C20 and C21 tricyclic terpanes were investigated in crude oils from Niger Delta, Nigeria. From comparison of the mass chromatograms (m/z 191) of two crude oil samples (CEN-21 and WST-69) with related literatures on tricyclic terpanes which eluted from the gas chromatography (GC) within certain retention time, 12 peaks were selected. Peaks 1 - 5 were selected as C20 tricyclic terpane isomers (TR20a-e) and peaks 6 - 12 selected as C21 tricyclic terpanes (TR21a-g). This distribution is usually as crude oils show a single peak each and indicate the distribution of C20 and C21 tricyclic terpanes in the Niger Delta crude oils is uncommon. Total abundances showed the C20 and the C21 tricyclic terpanes were more in CEN-21 than WST-69 with ratios of 3.07 and 1.84, respectively, with TR20a, TR20b, TR20d and TR21d being the most abundant isomers in both oil samples. These abundances indicate CEN-21 was thermally more mature than WST-69 and that the C20 tricyclic terpanes were generated more than the C21 tricyclic terpanes with increasing thermal maturity of the crude oils. Significant similarities observed in the normalized composition profiles and 66 derived ratios suggest the Niger Delta crude oil samples were genetically related and were predominantly derived from terrigenous Tertiary deltaic petroleum systems. Some differences observed in the composition profile and derived ratios indicate minor input from a different source, depositional environment and/or maturity level and are suggestive as indicators for evaluation, correlation and/or discrimination of the Niger Delta crude oils.

A practically important parameters of strength and chemical resistance of polyepoxide based on resin-analogue ED-20 with PEPA hardener, filled with microdispersed powders of Si, Zr, Cr, Nb, Ti, Mo carbides, have been experimentally studied in this article. The microstructure of the composites is characterized by a relatively uniform dense distribution of filler agglomerates, which can be seen in the example of compositions with 50 wt% TiC and ZrC. The absence of a significant effect of carbides on the temperature ranges of oxidative degradation of composites was established. Swelling method established that filling can radically increase the resistance of composites to acetone organic solvents. At the same time, resistance in an acidic environment is noticeably reduced (for example, nitric acid). It was found that the introduction of 50 wt% carbide fillers gives a significant increase in the strength and modulus of elasticity during compression of the composites. There is also a decrease in shrinkage and an increase in adhesion to steel (with normal tearing).

The current work focuses on the hand lay-up method for creating epoxy composites reinforced with S-glass fiber (Sf), carbon fiber (Cf), and E-glass fiber (Ef). The mechanical, physical, and morphological characteristics of the produced composites in various combinations were studied and compared. Mechanical tests revealed that the placing of the S-glass fiber in a specific combination in the hybrid system of the material improves tensile (206 - 227 MPa), flexural strength (289 - 364 MPa), Izod impact strength (423.36 - 466.19 J/m), Charpy impact strength (49.77 - 61.76 KJ/m2), Shore D Hardness (74 – 91) and density (1.23 –1.47 g/cm3). The trends for mechanical characteristics were validated by examining at the fiber-matrix interface, fiber pull-out, matrix fractures, and fiber deboning in the microstructure and fractured surface morphology of the created hybrid materials. Overall, it can be inferred from the findings analysis that by reinforcing S-glass fiber in epoxy matrix with in various fiber orientations significantly enhanced the properties of the generated hybrid composite materials. Thus, S-glass fiber with excellent strength properties, like other synthetic fibers, might be considered a good reinforcing material. The hybrid system and may be used for diverse applications in the area of automobile parts manufacturing that requires high mechanical resistance.