Polypropylene matrix composite with charcoal filler

Purpose: The aim of the article is to present the thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the produced polymer composites with a filler in the form of charcoal powder. Design/methodology/approach: The tests were carried out on samples of pure polypropylene (PP) and polymer composites, the matrix of which is polypropylene (PP), and the filler was charcoal powder with a volume fraction of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%. The tested polymer composites in the form of granules were produced by extrusion, and then standardised test profiles were made by injection moulding. Findings: The hardness of the tested composites was determined by the Shore D method, the grain size distribution of the filler used was determined using the laser method and its thermal stability was tested using the TGA thermogravimetric analysis. The volume and surface resistivity were also determined and the density was determined. It was found that the charcoal powder used as a filler is characterised by high thermal stability - up to 600°C - and with an increase in its volume share in the polymer matrix, the hardness and density of the produced composites increases. Practical implications: The tested composites can be used as structural composites for complex elements requiring high hardness and strength. Originality/value: The research results indicate the possibility of using charcoal as a filler in polymer matrix, which, due to its low production cost, may be an alternative to expensive carbon fillers

Thermal analysis of matrix composite reinforced with Al2O3 particles

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to present a modern manufacturing method of production and compare the thermal, mechanical, properties of composite materials with aluminium alloy matrix reinforced by Al2O3 particles. Design/methodology/approach: The material for investigation was manufactured by the method of powder metallurgy (consolidation, pressing, hot concurrent extrusion of powder mixtures of aluminium EN AW-AlCu4Mg1 (A) and ceramic particles Al2O3). The amount of the added powder was in the range of 5 mass.%, 10 mass.% and 15 mass.%. Findings: The received results concerning the enhancement of hardness, which show the possibility of obtaining the MMC composite materials with required microstructure, influencing the properties of the new elaborated composite materials components. Concerning the thermal properties, especially the linear thermal expansion coefficient was measured, as well as the dilatometric change of the sample length was analysed. Practical implications: Concerning practical implications it can be stated that the tested composite materials can be applied among others in the transportation industry, but it requires additional research. Originality/value: The received results show the possibility of obtaining new composite materials with controlled and required microstructure with possible practical implications

The Properties of a Polypropylene Matrix Composite with Anthracite Filler

The article presents the results of research concerning the effect of anthracite dust with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% content in composites with a polypropylene matrix on selected properties. Hardness was examined with the Shore’s D method; stiffness, tensile strength as well as (MFR) Melt Flow Rate and (MVR) Melt Volume Rate of the investigated material were evaluated; wettability of the obtained material was also determined. Surface and volume resistivity were also investigated; the thermal properties of the filler were determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was found that the investigated polypropylene composites filled with anthracite dust are hydrophobic materials and the composite hardness and stiffness are growing along with the volumetric increase of anthracite. It was noted that anthracite reinforces the material to a limited extent

Polimers compoistes with natural filler

W ostatnich kilkunastu lat można zauważyć wzrost zainteresowania materiałami kompozytowymi WPC. W artykule przedstawiono charakterystykę tych materiałów wzmacnianych naturalnymi surowcami. Istotną ich zaletą jest między innymi możliwość otrzymywania kompozytów tradycyjnymi metodami przetwórstwa plastycznego (wytłaczania i wtryskiwania). Ze względu do dobre własności wytrzymałościowe i użytkowe, a także atrybuty wizualne, znalazły zastosowanie na deski tarasowe, place zabaw, balustrady, pokrycia dachowe itp.During last years a growing interest could be noticed in WPC composite materials. It is characteristics of these materials reinforced with natural raw materials presented in this article. Definitelly crucial advantage is, among others, the possibility of obtaining composites by traditional methods of plastic processing (extrusion and injection). Due to the good mechanical and functional properties, as well as visual attributes, they were applied to patio boards, playgrounds, balustrades, roof coverings, etc

Microstructure and service properties of copper alloys

This elaboration shows the effect of combined heat treatment and cold working on the structure and utility properties of alloyed copper. As the test material, alloyed copper CuTi4 was employed. The samples were subjected to treatment according to the following schema: 1st variant - supersaturation and ageing, 2nd variant - supersaturation, cold rolling and ageing. The paper presents the results of inicrostructure, hardness, and abrasion resistance. The analysis of the wipe profile geometry was realized using a Zeiss LSM 5 Exciter confocal microscope. Cold working of the supersaturated solid solution affects significantly its hardness but the cold plastic deformation causes deterioration of the wear resistance of the finally aged CuTi4 alloy

Influence of aluminium alloy anodizing and casting methods on structure and functional properties

