Surface modified microcrystalline cellulose from cotton as a potential mineral admixture in cement mortar composite

The objective of the work is to examine the performance of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) modified microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) fiber, derived from cotton, as a mineral admixture that could be compatible in cement mortar composites. The effectiveness of surface modification of MCC is characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, TGA and SEM techniques. The present silane based surface modifier (TEOS) minimizes the water uptake and acts as a pozzolan, that could result in additional calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) linkages. This is reflected by the enhancement in the mechanical properties of the cement mortar composite. A dramatic two fold enhancement of flexural strength and almost 45% increase of compressive strength are observed in the case of TEOS-MCC when compared with the cement mortar composites without any mineral admixture there by validating the method chosen. The enhancement of compressive and flexural strength could be due to proper dispersion of smaller size MCC fibers within the pores of the cement mortar composite. When an optimized amount of chemical admixture (polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizer) is used along with TEOS- MCC a greater enhancement in flexural strength and compressive strength is observed with good workability, at a lower water/cement ratio.     

Dispersion of CaCO3 nanoparticles by sonication and surfactant treatment for application in fly ash–cement systems

This research aims to offset the negative effects of fly ash on the early-age properties of cementitious materials with the use of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles. The main focus is to enhance the effect of the nanoparticles by improving dispersion through ultrasonication and use of surfactants. CaCO₃ aqueous suspensions with various surfactant types and concentrations are prepared and subjected to different sonication protocols (varying duration and amplitude). Dispersion and stability are quantitatively measured by comparing their absorbance spectra through spectrophotometry and qualitatively evaluated through SEM imaging. The effectiveness of sonicated CaCO₃ nanoparticle additions in accelerating setting and improving early-age compressive strength gain of fly ash–cement pastes is investigated. The sonication protocol is optimized and the most effective dispersion is achieved with polycarboxylate-based superplasticizer. Good agreement is found between the dispersion measurements and mechanical performance.     

短碳纤维的分散性对CFRC力学性能的影响

碳纤维增强水泥基复合材料(CFRC)是一种新型建筑智能材料,碳纤维在水泥基体中的分散性直接影响着它的力学性能.借助超声波和甲基纤维素(MC)分散剂,实现了短碳纤维在水泥基体中的均匀分散,对所制备的CFRC复合材料的断口形貌作了SEM观察;测试了试件的抗压强度、抗拉强度和抗折强度.结果发现,碳纤维均匀分散时,复合材料的抗压强度提高19%,抗拉强度比不加碳纤维时提高2.2倍,弹性模量提高1.4倍.此外,复合材料的抗弯强度、抗折强度均高于未均匀分散时的强度.     

Cellulose nanocrystal-filled carboxymethyl cellulose nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites are one of the important application areas for nanotechnology. Naturally derived organic nanophase materials are of special interest in the case of polymer nanocomposites. Carboxymethyl cellulose is a polyelectrolyte derived from natural materials. It has been extensively studied as a hydrogel polymer. Methods to modify the mechanical properties of gels and films made from CMC are of interest in our lab and in the commercial marketplace. The effect of nano-sized fillers on the properties of CMC-based composites is of interest in the development of novel or improved applications for hydrogel polymers in general and CMC in particular. This project investigated cellulose nanocrystals (CNXLs) as a filler in CMC and compared the effects to microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The composite material was composed of CMC, MCC or CNXL, with glycerin as a plasticizer. CNXL and MCC concentrations ranged from 5% to 30%. Glycerin concentrations were kept constant at 10%. CNXLs improved the strength and stiffness of the resulting composite compared to MCC. In addition, a simple heat treatment was found to render the nanocomposite water resistant.     

Mechanical and degradation behavior of polymer-calcium sulfate composites

Calcium sulfate (CS) is one of the oldest bone graft materials still in use. Its main limitations are poor handling characteristics, poor mechanical properties, and a resorption rate that is too fast for some applications. The present study investigated the effect of viscous polymers, such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and hyaluronan (HY), on the handling characteristics, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior of CS. CMC and HY were added to CS at concentrations from 1–10 wt%. Addition of CMC to CS at more than 4 wt% produced a putty-like material and decreased the density of the composite, while also increasing flexural and compressive strength at higher loadings. Incorporation of CMC produced a concentration-dependent increase in water absorption and degradation rate. At an equivalent loading, HY-containing CS composites showed better compressive strength than CS with CMC. Overall, addition of CMC or HY to CS resulted in composite materials with better handling characteristics and improved mechanical properties after set, however the degradation rate of the augmented materials was increased. These properties suggest that the enhanced CS materials may be useful in certain clinical situations, such as filling non-uniform bone defects and situations that require mechanical integrity of the bone graft substitute during implantation.     

