Influence of fibre distribution and grain size on the mechanical behaviour of friction stir processed Mg–C composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mertens, A., E-mail: anne.mertens@ulg.ac.be; Simar, A.; Adrien, J.

Short C fibres–Mg matrix composites have been produced by friction stir processing sandwiches made of a layer of C fabric stacked between two sheets of Mg alloy AZ31B or AZ91D. This novel processing technique can allow the easy production of large-scale metal matrix composites. The paper investigates the microstructure of FSPed C fibre–Mg composites in relation with the fragmentation of the C fibres during FSP and their influence on the tensile properties. 3D X-ray tomography reveals that the fibres orient like onion rings and are more or less fragmented depending on the local shear stress during the process. The fibremore » volume fraction can be increased from 2.3% to 7.1% by reducing the nugget volume, i.e. by using a higher advancing speed in AZ31B alloy or a stronger matrix alloy, like AZ91D alloy. A higher fibre volume fraction leads to a smaller grain size which brings about an increase of the composite yield strength by 15 to 25%. However, a higher fibre volume fraction also leads to a lower fracture strain. Fracture surface observations reveal that damage occurs by fibre/matrix decohesion along fibres oriented perpendicularly to the loading direction. - Graphical abstract: Display Omitted - Highlights: • C–Mg MMCs were produced by FSP sandwiches made of a C fabric between Mg sheets. • Fibre fragmentation and erosion is larger when the temperature reached during FSP is lower. • A lower advancing speed brings a lower fibre volume fraction and a lower grain size. • X-ray tomography reveals that fibres orient along the FSP material flow. • The fibres and grain size reduction increase the yield strength by 15 to 25%.« less

Gyroid Structures at Highly Asymmetric Volume Fractions by Blending of ABC Triblock Terpolymer and AB Diblock Copolymer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahn, Seonghyeon; Kwak, Jongheon; Choi, Chungryong

Here, we investigated, via small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy, the morphologies of binary blend of polyisoprene- b-polystyrene- b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (ISP) triblock terpolymer and polyisoprene-b-polystyrene (IS) diblock copolymer. An asymmetric ISP with volume fractions ( f) of 0.12, 0.75, and 0.13 for PI, PS, and P2VP blocks, respectively, showed a new morphology: Coexistence of spheres and cylinders with tetragonal packing. Asymmetric IS with f I = 0.11 and f S =0.89 showed conventional body-centered cubic spherical microdomains. Very interestingly, a binary blend of ISP and IS with overall volume fractions of f I = 0.12, f S = 0.79,more » and f P = 0.09 exhibited core-shell double gyroid (CSG: Q 230 space group), where PI consists of thin core and PS forms thick shell, while P2VP becomes thin matrix. It is very unusual to form highly asymmetric CSG with the matrix having very small volume fraction (0.09).« less

Gyroid Structures at Highly Asymmetric Volume Fractions by Blending of ABC Triblock Terpolymer and AB Diblock Copolymer

DOE PAGES

Ahn, Seonghyeon; Kwak, Jongheon; Choi, Chungryong; ...

2017-11-08

Here, we investigated, via small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy, the morphologies of binary blend of polyisoprene- b-polystyrene- b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (ISP) triblock terpolymer and polyisoprene-b-polystyrene (IS) diblock copolymer. An asymmetric ISP with volume fractions ( f) of 0.12, 0.75, and 0.13 for PI, PS, and P2VP blocks, respectively, showed a new morphology: Coexistence of spheres and cylinders with tetragonal packing. Asymmetric IS with f I = 0.11 and f S =0.89 showed conventional body-centered cubic spherical microdomains. Very interestingly, a binary blend of ISP and IS with overall volume fractions of f I = 0.12, f S = 0.79,more » and f P = 0.09 exhibited core-shell double gyroid (CSG: Q 230 space group), where PI consists of thin core and PS forms thick shell, while P2VP becomes thin matrix. It is very unusual to form highly asymmetric CSG with the matrix having very small volume fraction (0.09).« less

The effect of powder composition on the morphology of in situ TiC composite coating deposited by Laser-Assisted Powder Deposition (LAPD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emamian, Ali; Corbin, Stephen F.; Khajepour, Amir

2012-11-01

In this paper, the effect of powder composition on in situ TiC formation within an Fe-based matrix coating during laser cladding was studied. Different atomic ratios of C:Ti (45% and 55%) were selected in order to adjust the matrix from an Fesbnd Ti-based composition to an Fesbnd C-based one. Fe percentages of 70, 60, 50 and 10 wt% were explored to increase the volume fraction of TiC in the clad. Results showed that chemical composition affects the TiC morphology as well as the TiC distribution and hardness profile in the clad. By increasing the C:Ti ratio from 45 at% to 55 at%, the volume fraction of the formed TiC increases. A higher volume fraction of TiC in the clad resulted in increases clad hardness. SEM and EDS analyses were used to characterize the phases in the clad, while increasing the C ratio promoted the formation of excess graphite in the Fe matrix.

Effect of maleic anhydride treatment on the mechanical properties of sansevieria fiber/vinyl ester composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradipta, Rangga; Mardiyati, Steven, Purnomo, Ikhsan

2017-03-01

Sanseviera trifasciata commonly called mother-in-law tongue also known as snake plant is native to Indonesia, India and Africa. Sansevieria is a new fiber in composite research and has showed promising properties as reinforcement material in polymer matrix composites. Chemical treatment on reinforcing fiber is crucial to reduce hydrophilic tendency and thus improve compatibility with the matrix. In this study, effect of maleic anhydride as chemical treatment on the mechanical properties of Sansevieria fiber/vinyl ester composite was investigated. Sansevieria fibers were immersed by using NaOH 3% for two hours at 100°C and then treated by using maleic anhydrate for two hours at 120°C. Composites were prepared by solution casting with various volume fractions of fiber; 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%. Actual density, volume fraction of void and mechanical properties of composite were conducted according to ASTM standard testing methods D792, D3171 and D3039. It was found that mechanical properties of composites increased as volume fractions of fiber was increased. The highest tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of composites were 57.45 MPa and 3.47 GPa respectively, obtained from composites with volume fraction of fiber 10%.

A constitutive relation for the viscous flow of an oriented fiber assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pipes, R. B.; Hearle, J. W. S.; Beaussart, A. J.; Sastry, A. M.; Okine, R. K.

1991-01-01

A constitutive relation for an equivalent, homogeneous fluid is developed for the anisotropic viscous flow of an oriented assembly of discontinuous fibers suspended in a viscous fluid. The anisotropic viscous compliance matrix can be expressed in terms of three constants by assuming the equivalent fluid to be incompressible and the microstructure to have axial symmetry (transversely isotropic). By means of a micromechanics analysis, the three terms of the constitutive relation are expressed in terms of the viscosity of the matrix fluid, the fiber aspect ratio, and the fiber volume fraction. A comparison of the viscosity terms reveals that the elongational viscosity in the fiber direction varies as the square of the fiber aspect ratio and a complex function of the fiber volume fraction. Furthermore, the ratio of the axial elongational viscosity to the transverse elongational viscosity and both axial and transverse shear viscosities was shown to be 10 exp 4 - 10 exp 6 for fiber aspect ratio of 100-1000, except at extreme values of the fiber volume fraction.

Impact of friction stir welding on the microstructure of ODS steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dawson, H.; Serrano, M.; Cater, S.; Iqbal, N.; Almásy, L.; Tian, Q.; Jimenez-Melero, E.

2017-04-01

We have assessed the impact of the welding parameters on the nano-sized oxide dispersion and the grain size in the matrix of an ODS steel after friction stir welding. Our results, based on combined small angle neutron scattering and electron microscopy, reveal a decrease in the volume fraction of the particles smaller than 80 nm in the welds, mainly due to particle agglomeration. The increase in tool rotation speed or decrease in transverse speed leads to a higher reduction in nano-sized particle fraction, and additionally to the occurrence of particle melting. The dependence of the average grain size in the matrix on the particle volume fraction follows a Zener pinning-type relationship. This result points to the principal role that the particles have in pinning grain boundary movement, and consequently in controlling the grain size during welding.

Effects of Fiber Content on Mechanical Properties of CVD SiC Fiber-Reinforced Strontium Aluminosilicate Glass-Ceramic Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.

1996-01-01

Unidirectional CVD SiC(f)(SCS-6) fiber-reinforced strontium aluminosilicate (SAS) glass-ceramic matrix composites containing various volume fractions, approximately 16 to 40 volume %, of fibers were fabricated by hot pressing at 1400 C for 2 h under 27.6 MPa. Monoclinic celsian, SrAl2Si2O8, was the only crystalline phase formed, with complete absence of the undesired hexacelsian phase, in the matrix. Room temperature mechanical properties were measured in 3-point flexure. The matrix microcracking stress and the ultimate strength increased with increase in fiber volume fraction, reached maximum values for V(sub f) approximately equal to 0.35, and degraded at higher fiber loadings. This degradation in mechanical properties is related to the change in failure mode, from tensile at lower V(sub f) to interlaminar shear at higher fiber contents. The extent of fiber loading did not have noticeable effect on either fiber-matrix debonding stress, or frictional sliding stress at the interface. The applicability of micromechanical models in predicting the mechanical properties of the composites was also examined. The currently available theoretical models do not appear to be useful in predicting the values of the first matrix cracking stress, and the ultimate strength of the SCS-6/SAS composites.

Shear-induced structural transitions in Newtonian non-Newtonian two-phase flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cristobal, G.; Rouch, J.; Colin, A.; Panizza, P.

2000-09-01

We show the existence under shear flow of steady states in a two-phase region of a brine-surfactant system in which lyotropic dilute lamellar (non-Newtonian) and sponge (Newtonian) phases are coexisting. At high shear rates and low sponge phase-volume fractions, we report on the existence of a dynamic transition corresponding to the formation of a colloidal crystal of multilamellar vesicles (or ``onions'') immersed in the sponge matrix. As the sponge phase-volume fraction increases, this transition exhibits a hysteresis loop leading to a structural bistability of the two-phase flow. Contrary to single phase lamellar systems where it is always 100%, the onion volume fraction can be monitored continuously from 0 to 100 %.

Effective Thermal Conductivity of an Aluminum Foam + Water Two Phase System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moskito, John

1996-01-01

This study examined the effect of volume fraction and pore size on the effective thermal conductivity of an aluminum foam and water system. Nine specimens of aluminum foam representing a matrix of three volume fractions (4-8% by vol.) and three pore sizes (2-4 mm) were tested with water to determine relationships to the effective thermal conductivity. It was determined that increases in volume fraction of the aluminum phase were correlated to increases in the effective thermal conductivity. It was not statistically possible to prove that changes in pore size of the aluminum foam correlated to changes in the effective thermal conductivity. However, interaction effects between the volume fraction and pore size of the foam were statistically significant. Ten theoretical models were selected from the published literature to compare against the experimental data. Models by Asaad, Hadley, and de Vries provided effective thermal conductivity predictions within a 95% confidence interval.

Mechanical behavior of several hybrid ceramic-matrix-composite laminates

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cutler, W.A.; Zok, F.W.; Lange, F.F.

Several different hybrid laminated composites comprised of alternating layers of dense ceramic sheets (either SiC or Si{sub 3}N{sub 4}) and fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix-composite (CMC) layers (Nicalon fibers with either glass or glass-ceramic matrices) have been fabricated and characterized. The effects of the reinforcement architecture (unidirectional vs cross-ply) and the relative volume fractions of the phases on the tensile and flexural properties have been examined. Comparisons have been made with the properties of the constituent layers. Rudimentary models have been developed to describe the onset of cracking and for the minimum volume fraction of CMC required to develop multiple cracks and thusmore » obtain a high failure strain.« less

The Mechanisms of Dispersion Strengthening and Fracture in Al-based XD (TM) Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aiken, R. M., Jr.

1990-01-01

The influence of reinforcement size, volume fraction, and matrix deformation behavior on room and elevated temperature strength, and the fracture toughness of metal matrix composites of both pure aluminum and Al(4 percent)Cu(1.5 percent)Mg with 0 to 15 vol percent TiB2 were examined. Higher TiB2 volume fractions increased the tensile yield strength both at room and elevated temperatures, and reduced the elongation to fracture. Tensile tests also indicate that small particles provided a greater increase in strength for a given volume fraction than larger particles, whereas elongation to fracture appeared to be insensitive to reinforcement size. The fracture toughness of the Al(4 percent)Cu(1.5 percent)Mg alloys decreased rapidly with TiB2 additions of 0 to 5 vol percent and more slowly with TiB2 additions of 5 to 15 vol percent. Fracture toughness appears to be independent of TiB2 particle size. The isothermal-aging response of the precipitation strengthened Al(4 percent)Cu(1.5 percent)Mg alloys was not altered by the presence of TiB2.

Microstructure characteristics and properties of in-situ formed TiC/Ni based alloy composite coating by laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Sen; Liu, Wenjin; Zhong, Minlin

2003-03-01

Different weight ratio of nickel based alloy, titanium and graphite powders were mixed and then laser cladded onto carbon steel substrate to produce a surface metal matrix composite layer. The experimental results showed that the coating was uniform, continuous and free of cracks. An excellent bonding between the coating and the carbon steel substrate was ensured by the strong metallurgical interface. The microstructures of the coating were mainly composed of γ-Ni dendrite, M23C6, a small amount of CrB, and dispersed TiC particles, and the in-situ generated TiCp/matrix interfaces were clean and free from deleterious surface reaction. The morphologies of TiC particles changed from the global, cluster to flower-like shape, the volume fraction of TiCp and the microhardness gradually increased from the bottom to the top of the coating layer, and the maximum microhardness of the coating was about HV0.2850, 3 times larger than that of steel substrate. The volume fraction of TiC particles increased with increasing of volume fraction of Ti and C too.

Effect of filler content on mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of particulate biphasic calcium phosphate--polylactide composites.

PubMed

Bleach, N C; Nazhat, S N; Tanner, K E; Kellomäki, M; Törmälä, P

2002-04-01

A bioabsorbable self-reinforced polylactide/biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) composite is being developed for fracture fixation plates. One manufacturing route is to produce preimpregnated sheets by pulling polylactide (PLA) fibres through a suspension of BCP filler in a PLA solution and compression moulding the prepreg to the desired shape. To aid understanding of the process, interactions between the matrix and filler were investigated. Composite films containing 0-0.25 volume fraction filler, produced by solvent casting, were analysed using SEM, tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Homogeneous films could be made, although some particle agglomeration was seen at higher filler volume fractions. As the filler content increased, the failure strain decreased due to a reduction in the amount of ductile polymer present and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) decreased because of agglomeration and void formation at higher filler content. The matrix glass transition temperature increased due to polymer chain adsorption and immobilization onto the BCP particles. Complex damping mechanisms, such as particle-particle agglomeration, may exist at the higher BCP volume fractions.

Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) Dianiline as a Replacement for Toxic Methylenedianiline in PMR-15: Chemistry and Properties

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-22

POSS dinadic composite cross-section. Prior to aging, a few voids are seen in the matrix , but no cracks. After the same time aging as with the PMR-15...the composite , fiber and matrix , respectively; σc, σf, and σm are stress in the composite , fiber and matrix , respectively; Vf and Vm are volume...fraction of the fiber and matrix , respectively; Ec, Ef and Em are the moduli of the composite , fiber and matrix , respectively

Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles.

PubMed

Xu, Wenxiang; Duan, Qinglin; Ma, Huaifa; Chen, Wen; Chen, Huisu

2015-11-02

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces, and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials.

Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles

PubMed Central

Xu, Wenxiang; Duan, Qinglin; Ma, Huaifa; Chen, Wen; Chen, Huisu

2015-01-01

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces, and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials. PMID:26522701

Tensile behavior of cenosphere/epoxy syntactic foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahapurkar, Kiran; Doddamani, Mrityunjay; Kumar, G. C. Mohan

2018-04-01

Tensile behavior of syntactic foam composites are very critical to the engineering applications. The fracture modes and failure mechanisms under tension must be fully understood in order to realize the potential of such composites. In the present work, syntactic foam composites are fabricated using as received and surface modified hollow cenospheres embedded into epoxy matrix. Combinations of cenosphere volume fraction (0, 20, 40 and 60%) and surface modification are studied. Experimental results reveal that modulus of both untreated and treated syntactic foams increases with increase in cenosphere volume fraction compared to neat resin. Strength values of syntactic foams show decreasing trend compared to neat resin. However, treated syntactic foams demonstrated better results compared to untreated ones attributing to good bonding between matrix and filler. Scanning electron microscopy reveal brittle fracture for all the syntactic foams.

Modeling the Monotonic and Cyclic Tensile Stress-Strain Behavior of 2D and 2.5D Woven C/SiC Ceramic-Matrix Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, L. B.

2018-05-01

The deformation of 2D and 2.5 C/SiC woven ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) in monotonic and cyclic loadings has been investigated. Statistical matrix multicracking and fiber failure models and the fracture mechanics interface debonding approach are used to determine the spacing of matrix cracks, the debonded length of interface, and the fraction of broken fibers. The effects of fiber volume fraction and fiber Weibull modulus on the damage evolution in the composites and on their tensile stress-strain curves are analyzed. When matrix multicracking and fiber/matrix interface debonding occur, the fiber slippage relative to the matrix in the debonded interface region of the 0° warp yarns is the main reason for the emergance of stress-strain hysteresis loops for 2D and 2.5D woven CMCs. A model of these loops is developed, and histeresis loops for the composites in cyclic loadings/unloadings are predicted.

3D Modeling Effect of Spherical Inclusions on the Magnetostriction of Bulk Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yufeng; Pan, Baocai

2018-02-01

In this paper, the dependence of the effective magnetostriction of bulk superconductors on the elastic parameters including the volume fraction and elastic modulus ratio is studied by a three-dimensional model consisting of a spherical inclusion-superconducting matrix system. The effect of the elastic modulus and volume fraction on the magnetostriction is also obtained through the magnetostriction loop. The results indicate that the elastic modulus and volume fraction have obvious effects on the effective magnetostriction of the superconducting composite, which gives an explanation about the differences between the experimental and the theoretical results. Furthermore, it is worth pointing out that the linear field dependence of magnetostriction is unique to the Bean model by comparing the curve shapes of the magnetostriction loop with and without inclusion.

Damping behavior of polymer composites with high volume fraction of NiMnGa powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiaogang; Song, Jie; Jiang, Hong; Zhang, Xiaoning; Xie, Chaoying

2011-03-01

Polymer composites inserted with high volume fraction (up to 70 Vol%) of NiMnGa powders were fabricated and their damping behavior was investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis. It is found that the polymer matrix has little influence on the transformation temperatures of NiMnGa powders. A damping peak appears for NiMnGa/epoxy resin (EP) composites accompanying with the martensitic transformation or reverse martensitic transformation of NiMnGa powders during cooling or heating. The damping capacity for NiMnGa/EP composites increases linearly with the increase of volume fraction of NiMnGa powders and, decreases dramatically as the test frequency increases. The fracture strain of NiMnGa/EP composites decrease with the increase of NiMnGa powders.

Achieving Continuous Anion Transport Domains Using Block Copolymers Containing Phosphonium Cations

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Wenxu; Liu, Ye; Jackson, Aaron C.; ...

2016-06-22

Triblock and diblock copolymers based on isoprene (Ip) and chloromethylstyrene (CMS) were synthesized in this paper by sequential polymerization using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer radical polymerization (RAFT). The block copolymers were quaternized with tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)phosphine (Ar 3P) to prepare soluble ionomers. The ionomers were cast from chloroform to form anion exchange membranes (AEMs) with highly ordered morphologies. At low volume fractions of ionic blocks, the ionomers formed lamellar morphologies, while at moderate volume fractions (≥30% for triblock and ≥22% for diblock copolymers) hexagonal phases with an ionic matrix were observed. Ion conductivities were higher through the hexagonal phase matrix than inmore » the lamellar phases. Finally, promising chloride conductivities (20 mS/cm) were achieved at elevated temperatures and humidified conditions.« less

Micro-Mechanical Analysis About Kink Band in Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites Under Longitudinal Compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Mi; Guan, Zhidong; Wang, Xiaodong; Du, Shanyi

2017-10-01

Kink band is a typical phenomenon for composites under longitudinal compression. In this paper, theoretical analysis and finite element simulation were conducted to analyze kink angle as well as compressive strength of composites. Kink angle was considered to be an important character throughout longitudinal compression process. Three factors including plastic matrix, initial fiber misalignment and rotation due to loading were considered for theoretical analysis. Besides, the relationship between kink angle and fiber volume fraction was improved and optimized by theoretical derivation. In addition, finite element models considering fiber stochastic strength and Drucker-Prager constitutive model for matrix were conducted in ABAQUS to analyze kink band formation process, which corresponded with the experimental results. Through simulation, the loading and failure procedure can be evidently divided into three stages: elastic stage, softening stage, and fiber break stage. It also shows that kink band is a result of fiber misalignment and plastic matrix. Different values of initial fiber misalignment angle, wavelength and fiber volume fraction were considered to explore the effects on compressive strength and kink angle. Results show that compressive strength increases with the decreasing of initial fiber misalignment angle, the decreasing of initial fiber misalignment wavelength and the increasing of fiber volume fraction, while kink angle decreases in these situations. Orthogonal array in statistics was also built to distinguish the effect degree of these factors. It indicates that initial fiber misalignment angle has the largest impact on compressive strength and kink angle.

Atomistic simulation of the thermal conductivity in amorphous SiO2 matrix/Ge nanocrystal composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuryliuk, Vasyl V.; Korotchenkov, Oleg A.

2017-04-01

We use nonequilibrium molecular dynamics computer simulations with the Tersoff potential aiming to provide a comprehensive picture of the thermal conductivity of amorphous SiO2 (a-SiO2) matrix with embedded Ge nanocrystals (nc-Ge). The modelling predicts the a-SiO2 matrix thermal conductivity in a temperature range of 50 < T < 500 K yielding a fair agreement with experiment at around room temperature. It is worth noticing that the predicted room-temperature thermal conductivity in a-SiO2 is in very good agreement with the experimental result, which is in marked contrast with the thermal conductivity calculated employing the widely used van Beest-Kramer-van Santen (BKS) potential. We show that the thermal conductivity of composite nc-Ge/a-SiO2 systems decreases steadily with increasing the volume fraction of Ge inclusions, indicative of enhanced interface scattering of phonons imposed by embedded Ge nanocrystals. We also observe that increasing the volume fractions above a certain threshold value results in a progressively increased thermal conductivity of the nanocomposite, which can be explained by increasing volume fraction of a better thermally conducting Ge. Finally, non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations with the Tersoff potential are promising for computing the thermal conductivity of nanocomposites based on amorphous SiO2 and can be readily scaled to more complex composite structures with embedded nanoparticles, which thus help design nanocomposites with desired thermal properties.

Rupture in cemented granular media: application to wheat endosperm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Topin, V.; Delenne, J.-Y.; Radjai, F.

2009-06-01

The mechanical origin of the wheat hardness used to classify wheat flours is an open issue. Wheat endosperm can be considered as a cemented granular material, consisting of densely packed solid particles (the starch granules) and a pore-filling solid matrix (the protein) sticking to the particles. We use the lattice element method to investigate cemented granular materials with a texture close to that of wheat endosperm and with variable matrix volume fraction and particle-matrix adherence. From the shape of the probability density of vertical stresses we distinguish weak, intermediate and strong stresses. The large stresses occur mostly at the contact zones as in noncohesive granular media with a decreasing exponential distribution. The weak forces reflect the arching effect. The intermediate stresses belong mostly to the bulk of the particles and their distribution is well fit to a Gaussian distribution. We also observe that the stress chains are essentially guided by the cementing matrix in tension and by the particulate backbone in compression. Crack formation is analyzed in terms of particle damage as a function of matrix volume fraction and particle-matrix adherence. Our data provide evidence for three regimes of crack propagation depending on the crack path through the material. We find that particle damage scales well with the relative toughness of the particle-matrix interface. The interface toughness appears therefore to be strongly correlated with particle damage and determines transition from soft to hard behavior in wheat endosperm.

Phase-Transformation-Induced Extra Thermal Expansion Behavior of (SrxBa1-x)TiO3/Cu Composite.

PubMed

Sheng, Jie; Wang, Lidong; Li, Shouwei; Yin, Benke; Liu, Xiangli; Fei, Wei-Dong

2016-06-03

The properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) can be optimized effectively through adjusting the type or the volume fraction of reinforcement. Generally, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of MMCs can be reduced by increasing the volume fraction of the reinforcement with lower CTE than metal matrix. However, it is great challenge to fabricate low CTE MMCs with low reinforcement volume fraction because of the limitation of reinforcement CTEs. SrxBa1-xTiO3 (SBT) powder presents negative thermal expansion behavior during the phase transformation from tetragonal to cubic phase. Here, we demonstrate that the phase transformation of SBT can be utilized to reduce and design the thermal expansion properties of SBT particle-reinforced Cu (SBT/Cu) composite, and ultralow CTE can be obtained in SBT/Cu composite. The X-ray diffraction analysis on heating indicates that the temperature range of phase transformation is extended greatly, therefore, the low CTE can be achieved within wide temperature range. Landau-Devonshire theory study on the phase transformation behaviors of SBT particles in the composite indicates that thermal mismatch stress significantly affects the Curie temperature of SBT particles and the CTE of the composite. The results given in the present study provide a new approach to design the MMCs with low CTE.

A probabilistic method for determining the volume fraction of pre-embedded capsules in self-healing materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Zhong; Chen, Huisu

2014-10-01

Autonomous healing of cracks using pre-embedded capsules containing healing agent is becoming a promising approach to restore the strength of damaged structures. In addition to the material properties, the size and volume fraction of capsules influence crack healing in the matrix. Understanding the crack and capsule interaction is critical in the development and design of structures made of self-healing materials. Assuming that the pre-embedded capsules are randomly dispersed we theoretically model flat ellipsoidal crack interaction with capsules and determine the probability of a crack intersecting the pre-embedded capsules i.e. the self-healing probability. We also develop a probabilistic model of a crack simultaneously meeting with capsules and catalyst carriers in two-component self-healing system matrix. Using a risk-based healing approach, we determine the volume fraction and size of the pre-embedded capsules that are required to achieve a certain self-healing probability. To understand the effect of the shape of the capsules on self-healing we theoretically modeled crack interaction with spherical and cylindrical capsules. We compared the results of our theoretical model with Monte-Carlo simulations of crack interaction with capsules. The formulae presented in this paper will provide guidelines for engineers working with self-healing structures in material selection and sustenance.

Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Matrix Regional Integration to Quantify Spectra for Dissolved Organic Matter

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chen, W.; Westerhoff, P.; Leenheer, J.A.; Booksh, K.

2003-01-01

Excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy has been widely used to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) in water and soil. However, interpreting the >10,000 wavelength-dependent fluorescence intensity data points represented in EEMs has posed a significant challenge. Fluorescence regional integration, a quantitative technique that integrates the volume beneath an EEM, was developed to analyze EEMs. EEMs were delineated into five excitation-emission regions based on fluorescence of model compounds, DOM fractions, and marine waters or freshwaters. Volumetric integration under the EEM within each region, normalized to the projected excitation-emission area within that region and dissolved organic carbon concentration, resulted in a normalized region-specific EEM volume (??i,n). Solid-state carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra, and EEMs were obtained for standard Suwannee River fulvic acid and 15 hydrophobic or hydrophilic acid, neutral, and base DOM fractions plus nonfractionated DOM from wastewater effluents and rivers in the southwestern United States. DOM fractions fluoresced in one or more EEM regions. The highest cumulative EEM volume (??T,n = ????i,n) was observed for hydrophobic neutral DOM fractions, followed by lower ??T,n values for hydrophobic acid, base, and hydrophilic acid DOM fractions, respectively. An extracted wastewater biomass DOM sample contained aromatic protein- and humic-like material and was characteristic of bacterial-soluble microbial products. Aromatic carbon and the presence of specific aromatic compounds (as indicated by solid-state 13C NMR and FTIR data) resulted in EEMs that aided in differentiating wastewater effluent DOM from drinking water DOM.

Fatigue Life Prediction of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites with Different Fiber Preforms at Room and Elevated Temperatures

PubMed Central

Li, Longbiao

2016-01-01

In this paper, the fatigue life of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) with different fiber preforms, i.e., unidirectional, cross-ply, 2D (two dimensional), 2.5D and 3D CMCs at room and elevated temperatures in air and oxidative environments, has been predicted using the micromechanics approach. An effective coefficient of the fiber volume fraction along the loading direction (ECFL) was introduced to describe the fiber architecture of preforms. The statistical matrix multicracking model and fracture mechanics interface debonding criterion were used to determine the matrix crack spacing and interface debonded length. Under cyclic fatigue loading, the fiber broken fraction was determined by combining the interface wear model and fiber statistical failure model at room temperature, and interface/fiber oxidation model, interface wear model and fiber statistical failure model at elevated temperatures, based on the assumption that the fiber strength is subjected to two-parameter Weibull distribution and the load carried by broken and intact fibers satisfies the Global Load Sharing (GLS) criterion. When the broken fiber fraction approaches the critical value, the composites fatigue fracture. PMID:28773332

Gyroid structure via highly asymmetric ABC and AB blends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Seonghyeon; Kwak, Jongheon; Choi, Chungryong; Kim, Jin Kon

Gyroid structures are very important because of their co-continuous and network structures. However, a block copolymer shows gyroid structures only at 35 % volume fraction of one block. In this study, we designed ABC/AB blend system. B (polystyrene (PS)) is the matrix, while A (polyisoprene (PI)) and C (poly(2-vinyl pridine (P2VP)) are the core part. This blend shows gyroid structures at 20 % volume fraction, that is smaller than that observed at diblock copolymer. Morphologies of neat block copolymers and blends were characterized by TEM and small angle X-ray scattering.

Numerical Investigation on Absorption Enhancement of Black Carbon Aerosols Partially Coated With Nonabsorbing Organics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xiaolin; Mao, Mao; Yin, Yan; Wang, Bin

2018-01-01

This study numerically evaluates the effects of aerosol microphysics, including coated volume fraction of black carbon (BC), shell/core ratio, and size distribution, on the absorption enhancement (Eab) of polydisperse BC aggregates partially coated by organics, which is calculated by the exact multiple-sphere T-matrix method. The coated volume fraction of BC plays a substantial role in determining the absorption enhancement of partially coated BC aggregates, which typically have an Eab in the range of 1.0-2.0 with a larger value for larger coated volume fraction of BC as the shell/core ratio, BC geometry, and size distribution are fixed. The shell/core ratio, BC geometry, and size distribution have little impact on the Eab of coated BC with small coated volume fraction of BC, while they become significant for large coated volume fraction of BC. The Eab of partially coated BC particles can be slightly less than 1.0 for the large BC in the accumulation mode exhibiting large shell/core ratio and small coated volume fraction of BC, indicating that the absorption shows even slight decrease relative to uncoated BC particles. For partially coated BC aggregates in the accumulation and coarse modes, the refractive index uncertainties of BC result in the Eab differences of less than 9% and 2%, respectively, while those of organics can induce larger variations with the maximum differences up to 22% and 18%, respectively. Our study indicates that accounting for particle coating microphysics, particularly the coated volume fraction of BC, can potentially help to understand the differences in observations of largely variable absorption enhancements over various regions.

Matrix Dissolution Techniques Applied to Extract and Quantify Precipitates from a Microalloyed Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Junfang; Wiskel, J. Barry; Omotoso, Oladipo; Henein, Hani; Ivey, Douglas G.

2011-07-01

Microalloyed steels possess good strength and toughness, as well as excellent weldability; these attributes are necessary for oil and gas pipelines in northern climates. These properties are attributed in part to the presence of nanosized carbide and carbonitride precipitates. To understand the strengthening mechanisms and to optimize the strengthening effects, it is necessary to quantify the size distribution, volume fraction, and chemical speciation of these precipitates. However, characterization techniques suitable for quantifying fine precipitates are limited because of their fine sizes, wide particle size distributions, and low volume fractions. In this article, two matrix dissolution techniques have been developed to extract precipitates from a Grade100 (yield strength of 690 MPa) microalloyed steel. Relatively large volumes of material can be analyzed, and statistically significant quantities of precipitates of different sizes are collected. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are combined to analyze the chemical speciation of these precipitates. Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns is used to quantify fully the relative amounts of the precipitates. The size distribution of the nanosized precipitates is quantified using dark-field imaging in the TEM.

Thermal Analysis of Filler Reinforced Polymeric Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghadge, Mahesh Devidas

Improving heat dissipating property of composite materials is becoming increasingly important in domains ranging from the automotive industry, electronic devices to aeronautical industry. Effective heat dissipation is required especially in aircraft and racing tires to guarantee high performance and good service life [1]. The present study is focused on improving the thermal conductivity of Emulsion-styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR) which is a cheap alternative to other rubber composites. The disadvantages of ESBR are low thermal conductivity and high heat generation. Adding fillers with high thermal conductivity to ESBR is proposed as a technique for improving the thermal conductivity of ESBR. The purpose of the research is to predict the thermal conductivity of ESBR when filled with fillers of much higher thermal conductivity and also to find out to what extent the filler properties affect the heat transfer capabilities of the composite matrix. The influence of different filler shapes i.e. spherical, cylindrical and platelets on the overall thermal capability of composite matrix is studied, the finite element modelings are conducted using Abaqus. Three-dimensional and two-dimensional models are created in Abaqus to simulate the microstructure of the composite matrix filled with fillers. Results indicate that the overall thermal conductivity increases with increasing filler loading i.e. for a filler volume fraction of 0.27, the conductivity increased by around 50%. Filler shapes, orientation angle, and aspect ratio of the fillers significantly influences the thermal conductivity. Conductivity increases with increasing aspect ratio (length/diameter) of the cylindrical fillers since longer conductive chains are able to form at the same volume percentage as compared to spherical fillers. The composite matrix reaches maximum thermal conductivity when the cylindrical fillers are oriented in the direction of heat flow. The heat conductivity predicted by FEM for ESBR is compared with that predicted by mean field theories. At low volume fractions the FEM and mean field theory results are matching. However, at high volume fractions, the results obtained by the two methods are not in agreement. This is due to the fact that mean field theory do not consider the particle interactions happening at higher volume fractions. The present analysis can be used to tailor the thermal properties of ESBR for required thermal conductivity for a wide range of applications such as racing tires, electronic gadgets or aeronautical components. In addition, the proposed FEM models can be used to design and optimize the properties of new composite materials providing more insight into the thermal conductivity of composite polymers and aid in understanding heat transfer mechanism of reinforced polymers.

Layered and scrolled nanocomposites with aligned semi-infinite graphene inclusions at the platelet limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Pingwei; Jin, Zhong; Katsukis, Georgios; Drahushuk, Lee William; Shimizu, Steven; Shih, Chih-Jen; Wetzel, Eric D.; Taggart-Scarff, Joshua K.; Qing, Bo; Van Vliet, Krystyn J.; Li, Richard; Wardle, Brian L.; Strano, Michael S.

2016-07-01

Two-dimensional (2D) materials can uniquely span the physical dimensions of a surrounding composite matrix in the limit of maximum reinforcement. However, the alignment and assembly of continuous 2D components at high volume fraction remain challenging. We use a stacking and folding method to generate aligned graphene/polycarbonate composites with as many as 320 parallel layers spanning 0.032 to 0.11 millimeters in thickness that significantly increases the effective elastic modulus and strength at exceptionally low volume fractions of only 0.082%. An analogous transverse shear scrolling method generates Archimedean spiral fibers that demonstrate exotic, telescoping elongation at break of 110%, or 30 times greater than Kevlar. Both composites retain anisotropic electrical conduction along the graphene planar axis and transparency. These composites promise substantial mechanical reinforcement, electrical, and optical properties at highly reduced volume fraction.

Layered and scrolled nanocomposites with aligned semi-infinite graphene inclusions at the platelet limit.

PubMed

Liu, Pingwei; Jin, Zhong; Katsukis, Georgios; Drahushuk, Lee William; Shimizu, Steven; Shih, Chih-Jen; Wetzel, Eric D; Taggart-Scarff, Joshua K; Qing, Bo; Van Vliet, Krystyn J; Li, Richard; Wardle, Brian L; Strano, Michael S

2016-07-22

Two-dimensional (2D) materials can uniquely span the physical dimensions of a surrounding composite matrix in the limit of maximum reinforcement. However, the alignment and assembly of continuous 2D components at high volume fraction remain challenging. We use a stacking and folding method to generate aligned graphene/polycarbonate composites with as many as 320 parallel layers spanning 0.032 to 0.11 millimeters in thickness that significantly increases the effective elastic modulus and strength at exceptionally low volume fractions of only 0.082%. An analogous transverse shear scrolling method generates Archimedean spiral fibers that demonstrate exotic, telescoping elongation at break of 110%, or 30 times greater than Kevlar. Both composites retain anisotropic electrical conduction along the graphene planar axis and transparency. These composites promise substantial mechanical reinforcement, electrical, and optical properties at highly reduced volume fraction. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The single scattering properties of soot aggregates with concentric core-shell spherical monomers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yu; Cheng, Tianhai; Gu, Xingfa; Zheng, Lijuan; Chen, Hao; Xu, Hui

2014-03-01

Anthropogenic soot aerosols are shown as complex, fractal-like aggregated structures with high light absorption efficiency. In atmospheric environment, soot monomers may tend to acquire a weakly absorbing coating, such as an organic coating, which introduces further complexity to the optical properties of the aggregates. The single scattering properties of soot aggregates can be significantly influenced by the coated status of these kinds of aerosols. In this article, the monomers of fractal soot aggregates are modelled as semi-external mixtures (physical contact) with constant radius of soot core and variable sizes of the coating for specific soot volume fractions. The single scattering properties of these coated soot particles, such as phase function, the cross sections of extinction and absorption, single scattering albedo (SSA) and asymmetry parameter (ASY), are calculated using the numerically exact superposition T-matrix method. The random-orientation averaging results have shown that the single scattering properties of these coated soot aggregates are significantly different from the single volume-equivalent core-shell sphere approximation using the Mie theory and the homogeneous aggregates with uncoated monomers using the effective medium theory, such as Maxwell-Garnett and Bruggemann approximations, which overestimate backscattering of coated soot. It is found that the SSA and cross sections of extinction and absorption are increased for soot aggregates with thicker weakly absorbing coating on the monomers. Especially, the SSA values of these simulated aggregates with less soot core volume fractions are remarkably (~50% for core volume fraction of soot aggregates of 0.5, ~100% for a core volume fraction of 0.2, at 0.67 μm) larger than for uncoated soot particles without consideration of coating. Moreover, the cross sections of extinction and absorption are underestimated by the computation of equivalent homogeneous fractal aggregate approximation (within 5% for the T-matrix method and 10-25% for the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans approximation due to different soot volume fractions). Further understanding of the optical properties of these coated soot aggregates would be helpful for both environment monitoring and climate studies.

The converse magnetoelectric coupling in asymmetric granule/matrix composite film with Ni/PZT component

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Bo; Su, Ning-Ning; Cui, Wen-Li; Yan, Shi-Nong

2018-04-01

In this work, a type of asymmetric granule/matrix composite film is designed, where the Ni granule is dispersed in PZT matrix, meanwhile the top and bottom electrode is constituted by Au and SRO respectively. Predicted through the electrostatic screening model and mean field approximation, considerable electrostatic charge is induced on Ni granule surface by ferroelectric PZT polarization. Predicted through the spin splitting model and spherical shell approximation, both the magnetization and magnetic anisotropy of Ni granule are modulated by ferroelectric PZT polarization. As the volume fraction of Ni granule is increased, the electric modulation of magnetization and magnetic anisotropy is reduced and enhanced respectively. As the dimension of granule/matrix composite is varied, such modulation is retained. Due to the large area-volume ratio of nano-granule, this work benefits to realize the converse magnetoelectric coupling in nanoscale.

High temperature tension-compression fatigue behavior of a tungsten copper composite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Verrilli, Michael J.; Gabb, Timothy P.

1990-01-01

The high temperature fatigue of a (O)12 tungsten fiber reinforced copper matrix composite was investigated. Specimens having fiber volume percentages of 10 and 36 were fatigued under fully-reversed, strain-controlled conditions at both 260 and 560 C. The fatigue life was found to be independent of fiber volume fraction because fatigue damage preferentially occurred in the matrix. Also, the composite fatigue lives were shorter at 560 C as compared to 260 C due to changes in mode of matrix failure. On a total strain basis, the fatigue life of the composite at 560 C was the same as the life of unreinforced copper, indicating that the presence of the fibers did not degrade the fatigue resistance of the copper matrix in this composite system. Comparison of strain-controlled fatigue data to previously-generated load-controlled data revealed that the strain-controlled fatigue lives were longer because of mean strain and mean stress effects.

Geometric confinement influences cellular mechanical properties I -- adhesion area dependence.

