Keggin-type alpha-germanomolybdic acid

A novel inorganic-organic hybrid material incorporating graphite powder and Keggin-type alpha -germanomolybdic acid (GeMo12) in methyltrimethoxysilane-based gels has been produced by the sol-gel technique and used to fabricate a chemically bulk-modified electrode. GeMo12 acts as a catalyst, graphite powder ensures conductivity by percolation, the silicate provides a rigid porous backbone, and the methyl groups endow hydrophobicity and thus limit the wetting section of the modified electrode. The GeMo12-modified graphite organosilicate composite electrode was characterized by cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. The modified electrode shows a high electrocatalytic activity toward the reduction of bromate, nitrite and hydrogen peroxide in acidic aqueous solution. In addition, the chemically-modified electrode has some distinct advantages over the traditional polyoxometalate-modified electrodes, such as long-term stability and especially repeatability of surface-renewal by simple mechanical polishing.

Fracture Mechanics Analysis of the Dentine-Luting Cement Interface.

The objectives of this study were to determine the fracture toughness of adhesive interfaces between dentine and clinically relevant, thin layers of dental luting cements. Cements tested included a conventional glass-ionomer, F (Fuji I), a resin-modified glass-ionomer, FP (Fuji Plus) and a compomer cement, D (DyractCem). Ten miniature short-bar chevron notch specimens were manufactured for each cement, each comprising a 40 µm thick chevron of lute, between two 1.5 mm thick blocks of bovine dentine, encased in resin composite. The interfacial KIC results (MN/m3/2) were median (range): F; 0.152 (0.14-0.16), FP; 0.306 (0.27-0.37), D; 0.351 (0.31-0.37). Non-parametric statistical analysis showed that the fracture toughness of F was significantly lower (p

NONLINEAR NUMERICAL MODELLING OF LIGHTENING STRIKE EFFECT ON COMPOSITE PANELS WITH TEMPERATURE DEPENDANT MATERIAL PROPERTIES

Lightning strike is one of the challenges that the aerospace industry is facing in an effort to increase the percentage of composite materials used in aircraft structures. Lightning strike damage is due to high orthotropic electric resistivity of the composite panels, which leads to high thermal loads that cause decomposition of the epoxy and delimitations of the laminates. Yet, experimental testing of lightning strike on aircraft panels is expensive due to the large number of design parameters that can control the inflicted damage. A coupled thermal-electrical finite element analysis is used to investigate the design variables space that can affect lightning strike damage on epoxy/graphite composite panels. The contribution of this study is modeling the composite panels’ material properties as temperature dependent, which was excluded by other researchers. A number of practical solutions to minimize the damage effect are proposed. Two set of experimental results are used to verify the numerical ones. One experimental set for plain composite panel, and second one for composite panels with joints

Performance and wear of coated carbide drill in machining of carbon fibre reinforced composite/titanium stack

In this research we investigate the performance of drilling process in carbon fibre reinforced composite (CFC) material, titanium alloy and the hybrid stack of these two materials, using coated carbide drill bit. We study the effect of the process parameters such as the feed rate and speed on the induced forces and torques, also on the wear of drill and surface roughness of the holes. In the composite material the percentage of surface damage in both drilling CFC on its own and drilling in stack form is estimated. Also, the effect of worn drill on the surface damage is identified. In the titanium, the burr formation in stack and non-stack form is investigated. The wear of the drill results in increased forces and torques required for drilling. This increases the surface delaminations substantially at the entrance in drilling of CFC. However, the surface roughness of the holes reduces with the wear of the drill in CFC drilling. Also, the surface delamination and surface roughness of the holes in the CFC whilst drilled in hybrid form reduces significantly. This is despite the increase of the forces and torques required in drilling CFC in stack form. Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Comparative Histopathological Analysis of Human Pulps after Class I Cavity Preparation with a High-Speed Air-Turbine Handpiece or Er:YAG Laser

The purpose of this study was to comparatively evaluate the response of human pulps after cavity preparation with different devices. Deep class I cavities were prepared in sound mandibular premolars using either a high-speed air-turbine handpiece (Group 1) or an Er: YAG laser (Group 2). Following total acid etching and the application of an adhesive system, all cavities were restored with composite resin. Fifteen days after the clinical procedure, the teeth were extracted and processed for analysis under optical microscopy. In Group 1 in which the average for the remaining dentin thickness (RDT) between the cavity floor and the coronal pulp was 909.5 mu m, a discrete inflammatory response occurred in only one specimen with an RDT of 214 mu m. However, tissue disorganization occurred in most specimens. In Group 2 (average RDT = 935.2 mu m), the discrete inflammatory pulp response was observed in only one specimen (average RDT = 413 mu m). It may be concluded that the high-speed air-turbine handpiece caused greater structural alterations in the pulp, although without inducing inflammatory processes.

