Browse Topic: Thermoplastics
The automotive industry leverages Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) -based Additive Manufacturing (AM) to reduce lead time and costs for prototypes, rapid tooling, and low-volume customized designs. This paper examines the impact of print orientation and raster angle on the tensile properties of Polylactic Acid (PLA), selected for its ease of use and accessibility. Dog bone samples were designed to the ASTM D638 tensile testing standard and printed solid with a 0.2 mm layer height, two outer walls, and varying raster-fill angles, with layers alternating by 90°. Testing was conducted on the MTS Criterion Model 43, 50 kN system. Varying print orientation along the X and Y axes (double angle builds) produced a Young's modulus (YM) range of 0.7519, reflecting a 34.42% increase between the witnessed minimum and maximum values. These builds exhibited more brittle behavior than most single angle builds, except for X10 Y10 Z0 at a 45° raster (the lowest recorded YM) and X0 Y15 Z0 at a 30
Plastic waste, in the past few years, has risen to be one of the most concerning and endangering pollutants to environment and life, making its effective management and reduction a major domain of focus among researchers and industrialists. This comparative study is an attempt to utilize recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) fibres combined with Epoxy Resin in various combinations, to provide effective and low-cost insulation in moderate to low requirements. The above-mentioned components serve as viable insulators. Moisture resistance of both materials and temperature resistance of Epoxy resins ranging from 120°C to 150°C (depending upon the grade of Epoxy used) indicate a good stability in harsh external operating environment. While Epoxy resins are not inherently flame retardants, additives are introduced for this purpose in order to render the composite safer to use. Owing to the excellent adhesive properties of the Epoxy resin, the rPET fibres are allowed to bond together
In-Mold Graining (IMG) is an innovative production technology applied to the skin wrapping of automotive interior components. In the design of automotive interior components of door panels and instrument clusters, to overcome process-related problems, such as the thinning of grain patterns and excessive reduction in thickness, simulation of the skin vacuum forming process is required. The Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) skin material is investigated in this paper, and a viscoelastic mechanical model for this material is established. Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) is utilized to perform scan for frequency and temperature, and the tested data is used to obtain key model parameters of the viscoelastic constitutive model. Based on the experimental data, the study explores how to calculate the relaxation time spectrum to describe the viscoelastic properties of TPO material during the vacuum forming process. Numerical simulation of the vacuum forming process of TPO material is conducted using
Heat shrink polymer is a type of material used in many industries’ segments due to their ability to contract and fit snugly around objects when heat is applied. These products are commonly commercialized in tube format (e.g.: sleeves), made from polyolefin or fluoropolymers, which have the property of shrinking when heated. Nanomaterials present many applications, and their usage is a remarkable tool aiming to improve many properties of materials. Then, many improvements including increase of performance and price reduction may be achieved due to its unique properties when nanomaterials are used into heat shrink polymer sleeves. This work presents a systematic review about the state of the art on heat-shrinkable materials for the automotive industry. As a methodology, articles from the last 10 years on the subject were selected. The keywords “heat shrink” AND “nanomaterial” AND “tubes OR sleeves” were used in three different databases, being “Scopus”, “Web of Science” and “MDPI”. After
As stepper motors become more and more widely used in engineering systems (vehicles, 3-D printers, manufacturing tools, and similar), the effects of their induced magnetic fields present a concern during the packing and orientation of components within the system. For applications requiring security, this is also a concern as the background electromagnetic radiation (EMF) can be captured at a distance and used to reproduce the motion of the motor during operation. One proposed alternative is to use customized non-magnetic plastic shields created using additive manufacturing. Some small studies have been completed which show some effectiveness of this approach but these studies have been small-scale and difficult to reproduce. To seek a more rigorous answer to this question and collect reproducible data, the present study used full factorial design of experiments with several replications. Three materials were used: Polylactide (PLA), PLA with 25% (weight) copper powder, and PLA with 15