PubMed

Su, Judith; Jiang, Xingyu; Welsch, Roy; Whitesides, George M; So, Peter T C

2007-06-01

Interactions between the cell and the extracellular matrix regulate a variety of cellular properties and functions, including cellular rheology. In the present study of cellular adhesion, area was controlled by confining NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells to circular micropatterned islands of defined size. The shear moduli of cells adhering to islands of well defined geometry, as measured by magnetic microrheometry, was found to have a significantly lower variance than those of cells allowed to spread on unpatterned surfaces. We observe that the area of cellular adhesion influences shear modulus. Rheological measurements further indicate that cellular shear modulus is a biphasic function of cellular adhesion area with stiffness decreasing to a minimum value for intermediate areas of adhesion, and then increasing for cells on larger patterns. We propose a simple hypothesis: that the area of adhesion affects cellular rheological properties by regulating the structure of the actin cytoskeleton. To test this hypothesis, we quantified the volume fraction of polymerized actin in the cytosol by staining with fluorescent phalloidin and imaging using quantitative 3D microscopy. The polymerized actin volume fraction exhibited a similar biphasic dependence on adhesion area. Within the limits of our simplifying hypothesis, our experimental results permit an evaluation of the ability of established, micromechanical models to predict the cellular shear modulus based on polymerized actin volume fraction. We investigated the "tensegrity", "cellular-solids", and "biopolymer physics" models that have, respectively, a linear, quadratic, and 5/2 dependence on polymerized actin volume fraction. All three models predict that a biphasic trend in polymerized actin volume fraction as a function of adhesion area will result in a biphasic behavior in shear modulus. Our data favors a higher-order dependence on polymerized actin volume fraction. Increasingly better experimental agreement is observed for the tensegrity, the cellular solids, and the biopolymer models respectively. Alternatively if we postulate the existence of a critical actin volume fraction below which the shear modulus vanishes, the experimental data can be equivalently described by a model with an almost linear dependence on polymerized actin volume fraction; this observation supports a tensegrity model with a critical actin volume fraction.

Modeling for Matrix Multicracking Evolution of Cross-ply Ceramic-Matrix Composites Using Energy Balance Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longbiao, Li

2015-12-01

The matrix multicracking evolution of cross-ply ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) has been investigated using energy balance approach. The multicracking of cross-ply CMCs was classified into five modes, i.e., (1) mode 1: transverse multicracking; (2) mode 2: transverse multicracking and matrix multicracking with perfect fiber/matrix interface bonding; (3) mode 3: transverse multicracking and matrix multicracking with fiber/matrix interface debonding; (4) mode 4: matrix multicracking with perfect fiber/matrix interface bonding; and (5) mode 5: matrix multicracking with fiber/matrix interface debonding. The stress distributions of four cracking modes, i.e., mode 1, mode 2, mode 3 and mode 5, are analysed using shear-lag model. The matrix multicracking evolution of mode 1, mode 2, mode 3 and mode 5, has been determined using energy balance approach. The effects of ply thickness and fiber volume fraction on matrix multicracking evolution of cross-ply CMCs have been investigated.

Plasma Biomarkers Reflecting Profibrotic Processes in Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction

PubMed Central

Zile, Michael R.; Jhund, Pardeep S.; Baicu, Catalin F.; Claggett, Brian L.; Pieske, Burkert; Voors, Adriaan A.; Prescott, Margaret F.; Shi, Victor; Lefkowitz, Martin; McMurray, John J.V.; Solomon, Scott D.

2017-01-01

Background Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a clinical syndrome that has been associated with changes in the extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to determine whether profibrotic biomarkers accurately reflect the presence and severity of disease and underlying pathophysiology and modify response to therapy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Methods and Results Four biomarkers, soluble form of ST2 (an interleukin-1 receptor family member), galectin-3, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and collagen III N-terminal propeptide were measured in the Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ARB on Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (PARAMOUNT) trial at baseline, 12 and 36 weeks after randomization to valsartan or LCZ696. We examined the relationship between baseline biomarkers, demographic and echocardiographic characteristics, change in primary (change in N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide) and secondary (change in left atrial volume) end points. The median (interquartile range) value for soluble form of ST2 (33 [24.6–48.1] ng/mL) and galectin 3 (17.8 [14.1–22.8] ng/mL) were higher, and for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (188 [155.5–230.6] ng/mL) lower, than in previously published referent controls; collagen III N-terminal propeptide (5.6 [4.3–6.9] ng/mL) was similar to referent control values. All 4 biomarkers correlated with severity of disease as indicated by N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, E/E′, and left atrial volume. Baseline biomarkers did not modify the response to LCZ696 for lowering N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide; however, left atrial volume reduction varied by baseline level of soluble form of ST2 and galectin 3; patients with values less than the observed median (<33 ng/mL soluble form of ST2 and <17.8 ng/mL galectin 3) had reduction in left atrial volume, those above median did not. Although LCZ696 reduced N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, levels of the other 4 biomarkers were not affected over time. Conclusions In patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, biomarkers that reflect collagen homeostasis correlated with the presence and severity of disease and underlying pathophysiology, and may modify the structural response to treatment. PMID:26754625

Predicting relationship between magnetostriction and applied field of magnetostrictive composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Xinchun; Dong, Xufeng; Ou, Jinping

2008-03-01

Consideration of demagnetization effect, the model used to calculate the magnetostriction of single particle under the applied field is firstly built up. Then treating the magnetostriction particulate as an eigenstrain, based on Eshelby equivalent inclusion and Mori-Tanaka method, the approach to calculate average magnetostriction of the composites under any applied field as well as saturation is studied. Results calculated by the approach indicate that saturation magnetostriction of magnetostrictive composites increases with increasing of particle aspect, particle volume fraction and decreasing of Young' modulus of matrix, and the influence of applied field on magnetostriction of the composites becomes more significant with larger particle volume fraction or particle aspect.

Characterizing fiber-reinforced composite structures using AC-impedance spectroscopy (AC-IS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Woo, Leta Y.

Property enhancement in composites depends largely on the reinforcement. For fiber-reinforced composites, the distribution of fibers is crucial in determining the electrical and mechanical performance. Image analysis methods for characterization can be time-consuming and/or destructive. This work explores the capability of AC-impedance spectroscopy (AC-IS), an electrical measurement technique, to serve as a rapid, non-destructive tool for characterizing composite microstructure. The composite requirements include a filler that is electrically conducting or semi-conducting with higher conductivity than the matrix, and a high-impedance interface or coating between the filler and the matrix. To establish an AC-IS characterization method, cement-matrix composites with steel reinforcement were employed as both a technologically important and a model system to investigate how fibers affect the electrical response. Beginning with spherical particulates and then fibers, composites were examined using composite theory and an "intrinsic conductivity" approach. The intrinsic conductivity approach applies to composites with low volume fractions of fibers (i.e., in the dilute regime) and relates how the composite conductivity varies relative to the matrix as a function of volume fraction. A universal equivalent circuit model was created to understand the AC-IS response of composites based on the geometry and volume fraction of the filler. Deviation from predicted behavior was assessed using a developed f-function, which quantifies how fibers contribute to the overall electrical response of the composite. Using the f-function, an AC-IS method for investigating fiber dispersion was established to characterize alignment, settling/segregation, and aggregation. Alignment was investigated using measurements made in three directions. A point-probe technique characterized settling and/or large-scale inhomogeneous mixing in samples. Aggregation was quantified using a "dispersion factor" that compared theoretical with measured values and served as an upper limit for how well the fibers were dispersed. The AC-IS method was then extended to two different cement-matrix composite systems, low resistivity fresh-paste cement composites (confirmed by time domain reflectometry) and high resistivity cement composites, both of which required additional analysis to apply the AC-IS characterization method.

Phase-Transformation-Induced Extra Thermal Expansion Behavior of (SrxBa1–x)TiO3/Cu Composite

PubMed Central

Sheng, Jie; Wang, Lidong; Li, Shouwei; Yin, Benke; Liu, Xiangli; Fei, Wei-Dong

2016-01-01

The properties of metal matrix composites (MMCs) can be optimized effectively through adjusting the type or the volume fraction of reinforcement. Generally, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of MMCs can be reduced by increasing the volume fraction of the reinforcement with lower CTE than metal matrix. However, it is great challenge to fabricate low CTE MMCs with low reinforcement volume fraction because of the limitation of reinforcement CTEs. SrxBa1−xTiO3 (SBT) powder presents negative thermal expansion behavior during the phase transformation from tetragonal to cubic phase. Here, we demonstrate that the phase transformation of SBT can be utilized to reduce and design the thermal expansion properties of SBT particle-reinforced Cu (SBT/Cu) composite, and ultralow CTE can be obtained in SBT/Cu composite. The X-ray diffraction analysis on heating indicates that the temperature range of phase transformation is extended greatly, therefore, the low CTE can be achieved within wide temperature range. Landau-Devonshire theory study on the phase transformation behaviors of SBT particles in the composite indicates that thermal mismatch stress significantly affects the Curie temperature of SBT particles and the CTE of the composite. The results given in the present study provide a new approach to design the MMCs with low CTE. PMID:27255420

Reconstructing the microstructure of polyimide-silicalite mixed-matrix membranes and their particle connectivity using FIB-SEM tomography.

PubMed

Diblíková, P; Veselý, M; Sysel, P; Čapek, P

2018-03-01

Properties of a composite material made of a continuous matrix and particles often depend on microscopic details, such as contacts between particles. Focusing on processing raw focused-ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) tomography data, we reconstructed three mixed-matrix membrane samples made of 6FDA-ODA polyimide and silicalite-1 particles. In the first step of image processing, backscattered electron (BSE) and secondary electron (SE) signals were mixed in a ratio that was expected to obtain a segmented 3D image with a realistic volume fraction of silicalite-1. Second, after spatial alignment of the stacked FIB-SEM data, the 3D image was smoothed using adaptive median and anisotropic nonlinear diffusion filters. Third, the image was segmented using the power watershed method coupled with a seeding algorithm based on geodesic reconstruction from the markers. If the resulting volume fraction did not match the target value quantified by chemical analysis of the sample, the BSE and SE signals were mixed in another ratio and the procedure was repeated until the target volume fraction was achieved. Otherwise, the segmented 3D image (replica) was accepted and its microstructure was thoroughly characterized with special attention paid to connectivity of the silicalite phase. In terms of the phase connectivity, Monte Carlo simulations based on the pure-phase permeability values enabled us to calculate the effective permeability tensor, the main diagonal elements of which were compared with the experimental permeability. In line with the hypothesis proposed in our recent paper (Čapek, P. et al. (2014) Comput. Mater. Sci. 89, 142-156), the results confirmed that the existence of particle clusters was a key microstructural feature determining effective permeability. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2017 Royal Microscopical Society.

Strain Rate Dependency of Bronze Metal Matrix Composite Mechanical Properties as a Function of Casting Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Lloyd; Joyce, Peter; Radice, Joshua; Gregorian, Dro; Gobble, Michael

2012-07-01

Strain rate dependency of mechanical properties of tungsten carbide (WC)-filled bronze castings fabricated by centrifugal and sedimentation-casting techniques are examined, in this study. Both casting techniques are an attempt to produce a functionally graded material with high wear resistance at a chosen surface. Potential applications of such materials include shaft bushings, electrical contact surfaces, and brake rotors. Knowledge of strain rate-dependent mechanical properties is recommended for predicting component response due to dynamic loading or impact events. A brief overview of the casting techniques for the materials considered in this study is followed by an explanation of the test matrix and testing techniques. Hardness testing, density measurement, and determination of the volume fraction of WC particles are performed throughout the castings using both image analysis and optical microscopy. The effects of particle filling on mechanical properties are first evaluated through a microhardness survey of the castings. The volume fraction of WC particles is validated using a thorough density survey and a rule-of-mixtures model. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) testing of various volume fraction specimens is conducted to determine strain dependence of mechanical properties and to compare the process-property relationships between the two casting techniques. The baseline performances of C95400 bronze are provided for comparison. The results show that the addition of WC particles improves microhardness significantly for the centrifugally cast specimens, and, to a lesser extent, in the sedimentation-cast specimens, largely because the WC particles are more concentrated as a result of the centrifugal-casting process. Both metal matrix composites (MMCs) demonstrate strain rate dependency, with sedimentation casting having a greater, but variable, effects on material response. This difference is attributed to legacy effects from the casting process, namely, porosity and localized WC particle grouping.

Study of the correlation properties of the surface structure of nc-Si/a-Si:H films with different fractions of the crystalline phase

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alpatov, A. V., E-mail: pgnv@mail.ru; Vikhrov, S. P.; Kazanskii, A. G.

The correlation properties of the structure of nc-Si/a-Si:H films with different volume fractions of the crystalline phase are studied using 2D detrended fluctuation analysis. Study of the surface relief of experimental samples showed that with increasing in volume fraction of the crystalline phase in the nc-Si/a-Si:H films, the size and number of nanoclusters on their surface grow. The size of Si nanocrystals in the a-Si:H matrix (6–8 nm) indicates the formation of coarse nanoclusters due to the self-organization of Si nanocrystals in groups under laser radiation. According to 2D detrended fluctuation analysis data, the number of correlation vectors (harmonic components)more » in the nc-Si/a-Si:H film structure increased with an increase in the nanocrystal fraction in the films.« less

The Effective Conductivity of Random Suspensions of Spherical Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnecaze, R. T.; Brady, J. F.

1991-03-01

The effective conductivity of an infinite, random, mono-disperse, hard-sphere suspension is reported for particle to matrix conductivity ratios of ∞ , 10 and 0.01 for sphere volume fractions, c, up to 0.6. The conductivities are computed with a method previously described by the authors, which includes both far- and near-field interactions, and the particle configurations are generated via a Monte Carlo method. The results are consistent with the previous theoretical work of D. J. Jeffrey to O(c2) and the bounds computed by S. Torquato and F. Lado. It is also found that the Clausius-Mosotti equation is reasonably accurate for conductivity ratios of 10 or less all the way up to 60% (by volume). The calculated conductivities compare very well with those of experiments. In addition, percolation-like numerical experiments are performed on periodically replicated cubic lattices of N nearly touching spheres with an infinite particle to matrix conductivity ratio where the conductivity is computed as spheres are removed one by one from the lattice. Under suitable normalization of the conductivity and volume fraction, it is found that the initial volume fraction must be extremely close to maximum packing in order to observe a percolation transition, indicating that the near-field effects must be very large relative to far-field effects. These percolation transitions occur at the accepted values for simple (SC), bodycentred (BCC) and face-centred (FCC) cubic lattices. Also, the vulnerability of the lattices computed here are exactly those of previous investigators. Due to limited data above the percolation threshold, we could not correlate the conductivity with a power law near the threshold; however, it can be correlated with a power law for large normalized volume fractions. In this case the exponents are found to be 1.70, 1.75 and 1.79 for SC, BCC and FCC lattices respectively.

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of percolative three-phase piezoelectric polymer composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sundar, Udhay

Three-phase piezoelectric bulk composites were fabricated using a mix and cast method. The composites were comprised of lead zirconate titanate (PZT), aluminum (Al) and an epoxy matrix. The volume fraction of the PZT and Al were varied from 0.1 to 0.3 and 0.0 to 0.17, respectively. The influences of three entities on piezoelectric and dielectric properties: inclusion of an electrically conductive filler (Al), poling process (contact and Corona) and Al surface treatment, were observed. The piezoelectric strain coefficient, d33, effective dielectric constant, epsilon r, capacitance, C, and resistivity were measured and compared according to poling process, volume fraction of constituent phases and Al surface treatment. The maximum values of d33 were 3.475 and 1.0 pC/N for Corona and contact poled samples respectively, for samples with volume fractions of 0.40 and 0.13 of PZT and Al (surface treated) respectively. Also, the maximum dielectric constant for the surface treated Al samples was 411 for volume fractions of 0.40 and 0.13 for PZT and Al respectively. The percolation threshold was observed to occur at an Al volume fraction of 0.13. The composites achieved a percolated state for Al volume fractions >0.13 for both contact and corona poled samples. In addition, a comparative time study was conducted to examine the influence of surface treatment processing time of Al particles. The effectiveness of the surface treatment, sample morphology and composition was observed with the aid of SEM and EDS images. These images were correlated with piezoelectric and dielectric properties. PZT-epoxy-aluminum thick films (200 mum) were also fabricated using a two-step spin coat deposition and annealing method. The PZT volume fraction were varied from 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4, wherein the Aluminum volume fraction was varied from 0.1 to 0.17 for each PZT volume fraction, respectively. The two-step process included spin coating the first layer at 500 RPM for 30 seconds, and the second layer at 1000 RPM for 1 minute. The piezoelectric strain coefficients d33 and d31, capacitance and the dielectric constant were measured, and were studied as a function of Aluminum volume fraction.

Plasma Biomarkers Reflecting Profibrotic Processes in Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction: Data From the Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ARB on Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Study.

PubMed

Zile, Michael R; Jhund, Pardeep S; Baicu, Catalin F; Claggett, Brian L; Pieske, Burkert; Voors, Adriaan A; Prescott, Margaret F; Shi, Victor; Lefkowitz, Martin; McMurray, John J V; Solomon, Scott D

2016-01-01

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is a clinical syndrome that has been associated with changes in the extracellular matrix. The purpose of this study was to determine whether profibrotic biomarkers accurately reflect the presence and severity of disease and underlying pathophysiology and modify response to therapy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Four biomarkers, soluble form of ST2 (an interleukin-1 receptor family member), galectin-3, matrix metalloproteinase-2, and collagen III N-terminal propeptide were measured in the Prospective Comparison of ARNI With ARB on Management of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction (PARAMOUNT) trial at baseline, 12 and 36 weeks after randomization to valsartan or LCZ696. We examined the relationship between baseline biomarkers, demographic and echocardiographic characteristics, change in primary (change in N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide) and secondary (change in left atrial volume) end points. The median (interquartile range) value for soluble form of ST2 (33 [24.6-48.1] ng/mL) and galectin 3 (17.8 [14.1-22.8] ng/mL) were higher, and for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (188 [155.5-230.6] ng/mL) lower, than in previously published referent controls; collagen III N-terminal propeptide (5.6 [4.3-6.9] ng/mL) was similar to referent control values. All 4 biomarkers correlated with severity of disease as indicated by N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, E/E', and left atrial volume. Baseline biomarkers did not modify the response to LCZ696 for lowering N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide; however, left atrial volume reduction varied by baseline level of soluble form of ST2 and galectin 3; patients with values less than the observed median (<33 ng/mL soluble form of ST2 and <17.8 ng/mL galectin 3) had reduction in left atrial volume, those above median did not. Although LCZ696 reduced N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide, levels of the other 4 biomarkers were not affected over time. In patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, biomarkers that reflect collagen homeostasis correlated with the presence and severity of disease and underlying pathophysiology, and may modify the structural response to treatment. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00887588. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Positron accumulation effect in particles embedded in a low-density matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dryzek, Jerzy; Siemek, Krzysztof

2015-02-01

Systematic studies of the so-called positron accumulation effect for samples with particles embedded in a matrix are reported. This effect is related to energetic positrons which penetrate inhomogeneous medium. Due to differences in the linear absorption coefficient, different amounts of positrons are accumulated and annihilate in the identical volume of both materials. Positron lifetime spectroscopy and Doppler broadening of the annihilation line using Na-22 positrons were applied to the studies of the epoxy resin samples with embedded micro-sized particles of transition metals, i.e., Ni, Sn, Mo, W, and nonmetal particles, i.e., Si and NaF. The significant difference between the determined fraction of positrons annihilating in the particles and the particle volume fraction indicates the positron accumulation effect. The simple phenomenological model and Monte Carlo simulations are able to describe the main features of the obtained dependencies. The aluminum alloy with embedded Sn nanoparticles is also considered for demonstration differences between the accumulation and another related effect, i.e., the positron affinity.

Adaptive composites with embedded NiTiCu wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balta-Neumann, J. Antonio; Michaud, Veronique J.; Parlinska, Magdelena; Gotthardt, Rolf; Manson, Jan-Anders E.

2001-07-01

Adaptive composites have been produced by embedding prestrained shape memory alloy (SMA) wires into an epoxy matrix, reinforced with aramid fibers. These materials demonstrate attractive effects such as shape change or a shift in the vibration frequency upon activation. When heated above their transformation temperature, the wires' strain recovery is confined, and recovery stresses are generated. As a result, if the wires are placed along the neutral axis of a composite beam, a shift in resonance vibration frequency can be observed. To optimize the design of such composites, the matrix - SMA wire interfacial shear strength has been analyzed with the pull out testing technique. It is shown that the nature of the wire surface influences the interfacial shear strength, and that satisfactory results are obtained for SMA wires with a thin oxide layer. Composite samples consisting of two different types of pre- strained NiTiCu wires embedded in either pure epoxy matrix or Kevlar-epoxy matrix were produced. The recovery force and vibration response of composites were measured in a clamped-clamped configuration, to assess the effect of wire type and volume fraction. The results are highly reproducible in all cases with a narrow hysteresis loop, which makes NiTiCu wires good candidates for adaptive composites. The recovery forces increase with the volume fraction of the embedded wires, are higher when the wires are embedded in a low CTE matrix and, at a given temperature, are higher when the wire transformation temperature is lower.

Magneto-elastic modeling of composites containing chain-structured magnetostrictive particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, H. M.; Sun, L. Z.; Chen, J. S.

2006-05-01

Magneto-elastic behavior is investigated for two-phase composites containing chain-structured magnetostrictive particles under both magnetic and mechanical loading. To derive the local magnetic and elastic fields, three modified Green's functions are derived and explicitly integrated for the infinite domain containing a spherical inclusion with a prescribed magnetization, body force, and eigenstrain. A representative volume element containing a chain of infinite particles is introduced to solve averaged magnetic and elastic fields in the particles and the matrix. Effective magnetostriction of composites is derived by considering the particle's magnetostriction and the magnetic interaction force. It is shown that there exists an optimal choice of the Young's modulus of the matrix and the volume fraction of the particles to achieve the maximum effective magnetostriction. A transversely isotropic effective elasticity is derived at the infinitesimal deformation. Disregarding the interaction term, this model provides the same effective elasticity as Mori-Tanaka's model. Comparisons of model results with the experimental data and other models show the efficacy of the model and suggest that the particle interactions have a considerable effect on the effective magneto-elastic properties of composites even for a low particle volume fraction.

Phase relationship in three-phase composites which include a void phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Price, H. L.; Nelson, J. B.

1976-01-01

The paper shows the relationship among polymer, particles, and voids in a three-phase composite and how some of the properties of a composite may be changed by changing the proportions of the phases. The three-phase composite is an aggregate of microspheres bonded together with a small amount of polymer which may not form a continuous matrix. The void space (third phase) is obtained by limiting the amount of polymer which is mixed with the microspheres. A ternary phase diagram is used to show the proportional relationship among the three phases, with each apex representing a volume fraction of unity for a constituent while the side opposite the apex represents a volume fraction of zero for that constituent. The vertical dimension represents some composite property such as density or strength. The effect of composition on composite properties is shown by plotting them on a binary phase diagram which represents a perpendicular plane coincident with the 0.60 volume fraction microsphere line.

Theoretical Model for Volume Fraction of UC, 235U Enrichment, and Effective Density of Final U 10Mo Alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Devaraj, Arun; Prabhakaran, Ramprashad; Joshi, Vineet V.

2016-04-12

The purpose of this document is to provide a theoretical framework for (1) estimating uranium carbide (UC) volume fraction in a final alloy of uranium with 10 weight percent molybdenum (U-10Mo) as a function of final alloy carbon concentration, and (2) estimating effective 235U enrichment in the U-10Mo matrix after accounting for loss of 235U in forming UC. This report will also serve as a theoretical baseline for effective density of as-cast low-enriched U-10Mo alloy. Therefore, this report will serve as the baseline for quality control of final alloy carbon content

Heavily loaded ferrite-polymer composites to produce high refractive index materials at centimetre wavelengths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parke, L.; Hooper, I. R.; Hicken, R. J.; Dancer, C. E. J.; Grant, P. S.; Youngs, I. J.; Sambles, J. R.; Hibbins, A. P.

2013-10-01

A cold-pressing technique has been developed for fabricating composites composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene-polymer matrix and a wide range of volume-fractions of MnZn-ferrite filler (0%-80%). The electromagnetic properties at centimetre wavelengths of all prepared composites exhibited good reproducibility, with the most heavily loaded composites possessing simultaneously high permittivity (180 ± 10) and permeability (23 ± 2). The natural logarithm of both the relative complex permittivity and permeability shows an approximately linear dependence with the volume fraction of ferrite. Thus, this simple method allows for the manufacture of bespoke materials required in the design and construction of devices based on the principles of transformation optics.

Optical properties of PbS/PVP nanocomposites films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Patel, Mitesh H., E-mail: miteshpatel7204@gmail.com; Chaudhuri, Tapas K.; Patel, Vaibhav K.

2016-05-06

PbS/Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposites films with different volume fraction of PbS have been deposited from single molecular precursors. X-ray diffraction patterns conforms the formation of PbS nanocrystals in PVP matrix. The transmission spectra of the films in the wavelength range of 300 to 2400 nm show the absorption edges are blue shifted due to formation of PbS Nanoparticles. The band gap determined are 2.4, 1.5 and 1.25 eV for PbS volume fraction of 8.5, 16, 27%, respectively. The corresponding refractive indices, n determined from Fresnel relation are 1.8, 2, and 2.35 which are in between that of PbS (4.2) and PVP (1.48).

An Experimental Study on Slurry Erosion Resistance of Single and Multilayered Deposits of Ni-WC Produced by Laser-Based Powder Deposition Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balu, Prabu; Hamid, Syed; Kovacevic, Radovan

2013-11-01

Single and multilayered deposits containing different mass fractions of tungsten carbide (WC) in nickel (Ni)-matrix (NT-20, NT-60, NT-80) are deposited on a AISI 4140 steel substrate using a laser-based powder deposition process. The transverse cross section of the coupons reveals that the higher the mass fraction of WC in Ni-matrix leads to a more uniform distribution through Ni-matrix. The slurry erosion resistance of the fabricated coupons is tested at three different impingement angles using an abrasive water jet cutting machine, which is quantified based on the erosion rate. The top layer of a multilayered deposit (i.e., NT-60 in a two-layer NT-60 over NT-20 deposit) exhibits better erosion resistance at all three tested impingement angles when compared to a single-layer (NT-60) deposit. A definite increase in the erosion resistance is noted with an addition of nano-size WC particles. The relationship between the different mass fractions of reinforcement (WC) in the deposited composite material (Ni-WC) and their corresponding matrix (Ni) hardness on the erosion rate is studied. The eroded surface is analyzed in the light of a three-dimensional (3-D) profilometer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that a volume fraction of approximately 62% of WC with a Ni-matrix hardness of 540 HV resulting in the gouging out of WC from the Ni-matrix by the action of slurry. It is concluded that the slurry erosion resistance of the AISI 4140 steel can be significantly enhanced by introducing single and multilayered deposits of Ni-WC composite material fabricated by the laser-based powder deposition process.

Ballistic Performance of Alimina/S-2 Glass-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite Hybrid Lightweight Armor Against Armor Piercing (AP) and Non-AP Projectiles

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

and a phenolic -resin based polymeric matrix. Such armor panels offer superior protection against fragmented ballistic threats when compared to...database does not contain a material model for the HJ1 composite but provides a model for a Kevlar Fiber Reinforced Polymer (KFRP) containing 53 vol... phenolic resin and epoxy yield stresses and then with a ratio of the S-2 glass and aramid fibers volume fractions. To test the validity of the

Rheological Characterisation of the Flow Behaviour of Wood Plastic Composites in Consideration of Different Volume Fractions of Wood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laufer, N.; Hansmann, H.; Koch, M.

2017-01-01

In this study, the rheological properties of wood plastic composites (WPC) with different polymeric matrices (LDPE, low-density polyethylene and PP, polypropylene) and with different types of wood filler (hardwood flour and softwood flour) have been investigated by means of high pressure capillary rheometry. The volume fraction of wood was varied between 0 and 60 %. The shear thinning behaviour of the WPC melts can be well described by the Ostwald - de Waele power law relationship. The flow consistency index K of the power law shows a good correlation with the volume fraction of wood. Interparticular interaction effects of wood particles can be mathematically taken into account by implementation of an interaction exponent (defined as the ratio between flow exponent of WPC and flow exponent of polymeric matrix). The interaction exponent shows a good correlation with the flow consistency index. On the basis of these relationships the concept of shear-stress-equivalent inner shear rate has been modified. Thus, the flow behaviour of the investigated wood filled polymer melts could be well described mathematically by the modified concept of shear-stress-equivalent inner shear rate. On this basis, the shear thinning behaviour of WPC can now be estimated with good accuracy, taking into account the volume fraction of wood.

Dielectric, thermal and mechanical properties of zirconium silicate reinforced high density polyethylene composites for antenna applications.

PubMed

Varghese, Jobin; Nair, Dinesh Raghavan; Mohanan, Pezholil; Sebastian, Mailadil Thomas

2015-06-14

A low cost and low dielectric loss zirconium silicate (ZrSiO4) reinforced HDPE (high-density polyethylene) composite has been developed for antenna applications. The 0-3 type composite is prepared by dispersing ZrSiO4 fillers for various volume fractions (0.1 to 0.5) in the HDPE matrix by the melt mixing process. The composite shows good microwave dielectric properties with a relative permittivity of 5.6 and a dielectric loss of 0.003 at 5 GHz at the maximum filler loading of 0.5 volume fraction. The composite exhibits low water absorption, excellent thermal and mechanical properties. It shows a water absorption of 0.03 wt%, a coefficient of thermal expansion of 70 ppm per °C and a room temperature thermal conductivity of 2.4 W mK(-1). The composite shows a tensile strength of 22 MPa and a microhardness of 13.9 kg mm(-2) for the filler loading of 0.5 volume fraction. The HDPE-ZrSiO4 composites show good dielectric, thermal and mechanical properties suitable for microwave soft substrate applications. A microstrip patch antenna is designed and fabricated using the HDPE-0.5 volume fraction ZrSiO4 substrate and the antenna parameters are investigated.

Viscoelastic Behavior of PDMS Filled with Boron Nitrides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, J. F.; Weinkauf, D. H.; Jeon, H. S.

2004-03-01

The addition of high thermal conductive filler particles such as boron nitride, aluminum nitride, or carbon fiber is an effective way to increase the thermal conductivity of polymeric materials for the industrial applications such as electronic packaging materials, encapsulants, and thermal fluids among others. The effects of particle dispersions, concentrations, and the interactions between BN and polymer matrix on the viscoelastic properties of the boron nitride (BN)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites prepared by mechanical mixing are investigated using oscillatory shear rheology. Both untreated and plasma treated boron nitride (BNP) particles with hexafluoropropylene oxide monomers have been used in this study. The addition of the plasma treated BN particles to the PDMS matrix decrease significantly the complex viscosity as well as storage and loss modulus of the composites due to the reduced interfacial energy between the surface of BNP and PDMS chains. For the PDMS/BN and PDMS/BNP composites, the maximum volume packing fraction ( ˜0.4) of the particles has been determined from the complex viscosity as a function of the frequency. Additionally, the shear-induced alignment of the BN particles dispersed in the PDMS matrix decreases the viscoelastic properties of the composites with the irregular oscillations which is related to the network formation of dispersed BN particles at the higher volume fractions (> ˜0.2).

Quantifying Effects of Voids in Woven Ceramic Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldsmith, Marlana B.; Sankar, Bhavani V.; Haftka, Raphael T.; Goldberg, Robert K.

2013-01-01

Randomness in woven ceramic matrix composite architecture has been found to cause large variability in stiffness and strength. The inherent voids are an aspect of the architecture that may cause a significant portion of the variability. A study is undertaken to investigate the effects of many voids of random sizes and distributions. Response surface approximations were formulated based on void parameters such as area and length fractions to provide an estimate of the effective stiffness. Obtaining quantitative relationships between the properties of the voids and their effects on stiffness of ceramic matrix composites are of ultimate interest, but the exploratory study presented here starts by first modeling the effects of voids on an isotropic material. Several cases with varying void parameters were modeled which resulted in a large amount of variability of the transverse stiffness and out-of-plane shear stiffness. An investigation into a physical explanation for the stiffness degradation led to the observation that the voids need to be treated as an entity that reduces load bearing capabilities in a space larger than what the void directly occupies through a corrected length fraction or area fraction. This provides explanation as to why void volume fraction is not the only important factor to consider when computing loss of stiffness.

Literature Review: An Overview of Epoxy Resin Syntactic Foams with Glass Microballoons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Keller, Jennie

2014-03-12

Syntactic foams are an important category of composite materials that have abundant applications in a wide variety of fields. The bulk phase of syntactic foams is a three-part epoxy resin formulation that consists of a base resin, a curative (curing agent) and a modifier (diluent and/or accelerator) [12]. These thermoset materials [12] are used frequently for their thermal stability [9], low moisture absorption and high compressive strength [10]. The characteristic feature of a syntactic foam is a network of beads that forms pores within the epoxy matrix [3]. In this review, hollow glass beads (known as glass microballoons) are considered,more » however, solid beads or microballoons made from materials such as ceramic, polymer or metal can also be used [3M, Peter]. The network of hollow beads forms a closed-cell foam; the term closed-cell comes from the fact that the microspheres used in the resin matrix are completely closed and filled with gas (termed hollow). In contrast, the microspheres used in open-cell foams are either not completely closed or broken so that matrix material can fill the spheres [11]. Although closed foams have been found to possess higher densities than open cell foams, their rigid structures give them superior mechanical properties [12]. Past research has extensively studied the effects that changing the volume fraction of microballoons to epoxy will have on the resulting syntactic foam [3,4,9]. In addition, published literature also explores how the microballoon wall thickness affects the final product [4,9,10]. Findings detail that indeed both the mechanical and some thermal properties of syntactic foams can be tailored to a specific application by varying either the volume fraction or the wall thickness of the microballoons used [10]. The major trends in syntactic foam research show that microballoon volume fraction has an inversely proportionate relationship to dynamic properties, while microballoon wall thickness is proportional to those same properties [3,4,9,10]. The glass transition temperature has a proportional relationship to the volume fraction of microballoons used, however, there is limited research that supports correlations between other thermal variables and microballoons specifications. In fact, very little experimental data exists to relate thermal conductivity and volume fraction or wall thickness of microballoons [5]. This review proposes that thermal conductivity should be a topic of interest for future researchers because of how frequently syntactic foams are used in insulating applications. This paper will explore three aspects pertaining to epoxy resin syntactic foams with glass microballoons: the immense range of applications that syntactic foams are used for, the materials and fabrication techniques most commonly used, and lastly the results from characterization of syntactic foams with varying microballoon volume fractions and wall thicknesses. In addition to varying microballoon parameters, it is also possible to change the base, accelerator and curing agent used in the epoxy formulation. For simplicity, this paper will focus on a very common combination of materials produced by the Dow Chemical Company®.« less

Elastic and Piezoelectric Properties of Boron Nitride Nanotube Composites. Part II; Finite Element Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kim, H. Alicia; Hardie, Robert; Yamakov, Vesselin; Park, Cheol

2015-01-01

This paper is the second part of a two-part series where the first part presents a molecular dynamics model of a single Boron Nitride Nanotube (BNNT) and this paper scales up to multiple BNNTs in a polymer matrix. This paper presents finite element (FE) models to investigate the effective elastic and piezoelectric properties of (BNNT) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites studied in this paper are thin films of polymer matrix with aligned co-planar BNNTs. The FE modelling approach provides a computationally efficient way to gain an understanding of the material properties. We examine several FE models to identify the most suitable models and investigate the effective properties with respect to the BNNT volume fraction and the number of nanotube walls. The FE models are constructed to represent aligned and randomly distributed BNNTs in a matrix of resin using 2D and 3D hollow and 3D filled cylinders. The homogenisation approach is employed to determine the overall elastic and piezoelectric constants for a range of volume fractions. These models are compared with an analytical model based on Mori-Tanaka formulation suitable for finite length cylindrical inclusions. The model applies to primarily single-wall BNNTs but is also extended to multi-wall BNNTs, for which preliminary results will be presented. Results from the Part 1 of this series can help to establish a constitutive relationship for input into the finite element model to enable the modeling of multiple BNNTs in a polymer matrix.

Characterizing the Properties of a Woven SiC/SiC Composite Using W-CEMCAN Computer Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murthy, Pappu L. N.; Mital, Subodh K.; DiCarlo, James A.

1999-01-01

A micromechanics based computer code to predict the thermal and mechanical properties of woven ceramic matrix composites (CMC) is developed. This computer code, W-CEMCAN (Woven CEramic Matrix Composites ANalyzer), predicts the properties of two-dimensional woven CMC at any temperature and takes into account various constituent geometries and volume fractions. This computer code is used to predict the thermal and mechanical properties of an advanced CMC composed of 0/90 five-harness (5 HS) Sylramic fiber which had been chemically vapor infiltrated (CVI) with boron nitride (BN) and SiC interphase coatings and melt-infiltrated (MI) with SiC. The predictions, based on the bulk constituent properties from the literature, are compared with measured experimental data. Based on the comparison. improved or calibrated properties for the constituent materials are then developed for use by material developers/designers. The computer code is then used to predict the properties of a composite with the same constituents but with different fiber volume fractions. The predictions are compared with measured data and a good agreement is achieved.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Effect of Porosity on the Local Young's Modulus of Isotropic Composites by Using the Laser Optoacoustic Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podymova, N. B.; Karabutov, A. A.; Kobeleva, L. I.; Chernyshova, T. A.

2013-09-01

An impulse acoustic method with a laser source of ultrasound is proposed and realized experimentally for a quantitative evaluation of the joint effect of porosity (the volume fraction of pores) and the concentration of dispersed filler on the local Young's modulus of isotropic metal-matrix composite materials. The determination of Young's modulus is based on the laser thermooptical excitation of ultrasound and measurements of the phase speed of longitudinal and shears acoustic waves in composite specimens. Silumin-matrix composite specimens reinforced with various volume fractions of silicon carbide (SiC) microparticles of the mean size of 14 μm were investigated. It was found that, to provide an effective growth in Young's modulus by increasing the concentration of SiC, the porosity of a ready specimen should not exceed 2%. The technique developed allows one to carry out a nondestructive local testing of the acoustical and mechanical properties of composites in the actual state, which is necessary for a technological development and improvement of the fabrication process of the materials.

Origin of Surface Irregularities on Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al Beta Titanium Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Utama, Muhammad Iman; Ammar, Abdul Aziz; Park, Nokeun; Baek, Eung Ryul

2018-03-01

We studied the origin of different characteristics and properties of a Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al beta (β) titanium alloy with surface height irregularities that occurred during machining. The height differences were observed in two different regions, labeled as "soft region" and "hard region." The present study showed a higher Fe and a lower Al content in the hard region, which resulted in higher β-phase stability to resist primary alpha (αp) phase precipitation caused by a failure of the solution treatment process. In contrast, the soft region contained a higher volume fraction of αp phase and a lower volume fraction of the matrix, which consisted of a combination of β and secondary alpha (αs) phase. A high number of αs/β interface in the matrix with a predicted hardness of 520 HV generated an improvement of hardness in the hard region. Therefore, the hard and the soft regions had different abilities to resist wear during machining process, resulting in surface height irregularities.

Primary combination of phase-field and discrete dislocation dynamics methods for investigating athermal plastic deformation in various realistic Ni-base single crystal superalloy microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Siwen; Rajendran, Mohan Kumar; Fivel, Marc; Ma, Anxin; Shchyglo, Oleg; Hartmaier, Alexander; Steinbach, Ingo

2015-10-01

Three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics (DDD) simulations in combination with the phase-field method are performed to investigate the influence of different realistic Ni-base single crystal superalloy microstructures with the same volume fraction of {γ\\prime} precipitates on plastic deformation at room temperature. The phase-field method is used to generate realistic microstructures as the boundary conditions for DDD simulations in which a constant high uniaxial tensile load is applied along different crystallographic directions. In addition, the lattice mismatch between the γ and {γ\\prime} phases is taken into account as a source of internal stresses. Due to the high antiphase boundary energy and the rare formation of superdislocations, precipitate cutting is not observed in the present simulations. Therefore, the plastic deformation is mainly caused by dislocation motion in γ matrix channels. From a comparison of the macroscopic mechanical response and the dislocation evolution for different microstructures in each loading direction, we found that, for a given {γ\\prime} phase volume fraction, the optimal microstructure should possess narrow and homogeneous γ matrix channels.

