This paper investigates the change of the percolation threshold in the carbon powder-filled polystyrene matrix composites based on the experimental results of changes in the resistivity and relative permittivity of the carbon powder filling, the electric field dependence of the current, and the critical exponent of conductivity. In this research, the percolation behavior, the critical exponent of resistivity, and electrical conduction mechanism of the carbon powder-filled polystyrene matrix composites are discussed based on a study of the overall change in the resistivity. It was found that the formation of infinite clusters is interrupted by a tunneling gap in the volume fraction of the carbon powder filling, where the change in the resistivity is extremely large. In addition, it was found that the critical exponent of conductivity for the universal law of conductivity is satisfied if the percolation threshold is estimated at the volume fraction of carbon powder where non-ohmic current behavior becomes ohmic. It was considered that the mechanism for changing the gaps between the carbon powder aggregates into ohmic contacts is identical to that of the connecting conducting phases above the percolation threshold in a random resister network system. The electric field dependence is discussed with a tunneling mechanism. It is concluded that the percolation threshold should be defined at this volume fraction (the second transition of resistivity for the carbon powder-filled polystyrene matrix composites) of carbon powder.

In this study, in order to improve the thermal and electrical properties of epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), surface modifications of GNPs are conducted using silane coupling agents. Three silane coupling agents, i.e. 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)-ethyltrimethoxysilane (ETMOS), 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane (GPTS), and 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS), were used. Among theses, GPTMS exhibits the best modification performance for fabricating GNP-incorporated epoxy composites. The effect of the silanization is evaluated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electrical and thermal conductivities are characterized. The epoxy/silanized GNPs exhibits higher thermal and electrical properties than the epoxy/raw GNPs due to the improved dispersion state of the GNPs in the epoxy matrix. The TEM microphotographs and Turbiscan data demonstrate that the silane molecules grafted onto the GNP surface improve the GNP dispersion in the epoxy.

TiH2 nanopowder was made by high energy ball milling. The milled TiH2 and CNT powders were then simultaneously synthesized and consolidated using pulsed current activated sintering (PCAS) within one minute under an applied pressure of 80 MPa. The milling did not induce any reaction between the constituent powders. Meanwhile, PCAS of the TiH2-CNT mixture produced a Ti-TiC composite according to the reaction (0.92TiH2 + 0.08CNT→0.84Ti + 0.08TiC + 0.92H2, 0.84TiH2 + 0.16CNT→0.68Ti + 0.16TiC + 0.84H2). Highly dense nanocrystalline Ti-TiC composites with a relative density of up to 99.7% were obtained. The hardness and fracture toughness of the dense Ti-8 mole% TiC and Ti-16 mole% TiC produced by PCAS were also investigated. The hardness of the Ti-8 mole% TiC and Ti-16 mole% TiC composites was higher than that of Ti. The hardness value of the Ti-16 mole% TiC composite was higher than that of the Ti-8 mole% TiC composite without a decrease in fracture toughness.

W-10vol.%ZrC composites reinforced by micrometric and nanosized ZrC particles were prepared by hot-pressing of 25 MPa for 2 h at 1900˚C. The effect of ZrC particle size on microstructure and mechanical properties at room temperature and elevated temperatures was investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope observations and the flexural strength test of the W-ZrC composite. Microstructural analysis of the W-ZrC composite revealed that nanosized ZrC particles were homogeneously dispersed in the W matrix inhibiting W grain growth compared to W specimen with micrometric ZrC particle. As a result, its flexural strength was significantly improved. The flexural strength at room temperature for W-ZrC composite using nanosized ZrC particle being 740 MPa increased by around 2 times than that of specimen using micrometric ZrC particle which was 377 MPa. The maximum strength of 935 MPa was tested at 1200˚C on the W composite specimen containing nanosized ZrC particle.

