Documents published in Scipedia

• Thermoplastic weld fatigue behaviour analysis using structural health monitoring sensors data

  M. Mazzeschi, K. Nuñez-Carrero, M. Fernandez, E. Cañibano, J. Merino

  Materiales Compuestos (2024). Vol. 08 - COMUNICACIONES MATCOMP21 (2022) Y MATCOMP23 (2023), (Núm. 3 - Caracterización - Daño, Fractura y Fatiga), 13

  
  

  Abstract

  Thermoplastic composite joints show many advantages in comparison to conventional fasteners. However, thermoplastic welding of primary aircraft structures is still a certification issue. Long and extensive fatigue and test campaign is required for a depth understanding of damage progression. In fact, scarce historical data are currently available and the joint fatigue performances are extremely sensitive to numerous welding process parameters. In this context, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies consists of a built-in sensors network providing real-time condition and the damage state of a structure. SHM brings several benefits. First of all, SHM ensures safety in-flight through continuously assessing damages and alerting if strength reduction approaches acceptable limits. The data obtained are useful for future structure retrofitting and new developments. Moreover, SHM has the potential to support and speed up the certification of thermoplastic composite joint. SHM data give added value to each individual fatigue test contributing to a greater understanding of damage progression and making fatigue campaign shorter and more efficient. In the present work, both quasi-static as well as fatigue tests were conducted to evaluate performances of thermoplastic induction welded joints. Strain gauges and purpose-designed electromagnetic-based SHM sensor were integrated into the specimens in order to collect useful data during tests in three main cases: lap-joint specimens manufactured (i), (ii) with two different set of process parameters and (iii) with an artificially generated lack of weld at the joint interface. The approach proposed and data collected by the sensors has provided valuable information for understanding damage propagation in this kind of joint.

  Abstract
  Thermoplastic composite joints show many advantages in comparison to conventional fasteners. However, thermoplastic welding of primary aircraft structures is still a certification [...]

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• Establishing the differences between the use of bio-based composites and nanocomposites as matrices in additive manufacturing.

  K. Nuñez-Carrero, M. Villar, L. Pastor, F. Lizalde-Arroyo, J. Pastor

  Materiales Compuestos (2023). Vol. 08 - COMUNICACIONES MATCOMP21 (2022) Y MATCOMP23 (2023), (Núm. 2 - Fabricación y Aplicaciones Industriales - Sostenibilidad y Reciclaje.), 34

  
  

  Abstract

  With the recent increase in the use of additive manufacturing (AM) in more and more challenging applications, the demands on the mechanical performance and sustainability of printed parts are increasing considerably. Among the different additive manufacturing technologies, fused filament fabrication (FFF) is the most widely used for thermoplastic materials. This work focuses on comparing the behaviour of parts obtained by FFF using a bio-based polyamide (BIOPA-11) reinforced with different types of fibres: short glass fibre (GF) and a fibrillar nanoclay (SEP, sepiolite). Different composites were prepared by melt process, converted into filaments used in FFF, and characterised the final parts. The thermal and mechanical properties obtained were systematically examined as a function of printing orientation, amount and type of fibre, accompanied by X-ray tomography image analysis of the internal parts of the pieces. As expected, anisotropic properties showed improvements in Young's Modulus and tensile strength in both composites with increasing amount of reinforcement, with respect to pure biopolyamide. However, the improvements in mechanical performance of the nanocomposites were very noticeable under many conditions (composition and direction of fabrication). The research shows that this is due to the stiffening mechanism, based on the polymorphism of BIOPA, which is induced by nanometric loadings. Additionally, the internal morphology of the nanocomposite parts showed small amounts of inter-filament cavitations, while the parts obtained from the GF composites showed irregular, intra-filament cavitations. Thus, the BIOPA11 nanomaterial parts are attractive in terms of properties, weight, cost reduction, and sustainability.

  Abstract
  With the recent increase in the use of additive manufacturing (AM) in more and more challenging applications, the demands on the mechanical performance and sustainability [...]

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• TOWARDS COPOLYMERISATION OF STEREOSPECIFIC PROPYLENE NANOCOMPOSITES WITH POLAR COMONOMERS BY IN SITU POLYMERISATION. OPTIMISING MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

  K. Nuñez-Carrero, M. Asensio, J. Guerrero, M. Herrero, J. Pastor

  Materiales Compuestos (2023). Vol. 07 - COMUNICACIONES MATCOMP21 (2022), (Núm. 3 - Materiales y Estructuras - Modelos Numéricos), 2

  
  

  Abstract

  The use of different stereospecific metallocene catalysts: isotactic (iPP, C2-symmetry) and syndiotactic (sPP, Cs-symmetry) has been investigated in order to improve the mechanical properties of polypropylene/nanoclay nanocomposites obtained by in-situ polymerisation. Stereoregular nanocomposites have been synthetized in the presence of polar comonomers (1-undecenol (R-OH) and acid-undecenoic (R-COOH) for improving the matrix-nanoclay chemical compatibility. An important study of variables: amount of nanoparticles used as co-catalyst support, type of catalyst, type and amount of comonomer have been studied in a full factorial design of experiments in order to identify the main factors that achieve a balance between the stiffness and toughness of the polypropylene nanocomposites. Important results were found from ANOVA (analysis of variance): the nanoclay has a greater influence on the syndiotactic configuration and, the amount of polar comonomer is the main factor in maximising mechanical properties, irrespective of stereospecificity of the polypropylene nanocomposites.  

  Abstract
  The use of different stereospecific metallocene catalysts: isotactic (iPP, C2-symmetry) and syndiotactic (sPP, Cs-symmetry) has been investigated in order to improve the mechanical [...]

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