Impact of Preservative Treatments and Fungal Exposure on Phenolic Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composite Material Utilized in Wood Reinforcement

When wood products are exposed to environmental conditions conducive to biodeterioration, wood preservation becomes a necessity, especially when long-term utilization is desired. Although considerable literature exists on the treatment of laminated timbers and wood composites with wood preservatives, almost no information is available on the exposure of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites to wood preservative chemicals. In this work, FRP material was treated with common preservative chemicals and the effect of wood preservative treatments on mechanical properties of FRP material were investigated. Although the longitudinal elastic modulus was unaffected, some longitudinal strength losses were recorded for CCA and CDDC (water borne) treated FRP coupons. These results were supported by Scanning Electron (SEM) and light microscopy analyses of single glass fibers taken from preservative treated FRP coupons. A further study evaluated the susceptibility of E-glass fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) /phenolic pultruded composite material to fungal degradation. Since the phenolic FRP material was designed for use as reinforcement with wood, two common wood decay fungi, a brown rot and a white rot, were chosen for exposure of the FRP material. Light, fluorescent and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) indicated that both wood decay h g i actively grew and penetrated into the FRP material, especially in high-void content areas. The experimental results indicate that, the mechanical property evaluation technique (ILSS) is promising and sensitive enough to detect the effects of fungal degradation in phenolic FRP materials. The durability of adhesive bonds on wood/FRP interfaces poses a continuing problem for the wood products industry. Wood preservative chemicals are known to interfere with adhesion mechanisms between wood laminates as well as wood/FRP interfaces. The purpose of the third part of this study was to determine the effects of various wood preservative treatments and manufacturing processes (pre- and post-treatment) on wood/FRP bond durability, shear strength and surface energy characteristics of wood and phenolic FRP material. While pre-treatment of individual laminates with oil borne (copper naphthenate, creosote and pentachlorophenol) and water borne (CCA and CDDC) preservatives increased the delamination between the wood and FRP, the post treatments had limited effects on delamination

"Fishing on Alentejo rocky shores - intensity, yield and protection effects"