Design, fabrication, and properties of 2-2 connectivity cement/polymer based piezoelectric composites with varied piezoelectric phase distribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dongyu, Xu; Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208; Xin, Cheng

2014-12-28

The laminated 2-2 connectivity cement/polymer based piezoelectric composites with varied piezoelectric phase distribution were fabricated by employing Lead Zirconium Titanate ceramic as active phase, and mixture of cement powder, epoxy resin, and hardener as matrix phase with a mass proportion of 4:4:1. The dielectric, piezoelectric, and electromechanical coupling properties of the composites were studied. The composites with large total volume fraction of piezoelectric phase have large piezoelectric strain constant and relative permittivity, and the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the composites are independent of the dimensional variations of the piezoelectric ceramic layer. The composites with small total volume fraction ofmore » piezoelectric phase have large piezoelectric voltage constant, but also large dielectric loss. The composite with gradually increased dimension of piezoelectric ceramic layer has the smallest dielectric loss, and that with the gradually increased dimension of matrix layer has the largest piezoelectric voltage constant. The novel piezoelectric composites show potential applications in fabricating ultrasonic transducers with varied surface vibration amplitude of the transducer.« less

Synergistic Effects of Temperature and Oxidation on Matrix Cracking in Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longbiao, Li

2017-06-01

In this paper, the synergistic effects of temperatrue and oxidation on matrix cracking in fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) has been investigated using energy balance approach. The shear-lag model cooperated with damage models, i.e., the interface oxidation model, interface debonding model, fiber strength degradation model and fiber failure model, has been adopted to analyze microstress field in the composite. The relationships between matrix cracking stress, interface debonding and slipping, fiber fracture, oxidation temperatures and time have been established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, interface properties, fiber strength and oxidation temperatures on the evolution of matrix cracking stress versus oxidation time have been analyzed. The matrix cracking stresses of C/SiC composite with strong and weak interface bonding after unstressed oxidation at an elevated temperature of 700 °C in air condition have been predicted for different oxidation time.

Nonlinear hierarchical multiscale modeling of cortical bone considering its nanoscale microstructure.

PubMed

Ghanbari, J; Naghdabadi, R

2009-07-22

We have used a hierarchical multiscale modeling scheme for the analysis of cortical bone considering it as a nanocomposite. This scheme consists of definition of two boundary value problems, one for macroscale, and another for microscale. The coupling between these scales is done by using the homogenization technique. At every material point in which the constitutive model is needed, a microscale boundary value problem is defined using a macroscopic kinematical quantity and solved. Using the described scheme, we have studied elastic properties of cortical bone considering its nanoscale microstructural constituents with various mineral volume fractions. Since the microstructure of bone consists of mineral platelet with nanometer size embedded in a protein matrix, it is similar to the microstructure of soft matrix nanocomposites reinforced with hard nanostructures. Considering a representative volume element (RVE) of the microstructure of bone as the microscale problem in our hierarchical multiscale modeling scheme, the global behavior of bone is obtained under various macroscopic loading conditions. This scheme may be suitable for modeling arbitrary bone geometries subjected to a variety of loading conditions. Using the presented method, mechanical properties of cortical bone including elastic moduli and Poisson's ratios in two major directions and shear modulus is obtained for different mineral volume fractions.

A Fatigue Model for Discontinuous Particulate-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy Composite: Influence of Microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCullough, R. R.; Jordon, J. B.; Brammer, A. T.; Manigandan, K.; Srivatsan, T. S.; Allison, P. G.; Rushing, T. W.

2014-01-01

In this paper, the use of a microstructure-sensitive fatigue model is put forth for the analysis of discontinuously reinforced aluminum alloy metal matrix composite. The fatigue model was used for a ceramic particle-reinforced aluminum alloy deformed under conditions of fully reversed strain control. Experimental results revealed the aluminum alloy to be strongly influenced by volume fraction of the particulate reinforcement phase under conditions of strain-controlled fatigue. The model safely characterizes the evolution of fatigue damage in this aluminum alloy composite into the distinct stages of crack initiation and crack growth culminating in failure. The model is able to capture the specific influence of particle volume fraction, particle size, and nearest neighbor distance in quantifying fatigue life. The model yields good results for correlation of the predicted results with the experimental test results on the fatigue behavior of the chosen aluminum alloy for two different percentages of the ceramic particle reinforcement. Further, the model illustrates that both particle size and volume fraction are key factors that govern fatigue lifetime. This conclusion is well supported by fractographic observations of the cyclically deformed and failed specimens.

Diffusion in Brain Extracellular Space

PubMed Central

Syková, Eva; Nicholson, Charles

2009-01-01

Diffusion in the extracellular space (ECS) of the brain is constrained by the volume fraction and the tortuosity and a modified diffusion equation represents the transport behavior of many molecules in the brain. Deviations from the equation reveal loss of molecules across the blood-brain barrier, through cellular uptake, binding or other mechanisms. Early diffusion measurements used radiolabeled sucrose and other tracers. Presently, the real-time iontophoresis (RTI) method is employed for small ions and the integrative optical imaging (IOI) method for fluorescent macromolecules, including dextrans or proteins. Theoretical models and simulations of the ECS have explored the influence of ECS geometry, effects of dead-space microdomains, extracellular matrix and interaction of macromolecules with ECS channels. Extensive experimental studies with the RTI method employing the cation tetramethylammonium (TMA) in normal brain tissue show that the volume fraction of the ECS typically is about 20% and the tortuosity about 1.6 (i.e. free diffusion coefficient of TMA is reduced by 2.6), although there are regional variations. These parameters change during development and aging. Diffusion properties have been characterized in several interventions, including brain stimulation, osmotic challenge and knockout of extracellular matrix components. Measurements have also been made during ischemia, in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and in human gliomas. Overall, these studies improve our conception of ECS structure and the roles of glia and extracellular matrix in modulating the ECS microenvironment. Knowledge of ECS diffusion properties are valuable in contexts ranging from understanding extrasynaptic volume transmission to the development of paradigms for drug delivery to the brain. PMID:18923183

Polymer Nanocomposite Films: Dispersion of Polymer Grafted Nanorods and Optical Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Composto, Russell

2013-03-01

The thermodynamic factors that affect the dispersion of polymer-brush grafted gold nanorods (NR) in polymer matrix films have been studied by experiment and theory. When brush and matrix have a favorable interaction, such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-NR/ poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS)-NR / poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide) (PPO), nanorods are uniformly dispersed. For PEO-NRs in PMMA, the NRs are regularly spaced and well dispersed, independent of the ratio of the degree of polymerization of the matrix (P) to that of the brush (N), namely P/N. As the NR volume fraction increases, the local orientation of the nanorods increases, whereas the macroscopic orientation remains isotropic. When the brush and matrix are similar (i.e., PS-NR / PS and PEO-NR / PEO), the nanorods randomly disperse for P/N < 2 (i.e., wet brush), but align side-by-side in aggregates for P/N > 2. UV-visible spectroscopy and discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculations demonstrate that surface plasmon coupling leads to a blue shift in the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) as P/N increases. For P/N > 2, self-consistent field theory (SCFT) calculations and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations indicate that nanorod aggregation is caused by depletion-attraction forces. Starting with a dry brush system, namely, a PS matrix where P/N = 30, these attractive forces can be mediated by adding a compatibilizing agent (e.g., PPO) that drives the NRs to disperse. Finally, dry and wet brush behavior is observed for NR aspect ratios varying from 2.5 to 7. However, compared at the same volume fraction, long rods for the dry case exhibit much better local order than lower aspect ratio nanorods, suggesting that long rods may exhibit nematic-like ordering at higher loadings. NSF Polymer and CEMRI Programs.

Micromechanics effects in creep of metal-matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, L. C.; Allison, J. E.

1995-12-01

The creep of metal-matrix composites is analyzed by finite element techniques. An axisymmetric unit-cell model with spherical reinforcing particles is used. Parameters appropriate to TiC particles in a precipitation-hardened (2219) Al matrix are chosen. The effects of matrix plasticity and residual stresses on the creep of the composite are calculated. We confirm (1) that the steady-state rate is independent of the particle elastic moduli and the matrix elastic and plastic properties, (2) that the ratio of composite to matrix steady-state rates depends only on the volume fraction and geometry of the reinforcing phase, and (3) that this ratio can be determined from a calculation of the stress-strain relation for the geometrically identical composite (same phase volume and geometry) with rigid particles in the appropriate power-law hardening matrix. The values of steady-state creep are compared to experimental ones (Krajewski et al.). Continuum mechanics predictions give a larger reduction of the composite creep relative to the unreinforced material than measured, suggesting that the effective creep rate of the matrix is larger than in unreinforced precipitation-hardened Al due to changes in microstructure, dislocation density, or creep mechanism. Changes in matrix creep properties are also suggested by the comparison of calculated and measured creep strain rates in the primary creep regime, where significantly different time dependencies are found. It is found that creep calculations performed for a timeindependent matrix creep law can be transformed to obtain the creep for a time-dependent creep law.

Microstructure and Properties of Thermally Sprayed Functionally Graded Coatings for Polymeric Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ivosevic, M.; Knight, R.; Kalidindi, S. R.; Palmese, G. R.; Sutter, J. K.

2003-01-01

The use of polymer matrix composites (PMCs) in the gas flow path of advanced turbine engines offers significant benefits for aircraft engine performance but their useful lifetime is limited by their poor erosion resistance. High velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) sprayed polymer/cermet functionally graded (FGM) coatings are being investigated as a method to address this technology gap by providing erosion and oxidation protection to polymer matrix composites. The FGM coating structures are based on a polyimide matrix filled with varying volume fractions of WC-Co. The graded coating architecture was produced using a combination of internal and external feedstock injection, via two computer-controlled powder feeders and controlled substrate preheating. Porosity, coating thickness and volume fraction of the WC-Co filler retained in the coatings were determined using standard metallographic techniques and computer image analysis. The pull-off strength (often referred to as the adhesive strength) of the coatings was evaluated according to the ASTM D 4541 standard test method, which measured the greatest normal tensile force that the coating could withstand. Adhesive/cohesive strengths were determined for three different types of coating structures and compared based on the maximum indicated load and the surface area loaded. The nature and locus of the fractures were characterized according to the percent of adhesive and/or cohesive failure, and the tested interfaces and layers involved were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Void initiation from interfacial debonding of spherical silicon particles inside a silicon-copper nanocomposite: a molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Yi; Chen, Zengtao

2017-02-01

Silicon particles with diameters from 1.9 nm to 30 nm are embedded in a face-centered-cubic copper matrix to form nanocomposite specimens for simulation. The interfacial debonding of silicon particles from the copper matrix and the subsequent growth of nucleated voids are studied via molecular dynamics (MD). The MD results are examined from several different perspectives. The overall mechanical performance is monitored by the average stress-strain response and the accumulated porosity. The ‘relatively farthest-traveled’ atoms are identified to characterize the onset of interfacial debonding. The relative displacement field is plotted to illustrate both subsequent interfacial debonding and the growth of a nucleated void facilitated by a dislocation network. Our results indicate that the initiation of interfacial debonding is due to the accumulated surface stress if the matrix is initially dislocation-free. However, pre-existing dislocations can make a considerable difference. In either case, the dislocation emission also contributes to the subsequent debonding process. As for the size effect, the debonding of relatively larger particles causes a drop in the stress-strain curve. The volume fraction of second-phase particles is found to be more influential than the size of the simulation box on the onset of interfacial debonding. The volume fraction of second-phase particles also affects the shape of the nucleated void and, therefore, influences the stress response of the composite.

Controlled growth of Au nanoparticles in co-evaporated metal/polymer composite films and their optical and electrical properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takele, H.; Schürmann, U.; Greve, H.; Paretkar, D.; Zaporojtchenko, V.; Faupel, F.

2006-02-01

Nanocomposite films containing Au nanoparticles embedded in a polymer matrix were prepared by vapour phase co-deposition of Au and polymers (Teflon AF and Poly(α -methylstyrene)) in high vacuum. The microstructure of the composite materials as well as metal content strongly depend on the condensation coefficient of the Au atoms, the deposition rates of the components, the substrate temperature, and the type of polymer matrix. The condensation coefficient, which varies between 0.03 and 1, was determined from energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and surface profilometry. It is shown that the microstructure of nanocomposites (size, size distribution, and interparticle separation of metal clusters), which was determined by transmission electron microscopy, can be controlled by the deposition parameters and the choice of polymer matrix. The optical absorption in the visible region due to the particle plasmon resonance has a strong dependence on the metal filling factor. The correlation between the microstructure of nanocomposites and optical properties, studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy, was also established. Further more, the electrical properties of the composites were studied as a function of the metal volume fraction. It was observed that the nanocomposite films exhibit a percolation threshold at a metal volume fraction of 0.43 and 0.20 for gold nanoclusters in Teflon AF and Poly(α-methylstyrene), respectively.

Nanocomposites with increased energy density through high aspect ratio PZT nanowires.

PubMed

Tang, Haixiong; Lin, Yirong; Andrews, Clark; Sodano, Henry A

2011-01-07

High energy storage plays an important role in the modern electric industry. Herein, we investigated the role of filler aspect ratio in nanocomposites for energy storage. Nanocomposites were synthesized using lead zirconate titanate (PZT) with two different aspect ratio (nanowires, nanorods) fillers at various volume fractions dispersed in a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The permittivity constants of composites containing nanowires (NWs) were higher than those with nanorods (NRs) at the same inclusion volume fraction. It was also indicated that the high frequency loss tangent of samples with PZT nanowires was smaller than for those with nanorods, demonstrating the high electrical energy storage efficiency of the PZT NW nanocomposite. The high aspect ratio PZT NWs showed a 77.8% increase in energy density over the lower aspect ratio PZT NRs, under an electric field of 15 kV mm(-1) and 50% volume fraction. The breakdown strength was found to decrease with the increasing volume fraction of PZT NWs, but to only change slightly from a volume fraction of around 20%-50%. The maximum calculated energy density of nanocomposites is as high as 1.158 J cm(-3) at 50% PZT NWs in PVDF. Since the breakdown strength is lower compared to a PVDF copolymer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-tertrifluoroethylene-terchlorotrifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TreEE-CTFE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) P(VDF-HFP), the energy density of the nanocomposite could be significantly increased through the use of PZT NWs and a polymer with greater breakdown strength. These results indicate that higher aspect ratio fillers show promising potential to improve the energy density of nanocomposites, leading to the development of advanced capacitors with high energy density.

Fractionated dynamic headspace sampling in the analysis of matrices of vegetable origin in the food field.

PubMed

Liberto, Erica; Cagliero, Cecilia; Cordero, Chiara; Rubiolo, Patrizia; Bicchi, Carlo; Sgorbini, Barbara

2017-03-17

Recent technological advances in dynamic headspace sampling (D-HS) and the possibility to automate this sampling method have lead to a marked improvement in its the performance, a strong renewal of interest in it, and have extended its fields of application. The introduction of in-parallel and in-series automatic multi-sampling and of new trapping materials, plus the possibility to design an effective sampling process by correctly applying the breakthrough volume theory, have make profiling more representative, and have enhanced selectivity, and flexibility, also offering the possibility of fractionated enrichment in particular for high-volatility compounds. This study deals with fractionated D-HS ability to produce a sample representative of the volatile fraction of solid or liquid matrices. Experiments were carried out on a model equimolar (0.5mM) EtOH/water solution, comprising 16 compounds with different polarities and volatilities, structures ranging from C5 to C15 and vapor pressures from 4.15kPa (2,3-pentandione) to 0.004kPa (t-β-caryophyllene), and on an Arabica roasted coffee powder. Three trapping materials were considered: Tenax TA™ (TX), Polydimethylsiloxane foam (PDMS), and a three-carbon cartridge Carbopack B/Carbopack C/Carbosieve S-III™ (CBS). The influence of several parameters on the design of successful fractionated D-HS sampling. Including the physical and chemical characteristics of analytes and matrix, trapping material, analyte breakthrough, purge gas volumes, and sampling temperature, were investigated. The results show that, by appropriately choosing sampling conditions, fractionated D-HS sampling, based on component volatility, can produce a fast and representative profile of the matrix volatile fraction, with total recoveries comparable to those obtained by full evaporation D-HS for liquid samples, and very high concentration factors for solid samples. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Investigations on composites reinforced with HEA particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carcea, I.; Chelariu, R.; Asavei, L.; Cimpoeşu, N.; Florea, R. M.

2017-08-01

This work reports the results of investigations on the fortification with high entropy alloys particles of aluminium matrix composite materials. The properties of these materials processed by Vortex techniques primarily depend on the matrix and the volume fraction of the constituent phase. The mechanical properties, toughening mechanisms and potential applications are briefly reviewed. Traditional methods were used for the basic characterization of the composite. The microstructure of the composites were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (OM, SEM). SEM analysis was performed in order to observe the microstructural evolution as a function of the HEA particles content and to identify some reasons of the presence of porosity or any irregularities within the metal matrix.

Achieving ICME with Multiscale Modeling: The Effects of Constituent Properties and Processing on the Performance of Laminated Polymer Matrix Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pineda, Evan Jorge; Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Arnold, Steven M.

2014-01-01

Integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) is a useful approach for tailoring the performance of a material. For fiber-reinforced composites, not only do the properties of the constituents of the composite affect the performance, but so does the architecture (or microstructure) of the constituents. The generalized method of cells is demonstrated to be a viable micromechanics tool for determining the effects of the microstructure on the performance of laminates. The micromechanics is used to predict the inputs for a macroscale model for a variety of different fiber volume fractions, and fiber architectures. Using this technique, the material performance can be tailored for specific applications by judicious selection of constituents, volume fraction, and architectural arrangement given a particular manufacturing scenario

On the damping capacity of cast irons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golovin, S. A.

2012-07-01

The treatment of experimental data on the amplitude-dependent internal friction (ADIF) in terms of various theoretical models has revealed a staged character and the main mechanisms of the processes of energy dissipation in graphite with increasing amplitude of vibrations upon cyclic loading. It is shown that the level of the damping capacity of lamellar cast iron depends on the relationship between the elastic and strength characteristics of graphite and the matrix phase. In cast irons with a rigid matrix structure (pearlite, martensite), the energy dissipation is determined by the volume fraction and morphology of the initial graphite phase. In cast irons with a softer metallic phase (ferrite), the contact interaction of graphite inclusions with the matrix and the properties of the matrix introduce additional sources of high damping.

Modeling the Controlled Recrystallization of Particle-Containing Aluminum Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, Khaled; Root, Jameson M.; Long, Zhengdong; Field, David P.

2017-01-01

The recrystallized fraction for AA7050 during the solution heat treatment is highly dependent upon the history of deformation during thermomechanical processing. In this work, a state variable model was developed to predict the recrystallization volume fraction as a function of processing parameters. Particle stimulated nucleation (PSN) was observed as a dominant mechanism of recrystallization in AA7050. The mesoscale Monte Carlo Potts model was used to simulate the evolved microstructure during static recrystallization with the given recrystallization fraction determined already by the state variable model for AA7050 alloy. The spatial inhomogeneity of nucleation is obtained from the measurement of the actual second-phase particle distribution in the matrix identified using backscattered electron (BSE) imaging. The state variable model showed good fit with the experimental results, and the simulated microstructures were quantitatively comparable to the experimental results for the PSN recrystallized microstructure of 7050 aluminum alloy. It was also found that the volume fraction of recrystallization did not proceed as dictated by the Avrami equation in this alloy because of the presence of the growth inhibitors.

The Effects of Fiber Orientation and Volume Fraction of Fiber on Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Composite Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuchipudi, Suresh Chandra

Additive manufacturing (AM) also known as 3D printing has tremendous advancements in recent days with a vast number of applications in industrial, automotive, architecture, consumer projects, fashion, toys, food, art, etc. Composite materials are widely used in structures with weight as a critical factor especially in aerospace industry. Recently, additive manufacturing technology, a rapidly growing innovative technology, has gained lot of importance in making composite materials. The properties of composite materials depend upon the properties of constituent's matrix and fiber. There is lot of research on effect of fiber orientation on mechanical properties of composite materials made using conventional manufacturing methods. It will be interesting and relevant to study the relationship between the fiber orientation and fiber volume with mechanical properties of additively manufactured composite materials. This thesis work presents experimental investigation of mechanical behavior like tensile strength and fatigue life with variation in fiber orientation and fiber volume fraction of 3D printed composite materials. The aim is to study the best combination of volume fraction of fiber and fiber orientation that has better fatigue strength for additive manufactured composite materials. Using this study, we can decide the type of orientation and volume percent for desired properties. This study also finds the range of fatigue limits of 3d printed composite materials.

Nonlinear dynamic model for magnetically-tunable Galfenol vibration absorbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scheidler, Justin J.; Dapino, Marcelo J.

2013-03-01

This paper presents a single degree of freedom model for the nonlinear vibration of a metal-matrix composite manufactured by ultrasonic additive manufacturing that contains seamlessly embedded magnetostrictive Galfenol alloys (FeGa). The model is valid under arbitrary stress and magnetic field. Changes in the composite's natural frequency are quantified to assess its performance as a semi-active vibration absorber. The effects of Galfenol volume fraction and location within the composite on natural frequency are quantified. The bandwidth over which the composite's natural frequency can be tuned with a bias magnetic field is studied for varying displacement excitation amplitudes. The natural frequency is tunable for all excitation amplitudes considered, but the maximum tunability occurs below an excitation amplitude threshold of 1 × 10-6 m for the composite geometry considered. Natural frequency shifts between 6% and 50% are found as the Galfenol volume fraction varies from 25% to 100% when Galfenol is located at the composite neutral axis. At a modest 25% Galfenol by volume, the model shows that up to 15% shifts in composite resonance are possible through magnetic bias field modulation if Galfenol is embedded away from the composite midplane. As the Galfenol volume fraction and distance between Galfenol and composite midplane are increased, linear and quadratic increases in tunability result, respectively.

The interstitial distribution of macromolecules in rat tumours is influenced by the negatively charged matrix components

PubMed Central

Wiig, Helge; Gyenge, Christina C; Tenstad, Olav

2005-01-01

Knowledge of macromolecular distribution volumes is essential in understanding fluid transport within normal and pathological tissues. In this study in vivo we determined the distribution volumes of several macromolecules, including one monoclonal antibody, in tumours and tested whether charges associated with the tumour extracellular matrix influence their available volumes. Steady state levels of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) (pI = 9.2), IgG (pI = 7.6) as well as native (pI = 5.0) and cationized albumin (pI = 7.6) were established in rats bearing dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumours by continuous infusion using osmotic minipumps. After a 5–7 day infusion period, the rats were nephrectomized and the extracellular volume was determined with 51Cr-labelled EDTA. Plasma volumes were measured with 125I-labelled human serum albumin or rat IgM in a separate series. Steady state concentrations of probes were determined in the interstitial fluid that was isolated by centrifugation from tumours or by post mortem wick implantation in the back skin. Calculations were made for interstitial fluid volume (Vi), along with the available (Va/Vi) and excluded (Ve/Vi) relative interstitial volume fractions. The Ve/Vi for the positively charged trastuzumab in tumours averaged 0.29 ± 0.03 (n = 16), a value which was significantly lower than the corresponding one for IgG of 0.36 ± 0.02 (n = 16). Native albumin was excluded from 38% of the tumour interstitial fluid, whereas cationization of albumin reduced the excluded volume by ∼50%. Our experiments suggest that the tumour interstitium acts as a negatively charged matrix and is an important factor in determining the macromolecular distribution volume. PMID:15994186

The interstitial distribution of macromolecules in rat tumours is influenced by the negatively charged matrix components.

PubMed

Wiig, Helge; Gyenge, Christina C; Tenstad, Olav

2005-09-01

Knowledge of macromolecular distribution volumes is essential in understanding fluid transport within normal and pathological tissues. In this study in vivo we determined the distribution volumes of several macromolecules, including one monoclonal antibody, in tumours and tested whether charges associated with the tumour extracellular matrix influence their available volumes. Steady state levels of the monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin) (pI = 9.2), IgG (pI = 7.6) as well as native (pI = 5.0) and cationized albumin (pI = 7.6) were established in rats bearing dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumours by continuous infusion using osmotic minipumps. After a 5-7 day infusion period, the rats were nephrectomized and the extracellular volume was determined with 51Cr-labelled EDTA. Plasma volumes were measured with 125I-labelled human serum albumin or rat IgM in a separate series. Steady state concentrations of probes were determined in the interstitial fluid that was isolated by centrifugation from tumours or by post mortem wick implantation in the back skin. Calculations were made for interstitial fluid volume (Vi), along with the available (Va/Vi) and excluded (Ve/Vi) relative interstitial volume fractions. The Ve/Vi for the positively charged trastuzumab in tumours averaged 0.29 +/- 0.03 (n = 16), a value which was significantly lower than the corresponding one for IgG of 0.36 +/- 0.02 (n = 16). Native albumin was excluded from 38% of the tumour interstitial fluid, whereas cationization of albumin reduced the excluded volume by approximately 50%. Our experiments suggest that the tumour interstitium acts as a negatively charged matrix and is an important factor in determining the macromolecular distribution volume.

Atomic-level study on mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms of Al/SiC nano-composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huo, Shiyan; Xie, Lijing; Xiang, Junfeng; Pang, Siqin; Hu, Fang; Umer, Usama

2018-02-01

Molecular dynamics (MD) models for the study on the mechanical properties of β-SiC particles-reinforced aluminum matrix nano-composites (Al/SiC nano-composites) are established. The nano-composites in the model are fabricated by a powder metallurgy (P/M) process, followed by a hot isostatic pressing and then annealing to room temperature. The fabricated nano-composites have dense and even distributions of reinforced particles. Then representative volume elements (RVEs) of the fabricated nano-composites are built by adding periodic boundary conditions (PBCs). In this way, RVEs with different volume fractions and particle sizes of SiC are produced and put into the simulation of tension tests. The elasticity and strength in single axial tension obtained from MD analysis are in good agreement with those calculated according to the rule of mixture. It is found that the dispersion of SiC particles into the Al matrix leads to a significant enhancement in the strength of nano-composites compared to pure Al, which is also dramatically affected by both the volume fraction and particle size. Additionally, the Al/SiC nano-composites with finer SiC particles get greater enhancement in the mechanical behavior than those with coarser ones. MD analysis clearly shows the contributions of load-transfer effect, thermal mismatch strengthening and Orowan strengthening to the strengthening of Al/SiC nano-composites.

Microstructure, elastic, and inelastic properties of biomorphic carbons carbonized using a Fe-containing catalyst

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlova, T. S.; Kardashev, B. K.; Smirnov, B. I.; Gutierrez-Pardo, A.; Ramirez-Rico, J.

2016-12-01

The microstructure and amplitude dependences of the Young's modulus E and internal friction (logarithmic decrement δ), and microplastic properties of biocarbon matrices BE-C(Fe) obtained by beech tree carbonization at temperatures T carb = 850-1600°C in the presence of an iron-containing catalyst are studied. By X-ray diffraction analysis and transmission electron microscopy, it is shown that the use of Fe-catalyst during carbonization with T carb ≥ 1000°C leads to the appearance of a bulk graphite phase in the form of nanoscale bulk graphite inclusions in a quasi-amorphous matrix, whose volume fraction and size increase with T carb. The correlation of the obtained dependences E( T carb) and δ( T carb) with microstructure evolution with increasing T carb is revealed. It is found that E is mainly defined by a crystalline phase fraction in the amorphous matrix, i.e., a nanocrystalline phase at T carb < 1150°C and a bulk graphite phase at T carb > 1300°C. Maximum values E = 10-12 GPa are achieved for samples with T carb ≈ 1150 and 1600°C. It is shown that the microplasticity manifest itself only in biocarbons with T carb ≥ 1300°C (upon reaching a significant volume of the graphite phase); in this case, the conditional microyield stress decreases with increasing total volume of introduced mesoporosity (free surface area).

The role of cobalt on the creep of Waspaloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jarrett, R. N.; Chin, L.; Tien, J. K.

1984-01-01

Cobalt was systematically replaced with nickel in Waspaloy (which normally contains 13% Co) to determine the effects of cobalt on the creep behavior of this alloy. Effects of cobalt were found to be minimal on tensile strengths and microstructure. The creep resistance and the stress rupture resistance determined in the range from 704 to 760 C (1300 to 1400 C) were found to decrease as cobalt was removed from the standard alloy at all stresses and temperatures. Roughly a ten-fold drop in rupture life and a corresponding increase in minimum creep rate were found under all test conditions. Both the apparent creep activation energy and the matrix contribution to creep resistance were found to increase with cobalt. These creep effects are attributed to cobalt lowering the stacking fault energy of the alloy matrix. The creep resistance loss due to the removal of cobalt is shown to be restored by slightly increasing the gamma' volume fraction. Results are compared to a previous study on Udimet 700, a higher strength, higher gamma' volume fraction alloy with similar phase chemistry, in which cobalt did not affect creep resistance. An explanation for this difference in behavior based on interparticle spacing and cross-slip is presented.

Applications of Polymer Matrix Syntactic Foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Nikhil; Zeltmann, Steven E.; Shunmugasamy, Vasanth Chakravarthy; Pinisetty, Dinesh

2013-11-01

A collection of applications of polymer matrix syntactic foams is presented in this article. Syntactic foams are lightweight porous composites that found their early applications in marine structures due to their naturally buoyant behavior and low moisture absorption. Their light weight has been beneficial in weight sensitive aerospace structures. Syntactic foams have pushed the performance boundaries for composites and have enabled the development of vehicles for traveling to the deepest parts of the ocean and to other planets. The high volume fraction of porosity in syntactic foams also enabled their applications in thermal insulation of pipelines in oil and gas industry. The possibility of tailoring the mechanical and thermal properties of syntactic foams through a combination of material selection, hollow particle volume fraction, and hollow particle wall thickness has helped in rapidly growing these applications. The low coefficient of thermal expansion and dimensional stability at high temperatures are now leading their use in electronic packaging, composite tooling, and thermoforming plug assists. Methods have been developed to tailor the mechanical and thermal properties of syntactic foams independent of each other over a wide range, which is a significant advantage over other traditional particulate and fibrous composites.

Liquid Metal Infiltration Processing of Metallic Composites: A Critical Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sree Manu, K. M.; Ajay Raag, L.; Rajan, T. P. D.; Gupta, Manoj; Pai, B. C.

2016-10-01

Metal matrix composites (MMC) are one of the advanced materials widely used for aerospace, automotive, defense, and general engineering applications. MMC can be tailored to have superior properties such as enhanced high-temperature performance, high specific strength and stiffness, increased wear resistance, better thermal and mechanical fatigue, and creep resistance than those of unreinforced alloys. To fabricate such composites with ideal properties, the processing technique has to ensure high volume fraction of reinforcement incorporation, uniform distribution of the reinforcement, and acceptable adhesion between the matrix and the reinforcing phase without unwanted interfacial reactions which degrades the mechanical properties. A number of processing techniques such as stir casting/vortex method, powder metallurgy, infiltration, casting etc. have been developed to synthesize MMC employing a variety of alloy and the reinforcement's combinations. Among these, infiltration process is widely used for making MMC with high volume fraction of reinforcements and offers many more advantages compared to other conventional manufacturing processes. The present paper critically reviews the various infiltration techniques used for making the MMC, their process parameters, characteristics, and selected studies carried out worldwide and by authors on the development of metal ceramic composites by squeeze infiltration process.

An effective medium approach to modelling the pressure-dependent electrical properties of porous rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Han, Tongcheng

2018-07-01

Understanding the electrical properties of rocks under varying pressure is important for a variety of geophysical applications. This study proposes an approach to modelling the pressure-dependent electrical properties of porous rocks based on an effective medium model. The so-named Textural model uses the aspect ratios and pressure-dependent volume fractions of the pores and the aspect ratio and electrical conductivity of the matrix grains. The pores were represented by randomly oriented stiff and compliant spheroidal shapes with constant aspect ratios, and their pressure-dependent volume fractions were inverted from the measured variation of total porosity with differential pressure using a dual porosity model. The unknown constant stiff and compliant pore aspect ratios and the aspect ratio and electrical conductivity of the matrix grains were inverted by best fitting the modelled electrical formation factor to the measured data. Application of the approach to three sandstone samples covering a broad porosity range showed that the pressure-dependent electrical properties can be satisfactorily modelled by the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that the dual porosity concept is sufficient to explain the electrical properties of porous rocks under pressure through the effective medium model scheme.

Comparative proteomics of matrix fractions between pimpled and normal chicken eggshells.

PubMed

Liu, Zhangguo; Song, Lingzi; Lu, Lizhi; Zhang, Xianfu; Zhang, Fuming; Wang, Kehua; Linhardt, Robert J

2017-09-07

Eggshell matrix can be dissociated into three matrix fractions: acid-insoluble matrix (M1), water-insoluble matrix (M2) and acid-water facultative-soluble matrix (M3). Matrix fractions from pimpled and normal eggshells were compared using label-free proteomic method to understand the differences among three matrix fractions and the proteins involved with eggshell quality. A total of 738 and 600 proteins were identified in the pimpled and normal calcified eggshells, respectively. Both eggshells showed a combined proteomic inventory of 769 proteins. In the same type of eggshell, a high similarity was present in the proteomes of three matrix fractions. These triply overlapped common proteins formed the predominant contributor to proteomic abundance in the matrix fractions. In each matrix fraction and between both eggshell models, normal and pimpled eggshells, a majority of the proteomes of the fractions were commonly observed. Forty-two common major proteins (iBAQ-derived abundance ≥0.095% of proteomic abundance) were identified throughout the three matrix fractions and these proteins might act as backbone constituents in chicken eggshell matrix. Finally, using 1.75-fold as up-regulated and using 0.57-fold as down-regulated cutoff values, twenty-five differential major proteins were screened and they all negatively influence and none showed any effect on eggshell quality. Overall, we uncovered the characteristics of proteomics of three eggshell matrix fractions and identified candidate proteins influencing eggshell quality. The next research on differential proteins will uncover the potential mechanisms underlying how proteins affect eggshell quality. It was reported that the proteins in an eggshell can be divided into insoluble and soluble proteins. The insoluble proteins are thought to be an inter-mineral matrix and acts as a structural framework, while the soluble proteins are thought as intra-mineral matrix that are embedded within the crystal during calcification. However, the difference between matrix fractions is unknown. Cross-analysis of proteomic data of three matrix fractions from the same type of eggshell, uncovered triply overlapped common proteins formed the predominant contributor to proteomic abundance of any matrix fraction, and we suggested that abundance variance of some common proteins between the three matrix fractions might be an important cause of their solubility differences. Moreover, eggshell is formed in hen's uterus, and uterus tend to be considered as unique organ determining eggshell quality. By cross-analysis on proteomic data of three matrix fractions between two eggshell models, normal and pimpled eggshells, the differential proteins were screened as candidates influencing eggshell quality. And we suggested that the liver and spleen or lymphocytes might be the major organs influencing eggshell quality, because the most promising candidates are almost blood and non-collagenous proteins, and originated from above organs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of Polymer Matrix on the Structure and Electric Properties of Piezoelectric Lead Zirconatetitanate/Polymer Composites

PubMed Central

Li, Rui; Zhou, Jun; Liu, Hujun; Pei, Jianzhong

2017-01-01

Piezoelectric lead zirconatetitanate (PZT)/polymer composites were prepared by two typical polymer matrixes using the hot-press method. The micromorphology, microstructure, dielectric properties, and piezoelectric properties of the PZT/polymer composites were characterized and investigated. The results showed that when the condition of frequency is 103 Hz, the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PZT/poly(vinylidene fluoride) were both better than that of PZT/polyvinyl chloride (PVC). When the volume fraction of PZT was 50%, PZT/PVDF prepared by the hot-press method had better comprehensive electric property. PMID:28805730

Damping behavior of nano-fibrous composites with viscous interface in anti-plane shear

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xu

2017-06-01

By using the composite cylinder assemblage model, we derive an explicit expression of the specific damping capacity of nano-fibrous composite with viscous interface when subjected to time-harmonic anti-plane shear loads. The fiber and the matrix are first endowed with separate and distinct Gurtin-Murdoch surface elasticities, and rate-dependent sliding occurs on the fiber-matrix interface. Our analysis indicates that the effective damping of the composite depends on five dimensionless parameters: the fiber volume fraction, the stiffness ratio, two parameters arising from surface elasticity and one parameter due to interface sliding.

The Effect of Fiber Strength Stochastics and Local Fiber Volume Fraction on Multiscale Progressive Failure of Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricks, Trenton M.; Lacy, Jr., Thomas E.; Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Arnold, Steven M.

2013-01-01

Continuous fiber unidirectional polymer matrix composites (PMCs) can exhibit significant local variations in fiber volume fraction as a result of processing conditions that can lead to further local differences in material properties and failure behavior. In this work, the coupled effects of both local variations in fiber volume fraction and the empirically-based statistical distribution of fiber strengths on the predicted longitudinal modulus and local tensile strength of a unidirectional AS4 carbon fiber/ Hercules 3502 epoxy composite were investigated using the special purpose NASA Micromechanics Analysis Code with Generalized Method of Cells (MAC/GMC); local effective composite properties were obtained by homogenizing the material behavior over repeating units cells (RUCs). The predicted effective longitudinal modulus was relatively insensitive to small (8%) variations in local fiber volume fraction. The composite tensile strength, however, was highly dependent on the local distribution in fiber strengths. The RUC-averaged constitutive response can be used to characterize lower length scale material behavior within a multiscale analysis framework that couples the NASA code FEAMAC and the ABAQUS finite element solver. Such an approach can be effectively used to analyze the progressive failure of PMC structures whose failure initiates at the RUC level. Consideration of the effect of local variations in constituent properties and morphologies on progressive failure of PMCs is a central aspect of the application of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) principles for composite materials.

Evolution of Local Microstructures (ELMS): Spatial Instabilities of Coarsening

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glicksman, Martin E.; Frazier, Donald O.; Rogers, Jan R.; Witherow, William K.; Downey, J. Patton; Facemire, Barbara R.

1999-01-01

This work examines the diffusional growth of discrete phase particles dispersed within a matrix. Engineering materials are microstructurally heterogeneous, and the details of the microstructure determine how well that material performs in a given application. Critical to the development of designing multiphase microstructures with long-term stability is the process of Ostwald ripening. Ripening, or phase coarsening, is a diffusion-limited process which arises in polydisperse multiphase materials. Growth and dissolution occur because fluxes of solute, driven by chemical potential gradients at the interfaces of the dispersed phase material, depend on particle size. The kinetics of these processes are "competitive," dictating that larger particles grow at the expense of smaller ones, overall leading to an increase of the average particle size. The classical treatment of phase coarsening was done by Todes, Lifshitz, and Slyozov, (TLS) in the limit of zero volume fraction, V(sub v), of the dispersed phase. Since the publication of TLS theory there have been numerous investigations, many of which sought to describe the kinetic scaling behavior over a range of volume fractions. Some studies in the literature report that the relative increase in coarsening rate at low (but not zero) volume fractions compared to that / 2 1/ 3 predicted by TLS is proportional to V(sub v)(exp 1/2), whereas others suggest V(sub v)(exp 1/3). This issue has been resolved recently by simulation studies at low volume fractions in three dimensions by members of the Rensselaer/MSFC team.

Solution of Eshelby's inclusion problem with a bounded domain and Eshelby's tensor for a spherical inclusion in a finite spherical matrix based on a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, X.-L.; Ma, H. M.

2010-05-01

A solution for Eshelby's inclusion problem of a finite homogeneous isotropic elastic body containing an inclusion prescribed with a uniform eigenstrain and a uniform eigenstrain gradient is derived in a general form using a simplified strain gradient elasticity theory (SSGET). An extended Betti's reciprocal theorem and an extended Somigliana's identity based on the SSGET are proposed and utilized to solve the finite-domain inclusion problem. The solution for the disturbed displacement field is expressed in terms of the Green's function for an infinite three-dimensional elastic body in the SSGET. It contains a volume integral term and a surface integral term. The former is the same as that for the infinite-domain inclusion problem based on the SSGET, while the latter represents the boundary effect. The solution reduces to that of the infinite-domain inclusion problem when the boundary effect is not considered. The problem of a spherical inclusion embedded concentrically in a finite spherical elastic body is analytically solved by applying the general solution, with the Eshelby tensor and its volume average obtained in closed forms. This Eshelby tensor depends on the position, inclusion size, matrix size, and material length scale parameter, and, as a result, can capture the inclusion size and boundary effects, unlike existing Eshelby tensors. It reduces to the classical Eshelby tensor for the spherical inclusion in an infinite matrix if both the strain gradient and boundary effects are suppressed. Numerical results quantitatively show that the inclusion size effect can be quite large when the inclusion is very small and that the boundary effect can dominate when the inclusion volume fraction is very high. However, the inclusion size effect is diminishing as the inclusion becomes large enough, and the boundary effect is vanishing as the inclusion volume fraction gets sufficiently low.

Coarsening in Solid-liquid Mixtures: Overview of Experiments on Shuttle and ISS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duval, Walter M. B.; Hawersaat, Robert W.; Lorik, T.; Thompson, J.; Gulsoy, B.; Voorhees, P. W.

