Abstract Using the combination of Flory–Huggins theory of isotropic mixing and Landau theory, we discuss the crystal–rotator-I–rotator-II phase transitions in the binary mixture of alkanes. The influence of concentration on the order parameters and the transition temperatures is discussed. Theoretical results show the first order character of both the rotator-I to crystal and rotator-II to rotator-I phase transitions in the mixture of alkanes. A good agreement between theoretical and experimental results are presented in this paper.

Abstract

This work investigates epoxy composites reinforced by randomly oriented, short glass fibres and silica microparticles. A full-factorial experiment evaluates the effects of glass fibre mass fraction (15 wt% and 20 wt%) and length (5 mm and 10 mm), and the mass fraction of silica microparticles (5 wt% and 10 wt%) on the apparent density and porosity, as well as the compressive and tensile strength and modulus of the hybrid composites. Hybrid epoxy composites present significantly higher tensile strength (9%) and modulus (57%), as well as compressive strength (up to 15%) relative to pure epoxy.