This paper presents the influence of casting method and anodic treatment parameters on thickness and structure of an anodic layer formed on aluminium alloys. As test materials was used the aluminium alloy AlSi9Cu3, which was adopted to the casting process and anodic treatment. In this paper are presented the wear test results and metallographic examination, aswell as hardness of non-anodised and anodised alloys subjected to anodising process.The investigations were performed using light and electron microscopy (AFM) for the microstructure determination. The morphology and size of the layer was also possible to determine. The anodising conditions for surface hardening and itsinfluence on properties was analysed. The structure of the surface laser tray changes in a way, that there is a different thicknessof the produced layer. The aluminium samples were examined in terms of metallography using the optical microscope withdifferent image techniques as well as light microscope. Improving the anodization technology with appliance of differentanodising conditions. Some other investigation should be performed in the future, but the knowledge found in this researchconcerning the proper process parameters for each type of alloy shows an interesting investigation direction. The combinationof metallographic investigation for cast aluminium alloys - including electron microscope investigation - and anodisingparameters makes the investigation very attractive for automobile industry, aviation industry, and others, where aluminium alloys plays an important role

Application of anodization process for cast aluminium surface properties enhancement

An huge interest is observed in last years in metal matrix composite, mostly light metal based, which have found their applications in many industry branches, among others in the aircraft industry, automotive-, and armaments ones, as well as in electrical engineering and electronics, where one of the most important issue is related to the corrosion resistance, especially on the surface layer of the used aluminium alloys. This elaboration presents the influence of ceramic phase on the corrosion resistance, quality of the surface layer its thickness and structure of an anodic layer formed on aluminium alloys. As test materials it was applied the aluminium alloys Al-Si-Cu and Al-Cu-Mg, for which heat treatment processes and corrosion tests were carried out. It was presented herein grindability test results and metallographic examination, as well. Hardness of the treated alloys with those ones subjected to corrosion process were compared

Constructional polymer composites with carbon fillers

W artykule przedstawiono charakterystykę kompozytów polimerowych z napełniaczami węglowymi. Materiały te są coraz częściej stosowane jako materiały konstrukcyjne, ze względu na swoje ciekawe właściwości, mogą stanowić konkurencję, w niektórych przypadkach nawet dla stali węglowych. W niniejszej pracy skupiono się na charakterystyce stosowanych napełniaczy węglowych: włókna węglowe i nanorurki węglowe, sadza, grafit, grafen, czysty węgiel kamienny i jego odmiany. Przedstawiono ich wpływ na właściwości różnych osnów polimerowych w zależności od zawartości napełniacza oraz możliwości aplikacyjne powstałych kompozytów.The paper presents the polymer composites with carbon fillers characterization. These materials are more and more often used as construction materials, because of their interesting properties, they can competitive, in some cases even with carbon steels. This paper focuses on the characterization of: carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, graphite, graphene, fine coal and it's varieties as carbon fillers phase. Their influence on the properties of various polymer matrices, depends on the filler content and application possibilities of the obtained composites were presented

Microstructure and Service Properties of Copper Alloys

This elaboration shows the effect of combined heat treatment and cold working on the structure and utility properties of alloyed copper. As the test material, alloyed copper CuTi4 was employed. The samples were subjected to treatment according to the following schema: 1st variant – supersaturation and ageing, 2nd variant – supersaturation, cold rolling and ageing. The paper presents the results of microstructure, hardness, and abrasion resistance. The analysis of the wipe profile geometry was realized using a Zeiss LSM 5 Exciter confocal microscope. Cold working of the supersaturated solid solution affects significantly its hardness but the cold plastic deformation causes deterioration of the wear resistance of the finally aged CuTi4 alloy

Study of selected properties of PLA used in 3D printing

Purpose This study focuses on determining the best possible structure of the orthosis made with FDM 3D printing technology. To produce the samples, a thermoplastic PLA material was selected that met the conditions of biodegradability, biocompatibility and non-toxicity. The samples produced were subjected to a tensile strength test and corrosion resistance. Design/methodology/approach Studies based on FEM analysis were carried out using the advanced engineering software CAE - Inventor. The samples were designed in the CAD system, while the G-Code path was generated using the PrusaSlicer 2.5.0 program dedicated to the Prusa i3 MK3S+ printer, which was used to create the models. Surface morphology observations of PLA were carried out with a Zeiss SUPRA 35 scanning electron microscope (SEM). The static tensile test was performed on the Zwick/Roell z100 device based on the PN-EN ISO 527:1 standard. Electrochemical corrosion tests were carried out using the Autolab PGSTAT302N Multi BA potentiostat in Ringer solution at a temperature of 37ºC. Findings The research allowed the appropriate structure of the orthosis made of PLA polymer material using 3D FDM printing technology. The static tensile test, SEM and corrosion tests confirmed the correct application of this material for the selected purpose. It was possible to determine that samples with holes of 10 mm had the highest strength properties. Due to the tensile tests, the average tensile strength of those samples was around 61 MPa. The corrosion parameters of PLA were determined using Tafel analysis. Research limitations/implications The research methodology proposed in work can be used to study other biomedical materials. The results presented can be the basis for further tests in order to search for the best orthopaedic stabiliser. Originality/value The innovative part of the article are three different versions of structures intended for making orthoses used in medicine