Nitrogen-doped ZnO nanoparticle-carbon nanofiber composites were prepared using electrospinning. As the relative amounts of N-doped ZnO nanoparticles in the composites were controlled to levels of 3.4, 9.6, and 13.8 wt%, the morphological, structural, and chemical properties of the composites were characterized by means of field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In particular, the carbon nanofiber composites containing 13.8 wt% N-doped ZnO nanoparticles exhibited superior catalytic properties, making them suitable for use as counter electrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). This result can be attributed to the enhanced surface roughness of the composites, which offers sites for I3- ion reductions and the formation of Zn3N2 phases that facilitate electron transfer. Therefore, DSSCs fabricated with 13.8 wt% N-doped ZnO nanoparticle-carbon nanofiber composites showed high current density (16.3mA/cm2), high fill factor (57.8%), and excellent power-conversion efficiency (6.69%); at the same time, these DSSCs displayed power-conversion efficiency almost identical to that of DSSCs fabricated with a pure Pt counter electrode (6.57%).

Multi-walled carbon nanotube reinforced epoxy composites were fabricated using shear mixing and sonication. The mechanical, viscoelastic, thermal, and electrical properties of the fabricated specimens were measured and evaluated. From the images and the results of the measurements of tensile strengths, the specimens having 0.6 wt% nanotube content showed better dispersion and higher strength than those of the other specimens. The Young's moduli of the specimens increased as the nanotube filler content was increased in the matrix. As the concentrations of nanotubes filler were increased in the composite specimens, their storage and loss moduli also tended to increase. The specimen having a nanotube filler content of 0.6 wt% showed higher thermal conductivity than that of the other specimens. On the other hand, in the measurement of thermal expansion, specimens having 0.4 and 0.6 wt% filler contents showed a lower value than that of the other specimens. The electrical conductivities also increased with increasing content of nanotube filler. Based on the measured and evaluated properties of the composites, it is believed that the simple and efficient fabrication process used in this study was sufficient to obtain improved properties in the specimens.

SnO2-CoO/carbon-coated CoO core/shell nanowire composites were synthesized by using electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. In order to obtain SnO2-CoO/carbon-coated CoO core/shell nanowire composites, SnO2-Co3O4 nanowire composites and SnO2-Co3O4/polygonal Co3O4 core/shell nanowire composites are also synthesized. To demonstrate their structural, chemical bonding, and morphological properties, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were carried out. These results indicated that the morphologies and structures of the samples were changed from SnO2-Co3O4 nanowires having cylindrical structures to SnO2-Co3O4/Co3O4 core/shell nanowires having polygonal structures after a hydrothermal process. At last, SnO2-CoO/carbon-coated CoO core/shell nanowire composites having irregular and high surface area are formed after carbon coating using a polypyrrole (PPy). Also, there occur phases transformation of cobalt phases from Co3O4 to CoO during carbon coating using a PPy under a argon atmosphere.

Process conditions for the impregnation of polycarbosilane preceramic polymer into SiC-based composites were investigated. Two kinds of preceramic polymer (PCP) was impregnated into SiC-fiber fabrics with different solvents of n-hexane and divinylbenzene (DVB). Both microstructural observations and mechanical tests were conducted to evaluate the impregnation. The matrix phases were particulated in the case of hexane solvents. Apparent relative density of the matrix was about 78.8%. The density of matrix was increased to about 96.1-98.8% when the DVB was used; however, brittle fracture was observed during a bending test. The modulus of toughness was less than 0.74J/m3. The fabric impregnated with a mixed PCP-dissolved solution showed intermediate characteristics with relative high density of filling (apparent density of ~96.1%) as well as proper bending behavior. The modulus of toughness was increased to about 5.31J/m3. The composites developed by changing the precursor and solvent suggested the possibility of fabricating SiCf/SiC composites without a fiber to matrix interphase coating.