A lighter, colorable and fully recyclable thermoplastic body seal from Cooper Standard won the annual Innovations in Lightweighting Award given by the Society for Automotive Analysts. At the society's December meeting, Jay Murdock, senior product development engineer for Cooper Standard, accepted the award and said its FlexiCore product was designed with an eye on strong trends in what OEMs want from suppliers: sustainability, carbon neutrality, lightweighting and recyclability.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a highly adaptable additive manufacturing method that is extensively employed for creating intricate structures using a range of materials. Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) is a highly versatile material known for its flexibility and durability, making it well-suited for use in industries such as footwear, automotive, and consumer goods. Hoses, gaskets, seals, external trim, and interior components are just a few of the many uses for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) in the automobile industry. The objective of this study is to enhance the performance of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) by optimizing the parameters specifically for Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) material. This will be achieved by employing a Taguchi-based Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method. The researchers conducted experimental trials to examine the impact of key FDM parameters, such as layer thickness, infill density, printing speed, and nozzle temperature, on critical responses
Natural fiber composites (NFC’s) have considerable promise for a wide range of technological applications due to their exceptional features, which include notable weight reduction, high strength, and affordability. The aforementioned materials are also biodegradable and sustainable, which makes them appealing for use in sustainable engineering methods. This research focuses on evaluating the mechanical features of jute fiber and Al₂O₃ particle fortified polymer composites, exploring their potential for advanced engineering uses. The Taguchi technique is used with a L9 orthogonal array, integrating three-level, three-parameter approach, to systematically examine potential combinations of process variables in the manufacturing of these polymer composites. The primary goal is to optimize the mechanical attributes of the composites, which include tensile modulus, tensile stress, and weight percentage increase. Detailed investigations are conducted to interpret the effects of these process
Additive Manufacturing (AM), specifically Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), has transformed the manufacturing industry by allowing the creation of intricate shapes using different materials. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic that is commonly used in additive manufacturing (AM) because of its environmentally friendly nature, affordability, and ease of processing. This study aims to optimize the parameters of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) for PLA material using the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) approach. The researchers performed experimental trials to examine the impact of important FDM parameters, such as layer thickness, infill density, printing speed, and nozzle temperature, on critical outcomes, including dimensional accuracy, surface finish, and mechanical properties. The methodology of design of experiments (DOE) enabled a systematic exploration of parameters. The TOPSIS approach, a technique for making decisions
The research project focused on investigating the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of composite plates made from bamboo leaves and coconut leaves reinforced with epoxy resin that has received limited attention in previous studies. The bamboo and coconut leaves underwent alkaline treatment, were thoroughly washed with distilled water, and dried in sunlight for 24 hours. For the fabrication of three composite plates, Hand lay up method was employed according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The compositions of the composite plates were varied as first Composition has 25 wt% bamboo leaves, 25 wt% coconut leaves and 50 wt% resin, the Second Composition has 30 wt% bamboo leaves, 30 wt% coconut leaves, and 40 wt% resin and the third composition has 35 wt% bamboo leaves, 35 wt% coconut leaves, and 30 wt% resin. Tensile test, shear and flexural tests helped determine the tensile strength, shear strength, and flexural strength of the composite
The incorporation of natural available material into synthetic materials to form a fiber within a single polymer matrix has been ignited since environment concerns become crucial nowadays. Composite materials embedded with two or more types of fibers makes a composite as hybrid. The study of hybridization of natural and synthetic fibers brings out superior mechanical and tribological properties. In our present studies, fabrication of jute & glass fiber reinforced epoxy-based polymer hybrid composites were carried out using resin infusion technique. For comparing the various properties, the composite made of pure jute fiber i.e 100% jute, pure glass fiber i.e 100% glass, the hybrid composite containing 75% jute and 25% glass fiber, 50% jute and 50% glass fiber, and 25% jute and 75% glass fiber were made and its functional behaviors were studied. The results revealed the hybrid composite containing 25% jute and 75% glass fiber possessed maximum tensile strength of 292±5.8 MPa, flexural
