Michał Landowski

Water sorption and blistering of GFRP laminates with varying structures

Abstract The microstructures, water absorption as well as blistering was studied for bi- and tri- axial glass fibre vinyl ester and polyester -matrix laminates coated with gel coat layer and uncoated. The effect of manufacturing technique on water sorption characteristics was considered. It was found that water sorption characteristics of GFRP depend on manufacturing methods. The least water intake was found for specimens having perfect microstructure due to manufacturing by infusion process. Water sorption saturation value was reached after ca. 50 days of accelerated test at 70°C and was found to correspond to 250 days conditioning at 20°C. Blistering evolution was illustrated and SEM images shown corresponding to degradation of the gel coat layer and the laminate during the exposure in water.

ON DEGRADATION OF GLASS/POLYESTER LAMINATE IMMERSED IN WATER

ON DEGRADATION OF GLASS/POLYESTER LAMINATE IMMERSED IN WATER Mechanical behaviour was compared for glass/polyester laminates manufactured in the boatbuilding plant using three methods: hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, infusion. Specimens were tested in dry condition and following accelerated water immersion test (70°C- corresponding to the exposure of 30 years at 19°C). In three point bending test 40-50% reduction in laminate strength was observed due to water immersion. The highest degradation was in samples manufactured using hand lay-up method, the differences in strength between both vacuum methods were insignificant. Interlaminar shear strength was reduced by 25% for infusion method which is recommended as the most efficient. Matrix plasticization and debondings as well as surface microcracks were responsible for reduction in strength for water conditioned specimens. However, no microstructural difference in type or intensity of internal damage was observed for the three sample types.

Impact Behaviour of Glass Fribre /Epoxy Composites with Nano-Enhanced Resin after Water Exposure

Abstract Impact behaviour of glass fibre /epoxy composites with nano- SiO2 modified resin was studied in terms of low velocity impact after water exposure. Nanocomposites with 1%, 2%, 3% 5% 7% nano-SiO2 (Nanopox- Evonic) were investigated. Peak impact load and impact damage area as a function of nanoparticle contents were compared for dry specimens and for samples exposed to water (0.7 %wt. 1.7% water absorbed) at 1J, 2J 3J impact energies. For unmodified composite peak force was higher than for 3% modified specimens and higher for dry specimens than those exposed to water. Impact damage areas were plotted as a function of water contents for modified and unmodified samples. Failure modes were illustrated using SEM micrographs. Numeropus matrix cracks were the dominating failure mode in dry speciemens both unmodified and the modified. Fibre fracture was observed at 3J impact energy in all dry unmodified samples, however water exposure prevented early fibre fracture in nanocomposites. The proposed energy absorption mechanism is nanoparticles debonding.

Experimental study of Young modulus of Attacus atlas, Vespa crabro, and Libellula depressa wings

This paper describes a scientific research aimed at obtaining data for determining Young modulus of the wings of selected insects’ species. A small testing machine intended for three-point bending and equipped with instruments registering low forces was constructed for the needs of the experiment. The machine was used to perform numerous bending tests of wings of three species of insects (obtained from a breeding farm): Attacus atlas, Vespa crabro, Libellula depressa in various air-humidity conditions. Values of the force and displacement obtained in the course of the tests were used to calculate Young modulus. In order to do so, it was also necessary to obtain the moment of inertia of the wing cross-section. These values were measured on the basis of the images obtained with a SEM microscope. Obtained results were averaged and presented with a breakdown by air-humidity conditions. It was observed that Young modulus decreased with an increase of humidity; hence the calculations of the percentage decrease of this mechanical parameter were performed. Obtained results were compared with the observed structure which was also presented under light microscope. It transpired that the construction of a wing does not only influence the mechanical values but also it influences their susceptibility to the changes occurring in the environment. Thereby, differences between Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera insects were indicated also within the aspect discussed in this paper.