Análise da dentina de dentes decíduos submetidos ao capeamento pulpar indireto

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as características da dentina cariada remanescente de molares decíduos quanto à coloração, consistência e microdureza, após um período médio de 3 anos e 8 meses da realização do capeamento pulpar indireto. O estudo clínico constou de 27 dentes que apresentavam lesões cariosas ativas com expressão radiográfica em metade interna de dentina. Aleatoriamente, foi realizado o capeamento pulpar indireto e utilizado como material capeador o hidróxido de cálcio (HC) e o cimento de ionômero de vidro resinoso modificado (CIVRM). As crianças foram acompanhadas através de exames clínicos e radiográficos, e ao longo de um período médio de 3 anos e 8 meses, observou-se um índice de sucesso de 89% para o grupo do HC e de 93% para o CIVRM, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre os dois grupos (p=0,62). Os dentes considerados como sucesso no estudo clínico foram agrupados em um único grupo (grupo teste), que constou de 13 dentes que sofreram esfoliação natural ou exodontia por motivos ortodônticos. Além disso, foram selecionados 15 molares decíduos hígidos (grupo controle positivo) e 15, portadores de lesões cariosas ativas em metade interna de dentina (grupo controle negativo). As amostras do grupo teste tiveram suas respectivas restaurações removidas, a profundidade medida e a dentina remanescente avaliada por um operador calibrado, seguindo critérios descritivos, quanto à consistência e a coloração. Nos dentes do grupo controle positivo, foram realizados preparos cavitários oclusais em até 4 mm de profundidade, enquanto que, no grupo controle negativo, o mesmo operador do estudo clínico realizou a remoção parcial de tecido cariado in vitro. A partir daí, todos os dentes foram preparados para análise de microdureza, que foi realizada por um examinador calibrado, que empregou o princípio de cegamento. Na análise da consistência, todos os dentes do grupo teste (n=13) apresentaram-se endurecidos, enquanto que 9, apresentaram coloração amarela-clara (8 do CIVRM e 1 do HC) e 4, castanho-escura (1 do CIVRM e 3 do HC). Para o teste de microdureza no grupo teste, obteve-se uma média KHN de 40,81 (±16,28) MPa, enquanto que nos grupos controles positivo e negativo, foram alcançados valores médios de 62,73 (±11,24) MPa e 19,15 (±6,99) MPa, respectivamente. A análise estatística mediante o teste ANOVA indicou que houve diferença significativa entre os 3 grupos. Foi constatada a remineralização da dentina de dentes decíduos em que foi realizada a técnica do capeamento pulpar indireto após um período médio de 3 anos e 8 meses, através de critérios clínico (consistência) e laboratorial (análise da microdureza).

Efeitos da radiação uv, temperatura e vapor aquecido nos compósitos poliméricos: monitoramento, instabilidade estrutural e fratura

The application of composite materials and in particular the fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) has gradually conquered space from the so called conventional materials. However, challenges have arisen when their application occurs in equipment and mechanical structures which will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions, especially when there is the influence of environmental degradation due to temperature, UV radiation and moisture in the mechanical performance of these structures, causing irreversible structural damage such as loss of dimensional stability, interfacial degradation, loss of mass, loss of structural properties and changes in the damage mechanism. In this context, the objective of this thesis is the development of a process for monitoring and modeling structural degradation, and the study of the physical and mechanical properties in FRP when in the presence of adverse environmental conditions (ageing). The mechanism of ageing is characterized by controlled environmental conditions of heated steam and ultraviolet radiation. For the research, it was necessary to develop three polymer composites. The first was a lamina of polyester resin reinforced with a short glass-E fiber mat (representing the layer exposed to ageing), and the other two were laminates, both of seven layers of reinforcement, one being made up only of short fibers of glass-E, and the other a hybrid type reinforced with fibers of glass-E/ fibers of curaua. It should be noted that the two laminates have the lamina of short glass-E fibers as a layer of the ageing process incidence. The specimens were removed from the composites mentioned and submitted to environmental ageing accelerated by an ageing chamber. To study the monitoring and modeling of degradation, the ageing cycles to which the lamina was exposed were: alternating cycles of UV radiation and heated steam, a cycle only of UV radiation and a cycle only of heated steam, for a period defined by norm. The laminates have already undergone only the alternating cycle of UV and heated steam. At the end of the exposure period the specimens were subjected to a structural stability assessment by means of the developed measurement of thickness variation technique (MTVT) and the measurement of mass variation technique (MMVT). Then they were subjected to the mechanical tests of uniaxial tension for the lamina and all the laminates, besides the bending test on three points for the laminates. This study was followed by characterization of the fracture and the surface degradation. Finally, a model was developed for the composites called Ageing Zone Diagram (AZD) for monitoring and predicting the tensile strength after the ageing processes. From the results it was observed that the process of degradation occurs Abstract Raimundo Nonato Barbosa Felipe xiv differently for each composite studied, although all were affected in certain way and that the most aggressive ageing process was that of UV radiation, and that the hybrid laminated fibers of glass-E/curaua composite was most affected in its mechanical properties

