Surendran Sankunny

Thermoplastic composites have growing significance due to the rising demand for cost-effective and lightweight materials with high structural endurance and recyclability. The composition of composites is altered to enhance their overall properties. Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile nanofiber interleaving in Carbon fiber thermoplastic composite is investigated in this paper. Material properties are estimated using Tensile, Izod, Charpy, and Ballistic testing. Experimental results suggest that the nanofiber interleaving resulted in a composite with enhanced properties. The study can be further extended in investigating the effect of nanofibrous addition in various composites.

The low thermal resistance of composite materials poses a major hindrance in using them for various applications. These limitations are subdued by flame and fire retardants, which when added into polymers and composites provides an enhanced thermal and flame resistance. In this review, the various methods of improving the fire retardancy of composite materials are discussed along with a description of widely used flame retardant additives. The recent progress in the field of flammability and flame retardancy of composite materials is the main focus of this article and considered only recently published works. Additionally, the mechanism of combustion with an emphasis on the flammability of polymer composites is deliberated. The basic idea of improving the fire retardancy of composite is either by enhancing the composite constituents-reinforcement and matrix or by providing a coating to the composite. The flame retardancy mechanism and the methods to improve them are the hot topics for research as the light weight polymer composites are replacing metallic structures. Treatment of reinforcement, matrix, along with the various commonly used flame retardant additives are studied in this article. The circularity, sustainability, and environmentally friendly aspects of composites need to be taken care while considering waste management in the near future.

The Hybridization concept creates a niche within the composite segment to customize materials for specific applications with reduced cost without sacrificing strength and durability. The composite structures develop strain during continuous operation, and any sudden impact on these preloaded parts might result in catastrophic accidents. Studying impact response during such conditions is essential in designing and developing structures. This study experimentally investigates the high velocity impact response of Hybrid (Carbon-Glass) composite under normal and hydrostatic preload conditions. Mechanical tests involving Tensile, Izod, and Charpy are conducted. High velocity impact testing is carried out with a vertical single-stage gas gun with additional provision for hydrostatic preloading. An oscilloscope with a laser source measures the initial velocity, and Photogrammetry using a high-speed camera measure the residual velocity of a projectile. The mechanical test results suggest that Hybridization resulted in a significant property enhancement. The high velocity impact resistance and energy absorption are higher for Hybrid under both normal and preloaded impact.