Vol. 3 No. 2 (2025)

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 3315

Mechanical characterization of polymeric composites reinforced with para-aramid after thermal exposure

by Luiz Felipe Peruchi de Godoy Guidugli, Ariandy Botezini, Sidiney Peruchi de Godoy, Erika Peterson Gonçalves

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

In this study, heat treatments were applied to samples of para-aramid fiber-reinforced epoxy at two different temperatures (250 and 500 ℃) for five (5) min. The effects on mass and mechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests according to ASTM-D3039-00 and compared with untreated samples. In addition, the fiber/matrix interface was verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At both exposure temperatures, a mass loss of 2.7% and 8.9% was observed for samples submitted to 250 ℃ and 500 ℃, respectively. However, the mechanical tensile strength in both cases was improved, being more significant in samples exposed to a temperature of 500 ℃, with an increase of more than 30% in tensile strength. Although the presence of delamination in the samples was not verified in the visual analysis, in the micrographs studied, it was observed that the decomposition of the fibers and the matrix causes localized delamination between the weft, the warp, and the matrix of the composites after the test.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 2881

Bonding theories between polyaniline and ionic liquids: Aspects and impacts

by Fatima Al-Zohbi

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

The characteristic properties of Polyaniline (PANI) motivate the scientific community to develop PANI materials with enhanced properties and performances for many applications (e.g., supercapacitors, sensors, anticorrosion coatings…). In their attempts to improve the properties and performances of PANI, they have replaced the conventional polymerization medium or the conventional electrolytes with ionic liquids, which are considered “green solvents”. It was reported in the literature that ionic liquids generally positively impact the morphology and properties of PANI as compared to the conventional PANI. It has been agreed that nanostructured homogeneous morphology of PANI is obtained in ionic liquids, while agglomerated morphology is characteristic of PANI prepared in the conventional medium. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances of PANI synthesized in ionic liquids generally better than that of the conventional PANI. The ameliorations that occurred on the properties of PANI-ionic liquids have been attributed to bonding theories, detailed and discussed in this manuscript, between the imidazolium-based ionic liquids and PANI. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of non-covalent interactions between PANI chains and the ions of the ionic liquids, as well as between the ions of ionic liquids themselves, have been introduced. Finally, by understanding the bonding theories, researchers can tailor the properties of PANI by selecting convenient ionic liquids.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 3084

Fluoride-ion batteries: The future of high-energy, safe, and sustainable energy storage

by Shakila Akter, Nur Mohammad Badhon, Dil Mohammad, Md. Abid, Razu Shahazi, Md. Rahim Uddin, Md. Mahmud Alam

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Fluoride-ion batteries (FIBs) are emerging as a potential alternative to lithium-ion batteries, offering higher energy densities, improved safety, and the use of more abundant and sustainable materials. Recent advancements in fluoride-ion technology have focused on addressing key challenges, such as the low ionic conductivity of fluoride and the development of suitable electrode materials. Researchers have made progress in creating electrolytes that stabilize fluoride ions during charging and discharging, leading to prototypes with enhanced cycling stability and energy capacity compared to earlier models. However, issues like corrosion and the need for more efficient energy storage remain significant barriers. Ongoing research is dedicated to finding novel materials that can improve conductivity, as well as to developing corrosion-resistant components that will enhance the longevity and safety of fluoride-ion batteries. Additionally, improving the overall energy efficiency and scalability of production is crucial for future commercialization. If these challenges are successfully overcome, fluoride-ion batteries could offer a transformative solution for high-energy applications, including electric vehicles, portable electronics, and large-scale grid energy storage. As research progresses, fluoride-ion batteries hold the potential to become a key technology in the quest for more sustainable, high-performance energy storage systems.

Open Access

Article

Article ID: 3519

Enhancing the environmental sustainability and performance of drilling fluids through the incorporation of silica nanoparticles and aloe vera powder extracts

by Ahmed Sabri, Anas Elhederi

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

This research explores the use of Aloe Vera powder and silica nanoparticles (SNPs) as environmentally friendly additives aimed at enhancing the rheological and filtration performance of water-based drilling muds. The work evaluates how different concentrations of SNPs (0.2 g, 0.3 g, and 0.4 g) combined with Aloe Vera affects key drilling fluid properties, including mud density, plastic viscosity, apparent viscosity, yield point, pH, gel strength, and filtration performance before and after hot rolling. The findings indicate that Aloe Vera alone can improve the drilling mud’s rheology by increasing its viscosity and suspension ability, while also contributing to a noticeable reduction in pH. When paired with SNP, the interactions between the biopolymer and nanoparticles create a synergistic effect, especially at 0.3 g and 0.4 g SNP concentrations. At these levels, mud demonstrated better viscosity behavior, higher yield point values, and more effective control of fluid loss, suggesting a more reinforced internal structure. However, thermal stability declined after hot rolling, implying that high temperatures may weaken or alter the intermolecular forces responsible for the enhanced performance under normal conditions. Overall, the study demonstrates that blending Aloe Vera with SNPs offers a promising, sustainable approach to improve drilling fluid behavior while supporting more environmentally responsible drilling operations.

Open Access

Review

Article ID: 3805

Basic artificial intelligence for metallurgical design of acicular ferrite in weld metal

by Krishnaswamy Sampath

Materials Technology Reports, Vol.3, No.2, 2025;

Demand-critical applications require high strength steel (HSS) weldments with a significant spread between yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS). Predominantly acicular ferrite (AF) microstructure in weld metal (WM) of a Fe-C-Mn-Ni based system is suitable for joining HSSs for demand-critical applications. Controlling carbon content in WM below 0.10 wt-%, actual or calculated transformation-start (T_S) temperature between 630 °C and 730 °C and weld cooling rate (CR) is critical in generating a high-performance AF microstructure. The Japan Welding Engineering Society (JWES) offers an artificial neural network (ANN) template at its website which is helpful in manipulating the addition of 16 elements in WM, each within a restricted range. This manipulation allows one to lower the T_28J/°C Charpy V-notch (CVN) test temperature of WM below −80 °C for achieving 28 Joules impact energy. Secondly, a New A_r3 equation obtained using regression analysis through Machine Learning, enables manipulation of 14 elements (except P and S) in WM (all in wt-%) and weld CR (in °C/s) in achieving a predominantly AF microstructure in WM. Dilatometric analysis of selected WMs with Ti-B-Al-N-O content and limited N content below 85 ppm (0.0085 wt-%) showed that these two supplementary approaches can achieve a nearly “balanced” Ti-B-Al-N-O micro-alloying addition in WM. The above two tools allow welding engineers to use basic Artificial Intelligence (AI) system in evaluating or recognizing welding electrodes and related WMs that ensure adequate spread between YS and UTS, and a predictive T_28J/°C test temperature below −80 °C for demand-critical applications.