2013-01-01

The microgravity environment on the Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) provides the ideal condition to perform experiments on Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures (CSLM) as deleterious effects such as particle sedimentation and buoyancy-induced convection are suppressed. For an ideal system such as Lead-Tin in which all the thermophysical properties are known, the initial condition in microgravity of randomly dispersed particles with local clustering of solid Tin in eutectic liquid Lead-Tin matrix, permitted kinetic studies of competitive particle growth for a range of volume fractions. Verification that the quenching phase of the experiment had negligible effect of the spatial distribution of particles is shown through the computational solution of the dynamical equations of motion, thus insuring quench-free effects from the coarsened microstructure measurements. The low volume fraction experiments conducted on the Shuttle showed agreement with transient Ostwald ripening theory, and the steady-state requirement of LSW theory was not achieved. More recent experiments conducted on ISS with higher volume fractions have achieved steady-state condition and show that the kinetics follows the classical diffusion limited particle coarsening prediction and the measured 3D particle size distribution becomes broader as predicted from theory.

Kinetics of Diffusional Droplet Growth in a Liquid/Liquid Two-Phase System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Glicksman, M. E.; Fradkov, V. E.

1996-01-01

We address the problem of diffusional interactions in a finite sized cluster of spherical particles for volume fractions, V(sub v) in the range 0-0.01. We determined the quasi-static monopole diffusion solution for n particles distributed at random in a continuous matrix. A global mass conservation condition is employed, obviating the need for any external boundary condition. The numerical results provide the instantaneous (snapshot) growth or shrinkage rate of each particle, precluding the need for extensive time-dependent computations. The close connection between these snapshot results and the coarsegrained kinetic constants are discussed. A square-root dependence of the deviations of the rate constants from their zero volume fraction value is found for the higher V(sub v) investigated. This behavior is consistent with predictions from diffusion Debye-Huckel screening theory. By contrast, a cube-root dependence, reported in earlier numerical studies, is found for the lower V(sub v) investigated. The roll-over region of the volume fraction where the two asymptotics merge depends on the number of particles, n, alone. A theoretical estimate for the roll-over point predicts that the corresponding V(sub v) varies as n(sup -2), in good agreement with the numerical results.

Finite element investigation of temperature dependence of elastic properties of carbon nanotube reinforced polypropylene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadi, Masoud; Ansari, Reza; Rouhi, Saeed

2017-11-01

This paper aims to investigate the elastic modulus of the polypropylene matrix reinforced by carbon nanotubes at different temperatures. To this end, the finite element approach is employed. The nanotubes with different volume fractions and aspect ratios (the ratio of length to diameter) are embedded in the polymer matrix. Besides, random and regular algorithms are utilized to disperse carbon nanotubes in the matrix. It is seen that as the pure polypropylene, the elastic modulus of carbon nanotube reinforced polypropylene decreases by increasing the temperature. It is also observed that when the carbon nanotubes are dispersed parallelly and the load is applied along the nanotube directions, the largest improvement in the elastic modulus of the nanotube/polypropylene nanocomposites is obtained.

Derivation of stiffness matrix in constitutive modeling of magnetorheological elastomer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leng, D.; Sun, L.; Sun, J.; Lin, Y.

2013-02-01

Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a class of smart materials whose mechanical properties change instantly by the application of a magnetic field. Based on the specially orthotropic, transversely isotropic stress-strain relationships and effective permeability model, the stiffness matrix of constitutive equations for deformable chain-like MRE is considered. To valid the components of shear modulus in this stiffness matrix, the magnetic-structural simulations with finite element method (FEM) are presented. An acceptable agreement is illustrated between analytical equations and numerical simulations. For the specified magnetic field, sphere particle radius, distance between adjacent particles in chains and volume fractions of ferrous particles, this constitutive equation is effective to engineering application to estimate the elastic behaviour of chain-like MRE in an external magnetic field.

Predicting performance of polymer-bonded Terfenol-D composites under different magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Xinchun; Dong, Xufeng; Ou, Jinping

2009-09-01

Considering demagnetization effect, the model used to calculate the magnetostriction of the single particle under the applied field is first created. Based on Eshelby equivalent inclusion and Mori-Tanaka method, the approach to calculate the average magnetostriction of the composites under any applied field, as well as the saturation, is studied by treating the magnetostriction particulate as an eigenstrain. The results calculated by the approach indicate that saturation magnetostriction of magnetostrictive composites increases with an increase of particle aspect and particle volume fraction, and a decrease of Young's modulus of the matrix. The influence of an applied field on magnetostriction of the composites becomes more significant with larger particle volume fraction or particle aspect. Experiments were done to verify the effectiveness of the model, the results of which indicate that the model only can provide approximate results.

Table-sized matrix model in fractional learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soebagyo, J.; Wahyudin; Mulyaning, E. C.

2018-05-01

This article provides an explanation of the fractional learning model i.e. a Table-Sized Matrix model in which fractional representation and its operations are symbolized by the matrix. The Table-Sized Matrix are employed to develop problem solving capabilities as well as the area model. The Table-Sized Matrix model referred to in this article is used to develop an understanding of the fractional concept to elementary school students which can then be generalized into procedural fluency (algorithm) in solving the fractional problem and its operation.

An investigation of the matrix sensitivity of refinery gas analysis using gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection.

PubMed

Ferracci, Valerio; Brown, Andrew S; Harris, Peter M; Brown, Richard J C

2015-02-27

The response of a flame ionisation detector (FID) on a gas chromatograph to methane, ethane, propane, i-butane and n-butane in a series of multi-component refinery gas standards was investigated to assess the matrix sensitivity of the instrument. High-accuracy synthetic gas standards, traceable to the International System of Units, were used to minimise uncertainties. The instrument response exhibited a small dependence on the component amount fraction: this behaviour, consistent with that of another FID, was thoroughly characterised over a wide range of component amount fractions and was shown to introduce a negligible bias in the analysis of refinery gas samples, provided a suitable reference standard is employed. No significant effects of the molar volume, density and viscosity of the gas mixtures on the instrument response were observed, indicating that the FID is suitable for the analysis of refinery gas mixtures over a wide range of component amount fractions provided that appropriate drift-correction procedures are employed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High internal phase emulsion (HIPE)-templated biopolymeric oleofilms containing an ultra-high concentration of edible liquid oil.

PubMed

Wijaya, Wahyu; Van der Meeren, Paul; Dewettinck, Koen; Patel, Ashok R

2018-04-25

We report, for the first time, the fabrication of oleofilms (containing more than 97 wt% edible liquid oil) using high internal phase emulsions (with oil volume fraction φoil = 0.82) as templates. Advanced microscopy studies revealed an interesting microstructure of these films where jammed oil droplets were embedded in a dried matrix of biopolymeric complexes.

Evolution of Local Microstructures: Spatial Instabilities of Coarsening Clusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frazier, Donald O.

1999-01-01

This work examines the diffusional growth of discrete phase particles dispersed within a matrix. Engineering materials are microstructurally heterogeneous, and the details of the microstructure determine how well that material performs in a given application. Critical to the development of designing multiphase microstructures with long-term stability is the process of Ostwald ripening. Ripening, or phase coarsening, is a diffusion-limited process which arises in polydisperse multiphase materials. Growth and dissolution occur because fluxes of solute, driven by chemical potential gradients at the interfaces of the dispersed phase material, depend on particle size. The kinetics of these processes are "competitive," dictating that larger particles grow at the expense of smaller ones, overall leading to an increase of the average particle size. The classical treatment of phase coarsening was done by Todes, Lifshitz, and Slyozov, (TLS) in the limit of zero volume fraction, V(sub v), of the dispersed phase. Since the publication of TLS theory there have been numerous investigations, many of which sought to describe the kinetic scaling behavior over a 0 range of volume fractions. Some studies in the literature report that the relative increase in coarsening rate at low (but not zero) volume fractions compared to that predicted by TLS is proportional to v(sub v)(exp 1/2), whereas others suggcest V(sub v)(exp 1/3). This issue has been resolved recently by simulation studies at low volume fractions in three dimensions by members of the Rensselaer/MSFC team. Our studies of ripening behavior using large-scale numerical simulations suggest that although there are different circumstances which can lead to either scaling law, the most important length scale at low volume fractions is the diffusional analog of the Debye screening length. The numerical simulations we employed exploit the use of a recently developed "snapshot" technique, and identifies the nature of the coarsening dynamics at various volume fractions. Preliminary results of numerical and experimental investigations, focused on the growth of finite particle clusters, provide important insight into the nature of the transition between the two scaling regimes. The companion microgravity experiment centers on the growth within finite particle clusters, and follows the temporal dynamics driving microstructural evolution, using holography.

Quantifying structural states of soft mudrocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, B.; Wong, R. C. K.

2016-05-01

In this paper, a cm model is proposed to quantify structural states of soft mudrocks, which are dependent on clay fractions and porosities. Physical properties of natural and reconstituted soft mudrock samples are used to derive two parameters in the cm model. With the cm model, a simplified homogenization approach is proposed to estimate geomechanical properties and fabric orientation distributions of soft mudrocks based on the mixture theory. Soft mudrocks are treated as a mixture of nonclay minerals and clay-water composites. Nonclay minerals have a high stiffness and serve as a structural framework of mudrocks when they have a high volume fraction. Clay-water composites occupy the void space among nonclay minerals and serve as an in-fill matrix. With the increase of volume fraction of clay-water composites, there is a transition in the structural state from the state of framework supported to the state of matrix supported. The decreases in shear strength and pore size as well as increases in compressibility and anisotropy in fabric are quantitatively related to such transition. The new homogenization approach based on the proposed cm model yields better performance evaluation than common effective medium modeling approaches because the interactions among nonclay minerals and clay-water composites are considered. With wireline logging data, the cm model is applied to quantify the structural states of Colorado shale formations at different depths in the Cold Lake area, Alberta, Canada. Key geomechancial parameters are estimated based on the proposed homogenization approach and the critical intervals with low strength shale formations are identified.

Effect of Fiber Poisson Contraction on Matrix Multicracking Evolution of Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic-Matrix Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longbiao, Li

2015-12-01

An analytical methodology has been developed to investigate the effect of fiber Poisson contraction on matrix multicracking evolution of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs). The modified shear-lag model incorporated with the Coulomb friction law is adopted to solve the stress distribution in the interface slip region and intact region of the damaged composite. The critical matrix strain energy criterion which presupposes the existence of an ultimate or critical strain energy limit beyond which the matrix fails has been adopted to describe matrix multicracking of CMCs. As more energy is placed into the composite, matrix fractures and the interface debonding occurs to dissipate the extra energy. The interface debonded length under the process of matrix multicracking is obtained by treating the interface debonding as a particular crack propagation problem along the fiber/matrix interface. The effects of the interfacial frictional coefficient, fiber Poisson ratio, fiber volume fraction, interface debonded energy and cycle number on the interface debonding and matrix multicracking evolution have been analyzed. The theoretical results are compared with experimental data of unidirectional SiC/CAS, SiC/CAS-II and SiC/Borosilicate composites.

Fatigue Life Prediction of 2D Woven Ceramic-Matrix Composites at Room and Elevated Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longbiao, Li

2017-03-01

In this paper, the fatigue life of 2D woven ceramic-matrix composites, i.e., SiC/SiC, SiC/Si-N-C, SiC/Si-B4C, and Nextel 610™/Aluminosilicate, at room and elevated temperatures has been predicted using the micromechanics approach. An effective coefficient of the fiber volume fraction along the loading direction (ECFL) was introduced to describe the fiber architecture of preforms. The Budiansky-Hutchinson-Evans shear-lag model was used to describe the microstress field of the damaged composite considering fibers failure. The statistical matrix multicracking model and fracture mechanics interface debonding criterion were used to determine the matrix crack spacing and interface debonded length. The interface shear stress and fibers strength degradation model and oxidation region propagation model have been adopted to analyze the fatigue and oxidation effects on fatigue life of the composite, which is controlled by interface frictional slip and diffusion of oxygen gas through matrix multicrackings. Under cyclic fatigue loading, the fibers broken fraction was determined by combining the interface/fiber oxidation model, interface wear model and fibers statistical failure model at elevated temperatures, based on the assumption that the fiber strength is subjected to two-parameter Weibull distribution and the load carried by broken and intact fibers satisfy the Global Load Sharing (GLS) criterion. When the broken fibers fraction approaches to the critical value, the composites fatigue fractures. The fatigue life S- N curves of 2D SiC/SiC, SiC/Si-N-C, SiC/Si-B4C, and Nextel 610™/Aluminosilicate composites at room temperature and 800, 1000 and 1200 °C in air and steam have been predicted.

SU-G-JeP3-12: Use of Cone Beam CT and Deformable Image Registration for Assessing Geometrical and Dosimetric Variations During Lung Radiotherapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jurkovic, I; Stathakis, S; Markovic, M

Purpose: To assess the value of cone beam CT (CBCT) combined with deformable image registration in estimating the accuracy of the delivered treatment and the suitability of the applied target margins. Methods: Two patients with lung tumor were selected. Using their CT images intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment plans were developed to deliver 66Gy to the 95% of the PTV in 2Gy fractions. Using the Velocity AI software, the planning CT of each patient was registered with the fractional CBCT images that were obtained through the course of the treatment. After a CT to CBCT deformable image registration (DIR),more » the same fractional deformation matrix was used for the deformation of the planned dose distributions, as well as of all the contoured volumes, to each CBCT dataset. The dosimetric differences between the planning target volume (PTV) and various organs at risk (OARs) were recorded and compared. Results: CBCT data such as CTV volume change and PTV coverage was analyzed. There was a moderate relationship between volume changes and contouring method (automatic contouring using the DIR transformation vs. manual contouring on each CBCT) for patient #1 (r = 0.49), and a strong relationship for patient #2 (r = 0.83). The average PTV volume coverage from all the CBCT datasets was 91.2% for patient #1 and 95.6% for patient #2. Conclusion: Daily setup variations, tumor volume motion and lung deformation due to breathing yield differences in the actual delivered dose distributions versus the planned ones. The results presented indicate that these differences are apparent even with the use of daily IGRT. In certain fractions, the margins used seem to be insufficient to ensure acceptable lung tumor coverage. The observed differences notably depend on the tumor volume size and location. A larger cohort of patient is under investigation to verify those findings.« less

Compressive evaluation of homogeneous and graded epoxy-glass particulate composites.

PubMed

Seaglar, J; Rousseau, C-E

2015-04-01

The propagation of stress waves in epoxy-glass particulate composites and graded materials was studied experimentally. Materials tested in this study consisted of an epoxy matrix with various concentrations of spherical glass particles having a mean diameter of 42μm. Plate impact experiments were performed using a gas gun. Embedded within the specimens were manganin stress gauges used to record propagating compressive longitudinal stress waves through the material. High strain rate experiments using a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) apparatus were also performed to evaluate the dynamic strength of the specimens, while quasi-static compression tests were undertaken to characterize their quasi-static behavior. Ultrasonic wave speed measurements were carried-out in order to obtain additional material properties and characterize the gradation in functionally graded materials (FGM). It was found that low volume fractions of particles are detrimental to the performance of the material under impact loading, while concentrations in the range of about 30 to 45% by volume exhibit characteristics of higher degrees of scattering. This suggests that materials in this latter range would be more effective in the thwarting of destructive shock waves than the homogeneous matrix material. Impact testing of FGM specimens suggests that impact loading on the stiff (high volume fraction) face results in much higher levels of scattering. Therefore, such materials would be effective for use in light weight armor or as shielding materials due to their effective attenuation of mechanical impulses. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Monomer Derived Poly(Furfuryl)/BaTiO3 0-3 Nanocomposite Capacitors: Maximization of the Effective Permittivity Through Control at the Interface.

PubMed

Pearsall, Frederick A; Lombardi, Julien; O'Brien, Stephen

2017-11-22

Frequency stable, high permittivity nanocomposite capacitors produced under mild processing conditions offer an attractive replacement to MLCCs derived from conventional ceramic firing. Here, 0-3 nanocomposites were prepared using gel-collection derived barium titanate nanocrystals, suspended in a poly(furfuryl alcohol) matrix, resulting in a stable, high effective permittivity, low loss dielectric. The nanocrystals are produced at 60 °C, emerging as fully crystallized cubic BTO, 8 nm, paraelectric with a highly functional surface that enables both suspension and chemical reaction in organic solvents. The nanocrystals were suspended in furfuryl alcohol inside a uniquely prepared mold, in which volume fraction of nanocrystal filler (ν f ) could be varied. Polymerization of the matrix in situ at 70-90 °C resulted in a nanocomposite with a higher than anticipated effective permittivity (up to 50, with ν f only 0.41, 0.5-2000 kHz), exceptional stability as a function of frequency, and very favorable dissipation factors (tan δ < 0.01, ν f < 0.41; tan δ < 0.05, ν f < 0.5). The increased permittivity is attributed to the covalent attachment of the poly(furfuryl alcohol) matrix to the surface of the nanocrystals, homogenizing the particle-matrix interface, limiting undercoordinated surface sites and reducing void space. XPS and FTIR confirmed strong interfacial interaction between matrix and nanocrystal surface. Effective medium approximations were used to compare this with similar nanocomposite systems. It was found that the high effective permittivity could not be attributed to the combination of two components alone, rather the creation of a hybrid nanocomposite possessing its own dielectric behavior. A nondispersive medium was selected to focus on the frequency dependent permittivity of the 8 nm barium titanate nanocrystals. Experimental corroboration with known theory is evident until a specific volume fraction (ν f ≈ 0.3) where, due to a sharp increase in the effective permittivity, approximations fail to adequately describe the nanocomposite medium.

Nanoparticle amount, and not size, determines chain alignment and nonlinear hardening in polymer nanocomposites

PubMed Central

Varol, H. Samet; Meng, Fanlong; Hosseinkhani, Babak; Malm, Christian; Bonn, Daniel; Bonn, Mischa; Zaccone, Alessio

2017-01-01

Polymer nanocomposites—materials in which a polymer matrix is blended with nanoparticles (or fillers)—strengthen under sufficiently large strains. Such strain hardening is critical to their function, especially for materials that bear large cyclic loads such as car tires or bearing sealants. Although the reinforcement (i.e., the increase in the linear elasticity) by the addition of filler particles is phenomenologically understood, considerably less is known about strain hardening (the nonlinear elasticity). Here, we elucidate the molecular origin of strain hardening using uniaxial tensile loading, microspectroscopy of polymer chain alignment, and theory. The strain-hardening behavior and chain alignment are found to depend on the volume fraction, but not on the size of nanofillers. This contrasts with reinforcement, which depends on both volume fraction and size of nanofillers, potentially allowing linear and nonlinear elasticity of nanocomposites to be tuned independently. PMID:28377517

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Padaki, S.; Drzal, L.T.

The consolidation process in composites made out of powder impregnated tapes differs from that of other material forms because of the distribution of fiber and matrix in the unconsolidated state. A number of factors (e.g. time, pressure, particle size, volume fraction and viscosity) affect the efficiency of the consolidation of these tapes. This paper describes the development of a mathematical process model that describes the best set of parameters required for the consolidation of a given prepreg tape.

A thin porous substrate using bonded particles for reverse-emulsion electrophoretic displays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahumada, M.; Bryning, M.; Cromer, R.; Hartono, M.; Lee, S. J.

2012-03-01

A thin porous layer of bonded ceramic microparticles has been developed to provide structural integrity and a stationary matrix for use in reflective-mode reverse-emulsion electrophoretic displays (REED), based on self-assembled nanodroplets dispersed in a non-polar liquid. REED ink uses low-cost materials and manufacturing processes, yet is capable of video speed and low voltage operation below 10 V. Porous layers of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are prepared as thin as 10 microns by fluidizing the particles in a water-based slurry with polymeric adhesive. The slurry is distributed between glass shear plates, one of which serves as the substrate for the working device. Particle morphology is examined using scanning electron microscopy and layer uniformity is characterized by opacity measurements using a throughbeam fiber optic sensor. Performance of the bonded matrix with REED ink is compared to baseline performance of a paste mixture, comprised of the same ink and unbonded TiO2 particles. Results show that at 25% volume fraction, the bonded substrate improves image bistability and is better able to maintain both light and dark intensity after extensive switching. The same bonded substrate also improves image bistability when power is disconnected, even compared to a paste with 40% volume fraction of TiO2.

Formation of reversed austenite during tempering of 14Cr-7Ni-0.3Nb-0.7Mo-0.03C super martensitic stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Eun Seo; Yoo, Dae Kyoung; Sung, Jee Hyun; Kang, Chang Yong; Lee, Jun Hee; Sung, Jang Hyun

2004-12-01

Reversed austenite transformation and existence of retained austenite during tempering of the super martensitic stainless steel of Fe-14Cr-7Ni-0.3Nb-0.7Mo-0.03C were studied by means of experiments on microstructure and X-ray diffraction, and tensile and hardness tests. Acicular type retained austenite at the lath boundary of martensite with the interior appeared after solution annealing. This retained austenite still existed, and reversed austenite was not formed, with tempering up to 24h at 450°C. The reversed austenite began to form above 550°C, and the volume fraction of reversed austenite decreased with increasing tempering temperature after showing a maximum value of 19.2% at 650°C. This maximum volume fraction of reversed austenite was responsible for the lowest value of strength and hardness. The Ni contents of plate type reversed austenite and the surrounding matrix increased and decreased respectively, implying that the reversed austenite was formed as a result of nickel diffusion. The orientation relationships between reversed austenite and the surrounding matrix showed a K-S relationship of(bar 11bar 1)_γ //(01bar 1)_m and[011]_γ //[bar 111]_m.

Effects of SiC whiskers and particles on precipitation in aluminum matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papazian, John M.

1988-12-01

The age-hardening precipitation reactions in aluminum matrix composites reinforced with discontinuous SiC were studied using a calorimetric technique. Composites fabricated with 2124, 2219, 6061, and 7475 alloy matrices were obtained from commercial sources along with unreinforced control materials fabricated in a similar manner. The 7475 materials were made by a casting process while the others were made by powder metallurgy: the SiC reinforcement was in the form of whiskers or particulate. It was found that the overall age-hardening sequence of the alloy was not changed by the addition of SiC, but that the volume fractions of various phases and the precipitation kinetics were substantially modified. Precipitation and dissolution kinetics were generally accelerated. A substantial portion of this acceleration was found to be due to the powder metallurgy process employed to make the composites, but the formation kinetics of some particular precipitate phases were also strongly affected by the presence of SiC. It was observed that the volume fraction of GP zones able to form in the SiC containing materials was significantly reduced. The presence of SiC particles also caused normally quench insensitive materials such as 6061 to become quench sensitive. The microstructural origins of these effects are discussed.

Plasmonic and metallic optical properties of Au/SiO2 metal-insulator films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Battie, Yann; En Naciri, Aotmane; Vergnat, Michel

2017-12-01

In this paper, the optical properties and the growth mechanism of Au/SiO2 metal-insulator films (MIFs) are investigated by combining ellipsometry and transmission electron microscopy. The ellipsometric measurements, analyzed by using effective medium theories, show that the growth mechanism involves a Volmer-Weber growth mode while the morphology and the optical properties of Au/SiO2 MIFs are directly related to the percolation of the Au nanostructures. Indeed, below the percolation threshold of Au, the MIFs consist of ellipsoidal Au inclusions embedded in a SiO2 matrix. These insulating films present anisotropic plasmonic properties, attributed to the asymmetric interactions between nanaoparticles (NPs), which can be modeled according to the interacted shape distributed nanoparticle effective medium theory. At the percolation threshold of Au, an insulator-to-metal transition is observed. The MIFs simultaneously exhibit plasmonic and metallic optical properties, which can be described by the Bruggeman theory. The density of free electrons increases and the MIFs become more and more conductive as the Au volume fraction increases. We also demonstrate that for a high Au volume fraction, Bruggeman and Maxwell Garnett theories converge toward the same results, suggesting that the film is composed of isolated SiO2 inclusion embedded in a gold matrix.

Increasing the thermal conductivity of silicone based fluids using carbon nanofibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vales-Pinzon, C.; Vega-Flick, A.; Pech-May, N. W.; Alvarado-Gil, J. J.; Medina-Esquivel, R. A.; Zambrano-Arjona, M. A.; Mendez-Gamboa, J. A.

2016-11-01

Heat transfer in silicone fluids loaded with high thermal conductivity carbon nanofibers was studied using photoacoustics and thermal wave resonator cavity. It is shown that heat transport depends strongly on volume fraction of carbon nanofibers; in particular, a low loading percentage is enough to obtain significant changes in thermal conductivity. Theoretical models were used to determine how heat transfer is affected by structural formations in the composite, such as packing fraction and aspect ratio (form factor) of carbon nanofiber agglomerates in the high viscosity fluid matrix. Our results may find practical applications in systems, in which the carbon nanofibers can facilitate heat dissipation in the electronic devices.

Two-phase quasi-equilibrium in β-type Ti-based bulk metallic glass composites

PubMed Central

Zhang, L.; Pauly, S.; Tang, M. Q.; Eckert, J.; Zhang, H. F.

2016-01-01

The microstructural evolution of cast Ti/Zr-based bulk metallic glass composites (BMGCs) containing β-Ti still remains ambiguous. This is why to date the strategies and alloys suitable for producing such BMGCs with precisely controllable volume fractions and crystallite sizes are still rather limited. In this work, a Ti-based BMGC containing β-Ti was developed in the Ti-Zr-Cu-Co-Be system. The glassy matrix of this BMGC possesses an exceptional glass-forming ability and as a consequence, the volume fractions as well as the composition of the β-Ti dendrites remain constant over a wide range of cooling rates. This finding can be explained in terms of a two-phase quasi-equilibrium between the supercooled liquid and β-Ti, which the system attains on cooling. The two-phase quasi-equilibrium allows predicting the crystalline and glassy volume fractions by means of the lever rule and we succeeded in reproducing these values by slight variations in the alloy composition at a fixed cooling rate. The two-phase quasi-equilibrium could be of critical importance for understanding and designing the microstructures of BMGCs containing the β-phase. Its implications on the nucleation and growth of the crystalline phase are elaborated. PMID:26754315

Effect of Magnetic Inclusions on the Effective Magnetostriction of Bulk Superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Yufeng; Pan, Baocai; Liu, Zhiguo

2018-07-01

A simple model is presented based on the Kim-Anderson model to further investigate the dependence of the effective magnetostriction of magnetic inclusion-superconducting matrix system on both the elastic and magnetic parameters including the elastic modulus, permeability, and volume fraction. The effect of the permeability on the magnetostriction is also obtained by implementing the continuity conditions of displacement and strain at the interface between the inclusion and the matrix through the magnetostriction loop. The results indicate that a stiffer inclusion can decrease the effective magnetostriction no matter whether the inclusion is magnetic or not and a larger effective magnetostriction can be obtained by choosing the matrix with a higher permeability, which gives an explanation about why the composite made from a matrix with a high permeability but a negligibly small magnetostriction yields unexpectedly low magnetostriction. Of particular interest is that in a certain range the effective magnetostriction of composites can be enhanced until it is saturated by increasing the permeability of matrix.

A finite element formulation preserving symmetric and banded diffusion stiffness matrix characteristics for fractional differential equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Zeng; Wang, Dongdong

2017-10-01

Due to the nonlocal property of the fractional derivative, the finite element analysis of fractional diffusion equation often leads to a dense and non-symmetric stiffness matrix, in contrast to the conventional finite element formulation with a particularly desirable symmetric and banded stiffness matrix structure for the typical diffusion equation. This work first proposes a finite element formulation that preserves the symmetry and banded stiffness matrix characteristics for the fractional diffusion equation. The key point of the proposed formulation is the symmetric weak form construction through introducing a fractional weight function. It turns out that the stiffness part of the present formulation is identical to its counterpart of the finite element method for the conventional diffusion equation and thus the stiffness matrix formulation becomes trivial. Meanwhile, the fractional derivative effect in the discrete formulation is completely transferred to the force vector, which is obviously much easier and efficient to compute than the dense fractional derivative stiffness matrix. Subsequently, it is further shown that for the general fractional advection-diffusion-reaction equation, the symmetric and banded structure can also be maintained for the diffusion stiffness matrix, although the total stiffness matrix is not symmetric in this case. More importantly, it is demonstrated that under certain conditions this symmetric diffusion stiffness matrix formulation is capable of producing very favorable numerical solutions in comparison with the conventional non-symmetric diffusion stiffness matrix finite element formulation. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is illustrated through a series of numerical examples.

Adsorption of copolymers at polymer/air and polymer/solid interfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oslanec, Robert

Using mainly low-energy forward recoil spectrometry (LE-FRES) and neutron reflectivity (NR), copolymer behavior at polymer/air and polymer/solid interfaces is investigated. For a miscible blend of poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile) copolymers, the volume fraction profile of the copolymer with lower acrylonitrile content is flat near the surface in contrast to mean field predictions. Including copolymer polydispersity into a self consistent mean field (SCMF) model does not account for this profile shape. LE-FRES and NR is also used to study poly(deuterated styrene-block-methyl-methacrylate) (dPS-b-PMMA) adsorption from a polymer matrix to a silicon oxide substrate. The interfacial excess, zsp*, layer thickness, L, and layer-matrix width, w, depend strongly on the number of matrix segments, P, for P 2N, the matrix chains are repelled from the adsorbed layer and the layer characteristics become independent of P. An SCMF model of block copolymer adsorption is developed. SCMF predictions are in qualitative agreement with the experimental behavior of zsp*, L, and w as a function of P. Using this model, the interaction energy of the MMA block with the oxide substrate is found to be -8ksb{B}T. In a subsequent experiment, the matrix/dPS interaction is made increasingly unfavorable by increasing the 4-bromostyrene mole fraction, x, in a poly(styrene-ran-4-bromostyrene) (PBrsbxS) matrix. Whereas experiments show that zsp* slightly decreases as x increases, the SCMF model predicts that zsp* should increase as the matrix becomes more unfavorable. Upon including a small matrix attraction for the substrate, the SCMF model shows that zsp* decreases with x because of competition between PBrsbxS and dPS-b-PMMA for adsorbing sites. In thin film dewetting experiments on silicon oxide, the addition of dPS-b-PMMA to PS coatings acts to slow hole growth and prevent holes from impinging. Dewetting studies show that longer dPS-b-PMMA chains are more effective stabilizing agents than shorter ones and that 3 volume percent dPS-b-PMMA is the optimum additive concentration for this system. For a dPS-b-PMMA:PS blend, atomic force microscopy of the hole floor reveals mounds of residual polymer and a modulated contact line where the rim meets the substrate.

Investigations of the effects of particle properties on the wear resistance of the particle reinforced composites using a novel wear model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prabhu, T. Ram

2016-08-01

A wear model is developed based on the discrete lattice spring-mass approach to study the effects of particle volume fraction, size, and stiffness on the wear resistance of particle reinforced composites. To study these effects, we have considered three volume fractions (10%, 20% and 30%), two sizes (10 × 10 and 4 × 4 sites), and two different stiffness of particles embedded in the matrix in a regular pattern. In this model, we have discretized the composite system (400 × 100 sites) into the lumped masses connected with interaction spring elements in two dimensions. The interaction elements are assumed as linear elastic and ideal plastic under applied forces. Each mass is connected to its first and second nearest neighbors by springs. The matrix and particles sites are differentiated by choosing the different stiffness values. The counter surface is simulated as a rigid body that moves on the composite material at a constant sliding speed along the horizontal direction. The governing equations are formed by equating the spring force between the pair of sites given by Hooke’s law plus external contact forces and the force due to the motion of the site given by the equation of motion. The equations are solved for the plastic strain accumulated in the springs using an explicit time stepping procedure based on a finite difference form of the above equations. If the total strain accumulated in the spring elements connected to a lump mass site exceeds the failure strain, the springs are considered to be broken, and the mass site is removed or worn away from the lattice and accounts as a wear loss. The model predicts that (i) increasing volume fraction, reducing particle size and increasing particle stiffness enhance the wear resistance of the particle reinforced composites, (ii) the particle stiffness is the most significant factor affecting the wear resistance of the composites, and (iii) the wear resistance reduced above the critical volume fraction (Vc), and Vc increases with increasing particle size. Finally, we have qualitatively compared the model results with our previously published experimental results to prove the effectiveness of the model to analysis the complex wear systems.

Collagen in the spicule organic matrix of the gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kingsley, R. J.; Tsuzaki, M.; Watabe, N.; Mechanic, G. L.

1990-01-01

Decalcification of the calcareous spicules from the gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata reveals an organic matrix that may be divided into water insoluble and soluble fractions. The insoluble fraction displays characteristics typical of collagen, which is an unusual component of an invertebrate calcium carbonate structure. This matrix fraction exhibits a collagenous amino acid profile and behavior upon SDS-PAGE. Furthermore, the reducible crosslink, dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL), is detected in this fraction. The composition of the matrix varies seasonally; i.e., the collagenous composition is most prevalent in the summer. These results indicate that the insoluble matrix is a dynamic structure. Potential roles of this matrix in spicule calcification are discussed.

Controllable two-scale network architecture and enhanced mechanical properties of (Ti5Si3+TiBw)/Ti6Al4V composites.

PubMed

Jiao, Y; Huang, L J; Duan, T B; Wei, S L; Kaveendran, B; Geng, L

2016-09-13

Novel Ti6Al4V alloy matrix composites with a controllable two-scale network architecture were successfully fabricated by reaction hot pressing (RHP). TiB whiskers (TiBw) were in-situ synthesized around the Ti6Al4V matrix particles, and formed the first-scale network structure (FSNS). Ti5Si3 needles (Ti5Si3) precipitated in the β phase around the equiaxed α phase, and formed the secondary-scale network structure (SSNS). This resulted in increased deformation compatibility accompanied with enhanced mechanical properties. Apart from the reinforcement distribution and the volume fraction, the ratio between Ti5Si3 and TiBw fraction were controlled. The prepared (Ti5Si3 + TiBw)/Ti6Al4V composites showed higher tensile strength and ductility than the composites with a one-scale microstructure, and superior wear resistance over the Ti6Al4V alloy under dry sliding wear conditions at room temperature.

Investigation of Thermal Hardening of the FCC Material Containing Strengthening Particles with an L12 Superstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daneyko, O. I.; Kulaeva, N. A.; Kovalevskaya, C. A.; Kolupaeva, S. N.

2015-07-01

A mathematical model of plastic deformation of dispersion-hardened materials with an fcc matrix containing strengthening particles with an L12 superstructure having a coherent relationship with the matrix is presented. The model is based on the balance equations of deformation defects of different types with taking into account their transformation during plastic deformation. The influence of scale characteristics of the hardening phase, temperature, and deformation rate on the evolution of the dislocation subsystem and strain hardening of an alloy with an fcc matrix hardened by particles with an L12 super structure is studied. A temperature anomaly of mechanical properties is found for the materials with different fcc matrices (Al,Cu, Ni). It is shown that the temperature anomaly is more pronounced for the material with larger volume fraction of the hardening phase.

Buckling and Vibration of Fiber Reinforced Composite Plates With Nanofiber Reinforced Matrices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos C.; Murthy, Pappu L. N.

2011-01-01

Anisotropic composite plates were evaluated with nanofiber reinforced matrices (NFRM). The nanofiber reinforcement volumes ratio in the matrix was 0.01. The plate dimensions were 20 by 10 by 1.0 in. (508 by 254 by 25.4 mm). Seven different loading condition cases were evaluated for buckling: three for uniaxial loading, three for pairs of combined loading, and one with three combined loadings. The anisotropy arose from the unidirectional plates having been at 30 from the structural axis. The anisotropy had a full 6 by 6 rigidities matrix which were satisfied and solved by a Galerkin buckling algorithm. For vibration the same conditions were used with the applied cods about a small fraction of the buckling loads. The buckling and vibration results showed that the NFRM plates buckled at about twice those with conventional matrix.

Healing efficiency of shape memory polyurethane fiber reinforced syntactic foam under applied load

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogunmekan, Babatunde

Shape memory composite materials have received a great deal of interest in recent structural developments, both in sandwich and in lightweight structures. Experimental procedures involving the free body healing of these materials have been carried out; however, it is important to investigate the healing behaviors of these SMP materials while under load. In this study, syntactic foams reinforced with strain-hardened short-shape memory polyurethane fibers (SMPUFs) were prepared to evaluate their ability to heal wide-opened cracks using the two-step biomimetic close-then-heal (CTH) self-healing scheme while under varying loads. The syntactic foam samples manufactured consisted of an epoxy matrix with dispersed thermoplastic particles, glass microballoons and short SMPUFs. The SMPUF strands were cold-drawn (stretched-then-released) for up to four cycles and then cut to 10 mm short fibers before casting the polymer matrix. Three types of syntactic foam specimens, consisting of 5%, 10%, and 15% thermoplastic particle volume fraction compositions, respectively, were manufactured, and notched beam samples were then prepared. Fracture-healing by uniaxial tension was conducted for five cycles on each sample. Material characterization techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were utilized to highlight the crack healing characteristics and thermal properties. In addition, a high-resolution charge-coupled device (CCD) camera with a resolution of 3.7 x 3.7 μm/pixel was used to capture the crack tip opening displacement (CTOD). It is seen that the healing ability of the composite varies with changes in both the load carried and the volume fraction of thermoplastic particles. As the thermoplastic volume fraction increased from 5% to 10% to 15%, the tensile strength values recorded decreased, but there was also an increase in the healing efficiency. Moreover, SEM images revealed partial healing in samples with lower thermoplastic particle contents.

Baseline tensile tests of composite materials for LDEF (Long Duration Exposure Facility) exposure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Witte, William G.

1987-01-01

Tensile specimens of five graphite fiber reinforced composite materials were tested at room temperature to provide baseline data for similar specimens exposed to the space environment in low-Earth orbit on the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility. All specimens were 4-ply (+ or - 45 deg)s layups; at least five replicate specimens were tested for each parameter evaluated. Three epoxy-matrix materials and two polysulfone-matrix materials, several fiber volume fractions, and two sizes of specimen were evaluated. Stress-strain and Poisson's ratio-stress curves, ultimate stress, strain at failure, secant modulus at 0.004 strain, inplane shear stress-strain curves, and unidirectional shear modulus at .004 shear strain are presented.

Fabrication of cast particle-reinforced metals via pressure infiltration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klier, E. M.; Mortensen, A.; Cornie, J. A.; Flemings, M. C.

1991-01-01

A new casting process for fabrication of particle-reinforced metals is presented whereby a composite of particulate reinforcing phase in metal is first produced by pressure infiltration. This composite is then diluted in additional molten metal to obtain the desired reinforcement volume fraction and metal composition. This process produces a pore-free as-cast particulate metal-matrix composite. This process is demonstrated for fabrication of magnesium-matrix composites containing SiC reinforcements of average diameter 30, 10 and 3 microns. It is compared with the compocasting process, which was investigated as well for similar SiC particles in Mg-10 wt pct Al, and resulted in unacceptable levels of porosity in the as-cast composite.

Free vibration of fully functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced graphite/epoxy laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuo, Shih-Yao

2018-03-01

This study provides the first-known vibration analysis of fully functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced hybrid composite (FFG-CNTRHC) laminates. CNTs are non-uniformly distributed to reinforce the graphite/epoxy laminates. Some CNT distribution functions in the plane and thickness directions are proposed to more efficiently increase the stiffening effect. The rule of mixtures is modified by considering the non-homogeneous material properties of FFG-CNTRHC laminates. The formulation of the location dependent stiffness matrix and mass matrix is derived. The effects of CNT volume fraction and distribution on the natural frequencies of FFG-CNTRHC laminates are discussed. The results reveal that the FFG layout may significantly increase the natural frequencies of FFG-CNTRHC laminate.

Computational modelling of large deformations in layered-silicate/PET nanocomposites near the glass transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Figiel, Łukasz; Dunne, Fionn P. E.; Buckley, C. Paul

2010-01-01

Layered-silicate nanoparticles offer a cost-effective reinforcement for thermoplastics. Computational modelling has been employed to study large deformations in layered-silicate/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites near the glass transition, as would be experienced during industrial forming processes such as thermoforming or injection stretch blow moulding. Non-linear numerical modelling was applied, to predict the macroscopic large deformation behaviour, with morphology evolution and deformation occurring at the microscopic level, using the representative volume element (RVE) approach. A physically based elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model, describing the behaviour of the PET matrix within the RVE, was numerically implemented into a finite element solver (ABAQUS) using an UMAT subroutine. The implementation was designed to be robust, for accommodating large rotations and stretches of the matrix local to, and between, the nanoparticles. The nanocomposite morphology was reconstructed at the RVE level using a Monte-Carlo-based algorithm that placed straight, high-aspect ratio particles according to the specified orientation and volume fraction, with the assumption of periodicity. Computational experiments using this methodology enabled prediction of the strain-stiffening behaviour of the nanocomposite, observed experimentally, as functions of strain, strain rate, temperature and particle volume fraction. These results revealed the probable origins of the enhanced strain stiffening observed: (a) evolution of the morphology (through particle re-orientation) and (b) early onset of stress-induced pre-crystallization (and hence lock-up of viscous flow), triggered by the presence of particles. The computational model enabled prediction of the effects of process parameters (strain rate, temperature) on evolution of the morphology, and hence on the end-use properties.

