COMPOSITES THEORY AND PRACTICE

Research Journal of The Polish Society of Composite Materials

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief

Mateusz Kozioł (Poland): Silesian University of Technology
Polymer matrix composites (PMCs), functional nanocomposites, recycling of PMCs

Associate Editor-in-Chief

Waldemar Pichór (Poland): AGH University of Science and Technology
Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), building materials, chemical engineering, building physics

Honorary Editor

Katarzyna N. Braszczyńska-Malik (Poland): Czestochowa University of Technology, Faculty of Production Engineering and Materials Technology, Institute of Materials Engineering, Poland
Metal matrix composites, light metal alloys, fabrication processes, microstructure and properties

Associate Editors



Jan Dusza (Slovakia): Institute of Materials Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic
Microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites, nano-composites, fractographic failure analysis of brittle materials, nano-mechanical testing of advanced ceramic and ceramic based composites
Jerzy Sobczak (Poland): Foundry Research Institute, Poland
Metal matrix composites, lightweight metals and alloys, functionally graded structures, high porosity media, special foundry techniques
Abdullach Tugrul Seyhan (Turkey): Eskisehir Technical University (ETU), Faculty of Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Turkey
Nanocomposites, processing of fibre reinforced polymer composite materials, mechanical, thermal, physical and microstructural characterization of composite materials

Editorial Board







Victor Birman (USA)
Stanisław Błażewicz (Poland)
Aldo R. Boccaccini (United Kingdom)
T.W. Clyne (United Kingdom)
Philippe Colomban (France)
Ignazio Crivelli-Visconti (Italy)
Lech Czarnecki (Poland)
Jan Dutkiewicz (Poland)
Luciano Feo (Italy)
Ludo Froyen (Belgium)
Werner Hufenbach (Germany)
David Hui (USA)
Karl U. Kainer (Germany)
Jang-Kyo Kim (Hong Kong, China)
Marian Klasztorny (Poland)
Józef Koszkul (Poland)
Lothar Kroll (Germany)
Satish Kumar (USA)
Krzysztof J. Kurzydłowski (Poland)
Marcin Leonowicz (Poland)
Pavel Lukac (Czech Republic)
Gad Marom (Israel)
Roger Naslain (France)
Seeram Ramakrishna (Singapore)
Michał Szweycer (Poland)
Akira Todoroki (Japan)
Danuta Żuchowska (Poland)

Reviewer Board

Performed reviews in 2022:

Aamir Dean (Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany)
Abílio P. Silva (Universidade da Beira Interior, Portugal)
Addisu Negash Ali (National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan)
Agne Kairyte (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Lithuania)
Ali Riza Motorcu (Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Turkey)
Alicja Piasecka-Belkhayat (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Andrzej Kiczko (Military University of Technology, Poland)
Andrzej Posmyk (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Anna Boczkowska (Warsaw University of Technology, Poland)
Anna Dolata (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Anton Mostovoy (Yuri Gagarin State Technical University of Saratov, Russia)
B. Ratna Sunil (Bapatla Engineering College, India)
B. Surekha (KIIT University, India)
Bartosz Hekner (New Era Materials, Poland)
Błażej Chmielnicki (Łukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes, Poland)
Danuta Matykiewicz (Poznań University of Technology, Poland)
Dariusz Garbiec (Łukasiewicz Research Network - Metal Forming Institute, Poland)
Dariusz Oleszak (Warsaw University of Technology, Poland)
Dinesh Kumar (NIT Kurukshetra, India)
Diptikanta Das (KIIT Deemed to be University, India)
Gulsah Akincioglu (Duzce University, Turkey)
Hadidane Hocine (University of Annaba, Algeria)
Iwona Bednarczyk (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Jarnail Singh (K.R. Mangalam University, India)
Jarnail Singh (NIT hamirpur, India)
Jarosław Bieniaś (Lublin University of Technology, Poland)
Jerzy Korol (Central Mining Institute, Poland)
Jerzy Morgiel (Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science of Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland)
Jerzy Myalski (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Joanna Borowiecka-Jamrozek (Kielce University of Technology, Poland)
Jonty Mago (Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, India)
K. Adashra Kumar (Gandhi Institute of Technology And Management, India)
K. Alagarraja (Anna University, India)
Kalimuthu Ramanathan (Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology, India)
Karol Bula (Poznań University of Technology, Poland)
Kaushal Kumar (K.R. Mangalam University, India)
Krzysztof Naplocha (Wrocław University of Technology, Poland)
L. Syam Sundar (Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Saudi Arabia)
Luca Sorrentino (University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy)
M.R. Sanjay (Ramaiah Institute of Technology, India)
Mabao Liu (Xi'an Jiaotong University, China)
Magdalena Dobiszewska (Bydgoszcz University of Technology, Poland)
Magdalena Ziąbka (AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland)
Malakpuram Ramakrishna (VFSTR, India)
Manish Dixit (BN College of Engineering and Technology – Lucknow, India)
Marcin Stawarz (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Marek Konieczny (Kielce University of Technology, Poland)
Marian Klasztorny (Jan Grodek State University in Sanok, Poland)
Massoud Sedghi (Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan)
Maulik Panchal (Institute for Plasma Research, India)
Mayank Pandey (Kritu Jyoti College, India)
Mehmet Avcar (Süleyman Demirel University, Turkey)
Michał Sałaciński (Air Force Institute of Technology, Poland)
Mohamed-Ouejdi Belarbi (Université de Biskra, Algeria)
Mohammad Junaid Khan (Mewat Engineering College Nuh, India)
Mrinalini D. Deshpande (Science College Nasik, India)
Natraj Yedla (National Institute of Technology Rourkela, India)
Nilamber Kumar Singh (National Institute of Technology in Patna, India)
Paweł Szymański (Poznań University of Technology, Poland)
Piotr Marek (Warsaw University of Technology, Poland)
Prasanta Sahoo (Jadavpur University, India)
Radha Raman Mishra (Birla Institute of Technology and Science – Pilani, India)
Rafał Chatys (Kielce University of Technology, Poland)
Rahmat Satoto (Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Indonesia)
Rajnikant Makwana (Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India)
S. Kamaluddin (Chirala Engineering College, India)
Saroj Kumar Sarangi (National Institute of Technology, Patna, India)
Shunhua Chen (University of Tokyo, Japan)
Slimane Merdaci (University of Sidi Bel Abbès, Algeria)
Stalin Balasubramaniam (Anna University, India)
Stanisław Kuciel (Kraków University of Technology, Poland)
Subbaian Jayabal (Government college of Engineering Thanjavur, India)
Suneev Anil Bansal (Maharaja Agrasen University, India)
Timon Rabczuk (Bauhaus-University Weimar, Germany)
Tohid Dastan (Isfahan University of Technology, Iran)
Tomasz Figlus (Silesian University of Technology, Poland)
Toshio Haga (Osaka Institute of Technology, Japan)
Vasanth Kumar H. S. (Government Engineering College, India)
Vijay Hiwarkar (Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, India)
Vladimir Shestakov (Riga Technical University, Latvia)
Waldemar Kaszuwara (Warsaw University of Technology, Poland)
Waldemar Pichór (AGH University of Science and Technology, Poland)
Władysław Skoneczny (University of Silesia, Poland)