The present research explores the potential of high-performance thermoplastics, Polymethyl Methacrylate and Polyurethane, to enhance the passive safety of automotive instrument panels. The purpose is to evaluate and compare the passive safety of these two materials through the conduct of the Charpy Impact Test, Tensile Strength Test, and Crush Test —. For this, five samples were prepared in the case of each material via injection moulding, which enabled reliability, and consistency of the findings. As a result, it was found that in the case of the Charpy Impact Test, the average impact resistance varies with PMMA exhibiting a level of 15.08 kJ/m2 as opposed to the value of 12.16 kJ/m2 for PU. The Tensile Strength Test produced the average tensile strength of 50.16 for PMMA and 48.2 for PU, which implied superior structural integrity under tension for the first type of thermoplastic. Finally, the Crush Test showed that PMMA is more resistant to crushes on average than PU with the
Polypropylene has been the plastic traditionally used in the manufacture of bumpers. Composite materials have been presented as an alternative due to lightness and sustainability. This article presents a composite of polyester resin and jute fiber fabric as an innovative alternative to be studied for the manufacture of automotive bumpers. Composite material was manufactured for characterization. It was used as matrix the terephthalic polyester resin, unsaturated and pre-accelerated, and the catalyst MEK V388 for curing the composite. The chosen reinforcement was the jute fiber fabric. Silicone molds with dimensions according to ASTM 3039 were used to manufacture specimens, and subsequent tensile strength test to determine properties and compare with literature data. The composite with jute fiber reinforcement with alignment 0°/0°/0° was evaluated as viable for the application in car bumpers, having its value of tensile strength surpassed that of the composite reinforced by jute fiber
Biodegradable natural fiber-embedded polymer composites offer distinct mechanical properties and are utilized for lightweight applications. However, composites made with untreated natural fibers lack adhesive behaviour, and increased moisture absorption leads to reduced mechanical qualities. To address this, hemp fibers are treated with a 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to enhance adhesive strength. The treated fibers are then used to fabricate polypropylene composites through a hand layup process involving compression force. The synthesized composite samples contain 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% weight (wt%) of hemp fiber and undergo X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, as well as tensile, flexural, and impact strength studies. XRD analysis shows a short peak for the hemp fiber and a large peak for the polypropylene matrix. Experimental results indicate that the polypropylene composite with 30 wt% NaOH-treated hemp fiber exhibits increased tensile strength (53 MPa), improved flexural
This study describes the Taguchi optimization process applied to optimize drilling parameters for glass fiber reinforced composite (GFRC) material. The machining process is analyzed in relation to process parameters using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The characteristics assessed for both the drilling and the specimen include speed, feed rate, drill size, and specimen thickness. The commercial software program MINITAB14 was used to collect and analyze the measured results. Cutting force and torque during drilling are examined in relation to these parameters using an orthogonal array and a signal-to-noise ratio. The primary goal is to identify the critical elements and combinations of elements that impact the machining process to achieve minimal cutting thrust and torque, based on the evaluation of the Taguchi technique.
Hybrid reinforcement-made polypropylene (PP) composites are beneficial over monolithic PP and utilized for various engineering and non-engineering applications. The present investigation of PP hybrid composites is developed with 10 percentages of weight (wt%) of E-glass fiber embedded with 0–6 wt% of silicon carbide via compression technique associated with hot press. E-glass fiber and SiC influencing wear rate, tensile strength, and microhardness behavior of PP and its composites are experimentally investigated. The peak loading of SiC as 6 wt% into PP/10 wt% E-glass fiber is recorded as better wear resistance (0.021 mm3/m), maximum tensile strength value (54.9 MPa), and highest hardness (68 HV). Moreover, the investigation results of hybrid PP composite are better resistance to wear and hiked tensile and hardness behavior compared to monolithic PP. This PP/10 wt% E-glass fiber/6 wt% of SiC hybrid composite is adopted for high-strength to lightweight sports goods applications.
