| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Natural Fibers and Biocomposites: A Sustainable Solution
|
| Presentation Title |
Additive Manufacturing of Hair-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites |
| Author(s) |
George Youssef, Henry Alonso Colorado Lopera |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
George Youssef |
| Abstract Scope |
Human hairs are the definitive epitomization of natural nanocomposite fibers and density-graded structures with exceptional mechanical properties, surpassing the strength and stiffness of some engineering materials. These superior properties motivate their integration in photocurable resin, which is conducive to additive manufacturing via vat photopolymerization. While the multiscale properties of human hairs have been mildly investigated, integration into printable composites has yet to be studied or reported. Hence, this research aims to synthesize hair/photocurable polymer composite with varying reinforcement weight ratios, develop an adaptable 3D printing process to manufacture random and aligned hair composites, and elucidate the multiscale properties of this novel natural fiber composite materials. The characterization regiment comprises mechanical testing at various strain rates, thermomechanical testing, and nano-indentations. The novel hair-reinforced photocurable polymer composite transcends the performance of emerging natural fiber composites while offering long-term stability and remakable sustainability. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Composites, Additive Manufacturing, Characterization |