Aims and Scope:

The Composites Theory and Practice Journal constitutes a medium for the publication of theoretical and experimental studies and reviews on fabrication techniques, structure, properties, behaviour and engineering applications of a wide range of composite materials. The Journal publishes original (research and technological) manuscripts and, occasionally, reviews on all aspects of composite materials science and technology.

The main topics covered by the journal are:

Composite materials

Polymer matrix composites (PMCs)
Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)
Metal matrix composites (MMCs)
Bio-composites
Nano-composites
Smart composites

Production technologies of composites and their processing
Materials science and engineering of composite materials
1. Macro- and microstructure
2. Reaction and interfaces between components
3. Correlation between structure and properties
4. Mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, optical, acoustic, other physical and chemical properties, corrosion and tribology
5. Biocompatibility
Mechanics of composite materials from nano to macro scales
1. Identification of mechanical (static and dynamic) and physical properties
2. Constitutive models
3. Strain rate and temperature sensitive mechanical properties
4. Rheology of composite materials
5. Degradation, damage, fracture, failure
6. Random properties, durability and reliability of composite materials and structures
Numerical modelling, simulation, validation and verification of composite materials and structures (statics, stability, dynamics, rheology)
1. Application of FE codes to modelling and simulation
2. Experimental validation and verification of numerical modelling and simulation
3. Modelling, simulation, validation and verification of degradation and failure of composite materials and structures and composite joints
4. Optimization of composite materials and structures
Engineering applications of composite materials in civil, mechanical and aerospace engineering, medicine, chemical engineering, marine, automotive and in rail-vehicle engineering
Recycling of composite materials and structures
Health monitoring, degradation, utilization of composite materials and structures
Frontier research and development of composite materials and structures

Other

COMPOSITES THEORY AND PRACTICE Journal Procedures

The Editors accept papers throughout the calendar year. All papers submitted to the Journal are subjected to a thorough peer reviewing process. The prerequisites for accepting articles for publication is to prepare the work in accordance with the requirements of the Journal and to obtain positive reviews.

Before submitting a paper, an Author must prepare it according to the Guidelines for Authors.
After logging into the system, an Author must attach:

his / her details (name and surname, affiliation and current e-mail address)
paper title
paper in Word format
paper in PDF format
become familiar with the provisions regarding ethics in publishing. By submitting an article to the journal, Authors automatically declare that the work is consistent with the principles against ghostwriting, guest authorship and plagiarism.

Each article submitted to the Journal is initially verified by the Editorial Office in terms of the Journal's requirements (topics and correctness of manuscript preparation in accordance with the Guidelines for Authors). If the initial verification indicates that the article presents a flagrantly low linguistic or meritorical level, the Editorial Office may decide not to accept the article for processing. If the article violates the requirements of the Journal, but the violation is not considered flagrant, the author is asked to verify the article and resubmit it.

Having met the preliminary conditions, each manuscript is subject to identical procedures:

I. REVIEW PROCEDURE

All the papers (in PDF format) are sent to Reviewers. The Journal Reviewers are specialists in composite materials, materials engineering and related sciences (Reviewers are always selected from other institutions than the Authors of the paper).The decision to appoint a reviewer belongs only to the Editor.

The reviewers for particular papers are appointed by the Editor-in-Chief (himself or having sought the opinion of the Section Editors) depending on the detailed topic of the submitted paper. Each Reviewer is asked to prepare an opinion on the paper on the standard Review form (available for Reviewers online in electronic format).

Reviewer before commencing work should become familiar with and act in accordance with the principles of ethics for the Journal. The Reviewer must guarantee:

an objective opinion
no conflict of interests (no personal or professional relationships with the paper Authors)
confidentiality.

The Reviewer can present his / her comments in a descriptive form and classifies the paper as: accepted in the present form, in need of minor revision, in need of major revision or rejected. The Reviewer also has the right to request the paper to be submitted to him / her again after revisions for repeated review and acceptance.

The Author (or Co-author – named as the contact person to receive correspondence) receives reviews (without the Reviewers’ names) in PDF format.

Where a revision is required, the authors are required to respond in detail to the Editor's, Editorial Office's and Reviewer's comments (by sending to the Editor) and to make corrections to the manuscript. In cases of dispute (including possible rejection of the manuscript) or at the author's request, the decision is taken by the Editors (with the final decision belonging to the Editor-in-Chief), who can appoint further reviewers if necessary.

If the review is positive or the paper is submitted after corrections according to the Reviewers’ and Editor's remarks, the paper is referred to a further editorial procedure.

Special rights of the Editorial Office regarding reviews:

In exceptional cases, when the Editor-in-Chief considers the review to be unreliable or violating the adopted ethical principles, the Editorial Office reserves the right not to use such a review and not to send it to the Authors of the reviewed manuscript.

If the review includes requirements to cite specific publications authored/co-authored by the person preparing the review, the Editorial Office may decide to modify the version of the review sent to the Authors of the reviewed manuscript, by blackening the bibliographic descriptions of the publications.

II. EDITORIAL PROCEDURE

Each paper is proofread by a specialist native speaker of English. After proofreading the Author receives the corrected paper for acceptance of the corrections, remarks and suggestions of the proofreader.

