The study of microstructures for the accurate control of material properties is of industrial relevance. Identification and characterization of microstructural properties by manual measurement are often slow, labour intensive, and have a lack of repeatability. In the present work, the intermetallic phase ratio and grain size in the microstructure of known Mg-Sn-Al alloys were measured by computer vision (CV) technology. New Mg (Magnesium) alloys with different alloying element contents were selected as the work materials. Mg alloys (Mg-Al-Sn) were produced using the hot-pressing powder metallurgy technique. The alloys were sintered at 620 °C under 50 MPa pressure in an argon gas atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were taken for all the fabricated alloys (three alloys: Mg-7Al-5Sn, Mg-8Al-5Sn, Mg-9Al-5Sn). From the SEM images, the grain size was counted manually and automatically with the application of CV technology. The obtained results were evaluated by correcting automated grain counting procedures with manual measurements. The accuracy of the automated counting technique for determining the grain count exceeded 92% compared to the manual counting procedure. In addition, ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) grain sizes were accurately calculated (approximately 99% accuracy) according to the determined grain counts in the SEM images. Hence, a successful approach was proposed by calculating the ASTM grain sizes of each alloy with respect to manual and automated counting methods. The intermetallic phases (Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Sn) were also detected by theoretical calculations and automated measurements. The accuracy of automated measurements for Mg₁₇Al₁₂ and Mg₂Sn intermetallic phases were over 95% and 97%, respectively. The proposed automatic image processing technique can be used as a tool to track and analyse the grain and intermetallic phases of the microstructure of other alloys such as AZ31 and AZ91 magnesium alloys, aluminium, titanium, and Co alloys.

This research focuses on the fabrication and characterization of TAZ532-xNb composites, employing high-purity, micron-sized powders of Mg, Sn, Al, Zn, Mn, and Nb as the raw materials. These powders were subjected to a paraffin coating process aimed at mitigating oxidation. The formation of composites was achieved via hot pressing and was followed by surface preparation and analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). An X-ray diffraction (XRD) study was conducted to identify the microstructural phases. Quantitative assessments including the theoretical density, actual density, and relative density were computed, and their fluctuations in relation to the increasing Nb reinforcement ratio were scrutinized. Furthermore, the mechanical attributes of the composites, such as hardness and tensile strength, were assessed via experimental procedures. The absence of oxygen-related peaks in the XRD patterns endorsed the successful execution of the paraffin coating technique and protective gas atmosphere during sintering. The detection of α-Mg, Mg₂Sn, MgZn, Mg₁₇Al₁₂, and Nb phases within the Nb-reinforced composite patterns authenticated the formation of the intended phases. Notably, the relative density values of the composites surpassed 95%, indicating efficient sintering. SEM results disclosed a densely packed microstructure, with Nb reinforcement particles evenly distributed along the grain boundaries, devoid of particle clustering or significant grain growth. These composites manifested exceptional wetting characteristics, which can be attributed to the employment of Mg alloy as the matrix material. EDS data confirmed the proportions of Nb within the composites, aligning with the quantities incorporated during fabrication. The composites showcased an increase in microhardness values with the escalating Nb reinforcement ratio, credited to the harder constitution of Nb particles in comparison to the matrix alloy. Concurrently, tensile strength showed a significant improvement with the increment in Nb reinforcement, while elongation values peaked at a specific Nb reinforcement level. The positive evolution of tensile strength properties was ascribed to the escalated Nb reinforcement ratio, grain size, and consequent higher sample densities.

Natural fiber-reinforced composites are composite materials composed of natural fibers, such as plant fibers and synthetic biopolymers. These environmentally friendly composites are biodegradable, renewable, cheap, lightweight, and low-density, attracting attention as eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic fiber-reinforced composites. In this study, natural fiber-reinforced polymer foam core layered composites were produced for the automotive industry. Fabrics woven from goat wool were used as the natural fiber. Polymer foam with expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS) structures was used as the core material. During production, fibers were bonded to the upper and lower layers of the core structures using resin. The hand lay-up method was used in production. After resin application, the samples were cured under a heated press for 2 h. After the production was completed, the material was cut according to the standards (10-20-30 Joule), and impact and bending tests were conducted at three different energy levels. The experiments revealed that at 10 J, the material exhibited rebound; at 20 J, it showed resistance to stabbing; and at 30 J, it experienced penetration. While EPS foam demonstrated higher impact resistance in the 10 J test, it was found that XPS foam exhibited better impact resistance and absorption capabilities in the 20 J and 30 J tests. Due to the open and semi-closed cell structure of EPS foams and the closed cell structure of XPS foams, it has been concluded that XPS foams exhibit higher impact resistance and better energy absorption properties