Electric vehicles (EVs) represent a pivotal shift in the automotive industry, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Central to their operation are lithium-ion batteries, which are favoured for their high energy density and long lifespan. Ensuring thermal stability during battery pack operation is crucial for both safety and efficiency. To enhance heat transfer within the battery pack, various encapsulants are employed. This study utilizes simulation to investigate the thermal performance of a 3.072kWh, 51.2V, 60Ah battery pack composed of 6Ah 32700 LFP cells, encapsulated with commercially available materials such as polyurethane (PU) foam, silicone, and silicone-modified epoxy under 1C and 2C discharge conditions. The findings show that, at 1C and 2C discharge rates, respectively, the battery pack potted with silicone attains a maximum temperature that is 2.57°C and 3.84°C lower than the pack simulated with air. Additionally, silicone-modified
Whether for vascular catheters or implantable devices, medical tubing must meet tough standards for flexibility, strength, and biocompatibility. That’s why more manufacturers are turning to thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) that strike the ideal balance between these key properties, making them an excellent choice for high-performance medical tubing. Unlocking the best that TPUs have to offer means optimizing the extrusion process. This article looks at why TPUs are a top pick, the common obstacles in extrusion, and the ways manufacturers can fine-tune their process to get the most out of different grades.
This work aims to define a novel integration of 6 DOF robots with an extrusion-based 3D printing framework that strengthens the possibility of implementing control and simulation of the system in multiple degrees of freedom. Polylactic acid (PLA) is used as an extrusion material for testing, which is a thermoplastic that is biodegradable and is derived from natural lactic acid found in corn, maize, and the like. To execute the proposed framework a virtual working station for the robot was created in RoboDK. RoboDK interprets G-code from the slicing (Slic3r) software. Further analysis and experiments were performed by FANUC 2000ia 165F Industrial Robot. Different tests were performed to check the dimensional accuracy of the parts (rectangle and cylindrical). When the robot operated at 20% of its maximum speed, a bulginess was observed in the cylindrical part, causing the radius to increase from 1 cm to 1.27 cm and resulting in a thickness variation of 0.27 cm at the bulginess location
This SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) provides an overview of the various types of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) backup rings for hydraulic and pneumatic fluid power applications, including their advantages and disadvantages.
This specification covers virgin, unfilled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the form of sheet manufactured by compression molding and sintering.
This specification covers virgin, unfilled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the form of molded rods, tubes, and shapes. This specification does not apply to product over 12 inches (305 mm) in dimension parallel to the direction of applied molding pressure, rods under 0.750 inch (19.05 mm) in diameter, and tubes having wall thickness under 0.500 inch (12.70 mm).
This specification covers two types of virgin, unfilled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) in the form of molded rods, tubes, and shapes. This specification does not apply to product over 12 inches (305 mm) in length, rods under 0.750 inch (19.05 mm) in diameter, and tubes having wall thickness under 0.500 inch (12.70 mm).
Georgia Tech researchers are using artificial intelligence to accelerate materials discovery. Georgia Tech University, Atlanta, GA Nylon, Teflon, Kevlar. These are just a few familiar polymers - large-molecule chemical compounds - that have changed the world. From Teflon-coated frying pans to 3D printing, polymers are vital to creating the systems that make the world function better. Finding the next groundbreaking polymer is always a challenge, but now Georgia Tech researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to shape and transform the future of the field. Rampi Ramprasad's group develops and adapts AI algorithms to accelerate materials discovery.
Eight arguments for these resins, compounds and composites. Weight reduction in EV battery components is an important factor in optimizing battery energy density, which in turn is critical to extending vehicle range and boosting power and performance. Although traditional metals such as steel and aluminum are widely used in EV batteries, the ongoing push for higher energy density is opening new opportunities for thermoplastic resins, compounds, and composites. The main advantage of these materials vs. metals is their inherent lighter weight - particularly in the case of lower-density polymers. Thermoplastics can be 30-50 percent lighter than metals. They also increase design freedom, which permits further weight-out through part consolidation and thin walls.