Desenvolvimento e análise de material compósito a base de penas de frango (fibras de queratina-KF) e matriz de poliéster insaturado

Use of natural fibres as a reinforcement material in the manufacture of composites show a series of advantages: availability, biodegradability, low weight and regeneration in relation to synthetic fibres, thus justifying its utilization. In the present research work, composites were developed with chicken feathers (KF), using unsaturated polyester resin as matrix, for diversified applications, mainly in the furniture/timber industry.At present, in Brazil the chicken feathers are used as part of the animal feed, even though this material possesses low aggregated value. The chicken feathers are hollow, light and resistant. After washing with water at room temperature, a part of the chicken feathers were treated with 2% NaOH. Composites were manufactured using treated and untreated chicken feathers with unsaturated orthothalic polyester resin and 1% peroxide as catalyser, obtained in the commerce. Samples with size 150x25x3 mm for mechanical tests were cut by laser in the composite plate. Mechanical analyses were carried out in the Laboratório de Metais e Ensaios Mecânicos UFRN. All the analyses were in accordance with ASTM standards. SEM analyses were also carried out on the samples.In the analyses of the results obtained, it was observed that the composites made with untreated chicken feathers showed better results (Traction 11.406 MPa and 9.107 MPa Bending 34.947 and 20.918 MPa for samples with and without treatment respectively) compared to the composite with treated feathers. Very low values of the water absorption results, evidenced the impermeability characteristic of the feathers. From the SEM images, the structure, fracture and the fibre/matrix adsorption can be evidenced. In the flammability test, it was observed that despite the feathers having sulfur as a constituent, natural inhibitor of flame, no burning support of the composites, because the manufacturing process of the composite

Preparation and characterization of cellulose/hydrous niobium oxide hybrid

A composite of cellulose extracted from bagasse with Nb2O5 center dot nH(2)O in three different proportions (16.67, 37.5 and 50.0 wt%) was prepared using the co-precipitation method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TG data obtained show that the presence of inorganic material influenced slightly the stability of the hybrid material. The precipitation of 16.67 wt.% of oxide was sufficient to inhibit the combustion peaks present in the DSC curve of cellulose. This work will help find new applications for these materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Effect of pH variations in a cycling model on the properties of restorative materials

This study evaluated the effect of cycling various pH demineralizing solutions on the surface hardness, fluoride release and surface properties of restorative materials (Ketac-Fil Plus, Vitremer, Fuji II LC, Freedom and Fluorofil). Thirty specimens of each material were made and the surface hardness measured. The specimens were randomized into five groups according to the pH (4.3; 4.6; 5.0; 5.5 and 6.2) of the demineralizing solution. The specimens were submitted to pH-cycling for 15 days. The specimens remained in the demineralizing solution for six hours and in the remineralizing solution for 18 hours. Then, the surface hardness (SH) was remeasured and the surface properties were assessed. Fluoride release was determined daily. Data from SH and the percentage of alteration in surface hardness were analyzed by analysis of variance (p < 0.05); the Kruskal-Wallis test was performed for the fluoride release results. When hardness was compared, the variation in pH led to a positive correlation for glass ionomer cements and a negative correlation for fluoride release. For polyacid-modified resin composites, a negative correlation was found with regards to fluoride release; no significant correlation was observed for hardness. Surface properties were influenced: an acidic pH led to a greater alteration, except for polyacid-modified resin composites. The pH of the demineralizing solution influenced fluoride release from the tested materials. The pH variation altered hardness and surface properties of glass ionomer cements but did not influence polyacid-modified resin composites.

Influência da aplicação de flúor sobre a rugosidade superficial do ionômero de vidro Vitremer e adesão microbiana a este material

Os cimentos ionoméricos representam importante opção de material restaurador em Odontologia e sua adesão à estrutura dental, diminuindo a infiltração marginal, somada à liberação de flúor, inibindo o metabolismo de microrganismos acidogênicos e favorecendo a remineralização dental, podem diminuir a ocorrência de cárie secundária. A aplicação tópica de géis acidulados ou neutros contendo flúor tem sido largamente utilizada em Odontologia. No entanto, este procedimento pode afetar a integridade dos materiais restauradores, aumentando sua rugosidade e a retenção de placa bacteriana. Dessa forma, o presente estudo avaliou o período de tempo no qual o cimento ionomérico Vitremer mantém sua capacidade inibitória sobre Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 e a adesão dos mesmos sobre a superfície do material, bem como a influência da aplicação tópica de flúor acidulado e neutro sobre esses parâmetros microbiológicos e as características superficiais daquele material. Verificou-se que a atividade antimicrobiana do cimento ionomérico Vitremer se mantém por aproximadamente quatro dias e não é recuperada com o uso de flúor gel acidulado ou neutro. Observou-se, também, que Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 adere ao material restaurador testado sendo que a aplicação tópica de flúor não influenciou esta adesão. As características superficiais desses materiais não se alteraram com a aplicação dos géis.