A universal NDT method for examination of low energy impact damage in CFRP with the use of TLC film

Abstract The article presents an attempt to use a sheet of laminated thermochromic liquid crystal film (TLC film) for non-destructive testing of the impact damage (energy values: 1J, 2J, 3J and 4J) in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP). This is a new, alternative NDT approach based on the thermo-optical effect. The main advantages of this method are a) the low cost of TLC film, b) the low cost of recording devices due to the usage of conventional digital recording equipment and c) the low requirements for tests. The TLC film method was compared with two other conventional NDT methods: computer radiography (CR) and active thermography (thermographic camera). The scatter of results regarding the average crack length (TLC film and active thermography) was ±5% in relation to the CR method. The damage area (impact energy 2J to 4J) showed a similar shape (TLC film vs active thermography) and the scatter of results for the TLC film was ±2% in relation to the active thermography method. Only the CR detected the damage caused by 1J impact energy. The comparative studies have proven that the described method (TLC film) is a full-fledged and accurate tool for NDT method for the diagnosis of impact damage in CFRP.

The Effect of Long Term Service at Elevated Temperatures on Microstructure Degradation of Austenitic Reformer Tubes

Abstract The paper analyses the relationship between an increase of the inner diameter of tubes made of Manaurite XM cast steel and transformations occurring in their microstructure due to long-lasting operation in methane reformer. Examinations included metallographic analysis with light microscope (LM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and microanalysis of the chemical composition of precipitates (EDX). It was indicated that there is a relationship between the microstructure degradation ratio, morphology of the precipitates and an increase of the inner diameter of the tubes.

Effect of SiO2 Nanoparticles on the Mechanical and Low Velocity Impact Properties of Epoxy/Glass Composites

Flexural strength and low velocity impact properties were investigated in terms of possibile improvements due to epoxy matrix modification by SiO2 nanoparticles (1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 7%wt.) in glass/epoxy laminates formed using hand lay-up method. The matrix resin was Hexion L285 (DGEBA) with Nanopox A410 - SiO2 (20 nm) nanoparticle suspension in the base epoxy resin (DGEBA) supplied by Evonic. Modification of epoxy matrix by variable concentrations of nanoSiO2 does not offer significant improvements in the flexural strength σg, Young’s modulus E and interlaminar shear strength for 1% 3% and 5% nanoSiO2 and for 7% a slight drop (up to ca. 15-20%) was found. Low energy (1J) impact resistance of nanocomposites represented by peak load in dynamic impact characteristics was not changed for nanocompoosites compared to the unmodified material. However at higher impact energy (3J) nanoparticles appear to slightly improve the impact energy absorption for 3% and 5%. The absence or minor improvements in the mechanical behaviour of nanocomposites is due to the failure mechanisms associated with hand layup fabrication technique: (i.e. rapid crack propagation across the extensive resin pockets and numerous pores and voids) which dominate the nanoparticle-dependent crack energy absorption mechanisms (microvoids formation and deformation).

Effect of long term service at elevated temperatures on mechanical properties of Manaurite XM reformer tubes

Abstract Microstructure transformations occur in the Manaurite XM cast steel tubes during long-term operation in the reformer furnace were revealed and described. The relationship between mechanical properties, an increase of internal diameter of the tube and microstructure degradation is discussed. Static tensile test was performed on two types of samples with different shapes. It has been shown differences in the results of tests and an explanation of this phenomenon.

Analysis and Comparison of Safety of Children and Adult Passenger in Car Based on Crash Tests Results

Most important features of the child seat were presented. There was made analysis of selected dynamic loads acting on mannequins heads during a collision. Comparison of loads acting on the kid in a child seat and the other passengers in a car is presented. In analysis of the results particular attention has been paid on the childrens secure in a car. The phenomena of collision childs occipital bone with seat backrest was described. There were presented results of dynamic test of chosen kind of materials, which were expected for having good energy absorbing characteristic. Selected courses of dynamic forces, values of peak forces and time of dynamic forces acting for tested materials were shown. The tests were made on dynamic droptower impact system Instron CEAST 9310.

Degradation of GFRP Marine Laminates with Nano Particle Modified Coatings

Abstract Water absorption and surface blistering behaviour was studied for polyester-matrix laminates with SiO2 nanoparticle reinforced gel coats. Accelerated water immersion tests at 37°C showed that addition of 10% nanoparticles increases blisters incubation time by ca. 50% compared to 5% and 0% nanoparticles composites.