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In this present work, hybrid polymeric nanocomposites are prepared with 4:1 ratio of polyurethane diol and polycaprolactone along with nickel oxide nanoparticle as filler. Fourier transform infrared studies were used to find the possible contact of nanoparticle along with the polymer hybrid. The composites prepared were in the nanoscale as revealed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution SEM and transmission electron microscope. Their thermal behaviour is characterized by differential scanning calorimetric, thermogravimetry analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis studies, which reveals the influence of nanoparticle for various properties of the hybrid. Magnetic studies by vibrating sample magnetometry technique reveal that the composite prepared is ferromagnetic. Dielectric constant and conductivity investigations of polymer nanocomposites were investigated as a function of frequency and temperature. Redox electrochemical properties of nanocomposites studied by cyclic voltammetry reveal the potential of the material that can be used as an inexpensive metal catalyst in microbial fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization of sandwich panels and their different components have drawn huge attention due to the significant improvement in their attributes. Hybrid core of 'Polyester Pin-reinforced Foam filled Honeycomb Sandwich panels' (PFHS) were fabricated and compared with unreinforced 'Foam filled Honeycomb Sandwich panels' (FHS) in terms of low velocity impact and Compression After Impact (CAI) performance. The impact damage area was calculated by employing MATLAB image processing technique. Incorporating through thickness pins for connecting faces and core is an effectual way to improve interfacial bonding, specific bending stiffness and also imparts out of plane properties for sandwich panels. The low velocity impact tests performed on the sandwich panels revealed that the polyester pin reinforcement in foam filled honeycomb sandwich panel improved the load bearing capacity, total absorbed energy and reduced the impact damage area significantly. In CAI test, debond, wrinkling of face sheet, and buckling of face sheet and core are the major modes of failure. The addition of the pins enhanced the compressive strength for all the impact energy levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite partition sheets were prepared by vacuum infusion process using noncombustible glass fiber and waste nylon along with polyester matrix. The waste nylon materials obtained in the form of discarded fishing nets were reinforced in sheets with T90° orientation. They were then coated using two types of fumed silica nanopowders mixed in polyester resin. Two types of coated and corresponding bare hybrid composite samples were examined for their various properties. Appreciable values for mechanical properties were obtained for all the hybrid sheets which are more pronounced for the nanocoated sheets. Furthermore, horizontal flammability tests proved that the fumed silica-coated sheets have better flame-retardant characteristics. With constant heat flux of 50 W/m2, the specimens were investigated for the peak heat release rate (HRR) and fire reaction properties like total oxygen consumed, average specific mass loss rate, total smoke release, and average HRR which gave good results for the nanocoated sheets. Moreover, water-absorbing properties of the hybrid sheets were generally less and it was better in the case of hydrophobic fumed silica-coated samples. These low cost and less weight composite sheets were successfully developed and the results obtained were encouraging, which can be used as partition sheets in the construction of affordable buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybridization of face, core and their combination is of great interest to develop high performance composite sandwich panels. In this regards, hybrid core of 'polyester pin-reinforced foam filled honeycomb sandwich panels' was fabricated and compared with unreinforced 'foam filled honeycomb sandwich panels' in terms of compressive and low velocity impact performances. MATLAB image processing techniques was applied to determine the impact damage area. Incorporating reinforcing pins for connecting faces and core is an effectual way to improve interfacial bonding, also imparts through thickness properties for sandwich panels. Compression tests performed on the sandwich panels revealed that the polyester pin reinforcement in foam filled honeycomb sandwich panel enhanced the load bearing capacity considerably. The low velocity impact properties such as load at initial damage, total absorbed energy were greatly improved and impact damage area reduced significantly by the addition of the pins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]