Performance properties of microcrystalline cellulose as a reinforcing agent in wood plastic composites

Polypropylene (PP)/microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/wood flour composites were prepared containing polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) as compatibilizer. The mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were investigated. The weight ratio of the cellulosic materials to polymer matrix was 40:60 (w:w). The obtained results showed that tensile, flexural and impact strengths of the composites were significantly enhanced with addition of MCC, as compared with pure PP and composites without MCC. The effect of MCC on impact was minimal compared to the effects of PP-g-MA content. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that the composite, with compatibilizer, promotes better fiber–matrix interaction. In all cases, the degradation temperatures shifted to higher values after addition of PP-g-MA. The maximum improvement on the thermal stability of the composites was achieved when 5% PP-g-MA was used. However, the increase in MCC content substantially reduced the thermal stability. This work showed that MCC along with wood flour could be effectively used as reinforcing agent in thermoplastic matrix.     

Evaluating the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the mechanical properties of chopped strand mat/polyester composites

In this research, the influence of adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes at various contents on the mechanical properties of chopped strand mat/polyester composites was investigated. Initially, the effect of the sonication time on the dispersion of carbon nanotube at the highest weight ratio (0.5 wt.%) was inspected. To achieve this goal, a new technique based on scanning electron microscopy, which utilizes the burn-off test, was introduced to visualize the dispersion state of carbon nanotubes. Subsequently, the effect of addition of multi-walled carbon nanotube on the tensile and flexural properties of the fiber reinforced composites was studied. The results of mechanical tests showed that adding only 0.05 wt.% carbon nanotube enhanced the flexural strength of the hybrid composite by 45% while the tensile strength was not changed significantly. Improvements in the tensile and flexural moduli were also observed. Moreover, theoretical relations between the tensile, flexural and compressive moduli based on the classical beam theory were employed to determine the effect of carbon nanotube on the compressive modulus of composites. The theoretical result showed 31% enhancement in the compressive modulus.     

Partial replacement of silica with microcrystalline cellulose in rubber composites

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was investigated to partially replace silica in rubber composites. The partial replacement of silica with MCC significantly reduced the energy required for dispersion of fillers in rubber matrix and lowered the internal temperature during the compounding. Moreover, the partial replacement of silica with MCC reduced Mooney viscosity, apparent shear stress, and apparent shear viscosity of the rubber composites, which facilitated the manufacturing process of the rubber composites. The replacement of up to 18% silica with MCC did not negatively affect the mechanical properties of the unaged and aged rubber composites. The partial replacement of silica with MCC also improved the heat resistance, did not significantly change the tan δ of rubber composites containing up to 11.8% of MCC at low temperature and decreased the tan δ of all rubber composites at high temperature. However, addition of MCC slightly decreased tear strength and hot tear strength of the rubber composites.     

Single-walled carbon nanotube incorporated novel three phase carbon/epoxy composite with enhanced properties

In the present work, single-walled carbon nanotubes were dispersed within the matrix of carbon fabric reinforced epoxy composites in order to develop novel three phase carbon/epoxy/single-walled carbon nanotube composites. A combination of ultrasonication and high speed mechanical stirring at 2000 rpm was used to uniformly disperse carbon nanotubes in the epoxy resin. The state of carbon nanotube dispersion in the epoxy resin and within the nanocomposites was characterized with the help of optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Pure carbon/epoxy and three phase composites were characterized for mechanical properties (tensile and compressive) as well as for thermal and electrical conductivity. Fracture surfaces of composites after tensile test were also studied in order to investigate the effect of dispersed carbon nanotubes on the failure behavior of composites. Dispersion of only 0.1 wt% nanotubes in the matrix led to improvements of 95% in Young's modulus, 31% in tensile strength, 76% in compressive modulus and 41% in compressive strength of carbon/epoxy composites. In addition to that, electrical and thermal conductivity also improved significantly with addition of carbon nanotubes.     

Electrical characteristics of hierarchical conductive pathways in cementitious composites incorporating CNT and carbon fiber

Cementitious composites incorporating CNT and carbon fiber were produced in the present study, and the effect of the incorporation of carbon fiber on the electrical characteristics of the composites was investigated. Polycarboxylic acid based superplasticizer and silica fume were used to ensure the dispersion of the CNT and carbon fiber. Independent variables were the water to cement ratio, the amount of carbon fiber added to the composites. The test results showed that the cementitious composites incorporating CNT and carbon fiber had more stable electrical resistivity compared to those without carbon fiber. A microstructural analysis was conducted and the mechanism of the improved electrical characteristics of the cementitious composites incorporating CNT and carbon fiber was discussed.     

