Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-234).

No description available.

No description available.

Great interest has been generated in the use of natural fibres as environmentally friendly reinforcing materials in polymeric composites, which do not require high load bearing capabilities. kenaf fibres extracted from kenaf plants (hibiscus cannabinus) have been identified as an attractive option due to its production cost and the ability of the kenaf plants to grow in a variety of climatic conditions. Polypropylene (PP) has a relatively low production cost, excellent corrosion resistance, good retention of mechanical properties and less recycling challenges in comparison to other matrix systems such as thermosets. Given the individual advantages of kenaf fibre and polypropylene, kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites (kenaf/PP composites) have considerable commercial interest in the composite industry. However, limitations arise with respect to the mechanical performance and to the resistance to moisture absorption when natural fibres are used. This study focuses on the improvement of the mechanical properties (e.g. tensile, flexural, fatigue and impact properties) and the resistance to moisture absorption of kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites by means of fibre treatments (e.g. alkali and alkali-silane treatments) and the use of filler materials (e.g. functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes). Kenaf reinforced polypropylene composites are manufactured by a modified compression moulding using the film–stacking technique. The crux of this technique is that kenaf mats are impregnated with polypropylene powder in order achieve a uniform material distribution and to lower the manufacturing temperature, thereby preventing the thermal alteration of the composite constituents (e.g. kenaf fibres) and silano functional groups attached to the multi-wall carbon nanotubes. Fibre treatments including alkali treatments and alkali followed by silane treatments (alkali-silane) are considered in order to improve the fibre-matrix interfacial adhesion. The concentrations of the alkali solutions range from 1% to 8% in intervals of 1% by mass. Fibre contents ranging from 20% to 35% in interval of 5% by mass are considered for both kenaf and glass fibre reinforced plates. Functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes are used as filler material in order to improve the mechanical properties of the composite plates. The concentrations of the multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) range from 0.1% to 1.25%. Mechanical test and microscopic examination results showed that alkali treatments improve the mechanical properties of kenaf/PP composites. However, the improvements due to alkali-silane treatments were found to be more significant because additional silane treatments substantially enhanced the fibrematrix interfacial adhesion. Material failures in untreated kenaf/PP composites and alkali treated kenaf/PP composites were mainly characterized by fibre pullouts, whereas in alkali-silane treated kenaf/PP composites they were characterised by fibre breakage. Alkali concentrations of 5% and 6% NaOH are found to the optimum concentrations for both alkali treatment and alkali-silane treatment. The use of functionalized MWCNTs as filler material improved furthermore the mechanical properties of kenaf/PP-MWCNT composites in comparison to those of kenaf/PP and glass/PP composites. The main contributing factors of the improvements were found to be the enhancement of the interfacial adhesion between the nanoparticles and the matrix, and also between the nanoparticles and kenaf fibres. Material failures in kenaf/PP-MWCNT composites were characterized by fibre breakage and matrix cracks. The optimum MWCNT concentrations were found to be 0.5% and 0.75%. 30% fibre contents was found to be the optimum fibre content for both kenaf/PP and kenaf/PP-MWCNT composites. Test results showed that the fibre treatments, especially alkali-silane treatment, improved the resistance to moisture absorption of the composites. Test results also showed that the manufacturing technique, which enables the manufacturing of composite plates with layers of different moisture diffusion resistances, has a significant influence on the resistance of kenaf/PP composites. The addition of multi-wall carbon nanotubes to the polypropylene matrix did not alter the moisture absorption resistance of kenaf/PP-MWCNT composites. The impregnation of kenaf and fibre glass mats with polypropylene powder significantly lowered the manufacturing temperature

No description available.

No description available.

The composite FRP rebars research at Oregon State University was initiated in 1993 principally to develop a non-metallic hollow reinforcement. It was recognized that the tensile properties of such reinforcement are unquestionably superior to steel, but its performance in concrete could be problematic. The bond between FRP rebars and concrete was identified as a critical area of concern. The purpose of this study is (i) to analyze a variety of FRP and steel reinforcing units; (ii) to advance the knowledge of bond mechanism, failure modes, and parameters influencing the bond strength; (iii) to compare composite rebars to conventional steel and to assess their applicability as reinforcing members. Commercially available FRP rebars were investigated. Particular emphasis was given to a hollow glass FRP rod designed at Oregon State University. Several parameters were investigated, including: failure mode, concrete compressive strength, rebar diameter and circumference/cross section ratio, embedment length, concrete cover, and microstructure of the composite rebars. It was recognized that the ASTM C234-90 pull-out standard is test of concrete strength. Therefore a modified pull-out test was developed for evaluating the bond strength behavior. A newly developed European bond test procedure was compared with locally modified version of the pull-out method. The new procedure was used for the first time in the United States. The study demonstrated a phenomenon, not reported in the published research at this time, defined as a size effect. The size effects result in lower bond strength with increasing area of the interface between FRP bars and concrete. The next phase of the research was dedicated to the hollow glass FRP rebar. The goal was to compare its bond properties to conventional steel and solid FRP bars. The study led to two new phenomena not described in the literature previously. Results showed that the concrete compressive strength does not significantly affect the bond strength. This observation was in contradiction with the bond strength theory which considers the concrete strength as major variable. The second observation revealed significant difference in bond performance between bars with different microstructures. It is recommended that microstructure of the FRP bars be considered as a variable when investigating bond strength. / Graduation date: 1998

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xv, 147 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 145-147).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2007. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 29 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 28-29).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2002. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 101 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 98-101).