Francisco Monticeli

Delft University of Technology | TU · Aerospace Structures and Materials (ASM)

The main objective of this study is to analyze the effect of the stacking sequence of glass/carbon-reinforced hybrid composites on the impregnation quality and on the formation of voids. This was achieved by creating a three-dimensional (3D) microstructure of the laminates from planar microscopy images. It was demonstrated that the impregnation qua...

This work aims at assessing the effect of the stacking sequence of hybrid laminates on the 3D void formation through a statistical approach. For that purpose, a three-dimensional microstructure is created from multiple two-dimensional microscopy images. Weibull approach shows a poorer fit for carbon fiber composite, while the presence of glass fibe...

This work proposes a mechanistic model to evaluate and characterize the mode II delamination of carbon-glass/fiber hybrid composites under fatigue loading. To this aim, crack growth was investigated at microscopic and macroscopic levels to measure the delamination propagation based on fracture mechanisms. The energy balance principle method describ...

The aim of this study was to characterize the mechanical behavior of a carbon-glass/epoxy hybrid composite under cyclic loading and following physical-based interpretation for mode I delamination modeling. The hybrid composite shows a higher surface roughness due to a micro-change in the crack direction at the carbon/epoxy and glass/epoxy interface...

This paper describes a systematic review on the propagation of translaminar damage in FRP considering different specimen configurations, data reduction schemes, fracture analysis, and mechanical properties. In particular, the influence of the specimen configuration (open-hole, edge-notched family, compact compression, compact tension, and compact t...

Globally, millions of tons of waste cooking oils (WCO) are generated yearly, and the recovery rate for manufacturing chemicals such as biodiesel is still low. Unfortunately, part of the WCO has been directly discharged into natural environments, underscoring the industrial significance of developing novel technologies for its utilization. As a poss...

Wood is a versatile material extensively utilized across industries due to its low density, favorable mechanical properties, and environmental benefits. However, despite considerable research, the diversity in species with varying compositions and properties remains insufficiently explored, particularly for native woods. A deeper understanding of t...

Globally, millions of tons of waste cooking oils (WCO) are generated yearly, and the recovery rate for manufacturing chemicals such as biodiesel is still low. Unfortunately, part of the WCO has been directly discharged into natural environments, underscoring the industrial significance of developing novel technologies for its utilization. As a poss...

Driven by the energy transition and the reduction of carbon emissions, pultruded CFRP plates have emerged as an affordable high performance material for designing wind turbines with larger rotors. To enable the creation of thicker laminates, pre-cured plates are bonded together using an epoxy resin. The present study focuses on characterizing the f...

This paper investigates the fatigue-induced delamination growth in carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), considering different fibre orientation combinations. The study explores the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in the simulation of fatigue delamination behaviour to reduce the number of experimental tests required for fatigue ev...

Laminated pultruded composite plates are gaining interest for use in wind turbine blades due to their excellent structural performance with affordable cost. However, there is limited understanding of their fracture properties. The present work explores the interlaminar fracture behaviour of pultruded composite plates, bonded through resin infusion,...

Considering the complexity of the mechanic analysis in advanced composite materials, studies in the literature have demonstrated the use of machine learning (ML) methods, aiming to predict the mechanical properties in high-reliability levels. ML models have been also used in medical applications, biological sciences, and data control systems, prese...

Different amounts of graphene quantum dots (CQDs) (0, 1, 2.5, and 5 wt%) were incorporated into an epoxy matrix. The thermal conductivity, density, morphology, and dynamic mechanical thermal (DMTA) properties were reused from the study of Seibert et al.. The Pearson plot showed a high correlation between mass loading, thermal conductivity, and ther...

In the past decades, there has been a significant increase in the use of polymers for biomedical applications. The global medical polymer market size was valued at USD 19.92 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.0% from 2023 to 2030 despite some limitations, such as cost (financial limitation), strength compared to metal plates for...

High-performance composites are subjected to different mechanical forces and stresses during their lifetime. Hence, knowledge of the time-dependent deformation at different temperatures is crucial for engineering applications. In this context, a polyetherimide/carbon fiber composite was analyzed via creep behavior from the glassy to the elastomeric...