Evaluation of titanium carbide metal matrix composites deposited via laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cavanaugh, Daniel Thomas

Metal matrix composites have been widely studied in terms of abrasion resistance, but a particular material system may behave differently as particle size, morphology, composition, and distribution of the hardening phase varies. The purpose of this thesis was to understand the mechanical and microstructural effects of combining titanium carbide with 431 series stainless steel to create a unique composite via laser cladding, particularly regarding wear properties. The most predominant effect in increasing abrasion resistance, measured via ASTM G65, was confirmed to be volume fraction of titanium carbide addition. Macrohardness was directly proportional to the amount of carbide, though there was an overall reduction in individual particle microhardness after cladding. The reduction in particle hardness was obscured by the effect of volume fraction carbide and did not substantially contribute to the wear resistance changes. A model evaluating effective mean free path of the titanium carbide particles was created and correlated to the measured data. The model proved successful in linking theoretical mean free path to overall abrasion resistance. The effects of the titanium carbide particle distributions were limited, while differences in particle size were noticeable. The mean free path model did not correlate well with the particle size, but it was shown that the fine carbides were completely removed by the coarse abrasive particles in the ASTM G65 test. The particle morphology showed indications of influencing the wear mode, but no statistical reduction was observed in the volume loss figures. Future studies may more specifically focus on particle morphology or compositional effects of the carbide particles.

Stress-Dependent Matrix Cracking in 2D Woven SiC-Fiber Reinforced Melt-Infiltrated SiC Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morscher, Gregory N.

2003-01-01

The matrix cracking of a variety of SiC/SiC composites has been characterized for a wide range of constituent variation. These composites were fabricated by the 2-dimensional lay-up of 0/90 five-harness satin fabric consisting of Sylramic fiber tows that were then chemical vapor infiltrated (CVI) with BN, CVI with SiC, slurry infiltrated with SiC particles followed by molten infiltration of Si. The composites varied in number of plies, the number of tows per length, thickness, and the size of the tows. This resulted in composites with a fiber volume fraction in the loading direction that ranged from 0.12 to 0.20. Matrix cracking was monitored with modal acoustic emission in order to estimate the stress-dependent distribution of matrix cracks. It was found that the general matrix crack properties of this system could be fairly well characterized by assuming that no matrix cracks originated in the load-bearing fiber, interphase, chemical vapor infiltrated Sic tow-minicomposites, i.e., all matrix cracks originate in the 90 degree tow-minicomposites or the large unreinforced Sic-Si matrix regions. Also, it was determined that the larger tow size composites had a much narrower stress range for matrix cracking compared to the standard tow size composites.

A fast fully constrained geometric unmixing of hyperspectral images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Xin; Li, Xiao-run; Cui, Jian-tao; Zhao, Liao-ying; Zheng, Jun-peng

2014-11-01

A great challenge in hyperspectral image analysis is decomposing a mixed pixel into a collection of endmembers and their corresponding abundance fractions. This paper presents an improved implementation of Barycentric Coordinate approach to unmix hyperspectral images, integrating with the Most-Negative Remove Projection method to meet the abundance sum-to-one constraint (ASC) and abundance non-negativity constraint (ANC). The original barycentric coordinate approach interprets the endmember unmixing problem as a simplex volume ratio problem, which is solved by calculate the determinants of two augmented matrix. One consists of all the members and the other consist of the to-be-unmixed pixel and all the endmembers except for the one corresponding to the specific abundance that is to be estimated. In this paper, we first modified the algorithm of Barycentric Coordinate approach by bringing in the Matrix Determinant Lemma to simplify the unmixing process, which makes the calculation only contains linear matrix and vector operations. So, the matrix determinant calculation of every pixel, as the original algorithm did, is avoided. By the end of this step, the estimated abundance meet the ASC constraint. Then, the Most-Negative Remove Projection method is used to make the abundance fractions meet the full constraints. This algorithm is demonstrated both on synthetic and real images. The resulting algorithm yields the abundance maps that are similar to those obtained by FCLS, while the runtime is outperformed as its computational simplicity.

Chemical Vapor Deposited SiC (SCS-0) Fiber-Reinforced Strontium Aluminosilicate Glass-Ceramic Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.

1997-01-01

Unidirectional SrO Al2O3 2SiO2 glass-ceramic matrix composites reinforced with uncoated Chemical Vapor Deposited (CVD) SiC (SCS-0) fibers have been fabricated by hot-pressing under appropriate conditions using the glass-ceramic approach. Almost fully dense composites having a fiber volume fraction of 0.24 have been obtained. Monoclinic celsian, SrAl2Si2O8, was the only crystalline phase observed in the matrix by x-ray diffraction. No chemical reaction was observed between the fiber and the matrix after high temperature processing. In three-point flexure, the composite exhibited a first matrix cracking stress of approx. 231 +/- 20 MPa and an ultimate strength of 265 +/- 17 MPa. Examination of fracture surfaces revealed limited short length fiber pull-out. From fiber push-out, the fiber/matrix interfacial debonding and frictional strengths were evaluated to be approx. 17.5 +/- 2.7 MPa and 11.3 +/- 1.6 MPa, respectively. Some fibers were strongly bonded to the matrix and could not be pushed out. The micromechanical models were not useful in predicting values of the first matrix cracking stress as well as the ultimate strength of the composites.

Astrocytes and extracellular matrix in extrasynaptic volume transmission.

PubMed

Vargová, Lýdia; Syková, Eva

2014-10-19

Volume transmission is a form of intercellular communication that does not require synapses; it is based on the diffusion of neuroactive substances across the brain extracellular space (ECS) and their binding to extrasynaptic high-affinity receptors on neurons or glia. Extracellular diffusion is restricted by the limited volume of the ECS, which is described by the ECS volume fraction α, and the presence of diffusion barriers, reflected by tortuosity λ, that are created, for example, by fine astrocytic processes or extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Organized astrocytic processes, ECM scaffolds or myelin sheets channel the extracellular diffusion so that it is facilitated in a certain direction, i.e. anisotropic. The diffusion properties of the ECS are profoundly influenced by various processes such as the swelling and morphological rebuilding of astrocytes during either transient or persisting physiological or pathological states, or the remodelling of the ECM in tumorous or epileptogenic tissue, during Alzheimer's disease, after enzymatic treatment or in transgenic animals. The changing diffusion properties of the ECM influence neuron-glia interaction, learning abilities, the extent of neuronal damage and even cell migration. From a clinical point of view, diffusion parameter changes occurring during pathological states could be important for diagnosis, drug delivery and treatment. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

NiAl-base composite containing high volume fraction of AlN for advanced engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hebsur, Mohan (Inventor); Whittenbeger, John D. (Inventor); Lowell, Carl F. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy has a NiAl matrix and greater than about 13 volume percent fine particles of AlN within the matrix. The particles preferably have a diameter from about 15 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy may be prepared by cryomilling prealloyed NiAl in liquid nitrogen using grinding media having a diameter of from about 2 to 6 mm at an impeller speed of from about 450 RPM to about 800 RPM. The cryomilling may be done for a duration of from about 4 hours to about 20 hours to obtain a cryomilled powder. The cryomilled powder may be consolidated to form the particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy. The particulate reinforced alloy can further include a toughening alloy. The toughening alloy may include NiCrAlY, FeCrAlY, and FeAl.

Nial-base composite containing high volume fraction of AlN for advanced engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hebsur, Mohan G. (Inventor); Whittenberger, John D. (Inventor); Lowell, Carl E. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy has a NiAl matrix and greater than about 13 volume percent fine particles of AlN within the matrix. The particles preferably have a diameter from about 15 nanometers to about 50 nanometers. The particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy may be prepared by cryomilling prealloyed NiAl in liquid nitrogen using grinding media having a diameter of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm at an impeller speed of from about 450 RPM to about 800 RPM. The cryomilling may be done for a duration of from about 4 hours to about 20 hours to obtain a cryomilled powder. The cryomilled powder may be consolidated to form the particulate reinforced NiAl-AlN composite alloy. The particulate reinforced alloy can further include a toughening alloy. The toughening alloy may include NiCrAlY, FeCrAY and FeAl.

Composite nuclear fuel fabrication methodology for gas fast reactors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasudevamurthy, Gokul

An advanced fuel form for use in Gas Fast Reactors (GFR) was investigated. Criteria for the fuel includes operation at high temperature (˜1400°C) and high burnup (˜150 MWD/MTHM) with effective retention of fission products even during transient temperatures exceeding 1600°C. The GFR fuel is expected to contain up to 20% transuranics for a closed fuel cycle. Earlier evaluations of reference fuels for the GFR have included ceramic-ceramic (cercer) dispersion type composite fuels of mixed carbide or nitride microspheres coated with SiC in a SiC matrix. Studies have indicated that ZrC is a potential replacement for SiC on account of its higher melting point, increased fission product corrosion resistance and better chemical stability. The present work investigated natural uranium carbide microspheres in a ZrC matrix instead of SiC. Known issues of minor actinide volatility during traditional fabrication procedures necessitated the investigation of still high temperature but more rapid fabrication techniques to minimize these anticipated losses. In this regard, fabrication of ZrC matrix by combustion synthesis from zirconium and graphite powders was studied. Criteria were established to obtain sufficient matrix density with UC microsphere volume fractions up to 30%. Tests involving production of microspheres by spark erosion method (similar to electrodischarge machining) showed the inability of the method to produce UC microspheres in the desired range of 300 to 1200 mum. A rotating electrode device was developed using a minimum current of 80A and rotating at speeds up to 1500 rpm to fabricate microspheres between 355 and 1200 mum. Using the ZrC process knowledge, UC electrodes were fabricated and studied for use in the rotating electrode device to produce UC microspheres. Fabrication of the cercer composite form was studied using microsphere volume fractions of 10%, 20%, and 30%. The macrostructure of the composite and individual components at various stages were characterized to understand the required fabrication techniques and at the same time meet the necessary GFR fuel characteristics.

Robustness and optimal use of design principles of arthropod exoskeletons studied by ab initio-based multiscale simulations.

PubMed

Nikolov, S; Fabritius, H; Petrov, M; Friák, M; Lymperakis, L; Sachs, C; Raabe, D; Neugebauer, J

2011-02-01

Recently, we proposed a hierarchical model for the elastic properties of mineralized lobster cuticle using (i) ab initio calculations for the chitin properties and (ii) hierarchical homogenization performed in a bottom-up order through all length scales. It has been found that the cuticle possesses nearly extremal, excellent mechanical properties in terms of stiffness that strongly depend on the overall mineral content and the specific microstructure of the mineral-protein matrix. In this study, we investigated how the overall cuticle properties changed when there are significant variations in the properties of the constituents (chitin, amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC), proteins), and the volume fractions of key structural elements such as chitin-protein fibers. It was found that the cuticle performance is very robust with respect to variations in the elastic properties of chitin and fiber proteins at a lower hierarchy level. At higher structural levels, variations of design parameters such as the volume fraction of the chitin-protein fibers have a significant influence on the cuticle performance. Furthermore, we observed that among the possible variations in the cuticle ingredients and volume fractions, the experimental data reflect an optimal use of the structural variations regarding the best possible performance for a given composition due to the smart hierarchical organization of the cuticle design. Copyright © 2011. Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modeling stiffness loss in boron/aluminum below the fatigue limit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, W. S.

1982-01-01

Boron/aluminum can develop significant internal matrix cracking when fatigued. These matrix cracks can result in a 40 percent secant modulus loss in some laminates, even when fatigued below the fatigue limit. It is shown that the same amount of fatigue damage will develop during stress or strain-controlled tests. Stacking sequence has little influence on secant modulus loss. The secant modulus loss in unidirectional composites is small, whereas the losses are substantial in laminates containing off-axis plies. A simple analysis is presented that predicts unnotched laminate secant modulus loss due to fatigue. The analysis is based upon the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the fiber and matrix, fiber volume fraction, fiber orientations, and the cyclic-hardened yield stress of the matrix material. Excellent agreement was achieved between model predictions and experimental results. With this model, designers can project the material stiffness loss for design load or strain levels and assess the feasibility of its use in stiffness-critical parts.

Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Microwave Sintered Cu50Ti50 Amorphous Alloy Reinforced Al Metal Matrix Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy, M. Penchal; Ubaid, F.; Shakoor, R. A.; Mohamed, A. M. A.

2018-06-01

In the present work, Al metal matrix composites reinforced with Cu-based (Cu50Ti50) amorphous alloy particles synthesized by ball milling followed by a microwave sintering process were studied. The amorphous powders of Cu50Ti50 produced by ball milling were used to reinforce the aluminum matrix. They were examined by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness and compression testing. The analysis of XRD patterns of the samples containing 5 vol.%, 10 vol.% and 15 vol.% Cu50Ti50 indicates the presence of Al and Cu50Ti50 peaks. SEM images of the sintered composites show the uniform distribution of reinforced particles within the matrix. Mechanical properties of the composites were found to increase with an increasing volume fraction of Cu50Ti50 reinforcement particles. The hardness and compressive strength were enhanced to 89 Hv and 449 MPa, respectively, for the Al-15 vol.% Cu50Ti50 composites.

Cardiac differentiation of cardiosphere-derived cells in scaffolds mimicking morphology of the cardiac extracellular matrix.

PubMed

Xu, Yanyi; Patnaik, Sourav; Guo, Xiaolei; Li, Zhenqing; Lo, Wilson; Butler, Ryan; Claude, Andrew; Liu, Zhenguo; Zhang, Ge; Liao, Jun; Anderson, Peter M; Guan, Jianjun

2014-08-01

Stem cell therapy has the potential to regenerate heart tissue after myocardial infarction (MI). The regeneration is dependent upon cardiac differentiation of the delivered stem cells. We hypothesized that timing of the stem cell delivery determines the extent of cardiac differentiation as cell differentiation is dependent on matrix properties such as biomechanics, structure and morphology, and these properties in cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) continuously vary with time after MI. In order to elucidate the relationship between ECM properties and cardiac differentiation, we created an in vitro model based on ECM-mimicking fibers and a type of cardiac progenitor cell, cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs). A simultaneous fiber electrospinning and cell electrospraying technique was utilized to fabricate constructs. By blending a highly soft hydrogel with a relatively stiff polyurethane and modulating fabrication parameters, tissue constructs with similar cell adhesion property but different global modulus, single fiber modulus, fiber density and fiber alignment were achieved. The CDCs remained alive within the constructs during a 1week culture period. CDC cardiac differentiation was dependent on the scaffold modulus, fiber volume fraction and fiber alignment. Two constructs with relatively low scaffold modulus, ∼50-60kPa, most significantly directed the CDC differentiation into mature cardiomyocytes as evidenced by gene expressions of cardiac troponin T (cTnT), calcium channel (CACNA1c) and cardiac myosin heavy chain (MYH6), and protein expressions of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and connexin 43 (CX43). Of these two low-modulus constructs, the extent of differentiation was greater for lower fiber alignment and higher fiber volume fraction. These results suggest that cardiac ECM properties may have an effect on cardiac differentiation of delivered stem cells. Copyright © 2014 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theoretical and numerical aspects of fluid-saturated elasto-plastic soils

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ehlers, W.

1995-12-31

The theoretical and numerical treatment of fluid-saturated porous solid materials generally falls into the category of porous media models, which are described within the framework of the classical theory of mixtures extended by the concept of volume fractions (porous media theories). In particular, this concept allows for the description of saturated, unsaturated and empty porous matrix materials, thus offering a well-founded theoretical background for a lot of engineering problems occurring, for instance, in the fields of geomechanics (soil and rock mechanics as well as glacier and rock ice mechanics), oil producing industries, sintering technologies, biomechanics, etc. In the present contribution,more » theoretical and numerical studies are outlined to describe a two-phase material composed of an incompressible elasto-plastic soil matrix saturated by an incompressible viscous pore fluid. In this context, the phenomenon of phase incompressibility is well known as a microscopic effect not implying bulk incompressibility in the macro regime. This is seen from the fact that even if the material density functions of the individual constituents are constant during deformation, the corresponding bulk densities can still change through changes in the volume fractions. Within the framework of a pure mechanical theory, constitutive equations are given for both the solid and the fluid partial stress tensors and for the interaction force acting between the two materials. Concerning the porous soil matrix, the elastic properties are described by an elasticity law of Hookean type, while the plastic range is governed by a {open_quote}single surface{close_quote} yield function exhibiting a smooth and closed shape in the principal stress space together with a non-associated flow rule. The viscosity effects of the pore fluid are included in the fluid stress tensor and in the drag force.« less

Biomechanical characterization of a low density silicone elastomer filled with hollow microspheres for maxillofacial prostheses.

PubMed

Liu, Q; Shao, L Q; Xiang, H F; Zhen, D; Zhao, N; Yang, S G; Zhang, X L; Xu, J

2013-01-01

An ideal material for maxillofacial prostheses has not been found. We created a novel material: silicone elastomer filled with hollow microspheres and characterized its biomechanical properties. Expancel hollow microspheres were mixed with MDX4-4210 silicone elastomer using Q7-9180 silicone fluid as diluent. The volume fractions of microspheres were 0, 5, 15, and 30% v/v (volume ratio to the total volume of MDX4-4210 and microspheres). The microspheres dispersed well in the matrix. The physical properties and biocompatibility of the composites were examined. Shock absorption was the greatest by the 5% v/v composite, and decreased with increasing concentrations of microspheres. The density, thermal conductivity, Shore A hardness, tear and tensile strength decreased with increasing concentrations of microspheres, while elongation at break increased. Importantly, the tear strength of all composites was markedly lower than that of pure silicone elastomer. Cell viability assays indicated that the composite was of good biocompatibility. The composite with a volume fraction of 5% exhibited the optimal properties for use as a maxillofacial prosthesis, though its tear strength was markedly lower than that of silicone elastomer. In conclusion, we developed a novel light and soft material with good flexibility and biocompatibility, which holds a promising prospect for clinical application as maxillofacial prosthesis.

Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet/Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Hybrid Composites: Multiscale Modeling and Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hadden, C. M.; Klimek-McDonald, D. R.; Pineda, E. J.; King, J. A.; Reichanadter, A. M.; Miskioglu, I.; Gowtham, S.; Odegard, G. M.

2015-01-01

Because of the relatively high specific mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composite materials, they are often used as structural components in aerospace applications. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) can be added to the epoxy matrix to improve the overall mechanical properties of the composite. The resulting GNP/carbon fiber/epoxy hybrid composites have been studied using multiscale modeling to determine the influence of GNP volume fraction, epoxy crosslink density, and GNP dispersion on the mechanical performance. The hierarchical multiscale modeling approach developed herein includes Molecular Dynamics (MD) and micromechanical modeling, and it is validated with experimental testing of the same hybrid composite material system. The results indicate that the multiscale modeling approach is accurate and provides physical insight into the composite mechanical behavior. Also, the results quantify the substantial impact of GNP volume fraction and dispersion on the transverse mechanical properties of the hybrid composite while the effect on the axial properties is shown to be insignificant.

Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet/Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Hybrid Composites: Multiscale Modeling and Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hadden, C. M.; Klimek-McDonald, D. R.; Pineda, E. J.; King, J. A.; Reichanadter, A. M.; Miskioglu, I.; Gowtham, S.; Odegard, G. M.

2015-01-01

Because of the relatively high specific mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composite materials, they are often used as structural components in aerospace applications. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) can be added to the epoxy matrix to improve the overall mechanical properties of the composite. The resulting GNP/carbon fiber/epoxy hybrid composites have been studied using multiscale modeling to determine the influence of GNP volume fraction, epoxy crosslink density, and GNP dispersion on the mechanical performance. The hierarchical multiscale modeling approach developed herein includes Molecular Dynamics (MD) and micromechanical modeling, and it is validated with experimental testing of the same hybrid composite material system. The results indicate that the multiscale modeling approach is accurate and provides physical insight into the composite mechanical behavior. Also, the results quantify the substantial impact of GNP volume fraction and dispersion on the transverse mechanical properties of the hybrid composite, while the effect on the axial properties is shown to be insignificant.

Mechanical Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelet Carbon Fiber Epoxy Hybrid Composites: Multiscale Modeling and Experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hadden, Cameron M.; Klimek-McDonald, Danielle R.; Pineda, Evan J.; King, Julie A.; Reichanadter, Alex M.; Miskioglu, Ibrahim; Gowtham, S.; Odegard, Gregory M.

2015-01-01

Because of the relatively high specific mechanical properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composite materials, they are often used as structural components in aerospace applications. Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) can be added to the epoxy matrix to improve the overall mechanical properties of the composite. The resulting GNP/carbon fiber/epoxy hybrid composites have been studied using multiscale modeling to determine the influence of GNP volume fraction, epoxy crosslink density, and GNP dispersion on the mechanical performance. The hierarchical multiscale modeling approach developed herein includes Molecular Dynamics (MD) and micromechanical modeling, and it is validated with experimental testing of the same hybrid composite material system. The results indicate that the multiscale modeling approach is accurate and provides physical insight into the composite mechanical behavior. Also, the results quantify the substantial impact of GNP volume fraction and dispersion on the transverse mechanical properties of the hybrid composite, while the effect on the axial properties is shown to be insignificant.

Investigations on Thermal Conductivities of Jute and Banana Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pujari, Satish; Ramakrishna, Avasarala; Balaram Padal, Korabu Tulasi

2017-04-01

The Jute and Banana fibers are used as reinforcement in epoxy resin matrix for making partially green biodegradable material composite via hand lay-up technique. The thermal conductivity of the jute fiber epoxy composites and banana fiber epoxy composites at different volume fraction of the fiber is determined experimentally by using guarded heat flow meter method. The experimental results had shown that thermal conductivity of the composites decrease with an increase in the fiber content. Experimental results are compared with theoretical models (Series model, Hashin model and Maxwell model) to describe the variation of the thermal conductivity versus the volume fraction of the fiber. Good agreement between theoretical and experimental results is observed. Thermal conductivity of Banana fiber composite is less when compared to that of Jute composite which indicates banana is a good insulator and also the developed composites can be used as insulating materials in building, automotive industry and in steam pipes to save energy by reducing rate of heat transfer.

Processing, microstructure and mechanics of functionally graded Al A359/SiC(p) composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Castro, Ramon

2000-11-01

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) have great promise for high temperature, high strength, wear resistant applications. However, their brittleness has limited their use in load bearing applications. Functionally graded MMCs with a reinforcement concentration higher on the surface than in the interior offer new opportunities, as these materials will have high surface hardness as well as high resistance to crack growth towards the interior. In this dissertation the processing and mechanical properties of a functionally graded MMC are investigated. Rectangular blocks (100 mmx60 mmx50 mm) of functionally graded SiC particulate reinforced aluminum A359 matrix composite were prepared by centrifugal casting techniques. The reinforcement volume fraction profiles varied as the centrifugal force was applied, owing to the different densities of Al and SiC. The casting at 1300 rpm (angular velocity) had a well-mixed, refined microstructure with the maximum SiC volume fraction of 44% near the outer surface of the blocks. This surface exhibited an elevated hardness. The effect of SiC particulate reinforcement on strengthening of A359 Al alloy was experimentally studied by tensile testing specimens prepared from the cast blocks. There was a continuous increase in tensile and yield strength with increasing SiC volume fractions in the range of 0.20 to 0.30. On the contrary, there was a reduction in tensile and yield strength for SiC concentrations in the range of 0.30 to 0.40. The elasticity modulus increased with increasing SiC volume fractions in the whole reinforcement range (0.20--0.40). Fractographic analysis by SEM revealed a ductile failure process of void growth in the matrix, but the amount of the void growth was less when the SiC concentration was higher. SEM also revealed SiC reinforcement fracture and decohesion, with the particle fracture increasing with the particle concentration. Appropriate flat specimens with a continuously graded microstructure for fracture mechanics testing were machined from the cast blocks. No published work has reported specimens of similar characteristics (size of the specimens and continuous reinforcement gradation). Fracture mechanics of the composite specimens with the crack parallel to the gradation in elastic properties was studied to investigate the effect of the nonhomogeneous microstructure on fracture toughness. Fatigue pre-cracking was used and a limited amount of fatigue crack propagation data was gathered. Low values of DeltaKth and increased crack growth resistance in the Paris region were observed for the functionally graded composite compared to a homogeneous 20 vol% composite. R-curve (KR) behavior of fracture was investigated in the functionally graded composite. At elevated SiC concentrations (low values of crack length), limited dissipation of energy by restrained plastic deformation of the matrix at the crack tip produced low fracture toughness values. On the contrary, at longer crack lengths SiC content decreased and there was more absorption of energy, resulting in higher fracture toughness values. In addition, the crack growth resistance behavior of the FGM composite was compared to the corresponding behavior of an Al A359/SiCp 20 vol% homogeneous composite. The latter exhibited a declining KR-curve behavior whereas the FGM composite displayed an increasing KR-curve behavior. Consequently, this increasing crack growth resistance behavior displayed by the functionally graded Al A359/SiCp composite shows that tailored changes in the microstructure could circumvent the low toughness inherent in MMCs.

On the role of particle cracking in flow and fracture of metal matrix composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brockenbrough, J.R.; Zok, F.W.

1995-01-01

The flow response of particle-reinforced metal matrix composites is studied using finite element methods. Unit cells containing either intact or cracked particles in a power law hardening matrix are used to determine the corresponding asymptotic flow strengths. The effects of the hardening exponent and the elastic mismatch between the particles and the matrix on the flow response are examined. For comparison, the flow response of power law hardening solids containing penny-shaped cracks is also evaluated. The latter results are found to be in reasonable agreement with those corresponding to composites that contain low volume fractions of cracked particles. The asymptoticmore » results are used to develop a one-dimensional constitutive law for composites which undergo progressive damage during tensile straining. This law is used to evaluate the strain at the onset of plastic instability. It is proposed that the instability strain be used as a measure of tensile ductility when the particle content is low and the particles are uniformly distributed through the matrix.« less

PAFAC- PLASTIC AND FAILURE ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITES

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bigelow, C. A.

1994-01-01

The increasing number of applications of fiber-reinforced composites in industry demands a detailed understanding of their material properties and behavior. A three-dimensional finite-element computer program called PAFAC (Plastic and Failure Analysis of Composites) has been developed for the elastic-plastic analysis of fiber-reinforced composite materials and structures. The evaluation of stresses and deformations at edges, cut-outs, and joints is essential in understanding the strength and failure for metal-matrix composites since the onset of plastic yielding starts very early in the loading process as compared to the composite's ultimate strength. Such comprehensive analysis can only be achieved by a finite-element program like PAFAC. PAFAC is particularly suited for the analysis of laminated metal-matrix composites. It can model the elastic-plastic behavior of the matrix phase while the fibers remain elastic. Since the PAFAC program uses a three-dimensional element, the program can also model the individual layers of the laminate to account for thickness effects. In PAFAC, the composite is modeled as a continuum reinforced by cylindrical fibers of vanishingly small diameter which occupy a finite volume fraction of the composite. In this way, the essential axial constraint of the phases is retained. Furthermore, the local stress and strain fields are uniform. The PAFAC finite-element solution is obtained using the displacement method. Solution of the nonlinear equilibrium equations is obtained with a Newton-Raphson iteration technique. The elastic-plastic behavior of composites consisting of aligned, continuous elastic filaments and an elastic-plastic matrix is described in terms of the constituent properties, their volume fractions, and mutual constraints between phases indicated by the geometry of the microstructure. The program uses an iterative procedure to determine the overall response of the laminate, then from the overall response determines the stress state in each phase of the composite material. Failure of the fibers or matrix within an element can also be modeled by PAFAC. PAFAC is written in FORTRAN IV for batch execution and has been implemented on a CDC CYBER 170 series computer with a segmented memory requirement of approximately 66K (octal) of 60 bit words. PAFAC was developed in 1982.

Vacuum brazing of high volume fraction SiC particles reinforced aluminum matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Dongfeng; Niu, Jitai; Gao, Zeng; Wang, Peng

2015-03-01

This experiment chooses A356 aluminum matrix composites containing 55% SiC particle reinforcing phase as the parent metal and Al-Si-Cu-Zn-Ni alloy metal as the filler metal. The brazing process is carried out in vacuum brazing furnace at the temperature of 550°C and 560°C for 3 min, respectively. The interfacial microstructures and fracture surfaces are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy spectrum analysis (EDS). The result shows that adequacy of element diffusion are superior when brazing at 560°C, because of higher activity and liquidity. Dislocations and twins are observed at the interface between filler and composite due to the different expansion coefficient of the aluminum alloy matrix and SiC particles. The fracture analysis shows that the brittle fracture mainly located at interface of filler and composites.

Age hardening of 6061/alumina-silica fiber composite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khangaonkar, P.R.; Shamsul, J.B.; Azmi, R.

1994-12-31

Continuous alumina-silica fiber (Altex of Sumitomo) which yields high performance composites with some aluminium alloys was tried for squeeze cast 6061 based composites with volume fractions of 0.5 and 0.32, and the matrix microhardness and resistivity changes during age hardening were studied. The matrix in the composites hardened much more than the unreinforced alloy. Microhardness increases of up to 70 VPN above the solution treated condition at various aging temperatures were observed. The resistivity variation indicated an appreciable state of internal stress which continued to persist even when hardness fell by overaging. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that the regionsmore » close to the fibers had a higher silicon content than the matrix, and amorphous silica in the fiber may have a role in the formation of an enriched layer which may help the bonding and strength in the composite.« less

Elasticity Dominated Surface Segregation of Small Molecules in Polymer Mixtures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krawczyk, Jarosław; Croce, Salvatore; McLeish, T. C. B.; Chakrabarti, Buddhapriya

2016-05-01

We study the phenomenon of migration of the small molecular weight component of a binary polymer mixture to the free surface using mean field and self-consistent field theories. By proposing a free energy functional that incorporates polymer-matrix elasticity explicitly, we compute the migrant volume fraction and show that it decreases significantly as the sample rigidity is increased. A wetting transition, observed for high values of the miscibility parameter can be prevented by increasing the matrix rigidity. Estimated values of the bulk modulus suggest that the effect should be observable experimentally for rubberlike materials. This provides a simple way of controlling surface migration in polymer mixtures and can play an important role in industrial formulations, where surface migration often leads to decreased product functionality.

Optical image encryption using chaos-based compressed sensing and phase-shifting interference in fractional wavelet domain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Qi; Wang, Ying; Wang, Jun; Wang, Qiong-Hua

2018-02-01

In this paper, a novel optical image encryption system combining compressed sensing with phase-shifting interference in fractional wavelet domain is proposed. To improve the encryption efficiency, the volume data of original image are decreased by compressed sensing. Then the compacted image is encoded through double random phase encoding in asymmetric fractional wavelet domain. In the encryption system, three pseudo-random sequences, generated by three-dimensional chaos map, are used as the measurement matrix of compressed sensing and two random-phase masks in the asymmetric fractional wavelet transform. It not only simplifies the keys to storage and transmission, but also enhances our cryptosystem nonlinearity to resist some common attacks. Further, holograms make our cryptosystem be immune to noises and occlusion attacks, which are obtained by two-step-only quadrature phase-shifting interference. And the compression and encryption can be achieved in the final result simultaneously. Numerical experiments have verified the security and validity of the proposed algorithm.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Azimi, H.R.

This study examines several mechanisms by which the fatigue crack propagation (FCP) resistance of shear-yielding thermoset polymers can be improved. Specifically, this research has four objectives as follows: first, to develop a mechanistic understanding of the FCP behavior of rubber-modified thermoset polymers; second, to understand the effect of strength and shape of the inorganic fillers on the FCP resistance and micromechanisms in filled epoxy polymers; third, to elucidate the nature of the interactions among the crack-tip shielding mechanisms in thermoset polymers subjected to cyclic loading and synergistically toughened with both rubber and inorganic particles (i.e., hybrid composites); fourth, to studymore » the role of interfaces on the synergistic interactions in FCP behavior of hybrid composites. The model - matrix material consists of a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) based type epoxy cured with piperidine. Parallel to the first objective, the epoxy matrix was modified with rubber while changing volume fraction, type, and size of the rubber particles. To accomplish the second goal, the epoxy polymers were modified by a total 10 volume percent of either one of the following three types of inorganic modifiers: hollow glass spheres (HGS); solid glass spheres (SGS); and short glass fibers (SGF). The third goal was met by processing three different systems of hybrid epoxy composites modified by (1) CTBN rubber and HGS, (2) CTBN rubber and SGS, and (3) CTBN rubber and SGF. The total volume fraction of the two modifiers in each hybrid system was kept constant at 10 percent while systematically changing their ratio. To meet the fourth objective, the surface properties of the SGS particles in the hybrid system were altered using adhesion promoter. A mechanistic understanding of the FCP behavior of rubber-modified epoxies was achieved by relating fractographs to observed FCP behavior.« less

Breaking through the uncertainty ceiling in LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horstwood, M.

2016-12-01

Sources of systematic uncertainty associated with session-to-session bias are the dominant contributor to the 2% (2s) uncertainty ceiling that currently limits the accuracy of LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology. Sources include differential downhole fractionation (LIEF), `matrix effects' and ablation volume differences, which result in irreproducibility of the same reference material across sessions. Current mitigation methods include correcting for LIEF mathematically, using matrix-matched reference materials, annealing material to reduce or eliminate radiation damage effects and tuning for robust plasma conditions. Reducing the depth and volume of ablation can also mitigate these problems and should contribute to the reduction of the uncertainty ceiling. Reducing analysed volume leads to increased detection efficiency, reduced matrix-effects, eliminates LIEF, obviates ablation rate differences and reduces the likelihood of intercepting complex growth zones with depth, thereby apparently improving material homogeneity. High detection efficiencies (% level) and low sampling volumes (20um box, 1-2um deep) can now be achieved using MC-ICP-MS such that low volume ablations should be considered part of the toolbox of methods targeted at improving the reproducibility of LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology. In combination with other strategies these improvements should be feasible on any ICP platform. However, reducing the volume of analysis reduces detected counts and requires a change of analytical approach in order to mitigate this. Appropriate strategies may include the use of high efficiency cell and torch technologies and the optimisation of acquisition protocols and data handling techniques such as condensing signal peaks, using log ratios and total signal integration. The tools required to break the 2% (2s) uncertainty ceiling in LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology are likely now known but require a coherent strategy and change of approach to combine their implementation and realise this goal. This study will highlight these changes and efforts towards reducing the uncertainty contribution for LA-ICP-MS U-Pb geochronology.

Controllable two-scale network architecture and enhanced mechanical properties of (Ti5Si3+TiBw)/Ti6Al4V composites

PubMed Central

Jiao, Y.; Huang, L. J.; Duan, T. B.; Wei, S. L.; Kaveendran, B.; Geng, L.

2016-01-01

Novel Ti6Al4V alloy matrix composites with a controllable two-scale network architecture were successfully fabricated by reaction hot pressing (RHP). TiB whiskers (TiBw) were in-situ synthesized around the Ti6Al4V matrix particles, and formed the first-scale network structure (FSNS). Ti5Si3 needles (Ti5Si3) precipitated in the β phase around the equiaxed α phase, and formed the secondary-scale network structure (SSNS). This resulted in increased deformation compatibility accompanied with enhanced mechanical properties. Apart from the reinforcement distribution and the volume fraction, the ratio between Ti5Si3 and TiBw fraction were controlled. The prepared (Ti5Si3 + TiBw)/Ti6Al4V composites showed higher tensile strength and ductility than the composites with a one-scale microstructure, and superior wear resistance over the Ti6Al4V alloy under dry sliding wear conditions at room temperature. PMID:27622992

Mechanical Properties - Structure Correlation for Commercial Specification of Cast Particulate Metal Matrix Composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pradeep Rohatgi

2002-12-31

In this research, the effects of casting foundry, testing laboratory, surface conditions, and casting processes on the mechanical properties of A359-SiC composites were identified. To observe the effects, A359-SiC composites with 20 and 305 SiC particles were cast at three different foundries and tested at three different laboratories. The composites were cast in sand and permanent molds and tested as-cast and machined conditions. To identify the effect of the volume fraction and distribution of particles on the properties of the composites, particle distribution was determined using Clemex Image analysis systems, and particle volume fraction was determined using wet chemical analysismore » and Clemex Image analysis systems. The microstructure and fractured surfaces of the samples were analyzed using SEM, and EDX analysis was done to analyze chemical reaction between the particles and the matrix. The results of the tensile strengths exhibited that the tensile strengths depend on the density and porosity of the composites; in general the higher tensile strength is associated with lower porosity and higher density. In some cases, composites with lower density were higher than these with higher density. In the Al-20% SiC samples, the composites with more inclusions exhibited a lower tensile strength than the ones with fewer inclusions. This suggests that macroscopic casting defects such as micro-porosity, shrinkage porosity and inclusions appear to strongly influence the tensile strength more than the microstructure and particle distribution. The fatigue properties of A359/20 vol.% SiC composites were investigated under strain controlled conditions. Hysteresis loops obtained from strain controlled cyclic loading of 20% SiCp reinforced material did not exhibit any measurable softening or hardening. The fatigue life of Al-20% SiC heat treated alloy at a given total strain showed wide variation in fatigue life, which appeared to be related to factors such as inclusions, porosity, and particle distribution. The inclusions and porosity on the fracture surfaces seem to have a more significant influence on the fatigue life of cast Al-20% SiC as compared to other variables, including SiC particle volume percentage and its distribution. Striations were generally not visible on the fracture surface of the composites. In many specimens, SiC particle fracture was also observed. Fracture was more severe around pores and inclusions than in the matrix away from them. Inclusions and porosity seem to have a much stronger influence on fatigue behavior than the particle distribution. The analysis suggests that the enhancement of fatigue behavior of cast MMCs requires a decrease in the size of defects, porosity, and inclusions. The particle volume fraction determined using wet chemical analysis gives values of SiC vol.% which are closer to the nominal Sic % than the values of SiC% obtained by ultrasonic and Clemex Image Analysis system. In view of ALCAN's recommendation one must use wet chemical analysis for determining the volume percent SiC.« less

Matrix effects for elemental fractionation within ICPMS: applications for U-Th-Pb geochronology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, W.

2016-12-01

Recent development in instruments provides significant technical supports for daily, quick, money saving geochemical analyses. Laser ablation ICPMS stands out due to these reasons, especially for the U-Th-Pb isotopic dating. Matrix-matched external standardization is by far the most common approach used in U-Th-Pb dating via LA-ICPMS. However, matrix-effects between standard and sample for in-situ dating have shown to be both significant and insignificant. It remains mysterious whether a well matrix-matched standard is needed for U-Th-Pb dating by LA-ICPMS. This study provides an experimental framework for the understanding of matrix effects induced elemental fractionation for U-Th-Pb associated with ICPMS. A preliminary study on the influence of varied U, Th and Pb amounts on their fractionations has been carried out. Experimental data show that different U, Th and Pb contents result in varied 238U/206Pb and 232Th/208Pb ratios. The fractionations of U/Pb and Th/Pb increase with the increasing contents (1 ppb to 100 ppb) with a strong positive anomaly at 10 ppb. Matrixes representing minerals frequently used in dating have been investigated for the influences on U/Pb and Th/Pb fractionations, which suggest a complicated effect. Little fractionations observed between mineral pairs (e.g., monazite and apatite; zircon and perovskite; rutile and perovskite; xenotime and baddeleyite), whereas large fractionations identified for other minerals (e.g., zircon and baddeleyite; monazite and sphene; rutile and baddeleyite). Single element matrix (i.e., Si, P, Ca, Zr, Ti) has been studied to identify their effects on the fractionations. U/Pb ratio increases with the increasing Si and P contents, whereas it decreases for Zr, Ca and Ti. Th/Pb ratio increases with increasing Si contents, decreases for P and Zr, and increases first then decreases for Ca and Ti. Above all, different matrix and U, Th and Pb amounts show distinct U/Pb and Th/Pb fractionations within ICPMS. The minerals with matrix indicating similar fractionations in ICPMS can be used as suitable reference standards for each other with proper laser ablation settings via LA-ICPMS. Moreover, matched U, Th and Pb contents should be considered when using a matrix-matched standard in laser ablation analysis.

Biointerface dynamics--Multi scale modeling considerations.