After the language proofreading and acceptance thereof by the Author, technical proofreading is done by the technical proofreader, then the text is typeset and formatted and all the papers submitted to the particular issue are subject to final technical proofreading.

(In case of any doubt arising during technical proofreading or typesetting and formatting of a particular paper, the Coordinating Editor contacts the Author again).

Finally the whole issue goes to press and after its publication the particular papers are made available online (in PDF format) on the Journal website.

The order in which the papers are printed in the particular issue / publishing year depends both on the date of submission to the Editors and on how fast the paper undergoes the whole procedure as described above.

Submitting an article to the Journal is tantamount to expressing consent to publication in both paper and electronic form. The corresponding Author of the article receives (free of charge) the printed version of the Journal Issue, in which the article appeared. The electronic version is available without restrictions (free of charge to all readers).

By submitting the manuscript, the Authors automatically agree to the processing of the personal data provided by the Editors and Publishing House.

No honorarium will be paid. The journal does not have article submission charges.

The ethics rules

The ethics rules for the Composites Theory and Practice journal are based on the Best Practice Guidelines for Journal Editors issued by the Committee for Publishing Ethics (COPE).

Editors

An editor of a reviewed journal is responsible for making decisions which articles should be published, and in addition be responsible for all publications in the journal. By making these decisions, an editor may be guided by the editorial policy of the journal, as well as the legal requirements for libel, copyright infringement and plagiarism. An editor may communicate with other editors or reviewers when making a decision about publication.
An editor should evaluate manuscripts for intellectual content and follow the COPE guidelines for withdrawing articles. The editor shall not disclose any information about the manuscript he considers to anyone except the authors, reviewers and potential reviewers, and in some cases - members of the editorial board, as deemed appropriate.
Unpublished materials contained in the submitted manuscript cannot be used in the editor's own research. Valuable information or ideas obtained as a result of evaluation of the work must be confidential and cannot be used for personal gain.
The editor undertakes to ensure that advertising, reprinting or other commercial revenues do not affect editorial decisions. The editor should strive to ensure a fair and proper review process. The editor should require all colleagues to disclose relevant conflicting interests.

Reviewers

Reviewing helps the editor in making editorial decisions, and through editorial communication with the author, can also help the author improve the manuscript.
Any invited reviewer who does not feel competent to review the research reported in the article or knows that its timely execution will be impossible, should immediately notify the editor so that alternative reviewers can be contacted.
All manuscripts received for review must be treated as confidential documents. They must not be shown or discussed with other people unless permitted by the editor.
Reviews should be processed objectively. Personal criticism of the author is unacceptable. Reviewers should clearly express their views using appropriate supporting arguments.
The reviewer should also draw the Editor's attention to any significant similarities or overlaps between the manuscripts under consideration and any other published data about which he has personal knowledge.

Privileged information or ideas obtained as a result of the assessment must be confidential and cannot be used for personal gain. Reviewers should not judge manuscripts in the event of a conflict of interest, including those resulting from competitive cooperation or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, a company or institution related to the manuscript.

It is considered unethical to include in a review a requirement or suggestion that authors cite publications authored/co-authored by the reviewer.

Authors

Authors reporting the results of original research should provide a detailed description of the performed work and an objective discussion about its significance. Fraudulent or knowingly inaccurate statements constitute unethical behavior and are unacceptable.
Authors should ensure that they have written entirely original works and if they have used the work and/or words of other people, that they have been quoted appropriately.
The author should not publish manuscripts describing basically the same research in more than one journal or original publication. Parallel submission of the same manuscript to more than one journal is considered as unethical publication behavior and is unacceptable.
Proper recognition of the work of others must always be granted. The authors should also cite publications that influenced the inspiration and determined the nature of the submitted work.
Authorship should be limited to persons who have made a significant contribution to the concept, design, performance or interpretation of the results of the submitted manuscript. All those who have made a significant contribution should be listed as co-authors. If there are other people who have participated in certain aspects of the research project, they should be listed in the Acknowledgments section.
The author for correspondence should ensure that all the relevant co-authors (as defined above) are listed and no inappropriate co-authors are included in the list of authors of the manuscript. He/she must also ensure that all the co-authors approved the final version of the article and agreed to submit it for publication.
All authors should disclose in their manuscripts all financial or other conflicts of interest that can be interpreted as affecting the results or their interpretation in the manuscript. All sources of financial support for work should be indicated.
When the author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in his own published work, it is the responsibility of the author to immediately notify the editor or publisher of the journal and to cooperate to withdraw the article or to publish an appropriate errata.

Publisher confirmation

In cases of alleged or proven scientific abuse, fraudulent publication or plagiarism, the publisher, in close cooperation with the editors, will take all appropriate measures to clarify the situation and change the article. This includes a quick errata publication or, in the most severe cases, complete withdrawal of the paper.

General information

Scientific Journal of the Polish Society of Composite Materials

ISSN (Print): 2084-6096

ISSN (Electronic): 2299-128X

Published since 2001

(formerly: KOMPOZYTY (COMPOSITES) - to 2011 - ISSN 1641-8611)

The publication is indexed by:

Scopus
Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics)
Chemical Abstracts Service
Library of Congress (USA)
National Library of Poland
BazTech
IndexCopernicus

the Journal is also distributed to libraries and scientific institutions.

Publisher:

Polish Society of Composite Materials

ul. Zygmunta Krasińskiego 8 room 2077

40-019 Katowice, Poland

tel. +48 32 603 42 22

E-mail: ptmk@ptmk.net

Editing team:

Statistical editor: Ewa Majchrzak
Language editor: Christine Frank-Szarecka
Technical corrector: Zdzisława Tasarz
Typesetting and paging: Dorota Boratyńska

Distribution and subscription:

tel. +48 32 603 42 22

E-mail: ptmk@ptmk.net

Printed issue 200 copies

The electronic version is available without restrictions (free of charge to all readers).

(Polish Society of Composite Materials, Poland)

Printed version of the Journal is its original.