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are widely used to produce structural components. However, their low interlaminar strength makes them susceptible to delamination, limiting structural applications. Aiming to solve this problem, this work proposes adding carbon nanotubes buckypaper (BP) into CFR thermoplastic composites as an interl...

Due to the multiple industrial applications of chromium compounds and their dangerous nature for the environment, the development of adsorbent materials has been investigated. In line with this reality, bacterial cellulose (BC) has become a potential filler in the polymeric matrix due to its ability to remove toxic metals; however, its performance...

The industry of composite materials has grown in the last decade due to the requirements of light and high strength materials. The increasing demands of materials have to comply with low greenhouse gases emissions (GHG) as stated by international agreements, and reusing and recycling is a path to minimize the environmental impacts. This research ai...

The self-healing application in structural composites aims to recover component properties, control damage propagation, and increase component life. In this way, this study proposes to characterize and predict the inter-laminar shear behavior of polymer composites (5HS carbon/epoxy) with different fractions of self-healing agent. In addition, this...

In this study, thermogravimetric (TG) curves of a synthetized renewable polyurethane–urea were modelled in intermediate heating rates from those experimentally tested. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the tests by creating new TG curves. Flynn–Wall–Ozawa kinetic model was applied in the theoretical curves and re-applied i...

The development of efficient pre-treatments in biobased products has been used to add value to the residue. For that purpose, this work aims to carry out fibers chemically extracted from the orange bagasse (Citrus sinensis) as reinforcement in polymeric matrix composites. The fibers were extracted by acetosolv, following two bleaching steps to obta...

This paper focuses on the re-use of original data of an available study about PLA bio-composites. New focus, regarding the discussion of the viscoelastic curves, in terms of structure vs. property relationships, followed by a correlation on the mechanical, structural and morphological characteristics were made. Response surface methodology (RSM) wa...

Void morphology affects the mechanical behavior of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites since void shape results in different stress concentration levels. Concerning of the importance of higher porosity characterization, this study proposes an automated methodology to measure the void content, morphology, and size of CFRP composites us...

Textiles have been used in our daily life since antiquity in both economies and social relationships. Nowadays, there has never been a greater desire for intelligent materials. Smart fabric textiles with high-quality and high-performance fiber manufacturing with specific functions represented by clothing and apparel brands (such as astronaut suits...

The growth of the aeronautical sector leads to the growth of polymer composites application, creating new demand for components applications in complex dimensions and shapes. Regarding different methods of draping 2D fabric into a 3D format, the concern is to keep the fabric properties and characteristics, since fiber orientation is modified after...

The effects of processing parameters on conventional molding techniques are well-known. However, the fabrication of a carbon fibre (CF)/epoxy composite via additive manufacturing (AM) is in the early development stages relative to fabrications based on resin infusion. Accordingly, we introduce predictions of the flexural strength, modulus, and stra...

Micro crystalline cellulose is mostly used to improve thermo-mechanical properties of composites. This study aims to evaluate the creep behaviour of micro-cellulose epoxy-based composites, and the effect of silanization treatment on the reinforcements. A new viscoelastic model, based on the generalized logistic function was successfully tested. The...

This paper provides a full understanding of the pyrolysis mechanism of plant biomass (curaua) and cellulose – two materials that involve complex degradation stages. The chemical/physical reactions occurring in the corresponding mass loss stages are described in detail for each material. Multi-step degradation stages are identified by using Vyazovki...

Polysaccharides are formed by a long chain of monosaccharides, with the main function of promoting energetic and structural reserves for plants and animals. They can be applied as a base of electrolytes, using ionic liquids (ILs) as a solvent base. The study of electrolytes is an emerging field, as they are applied as secondary batteries, fuel cell...

This study assesses the potential revaluation of solid waste from palm residues for use as reinforcement in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) matrix to develop a composite filament that is more environmentally friendly. Filaments were processed using a thermokinetic mixer and then processed by a mini extruder using different fiber loadings (5,...

This work presents the short-term creep behavior of novel epoxy composites reinforced by post-consumed yerba-mate (YM). Particulate composites were manufactured using 5, 10, and 20 wt.% of YM. The composite morphologies were related to the dynamic mechanical and creep behavior at the glassy state (∼30°C). Creep tests were performed using three diff...