PubMed

Pajic-Lijakovic, Ivana; Levic, Steva; Nedovic, Viktor; Bugarski, Branko

2015-08-01

Irreversible nature of matrix structural changes around the immobilized cell aggregates caused by cell expansion is considered within the Ca-alginate microbeads. It is related to various effects: (1) cell-bulk surface effects (cell-polymer mechanical interactions) and cell surface-polymer surface effects (cell-polymer electrostatic interactions) at the bio-interface, (2) polymer-bulk volume effects (polymer-polymer mechanical and electrostatic interactions) within the perturbed boundary layers around the cell aggregates, (3) cumulative surface and volume effects within the parts of the microbead, and (4) macroscopic effects within the microbead as a whole based on multi scale modeling approaches. All modeling levels are discussed at two time scales i.e. long time scale (cell growth time) and short time scale (cell rearrangement time). Matrix structural changes results in the resistance stress generation which have the feedback impact on: (1) single and collective cell migrations, (2) cell deformation and orientation, (3) decrease of cell-to-cell separation distances, and (4) cell growth. Herein, an attempt is made to discuss and connect various multi scale modeling approaches on a range of time and space scales which have been proposed in the literature in order to shed further light to this complex course-consequence phenomenon which induces the anomalous nature of energy dissipation during the structural changes of cell aggregates and matrix quantified by the damping coefficients (the orders of the fractional derivatives). Deeper insight into the matrix partial disintegration within the boundary layers is useful for understanding and minimizing the polymer matrix resistance stress generation within the interface and on that base optimizing cell growth. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

One-step Tape Casting of Composites via Slurry on Fiber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

deGroh, Henry C., III

2001-01-01

A process by which metal matrix composites can be made was presented. The process involves putting a powder slurry on fibers to make a precursor green tape. These green tapes are cut, stacked and hot pressed to form the fully dense composite. A computer program was presented which enables complete quantification and control of the process. Once some easily obtained properties of the slurry and its behavior are determined (such as the shrinkage from the wet to green state, and the density of the green tape) modification of the fiber spacing and blade height give the maker precise control of fiber volume fraction, and fiber architecture in the composite. The process was shown to be accurate and flexible through the production of a wide variety of volume fraction fiber composites made from a wide variety of fibers and powders. The most time consuming step of the tape casting process (other than hot pressing) was winding the fiber on the drum. The tape casting techniques developed resulted in high quality metal matrix composites, with ultimate tensile strength in the range of 215 ksi (1477 MPa), a strain at failure of 1.15 percent, and in fatigue at room temperature 0 to 120 ksi, n = 0.3 Hz, a 4-ply Ti-24Al-11Nb/SCS-6, 32 vol% fiber tape cast composite lasted 202,205 cycles with a maximum strain on the 100th cycle of 0.43 percent.

Exact simulation of polarized light reflectance by particle deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramezan Pour, B.; Mackowski, D. W.

2015-12-01

The use of polarimetric light reflection measurements as a means of identifying the physical and chemical characteristics of particulate materials obviously relies on an accurate model of predicting the effects of particle size, shape, concentration, and refractive index on polarized reflection. The research examines two methods for prediction of reflection from plane parallel layers of wavelength—sized particles. The first method is based on an exact superposition solution to Maxwell's time harmonic wave equations for a deposit of spherical particles that are exposed to a plane incident wave. We use a FORTRAN-90 implementation of this solution (the Multiple Sphere T Matrix (MSTM) code), coupled with parallel computational platforms, to directly simulate the reflection from particle layers. The second method examined is based upon the vector radiative transport equation (RTE). Mie theory is used in our RTE model to predict the extinction coefficient, albedo, and scattering phase function of the particles, and the solution of the RTE is obtained from adding—doubling method applied to a plane—parallel configuration. Our results show that the MSTM and RTE predictions of the Mueller matrix elements converge when particle volume fraction in the particle layer decreases below around five percent. At higher volume fractions the RTE can yield results that, depending on the particle size and refractive index, significantly depart from the exact predictions. The particle regimes which lead to dependent scattering effects, and the application of methods to correct the vector RTE for particle interaction, will be discussed.

Determination of atrazine and its major degradation products in soil pore water by solid-phase extraction, chemical derivatization, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Carter, D.S.

1996-01-01

This report describes a method for the determination of atrazine, desethylatrazine, deisopropylatrazine, didealkylatrazine, and hydroxyatrazine from soil pore waters by use of solid-phase extractionfollowed by chemical derivatization and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The analytes are isolated from the pore-water matrix byextraction onto a graphitized carbon-black cartridge. The cartridge is dried under vacuum, and adsorbed analytes are removed by elution with ethyl acetate followed by dichloromethane/methanol (7:3, volume/volume). Water is removed from the ethyl acetate fraction on an anhydrous sodium sulfate column. The combined fractions are solvent exchanged into acetonitrile, evaporated by use of a nitrogen stream, and derivatized by use of N- methyl-N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)- trifluoroacetamide. The derivatized extracts are analyzed by capillary-column gaschromatography/electron-impact mass spectrometry in the scan mode. Estimated method detection limits range from 0.03 to 0.07 micrograms per liter. The mean recoveries of all analytes and surrogates determined at 0.74 to 0.82 micrograms per liter in reagent water in soil pore water were 94 percent and 98 percent, respectively. The mean recoveries of all analytes and surrogates determined at 7.4 to 8.2 micrograms per liter in reagent water and in soil pore water were 96 percent and 97 percent,respectively. Recoveries were 90 percent or higher, regardless of analyte concentration or matrix composition, for all compounds excepthydroxyatrazine, whose recoveries were slightly lower (77 percent) at the low concentration.

The propagation of light through fibre reinforced composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sargent, J. P.; Upstill, C.

1986-06-01

Features of a generalized technique for detecting and measuring submicron gaps between the fiber and the matrix in low fiber-volume fraction composite materials are outlined. Sample microphotographs are provided to illustrate visual evidence of the presence of water and air pockets at the fiber-matrix interface, and the differences in refractive index of composite material components and impurities such as oils. The imagery were obtained using a laser to illumine glass fiber reinforced epoxy samples. Attention is given to the geometric optics, evanescent wave optics and polarization effects associated with interfacial gaps. Finally, the scattering of light by the gaps and the corresponding size of the gaps are described statistically in terms of Rayleigh's theory, noting that only estimates will be possible for the scattering due to limitations of available computing power.

Electrical and Electrorheological Properties of Alumina/Natural Rubber (STR XL) Composites

PubMed Central

Tangboriboon, Nuchnapa; Uttanawanit, Nuttapot; Longtong, Mean; Wongpinthong, Piraya; Sirivat, Anuvat; Kunanuruksapong, Ruksapong

2010-01-01

The electrorheological properties (ER) of natural rubber (XL)/alumina (Al2O3) composites were investigated in oscillatory shear mode under DC electrical field strengths between 0 to 2 kV/mm. SEM micrographs indicate a mean particle size of 9.873 ± 0.034 µm and particles that are moderately dispersed in the matrix. The XRD patterns indicate Al2O3 is of the β-phase polytype which possesses high ionic conductivity. The storage modulus (G′) of the composites, or the rigidity, increases by nearly two orders of magnitude, with variations in particle volume fraction and electrical field strength. The increase in the storage modulus is caused the ionic polarization of the alumina particles and the induced dipole moments set up in the natural rubber matrix.

Effects of ultrasound on polymeric foam porosity.

PubMed

Torres-Sanchez, C; Corney, J R

2008-04-01

A variety of materials require functionally graded cellular microstructures whose porosity is engineered to meet specific applications (e.g. mimic bone structure for orthopaedic applications; fulfil mechanical, thermal or acoustic constraints in structural foamed components, etc.). Although a huge variety of foams can be manufactured with homogenous porosity, there are no generic processes for controlling the distribution of porosity within the resulting matrix. Motivated by the desire to create a flexible process for engineering heterogeneous foams, the authors have investigated how ultrasound, applied during the formation of a polyurethane foam, affects its cellular structure. The experimental results demonstrated how the parameters of ultrasound exposure (i.e. frequency and applied power) influenced the volume and distribution of pores within the final polyurethane matrix: the data demonstrates that porosity (i.e. volume fraction) varies in direct proportion to both the acoustic pressure and frequency of the ultrasound signal. The effects of ultrasound on porosity demonstrated by this work offer the prospect of a manufacturing process that can adjust the cellular geometry of foam and hence ensure that the resulting characteristics match the functional requirements.

Differential continuum damage mechanics models for creep and fatigue of unidirectional metal matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, S. M.; Kruch, S.

1991-01-01

Three multiaxial isothermal continuum damage mechanics models for creep, fatigue, and creep/fatigue interaction of a unidirectional metal matrix composite volume element are presented, only one of which will be discussed in depth. Each model is phenomenological and stress based, with varying degrees of complexity to accurately predict the initiation and propagation of intergranular and transgranular defects over a wide range of loading conditions. The development of these models is founded on the definition of an initially transversely isotropic fatigue limit surface, static fracture surface, normalized stress amplitude function and isochronous creep damage failure surface, from which both fatigue and creep damage evolutionary laws can be obtained. The anisotropy of each model is defined through physically meaningful invariants reflecting the local stress and material orientation. All three transversely isotropic models have been shown, when taken to their isotropic limit, to directly simplify to previously developed and validated creep and fatigue continuum damage theories. Results of a nondimensional parametric study illustrate (1) the flexibility of the present formulation when attempting to characterize a large class of composite materials, and (2) its ability to predict anticipated qualitative trends in the fatigue behavior of unidirectional metal matrix composites. Additionally, the potential for the inclusion of various micromechanical effects (e.g., fiber/matrix bond strength, fiber volume fraction, etc.), into the phenomenological anisotropic parameters is noted, as well as a detailed discussion regarding the necessary exploratory and characterization experiments needed to utilize the featured damage theories.

Random acoustic metamaterial with a subwavelength dipolar resonance.

PubMed

Duranteau, Mickaël; Valier-Brasier, Tony; Conoir, Jean-Marc; Wunenburger, Régis

2016-06-01

The effective velocity and attenuation of longitudinal waves through random dispersions of rigid, tungsten-carbide beads in an elastic matrix made of epoxy resin in the range of beads volume fraction 2%-10% are determined experimentally. The multiple scattering model proposed by Luppé, Conoir, and Norris [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 131(2), 1113-1120 (2012)], which fully takes into account the elastic nature of the matrix and the associated mode conversions, accurately describes the measurements. Theoretical calculations show that the rigid particles display a local, dipolar resonance which shares several features with Minnaert resonance of bubbly liquids and with the dipolar resonance of core-shell particles. Moreover, for the samples under study, the main cause of smoothing of the dipolar resonance of the scatterers and the associated variations of the effective mass density of the dispersions is elastic relaxation, i.e., the finite time required for the shear stresses associated to the translational motion of the scatterers to propagate through the matrix. It is shown that its influence is governed solely by the value of the particle to matrix mass density contrast.

Electrospun composite matrices of poly(ε-caprolactone)-montmorillonite made using tenside free Pickering emulsions.

PubMed

Samanta, Archana; Takkar, Sonam; Kulshreshtha, Ritu; Nandan, Bhanu; Srivastava, Rajiv K

2016-12-01

The production of composite electrospun matrices of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) using an emulsifier-free emulsion, made with minimal organic solvent, as precursor is reported. Pickering emulsions of PCL were prepared using modified montmorillonite (MMT) clay as the stabilizer. Hydrophobic tallow group of the modified MMT clay resulted in analogous interaction of clay with oil and aqueous phase and its adsorption at the interface to provide stability to the resultant emulsion. Composite fibrous matrices of PCL and MMT were produced using electrospinning under controlled conditions. The fiber fineness was found to alter with PCL concentration and volume fraction of the aqueous and oil phases. A higher tensile strength and modulus was obtained with inclusion of MMT in PCL electrospun matrix in comparison to a matrix made using neat PCL. The presence of clay in the fibrous matrix did not change the cell proliferation efficiency in comparison to neat PCL matrix. Composite fibrous matrices of PCL/MMT bearing enhanced tensile properties may find applications in areas other than tissue engineering for example food packaging and filtration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thermal residual stresses in silicon-carbide/titanium (0/90) laminate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bigelow, C. A.

1992-01-01

The current work formulated a micromechanical analysis of a cross-ply laminate and calculated the thermal residual stress in a very thick (0/90)(sub 2n) silicon-carbide/titanium laminate. Results were also shown for a unidirectional laminate of the same material. Discrete fiber-matrix models assuming a rectangular array of fibers with a fiber volume fraction of 32.5 percent and a three-dimensional, finite-element analysis were used. Significant differences in the trends and magnitudes for the fiber, matrix, and interface stresses were calculated for unidirectional and (0/90) models. Larger hoop stresses calculated for the (0/90) model indicate that it may be more susceptible to radial cracking when subjected to mechanical loading than the unidirectional model. The axial stresses in the matrix were calculated to be slightly larger for the (0/90) model. The compressive axial stresses in the fiber were significantly larger in the (0/90) model. The presence of the cross-ply in the (0/90) model reduced the constraint on the fiber, producing radial interface stresses that were less compressive, which could lead to earlier failure of the fiber-matrix interface.

X-ray tomography investigation of intensive sheared Al–SiC metal matrix composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

De Giovanni, Mario; Warnett, Jason M.; Williams, Mark A.

2015-12-15

X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to characterise three dimensional internal structure of Al–SiC metal matrix composites. The alloy composite was prepared by casting method with the application of intensive shearing to uniformly disperse SiC particles in the matrix. Visualisation of SiC clusters as well as porosity distribution were evaluated and compared with non-shearing samples. Results showed that the average particle size as well as agglomerate size is smaller in sheared sample compared to conventional cast samples. Further, it was observed that the volume fraction of porosity was reduced by 50% compared to conventional casting, confirming that the intensive shearingmore » helps in deagglomeration of particle clusters and decrease in porosity of Al–SiC metal matrix composites. - Highlights: • XCT was used to visualise 3D internal structure of Al-SiC MMC. • Al-SiC MMC was prepared by casting with the application of intensive shearing. • SiC particles and porosity distribution were evaluated. • Results show shearing deagglomerates particle clusters and reduces porosity in MMC.« less

Fabrication and Characterization of Plasma-Sprayed Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Aluminum Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiong, Jiang-tao; Zhang, Hao; Peng, Yu; Li, Jing-long; Zhang, Fu-sheng

2018-04-01

Carbon fiber ( C f)/Al specimens were fabricated by plasma-spraying aluminum powder on unidirectional carbon fiber bundles (CFBs) layer by layer, followed by a densification heat treatment process. The microstructure and chemical composition of the C f/Al composites were examined by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectrometry. The CFBs were completely enveloped by aluminum matrix, and the peripheral regions of the CFBs were wetted by aluminum. In the wetted region, no significant Al4C3 reaction layer was found at the interface between the carbon fibers and aluminum matrix. The mechanical properties of the C f/Al specimens were evaluated. When the carbon fiber volume fraction (CFVF) was 9.2%, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the C f/Al composites reached 138.3 MPa with elongation of 4.7%, 2.2 times the UTS of the Al matrix (i.e., 63 MPa). This strength ratio (between the UTS of C f/Al and the Al matrix) is higher than for most C f/Al composites fabricated by the commonly used method of liquid-based processing at the same CFVF level.

Fiber Contraction Approaches for Improving CMC Proportional Limit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

DiCarlo, James A.; Yun, Hee Mann

1997-01-01

The fact that the service life of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) decreases dramatically for stresses above the CMC proportional limit has triggered a variety of research activities to develop microstructural approaches that can significantly improve this limit. As discussed in a previous report, both local and global approaches exist for hindering the propagation of cracks through the CMC matrix, the physical source for the proportional limit. Local approaches include: (1) minimizing fiber diameter and matrix modulus; (2) maximizing fiber volume fraction, fiber modulus, and matrix toughness; and (3) optimizing fiber-matrix interfacial shear strength; all of which should reduce the stress concentration at the tip of cracks pre existing or created in the matrix during CMC service. Global approaches, as with pre-stressed concrete, center on seeking mechanisms for utilizing the reinforcing fiber to subject the matrix to in-situ compressive stresses which will remain stable during CMC service. Demonstrated CMC examples for the viability of this residual stress approach are based on strain mismatches between the fiber and matrix in their free states, such as, thermal expansion mismatch and creep mismatch. However, these particular mismatch approaches are application limited in that the residual stresses from expansion mismatch are optimum only at low CMC service temperatures and the residual stresses from creep mismatch are typically unidirectional and difficult to implement in complex-shaped CMC.

Predictive model to describe water migration in cellular solid foods during storage.

PubMed

Voogt, Juliën A; Hirte, Anita; Meinders, Marcel B J

2011-11-01

Water migration in cellular solid foods during storage causes loss of crispness. To improve crispness retention, physical understanding of this process is needed. Mathematical models are suitable tools to gain this physical knowledge. Water migration in cellular solid foods involves migration through both the air cells and the solid matrix. For systems in which the water migration distance is large compared with the cell wall thickness of the solid matrix, the overall water flux through the system is dominated by the flux through the air. For these systems, water migration can be approximated well by a Fickian diffusion model. The effective diffusion coefficient can be expressed in terms of the material properties of the solid matrix (i.e. the density, sorption isotherm and diffusion coefficient of water in the solid matrix) and the morphological properties of the cellular structure (i.e. water vapour permeability and volume fraction of the solid matrix). The water vapour permeability is estimated from finite element method modelling using a simplified model for the cellular structure. It is shown that experimentally observed dynamical water profiles of bread rolls that differ in crust permeability are predicted well by the Fickian diffusion model. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry.

The enormous Chillos Valley Lahar: An ash-flow-generated debris flow from Cotopaxi Volcano, Ecuador

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mothes, P.A.; Hall, M.L.; Janda, R.J.

1998-01-01

The Chillos Valley Lahar (CVL), the largest Holocene debris flow in area and volume as yet recognized in the northern Andes, formed on Cotopaxi volcano's north and northeast slopes and descended river systems that took it 326 km north-northwest to the Pacific Ocean and 130+ km east into the Amazon basin. In the Chillos Valley, 40 km downstream from the volcano, depths of 80-160 m and valley cross sections up to 337000m2 are observed, implying peak flow discharges of 2.6-6.0 million m3/s. The overall volume of the CVL is estimated to be ???3.8 km3. The CVL was generated approximately 4500 years BP by a rhyolitic ash flow that followed a small sector collapse on the north and northeast sides of Cotopaxi, which melted part of the volcano's icecap and transformed rapidly into the debris flow. The ash flow and resulting CVL have identical components, except for foreign fragments picked up along the flow path. Juvenile materials, including vitric ash, crystals, and pumice, comprise 80-90% of the lahar's deposit, whereas rhyolitic, dacitic, and andesitic lithics make up the remainder. The sand-size fraction and the 2- to 10-mm fraction together dominate the deposit, constituting ???63 and ???15 wt.% of the matrix, respectively, whereas the silt-size fraction averages less than ???10 wt.% and the clay-size fraction less than 0.5 wt.%. Along the 326-km runout, these particle-size fractions vary little, as does the sorting coefficient (average = 2.6). There is no tendency toward grading or improved sorting. Limited bulking is recognized. The CVL was an enormous non-cohesive debris flow, notable for its ash-flow origin and immense volume and peak discharge which gave it characteristics and a behavior akin to large cohesive mudflows. Significantly, then, ash-flow-generated debris flows can also achieve large volumes and cover great areas; thus, they can conceivably affect large populated regions far from their source. Especially dangerous, therefore, are snowclad volcanoes with recent silicic ash-flow histories such as those found in the Andes and Alaska.

Multiple cracking of unidirectional and cross-ply ceramic matrix composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kuo, W.S.; Chou, T.W.

1995-03-01

This paper examines the multiple cracking behavior of unidirectional and cross-ply ceramic matrix composites. For unidirectional composites, a model of concentric cylinders with finite crack spacing and debonding length is introduced. Stresses in the fiber and matrix are found and then applied to predict the composite moduli. Using an energy balance method, critical stresses for matrix cracking initiation are predicted. Effects of interfacial shear stress, debonding length and bonding energy on the critical stress are studied. All the three composite systems examined show that the critical stress for the completely debonded case is lower than that for the perfectly bondedmore » case. For crossply composites, an extensive study has been made for the transverse cracking in 90{degree} plies and the matrix cracking in 0{degree} plies. One transverse cracking and four matrix cracking modes are studied, and closed-form solutions of the critical stresses are obtained. The results indicate that the case of combined matrix and transverse crackings with associated fiber/matrix interfacial sliding in the 0{degree} plies gives the lowest critical stress for matrix cracking. The theoretical predictions are compared with experimental data of SiC/CAS cross-ply composites; both results demonstrated that an increase in the transverse ply thickness reduces the critical stress for matrix cracking in the longitudinal plies. The effects of fiber volume fraction and fiber modulus on the critical stress have been quantified. Thermal residual stresses are included in the analysis.« less

Model reduction of nonsquare linear MIMO systems using multipoint matrix continued-fraction expansions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guo, Tong-Yi; Hwang, Chyi; Shieh, Leang-San

1994-01-01

This paper deals with the multipoint Cauer matrix continued-fraction expansion (MCFE) for model reduction of linear multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems with various numbers of inputs and outputs. A salient feature of the proposed MCFE approach to model reduction of MIMO systems with square transfer matrices is its equivalence to the matrix Pade approximation approach. The Cauer second form of the ordinary MCFE for a square transfer function matrix is generalized in this paper to a multipoint and nonsquare-matrix version. An interesting connection of the multipoint Cauer MCFE method to the multipoint matrix Pade approximation method is established. Also, algorithms for obtaining the reduced-degree matrix-fraction descriptions and reduced-dimensional state-space models from a transfer function matrix via the multipoint Cauer MCFE algorithm are presented. Practical advantages of using the multipoint Cauer MCFE are discussed and a numerical example is provided to illustrate the algorithms.

Effects of Small Addition of Ti on Strength and Microstructure of a Cu-Ni-Si Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Chihiro; Takeshita, Satoshi; Monzen, Ryoichi

2015-06-01

The effect of addition of 0.04 or 0.2 mass pct Ti on the mechanical properties of a Cu-2.0 mass pct Ni-0.5 mass pct Si alloy has been investigated. The addition of 0.04 mass pct Ti enhances the strength of the Cu-Ni-Si alloy without reducing its electrical conductivity. This increase in strength is caused by the decrease in inter-precipitate spacing of δ-Ni2Si precipitates. The addition of trace Ti reduces the equilibrium concentration of Ni and Si atoms in the alloy bearing the δ precipitates, resulting in an increase in the volume fraction of δ precipitates and decrease in the inter-precipitate spacing. However, the addition of 0.2 mass pct Ti to the Cu-Ni-Si alloy decreases the strength of the alloy. The reduction in strength is attributed to the decrease in the volume fraction of δ precipitates caused by the reduction in Ni and Si atoms in the Cu matrix resulting from the formation of Ni16Si7Ti6 particles.

Free Vibration of Fiber Composite Thin Shells in a Hot Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gotsis, Pascal K.; Guptill, James D.

1995-01-01

Results are presented of parametric studies to assess the effects of various parameters on the free vibration behavior (natural frequencies) of (plus or minus theta)2, angle-ply fiber composite thin shells in a hot environment. These results were obtained by using a three-dimensional finite element structural analysis computer code. The fiber composite shell is assumed to be cylindrical and made from T-300 graphite fibers embedded in an intermediate-modulus high-strength matrix (IMHS). The residual stresses induced into the laminated structure during curing are taken into account. The following parameters are investigated: the length and the thickness of the shell, the fiber orientations, the fiber volume fraction, the temperature profile through the thickness of the laminate and the different ply thicknesses. Results obtained indicate that: the fiber orientations and the length of the laminated shell had significant effect on the natural frequencies. The fiber volume fraction, the laminate thickness and the temperature profile through the shell thickness had a weak effect on the natural frequencies. Finally, the laminates with different ply thicknesses had insignificant influence on the behavior of the vibrated laminated shell.

Modeling of the heat transfer performance of plate-type dispersion nuclear fuel elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Shurong; Huo, Yongzhong; Yan, XiaoQing

2009-08-01

Considering the mutual actions between fuel particles and the metal matrix, the three-dimensional finite element models are developed to simulate the heat transfer behaviors of dispersion nuclear fuel plates. The research results indicate that the temperatures of the fuel plate might rise more distinctly with considering the particle swelling and the degraded surface heat transfer coefficients with increasing burnup; the local heating phenomenon within the particles appears when their thermal conductivities are too low. With rise of the surface heat transfer coefficients, the temperatures within the fuel plate decrease; the temperatures of the fuel plate are sensitive to the variations of the heat transfer coefficients whose values are lower, but their effects are weakened and slight when the heat transfer coefficients increase and reach a certain extent. Increasing the heat generation rate leads to elevating the internal temperatures. The temperatures and the maximum temperature differences within the plate increase along with the particle volume fractions. The surface thermal flux goes up along with particle volume fractions and heat generation rates, but the effects of surface heat transfer coefficients are not evident.

Evaluation of multiple-scale 3D characterization for coal physical structure with DCM method and synchrotron X-ray CT.

PubMed

Wang, Haipeng; Yang, Yushuang; Yang, Jianli; Nie, Yihang; Jia, Jing; Wang, Yudan

2015-01-01

Multiscale nondestructive characterization of coal microscopic physical structure can provide important information for coal conversion and coal-bed methane extraction. In this study, the physical structure of a coal sample was investigated by synchrotron-based multiple-energy X-ray CT at three beam energies and two different spatial resolutions. A data-constrained modeling (DCM) approach was used to quantitatively characterize the multiscale compositional distributions at the two resolutions. The volume fractions of each voxel for four different composition groups were obtained at the two resolutions. Between the two resolutions, the difference for DCM computed volume fractions of coal matrix and pores is less than 0.3%, and the difference for mineral composition groups is less than 0.17%. This demonstrates that the DCM approach can account for compositions beyond the X-ray CT imaging resolution with adequate accuracy. By using DCM, it is possible to characterize a relatively large coal sample at a relatively low spatial resolution with minimal loss of the effect due to subpixel fine length scale structures.

Thermal degradation and tensile strength of sansevieria trifasciata-polypropylene composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abral, H.; Kenedy, E.

2015-07-01

The paper exhibits thermal degradation and tensile strength of Sansevieria Trifasciata (ST) fibers and polypropylene (PP) composites. Thermal degradation of ST fibers PP composites was conducted by using thermogravimetry (TGA) instrument, meanwhile tensile strength of the composite was done by using tensile equipment. The results show that the thermal resistance of ST fibers PP composites was higher than that of virgin PP only. Increases in volume fraction of fibers in the composites enhance the tensile strength. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) observation exhibits good interface bonding between ST fibers and PP matrix.

Micromechanical Modeling of the Thermal Expansion of Graphite/copper Composites with Nonuniform Microstructure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Pindera, Marek-Jerzy

1994-01-01

Two micromechanical models were developed to investigate the thermal expansion of graphite/copper (Gr/Cu) composites. The models incorporate the effects of temperature-dependent material properties, matrix inelasticity, initial residual stresses due to processing history, and nonuniform fiber distribution. The first model is based on the multiple concentric cylinder geometry, with each cylinder treated as a two-phase composite with a characteristic fiber volume fractions. By altering the fiber volume fraction of the individual cylinders, unidirectional composites with radially nonuniform fiber distributions can be investigated using this model. The second model is based on the inelastic lamination theory. By varying the fiber content in the individual laminae, composites with nonuniform fiber distribution in the thickness direction can be investigated. In both models, the properties of the individual regions (cylinders or laminae) are calculated using the method of cells micromechanical model. Classical incremental plasticity theory is used to model the inelastic response of the copper matrix at the microlevel. The models were used to characterize the effects of nonuniform fiber distribution on the thermal expansion of Gr/Cu. These effects were compared to the effects of matrix plasticity, choice of stress-free temperature, and slight fiber misalignment. It was found that the radially nonuniform fiber distribution has little effect on the thermal expansion of Gr/Cu but could become significant for composites with large fiber-matrix transverse CTE and Young's modulus mismatch. The effect of nonuniform fiber distribution in the through-thickness direction of a laminate was more significant, but only approached that of the stress-free temperature for the most extreme cases that include large amounts of bending. Subsequent comparison with experimental thermal expansion data indicated the need for more accurate characterization of the graphite fiber thermomechanical properties. Correlation with cyclic data revealed the presence of a mechanism not considered in the developed models. The predicted response did, however, exhibit ratcheting behavior that has been observed experimentally in Gr/Cu. Finally, simulation of the actual fiber distribution of particular specimens had little effect on the predicted thermal expansion.

The Effect of Stochastically Varying Creep Parameters on Residual Stresses in Ceramic Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pineda, Evan J.; Mital, Subodh K.; Bednarcyk, Brett A.; Arnold, Steven M.

2015-01-01

Constituent properties, along with volume fraction, have a first order effect on the microscale fields within a composite material and influence the macroscopic response. Therefore, there is a need to assess the significance of stochastic variation in the constituent properties of composites at the higher scales. The effect of variability in the parameters controlling the time-dependent behavior, in a unidirectional SCS-6 SiC fiber-reinforced RBSN matrix composite lamina, on the residual stresses induced during processing is investigated numerically. The generalized method of cells micromechanics theory is utilized to model the ceramic matrix composite lamina using a repeating unit cell. The primary creep phases of the constituents are approximated using a Norton-Bailey, steady state, power law creep model. The effect of residual stresses on the proportional limit stress and strain to failure of the composite is demonstrated. Monte Carlo simulations were conducted using a normal distribution for the power law parameters and the resulting residual stress distributions were predicted.

Hot pressing titanium metal matrix composites reinforced with graphene nanoplatelets through an in-situ reactive method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mu, X. N.; Zhang, H. M.; Cai, H. N.; Fan, Q. B.; Wu, Y.; Fu, Z. J.; Wang, Q. X.

2017-05-01

This study proposed an in-situ reactive method that uses graphene as a reinforcement to fabricate titanium metal matrix composites (TiMMCs) through powder metallurgy processing route. The volume fraction of graphene nanoplatelets was 1.8%vol, and the pure titanium was used as a matrix. The Archimedes density, hardness, microstructure and mechanical properties of specimens were compared under different ball milling times (20 min and 2.5 h) and hot pressing temperatures (900°C, 1150°C, and 1300°C,). The ultimate tensile strength of 630 MPa, which demonstrated a 27.3% increase compared with pure Ti, was achieved under a ball milling time of 20 min. Elongation increased with increasing temperature. When the ball milling time and hot pressing temperature were increased to 2.5 h and 1300 °C, respectively, the ultimate tensile strength of the composites reached 750 MPa, showing an increase of 51.5% compared with pure Ti.

Electrochemical Behavior of Al-B4C Metal Matrix Composites in NaCl Solution

PubMed Central

Han, Yu-Mei; Chen, X.-Grant

2015-01-01

Aluminum based metal matrix composites (MMCs) have received considerable attention in the automotive, aerospace and nuclear industries. One of the main challenges using Al-based MMCs is the influence of the reinforcement particles on the corrosion resistance. In the present study, the corrosion behavior of Al-B4C MMCs in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were investigated using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the composites decreased when increasing the B4C volume fraction. Al-B4C composite was susceptible to pitting corrosion and two types of pits were observed on the composite surface. The corrosion mechanism of the composite in the NaCl solution was primarily controlled by oxygen diffusion in the solution. In addition, the galvanic couples that formed between Al matrix and B4C particles could also be responsible for the lower corrosion resistance of the composites. PMID:28793574

The nature of matrix in mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites: An example from the Oquirrh-Wood River basin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Geslin, J.K.

1992-01-01

Upper Pennsylvanian to Lower Permian strata of the Oquirrh-Wood River basin (OWRB) in southern Idaho are dominated by mixed siliciclastic-carbonate sediment gravity flows, including amalgamated sandy turbidites or grain flows, and silty turbidites. Previously, the petrology of the carbonate fraction of mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites from the OWRB has been described as predominantly micrite. A source of micrite is present in phylloid algal mounds, which comprise a carbonate platform on the eastern basin margin. Visible micritized skeletal grains and fusulinids are uncommon in these sediments. It has been proposed that the micrite was subsequently neomorphosed to microspar or large, blocky spar.more » The actual volume of micrite in these deposits is enigmatic. Classic studies of turbidite hydrodynamics indicate that matrix accounts for no more than 20 percent, and commonly less, of the experimental turbidite deposits. Therefore, it is unlikely, based on hydrodynamics, that mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites contain more than 20 percent micritic matrix. To resolve this enigma, multiple samples of the siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites from the OWRB were examined using a fluorescence (blue-light) microscope and the white-card technique. Under fluorescence the carbonate fraction of these samples was determined to contain micritized skeletal fragments; peloids, and micritized fusulinids. During diagenesis many of the carbonate grains were deformed and crushed to form carbonate pseudomatrix. Abundant carbonate grains indicate that mixed siliciclastic-carbonate turbidites from the OWRB adhere to established hydrodynamic principles, and contain less than 20 percent detrital matrix.« less

High Temperature Oxidation of Nickel-based Cermet Coatings Composed of Al2O3 and TiO2 Nanosized Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farrokhzad, M. A.; Khan, T. I.

2014-09-01

New technological challenges in oil production require materials that can resist high temperature oxidation. In-Situ Combustion (ISC) oil production technique is a new method that uses injection of air and ignition techniques to reduce the viscosity of bitumen in a reservoir and as a result crude bitumen can be produced and extracted from the reservoir. During the in-situ combustion process, production pipes and other mechanical components can be exposed to air-like gaseous environments at extreme temperatures as high as 700 °C. To protect or reduce the surface degradation of pipes and mechanical components used in in-situ combustion, the use of nickel-based ceramic-metallic (cermet) coating produced by co-electrodeposition of nanosized Al2O3 and TiO2 have been suggested and earlier research on these coatings have shown promising oxidation resistance against atmospheric oxygen and combustion gases at elevated temperatures. Co-electrodeposition of nickel-based cermet coatings is a low-cost method that has the benefit of allowing both internal and external surfaces of pipes and components to be coated during a single electroplating process. Research has shown that the volume fraction of dispersed nanosized Al2O3 and TiO2 particles in the nickel matrix which affects the oxidation resistance of the coating can be controlled by the concentration of these particles in the electrolyte solution, as well as the applied current density during electrodeposition. This paper investigates the high temperature oxidation behaviour of novel nanostructured cermet coatings composed of two types of dispersed nanosized ceramic particles (Al2O3 and TiO2) in a nickel matrix and produced by coelectrodeposition technique as a function of the concentration of these particles in the electrolyte solution and applied current density. For this purpose, high temperature oxidation tests were conducted in dry air for 96 hours at 700 °C to obtain mass changes (per unit of area) at specific time intervals. Statistical techniques as described in ASTM G16 were used to formulate the oxidation mass change as a function of time. The cross-section and surface of the oxidized coatings were examined for both visual and chemical analyses using wavelength dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (WDS) element mapping, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the volume fraction for each type of particle in the nickel matrix corresponded to its partial molar concentration in the electrolyte solutions. Increase in volume fraction of particles in the nickel matrix was correlated to lower oxidation rates. It was concluded that formation of Ni3TiO5 and NiTiO3 compounds can reduce the oxidation rate of cermet coatings by capturing some inward diffusing oxygen ions resulting in a lower number of nickel cations diffusing upward into the oxide layer.

Microstructure Aspects of a Newly Developed, Low Cost, Corrosion-Resistant White Cast Iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sain, P. K.; Sharma, C. P.; Bhargava, A. K.

2013-04-01

The purpose of this work is to study the influence of heat treatment on the corrosion resistance of a newly developed white cast iron, basically suitable for corrosion- and wear-resistant applications, and to attain a microstructure that is most suitable from the corrosion resistance point of view. The composition was selected with an aim to have austenitic matrix both in as-cast and heat-treated conditions. The difference in electrochemical potential between austenite and carbide is less in comparison to that between austenite and graphite. Additionally, graphitic corrosion which is frequently encountered in gray cast irons is absent in white cast irons. These basic facts encouraged us to undertake this work. Optical metallography, hardness testing, X-ray diffractometry, and SEM-EDX techniques were employed to identify the phases present in the as-cast and heat-treated specimens of the investigated alloy and to correlate microstructure with corrosion resistance and hardness. Corrosion testing was carried out in 5 pct NaCl solution (approximate chloride content of sea water) using the weight loss method. In the investigated alloy, austenite was retained the in as-cast and heat-treated conditions. The same was confirmed by X-ray and EDX analysis. The stability and volume fraction of austenite increased with an increase of heat-treated temperature/time with a simultaneous decrease in the volume fraction of massive carbides. The decrease in volume fraction of massive carbides resulted in the availability of alloying elements. These alloying elements, on increasing the heat treatment temperature or increasing the soaking period at certain temperatures, get dissolved in austenite. As a consequence, austenite gets enriched as well as becomes more stable. On cooling from lower soaking period/temperature, enriched austenite decomposes to lesser enriched austenite and to a dispersed phase due to decreasing solid solubility of alloying elements with decreasing temperature. The dispersed second phase precipitated from the austenite adversely influenced corrosion resistance due to unfavorable morphology and enhanced galvanic action. Corrosion rate and hardness were found to decrease with an increase in heat treatment temperatures/soaking periods. It was essentially due to the increase in the volume fraction and stability of the austenitic matrix and favorable morphology of the second phase (carbides). The corrosion resistance of the investigated alloy, heat treated at 1223 K (950 °C) for 8 hours, was comparable to that of Ni-Resist iron. Thus, a microstructure comprising austenite and nearly spherical and finer carbides is the most appropriate from a corrosion point of view. Fortunately, the literature reveals that the same microstructure is also well suited from a wear point of view. It confirms that this investigated alloy will be suitable for corrosive-wear applications.

Chemical structure influence on NAPL mixture nonideality evolution, rate-limited dissolution, and contaminant mass flux.

PubMed

Padgett, Mark C; Tick, Geoffrey R; Carroll, Kenneth C; Burke, William R

2017-03-01

The influence of chemical structure on NAPL mixture nonideality evolution, rate-limited dissolution, and contaminant mass flux was examined. The variability of measured and UNIFAC modeled NAPL activity coefficients as a function of mole fraction was compared for two NAPL mixtures containing structurally-different contaminants of concern including toluene (TOL) or trichloroethene (TCE) within a hexadecane (HEXDEC) matrix. The results showed that dissolution from the NAPL mixtures transitioned from ideality for mole fractions >0.05 to nonideality as mole fractions decreased. In particular, the TCE generally exhibited more ideal dissolution behavior except at lower mole fractions, and may indicate greater structural/polarity similarity between the two compounds. Raoult's Law and UNIFAC generally under-predicted the batch experiment results for TOL:HEXDEC mixtures especially for mole fractions ≤0.05. The dissolution rate coefficients were similar for both TOL and TCE over all mole fractions tested. Mass flux reduction (MFR) analysis showed that more efficient removal behavior occurred for TOL and TCE with larger mole fractions compared to the lower initial mole fraction mixtures (i.e. <0.2). However, compared to TOL, TCE generally exhibited more efficient removal behavior over all mole fractions tested and may have been the result of structural and molecular property differences between the compounds. Activity coefficient variability as a function of mole fraction was quantified through regression analysis and incorporated into dissolution modeling analyses for the dynamic flushing experiments. TOL elution concentrations were modeled (predicted) reasonable well using ideal and equilibrium assumptions, but the TCE elution concentrations could not be predicted using the ideal model. Rather, the dissolution modeling demonstrated that TCE elution was better described by the nonideal model whereby NAPL-phase activity coefficient varied as a function of COC mole fraction. For dynamic column flushing experiments, dissolution rate kinetics can vary significantly with changes in NAPL volume and surface area. However, under conditions whereby NAPL volume and area are not significantly altered during dissolution, mixture nonideality effects may have a greater relative control on dissolution (elution) and MFR behavior compared to kinetic rate limitations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical structure influence on NAPL mixture nonideality evolution, rate-limited dissolution, and contaminant mass flux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padgett, Mark C.; Tick, Geoffrey R.; Carroll, Kenneth C.; Burke, William R.

2017-03-01

The influence of chemical structure on NAPL mixture nonideality evolution, rate-limited dissolution, and contaminant mass flux was examined. The variability of measured and UNIFAC modeled NAPL activity coefficients as a function of mole fraction was compared for two NAPL mixtures containing structurally-different contaminants of concern including toluene (TOL) or trichloroethene (TCE) within a hexadecane (HEXDEC) matrix. The results showed that dissolution from the NAPL mixtures transitioned from ideality for mole fractions > 0.05 to nonideality as mole fractions decreased. In particular, the TCE generally exhibited more ideal dissolution behavior except at lower mole fractions, and may indicate greater structural/polarity similarity between the two compounds. Raoult's Law and UNIFAC generally under-predicted the batch experiment results for TOL:HEXDEC mixtures especially for mole fractions ≤ 0.05. The dissolution rate coefficients were similar for both TOL and TCE over all mole fractions tested. Mass flux reduction (MFR) analysis showed that more efficient removal behavior occurred for TOL and TCE with larger mole fractions compared to the lower initial mole fraction mixtures (i.e. < 0.2). However, compared to TOL, TCE generally exhibited more efficient removal behavior over all mole fractions tested and may have been the result of structural and molecular property differences between the compounds. Activity coefficient variability as a function of mole fraction was quantified through regression analysis and incorporated into dissolution modeling analyses for the dynamic flushing experiments. TOL elution concentrations were modeled (predicted) reasonable well using ideal and equilibrium assumptions, but the TCE elution concentrations could not be predicted using the ideal model. Rather, the dissolution modeling demonstrated that TCE elution was better described by the nonideal model whereby NAPL-phase activity coefficient varied as a function of COC mole fraction. For dynamic column flushing experiments, dissolution rate kinetics can vary significantly with changes in NAPL volume and surface area. However, under conditions whereby NAPL volume and area are not significantly altered during dissolution, mixture nonideality effects may have a greater relative control on dissolution (elution) and MFR behavior compared to kinetic rate limitations.

