Carbon nanomaterials are an emerging class of nano-reinforcements to substitute for metal-based nanomaterials in polymer matrices. These metal-free nano-reinforcement materials exhibit a high surface area, thermal stability, and a sustainable nature. Compared to conventional reinforcements, nano-carbon-reinforced polymer composites provide enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. While previous reviews summarized the functionality of nanocomposites, here, we focus on the thermomechanical properties of nano-carbon-reinforced nanocomposites. The role of carbon nanomaterials, including graphene, MXenes, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, carbon quantum dots, fullerene, and metal–organic frameworks, in polymer matrices for the enhancement of thermal and mechanical properties are discussed. Different from metal-based nanomaterials, carbon nanomaterials offer high specific strength, abundance, and sustainability, which are of considerable importance for commercial-scale applications.

In this study, we developed multifunctional and durable textile sensors. The fabrics were coated with metal in two steps. At first, pretreatment of fabric was performed, and then copper and silver particles were coated by the chemical reduction method. Hence, the absorbance/adherence of metal was confirmed by the deposition of particles on microfibers. The particles filled the micro spaces between the fibers and made the continuous network to facilitate the electrical conduction. Secondly, further electroplating of the metal was performed to make the compact layer on the particle- coated fabric. The fabrics were analyzed against electrical resistivity and electromagnetic shielding over the frequency range of 200 MHz to 1500 MHz. The presence of metal coating was confirmed from the surface microstructure of coated fabric samples examined by scanning electron microscopy, EDS, and XRD tests. For optimized plating parameters, the minimum surface resistivity of 67 Ω, EMI shielding of 66 dB and Ohmic heating of 118 °C at 10 V was observed. It was found that EMI SH was increased with an increase in the deposition rate of the metal. Furthermore, towards the end, the durability of conductive textiles was observed against severe washing. It was observed that even after severe washing there was an insignificant increase in electrical resistivity and good retention of the metal coating, as was also proven with SEM images.

Shape memory polymer (SMP) composites are attractive and excellent smart materials due to their outstanding properties and rich functionality as they combine typical mechanical and functional properties of composites with shape memory properties. In particular, 3D reinforced preforms have tremendous potential for the development of functional composites by using the capabilities of 3D woven fabric preform design, and polymer shape memory behavior. Within that scope, this work aims to investigate the shape memory behavior and shape recovery properties of a specific type of 3D multilayer woven SMP composite in response to external stimuli. For this purpose, nine different multilayer stitched fabrics are produced with different weave structures, and different fabric thread densities using polyimide filaments. Then, a series of tests is carried out on these fabrics to evaluate their mechanical and physical properties. The layered fabric design that delivers high mechanical performance is next involved to manufacture the SMP composite samples, for which shape recovery capability is investigated. Fold-deploy and other shape memory cycle tests are performed to evaluate the shape memory characteristics. An optical 3D scanner based on fringe projection is further proposed to precisely acquire the geometry data and perform deformation analysis to quantitatively evaluate the shape fixity and shape recovery behaviors. The results from this study are very promising, demonstrating that these multilayer SMP structures can successfully be recovered following the desired design constraints without noticeable damage.

A detailed analysis of the rubber composites is necessary for the designing and fabrication of advanced rubber products. In this study, composite materials are synthesized by adding different nanofillers of carbon black nanoparticles into epoxidized natural rubber (ENR). The specific characteristics of carbon black (CB) affect the crosslinking density between CB and polymeric chains in ENR. The effects of particle size, structure, thermal conductivity, and functionality of CB on rheology and mechanical properties of filled reinforced ENR are examined. The composite materials are thoroughly characterized for their abrasion, rheology, tensile, hardness, elongation, resilience, and compression behavior. The results revealed that various properties of composite materials depend on the characteristics of the reinforcing CB fillers. It was found that lower particle size and ordered structure provide good tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion, and aging resistance. In contrast, larger particle size and a lower ordered structure provide high flow rate, low hardness, excellent re-bounce, and good compression set characteristics.

Continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites having superior mechanical properties are preferred for lightweight architectures. Rising demands for enhanced mechanical performance under certain types of loadings have focused researchers toward the hybridization of composite materials. In this study carbon and aramid fibers were employed to produce hybrid fabrics by weaving in two different woven architectures, 1/1 plain and 2/1 twill. Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix was reinforced with these woven fabrics and hybrid composites were fabricated by compression molding. Un-hybrid carbon and aramid composites were fabricated using PVB matrix, as control samples. Tensile characteristics of hybrid composites offered intermediate strain at failures of 0.5% due to the combined rigid and ductile natures of carbon and aramid, respectively. Flexural strength and absorbed impact energy (200 MPa and 97 kJ/m²) were higher for hybrid composites, and quick elastic recoveries were experienced in hybrid composites after impact. Plain woven reinforced hybridization had about 25% and 5% lower tensile and flexural characteristics respectively, as more interlocking zones of warp and weft yarns reduced strength. However, these interlocking zones positively contributed to impact performance by 11.5% higher energy absorption.