Copyright

Authors retain rights to their intellectual properties published in the Journal.
Authors may use images and tables previously published in the Journal in other publications, provided that the source article is properly cited each time.
Journal requires originality of the submitted content. In justified cases (decision of the Editor-in-Chief), previously published content may be considered. The republished fragment must be finalized with proper reference to the source, and the author must have copyrights to publish the content. Reprinting content without the reference will be treated as copyright infringement and the article will be rejected.
Each article (or pre-print) published in the Journal as a whole is available on the Journal's website - indefinitely and without fees or other restrictions. The publisher does not consent to publishing articles in their entirety in other places.
Unexplained legal issues will be considered individually by the Editorial Office, in relation to the legal rules established in Poland.

Recent Articles - open access

2023

Quarterly No. 3, 2023 - show articles

Effect of fiber content on tensile and flexural strength of water lily fiber reinforced polyester resin compositeSolomon Mesfin, Robinson Gnanadurai Rengiah, Melese Shiferaw, Tesfa Guadie
pages 113-117
keywords: water lily, natural fiber reinforced composite, chopped fiber, flexural strength, tensile strength
article version pdf (1.86MB)

Ethiopia has abundant invasive aquatic plants like water hyacinth and water lily. Large masses of these invasive plants have a negative impact on the country’s water bodies, specifically at Lake Tana in Ethiopia, by infesting and deteriorating water quality and reducing the quantity of water. In this research work, an attempt was made to fabricate a natural fiber reinforced composite in which water lily fiber was used as the reinforcing material in a polyester resin matrix. Chopped water lily fiber reinforced polyester resin composites were prepared by varying the fiber content - 20, 40 and 60 wt%. Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength were tested as per ASTM standards to evaluate the influence of the fiber contents. The experimental results show that an increase in the fiber content enhanced the mechanical properties of the water lily fiber reinforced polyester composite. It was found that the composite with 40 wt% fiber exhibited superior strength which could be suitably used for different applications.

AEROSPACE 3D TEXTILE PREFORM ANALYSIS: EXPERIMENTAL AND MESOMODELINGAbbasali Saboktakin, Hossein Safaei
pages 118-122
keywords: textile preforms, mesomodeling, aerospace, composite, characterization
article version pdf (0.56MB)

For the purpose of predicting how textile preforms affect the quality of the composite material and its performance, the stitched textile preform must be characterized. Experimental compaction analysis and finite element analysis of textile preforms are the main subjects of this paper. The formability parameters of a preform can be changed by the stitching process, according to research on the mechanical properties of preforms conducted during compression testing. The load-deformation response, which is depicted in detail, had the greatest influence on preform deformation. Less fiber bundle undulation in the plane direction and more stitching thread undulation in the thickness direction were observed during compression of the stitched preform, whereas the stitching thread improved the resistance of the preform to compression loading.

Study of Mechanical and Morphological properties of CCTO-BT/epoxy compositeSwagatika Mishra, Punyapriya Mishra, Punyatoya Mishra, Deepak Kumar Mohapatra, Dinesh Kumar Mishra, Krushna Prasad Shadangi
pages 123-128
keywords: CRPMC, lead-free ceramic, epoxy, SEM, mechanical properties
article version pdf (0.61MB)

The demand for environment-friendly ceramic reinforced polymer matrix composite (CRPMC) fabrication leads to the development of lead-free CRPMC. Calcium copper titanate (CCTO) and barium titanate (BT) are two of the most widely used lead-free ceramics for embedded capacitor applications. In the present study, the mechanical and morphological properties of both single and hybrid ceramic (CCTO and BT) filled epoxy composites were evaluated and compared with the unfilled pure epoxy resin. Hand lay-up followed by the compression molding technique were used to synthesize the CRPMC samples. Among the single filler CRPMCs, the BT/epoxy composite exhibited better mechanical properties and density values than the CCTO/epoxy composite. The 60:40 ratio hybrid CCTO-BT/epoxy composite possessed the highest mechanical properties and density values in contrast to the other composite specimens. The SEM micrographs of the fractured surfaces of the BT and CCTO CRPMC specimens were found to have a rougher and wavier appearance than the unfilled epoxy.

COMPARISON AND STUDY OF MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF METAKAOLIN REINFORCED GYPSUM COMPOSITEHossein Moradi, Saba Azima, Reza Ebrahimi-Kahrizsangi
pages 129-135
keywords: gypsum composite, metakaolin, mechanical behavior, compressive strength, Young’s modulus
article version pdf (0.74MB)

This study investigated the effect of creating a composite of gypsum with metakaolin as well as the physical and mechanical behavior of the produced composites. For this purpose, gypsum composites were prepared with 2.9, 4.8, 6.5, and 9 wt% metakaolin in 100 g of gypsum and a constant content of water. To determine the mechanical properties of the composites, the compressive strength test was used and the porosity, water absorption percentage, and bulk density of the composites were obtained using the Archimedes method. The results showed that the porosity was reduced by adding up to 7 wt% metakaolin to the gypsum specimens, it increases the compressive strength by 41% and also raises the Young's modulus of gypsum by 121%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was employed for the microstructural evaluations. The EDS-SEM observations showed the presence of Al and Si elements in the fracture zones. The presence of metakaolin elements at one point increases resistance in that area. Metakaolin-reinforced gypsum composites can be used in boards and panels.

ANALYTICAL VERSUS EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF STIR CAST HYBRID ALUMINIUM NANOCOMPOSITEDinesh Kumar, Satnam Singh, Surjit Angra
pages 136-144
keywords: aluminium nanocomposite, density, porosity, microhardness, tensile strength, TEM analysis, SEM analysis, grain size analysis
article version pdf (0.72MB)

Aluminium alloys have good mechanical and physical properties and are lightweight, easy to cast, and simple to machine. Aluminium alloys are widely used in the aviation industry, auto sector, defence sector, and structural industries because of their promising abilities. The fundamental aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical properties and physical characteristics of a stir cast hybrid aluminium nanocomposite reinforced with 1-3 wt.% cerium oxide (CeO2) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Utilizing SEM, microstructural analysis was carried out. The existence of the elements of the reinforcement in the manufactured nanocomposite specimens was verified using EDAX. With an increase in the reinforcement wt.%, improvements in the mechanical and physical properties were seen. In the hybrid nanocomposites reinforced with 3 wt.% GNPs and 3 wt.% CeO2, a low porosity of 1.06% was observed. The best results for tensile strength, yield strength, and microhardness were 398 MPa, 247 MPa, and 119.6 HV, respectively. The SEM micrographs of the studied materials showed that the reinforcement particles were uniformly dispersed and refined into ultrafine grains.