Effect of Interfacial Bonding on Interphase Properties in SiO2/Epoxy Nanocomposite: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study.

PubMed

Wang, Zhikun; Lv, Qiang; Chen, Shenghui; Li, Chunling; Sun, Shuangqing; Hu, Songqing

2016-03-23

Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to explore the effect of interfacial bonding on the interphase properties of a nanocomposite system that consists of a silica nanoparticle and the highly cross-linked epoxy matrix. For the structural properties, results show that interfacial covalent bonding can broaden the interphase region by increasing the radial effect range of fluctuated mass density and oriented chains, as well as strengthen the interphase region by improving the thermal stability of interfacial van der Waals excluded volume and reducing the proportion of cis conformers of epoxy segments. The improved thermal stability of the interphase region in the covalently bonded model results in an increase of ∼21 K in the glass transition temperature (Tg) compared to that of the pure epoxy. It is also found that interfacial covalent bonding mainly restricts the volume thermal expansion of the model at temperatures near or larger than Tg. Furthermore, investigations from mean-square displacement and fraction of immobile atoms point out that interfacial covalent and noncovalent bonding induces lower and higher mobility of interphase atoms than that of the pure epoxy, respectively. The obtained critical interfacial bonding ratio when the interphase and matrix atoms have the same mobility is 5.8%. These results demonstrate that the glass transitions of the interphase and matrix will be asynchronous when the interfacial bonding ratio is not 5.8%. Specifically, the interphase region will trigger the glass transition of the matrix when the ratio is larger than 5.8%, whereas it restrains the glass transition of the matrix when the ratio is smaller than 5.8%.

Finite deformation of incompressible fiber-reinforced elastomers: A computational micromechanics approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moraleda, Joaquín; Segurado, Javier; LLorca, Javier

2009-09-01

The in-plane finite deformation of incompressible fiber-reinforced elastomers was studied using computational micromechanics. Composite microstructure was made up of a random and homogeneous dispersion of aligned rigid fibers within a hyperelastic matrix. Different matrices (Neo-Hookean and Gent), fibers (monodisperse or polydisperse, circular or elliptical section) and reinforcement volume fractions (10-40%) were analyzed through the finite element simulation of a representative volume element of the microstructure. A successive remeshing strategy was employed when necessary to reach the large deformation regime in which the evolution of the microstructure influences the effective properties. The simulations provided for the first time "quasi-exact" results of the in-plane finite deformation for this class of composites, which were used to assess the accuracy of the available homogenization estimates for incompressible hyperelastic composites.

Quantification of micro-CT images of textile reinforcements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Straumit, Ilya; Lomov, Stepan V.; Wevers, Martine

2017-10-01

VoxTex software (KU Leuven) employs 3D image processing, which use the local directionality information, retrieved using analysis of local structure tensor. The processing results in a voxel 3D array, with each voxel carrying information on (1) material type (matrix; yarn/ply, with identification of the yarn/ply in the reinforcement architecture; void) and (2) fibre direction for fibrous yarns/plies. The knowledge of the material phase volume and known characterisation of the textile structure allows assigning to the voxels (3) fibre volume fraction. This basic voxel model can be further used for different type of the material analysis: Internal geometry and characterisation of defects; permeability; micromechanics; mesoFE voxel models. Apart from the voxel based analysis, approaches to reconstruction of the yarn paths are presented.

Computerized tongue image segmentation via the double geo-vector flow

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Visual inspection for tongue analysis is a diagnostic method in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Owing to the variations in tongue features, such as color, texture, coating, and shape, it is difficult to precisely extract the tongue region in images. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate tongue diagnosis via automatic tongue segmentation. Methods Experiments were conducted using a clinical image dataset provided by the Laboratory of Traditional Medical Syndromes, Shanghai University of TCM. First, a clinical tongue image was refined by a saliency window. Second, we initialized the tongue area as the upper binary part and lower level set matrix. Third, a double geo-vector flow (DGF) was proposed to detect the tongue edge and segment the tongue region in the image, such that the geodesic flow was evaluated in the lower part, and the geo-gradient vector flow was evaluated in the upper part. Results The performance of the DGF was evaluated using 100 images. The DGF exhibited better results compared with other representative studies, with its true-positive volume fraction reaching 98.5%, its false-positive volume fraction being 1.51%, and its false-negative volume fraction being 1.42%. The errors between the proposed automatic segmentation results and manual contours were 0.29 and 1.43% in terms of the standard boundary error metrics of Hausdorff distance and mean distance, respectively. Conclusions By analyzing the time complexity of the DGF and evaluating its performance via standard boundary and area error metrics, we have shown both efficiency and effectiveness of the DGF for automatic tongue image segmentation. PMID:24507094

Computerized tongue image segmentation via the double geo-vector flow.

PubMed

Shi, Miao-Jing; Li, Guo-Zheng; Li, Fu-Feng; Xu, Chao

2014-02-08

Visual inspection for tongue analysis is a diagnostic method in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Owing to the variations in tongue features, such as color, texture, coating, and shape, it is difficult to precisely extract the tongue region in images. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate tongue diagnosis via automatic tongue segmentation. Experiments were conducted using a clinical image dataset provided by the Laboratory of Traditional Medical Syndromes, Shanghai University of TCM. First, a clinical tongue image was refined by a saliency window. Second, we initialized the tongue area as the upper binary part and lower level set matrix. Third, a double geo-vector flow (DGF) was proposed to detect the tongue edge and segment the tongue region in the image, such that the geodesic flow was evaluated in the lower part, and the geo-gradient vector flow was evaluated in the upper part. The performance of the DGF was evaluated using 100 images. The DGF exhibited better results compared with other representative studies, with its true-positive volume fraction reaching 98.5%, its false-positive volume fraction being 1.51%, and its false-negative volume fraction being 1.42%. The errors between the proposed automatic segmentation results and manual contours were 0.29 and 1.43% in terms of the standard boundary error metrics of Hausdorff distance and mean distance, respectively. By analyzing the time complexity of the DGF and evaluating its performance via standard boundary and area error metrics, we have shown both efficiency and effectiveness of the DGF for automatic tongue image segmentation.

Moisture Sensitivity, Optical, Mechanical and Structural Properties of Whey Protein-Based Edible Films Incorporated with Rapeseed Oil.

PubMed

Galus, Sabina; Kadzińska, Justyna

2016-03-01

The objective of this work is to study the effect of the rapeseed oil content on the physical properties of whey protein emulsion films. For this purpose, whey protein films with the addition of 0, 1, 2 and 3% of rapeseed oil, and glycerol as a plasticizer were obtained by the casting method. Film-forming emulsions were evaluated and compared using light scattering granulometry. The Sauter mean diameters ( d 32 ) of lipid droplets in film-forming solutions showed an increasing trend when increasing the oil volume fractions. The inclusion of rapeseed oil enhanced the hydrophobic character of whey protein films, reducing moisture content and film solubility in water. All emulsified films showed high lightness ( L* ≈90). Parameter a * decreased and parameter b* and total colour difference (∆ E ) increased with the increase of the volume fractions of oil. These results were consistent with visual observations; control films were transparent and those containing oil opaque. Water vapour sorption experimental data at the full range of water activity values from 0.11 to 0.93 were well described with Peleg's equation (R 2 ≥0.99). The tensile strength, Young's modulus and elongation at break increased with the increase of rapeseed oil volume fraction, which could be explained by interactions between lipids and the protein matrix. These results revealed that rapeseed oil has enormous potential to be incorporated into whey protein to make edible film or coating for some food products. The mechanical resistance decreased with the addition of the lipids, and the opacity and soluble matter content increased.

Light scattering by hexagonal ice crystals with distributed inclusions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panetta, R. Lee; Zhang, Jia-Ning; Bi, Lei; Yang, Ping; Tang, Guanlin

2016-07-01

Inclusions of air bubbles or soot particles have significant effects on the single-scattering properties of ice crystals, effects that in turn have significant impacts on the radiation budget of an atmosphere containing the crystals. This study investigates some of the single-scattering effects in the case of hexagonal ice crystals, including effects on the backscattering depolarization ratio, a quantity of practical importance in the interpretation of lidar observations. One distinguishing feature of the study is an investigation of scattering properties at a visible wavelength for a crystal with size parameter (x) above 100, a size regime where one expects some agreement between exact methods and geometrical optics methods. This expectation is generally borne out in a test comparison of how the sensitivity of scattering properties to the distribution of a given volume fraction of included air is represented using (i) an approximate Monte Carlo Ray Tracing (MCRT) method and (ii) a numerically exact pseudo-spectral time-domain (PSTD) method. Another distinguishing feature of the study is a close examination, using the numerically exact Invariant-Imbedding T-Matrix (II-TM) method, of how some optical properties of importance to satellite remote sensing vary as the volume fraction of inclusions and size of crystal are varied. Although such an investigation of properties in the x>100 regime faces serious computational burdens that force a large number of idealizations and simplifications in the study, the results nevertheless provide an intriguing glimpse of what is evidently a quite complex sensitivity of optical scattering properties to inclusions of air or soot as volume fraction and size parameter are varied.

Simulating Fiber Ordering and Aggregation In Shear Flow Using Dissipative Particle Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stimatze, Justin T.

We have developed a mesoscale simulation of fiber aggregation in shear flow using LAMMPS and its implementation of dissipative particle dynamics. Understanding fiber aggregation in shear flow and flow-induced microstructural fiber networks is critical to our interest in high-performance composite materials. Dissipative particle dynamics enables the consideration of hydrodynamic interactions between fibers through the coarse-grained simulation of the matrix fluid. Correctly simulating hydrodynamic interactions and accounting for fluid forces on the microstructure is required to correctly model the shear-induced aggregation process. We are able to determine stresses, viscosity, and fiber forces while simulating the evolution of a model fiber system undergoing shear flow. Fiber-fiber contact interactions are approximated by combinations of common pairwise forces, allowing the exploration of interaction-influenced fiber behaviors such as aggregation and bundling. We are then able to quantify aggregate structure and effective volume fraction for a range of relevant system and fiber-fiber interaction parameters. Our simulations have demonstrated several aggregate types dependent on system parameters such as shear rate, short-range attractive forces, and a resistance to relative rotation while in contact. A resistance to relative rotation at fiber-fiber contact points has been found to strongly contribute to an increased angle between neighboring aggregated fibers and therefore an increase in average aggregate volume fraction. This increase in aggregate volume fraction is strongly correlated with a significant enhancement of system viscosity, leading us to hypothesize that controlling the resistance to relative rotation during manufacturing processes is important when optimizing for desired composite material characteristics.

Improving the particle distribution and mechanical properties of friction-stir-welded composites by using a smooth pin tool

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huijie; Hu, Yanying; Zhao, Yunqiang; Fujii, Hidetoshi

2017-09-01

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a very promising technique for joining particle-reinforced aluminum-matrix composites (PRAMCs), but with increase in the volume fraction of reinforcing particles, their distribution in welds becomes inhomogeneous. This leads to an inconsistent deformation of welds and their destruction at low stresses. In order to improve the weld microstructure, a smooth pin tool was used for the friction stir welding of AC4A + 30 vol.% SiC particle-reinforced aluminum-matrix composites. The present work describes the effect of welding parameters on the characteristics of particle distribution and the mechanical properties of welds. The ultimate strength of weld reached, 309 MPa, was almost 190% of that of the basic material. The mechanism of SiC particle conglomeration is clearly illustrated by means of schematic illustrations.

Discontinuously reinforced intermetallic matrix composites via XD synthesis. [exothermal dispersion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kumar, K. S.; Whittenberger, J. D.

1992-01-01

A review is given of recent results obtained for discontinuously reinforced intermetallic matrix composites produced using the XD process. Intermetallic matrices investigated include NiAl, multiphase NiAl + Ni2AlTi, CoAl, near-gamma titanium aluminides, and Ll2 trialuminides containing minor amounts of second phase. Such mechanical properties as low and high temperature strength, compressive and tensile creep, elastic modulus, ambient ductility, and fracture toughness are discussed as functions of reinforcement size, shape, and volume fraction. Microstructures before and after deformation are examined and correlated with measured properties. An observation of interest in many of the systems examined is 'dispersion weakening' at high temperatures and high strain rates. This behavior is not specific to the XD process; rather similar observations have been reported in other discontinuous composites. Proposed mechanisms for this behavior are presented.

Coarsening Experiment Being Prepared for Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hickman, J. Mark

2001-01-01

The Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2) experiment is a materials science space flight experiment whose purpose is to investigate the kinetics of competitive particle growth within a liquid matrix. During coarsening, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles to grow. In this experiment, solid particles of tin will grow (coarsen) within a liquid lead-tin eutectic matrix. The preceding figures show the coarsening of tin particles in a lead-tin eutectic as a function of time. By conducting this experiment in a microgravity environment, we can study a greater range of solid volume fractions, and the effects of sedimentation present in terrestrial experiments will be negligible. The CSLM-2 experiment is slated to fly onboard the International Space Station. The experiment will be run in the Microgravity Science Glovebox installed in the U.S. Laboratory module.

Résistance d'un composite à renforts rigides : le cas d'une matrice de Drucker Prager avec règle d'écoulement plastique non associée

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dormieux, Luc; Barthélémy, Jean-François; Maghous, Samir

2006-02-01

A rigid plastic behavior characterized by a failure criterion of the Drucker-Prager type and a non associated flow rule is considered. The latter can be viewed formally as the limit of a sequence of viscous behaviors with isotropic prestress. The limit states of a composite made up of such a material reinforced by rigid inclusions are then determined. The latter lie on a Drucker-Prager cone which friction coefficient is greater than that of the matrix and depends on the characteristics of the strength and of the flow rule of the matrix, as well as on the volume fraction of the inclusions. To cite this article: L. Dormieux et al., C. R. Mecanique 334 (2006).

Effect of fiber fibrillation on impact and flexural strength of coir fiber reinforced epoxy hybrid composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mawardi, I.; Jufriadi; Hanif

2018-03-01

This study aims to develop fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites. This study presents the effect of fiber fibrillation on the impact and flextural strength of the epoxy hybrid composite reinforced by coir fiber. Coir is soaked in 5% NaOH solution for 5 hours. Then fiber is rocessed using a blender of 2000 rpm density fibrillation. The length of time the fibrillation varied for 10, 20 and 30 minutes. Volume fraction of 30% fiber and matrix 70% composited. The composite uses a matrix of epoxy by hand lay up method. The implemented tests are impact and flexural tests. The test results show fiber fibrillation treatment can improve the composite mechanical properties. The highest impact and flexural strength, 24.45 kJ/m2 and 87.91 MPa were produced with fiber fibrillation for 10 minutes.

Magneto-photonic crystal microcavities based on magnetic nanoparticles embedded in Silica matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hocini, Abdesselam; Moukhtari, Riad; Khedrouche, Djamel; Kahlouche, Ahmed; Zamani, Mehdi

2017-02-01

Using the three-dimensional finite difference time domain method (3D FDTD) with perfectly matched layers (PML), optical and magneto-optical properties of two-dimensional magneto-photonic crystals micro-cavity is studied. This micro-cavity is fabricated by SiO2/ZrO2 or SiO2/TiO2 matrix doped with magnetic nanoparticles, in which the refractive index varied in the range of 1.51-1.58. We demonstrate that the Q factor for the designed cavity increases as the refractive index increases, and we find that the Q factor decreases as the volume fraction VF% due to off-diagonal elements increases. These magnetic microcavities may serve as a fundamental structure in a variety of ultra compact magneto photonic devices such as optical isolators, circulators and modulators in the future.

Tensile Flow Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys Produced by CIPing and Gelcasting Routes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panchal, Ashutosh; Ravi Kiran, U.; Nandy, T. K.; Singh, A. K.

2018-04-01

Present work describes the flow behavior of tungsten heavy alloys with nominal compositions 90W-7Ni-3Fe, 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe, and 95W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe (wt pct) produced by CIPing and gelcasting routes. The overall microstructural features of gelcasting are finer than those of CIPing alloys. Both the grain size of W and corresponding contiguity values increase with increase in W content in the present alloys. The volume fraction of matrix phase decreases with increase in W content in both the alloys. The lattice parameter values of the matrix phase also increase with increase in W content. The yield strength (σ YS) continuously increases with increase in W content in both the alloys. The σ YS values of CIPing alloys are marginally higher than those of gelcasting at constant W. The ultimate tensile strength (σ UTS) and elongation values are maximum at intermediate W content. Present alloys exhibit two slopes in true stress-true plastic strain curves in low and high strain regimes and follow a characteristic Ludwigson relation. The two slopes are associated with two deformation mechanisms that are occurring during tensile deformation. The overall nature of differential curves of all the alloys is different and these curves contain three distinctive stages of work hardening (I, II, and III). This suggests varying deformation mechanisms during tensile testing due to different volume fractions of constituent phases. The slip is the predominant deformation mechanism of the present alloys during tensile testing.

Tensile Flow Behavior of Tungsten Heavy Alloys Produced by CIPing and Gelcasting Routes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panchal, Ashutosh; Ravi Kiran, U.; Nandy, T. K.; Singh, A. K.

2018-06-01

Present work describes the flow behavior of tungsten heavy alloys with nominal compositions 90W-7Ni-3Fe, 93W-4.9Ni-2.1Fe, and 95W-3.5Ni-1.5Fe (wt pct) produced by CIPing and gelcasting routes. The overall microstructural features of gelcasting are finer than those of CIPing alloys. Both the grain size of W and corresponding contiguity values increase with increase in W content in the present alloys. The volume fraction of matrix phase decreases with increase in W content in both the alloys. The lattice parameter values of the matrix phase also increase with increase in W content. The yield strength ( σ YS) continuously increases with increase in W content in both the alloys. The σ YS values of CIPing alloys are marginally higher than those of gelcasting at constant W. The ultimate tensile strength ( σ UTS) and elongation values are maximum at intermediate W content. Present alloys exhibit two slopes in true stress-true plastic strain curves in low and high strain regimes and follow a characteristic Ludwigson relation. The two slopes are associated with two deformation mechanisms that are occurring during tensile deformation. The overall nature of differential curves of all the alloys is different and these curves contain three distinctive stages of work hardening (I, II, and III). This suggests varying deformation mechanisms during tensile testing due to different volume fractions of constituent phases. The slip is the predominant deformation mechanism of the present alloys during tensile testing.

Molecular dynamics insights into the structural and diffusive properties of ZIF-8/PDMS mixed matrix membranes in the n-butanol/water pervaporation process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Tao; Fang, Manquan; Wu, Zhen; Yu, Lixin; Li, Jiding

2017-04-01

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to study the structural and diffusive properties of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a novel alcohol-permselective mixed matrix membrane (MMM). Simulation models of one pure PDMS membrane and three ZIF-8/PDMS MMMs with increasing loadings were successfully constructed. Non-bond energy turned out to be a strong attractive interaction between the PDMS matrix and ZIF-8 cells. The morphology and mobility of PDMS chains were characterized by mean square displacement (MSD). The fraction of free volume (FFV) of the pure membrane and MMMs was calculated and showed declining trends with increasing ZIF-8 loadings. The diffusion coefficients of n-butanol and water molecules were calculated by the Einstein relation. {D}n-\\text{butanol} first increased then decreased, while {D}{{water}} decreased with the increasing loadings. The mechanism of selective diffusion behaviour was investigated and it was found that the inner channels of ZIF-8 provided selective pathways for n-butanol. Diffusion coefficients were correlated with FFV and the results showed that the logarithm of {D}{{water}} demonstrated a good linear relation with the inverse FFV and was in agreement with the free volume theory, while {D}n-\\text{butanol} showed a significant deviation in the case of MMM-1 due to the selective diffusion channels provided by ZIF-8.

From amorphous to nanocrystalline: the effect of nanograins in amorphous matrix on the thermal conductivity of hot-wire chemical-vapor deposited silicon films

DOE PAGES

Kearney, B. T.; Jugdersuren, B.; Queen, D. R.; ...

2017-12-28

Here, we have measured the thermal conductivity of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon films with varying crystalline content from 85K to room temperature. The films were prepared by the hot-wire chemical-vapor deposition, where the crystalline volume fraction is determined by the hydrogen (H2) dilution ratio to the processing silane gas (SiH4), R=H2/SiH4. We varied R from 1 to 10, where the films transform from amorphous for R < 3 to mostly nanocrystalline for larger R. Structural analyses show that the nanograins, averaging from 2 to 9nm in sizes with increasing R, are dispersed in the amorphous matrix. The crystalline volume fractionmore » increases from 0 to 65% as R increases from 1 to 10. The thermal conductivities of the two amorphous silicon films are similar and consistent with the most previous reports with thicknesses no larger than a few um deposited by a variety of techniques. The thermal conductivities of the three nanocrystalline silicon films are also similar, but are about 50-70% higher than those of their amorphous counterparts. The heat conduction in nanocrystalline silicon films can be understood as the combined contribution in both amorphous and nanocrystalline phases, where increased conduction through improved nanocrystalline percolation path outweighs increased interface scattering between silicon nanocrystals and the amorphous matrix.« less

From amorphous to nanocrystalline: the effect of nanograins in amorphous matrix on the thermal conductivity of hot-wire chemical-vapor deposited silicon films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kearney, B. T.; Jugdersuren, B.; Queen, D. R.

Here, we have measured the thermal conductivity of amorphous and nanocrystalline silicon films with varying crystalline content from 85K to room temperature. The films were prepared by the hot-wire chemical-vapor deposition, where the crystalline volume fraction is determined by the hydrogen (H2) dilution ratio to the processing silane gas (SiH4), R=H2/SiH4. We varied R from 1 to 10, where the films transform from amorphous for R < 3 to mostly nanocrystalline for larger R. Structural analyses show that the nanograins, averaging from 2 to 9nm in sizes with increasing R, are dispersed in the amorphous matrix. The crystalline volume fractionmore » increases from 0 to 65% as R increases from 1 to 10. The thermal conductivities of the two amorphous silicon films are similar and consistent with the most previous reports with thicknesses no larger than a few um deposited by a variety of techniques. The thermal conductivities of the three nanocrystalline silicon films are also similar, but are about 50-70% higher than those of their amorphous counterparts. The heat conduction in nanocrystalline silicon films can be understood as the combined contribution in both amorphous and nanocrystalline phases, where increased conduction through improved nanocrystalline percolation path outweighs increased interface scattering between silicon nanocrystals and the amorphous matrix.« less

Accuracy of cancellous bone volume fraction measured by micro-CT scanning.

PubMed

Ding, M; Odgaard, A; Hvid, I

1999-03-01

Volume fraction, the single most important parameter in describing trabecular microstructure, can easily be calculated from three-dimensional reconstructions of micro-CT images. This study sought to quantify the accuracy of this measurement. One hundred and sixty human cancellous bone specimens which covered a large range of volume fraction (9.8-39.8%) were produced. The specimens were micro-CT scanned, and the volume fraction based on Archimedes' principle was determined as a reference. After scanning, all micro-CT data were segmented using individual thresholds determined by the scanner supplied algorithm (method I). A significant deviation of volume fraction from method I was found: both the y-intercept and the slope of the regression line were significantly different from those of the Archimedes-based volume fraction (p < 0.001). New individual thresholds were determined based on a calibration of volume fraction to the Archimedes-based volume fractions (method II). The mean thresholds of the two methods were applied to segment 20 randomly selected specimens. The results showed that volume fraction using the mean threshold of method I was underestimated by 4% (p = 0.001), whereas the mean threshold of method II yielded accurate values. The precision of the measurement was excellent. Our data show that care must be taken when applying thresholds in generating 3-D data, and that a fixed threshold may be used to obtain reliable volume fraction data. This fixed threshold may be determined from the Archimedes-based volume fraction of a subgroup of specimens. The threshold may vary between different materials, and so it should be determined whenever a study series is performed.

Theory of activated penetrant diffusion in viscous fluids and colloidal suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Rui; Schweizer, Kenneth S.

2015-10-01

We heuristically formulate a microscopic, force level, self-consistent nonlinear Langevin equation theory for activated barrier hopping and non-hydrodynamic diffusion of a hard sphere penetrant in very dense hard sphere fluid matrices. Penetrant dynamics is controlled by a rich competition between force relaxation due to penetrant self-motion and collective matrix structural (alpha) relaxation. In the absence of penetrant-matrix attraction, three activated dynamical regimes are predicted as a function of penetrant-matrix size ratio which are physically distinguished by penetrant jump distance and the nature of matrix motion required to facilitate its hopping. The penetrant diffusion constant decreases the fastest with size ratio for relatively small penetrants where the matrix effectively acts as a vibrating amorphous solid. Increasing penetrant-matrix attraction strength reduces penetrant diffusivity due to physical bonding. For size ratios approaching unity, a distinct dynamical regime emerges associated with strong slaving of penetrant hopping to matrix structural relaxation. A crossover regime at intermediate penetrant-matrix size ratio connects the two limiting behaviors for hard penetrants, but essentially disappears if there are strong attractions with the matrix. Activated penetrant diffusivity decreases strongly with matrix volume fraction in a manner that intensifies as the size ratio increases. We propose and implement a quasi-universal approach for activated diffusion of a rigid atomic/molecular penetrant in a supercooled liquid based on a mapping between the hard sphere system and thermal liquids. Calculations for specific systems agree reasonably well with experiments over a wide range of temperature, covering more than 10 orders of magnitude of variation of the penetrant diffusion constant.

Theory of activated penetrant diffusion in viscous fluids and colloidal suspensions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Rui; Schweizer, Kenneth S., E-mail: kschweiz@illinois.edu

2015-10-14

We heuristically formulate a microscopic, force level, self-consistent nonlinear Langevin equation theory for activated barrier hopping and non-hydrodynamic diffusion of a hard sphere penetrant in very dense hard sphere fluid matrices. Penetrant dynamics is controlled by a rich competition between force relaxation due to penetrant self-motion and collective matrix structural (alpha) relaxation. In the absence of penetrant-matrix attraction, three activated dynamical regimes are predicted as a function of penetrant-matrix size ratio which are physically distinguished by penetrant jump distance and the nature of matrix motion required to facilitate its hopping. The penetrant diffusion constant decreases the fastest with size ratiomore » for relatively small penetrants where the matrix effectively acts as a vibrating amorphous solid. Increasing penetrant-matrix attraction strength reduces penetrant diffusivity due to physical bonding. For size ratios approaching unity, a distinct dynamical regime emerges associated with strong slaving of penetrant hopping to matrix structural relaxation. A crossover regime at intermediate penetrant-matrix size ratio connects the two limiting behaviors for hard penetrants, but essentially disappears if there are strong attractions with the matrix. Activated penetrant diffusivity decreases strongly with matrix volume fraction in a manner that intensifies as the size ratio increases. We propose and implement a quasi-universal approach for activated diffusion of a rigid atomic/molecular penetrant in a supercooled liquid based on a mapping between the hard sphere system and thermal liquids. Calculations for specific systems agree reasonably well with experiments over a wide range of temperature, covering more than 10 orders of magnitude of variation of the penetrant diffusion constant.« less

Effect of cold drawing ratio on γ′ precipitation in Inconel X-750

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ha, Jeong Won; Research and Development Center, KOS Limited, Yangsan 626-230; Seong, Baek Seok

2014-10-15

Inconel X-750 is a Ni-based precipitation-hardened superalloy having large tensile and fracture strengths. In the study, X-750 wires were cold drawn to different extents. Small angle neutron scattering was employed to quantitatively measure the size and volume fraction of the γ′ phase as a function of the cold drawing ratio (DR) and aging temperature. The presence and size of γ′ precipitates were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The drawing ratio had an important effect on the volume fraction of the γ′ precipitates. However, the size of the precipitates was independent on the drawing ratio. The specimen with the minimum drawingmore » ratio (DR0) produced the largest volume fraction of γ′ as compared with large drawing ratio (DR) specimens such as DR17 and DR42. The small volume fraction of the γ′ phase for a sizeable drawing ratio was associated with the large amount of nucleation sites for secondary carbides, M{sub 23}C{sub 6}, and the fast diffusion path, i.e., dislocation, needed to form M{sub 23}C{sub 6}. A Cr depletion zone around the secondary carbides raised the solubility of γ′. Therefore, the significant drawing ratio contributing to the large volume fraction of the secondary carbides decreased the volume fraction of the γ′ precipitates in Inconel X-750. - Highlights: • The volume fraction of secondary carbides increased with the drawing ratio. • The volume fraction of γ′ decreased as the drawing ratio increased. • The drawing ratio affected the γ′ volume fraction with no variation of the γ' size. • The volume fraction of γ′ was affected by the secondary carbide volume fraction.« less

Recent results and persisting problems in modeling flow induced coalescence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fortelný, I., E-mail: fortelny@imc.cas.cz, E-mail: juza@imc.cas.cz; Jza, J., E-mail: fortelny@imc.cas.cz, E-mail: juza@imc.cas.cz

2014-05-15

The contribution summarizes recent results of description of the flow induced coalescence in immiscible polymer blends and addresses problems that call for which solving. The theory of coalescence based on the switch between equations for matrix drainage between spherical or deformed droplets provides a good agreement with more complicated modeling and available experimental data for probability, P{sub c}, that the collision of droplets will be followed by their fusion. A new equation for description of the matrix drainage between deformed droplets, applicable to the whole range of viscosity ratios, p, of the droplets and matrixes, is proposed. The theory facilitatesmore » to consider the effect of the matrix elasticity on coalescence. P{sub c} decreases with the matrix relaxation time but this decrease is not pronounced for relaxation times typical of most commercial polymers. Modeling of the flow induced coalescence in concentrated systems is needed for prediction of the dependence of coalescence rate on volume fraction of droplets. The effect of the droplet anisometry on P{sub c} should be studied for better understanding the coalescence in flow field with high and moderate deformation rates. A reliable description of coalescence in mixing and processing devices requires proper modeling of complex flow fields.« less

The strength of metal matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baxter, William J.

1992-11-01

There is intensive interest in metal matrix composites (MMCs) for automotive components, and the first production applications in Japan use discontinuous fibers as the reinforcements. These fibers are randomly oriented, resulting in an MMC with isotropic properties. However, there are conflicting reports on the tensile strengths attainable. In some cases, the strength increases with increasing volume fraction (V f) of fibers, while in other cases, there is little or no benefit. A simple method is proposed to calculate the strength of this type of MMC. It is shown that the fibers oriented perpendicular to the stress direction play a key role, and the strength depends upon the strength of the interfacial bond. Upper and lower limits of the composite strength are calculated. If the bond strength is larger than the matrix strength, the composite strength has a maximum value which increases with V f. If the bond strength is weaker than the matrix, the composite strength has a minimum value which is either weakly dependent or even independent of V f. These calculations are in good agreement with examples taken from the literature of aluminum composites reinforced with either A12O3, graphite, or SiC. The strength of the matrix alloy is shown to be a very important parameter: weak alloys are easily strengthened, while in certain cases, strong alloys may be weakened.

High Temperature Mechanical Characterization and Analysis of Al2O3 /Al2O3 Composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gyekenyesi, John Z.; Jaskowiak, Martha H.

1999-01-01

Sixteen ply unidirectional zirconia coated single crystal Al2O3 fiber reinforced polycrystalline Al2O3 was tested in uniaxial tension at temperatures to 1400 C in air. Fiber volume fractions ranged from 26 to 31%. The matrix has primarily open porosity of approximately 40%. Theories for predicting the Young's modulus, first matrix cracking stress, and ultimate strength were applied and evaluated for suitability in predicting the mechanical behavior of Al2O3/Al2O3 composites. The composite exhibited pseudo tough behavior (increased area under the stress/strain curve relative to monolithic alumina) from 22 to 1400 C. The rule-of-mixtures provides a good estimate of the Young's modulus of the composite using the constituent properties from room temperature to approximately 1200 C for short term static tensile tests in air. The ACK theory provides the best approximation of the first matrix cracking stress while accounting for residual stresses at room temperature. Difficulties in determining the fiber/matrix interfacial shear stress at high temperatures prevented the accurate prediction of the first matrix cracking stress above room temperature. The theory of Cao and Thouless, based on Weibull statistics, gave the best prediction for the composite ultimate tensile strength.

Matrix Transformation in Boron Containing High-Temperature Co-Re-Cr Alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Strunz, Pavel; Mukherji, Debashis; Beran, Přemysl; Gilles, Ralph; Karge, Lukas; Hofmann, Michael; Hoelzel, Markus; Rösler, Joachim; Farkas, Gergely

2018-03-01

An addition of boron largely increases the ductility in polycrystalline high-temperature Co-Re alloys. Therefore, the effect of boron on the alloy structural characteristics is of high importance for the stability of the matrix at operational temperatures. Volume fractions of ɛ (hexagonal close-packed—hcp), γ (face-centered cubic—fcc) and σ (Cr2Re3 type) phases were measured at ambient and high temperatures (up to 1500 °C) for a boron-containing Co-17Re-23Cr alloy using neutron diffraction. The matrix phase undergoes an allotropic transformation from ɛ to γ structure at high temperatures, similar to pure cobalt and to the previously investigated, more complex Co-17Re-23Cr-1.2Ta-2.6C alloy. It was determined in this study that the transformation temperature depends on the boron content (0-1000 wt. ppm). Nevertheless, the transformation temperature did not change monotonically with the increase in the boron content but reached a minimum at approximately 200 ppm of boron. A probable reason is the interplay between the amount of boron in the matrix and the amount of σ phase, which binds hcp-stabilizing elements (Cr and Re). Moreover, borides were identified in alloys with high boron content.

Electrical modulus analysis on the Ni/CCTO/PVDF system near the percolation threshold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Wenhu; Yu, Shuhui; Sun, Rong; Ke, Shanming; Huang, Haitao; Du, Ruxu

2011-11-01

A type of Ni/CCTO/PVDF three-phase percolative composite was prepared, in which the filler content (volume fraction) of Ni and CCTO was set at 60 vol%. The dependence of permittivity, electrical modulus and ac conductivity on the concentration of Ni and CCTO fillers near the percolation threshold was investigated in detail. The permittivity of the composites dramatically increased as the Ni content approached 24 vol%. This unique physical mechanism was realized as the formation of conductive channels near the percolation threshold. Analysis on the electrical modulus showed that the conductive channels are governed by three relaxation processes induced by the fillers (Ni, CCTO) and PVDF matrix, which are the interfacial polarization derived from the interfaces between fillers (Ni, CCTO) and PVDF matrix, and the polarization of CCTO ceramic filler and PVDF matrix. The conductivity behaviour with various Ni loadings and temperature suggested that the transition from an insulating to a conducting state should be induced by charge tunnelling between Ni-Ni particles, Ni-CCTO fillers and Ni-PVDF matrix. These findings demonstrated that the tunnelling conduction in the composite can be attributed to the unique physical mechanism near the percolation threshold.

Effect of a Particulate and a Putty-Like Tricalcium Phosphate-Based Bone-grafting Material on Bone Formation, Volume Stability and Osteogenic Marker Expression after Bilateral Sinus Floor Augmentation in Humans

PubMed Central

Knabe, Christine; Adel Khattab, Doaa; Kluk, Esther; Struck, Rainer; Stiller, Michael

2017-01-01

This study examines the effect of a hyaluronic acid (HyAc) containing tricalcium phosphate putty scaffold material (TCP-P) and of a particulate tricalcium phosphate (TCP-G) graft on bone formation, volume stability and osteogenic marker expression in biopsies sampled 6 months after bilateral sinus floor augmentation (SFA) in 7 patients applying a split-mouth design. 10% autogenous bone chips were added to the grafting material during surgery. The grain size of the TCP granules was 700 to 1400 µm for TCP-G and 125 to 250 µm and 500 to 700 µm (ratio 1:1) for TCP-P. Biopsies were processed for immunohistochemical analysis of resin-embedded sections. Sections were stained for collagen type I (Col I), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC) and bone sialoprotein (BSP). Furthermore, the bone area and biomaterial area fraction were determined histomorphometrically. Cone-beam CT data recorded after SFA and 6 months later were used for calculating the graft volume at these two time points. TCP-P displayed more advantageous surgical handling properties and a significantly greater bone area fraction and smaller biomaterial area fraction. This was accompanied by significantly greater expression of Col I and BSP and in osteoblasts and osteoid and a less pronounced reduction in grafting volume with TCP-P. SFA using both types of materials resulted in formation of sufficient bone volume for facilitating stable dental implant placement with all dental implants having been in function without any complications for 6 years. Since TCP-P displayed superior surgical handling properties and greater bone formation than TCP-G, without the HyAc hydrogel matrix having any adverse effect on bone formation or graft volume stability, TCP-P can be regarded as excellent grafting material for SFA in a clinical setting. The greater bone formation observed with TCP-P may be related to the difference in grain size of the TCP granules and/or the addition of the HyAc. PMID:28758916

A mineralogical and granulometric study of Cayambe volcano debris avalanche deposit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Detienne, M.; Delmelle, P.; Guevara, A.; Samaniego, P.; Bustillos, J.; Sonnet, P.; Opfergelt, S.

2013-12-01

Volcano flank/sector collapse represents one of the most catastrophic volcanic hazards. Various volcanic and non-volcanic processes are known to decrease the stability of a volcanic cone, eventually precipitating its gravitational failure. Among them, hydrothermal alteration of volcanic rocks leading to clay mineral formation is recognized as having a large negative impact on rock strength properties. Furthermore, the presence of hydrothermal clays in the collapsing mass influences the behavior of the associated volcanic debris avalanche. In particular, clay-containing debris avalanches seem to travel farther and spread more widely than avalanches of similar volume but which do not incorporate hydrothermally-altered materials. However, the relationship between hydrothermal alteration, flank collapse and debris avalanche behavior is not well understood. The objective of this study is to better determine the volume and composition of hydrothermal clay minerals in the poorly characterized debris avalanche deposit (DAD) of Cayambe composite volcano, located in a densely populated area ~70 km northeast of Quito, Ecuador. Cayambe DAD originated from a sector collapse, which occurred less than 200 ka ago. The DAD is 10-20 m thick and has an estimated total volume of ~0.85 Km3. The H/L ratio (where H is the vertical drop and L is the travel distance of the avalanche) for Cayambe DAD is ~0.095, suggesting a high mobility. In the medial-distal zone, at 9-20 km from its source, the DAD consists of an unstratified and unsorted matrix supporting millimetric to metric clasts. It has a matrix facies (i.e. rich in particles < 2 mm) enriched in hydrothermally-altered materials. Preliminary results of granulometry measurements indicate that the matrix corresponds to ~55 wt.% of the deposit and suggest that the DAD behaved as a cohesive debris flow. Analysis of 13 matrix samples reveals a large variability in particle size distribution. This may reflect poor mixing of the collapsed material during transport. The clay fraction content in the matrix ranges from 15 to 30 wt.%, and does not show a relationship with the sample position in the DAD. Mineralogical determinations are in progress and will be presented.

Characterization of Phase Chemistry and Partitioning in a Family of High-Strength Nickel-Based Superalloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapington, M. T.; Crudden, D. J.; Reed, R. C.; Moody, M. P.; Bagot, P. A. J.

2018-06-01

A family of novel polycrystalline Ni-based superalloys with varying Ti:Nb ratios has been created using computational alloy design techniques, and subsequently characterized using atom probe tomography and electron microscopy. Phase chemistry, elemental partitioning, and γ' character have been analyzed and compared with thermodynamic predictions created using Thermo-Calc. Phase compositions and γ' volume fraction were found to compare favorably with the thermodynamically predicted values, while predicted partitioning behavior for Ti, Nb, Cr, and Co tended to overestimate γ' preference over the γ matrix, often with opposing trends vs Nb concentration.

Colossal dielectric and electromechanical responses in self-assembled polymeric nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Cheng; Zhang, Q. M.; Li, Jiang Yu; Rabeony, Manese

2005-10-01

An electroactive polymer nanocomposite, in which high dielectric constant copper phthalocyanine oligomer (o-CuPc) nanoparticles are incorporated into the block polyurethane (PU) matrix by the combination of "top down" and "bottom up" approaches, was realized. Such an approach enables the nanocomposite to exhibit colossal dielectric and electromechanical responses with very low volume fraction of the high dielectric constant o-CuPc nanofillers (˜3.5%) in the composite. In contrast, a simple blend of o-CuPc and PU composite with much higher o-CuPc content (˜16% of o-CuPc) shows much lower dielectric and electromechanical responses.

Heat treatment study 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Workman, Gary L.

1990-01-01

The microstructural variations in nickel based superalloys that result from modifications in processing were examined. These superalloys include MAR-M246(HF) and PWA1480. Alternate heat treatments for equiaxed as-cast specimens were studied and a sample matrix of 42 variations in the heat treatments were processed, as well as different directional solidification parameters. Variation in temperature and times for both solution and aging were performed. Photomicrographs were made of the microstructure and volume fraction analysis of primary gamma-prime and aged gamma-prime precipitates were performed. The results of the heat treatment, cooling rate, and directional solidification experiments are discussed.

