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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Solution Casting And Mechanical Testing Of Arabinan-Cellulose Nanocomposites, Kevin Su, Alina Lusebrink
Solution Casting And Mechanical Testing Of Arabinan-Cellulose Nanocomposites, Kevin Su, Alina Lusebrink
Materials Engineering
The purpose of this work was to investigate methods to produce consistent, reliable, and testable thin films of arabinan-cellulose nanocomposites. Mechanical properties and composition of the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus spines served as motivation for this research. The high specific strength and stiffness, biodegradability, and sustainability of these spines inspired the creation of composites fabricated from the same materials found in cactus spines: arabinan and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC). Arabinan serves as the matrix material and NCC as the reinforcement. To explore the feasibility of using a non-toxic solvent, different solution casting techniques with water as a solvent were investigated. Ultrasonication was …
Characterization Of A Thin Film Composite Membrane: Fluorinated Copolymer In A Carbon Nanotube Matrix, Eric P. Bonaventure, Michael A. Brew, Cynthia R. Shannon
Characterization Of A Thin Film Composite Membrane: Fluorinated Copolymer In A Carbon Nanotube Matrix, Eric P. Bonaventure, Michael A. Brew, Cynthia R. Shannon
Materials Engineering
IDEX Health and Science has created a thin-film composite membrane consisting of a carbon nanotube matrix impregnated with a fluorinated copolymer called Teflon® AF 2400. This membrane is being studied for use in degassing chambers of analytical instruments such as a High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) degassing modules. The level of impregnation of the Teflon® in the carbon matrix affects the diffusion properties which are crucial for the performance of the membrane. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization techniques were used to measure the outer Teflon® and the inner carbon matrix layer thickness. The outer Teflon® and inner carbon matrix layer …
Manufacture And Mechanical Testing Of Thin Film Composites Composed Of Poly-Lactic Acid And Nanocrystalline Cellulose, Catherine E. Mohan
Manufacture And Mechanical Testing Of Thin Film Composites Composed Of Poly-Lactic Acid And Nanocrystalline Cellulose, Catherine E. Mohan
Materials Engineering
Society’s overuse of petroleum-based plastic products has created a waste problem that is threatening environments around the world. New efforts have been made to find a suitable replacement derived from a renewable source. Poly-lactic acid has become one of the front-runners in this search. It is derived from starches found in potatoes, corn, and other grains. There are many factors that make Poly-lactic acid-based polymers a suitable replacement for petroleum-based ones, but it still suffers from low mechanical strength due to low crystallinity percentages. Doping the polymer with nanocrystalline cellulose provides more nucleation sites for the crystallization of the polymer …
An Investigation Of Arabinan And Cellulose Based Nano-Composite Fabrication Methods, Marianne Smithfield, Carl Petterson, Robert Miller
An Investigation Of Arabinan And Cellulose Based Nano-Composite Fabrication Methods, Marianne Smithfield, Carl Petterson, Robert Miller
Materials Engineering
Microcrystalline cellulose was converted into nanocrystalline cellulose via an acid hydrolysis procedure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to measure the particle size and thus the effectiveness of acid hydrolysis. The nanocrystalline cellulose was poured through a 0.2μm filter to isolate the particles of ideal size. The nanocrystalline cellulose samples were stored in dimethylformamide (DMF) to prevent mold growth and agglomeration upon drying. Numerous composite samples were created by dissolving the arabinan in a solvent, suspending cellulose in the arabinan solution, and then drying the sample. Casting was performed in a silicon mold to allow sample removal without damage. Initial …
Biaxial & Twist Testing Of Composite Carbon-Fiber Sandwich Panels For Automotive Racing Vehicles, Erik Eckberg
Biaxial & Twist Testing Of Composite Carbon-Fiber Sandwich Panels For Automotive Racing Vehicles, Erik Eckberg
Materials Engineering
Composite sandwich panels were constructed with 4-ply plain weave carbon-fiber/epoxy face sheets in the 0o/45o/0o/45o orientation and 1/8th inch Nomex honeycomb core. The panels were cut into 5-inch square test plates for mechanical testing. All testing was done on a fixture designed and fabricated by Pratt & Miller Engineering and installed on an Instron testing system at Cal Poly. The twist test was performed by supporting diagonal corners of the plate while simultaneously loading the opposite two corners at a crosshead rate of .06 in/min (ASTM 3044-94R11). Out of 10 panels tested, …