INFLUENCE OF FILLER INTRODUCTION METHOD ON STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF POLYMER COMPOSITES BASED ON POLYURETHANE AND SILVER NANOPARTICLES Eduard A. Lysenkov, Oleksandr V. Striutskyi
pages 145-152
keywords: polymer nanocomposites, silver nanoparticles, polyurethanes, structure, antimicrobial properties, thermophysical properties
article version pdf (0.45MB)

Polymer nanocomposites based on segmented polyurethane and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using different methods of nanoparticle introduction. The dependence of their structure, thermophysical and antimicrobial properties on the method of introducing AgNPs was studied. It was established that the method of introduction affects both the spatial distribution of the filler particles and the final properties of the material. The introduction of AgNPs by the ultrasonic dispersion method leads to inhibition of the growth of the crystalline phase, which is associated with the formation of aggregates from AgNPs of small size, which have a large polymer-filler interaction surface. It is shown that the introducing AgNPs from a colloidal solution leads to an increase in the degree of crystallinity of the polymer matrix, which is a consequence of the nucleation effect of nanosized silver particles on the formation of the crystalline phase. It was established that the method of introducing nanoparticles does not affect their final antimicrobial properties. Owing to their unique characteristics, synthesized nanocomposite films can be promising for use as antimicrobial coatings.

EFFECT OF PREPARATION METHOD AND POLYMER IMPREGNATION ON FORM STABILITY OF EXPANDED PERLITE/PARAFFIN COMPOSITEIzabela Marchewka, Ewa Downar-Zapolska, Waldemar Pichór
pages 153-157
keywords: phase change materials, expanded perlite, perlite/paraffin composite, leakage prevention, polymer resin impregnation
article version pdf (0.41MB)

Interest in the use of phase change materials in construction materials is constantly increasing. However, the problem is to develop an effective method to introduce them. The challenge is to obtain shape-stabilized composites with a high heat storage capacity. In this paper, expanded perlite was proposed as a potential carrier of phase change material (paraffin). The effectiveness of two impregnation techniques, vacuum and immersion - was compared. Composites with various amounts of paraffin were prepared, and then their properties were characterized. It has been shown that the vacuum impregnation method can be used to obtain composites with better shape stability. Despite this, leakage was observed in the materials with high proportions of paraffin. It was been proven that, regardless of the impregnation method, the application of a thin polymer dispersion coating can effectively protect the composite against leakage of the phase change material. Thanks to the use of epoxy resin, a stable composite was obtained with a paraffin content of over 80% by weight. The high PCM content and no leakage effect during the phase transition make the presented composite show great potential for many different applications.

Mechanical properties of rotomolded parts with abaca fiber: effect of manufacturing with 1, 2 or 3 layersZaida Ortega, Luis Suarez, Jake Kelly-Walley, Mark McCourt
pages 158-166
keywords: rotomolding, abaca, cycle time, mechanical properties, DMA, composit
article version pdf (1.16MB)

The range of materials suitable for rotational molding is not as wide as for other polymer processing technologies. An option to reduce the carbon footprint of such materials is to introduce natural fibers, such as abaca. In this work, different loadings of abaca fibers (5 to 20 % by weight) were molded using one, two and three-layer constructions. A comparison of the mechanical behavior (tensile, flexural, and impact properties) with the fiber content, considering the method of obtaining the composite (1, 2 or 3 layers) was performed. The thermomechanical behavior of the matrix was not affected due to the introduction of the fibers; apart from a reduction in the storage modulus, especially at low temperature, the curves have a similar profile. In general terms, the tensile and flexural strength were not affected by the incorporation of the fibers, that is, the composites exhibit similar behavior to neat polyethylene. Significant improvements in the tensile modulus were obtained for the parts manufactured with 2 layers, with 10 wt% fiber in the internal one. As expected, the impact strength was reduced for all the composites, although the layer of PE on the inner side that coats the fibers counteracts this reduction to a certain extent. An increase in the heating time was observed for all the composites made in different layers; although the incorporation of fibers slightly modifies the course of the curve, the heating time is only significantly increased for loadings over 10 %. The higher energy consumption needed to obtain the part in the different layers would only then be justified by an increase in the composite properties, which is not the case of the parts obtained in this work.

The use of recycled carbon fibers (rCF) in production of polymer concrete to improve mechanical properties Jakub Smoleń
pages 167-172
keywords: carbon fibers, recycling, pyrolysis, polymer concretes, composites
article version pdf (1.63MB)

The recycling processes for CFRP waste are difficult due to their complex, and multi-material composition. Consequently, there is a need for new solutions to address this issue. The focus of CFRP composite recycling processes is primarily on recovering costly carbon fibers, which are characterized by exceptional mechanical properties. Pyrolysis has been identified as an effective method for the recovery of carbon fibers without significant damage. In this study, recovered carbon fibers (rCF) were used to produce polymer concrete. The fabricated polymer concretes contained carbon fibers of varying lengths (10, 20, and 30 mm) and volume fractions of 1% and 3%. The results showed that the addition of 3% post-pyrolytic carbon fibers resulted in significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the polymer concrete. Specifically, the flexural strength increased by more than 100% compared to the polymer concrete without carbon fibers, while the compressive strength improved by more than 60%. Overall, the study demonstrates that incorporating post-pyrolytic carbon fibers in the production of polymer concretes offers a promising solution to the challenge of CFRP waste. The use of these fibers not only helps in the recovery of valuable resources but also results in significant improvement in the mechanical strength of the final product.

