Khaireddine Sabbagh, Rawdha Kessentini, Olga Klinkova, Imad Tawfiq, Chokri Bouraoui
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study presents a layered approach to understanding the environmental degradation of bamboo/epoxy/rubber bio-composites, focusing on the coupled effects of moisture diffusion, thermal exposure, and mechanical loading. Inspired by the structural concept of a conventional table tennis racket, a hybrid laminate assembly was developed using unidirectional bamboo fibers embedded in an epoxy matrix, with rubber skin layers introduced for enhanced damping and flexibility. The long-term durability of the composite was assessed through a combination of experimental investigation, analytical modeling, and environmental aging protocols. Moisture uptake behavior was characterized under three exposure conditions: 60% RH, 83.5% RH, and full water immersion at 30°C. Bamboo/epoxy composite substrate followed Fickian diffusion, while rubber layers exhibited Sequential Dual Fickian (SDF) behavior. Anisotropic absorption was observed, with longitudinal bamboo direction showing significantly higher uptake. Mechanical performance under compression was evaluated before and after aging, revealing the synergistic effects of hygrothermal and mechanical degradation. To capture this behavior, a hygro-thermomechanical extension of laminate theory was developed, enabling layer-wise prediction of stress distribution and diffusion kinetics under coupled environmental conditions. The findings offer new insights into the multi-physics degradation mechanisms of natural fiber composites and provide a framework for the design of durable, bio-inspired structural materials for sustainable engineering applications.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Mechanical Sciences (IJMS) serves as a global platform for the publication and dissemination of original research that contributes to a deeper scientific understanding of the fundamental disciplines within mechanical, civil, and material engineering.
The primary focus of IJMS is to showcase innovative and ground-breaking work that utilizes analytical and computational modeling techniques, such as Finite Element Method (FEM), Boundary Element Method (BEM), and mesh-free methods, among others. These modeling methods are applied to diverse fields including rigid-body mechanics (e.g., dynamics, vibration, stability), structural mechanics, metal forming, advanced materials (e.g., metals, composites, cellular, smart) behavior and applications, impact mechanics, strain localization, and other nonlinear effects (e.g., large deflections, plasticity, fracture).
Additionally, IJMS covers the realms of fluid mechanics (both external and internal flows), tribology, thermodynamics, and materials processing. These subjects collectively form the core of the journal's content.
In summary, IJMS provides a prestigious platform for researchers to present their original contributions, shedding light on analytical and computational modeling methods in various areas of mechanical engineering, as well as exploring the behavior and application of advanced materials, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials processing.