In this paper, the response of graphite/epoxy laminated composite beams subjected to impact loads without damage, is studied by the use of the developed finite element program. The modified Hertzian contact law considered elasto-plastic process is used to calculate the dynamic responses between the impactor and laminated target. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the effects on the histories of contact force, deflection, damage energy, strain and stress through the thickness due to stacking sequence. In view of the kinetic energy response, [0/30/0/-30]2S laminate is faster than that of other two laminates due to its flexural stiffness. In special, the distribution of stress through the thickness shows nearly linear despite its discontinuity of stacking sequences for dynamic analysis unlike static analysis in a laminated composites.

The latest weight reduction research of automotive industry and technology was improved. In this paper, we aim to evaluate the composite frame to manufacture the floor assembly of commercial vehicle. The design of subframe incorporated into the floor module was determined by FEM(Finite Element Method) simulation. The mechanical properties used for the simulations were obtained from the tests for samples of glass fiber/epoxy composites. We made two kinds of pultrusion products, one was aluminum profile, the other was unidirectional composites with aluminum profile. Based on the results from the simulation and bending test, the design of the subframe was finally determined prior to adoption of the commercial vehicle floor.

The conductive polymer composites have attracted considerable attention in the field of industry due to their electrical properties. To understand electrical properties of the composites, their volume specific resistance was measured. Electrical conductivity results showed percolation phenomena. Percolation theories are frequently applied to describe the insulator-to-conductor transitions in the composites composed of conductive filler and insulating matrix. It was found that the percolation threshold strongly depends on the aspect ratio of filler particles. The critical concentration of percolation formed is defined as the percolation threshold. The purpose of this study was to examine electrical properties of the epoxy resins filled with nickel. The sample was prepared using vehicle such as epoxy resin replenished with nickel powder, and the evaluation on their practical use was performed in order to apply them to electric and electronic industry as well as general field. The volume specific resistance of epoxy resin composites was 4.666~13.074 when using nickel powder. Weight loss of the conductive composites took place at 350℃~470℃.

The friction and wear characteristics of the rubber matrix composites filled with nano sized silica particles were investigated at ambient temperature by pin-on-disc friction test. The volume fraction of silica particles was 19%. The cumulative wear volume and wear rate of these materials on counterpart roughness were determined experimentally. The major failure mechanisms were lapping layers, deformation of matrix, ploughing, debonding of particles, fracture of particles and microcracking by scanning electric microscopy photograph of the tested surface. The cumulative wear volume showed a tendency to increase with increase of sliding distance. The wear rate of these composites tested indicated low value as increasing the sliding distance.

TiC-21mol% Mo solid solution (δ-phase) and TiC-99 mol% Mo solid solution (β-phase), and TiC-(80~90)mol%Mo hypo-eutectic composite were deformed by compression in a temperature range from room to 2300 K and in a strain raterange from 4.9×10−5 to 6.9×10−3/s. The deformation behaviors of the composites were analyzed from the strengths of theδ- and β-phases. It was found that the high strength of the eutectic composite is due primarily to solution hardening of TiCby Mo, and that the δ-phase undergoes an appreciable plastic deformation at and above 1420 K even at 0.2% plastic strainof the composite. The yield strength of the three kinds of phase up to 1420 K is quantitatively explained by the rule of mixture,where internal stresses introduced by plastic deformation are taken into account. Above 1420 K, however, the calculated yieldstrength was considerably larger than the measured strength. The yield stress of β-phase was much larger than that of pure TiC.A good linear relationship was held between the yield stress and the plastic strain rate in a double-logarithmic plot. Thedeformation behavior in δ-phase was different among the three temperature ranges tested, i.e., low, intermediate and high. Atan intermediate temperature, no yield drop occurred, and from the beginning the work hardening level was high. At the testedtemperature, a good linear relationship was held in the double logarithmic plot of the yield stress against the plastic strain rate.The strain rate dependence of the yield stress was very weak up to 1273 K in the hypo-eutectic composite, but it becamestronger as the temperature rose.