Effect of Production Process Parameters on Densification, Microstructure and Selected Properties of Spark Plasma Sintered Al4Cu-xSiC CompositesMarcin Madej, Beata Leszczyńska-Madej, Anna Wąsik, Anna Kopeć-Surzyn, Patryk Korban, Dariusz Garbiec
pages 173-180
keywords: AlCu-SiC composites, SPS, silicon carbide, microstructure
article version pdf (0.98MB)

The paper presents the results of a study of microstructure and hardness measurements of Al4Cu-xSiC (x=5, 10, 20 and 30wt%) composites produced by SPS spark-plasma sintering. The sintering process was carried out in an HP D 25/3 plasma sintering furnace in a vacuum atmosphere, with a sintering temperature of 580 and 600 °C and a densification pressure of 50 MPa. The heating rate was 100 °C/min and the isothermal holding time at the sintering temperature was 2.5 min. As a reference material, AlCu matrix was sintered under the same conditions. As a result, composites were obtained with a near-full density of 96.5-99.5% were obtained. Microstructure studies were performed employing the techniques of light microscopy, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy, along with analysis of the chemical composition in microareas. The test results did not show remarkable differences in the microstructure of the tested composites sintered at 580 and 600C. The sinters have a fine-grained microstructure with a strengthening phase located at the grain boundaries; locally, pores are visible. Increasing the SiC content in the composites promotes the formation of agglomerates of these particles. It was proven that a higher sintering temperature has a positive effect on the hardness of the composites tested.

Quarterly No. 2, 2023 - show articles

Effect of sintering temperature and isostatic pressure on selected properties of selected electrical contact materials manufactured by hot isostatic pressingDariusz Kołacz, Joanna Kulasa, Karol Krukowski, Anna Hury, Grzegorz Muzia, Małgorzata Osadnik, Jarosław Kalabis
pages 67-75
keywords: hot isostatic pressing, sintering, metallic powder, composite, sinter, contact material, hardness, density
article version pdf (2.44MB)

This paper presents the results of studies on the consolidation of metallic and composite powders by the hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process intended for electrical contact materials. Ag, Cu metallic powders, as well as AgW48Re2, AgRe1 and CuW47Re3 composite powders were used in the investigations. Green compacts for consolidation and hot sintering under pressure were prepared by double-sided axial pressing in steel dies. The density, electrical conductivity, and hardness were measured on the obtained sinters after the HIP process, and the microstructure was examined on selected ones. The research indicates that applying this technology allows good quality electrical material to be obtained, intended for electrical contact material.

The impact of filler thermomechanical modifications on static and dynamic mechanical performance of flexible foamed polyurethane/ground tire rubber/zinc borate compositesAleksander Hejna, Paulina Kosmela, Adam Olszewski, Krzysztof Formela, Łukasz Zedler, Adam Piasecki, Katarzyna Skórczewska
pages 76-83
keywords: ground tire rubber, polyurethane foams, filler modification, zinc borate, composites, recycling
article version pdf (0.90MB)

The rapid development of the automotive industry is very beneficial to many aspects of human life, but it is also a very significant environmental burden. The most straightforward impact is related to the generation of exhaust, but the management of post-consumer car parts is also a major challenge. Among them, waste tires are very burdensome due to their enormous numbers. Therefore, it is essential to develop novel, environmentally friendly methods for their disposal, which would reduce their environmental impacts. One of the most promising approaches is shredding, resulting in the generation of ground tire rubber (GTR), which can be introduced into polymeric materials as a filler. The presented work is related to the thermomechanical treatment of GTR in a twin-screw extruder assisted by zinc borate (ZB), whose incorporation is aimed to increase interparticle friction within the extruder barrel. The impact of the treatment conditions on the particle size and surface development of the GTR/ZB compositions was evaluated. Modified GTR was introduced into flexible polyurethane (PU) foams, and the impact on the static and dynamic mechanical performance of the resulting composites was investigated. Increasing the treatment temperature occurred to have an adverse effect on the tensile performance of the composites due to the agglomeration of GTR particles limiting the efficiency of stress transfer, which was also confirmed by dynamic mechanical analysis. On the other hand, increasing the ZB share in the GTR/ZB compositions limited PU disruptions related to the reactivity of the GTR functional groups with isocyanates, which enhanced the mechanical performance of the composites. It was proven that the proposed method of GTR thermomechanical treatment assisted by ZB might benefit the performance of flexible PU foamed composites, which could broaden the application range of GTR and provide novel ways for its efficient utilization.

Polymer concrete filled with milled car windshield and GFRP wasteJakub Smoleń, Kaja Orzechowska, Klaudia Tomaszewska, Krzysztof Stępień, Aleksander Peryt, Tomasz Pawlik
pages 84-88
keywords: polymer concrete, mechanical recycling, windshield glass with PVB, GFRP waste
article version pdf (1.39MB)

The paper describes the process of preparing polymer concrete consisting of waste materials. The matrix was a polyester terephthalic resin produced from PET bottles, while the fillers were laminated car glass with PVB foil, as well as GFRP waste. The preparation of the fillers consisted in producing appropriate fraction sizes. Using a cross-beater mill, a fine fraction with an average size of 2 mm was obtained. The coarse fraction was achieved after the initial grinding process with a size greater than 2 mm. Two series of samples were created from the prepared materials, with different contents of resin, car glass and GFRP. The compression test and the three-point bending test showed that the obtained polymer concrete containing 1 vol.% GFRP has an average compressive strength of 51.75 MPa and an average flexural strength of 20.49 MPa. The polymer concrete with 2 vol.% GFRP showed an average compressive strength of 75.63 MPa and an average flexural strength of 17.89 MPa. The Archimedes method results showed that the samples with the amount of 1 vol.% GFRP reached 1.11% open porosity and the samples with 2 vol.% GFRP achieved 1.23%. The use of waste materials such as windshields with PVB foil and GFRP composites can be used as fillers in polymer concrete technology.

WEDM PARAMETRIC STUDY OF AA7075/6 wt.% Ni-COATED Al2O3(P) COMPOSITE MINIATURE GEARSD. V. Praveen, M. V. J. Raju, D. R. Raju
pages 89-96
keywords: wire-EDM, non-conventional machining, MRR, Ra, GRA-PCA
article version pdf (1.28MB)

Nowadays, gears are essential components in various electro-mechanical devices. Nevertheless, the fabrication of miniature-sized gears is very complicated. The present paper is focused on assessing the influence of the WEDM parameters on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) of AA7075/6 wt.% nickel-coated Al2O3 composite miniature gears. Initially, the theoretical design calculations were performed, and consequently the results were validated using ANSYS 19.0 software. Furthermore, experiments were modelled in accordance with Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array. Optimal combinations of pulse on time, pulse off time and peak current were assessed using grey relational analysis (GRA) coupled with principal component analysis (PCA). The significance of the parametric influence on the machining responses was also evaluated using the ANOVA technique. Consequently, confirmation tests were conducted to verify the optimal parameters and the predicted results are in good agreement with the experimental findings.