The development of efficient pre-treatments is widely used in biobased products to add value to the residue. For that purpose, this work aims to carry out fibers chemically extracted from the orange bagasse ( Citrus sinensis ) as reinforcement in polymeric matrix composites. The fibers were extracted by acetosolv, following two bleaching steps, to...

The ability to undergo from a deformed shape to its original shape when induced by an external stimulus brought many benefts in the polymer feld. Despite the shape recovery, the structure vs property relationship has to be profoundly understood aiming to highlight the most important factors regarding the shape-memory polyurethanes (SMPUs). Based on...

Исследовали межповерхностную адгезию гибридного эпоксидного композита с помощью динамического механического анализа и вязкости разрушения по моде II.

The incorporation of two different reinforcements in the same matrix introduces distinct physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics into it, which need to be evaluated. In addition, the interfacial adhesion also plays a significant role in the mechanical delamination performance. This study aims to analyze the carbon/glass/ epoxy hybrid int...

Micro crystalline cellulose is largely used to improve thermos-mechanical properties of composites. This study aims to evaluate the creep behaviour of micro-cellulose epoxy-based composites, and the effect of reinforcements’ silanization treatment. A new viscoelastic model, based on the generalized logistic function was successfully tested. The res...

Tobacco is a rich source of cellulosic material and one of the most cultivated non-food plants in the world with great potential for incorporation in polymeric matrices. The use of tobacco residues as reinforcing filler requires chemical/physical fiber treatment aiming to maximize compatibility with the polymer. In this study, tobacco residues were...

Hybridization of synthetic with natural fibers has been increasingly studied over the last decades given the potential to partially replace glass fibers with natural ones aiming at meeting both design requirements and environmental concerns. Despite some drawbacks about natural fibers, such as high moisture absorption and low mechanical properties,...

This work proposes an approach combining artificial neural networks (ANN) with statistical models to predict injection processing conditions for four reinforcement architectures: plain weave, bidirectional noncrimp fabrics, unidirectional fabrics (Uni) and random fiber mats (Random). Key results allow evaluating the velocity of the flow front by co...

A mechanistic model for mode I fatigue delamination growth based on the hybrid fiber bridging zone was developed and is described herein. The model is based on the microfracture mechanisms of striation, fiber peel-off and fiber bridging stress, measured through scanning electron microscopy analysis. The effects of the carbon and glass fiber delamin...

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) have been gaining prominence in replacing metallic alloys for infrastructure in prostheses, with the possibility of edentulous patients to acquire fixed prostheses. For this, procedures are required to connect these implants to the implant-supported fixed prosthesis, such as holes and notches that can reduce t...

The environmental and social concerns regarding environmental‐friendly materials lead to alternatives in replacing synthetic fibers for natural ones on polymeric composites. This study focused on modeling dynamic mechanical curves of kenaf/polyester composites using response surface methodology (RSM). Composites with three different reinforcement c...

The time-temperature creep behavior of advanced composite laminates is herein determined through a comprehensive set of experiments and analytical modeling. A complete structure versus property relationship is determined through a wide range of temperature and applied stress levels at the three states of the composite: glassy, glass transition, and...

The dynamic mechanical behavior (storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan δ) of hybrid sisal/glass composites was investigated in the temperature range of 30–210 °C, for two different volume percentages of reinforcement along with the different ratios of sisal and glass fibers. Based on the experimental outcome, an artificial neural network (ANN) app...

This study evaluates the efficiency of castor oil–based polyurethane foams for oil sorption S10 and S500, focusing on the influence of the pores’ size. Different foams were produced by varying the polyol: isocyanate ratio (1:0.3; 1:0.5; 1:1.0; 1:1.5; and 1:2.0). The physicochemical properties, morphology, density, and Hg porosity were determined. T...

This work has been developed for a comparative purpose concerning the processing and respective mechanical performance of CFRP composites processed by resin transfer molding (RTM) and compression molding (CM) techniques. Thermal and viscosimetric tests before processing certified the optimal parameter procedure. Both composites were submitted to sh...

The use of natural additives in elastomeric compounds is gaining the special attention of researchers and industry due to their potential applications as environmentally friendly compounds and lower cost-related. Another important issue is the use of powerful mathematical tools to predict experimental results, which is crucial for saving cost and t...