In this study, the effect of stacking sequence on the flexural and fracture properties of carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites was investigated. Two types of carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites with a sandwich form were fabricated: basalt skin-carbon core (BSCC) composites and carbon skin-basalt core (CSBC) composites. Fracture tests were conducted and the fracture surfaces of the carbon/basalt/epoxy hybrid composites were then examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the flexural strength and flexural modulus of the CSBC specimen respectively were ~32% and ~245% greater than those of the BSCC specimen. However, the interlaminar fracture toughness of the CSBC specimen was ~10% smaller than that of the BSCC specimen. SEM results on the fracture surface showed that matrix cracking is a dominant fracture mechanism for the CSBC specimen while interfacial debonding between fibers and epoxy resin is a dominant fracture process for the BSCC specimen.

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) consist of a polymeric matrix and a conductive fil-er, for example, carbon black, carbon fibers,graphite or carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The criti-cal amount of the electrically conductive fillernecessary to build up a continuous conductive network, and accordingly, to make the material conductive; is referred to as the percolation threshold. From technical and economical viewpoints, it is desirable to decrease the conduc-tive-fillerpercolation-threshold as much as possible. In this study, we investigated the effect of polymer/conductive-fillerinteractions, as well as the processing and morphological devel-opment of low-percolation-threshold (Φc) conductive-polymer composites. The aim of the study was to produce conductive composites containing less multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) than required for pure polypropylene (PP) through two approaches: one using various mix-ing methods and the other using immiscible polymer blends. Variants of the conductive PP composite filledwith MWCNT was prepared by dry mixing, melt mixing, mechanofusion, and compression molding. The percolation threshold (Φc) of the MWCNT-PP composites was most successfully lowered using the mechanofusion process than with any other mixing method (2-5 wt%). The mechanofusion process was found to enhance formation of a perco-lation network structure, and to ensure a more uniform state of dispersion in the CPCs. The immiscible-polymer blends were prepared by melt mixing (internal mixer) poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVD, PP/PVDF, volume ratio 1:1) filled with MWCN.

In this study, material characteristics of glass fiber composite were evaluated by experiment. Tensile, compression and in-plane shear test were performed as test method of ASTM. Velocity of Tensile and compression test was 2mm/min and in-plane shear test was 4mm/min. At the test result, elastic modulus of tensile and compressive were similar. Maximum compressive strength and maximum compressive strain were smaller than the maximum tensile strength and maximum tensile strain.

This study analyzes performance-cost ratio of composite(GFRP) wind-towers by fiber reinforcement angle and determines their optimal fiber angle. The finite element models for composite structures using the ANSYS program described in this paper is attractive not only because it shows excellent accuracy in analysis but also it shows the effect of the geometrical combination. New results reported in this paper are focused on the significant effects of the cost for various parameters, such as thicknesses of outer shells and stiffeners. From the numerical examples, optimal fiber angles were determined as 80°∼90°.

In order to clarify the effect of Nb addition on the ductile-brittle transition property of sintered TiC, TiC-10 mol% Nb composites were researched using a three-point bending test at temperatures from room temperature to 2020 K, and the fracture surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the Nb addition decreases the ductile-brittle transition temperature of sintered TiC by 300 K and increases the ductility. The room temperature bending strength was maintained at up to 1800 K, but drastically dropped at higher temperatures in pure TiC. The strength increased moderately to a value of 320MPa at 1600 K in TiC-10 mol% Nb composites, which is 40% of the room temperature strength. Pores were observed in both the grains and the grain boundaries. It can be seen that, as Nb was added, the size of the grain decreased. The ductile-brittle transition temperature in TiC-10 mol% Nb composites was determined to be 1550 K. Above 1970 K, yieldpoint behavior was observed. When the grain boundary and cleavage strengths exceed the yield strength, plastic deformation is observed at about the same stress level in bending as in compression. The effect of Nb addition is discussed from the viewpoint of ability for plastic deformation.