Nylon, Teflon, Kevlar. These are just a few familiar polymers — large-molecule chemical compounds — that have changed the world. From Teflon-coated frying pans to 3D printing, polymers are vital to creating the systems that make the world function better.
This SAE Aerospace Standard (AS) covers the requirements for polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hose assemblies for use in aerospace fuel and lubricating oil systems at temperatures between -67 °F and 450 °F and at operating pressures per Table 1. The hose assemblies are also suitable for use within the same temperature and pressure limitations in aerospace pneumatic systems, where some gaseous diffusion through the wall of the PTFE liner can be tolerated. The use of these hose assemblies in pneumatic storage systems is not recommended. In addition, installations in which the limits specified herein are exceeded, or in which the application is not covered specifically by this document, for example oxygen, shall be subject to the approval of the purchaser.
This research examines the impact of different amounts of copper (Cu) powder on the wear characteristics of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)–Cu composites. Various formulations of ABS–Cu composites have been produced using injection molding, with different amounts of surfactant. Wear properties were evaluated by conducting tribological testing in accordance with ASTM standards. The findings indicated a decrease in wear loss, particularly when using a mixture consisting of 23% ABS, 70% Cu, and 7% surfactant. Machine learning regression algorithms successfully forecasted wear behavior with R-squared values over 0.97. The models used in the analysis included linear, stepwise linear, tree, support vector machine (SVM), efficient linear, Gaussian progression, ensemble, and neural network regression models. This research emphasizes the significance of composite materials in fulfilling contemporary technical requirements. The acquired insights enable the development of materials with
A lightweight high-pressure hose assembly consists of hose made with fabric braids and PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) tube crimped with metallic fittings. These hose assemblies are mainly used for aircraft landing gear application considering its high-pressure sustenance and better flexibility. The proposed study investigates the effect of thermo-mechanical stresses generated during cyclic soaking and flexibility testing at thermostatic subzero (-65°F) and high temperature (+275°F) on performance of high pressure- fabric braided hose assembly. This effect was further studied through hose tear-down to investigate the hose layer degradation and focused changes in inner PTFE tube. With an incremental exposure to cyclic temperature environment, a linear growth was observed for the micropores within PTFE.
Recycling of advanced composites made from carbon fibers in epoxy resins is required for two primary reasons. First, the energy necessary to produce carbon fibers is very high and therefore reusing these fibers could greatly reduce the lifecycle energy of components which use them. Second, if the material is allowed to break down in the environment, it will contribute to the growing presence of microplastics and other synthetic pollutants. Currently, recycling and safe methods of disposal typically do not aim for full circularity, but rather separate fibers for successive downcycling while combusting the matrix in a clean burning process. Breakdown of the matrix, without damaging the carbon fibers, can be achieved by pyrolysis, fluidized bed processes, or chemical solvolysis. The major challenge is to align fibers into unidirectional tows of real value in high-performance composites.
Additive manufacturing (AM) is currently being used to produce many aerospace components, with its inherent design flexibility enabling an array of unique and novel possibilities. But, in order to grow the application space of polymer AM, the industry has to provide an offering with improved mechanical properties. Several entities are working toward introducing continuous fibers embedded into either a thermoplastic or thermoset resin system. This approach can enable significant improvement in mechanical properties and could be what is needed to open new and exciting applications within the aerospace industry. However, as the technology begins to mature, there are a couple of unsettled issues that are beginning to come to light. The most common question raised is whether composite AM can achieve the performance of traditional composite manufacturing. If AM cannot reach this level, is there enough application potential to warrant the development investment? The answers are highly
This procurement specification covers the requirements for metal tube support clamps comprising of two spring clips made of corrosion and heat resistant steel and the associated PTFE single split cushion that supports the tube. See Figure 1.