Hybrid composites have been drawing the attention of researchers in the composites field because of their high flexibility to tailor properties through fibers hybridization. The behavior of hybrid composites is dependent on nature, amount, processing parameters, among other parameters, of each reinforcing fiber and polymeric resin. Hybrid glass fib...

This work aimed to analyze the influence of voids content, morphology (size and shape), and position on the creep behavior of glass/epoxy composites with a reduced number of experiments, applying the design of experiments statistical approach to describe the creep behavior. For this purpose, a three-dimensional microstructure of the materials is cr...

Lignocellulosic fibers are widely applied as reinforcement in polymer composites due to their properties. The thermal degradation behavior governs the maximum temperature at which the fiber can be applied without significant mass loss. It is possible to determine this temperature using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG). In particular, when curves are...

Supercritical carbon dioxide ( scCO2) has been used as a physical blowing agent to produce polymer expanded materials. Firstly, a statistic study was performed to determine the neat polystyrene (PS) expansion parameters, using the ANOVA and response desirability approach. The results suggested that the optimal parameters are 120 °C (temperature), 2...

Vegetal fibers can be applied in several areas, from the medical field to the development of new advanced materials. They have a complex chemical structure including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Each component plays a different role in the thermal degradation. Apart from it, this study aims to simulate and predict different ratios of cellu...

High-performance fiber-reinforced thermoset composites processed by additive manufacturing (3D printing) are attracting substantial attention in both academic and industrial fields in a market currently dominated by thermoplastic matrices. Thermoset polymers have, nevertheless, several advantages over thermoplastic ones. This study aims at recommen...

Lignocellulosic fibers are widely applied as composite reinforcement due to their properties. The thermal degradation behavior determines the maximum temperature in which the fiber can be applied without significant mass loss. It is possible to determine these temperatures using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TG). In particular, when curves are obtain...

The delamination of a carbon/glass/epoxy hybrid composite was studied experimentally to analyze the effect of reinforcement heterogeneity on data dispersion. A statistical approach was applied to evaluate the effect of the carbon/glass/epoxy hybrid composite on the individual modes (I and II) of delamination. The analysis of variance evidenced the...

The molar mass of the polyurethanes (PUs)' reagents directly influences their thermal response, affecting both the polymerization process and the enthalpy and the degree of reaction. This study reports applying an artificial neural network (ANN), associated with surface response methodology (SRM) models, to predict the calorimetric behavior of cert...

In this paper, activated carbon was synthesized by chemical activation using sodium hydroxide as an activating agent from residues of the stem and sheath palm fibres, and their efficacies in the removal of methylene blue were evaluated. The materials were characterized by techniques like thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared...

The laminated hybrid composites (e.g., carbon/glass fibre) application creates diversity in material design – higher stacking sequence possibilities. The main question raised by the scientific community is: how carbon/glass hybrid laminate affects interfacial adhesion, considering physical quantification? This work aims to answer the previous quest...

Vegetal fibers are prominent reinforcements for polymer composite materials, considering their properties and application possibilities. In particular, thermal degradation behavior is crucial for determining an application subjected to a temperature range. Methods to predict properties are a trend in materials science and have the main advantage of...

This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic mechanical properties and the creep behavior of glass/epoxy composites containing different void contents. A 3D reconstruction using X-ray microtomography (MCT) was done to determine void content, position, and morphology. Moreover, dynamic mechanical analysis over a wide temperature range and creep tests us...

The thermoplastic and thermoset laminates reinforced with different fibers generate variations in the laminated composite mechanical behavior. This work aims to analyze thermoplastic and thermoset composites creep behavior with a reduced number of experiments, applying curve-fitting analytical models (Weibull and Findley) and statistical approach (...

The aim of this study was to carry out simulations and perform experimental quasi-static delamination tests in modes I and II to characterize the mechanical behavior at a hybrid interface. For that purpose, contact angle, infrared spectroscopy, and energy balance model results were obtained to characterize the physical interfacial energy behavior....

The use of technologies with sustainable adsorbents from agro-industrial residues with hydrophobic characteristics has induced the interest of the scientific community, due to the accidents involving spills and leaks of organic pollutants, generating the concern impacts caused to the environment. Thus, in this study was proposed an alternative for...