Weichen Wang¹, Shaofeng Wang¹, Wenjing Liu^1,*, Luncai Zhou², Erqing Zhang¹, Ting Gao³, Grigory Petrishin⁴

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.20, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.071278 - 08 January 2026

Abstract In dry-coupled ultrasonic thickness measurement, thick rubber layers introduce high-amplitude parasitic echoes that obscure defect signals and degrade thickness accuracy. Existing methods struggle to resolve overlap-ping echoes under variable coupling conditions and non-stationary noise. This study proposes a novel dual-criterion framework integrating energy contribution and statistical impulsivity metrics to isolate specimen re-flections from coupling-layer interference. By decomposing A-scan signals into Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs), the framework employs energy contribution thresholds (>85%) and kurtosis indices (>3) to autonomously select IMFs containing valid specimen echoes. Hybrid time-frequency thresholding further suppresses interference through amplitude filtering and spectral focusing. More >

Cristian Martínez-Fuentes¹, Pedro Pesante^2,*, Karin Saavedra³, Paul Oumaziz⁴

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.85, No.1, pp. 581-595, 2025, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2025.065746 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Rubberized concrete is one of the most studied applications of discarded tires and offers a promising approach to developing materials with enhanced properties. The rubberized concrete mixture results in a reduced modulus of elasticity and a reduced compressive and tensile strength compared to traditional concrete. This study employs finite element simulations to investigate the elastic properties of rubberized mortar (RuM), considering the influence of inclusion stiffness and interfacial debonding. Different homogenization schemes, including Voigt, Reuss, and mean-field approaches, are implemented using DIGIMAT and ANSYS. Furthermore, the influence of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between mortar… More >

Yanbei Hou^1,2, Xu Chang¹, Shuming Liu¹, Huimin Zhang³, Jianwei Fu³, Jianbin Wu³, Zhiyong Li³, Guoqiang Tang³, Weizhao Hu^1,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 531-548, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.065040 - 14 July 2025

Abstract Silicone rubber (SR) exhibits superior breathability and high-temperature resistance. However, SR is prone to degradation under extreme heat or combustion, limiting its effectiveness in mitigating secondary hazards. In this study, phosphate glass powder was used to calcinate zinc borate, lanthanum oxide, and cerium oxide. Methylphenyl polysiloxane was then grafted onto the surface of the glass powder, resulting in the modified powders designated as Methylphenyl polysiloxane-grafted zinc borate-modified phosphate glass powder (GF-ZnBM), Methylphenyl polysiloxane-grafted lanthanum oxide-modified phosphate glass powder (GF-LaM), and Methylphenyl polysiloxane-grafted cerium oxide-modified phosphate glass powder (GF-CeM). The modified powders were subsequently incorporated into… More > Graphic Abstract

Hanbo Zheng, Yue Peng, Enpeng Qin, Yi Li^*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.2, pp. 549-568, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.064866 - 14 July 2025

Abstract Fluorination is a critical surface modification technique for enhancing the electrical performance of composite insulators. This study employs molecular simulations to examine the microstructure and space charge behavior of fluorinated and non-fluorinated silicone rubber under an electric field, with experimental validation. The results show that fluorinated silicone rubber exhibits lower total energy, higher polarization, and stronger dipole moments compared to its non-fluorinated counterpart, shifting the material from an insulating to a conductive state. Under lower electric field strengths, the carbon-silicon bonds in fluorinated silicone rubber are longer, but it maintains geometric stability under higher fields.… More > Graphic Abstract

Pattaranun Thuadaij, Bualoy Chanpaka^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 753-772, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.057590 - 21 April 2025

Abstract Natural rubber (NR) foams are widely used. However, further studies are required for preparing eco-friendly NR foam and determining the optimum physical properties appropriate for application. This study aims to create an NR foam from rubber reinforced with sugarcane bagasse ash (SCBA) and sodium alginate. The results showed that the SCBA was primarily composed of silica or silicon dioxide (87.52% by weight) and carbon (11.41% by weight). This study investigated the influence of the amount of sodium alginate (0–5 phr) used in the NR foam formation. The addition of SCBA on the NR foam affected More > Graphic Abstract