In this paper, experimental studies were conducted to examine the mechanical behavior of a polymer composite material called polyamide with glass fiber (PA6-GF), which was fabricated using the three-dimensional (3D) fusion deposition modeling (FDM) technique. FDM is one of the most well-liked low-cost 3D printing techniques for facilitating the adhesion and hot melting of thermoplastic materials. PA6 exhibits an exceptionally significant overall performance in the families of engineering thermoplastic polymer materials. By using twin-screw extrusion, a PA6-GF mixed particles made of PA6 and 20% glass fiber was produced as filament. Based on literature review, the samples have been fabricated for tensile, hardness, and flexural with different layer thickness of 0.08 mm, 0.16 mm, and 0.24 mm, respectively. The composite PA6-GF behavior is characterized through an experimental test employing a variety of test samples made in the x and z axes. The mechanical and physical characteristics of
Fast charging of traction batteries in passenger cars enables comfortable travel with electric vehicles, even over longer distances, without having to oversize the installed batteries for everyday use. As an enabling technology for fast charging, Kautex presents the implementation of 2-phase immersion cooling, where the traction battery serves as an evaporator in a refrigeration process. The 2-phase immersion cooling enables very high heat transfer rates of 3400 W/m^2*K and at the same time maximizes temperature homogeneity within the battery pack at optimal battery operating temperature. Thus, heat loads at charging rates of more than 6C can be safely and permanently managed by the battery thermal system. The cooling performance of 2-phase immersion cooling can also successfully suppress thermal propagation inside a thermoplastic battery housing. While the introduced 2-phase immersion cooling can dissipate the heat to the environment for temperatures up to 30 °C, the thermal cycle is
As we move toward electrification in future mobility, weight and cost reduction continue to be priorities in vehicle development. This has led to continued interest in advanced molding processes and holistic design to enable polymer materials for demanding structural applications such as pickup truck beds. In addition to performance, it is necessary to continue to improve styling, functionality, quality, and sustainability to exceed customer expectations in a competitive market. To support development of a lightweight truck bed design, a cross-functional team objectively explored the latest materials and manufacturing technologies relevant to this application. In Phase 1 of this work, the team considered a variety of alternatives for each functional area of the bed, including thermoplastic and thermoset materials with a range of processing technologies. Several initial design concepts and respective material cards were generated to capture the broadest set of materials and technologies
To characterize the stress flow behavior of engineering plastic glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PPGF) commonly used in automotive interior and exterior components, mechanical property is measured using a universal material testing machine and a servo-hydraulic tensile testing machine under quasi-static, high temperature, and high strain rate conditions. Stress versus strain curves of materials under different conditions are obtained. Based on the measured results, a new parameter identification method of the Johnson-Cook (J-C) constitutive model is proposed by considering the adiabatic temperature rise effect. Firstly, a material-level experiment method is carried out for glass fiber reinforced polypropylene (PPGF) materials, and the influence of wide strain rate range, and large temperature span on the material properties is studied from a macroscopic perspective. Then, the model parameters of the J-C constitutive model are identified based on the experimental data, and the
Friction stir welding (FSW) is a method of welding that creates a weld trail by pressing a non-consumable rotating tool with a profiled pin on the adjacent surfaces while moving transversely along the welding direction. The method was initially used with metals and alloys, but more recently, thermoplastic polymers have also been included in its application. Investigations on FSW of thermoplastic polymers made of nylon and High-density polythene (HDPE) are presented here. Weld characteristics that are like those of the base materials are attempted to be achieved. Because of their unique nature and thermal conductivity, thermoplastics FSW differs from that of metals. The use of thermoplastic materials with conventional FSW procedures presents numerous difficulties and is currently ineffective. On the weld characteristics of nylon and HDPE, statistical methods were utilized to study the impact of temperature, rotational speed, and transverse speed. Temperature is found to be the most
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