Influence of fibre type on flexural behaviour of self-compacting fibre reinforced cementitious composites

This paper investigates the flexural properties of self-compacting fibre reinforced cementitious composites that contain high fly ash volume. Seven types of fibres were compared at the same volume fraction and in similar matrices containing high-volume fly ash and having a high compressive strength of around 85 MPa at 28 days. Third-point bending test was conducted on beam specimens to obtain their load–deflection curves, and investigate their fracture behaviour, flexural strength, deflection and toughness. The results showed that using straight steel and micro-polyvinyl alcohol fibres produced composites demonstrating stable deflection-hardening with multiple-cracking phenomenon. This behaviour resulted in high flexural strength, along with large maximum deflection and toughness values, which are important for applications in cementitious composites. This study indicates that fibres with both sufficiently high aspect ratio and high tensile strength are necessary for achieving deflection-hardening in self-compacting cementitious composites with high-strength matrices containing high-volume fly ash.     

Epoxidised soybean oil polymer composites reinforced with modified microcrystalline cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) grafted with n-octadecyl isocyanate (18C-g-MCC) was introduced as the reinforcing filler in epoxidised soybean oil (ESO) polymer. The wetting characteristics of 18C-g-MCC were evaluated by static contact angle and the results show that the hydrophobicity of MCC was improved by the introduction of nonpolar alkyl groups. The ESO composites were synthesised with different contents of 18C-g-MCC (from 0 to 25 wt%) by a thermally cured method. The reinforcing effects of 18C-g-MCC were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, mechanical test, dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal stability test. The results show that the tensile strength, the impact strength, Young's modulus, the flexural strength and glass transition temperature of the composites increase gradually with the increase of 18C-g-MCC content, while the elongation at break begins to decrease with 18C-g-MCC content of more than 20 wt%. Contact angle and water absorption analysis of the composites indicate the addition of 18C-g-MCC increases the water absorption of the ESO polymer.     

Mechanical properties and size effects in lightweight mortars containing expanded perlite aggregate

The study presented here investigates the effect of density in cementitious mortar on its mechanical properties under quasi-static loading. The reduction in density was achieved through the addition of expanded perlite as a lightweight aggregate into cement paste by volume replacement of cement in the ratio from 0 to 8. This yielded a range of densities between 1000 and 2000 kg/m³. The compressive and flexural response of these mixes were determined for geometrically scaled specimens to study the size effect. Some mixes were reinforced with polymer microfibres and the Mode I fracture toughness parameters were evaluated through flexural testing of notched beams. When compared with a reference Portland cement paste, the compressive strength and elastic modulus scaled as the cube of the density, while the fracture toughness varied linearly with it. The study shows that the specimen size effect on compressive and flexural strength decreases with a drop in the density of the mix and also with fibre reinforcement. On the other hand, the specimen size effect on the critical crack mouth opening displacement was more pronounced at lower densities.     

Rheological behaviour and mechanical characterization of injectable poly(propylene fumarate)/single-walled carbon nanotube composites for bone tissue engineering

This work investigated the effects of the use of a surfactant or the functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on their dispersion in uncrosslinked poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) and the mechanical reinforcement of crosslinked composites as a function of the SWNT concentration. Rheological measurements showed good dispersion of SWNTs in uncrosslinked PPF at low concentrations of 0.05?wt% and SWNT aggregation for higher concentrations for all formulations examined. Mechanical testing demonstrated significant reinforcement in the compressive and flexural mechanical properties of crosslinked nanocomposites which peaked for low SWNT concentrations of the order of 0.05?wt%. For example, a 74% increase was recorded for the compressive modulus and a 69% increase for the flexural modulus of nanocomposites with functionalized SWNTs at a 0.05?wt% loading. Nevertheless, this reinforcement was not related to the use of a surfactant or the functionalization of the SWNTs tested. Scanning electron microscopy examinations of fractured nanocomposite surfaces revealed the formation of SWNT aggregates at higher concentrations corroborating the rheological and mechanical data. These results suggest that the dispersion of individual SWNTs in a uncrosslinked formulation is pivotal to the development of injectable nanocomposites for bone tissue engineering applications.     

高石蜡掺量相变水泥基复合材料的性能

为了提高相变水泥基复合材料中相变材料石蜡的掺量,引入造孔剂在基体中产生气孔,使部分石蜡填充到气孔中,增加液化石蜡的存储空间,减少石蜡渗出。研究了不同造孔剂掺量下石蜡含量对相变水泥基复合材料抗石蜡渗出性、力学性能和储热性能的影响规律。结果表明：当造孔剂掺量（与水泥基复合材料质量比）由0%提高至4%时,石蜡在相变水泥基复合材料中不渗漏的掺量（与水泥基复合材料质量比）由5.0%提高至7.2%,抗压强度降低幅度较大。造孔剂和石蜡的最佳掺量分别为2%和5.8%。随着石蜡掺量的增加,相变水泥基复合材料储热性能提高,同时,造孔剂产生的气孔隔热保温效果也有助于相变水泥基复合材料板外壁和内壁最高温度温差的增加及测量体系内腔最高温度的下降。     