Pollawat Charoeythornkhajhornchai, Piyamas Saehia, Thidaporn Butchan, Nawapol Lertumpai, Worawut Muangrat^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.4, pp. 817-827, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02024-0017 - 21 April 2025

Abstract Herein, cure characteristics, morphology, and mechanical properties of natural rubber filled with activated carbon-based materials were investigated. Carbon-based materials were prepared from bagasse, coffee grounds and pineapple crowns by the pyrolysis method at temperatures in the range of 300°C. As-synthesized carbon materials were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze size distribution, morphology, and functional groups, respectively. OM and SEM analysis revealed that particles, flakes, and a small quantity of fiber-like carbon were obtained using bagasse and pineapple crown as raw materials, while honeycomb-like carbon materials… More > Graphic Abstract

Baoping Zou^1,2, Jiahao Yin^1,2, Chunhui Cao^1,2,*, Xu Long^3,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 255-275, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.062081 - 27 March 2025

Abstract The ongoing operation of subway systems makes existing tunnels vulnerable to deformations and structural damage caused by adjacent foundation pit construction. Such deformations-manifesting as horizontal displacement, heightened lateral convergence, and internal force redistribution-may significantly compromise subway operational safety. Grouting remediation has become a widely adopted solution for tunnel deformation control and structural reinforcement. Developing optimized grouting materials is crucial for improving remediation effectiveness, ensuring structural integrity, and maintaining uninterrupted subway operations. This investigation explores the substitution of fine mortar aggregates with 0.1 mm discarded rubber particles at varying concentrations (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, and More >

Taoxi Wang¹, Zhuo Liu^1,2, Fu Jian¹, Xing Shen¹, Chen Wang¹, Huwei Bian³, Tao Jiang^3,*, Wei Min Huang⁴

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.1, pp. 81-94, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.061047 - 27 March 2025

Abstract This paper presents the development of a thermoplastic shape memory rubber that can be programmed at human body temperature for comfortable fitting applications. We hybridized commercially available thermoplastic rubber (TPR) used in the footwear industry with un-crosslinked polycaprolactone (PCL) to create two samples, namely TP6040 and TP7030. The shape memory behavior, elasticity, and thermo-mechanical response of these rubbers were systematically investigated. The experimental results demonstrated outstanding shape memory performance, with both samples achieving shape fixity ratios (R_f) and shape recovery ratios (R_r) exceeding 94%. TP6040 exhibited a fitting time of 80 s at body temperature (37°C), More >

Mohamad Firdaus Omar¹, Fathilah Ali^1,*, Mohammed Saedi Jami¹, Azlin Suhaida Azmi¹, Farah Ahmad¹, Mohd Zahid Marzuki², Shantha Kumari Muniyandi³, Zuraidah Zainudin⁴, Minsoo P. Kim⁵

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.3, pp. 497-538, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.057248 - 20 March 2025

Abstract This review provides a comprehensive overview of natural rubber (NR) composites, focusing on their properties, compounding aspects, and renewable practices involving natural fibre reinforcement. The properties of NR are influenced by the compounding process, which incorporates ingredients such as elastomers, vulcanizing agents, accelerators, activators, and fillers like carbon black and silica. While effective in enhancing properties, these fillers lack biodegradability, prompting the exploration of sustainable alternatives. The potential of natural fibres as renewable reinforcements in NR composites is thoroughly covered in this review, highlighting both their advantages, such as improved sustainability, and the challenges they More > Graphic Abstract

Muhd Azimin bin Ab Ghani¹, Zhongwei Guan^2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.011074

Abstract Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) offers a superior impact and perforation resistance. This paper presents a study on manufacturing a range of hybrid laminated structures made of TPU, glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and metal mesh materials, and further on investigating the structural response of the TPU based composite sandwich laminated structures. These laminated structures were tested under quasi-static perforation and low velocity impact loading to determine their structural responses and energy absorption characteristics. It has been shown that three-layer and five-layer laminates with lay-ups of GFRP-TPU-GFRP or TPU-GFRP-TPU and GFRP-TPU-GFRP-TPU-GFRP or TPU-GFRP-TPU-GFRP-TPU subjected… More >