Actividades de pesca são tradicionais em Portugal e, na costa sudoeste continental Portuguesa, os pescadores geralmente exploram zonas rochosas intertidais ou subtidais pouco profundas, capturando peixes teleósteos e diversos invertebrados marinhos. Desde 1995, que esta costa está parcialmente protegida por um parque natural (Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina - PNSACV). Uma série de medidas de gestão de pesca têm vindo a ser implementados desde 2006 e mais recentemente, foi adoptado um novo plano de ordenamento do parque natural, que acrescenta normas ainda mais restritivas. Este estudo tem como objectivo analisar a variação espacial e temporal da intensidade e do rendimento das actividades de pesca no litoral rochoso Alentejo e avaliar os efeitos das medidas de protecção implementadas a essas actividades. Foi também avaliada a opinião dos pescadores, sobre as leis de gestão de pesca existentes e foi caracterizada a sua actividade. Para a análise da intensidade de pesca foi utilizado o método de “roving creel survey”. O rendimento das actividades de pesca foi estimado através de entrevistas directas a pescadores e observações de 30 minutos a pescadores à linha. Informação relativa à opinião dos pescadores e caracterização das suas actividades foram obtidas através de inquéritos. O trabalho de campo decorreu entre Janeiro e Julho de 2012. A amostragem foi efectuada em seis áreas e estratificada por: tipo de dia (dias de semana, período semanal de interdição, fins-de-semana/feriados); áreas (fora do parque; dentro do parque); período de defeso do sargo (antes, durante, depois) e período da Páscoa (antes, durante, depois). Usando dados publicados anteriormente, foi realizada uma comparação interanual relativamente ao período da Páscoa entre os anos de 1995, 1996 e 2012 de forma a avaliar os efeitos das medidas de protecção. As principais actividades de pesca documentadas no litoral rochoso Alentejo foram a pesca à linha e o marisqueio. O valor médio global de intensidade para todas as actividades humanas foi de 1,32 utilizadores.km-1.dia-1. Foram registados valores globais superiores durante fins-de-semana e/ou feriados, especialmente em áreas fora do parque. Durante o período semanal de interdição as áreas do parque registaram uma diminuição significativa no número de pescadores.km-1. No entanto, durante o defeso do sargo, a redução esperada no número pescadores à linha não foi observada em áreas protegidas. Foi observado elevados valores de intensidade e predação total durante o período da Páscoa, evidenciado em anos anteriores à implementação das medidas de protecção. A comparação interanual revelou uma variação da intensidade de pesca entre área e períodos para todas as actividades. Foi obtido um rendimento de cerca de 3 toneladas de pescado (peixes e mariscos), proporcionando um rendimento médio de 0.15 kg.h-1 por pescador. As áreas do parque apresentaram um rendimento superior relativo à predação total. O valor de rendimento obtido com as entrevistas directas, a pescadores à linha foi aproximadamente o dobro do valor obtido com as observações de 30 minutos. Os pescadores do litoral rochoso Alentejano são maioritariamente do sexo masculino com idades superiores a 30 anos, estão empregados no sector industrial ou são reformados/desempregados/estudantes, residem ou possuem naturalidade em concelhos com territórios abrangidos pelo parque natural, e capturam sobretudo peixes teleósteos e mariscos. A maioria conhece as leis portuguesas relativas à pesca recreativa e as medidas de protecção implementadas no parque. As medidas de protecção que afectam as suas actividades mais mencionadas pelos pescadores são: todas as medidas, período de defeso do sargo, e tamanhos e pesos mínimos do pescado. Em sentido contrário os pescadores que concordam com as medidas de protecção referem que as medidas mais acertadas são: todos os períodos de defeso, obrigatoriedade de licenças de pesca e tamanhos mínimos do pescado. Embora as medidas de protecção, recentemente estabelecidas no parque natural possam ter causado uma certa redução da intensidade de pesca, ainda é prematuro concluir sobre a totalidade dos efeitos de tais medidas. Como tal, para analisar e avaliar os efeitos precisos de medidas de protecção é indispensável uma constante monitorização das actividades de pesca; ABSTRACT:Fishing activities are traditional in Portugal and, in the Southwest continental coast, fishermen generally exploit intertidal or shallow subtidal rocky shores targeting shellfish and teleost fishes. Since 1995, the Portuguese SW continental coast is partially protected by a natural park (Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park - PNSACV). In this park, a series of fishing management measures has been implemented since 2006 and, more recently, a new management plan was adopted, adding more restrictive regulations. This study aims to analyse spatial and temporal variation of intensity and yield of fishing activities on Alentejo rocky shores and evaluate effects of protective measures implemented on these activities. The opinion of Alentejo rocky shores fishermen was evaluated on the existing fishing management laws and their fishing activity was characterized. Roving creel surveys were used for the analysis of fishing intensity. Fishing yield was estimated with direct inquiries and 30’ anglers’ observations. Information on fisheries characterization and fishermen opinion was obtained with direct inquiries. The field work took place between January and July of 2012. Sampling was made in six areas and was stratified by: day type (weekdays, banning period, weekends/holidays); park (areas outside and inside PNSACV park); sea bream closure season (before, during, after) and Easter period (before, during, after). Using previously published data, interannual comparisons between 1995, 1996 and 2012 Easter periods were performed to evaluate effects of protective measures on fishing intensity. The main fishing activities documented on Alentejo rocky shores, during the sampled period were shore angling and shellfish harvesting. Global mean value of intensity of all human activities was 1.32 users.km-1.day-1. Higher global mean values of users were registered during weekends/holidays, especially in areas outside the park. Park areas showed a significant decrease of fishermen.km-1 during banning period. However, during the sea bream closure season, an expected cutback in the number of shore anglers was not observed in the protected area. A high intensity of shellfish harvesting and total predation during Easter period were reported, matching the year’s prior protective measures. Interannual comparisons revealed variation among areas and periods regarding the intensity of all fishing activities. A total yield of fishing activities of about 3 tons of fish and shellfish was recorded, providing an average yield of 0.15 kg.h-1 per fisher. Areas inside the park presented a higher yield regarding total predation when compared with areas outside the park. The yield value of 0.21 kg.h−1 per angler, obtained with the inquiries doubled the yield value of 0.08 kg.h−1 per angler obtained with anglers’ observations. Alentejo rocky shores fishermen are mostly male, employed in manufacturing sectors or pensioners/unemployed/students above 30 years old, residents or with reported birthplace in municipalities with territory enclosed in the natural park and target mainly shellfish and teleost fish. The majority are aware of Portuguese recreational fishing laws and the protective measures implemented in the park. The most common protective measures referred by fishermen that affect their activity are: all measures, sea bream closure season and minimum size/weight of preys. In reverse, fishermen that agree with protective measures listed as more accurate measures closure (all seasons), mandatory fishing licenses and minimum prey sizes. Although recently established protection measures in park areas, might have caused some reduction in fishing intensity, it is still premature to assess the full effects of such measures. Therefore, in order to assess and evaluate accurate effects of protective measures a constantly monitoring of fishing activities should be implemented