Rheology,fiber distribution and mechanical properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) whisker reinforced cement mortar

Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) whiskers are a new kind of microfiber used in cementitious composites and have proved to provide excellent effect on strengthening and toughening. In order to further improve the mechanical properties of CaCO₃ whisker-reinforced cementitious composites, rheological properties of fresh mixtures and the CaCO₃ whisker distribution in the hardened matrix were investigated. The yield stress and plastic viscosity increased with an increasing content of CaCO₃ whisker and a decreasing water-cement ratio. Also, the rheological properties were affected by the distribution of CaCO₃ whisker in the matrix. The largest increments in flexural and compressive strength were 27.59% and 12.60% for the mortars with CaCO₃ whisker contents of 2.0% and 1.5%, respectively. The properties responsible for the mechanical response were explained in terms of the effects of CaCO₃ whisker reinforcement, the distribution of CaCO₃ whiskers, and the porosity as well as pore size distribution.     

High performance natural rubber/thermally reduced graphite oxide nanocomposites by latex technology

The latex technology is an innovative alternative for the preparation of composites of natural rubber (NR) and thermally reduced graphite oxide (TRGO). To achieve an improvement of material properties is indispensable to prepare stable suspensions of TRGO. In this work the influence of two surfactants, such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), as ionic, and Pluronic F 127 as non-ionic surfactant, on the dispersion of TRGO in NR latex and the mechanical and physical properties of the composites were studied. The results showed that the SDS surfactant is ideal for preparing latex NR/TRGO nanocomposite. An optimum dispersion of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix was achieved in the presence of SDS, as reflected in a considerable improvement of the physical and mechanical properties of the material. Thus, the nanocomposites with 3 phr of TRGO exhibited an improvement of nearly 400% in the maximum strength and an electrical percolation threshold with values around 10⁻⁶ S/cm, above the static limit.     

HA改性短切碳纤维/PMMA生物复合材料力学性能的研究

采用原位合成与溶液共混的方法,制备了纳米羟基磷灰石(HA)-短切碳纤维（C_f）/聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)生物复合材料, 研究了HA对HA-C_f/PMMA复合材料的力学性能和微观结构的影响. 采用万能材料试验机测试了HA-C_f/PMMA复合材料的力学性能,用X射线衍射仪（XRD）、透射电镜（TEM）、场发射扫描电子显微镜（FESEM）和红外吸收光谱仪(FT-IR)分析测试手段对材料的组成结构及断面的微观形貌等进行了测试和表征. 结果表明,采用卵磷脂改性后的HA纳米片与PMMA基体的界面结合性能得到了有效改善,显著提高了复合材料的力学性能;随着HA含量的增加,HA-C_f/PMMA复合材料的弯曲强度、拉伸强度、压缩强度、弯曲模量和拉伸模量均呈先增大后减小的趋势. 当HA含量在8wt%时,复合材料的力学性能最佳.     

三维间隔连体织物泡沫夹层结构复合材料的基本力学特性

将三维间隔连体织物泡沫夹层结构平压、剪切和三点弯曲载荷作用下的力学特性与三维间隔连体织物复合材料、传统泡沫夹层结构复合材料进行了对比分析,在此基础上,考察了芯柱高度、泡沫密度对复合材料平压、剪切、三点弯曲性能的影响。结果表明,三维间隔连体织物泡沫夹层结构复合材料承受平压载荷时,芯柱和泡沫存在协同效应;平压载荷作用下主要发生芯柱断裂破坏;随着芯柱高度增加,平压、剪切强度均减小;随着泡沫密度增加,平压强度近似呈指数增长。     

Preparation and properties of a novel bone repair composite: nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose

Nano-hydroxyapatite/chitosan/carboxymethyl cellulose (n-HA/CS/CMC) composites with weight ratios of 70/10/20, 70/15/15 and 70/20/10 were prepared through a co-solution method. The properties of the composites were characterized by means of burn-out test, IR, XRD, TEM and universal material testing machine. The degradation and bioactivity were also investigated by in vitro test in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 8 weeks. The results showed that n-HA particles were dispersed uniformly in organic phase, and strong chemical interactions formed among the three phases. Moreover, the composites were similar to natural bone in morphology and size. In addition, the compressive strength was improved compared with n-HA/CS composite. The biodegradation rate was controllable by altering weight ratio of the CS/CMC. Meanwhile, the composites could induce apatite particles to deposit in SBF. All the above results indicate that the novel composites of n-HA/CS/CMC have a promising prospect used for bone repair materials in view of the good mechanical property, adjustable biodegradation rate and bioactivity in SBF. Additionally, the study would provide a good guide to exploit clinical application of natural cellulose.