Effect of boundary conditions and metal alloy layer on natural frequencies of fibre metal laminatesNandure Narayan Rao, Sirapu Sirisha, Pavuluri M. V. Rao, Sujith Bobba
pages 97-103
keywords: edge conditions, FEM, fibre metal laminate, natural frequencies, numerical method
article version pdf (1.59MB)

The natural frequencies and mode shapes of fibre metal laminates (FMLs) were numerically investigated and validated using commercially available finite element analysis software (ANSYS). Various grades of GLARE and FML were considered for free vibration analysis, and the effect of the central metal layer and aspect ratios on the frequencies were analysed for simply supported, clamped edge conditions. The obtained fundamental frequencies, natural frequencies and mode shapes comply with the available literature. The effect of the outermost metal layer on the natural frequencies was also investigated for various combinations of edge conditions. The obtained results indicate that there is a significant effect of the central and outermost metal layer on the natural frequencies, irrespective of the edge conditions and aspect (width/length) ratios.

Enhancing mechanical properties of composite polymer concrete with lanthanum oxide additive for potential use in anti-radiation applicationsJakub Jała, Bartłomiej Nowacki
pages 104-109
keywords: polymer concrete, composite, lanthanides, anti-radiation, mechanical properties
article version pdf (1.13MB)

Polymer concretes constitute a commonly used group of materials with known and well-studied properties for construction applications. The following research is a preliminary investigation into the basic mechanical properties and structure of a proposed novel polymer concrete with a lanthanum oxide nanopowder additive. The composite material is made from epoxy resin binder with milled expanded clay filler and La2O3 nanopowder. The research samples were made by simple and scalable casting methods. The conducted mechanical testing included compression and flexural examinations typical for this group of materials, as well as Brinell hardness measurements. The microstructure of the manufactured samples was examined utilizing scanning electron microscopy supported by EDS analysis. The obtained results reveal acceptable mechanical properties for the investigated materials, with slight increases in the measured property values for increasing amounts of the nanoparticle addition. The SEM and EDS investigations show the dispersion of filler and nanopowder additive throughout the samples, which is advantageous for the macroscopic properties of the material. The slight agglomeration of the lanthanum oxide powder could be further decreased with the inclusion of another processing step, for example, resin mixture sonication. The mechanical properties of the investigated materials are adequate and further research is suggested to test the possibilities of developing the examined polymer concrete for anti-radiation and radiation shielding applications.

Quarterly No. 1, 2023 - show articles

NOVEL RHEOLOGICAL MODELLING OF THERMOSETS AND UNIDIRECTIONAL MONOTROPIC FIBRE-REINFORCED THERMOSET MATRIX COMPOSITESMarian Klasztorny, Daniel B. Nycz
pages 3-21
keywords: Thermoset, Monotropic fibre-reinforced thermoset matrix composite, Elasticity, Rheology, Homogenization, Fractional exponential generic function, Material modelling, Identification, Simulation, Validation
article version pdf (0.81MB)

A refined, fully analytical rheological modelling of thermosetting polymers and unidirectional monotropic fibrereinforced thermoset matrix (UFRT) composites is presented. New polymers and composites under normal conditions, fully relaxed from curing and post-curing stresses, are modelled. The theory includes quasi-static short-term/medium-term/longterm reversible rheological processes. Thermosets are isotropic materials exhibiting linearly viscoelastic shear strains and linearly elastic bulk strains. Fibres are monotropic (transversely isotropic) and linearly elastic materials. A generic function well reproducing the viscoelastic characteristics of thermosets and UFRT composites is a Mittag-Leffler fractional exponential function in an integral form. Coupled/uncoupled standard/inverse constitutive equations of linear rheology are formulated for thermosets and UFRT composites. The equations are mutually analytically transformable. New rheological models (coded H-R/H) for thermosets and UFRT composites are described by the smallest possible number of material constants. The thermoset is described by two independent elastic constants and three independent viscoelastic constants. The homogenized UFRT composite is described by five independent elastic constants and four independent viscoelastic constants, whereby two viscoelastic constants are common to the matrix and the composite. An improved homogenization theory of UFRT composites, based on analytical solutions of the selected tasks of the theory of linear elasticity, is formulated for monotropic fibres and positively validated experimentally. The viscoelastic constants of the thermoset are calculated analytically in an iterative loop using a long-term unidirectional tension creep experimental test. The viscoelastic constants of the UFRT composite are calculated analytically employing H-R/H shear/quasi-shear storage compliances and VECP (the viscoelastic-elastic correspondence principle) shear/quasi-shear storage compliances. The H-R/H rheological model was validated numerically for selected UFRT composites. The validation tests were performed on the enhanced reliability UFRT composites reported by Soden, Hinton, and Kaddour (Composites Science and Technology, 1998, 2002).

EFFECT OF STRAIN RATE ON STATIC ELASTIC RESPONSE OF GLASS-POLYESTER COMPOSITE. PART 1: DESCRIPTION OF TEST METHODMateusz Kozioł
pages 22-29
keywords: glass-polyester laminate, static bending, strain rate, normal stress, elastic modulus in bending, energy dissipation
article version pdf (0.99MB)

This paper is the first of two parts of a pioneering study to evaluate the effect of the strain rate of a GFRP laminate on the stress response. The assessment concerns the elastic range of deformation only. The publication contains the assumptions and methodological description of the conducted experiments. The non-destructive bending tests and the methodology for determining the modulus of elasticity and the energy of the load-unload cycle are presented in detail. The full set of test results is presented in the appendix. The results and conclusions are discussed in the second part of the study, which is a separate publication.