Natural Fiber Based Composites

Entitled “Natural Fiber-Based Composites”, this Special Issue has the objective to give an inventory of the latest research in the area of composites reinforced with natural fibers. Fibers of renewable origin have many advantages. They are abundant and cheap, they have a reduced impact on the environment, and they are also independent from fossil resources. Their ability to mechanically reinforce thermoplastic matrices is well known, as their natural heat insulation ability. In the last twenty years, the use of cellulosic and lignocellulosic agricultural by-products for composite applications has been of great interest, especially for reinforcing matrices. The matrices can themselves be of renewable origin (e.g., proteins, starch, polylactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, polyamides, etc.), thus contributing to the development of 100% bio-based composites with a controlled end of life. This Special Issue’s objective is to give an inventory of the latest research in this area of composites reinforced with natural fibers, focusing in particular on the preparation and molding processes of such materials (e.g., extrusion, injection-molding, hot pressing, etc.) and their characterization. It contains one review and nineteen research reports authored by researchers from four continents and sixteen countries, namely, Brazil, China, France, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, and Vietnam. It provides an update on current research in the field of natural fiber based composite materials. All these contributions will be a source of inspiration for the development of new composites, especially for producers of natural fibers, polymer matrices of renewable origin and composite materials. Generally speaking, these new materials are environmentally friendly and will undoubtedly find numerous applications in the years to come in many sectors. Dr. Philippe Evon Guest Edito

Development of a multiaxial fabric out of untwisted flax slivers for high-performance composites

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia TêxtilFlax fibers represent an ecological alternative for glass and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (FRP). Although flax fibers have valuable properties for applications in FRP, they are currently not fully exploited. Today, flax FRP are mostly used in components with low-mechanical loads. This research presents a solution that could enable the application of flax fiber in the FRP industry for structural components. The solution presented here is the production of a multiaxial fabric reinforcement out of untwisted flax fiber slivers. This fabric allows to maximize the potential of flax fibers, exploiting the mechanical properties of flax fibers and skipping the spinning process that is expensive and has an important ecological footprint. However, in order to process the untwisted flax slivers into a multiaxial fabric, the multiaxial warp-knitting machine has to be adapted. The aim of this work is the investigation and validation of a new weft-insertion system, adapted for the processing of untwisted flax slivers. Untwisted flax slivers are hard to handle, they tend to get loose or break during production. In this research, different guiding and spreading systems are presented and evaluated. After evaluating all the solutions on the basis of implementability, costs and installation space, a system with guiding rollers and an air spreading device method were selected for further testing. A test stand was constructed, allowing to validate the solution and to determine the influencing parameters of the guiding and spreading of the slivers. After a kinematic study of the multiaxial warp-knitting machine, the construction of the new system was initiated. But the new system could not be incorporated to the machine over the project period, as the construction took longer than planned. It was therefore not possible to produce the multiaxial flax fabric.As fibras de linho representam uma alternativa ecológica para compósitos com fibra de vidro e carbono. Embora as fibras de linho tenham propriedades valiosas para aplicações em compósitos, elas atualmente não são totalmente aproveitadas. Hoje, compósitos de linho são usados principalmente em componentes com baixa carga mecânica. Esta pesquisa apresenta uma solução que poderia permitir o emprego de fibra de linho na indústria de compósitos para componentes estruturais. A solução apresentada aqui é a produção de um reforço de tecido multiaxial a partir de fitas de linho sem torção. Este tecido permite maximizar o potencial das fibras de linho, explorando as propriedades mecânicas da fibra e evitando o processo de fiação que é caro e tem um importante ônus ecológico. No entanto, a fim de processar as fitas de linho sem torção em um tecido multiaxial, a máquina de produção destes tecidos tem de ser adaptada. O objetivo deste trabalho é a investigação e validação de um novo sistema de inserção de trama, adaptado para o processamento de fitas de linho sem torção. Fitas de linho sem torção são difíceis de manusear, elas tendem a quebrar durante a produção. Nesta pesquisa, diferentes sistemas de condução e espalhamento são apresentados e avaliados. Depois de avaliar todas as soluções com base na viabilidade, custos e espaço de instalação, um sistema de rolos de condução e um dispositivo de espalhamento de ar foram selecionados para testes adicionais. Uma bancada de testes foi construída, permitindo validar a solução e determinar os parâmetros de influência de condução e espalhamento das fitas. Depois de um estudo cinemático da máquina de tecido multiaxial, a construção do novo sistema foi iniciada. Mas o novo sistema não pôde ser incorporado à máquina durante o período do projeto, pois a construção levou mais tempo do que o planejado. Portanto, não foi possível produzir o tecido de linho multiaxial

Production and application of textile materials

This specialized publication is dedicated to technical and technological solutions in textile production. Engineering solutions in the production of fibers and fabrics for both technical and domestic use are considered. Particular attention in the book is given to the study of textile products for biomedical applications. Modern medical fabrics and fibers are used as dressing and suture material and significantly accelerate the recovery processes after surgical operations and burn injuries. Fibers and fabrics are currently often used as a reinforcing element in the production of various composite materials, which are often used in mechanical engineering and in the construction sector. A separate chapter is devoted to textile reinforcing materials. Environmental problems in textile production are mainly related to the dyeing process and the chemical treatment of fabrics and fibers. Some aspects of textile dyeing and wastewater treatment processes are also discussed in this publication. The book will be useful to specialists involved in textile production and related industries