Layered composites are composite materials created by combining different layers of materials. Each layer can possess unique properties, often tailored to meet specific application or design requirements. These composites have found applications in various sectors due to their features, which include lightness, excellent impact properties, and customization according to specific application areas. In this study, glass fiber reinforced polymer foam core layered composite materials were produced. EPS polymer foam was used as the core material. During production, polymer foams and fibers were bonded to the upper and lower sides of the foams using resin. Samples were produced with 4 and 6 layers on both sides, totaling 8 and 12 layers, respectively. The vacuum bagging method was employed in production, utilizing the manual laying technique. Upon completion of production, the materials were cut into sizes conforming to standards and converted into samples. Subsequently, three-point bending and low-speed impact tests were conducted on the produced samples. As a result of the impact tests, perforation occurred in the 8-layer samples of 200 g m⁻² glass fiber composites, while rebound was observed in the 12-layer samples. Although more deformation occurred in the 8-layer glass fiber composites of 300 g m⁻² than in the 12-layer samples, both sets of experiments resulted in rebound. Similar results to the impact tests were obtained in three-point bending tests, with higher strengths observed in the 12-layer samples compared to the 8-layer samples. Composite samples with fiber layers of 300 g m⁻² exhibited better performance than samples with 200 g m⁻² fibers.

In this investigation, we assessed the potential of aluminum composite panels (ACPs) in sustainable engineering applications, focusing on the effects of different glass fiber weights on impact resistance and energy absorption capacity. Aluminum composite panels are an attractive option for sustainable applications due to their lightweight and high-strength properties. In this study, low-velocity impact tests were conducted on panels with glass fiber weights of 200 g/m² and 400 g/m² and equal numbers of fiber layers. The tests were performed using a constant impact energy of 55 joules, and the force–time, force–displacement, energy–time, and energy–displacement behaviors of ACP, 200 ACP, and 400 ACP samples were analyzed. The results showed that the 400 ACP samples exhibited the highest impact strength, the highest energy absorption capacity, and the least damage. In contrast, the other two samples showed lower impact resistance and exhibited fiber breaks, delaminations, and core material damage on their surfaces. The different glass fiber weights used in this study contributed to increases in the impact resistance and energy absorption capacity. Positive correlations were found between the glass fiber weight, layer thickness, and impact strength. These findings provide new insights into how composite materials can be designed to optimize mechanical properties by adjusting the fiber weights in coatings. These results also offer valuable information for the development of next-generation materials used in various sustainable engineering fields, such as automotive engineering and vehicle technology.

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites with excellent mechanical properties are now widely used in various industries. Carbon fabric/epoxy composites are employed in the production of various components across professional sectors such as aerospace, construction, textiles, and automotive. In the automotive sector, the use of CFRP composite lightweight materials for emission reduction, improving crashworthiness, and enhancing fuel economy has been steadily increasing. To evaluate materials in these industries, understanding their mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and three-point bending, is crucial. In this study, four different types of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials, namely [0°/0°], [0°/90°], [±45°], and [0°/90°/+45°/-45°/-45°/-45°/+45°/90°/0°], were used to determine the optimum orientation angle and strength. The specimens with four different orientation angles underwent tensile and three-point bending tests. Three-point bending tests were conducted according to ASTM D7264 standards, and tensile tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D3039 standards. It was observed that the mate-rial type that withstood the maximum force the most was the C48 CFRP material with an 8-layer [0°/90°/+45°/-45°] arrangement. The maximum stress values in the three-point bending test were 258.2, 275.0, 70.1, and 285.2 Newtons for C18, C28, C38, and C48 materials, respectively. The stress value of the C48 specimen increased by 10.44%, 4.74%, and 307.23% compared to C18, C28, and C38 materials, respectively. Additionally, the % elongation in the tensile test decreased by 286.36%, 46.55%, and 73.96%, respectively. However, it was concluded that the bearing capacity of the C48 specimen was higher than that of the specimens with different fabric orientations.