THE ROLE OF THE MATRIX IN SiC REINFORCED COMPOSITESMarcin Madej, Beata Leszczyńska-Madej, Anna Wąsik, Anna Kopeć-Surzyn
pages 30-36
keywords: aluminum matrix, SiC particles, powder metallurgy, properties, microstructure
article version pdf (0.99MB)

This article presents a comparison of the properties of composites based on aluminum or aluminum alloy (Al4Cu) reinforced with silicon carbide SiCp. The main objective was to analyze the possibility of producing an Al + Cu alloy matrix by basic powder metallurgy methods and its influence on the final properties of the composite. The composites were produced by pressing and sintering, basic powder metallurgy techniques, in order to reduce the manufacturing costs. Sintering was carried out in nitrogen due to the favorable effect of this atmosphere on the sintering of aluminum-based materials. Silicon carbide SiC was used as the reinforcing phase. The study clearly showed that the use of a matrix made of a mixture of Al and Cu powders results in an almost twofold increase in hardness (from 32 to about 60 HB) and a more than twofold increase in flexural strength (from about 200 to more than 450 MPa). Observations of the microstructure confirmed the diffusion of copper into the aluminum and the facets of the Al2Cu phase.

EFFECT OF MHA ON TRIBO-BEHAVIOUR OF Al-MHA-Si3N4 HYBRID COMPOSITESMohammad Faris, Mohd Suhaib, Mumtaz Ahmed and Sultana
pages 37-43
keywords: powder metallurgy, metal matrix hybrid composites, SEM, XRD, wear
article version pdf (3.68MB)

In the contemporary research community, hybrid composites with improved performance are merging as a trend, overcoming the drawbacks of conventional composites and satisfying needs in tribological applications. In this work, Al-MHA-Si3N4 hybrid composites reinforced with various weight percentages of mustard husk ash (MHA), 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5% and 10%, produced by powder metallurgy techniques at 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 MPa compaction pressure were analysed. The microstructural characterization of the metal matrix hybrid composites, followed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) investigations show the homogeneous distribution of the reinforcement in the metal matrix. A sliding wear study without lubrication was performed on a pin-on-disc wear testing machine under the following sliding conditions: sliding velocity (SV) of 1.5 m/s, sliding distance (SD) of 300 m and applied loads of 25 N and 35 N. The deformation of the worn surfaces was also investigated. It was found that the tribological characteristics of the composites were enhanced by increasing the weight percentage of MHA and the compaction pressure.

EFFECT OF STRAIN RATE ON STATIC ELASTIC RESPONSE OF GLASS-POLYESTER COMPOSITE. PART 2: ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL RESULTSMateusz Kozioł, Szymon Latusek
pages 44-49
keywords: glass-polyester laminate, static bending, strain rate, normal stress, elastic modulus in bending, energy dissipation
article version pdf (0.73MB)

This paper is the second part of the study aimed at evaluating the influence of the strain rate of the plain weave reinforced GFRP laminate, in the non-destructive static three-point bending test, on the material’s stress response. It was found that the stress level during the entire course of the deflection increases with the increase of the strain rate. The relative change in the stress level is comparable for the 0/90 and 45/45 fiber orientations. As the loading speed increases, the elastic modulus of the material also increases. For an increase in the strain rate from 1.11∙10-3 to 5.57∙10-1 1/s, the increase is 10% for the 0/90 fiber arrangement and 17.7% for the 45/45 fiber arrangement. The dependence of the modulus on the strain rate is logarithmic. Based on the theoretical analysis, the cause of the observed effects of the strain rate on the material response was attributed to the viscoelastic behavior of the matrix (cured polymer resin) and the viscoelastic behavior of the fibers system at the level of the laminate mesostructure.

INVESTIGATION OF STRUCTURAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Al-Al2O3-SiC-WS2 HYBRID COMPOSITES FABRICATED BY POWDER METALLURGYSweta Rani Biswal, Seshadev Sahoo
pages 50-55
keywords: hybrid metal matrix composites (AMCs), ceramic reinforcements, hardness, solid lubricant, tungsten disulphide
article version pdf (0.52MB)

The present study focuses on the fabrication and characterization of novel hybrid Al matrix composites with a combination of two ceramic reinforcements, i.e. Al2O3, SiC and one solid lubricant, i.e. WS2. This hybrid composite was fabricated by means of the powder metallurgy process. The impact of the hybrid combination of reinforcements in different wt.% on the properties of the hybrid composites was studied. The density of the composites increases from 2.689 to 2.796 g/cm3 with an increase in wt.% of WS2. Uniform distribution of the reinforcing particles in the matrix phase was determined by SEM. The results of, for instance, density measurements and microstructural analysis indicate significant improvement in the physical and mechanical properties with the increase in the wt.% of WS2. The microhardness of the as-fabricated composites rises from 98 HV to 119.7 HV with the increase in the wt.% of WS2 from 0 to 6 wt.%. The novel combination of Al with SiC, Al2O3 and WS2 can be used to create a suitable and sustainable hybrid metal matrix composite for the automotive industry as a replacement for single ceramic and single solid lubricant composites.

EVALUATION OF PROPERTIES OF POLYMER-CERAMIC FILAMENTS MODIFIED WITH ALUMINOSILICATES FOR USE IN 3D PRINTINGRafał Twaróg, Michał Sendor, Alicja Rapacz-Kmita, Marcin Gajek, Jakub Marchewka, Ewa Stodolak-Zych
pages 56-63
keywords: nanoclays, fused deposition modeling, 3D printing, additive manufacturing
article version pdf (0.76MB)

A study was conducted on selected nanoclay fillers, i.e. montmorillonite (MMT) or halloysite (HNT) in polylactic acid (PLA) pellets for the manufacture of filaments for 3D printing. A 1-3 weight fraction of the filler was used. In order to compatibilize the nanofiller with the PLA, two methods were employed to facilitate dispersion of the nanoclay particles: using prewetting of the nanoclay in dichloromethane (DCM) and introducing a short-chain plasticizer (polyethylene glycol, PEG200) during the homogenization process. The effectiveness of filler dispersion was verified by performing thermal analysis, i.e. thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DG/DSC), as well as by microscopic observations. The processability of the obtained nanocomposite filament was verified for the finished products manufactured from both of the materials by FDM printing. Mechanical strength and impact tests were conducted on the printed samples. The results showed that the prints made from the nanocomposite filaments have better tensile strength (by 25 and 10% for PLA/HNT and PLA/MMT, respectively) compared to prints made from the pure polymer filament.