In this research silica aerogels were incorporated into PVC fabrics by the research team to improve the overall performance of the fabrics. The aerogel was added in percent fractions of 0, 2, 3, and 4%. Comprehensive analysis of physical and mechanical properties was also performed. Thermal conductivity measurements revealed that the addition of the silica aerogel had reduced the thermal conductivity of the fabric; when 4% silica was added, the thermal conductivity dropped by 26%. As ...
Carbon fiber and magnetite (Fe3O4)-doped epoxy memory shape polymers were prepared with 2.5% volume fraction of each dopant. These materials were doped in the hope of increasing the thermal performance of the polymers. Using the Thermal Constants Analyzer, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity and specific heat of the doped polymers were measured. Specifically, the researchers were looking into changes exhibited near the transition temperature of the shape memory polymer of ...
The turn of the evolution in plastics came with the development of fiber reinforcements. With the introduction of reinforcement fibers to a base resin, the mechanical properties are improved drastically, allowing for the product to be implemented in a wide range of applications. These materials were discovered to have half the weight of their metal counterparts and a tensile strength that is more than doubled. Fibers within the system are ...