Ultrasonic Non Linearity Characterization of the Stainless Steel Wire Reinforced Aluminium Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, C. S.; Park, T. S.; Park, I. K.; Hyun, C. Y.

2009-03-01

The effectiveness of the ultrasonic nonlinearity measurement for nearly closed cracks was demonstrated for hot pressing and extrusion of stainless steel 304 short wire reinforced aluminum composite. Aluminum based composites show considerable potential in the aerospace industry and the automotive industry due to their high specific strength and low thermal expansion coefficient. The ultrasonic nonlinearity (β/β0) increased with the volume fraction of SSF and aging heat treatment because of the generation of microvoids resulted from localized SSF and matrix precipitation. This study demonstrates the potential for characterization of reinforced composite materials fabricated by the powder metallurgy technique.

Effect of Ge atoms on crystal structure and optoelectronic properties of hydrogenated Si-Ge films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Tianwei; Zhang, Jianjun; Ma, Ying; Yu, Yunwu; Zhao, Ying

2017-07-01

Optoelectronic and structural properties of hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon-germanium (μc-Si1-xGex:H) alloys prepared by radio-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF-PECVD) were investigated. When the Ge atoms were predominantly incorporated in amorphous matrix, the dark and photo-conductivity decreased due to the reduced crystalline volume fraction of the Si atoms (XSi-Si) and the increased Ge dangling bond density. The photosensitivity decreased monotonously with Ge incorporation under higher hydrogen dilution condition, which was attributed to the increase in both crystallization of Ge and the defect density.

Modeling Radioactive Decay Chains with Branching Fraction Uncertainties

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-03-01

moments methods with transmutation matrices. Uncertainty from both half-lives and branching fractions is carried through these calculations by Monte...moment methods, method for sampling from normal distributions for half- life uncertainty, and use of transmutation matrices were leveraged. This...distributions for half-life and branching fraction uncertainties, building decay chains and generating the transmutation matrix (T-matrix

Thermal and ultrasonic evaluation of porosity in composite laminates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Patrick H.; Winfree, William P.; Long, Edward R., Jr.; Kullerd, Susan M.; Nathan, N.; Partos, Richard D.

1992-01-01

The effects of porosity on damage incurred by low-velocity impact are investigated. Specimens of graphite/epoxy composite were fabricated with various volume fractions of voids. The void fraction was independently determined using optical examination and acid resin digestion methods. Thermal diffusivity and ultrasonic attenuation were measured, and these results were related to the void volume fraction. The relationship between diffusivity and fiber volume fraction was also considered. The slope of the ultrasonic attenuation coefficient was found to increase linearly with void content, and the diffusivity decreased linearly with void volume fraction, after compensation for an approximately linear dependence on the fiber volume fraction.

Fuel cell with electrolyte matrix assembly

DOEpatents

Kaufman, Arthur; Pudick, Sheldon; Wang, Chiu L.

1988-01-01

This invention is directed to a fuel cell employing a substantially immobilized electrolyte imbedded therein and having a laminated matrix assembly disposed between the electrodes of the cell for holding and distributing the electrolyte. The matrix assembly comprises a non-conducting fibrous material such as silicon carbide whiskers having a relatively large void-fraction and a layer of material having a relatively small void-fraction.

Mechanical properties of steels with a microstructure of bainite/martensite and austenite islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syammach, Sami M.

Advanced high strength steels (AHSS) are continually being developed in order to reduce weight and improve safety for automotive applications. There is need for economic steels with improved strength and ductility combinations. These demands have led to research and development of third generation AHSS. Third generation AHSS include steel grades with a bainitic and tempered martensitic matrix with retained austenite islands. These steels may provide improved mechanical properties compared to first generation AHSS and should be more economical than second generation AHSS. There is a need to investigate these newer types of steels to determine their strength and formability properties. Understanding these bainitic and tempered martensitic steels is important because they likely can be produced using currently available production systems. If viable, these steels could be a positive step in the evolution of AHSS. The present work investigates the effect of the microstructure on the mechanical properties of steels with a microstructure of bainite, martensite, and retained austenite, so called TRIP aided bainitic ferrite (TBF) steels. The first step in this project was creating the desired microstructure. To create a microstructure of bainite, martensite, and austenite an interrupted austempering heat treatment was used. Varying the heat treatment times and temperatures produced microstructures of varying amounts of bainite, martensite, and austenite. Mechanical properties such as strength, ductility, strain hardening, and hole-expansion ratios were then evaluated for each heat treatment. Correlations between mechanical properties and microstructure were then evaluated. It was found that samples after each of the heat treatments exhibited strengths between 1050 MPa and 1350 MPa with total elongations varying from 8 pct to 16 pct. By increasing the bainite and austenite volume fraction the strength of the steel was found to decrease, but the ductility increased. Larger martensite volume fraction increased the strength of the steel. Strain hardening results showed that increasing the martensite volume fraction increased the strain hardening exponent while bainite decreased the strain hardening behavior. Austenite was found to slightly increase the strain hardening behavior. Hole-expansion tests showed hole expansion ratios ranging from 20 pct to 45 pct. Increasing the bainite volume fraction was found to increase the hole-expansion ratio. Increasing the martensite volume fraction was found to decrease the hole-expansion ratio. Overall, each of the heat treatments resulted in a steel with attractive properties, and the results showed how the microstructure of bainite, martensite, and austenite influences the mechanical properties of this type of steels.

Accurate Measurement of Bone Density with QCT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cleek, Tammy M.; Beaupre, Gary S.; Matsubara, Miki; Whalen, Robert T.; Dalton, Bonnie P. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy of bone density measurement with a new OCT technology. A phantom was fabricated using two materials, a water-equivalent compound and hydroxyapatite (HA), combined in precise proportions (QRM GrnbH, Germany). The phantom was designed to have the approximate physical size and range in bone density as a human calcaneus, with regions of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/cc HA. The phantom was scanned at 80, 120 and 140 KVp with a GE CT/i HiSpeed Advantage scanner. A ring of highly attenuating material (polyvinyl chloride or teflon) was slipped over the phantom to alter the image by introducing non-axi-symmetric beam hardening. Images were corrected with a new OCT technology using an estimate of the effective X-ray beam spectrum to eliminate beam hardening artifacts. The algorithm computes the volume fraction of HA and water-equivalent matrix in each voxel. We found excellent agreement between expected and computed HA volume fractions. Results were insensitive to beam hardening ring material, HA concentration, and scan voltage settings. Data from all 3 voltages with a best fit linear regression are displays.

Predicting the Effective Elastic Properties of Polymer Bonded Explosives based on Micromechanical Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jingcheng; Luo, Jingrun

2018-04-01

Due to the extremely high particle volume fraction (greater than 85%) and damage feature of polymer bonded explosives (PBXs), conventional micromechanical methods lead to inaccurate estimates on their effective elastic properties. According to their manufacture characteristics, a multistep approach based on micromechanical methods is proposed. PBXs are treated as pseudo poly-crystal materials consisting of equivalent composite particles (explosive crystals with binder coating), rather than two-phase composites composed of explosive particles and binder matrix. Moduli of composite spheres are obtained by generalized self-consistent method first, and the self-consistent method is modified to calculate the effective moduli of PBX. Defects and particle size distribution are considered by Mori-Tanaka method. Results show that when the multistep approach is applied to PBX 9501, estimates are far more accurate than the conventional micromechanical results. The bulk modulus is 5.75% higher, and shear modulus is 5.78% lower than the experimental values. Further analyses discover that while particle volume fraction and the binder's property have significant influences on the effective moduli of PBX, the moduli of particles present minor influences. Investigation of another particle size distribution indicates that the use of more fine particles will enhance the effective moduli of PBX.

Effective conductivity of suspensions of overlapping spheres

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, I.C.; Torquato, S.

1992-03-15

An accurate first-passage simulation technique formulated by the authors (J. Appl. Phys. {bold 68}, 3892 (1990)) is employed to compute the effective conductivity {sigma}{sub {ital e}} of distributions of penetrable (or overlapping) spheres of conductivity {sigma}{sub 2} in a matrix of conductivity {sigma}{sub 1}. Clustering of particles in this model results in a generally intricate topology for virtually the entire range of sphere volume fractions {phi}{sub 2} (i.e., 0{le}{phi}{sub 2}{le}1). Results for the effective conductivity {sigma}{sub {ital e}} are presented for several values of the conductivity ratio {alpha}={sigma}{sub 2}/{sigma}{sub 1}, including superconducting spheres ({alpha}={infinity}) and perfectly insulating spheres ({alpha}=0), andmore » for a wide range of volume fractions. The data are shown to lie between rigorous three-point bounds on {sigma}{sub {ital e}} for the same model. Consistent with the general observations of Torquato (J. Appl. Phys. {bold 58}, 3790 (1985)) regarding the utility of rigorous bounds, one of the bounds provides a good estimate of the effective conductivity, even in the extreme contrast cases ({alpha}{much gt}1 or {alpha}{congruent}0), depending upon whether the system is below or above the percolation threshold.« less

The influence of buoyant forces and volume fraction of particles on the particle pushing/entrapment transition during directional solidification of Al/SiC and Al/graphite composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stefanescu, Doru M.; Moitra, Avijit; Kacar, A. Sedat; Dhindaw, Brij K.

1990-01-01

Directional solidification experiments in a Bridgman-type furnace were used to study particle behavior at the liquid/solid interface in aluminum metal matrix composites. Graphite or silicon-carbide particles were first dispersed in aluminum-base alloys via a mechanically stirred vortex. Then, 100-mm-diameter and 120-mm-long samples were cast in steel dies and used for directional solidification. The processing variables controlled were the direction and velocity of solidification and the temperature gradient at the interface. The material variables monitored were the interface energy, the liquid/particle density difference, the particle/liquid thermal conductivity ratio, and the volume fraction of particles. These properties were changed by selecting combinations of particles (graphite or silicon carbide) and alloys (Al-Cu, Al-Mg, Al-Ni). A model which consideres process thermodynamics, process kinetics (including the role of buoyant forces), and thermophysical properties was developed. Based on solidification direction and velocity, and on materials properties, four types of behavior were predicted. Sessile drop experiments were also used to determine some of the interface energies required in calculation with the proposed model. Experimental results compared favorably with model predictions.

Analysis of androgenic steroids in environmental waters by large-volume injection liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Backe, Will J; Ort, Christoph; Brewer, Alex J; Field, Jennifer A

2011-04-01

A new method was developed for the analysis of natural and synthetic androgenic steroids and their selected metabolites in aquatic environmental matrixes using direct large-volume injection (LVI) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Method accuracy ranged from 87.6 to 108% for analytes with well-matched internal standards. Precision, quantified by relative standard deviation (RSD), was less than 12%. Detection limits for the method ranged from 1.2 to 360 ng/L. The method was demonstrated on a series of 1 h composite wastewater influent samples collected over a day with the purpose of assessing temporal profiles of androgen loads in wastewater. Testosterone, androstenedione, boldenone, and nandrolone were detected in the sample series at concentrations up to 290 ng/L and loads up to 535 mg/h. Boldenone, a synthetic androgen, had a temporal profile that was strongly correlated to testosterone, a natural human androgen, suggesting its source may be endogenous. An analysis of the sample particulate fraction revealed detectable amounts of sorbed testosterone and androstenedione. Androstenedione sorbed to the particulate fraction accounted for an estimated 5 to 7% of the total androstenedione mass.

The Role of Retained Austenite on the Mechanical Properties of a Low Carbon 3Mn-1.5Ni Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jun; Zhang, Wei-na; Liu, Zhen-yu; Wang, Guo-dong

2017-12-01

The present studies focus on the correlation between retained austenite characteristics and the cryogenic temperature Charpy impact toughness, strength, and plasticity. The steels with different volume fractions and stabilities of retained austenite were prepared by quenching followed by intercritical heat treatment, and the microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscope, electron back-scattered diffraction, and X-ray diffraction. The grain size, dislocation density, crack initiation energy, and crack propagation energy were quantified. It has been demonstrated that the volume fraction of retained austenite plays a significant role in the reduction of the measured yield strength and the effect of tempered martensite/ferrite matrix on cryogenic temperature impact toughness can be assumed to be similar due to the similar grain size, dislocation density and element content in solution for different heat treatments. It was found that the stability of retained austenite plays a determining role in the increase of cryogenic temperature impact toughness. Furthermore, the dependence of the crack propagation energy on retained austenite is much greater than that of the crack initiation energy. Generally, an excellent UTS × TEL does not produce good cryogenic temperature impact toughness.

The influence of buoyant forces and volume fraction of particles on the particle pushing/entrapment transition during directional solidification of Al/SiC and Al/graphite composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stefanescu, Doru M.; Moitra, Avijit; Kacar, A. Sedat; Dhindaw, Brij K.

1990-01-01

Directional solidification experiments in a Bridgman-type furnace were used to study particle behavior at the liquid/solid interface in aluminum metal matrix composites. Graphite or siliconcarbide particles were first dispersed in aluminum-base alloys via a mechanically stirred vortex. Then, 100-mm-diameter and 120-mm-long samples were cast in steel dies and used for directional solidification. The processing variables controlled were the direction and velocity of solidification and the temperature gradient at the interface. The material variables monitored were the interface energy, the liquid/particle density difference, the particle/liquid thermal conductivity ratio, and the volume fraction of particles. These properties were changed by selecting combinations of particles (graphite or silicon carbide) and alloys (Al-Cu, Al-Mg, Al-Ni). A model which considers process thermodynamics, process kinetics (including the role of buoyant forces), and thermophysical properties was developed. Based on solidification direction and velocity, and on materials properties, four types of behavior were predicted. Sessile drop experiments were also used to determine some of the interface energies required in calculation with the proposed model. Experimental results compared favorably with model predictions.

Microstructures and Hardness/Wear Performance of High-Carbon Stellite Alloys Containing Molybdenum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Rong; Yao, J. H.; Zhang, Q. L.; Yao, M. X.; Collier, Rachel

2015-12-01

Conventional high-carbon Stellite alloys contain a certain amount of tungsten which mainly serves to provide strengthening to the solid solution matrix. These alloys are designed for combating severe wear. High-carbon molybdenum-containing Stellite alloys are newly developed 700 series of Stellite family, with molybdenum replacing tungsten, which are particularly employed in severe wear condition with corrosion also involved. Three high-carbon Stellite alloys, designated as Stellite 706, Stellite 712, and Stellite 720, with different carbon and molybdenum contents, are studied experimentally in this research, focusing on microstructure and phases, hardness, and wear resistance, using SEM/EDX/XRD techniques, a Rockwell hardness tester, and a pin-on-disk tribometer. It is found that both carbon and molybdenum contents influence the microstructures of these alloys significantly. The former determines the volume fraction of carbides in the alloys, and the latter governs the amount of molybdenum-rich carbides precipitated in the alloys. The hardness and wear resistance of these alloys are increased with the carbide volume fraction. However, with the same or similar carbon content, high-carbon CoCrMo Stellite alloys exhibit worse wear resistance than high-carbon CoCrW Stellite alloys.

A diffusion model-free framework with echo time dependence for free-water elimination and brain tissue microstructure characterization.

PubMed

Molina-Romero, Miguel; Gómez, Pedro A; Sperl, Jonathan I; Czisch, Michael; Sämann, Philipp G; Jones, Derek K; Menzel, Marion I; Menze, Bjoern H

2018-03-23

The compartmental nature of brain tissue microstructure is typically studied by diffusion MRI, MR relaxometry or their correlation. Diffusion MRI relies on signal representations or biophysical models, while MR relaxometry and correlation studies are based on regularized inverse Laplace transforms (ILTs). Here we introduce a general framework for characterizing microstructure that does not depend on diffusion modeling and replaces ill-posed ILTs with blind source separation (BSS). This framework yields proton density, relaxation times, volume fractions, and signal disentanglement, allowing for separation of the free-water component. Diffusion experiments repeated for several different echo times, contain entangled diffusion and relaxation compartmental information. These can be disentangled by BSS using a physically constrained nonnegative matrix factorization. Computer simulations, phantom studies, together with repeatability and reproducibility experiments demonstrated that BSS is capable of estimating proton density, compartmental volume fractions and transversal relaxations. In vivo results proved its potential to correct for free-water contamination and to estimate tissue parameters. Formulation of the diffusion-relaxation dependence as a BSS problem introduces a new framework for studying microstructure compartmentalization, and a novel tool for free-water elimination. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Production of a Powder Metallurgical Hot Work Tool Steel with Harmonic Structure by Mechanical Milling and Spark Plasma Sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deirmina, Faraz; Pellizzari, Massimo; Federici, Matteo

2017-04-01

Commercial AISI-H13 gas atomized powders (AT) were mechanically milled (MM) to refine both the particle size and the microstructure. Different volume fractions of coarser grained (CG) AT powders were mixed with the ultra-fine grained (UFG) MM and consolidated by spark plasma sintering to obtain bulks showing a harmonic structure ( i.e. a 3D interconnected network of UFG areas surrounding the CG atomized particles). The low sintering temperature, 1373.15 K (1100 °C) and the short sintering time (30 minutes) made it possible to obtain near full density samples while preserving the refined microstructure induced by MM. A combination of high hardness and significantly improved fracture toughness is achieved by the samples containing 50 to 80 vol pct MM, essentially showing harmonic structure. The design allows to easily achieve specific application oriented properties by varying the MM volume fraction in the initial mixture. Hardness is governed by the fine-grained MM matrix and improved toughening is due to (1) deviatory effect of AT particles and (2) energy dissipation as a result of the decohesion in MM regions or AT and MM interface.

A numerical study of the phase behaviors of drug particle/star triblock copolymer mixtures in dilute solutions for drug carrier application

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Shanhui; Tong, Chaohui; Zhu, Yuejin, E-mail: zhuyuejin@nbu.edu.cn

The complex microstructures of drug particle/ABA star triblock copolymer in dilute solutions have been investigated by a theoretical approach which combines the self-consistent field theory and the hybrid particle-field theory. Simulation results reveal that, when the volume fraction of drug particles is smaller than the saturation concentration, the drug particle encapsulation efficiency is 100%, and micelle loading capacity increases with increasing particle volume fraction. When the volume fraction of drug particles is equal to the saturation concentration, the micelles attain the biggest size, and micelle loading capacity reaches a maximum value which is independent of the copolymer volume fraction. Whenmore » the volume fraction of drug particles is more than the saturation concentration, drug particle encapsulation efficiency decreases with increasing volume fraction of drug particles. Furthermore, it is found that the saturation concentration scales linearly with the copolymer volume fraction. The above simulation results are in good agreement with experimental results.« less

Study of Erosive Wear Behaviour on SIC/SIC Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suh, Min-Soo

In the field of aerospace propulsion system, erosive wear on continuous silicon carbide (SiC) fibre-reinforced SiC (SiC/SiC) composites is of significant issue to achieve high energy efficiency. This paper proposes a crucial factor and a design guideline of SiC/SiC composites for higher erosion performance regarding cost effectiveness. Fabrication and evaluation of impacts and wear on SiC/SiC composites are successfully carried out. Erosive wear behaviours of the CVI and the LPS composites evidently show that the crucial fabrication factor against solid particle erosion (SPE). Erosive wear mechanisms on various SiC/SiC composites are determined based on the analysis of erosive wear behaviour. Designing guideline for the SiC/SiC composites for pursuit of high erosion performance is also proposed as focusing on the followings; volume fraction of matrix, strength of the matrix, bonding strength, and PyC interface.

Uniaxial Drawing of Graphene-PVA Nanocomposites: Improvement in Mechanical Characteristics via Strain-Induced Exfoliation of Graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jan, Rahim; Habib, Amir; Akram, Muhammad Aftab; Zia, Tanveer-ul-Haq; Khan, Ahmad Nawaz

2016-08-01

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-stabilized graphene nanosheets (GNS) of lateral dimension ( L) ~1 μm are obtained via liquid phase exfoliation technique to prepare its composites in the PVA matrix. These composites show low levels of reinforcements due to poor alignment of GNS within the matrix as predicted by the modified Halpin-Tsai model. Drawing these composites up to 200 % strain, a significant improvement in mechanical properties is observed. Maximum values for Young's modulus and strength are ~×4 and ~×2 higher respectively than that of neat PVA. Moreover, the rate of increase of the modulus with GNS volume fraction is up to 700 GPa, higher than the values predicted using the Halpin-Tsai theory. However, alignment along with strain-induced de-aggregation of GNS within composites accounts well for the obtained results as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization.

Uniaxial Drawing of Graphene-PVA Nanocomposites: Improvement in Mechanical Characteristics via Strain-Induced Exfoliation of Graphene.

PubMed

Jan, Rahim; Habib, Amir; Akram, Muhammad Aftab; Zia, Tanveer-Ul-Haq; Khan, Ahmad Nawaz

2016-12-01

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-stabilized graphene nanosheets (GNS) of lateral dimension (L) ~1 μm are obtained via liquid phase exfoliation technique to prepare its composites in the PVA matrix. These composites show low levels of reinforcements due to poor alignment of GNS within the matrix as predicted by the modified Halpin-Tsai model. Drawing these composites up to 200 % strain, a significant improvement in mechanical properties is observed. Maximum values for Young's modulus and strength are ~×4 and ~×2 higher respectively than that of neat PVA. Moreover, the rate of increase of the modulus with GNS volume fraction is up to 700 GPa, higher than the values predicted using the Halpin-Tsai theory. However, alignment along with strain-induced de-aggregation of GNS within composites accounts well for the obtained results as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization.

Processing and damage recovery of intrinsic self-healing glass fiber reinforced composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sordo, Federica; Michaud, Véronique

2016-08-01

Glass fiber reinforced composites with a self-healing, supramolecular hybrid network matrix were produced using a modified vacuum assisted resin infusion moulding process adapted to high temperature processing. The quality and fiber volume fraction (50%) of the obtained materials were assessed through microscopy and matrix burn-off methods. The thermo-mechanical properties were quantified by means of dynamic mechanical analysis, revealing very high damping properties compared to traditional epoxy-based glass fiber reinforced composites. Self-healing properties were assessed by three-point bending tests. A high recovery of the flexural properties, around 72% for the elastic modulus and 65% of the maximum flexural stress, was achieved after a resting period of 24 h at room temperature. Recovery after low velocity impact events was also visually observed. Applications for this intrinsic and autonomic self-healing highly reinforced composite material point towards semi-structural applications where high damping and/or integrity recovery after impact are required.

High-volume-fraction Cu/Al2O3-SiC hybrid interpenetrating phase composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saidi, Hesam; Roudini, Ghodratollah; Afarani, Mahdi Shafiee

2015-10-01

Metal matrix particulate interpenetrating phase composites are a class of composites materials with three-dimensional internal connections of matrix and reinforcements. This kind of microstructure affects the mechanical and physical properties of the composites. In this study, Al2O3-SiC hybrid preforms were produced by polyurethane foams removal (replica method) within mean pore size of 30 pores per inch (ppi), and sintering at 1200 °C. Subsequently, the molten copper was infiltrated into the preforms by squeeze casting method. The microstructure, density, porosity, bending strength and thermal shock resistance of the preforms were investigated. Then, the composites microstructure and compressive strength were studied. The results showed that with SiC concentration increasing, the density, flexural strength and thermal shock resistance of the preforms were improved. Also the composites compressive strengths were changed with variation of SiC concentration.

Transmittance properties of one dimensional ternary nanocomposite photonic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elsayed, Hussein A.

2018-03-01

In the present work, we have theoretically investigated the transmittance characteristics of one dimensional ternary photonic crystals that containing a nanocomposite layer. The nanocomposite layer was designed from metallic nanoparticles of (Ag) in a transparent matrix of a dielectric material (MgF2). The numerical results are obtained based on the theoretical modeling of the characteristic matrix method and Maxwell-Garnett model. The investigated results demonstrate the significant effect of the volume fraction of the nanoparticles on the effective permittivity of the nanocomposite material as well as the transmission characteristics of our design. Moreover, the roles played by other parameters such as the thickness of the nanocomposite layer, the permittivity of the host dielectric material and the spherical radius of the nanoparticles are included her. The proposed structure could be promising for many applications such as THz optical filters, reflectors and optical switches.

Modeling of Thermal Conductivity of CVI-Densified Composites at Fiber and Bundle Level

PubMed Central

Guan, Kang; Wu, Jianqing; Cheng, Laifei

2016-01-01

The evolution of the thermal conductivities of the unidirectional, 2D woven and 3D braided composites during the CVI (chemical vapor infiltration) process have been numerically studied by the finite element method. The results show that the dual-scale pores play an important role in the thermal conduction of the CVI-densified composites. According to our results, two thermal conductivity models applicable for CVI process have been developed. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates the parameter with the most influence on the CVI-densified composites’ thermal conductivity is matrix cracking’s density, followed by volume fraction of the bundle and thermal conductance of the matrix cracks, finally by micro-porosity inside the bundles and macro-porosity between the bundles. The obtained results are well consistent with the reported data, thus our models could be useful for designing the processing and performance of the CVI-densified composites. PMID:28774130

More on the elongational viscosity of an oriented fiber assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pipes, R. Byron, Jr.; Beaussart, A. J.; Okine, R. K.

1990-01-01

The effective elongational viscosity for an oriented fiber assembly of discontinuous fibers suspended in a viscous matrix fluid is developed for a fiber array with variable overlap length of both symmetric and asymmetric geometries. Further, the relation is developed for a power-law matrix fluid with finite yield stress. The developed relations for a Newtonian fluid reveal that the influence of overlap length upon elongational viscosity may be expressed as a polynomial of second order. The results for symmetric and asymmetric geometries are shown to be equivalent. Finally, for the power-law fluid the influence of fiber aspect ratio on elongational viscosity was shown to be of order m + 1, where m is greater than 0 and less than 1, as compared to 2 for the Newtonian fluid, while the effective yield stress was found to be proportional to the fiber aspect ratio and volume fraction.

The fatigue life study of polyphenylene sulfide composites filled with continuous glass fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ye, Junjie; Hong, Yun; Wang, Yongkun; Zhai, Zhi; Shi, Baoquan; Chen, Xuefeng

2018-04-01

In this study, an effective microscopic model is proposed to investigate the fatigue life of composites containing continuous glass fibers, which is surrounded by polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) matrix materials. The representative volume element is discretized by parametric elements. Moreover, the microscopic model is established by employing the relation between average surface displacements and average surface tractions. Based on the experimental data, the required fatigue failure parameters of the PPS are determined. Two different fiber arrangements are considered for comparisons. Numerical analyses indicated that the square edge packing provides a more accuracy. In addition, microscopic structural parameters (fiber volume fraction, fiber off-axis angle) effect on the fatigue life of Glass/PPS composites is further discussed. It is revealed that fiber strength degradation effects on the fatigue life of continuous fiber-reinforced composites can be ignored.

Synthese et caracterisation structurale d'epicouches heterogeenes semiconductrices/ ferromagnetiques: le cas d'agregats de MnP encastres dans une matrice de GaP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lambert-Milot, Samuel

The general objective of this work is to bring a better understanding of the growth mechanism and the influence of the growth parameters on the microstructure of the heterogeneous magnetic semiconductors layers. Toward this end, we have undertaken a detailed study on the structural characteristics of the GaP:MnP ferromagnetic semiconductor thin films grown by metal organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE). We have focused our effort on three specific objectives: (1) to demonstrate the growth of epitaxial heterogeneous GaP:MnP layers; (2) to establish the influence of the growth parameters on the microstructure of the matrix and nanoclusters; (3) to obtain a detailed structural characterisation of the texture of the clusters as a function of the growth parameters. We have successfully grown epitaxial heterogeneous GaP:MnP layers without structural defects on GaP substrates at 650°C. The layers contain a uniform ensemble of 15-50 nm quasi-spherical MnP nanoclusters within a dislocation-free GaP epilayer matrix that is fully coherent with the substrate. The clusters occupy 3 to 8% of the total volume of the layer, controlled by the flow of the Mn precursor in the vapor phase. We showed that the growth temperature strongly affect the microstructure of the GaP matrix. At 700°C the surface roughness increases and we have observed 100 nm wide cavities in the GaP matrix. The layers grown at 600°C contain a large density of pile-up defects along GaP{111} facets. To explain these defects we propose the following mechanism: (1) the nucleation of clusters on the GaP growth surface change the morphology of the surrounding matrix; (2) these morphological changes increase the surface roughness and lead to the formation of GaP{111} facets; (3) at 600°C, the probability of the Ga and P atoms to find an epitaxial site on GaP{111} facets is reduced and leads to the formation of pile-up defects. The detailed microstructural characterization of the GaP:MnP layers have shown that the volume fraction and the dimension of the MnP clusters can be controlled by adjusting the Mn precursor flow rate and the growth temperature, respectively: (1) the volume fraction of the clusters increases with the Mn precursor flow rate; (2) its average dimension increases with the growth temperature. Our work reveals that 80-90% of the clusters were orthorhombic-MnP and 10-20% were hexagonal Mn2P in layer grown at 650°C on GaP(001) substrates. The formation of Mn2P clusters can be reduced by decreasing the growth temperature and can be avoided by growing on GaP(011) substrates. Our 3D reciprocal space maps measurements have enabled, for the first time, a precise description of the texture of the clusters as a function of the growth temperature, the layer thickness and the substrate orientation. Our results reveal that the orthorhombic MnP nanoclusters are highly textured and distributed in six crystallographic orientation families. They principally grow on GaP(001) and GaP{111} facets with a small fraction of cluster nucleating on higher-index GaP{hhl} facets. Most of epitaxial alignments share a similar component: the MnP(001) plane (c-axis plane) is parallel to the GaP{110} plane family. Along with the diffraction signals indicating specific epitaxial relationships with the substrate, we report the presence of axiotaxial ordering between a certain fraction of the MnP clusters and the GaP matrix. The texture characterization as a function of the growth parameters revealed that the MnP texture results from a complex growth process, with combined effects of the GaP matrix morphology, the lattice mismatch at the cluster/matrix interface, and the bonding configuration of the GaP seed planes. We propose a qualitative growth model that explains the order of appearance of the various cluster families and the evolution of the proportion of clusters in the different orientations with increasing film thickness. Finally, we have compared the crystallographic orientation of the MnP clusters determined from 3D reciprocal space mapping with those obtained from magnetic measurements. The agreement between the two sets of results confirms that the effective magnetic properties of the heterogeneous layer can be tuned by controlling the texture of the ferromagnetic nanoclusters. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Compositional Effects on Nickel-Base Superalloy Single Crystal Microstructures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

MacKay, Rebecca A.; Gabb, Timothy P.; Garg,Anita; Rogers, Richard B.; Nathal, Michael V.

2012-01-01

Fourteen nickel-base superalloy single crystals containing 0 to 5 wt% chromium (Cr), 0 to 11 wt% cobalt (Co), 6 to 12 wt% molybdenum (Mo), 0 to 4 wt% rhenium (Re), and fixed amounts of aluminum (Al) and tantalum (Ta) were examined to determine the effect of bulk composition on basic microstructural parameters, including gamma' solvus, gamma' volume fraction, volume fraction of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases, phase chemistries, and gamma - gamma'. lattice mismatch. Regression models were developed to describe the influence of bulk alloy composition on the microstructural parameters and were compared to predictions by a commercially available software tool that used computational thermodynamics. Co produced the largest change in gamma' solvus over the wide compositional range used in this study, and Mo produced the largest effect on the gamma lattice parameter and the gamma - gamma' lattice mismatch over its compositional range, although Re had a very potent influence on all microstructural parameters investigated. Changing the Cr, Co, Mo, and Re contents in the bulk alloy had a significant impact on their concentrations in the gamma matrix and, to a smaller extent, in the gamma' phase. The gamma phase chemistries exhibited strong temperature dependencies that were influenced by the gamma and gamma' volume fractions. A computational thermodynamic modeling tool significantly underpredicted gamma' solvus temperatures and grossly overpredicted the amount of TCP phase at 982 C. Furthermore, the predictions by the software tool for the gamma - gamma' lattice mismatch were typically of the wrong sign and magnitude, but predictions could be improved if TCP formation was suspended within the software program. However, the statistical regression models provided excellent estimations of the microstructural parameters based on bulk alloy composition, thereby demonstrating their usefulness.

Moisture Sensitivity, Optical, Mechanical and Structural Properties of Whey Protein-Based Edible Films Incorporated with Rapeseed Oil

PubMed Central

Kadzińska, Justyna

2016-01-01

Summary The objective of this work is to study the effect of the rapeseed oil content on the physical properties of whey protein emulsion films. For this purpose, whey protein films with the addition of 0, 1, 2 and 3% of rapeseed oil, and glycerol as a plasticizer were obtained by the casting method. Film-forming emulsions were evaluated and compared using light scattering granulometry. The Sauter mean diameters (d32) of lipid droplets in film-forming solutions showed an increasing trend when increasing the oil volume fractions. The inclusion of rapeseed oil enhanced the hydrophobic character of whey protein films, reducing moisture content and film solubility in water. All emulsified films showed high lightness (L*≈90). Parameter a* decreased and parameter b* and total colour difference (∆E) increased with the increase of the volume fractions of oil. These results were consistent with visual observations; control films were transparent and those containing oil opaque. Water vapour sorption experimental data at the full range of water activity values from 0.11 to 0.93 were well described with Peleg’s equation (R2≥0.99). The tensile strength, Young’s modulus and elongation at break increased with the increase of rapeseed oil volume fraction, which could be explained by interactions between lipids and the protein matrix. These results revealed that rapeseed oil has enormous potential to be incorporated into whey protein to make edible film or coating for some food products. The mechanical resistance decreased with the addition of the lipids, and the opacity and soluble matter content increased. PMID:27904396

Microstructure, mechanical and fretting wear properties of TiC-stainless steel composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Akhtar, F.; Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore; Guo, S.J.

2008-01-15

This study deals with the processing, microstructure, and wear behavior of TiC-reinforced stainless steel matrix composites, containing 50 to 70 wt.% TiC. Powder technology was used to successfully fabricate the composites. The microstructure of the composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The microstructural study revealed that the TiC particles were distributed uniformly in the steel matrix phase. Interface debonding and microcracks were not observed in the composite. The composite hardness increased with TiC content. The fretting wear resistance of the composites was studied against high speed steel. The wear mechanisms are discussed by means of microscopical observations on themore » worn surfaces. The wear was severe at higher wear loads and lower TiC content. Microplowing of the stainless steel matrix was found to be the dominant wear mechanism. Heavy microplowing and rapid removal of material from the wear surface was observed at high wear load. The variation of wear loss with volume fraction and mean free path of the binder phase is also reported.« less

Adhesion properties of an elastomer enhanced by the presence of liquid drops in its structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giustiniani, Anais; Drenckhan, Wiebke; Poulard, Christophe

Macro-cellular polymers present rich mechanical properties due to the internal structuration of the material, in which discrete cells are tightly packed within a continuous polymeric solid matrix. The size, shape, organisation and volume fraction of these cells have an important influence on the overall material properties. Here, we study a solid emulsion which consist of liquid polyethylene glycol drops in a crosslinked PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane). These present novel rheological and adhesive properties. Results show an important hysteresis of the normal stress in a compression/decompression cycle with a significant force at rupture when this force is close to zero for the bare PDMS. This was reported for 2D systems, and in this work we study the influence of the drop sizes inside the matrix, their density and the viscosity of the liquid on the adhesion energy of the 3D material. The overall motivation of this system is to allow to independently control the elastic and viscous properties of the matrix and the drops respectively, in opposition to the viscoelastic fluids commonly used as adhesives such as PSA and gels.

Mechanical properties evaluation of single and hybrid composites polyester reinforced bamboo, PALF and coir fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rihayat, T.; Suryani, S.; Fauzi, T.; Agusnar, H.; Wirjosentono, B.; Syafruddin; Helmi; Zulkifli; Alam, P. N.; Sami, M.

2018-03-01

This study aims to determine the composition fiber natural of bamboo, pineapple leaf and coir in single and hybrid composite to see the best characteristics of tensile strength and flexural test by using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and observe the effect on the microstructure of the composite through optical and scanning electron microscopy. Bamboo, Palf and coir have synthesis from natural fiber was used as reinforcement in polyester composite using hand lay up or a hot-compression moulding while filler:matrix was used (45%:55wt.%, 70%:30wt.% and 15%:85wt.%). From the variation of the volume fraction between filler and matrix show that mechanical properties of composites increased with increasing amount of filler in the matrix. This is evidenced by the high mechanical properties A:B:C/Ps in compositions 45%: 55wt.% 136 Mpa while flexural strength 93 N and good structure surface morphology. This research has produced a hybrid composite materials that have high mechanical properties and bending compared with conventional synthetic fibers and other materials.

Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy of High Temperature Materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Software and hardware updates to further extend the capability of the electron microscope were carried out. A range of materials such as intermetallics, metal-matrix composites, ceramic-matrix composites, ceramics and intermetallic compounds, based on refractory elements were examined under this research. Crystal structure, size, shape and volume fraction distribution of various phases which constitute the microstructures were examined. Deformed materials were studied to understand the effect of interfacial microstructure on the deformation and fracture behavior of these materials. Specimens tested for a range of mechanical property requirements, such as stress rupture, creep, low cycle fatigue, high cycle fatigue, thermomechanical fatigue, etc. were examined. Microstructural and microchemical stability of these materials exposed to simulated operating environments were investigated. The EOIM Shuttle post-flight samples were also examined to understand the influence of low gravity processing on microstructure. In addition, fractographic analyses of Nb-Zr-W, titanium aluminide, molybdenum silicide and silicon carbide samples were carried out. Extensive characterization of sapphire fibers in the fiber-reinforced composites made by powder cloth processing was made. Finally, pressure infiltration casting of metal-matrix composites was carried out.

Pulsed co-electrodeposition and characterization of Ni-based nanocomposites reinforced with combustion-synthesized, undoped, tetragonal-ZrO(2) particulates.

PubMed

Reddy, B S B; Das, Karabi; Datta, Amal Kumar; Das, Siddhartha

2008-03-19

Nanostructured nickel matrix composites reinforced with nanosized, undoped, tetragonal zirconia has been synthesized by cathodic pulsed electrodeposition. The reinforcement is synthesized by the aqueous combustion synthesis route with glycine as the fuel and zirconyl nitrate as the oxidizer. The reinforcement and composite have been characterized by XRD, TEM and SEM coupled with EDS. The microhardness and thermal stability (Kissinger method) of the composite are evaluated. These values are compared with those of pure nickel deposited under the same conditions. The results show that the microhardness of the nickel matrix is enhanced by the presence of the reinforcement from 450 to 575 VHN. Also the strengthening due to grain size effects and dispersion strengthening effect are evaluated individually and the interparticle separation is estimated to be around 85 nm. The volume fraction of the reinforcement is estimated to be 12-15% and the particles are uniformly distributed and monodispersed in the nickel matrix. The thermal stability of the composite is better than that of pure nickel in contrast to some of the reported literature.

Influence of matrix and filler fraction on biofilm formation on the surface of experimental resin-based composites.

PubMed

Ionescu, Andrei; Brambilla, Eugenio; Wastl, Daniel S; Giessibl, Franz J; Cazzaniga, Gloria; Schneider-Feyrer, Sibylle; Hahnel, Sebastian

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of resin matrix chemistry and filler fraction on biofilm formation on the surface of experimental resin-based composites (RBCs). Specimens were prepared from eight experimental RBC formulations differing in resin matrix blend (BisGMA/TEGDMA in a 7:3 wt% ratio or UDMA/aliphatic dimethacrylate in a 1:1 wt% ratio) and filler fraction (no fillers; 65 wt% dental glass with an average diameter of 7 or 0.7 µm or 65 wt% SiO2 with an average diameter of 20 nm). Surface roughness, surface free energy, and chemical surface composition were determined; surface topography was visualized using atomic force microscopy. Biofilm formation was simulated under continuous flow conditions for a 48 h period using a monospecies Streptococcus mutans and a multispecies biofilm model. In the monospecies biofilm model, the impact of the filler fraction overruled the influence of the resin matrix, indicating lowest biofilm formation on RBCs with nano-scaled filler particles and those manufactured from the neat resin blends. The multispecies model suggested a more pronounced effect of the resin matrix blend, as significantly higher biofilm formation was identified on RBCs with a UDMA/dimethacrylate matrix blend than on those including a BisGMA/TEGDMA matrix blend but analogous filler fractions. Although significant differences in surface properties between the various materials were identified, correlations between the surface properties and biofilm formation were poor, which highlights the relevance of surface topography and chemistry. These results may help to tailor novel RBC formulations which feature reduced biofilm formation on their surface.

Low-temperature thermoelectric power factor enhancement by controlling nanoparticle size distribution.

PubMed

Zebarjadi, Mona; Esfarjani, Keivan; Bian, Zhixi; Shakouri, Ali

2011-01-12

Coherent potential approximation is used to study the effect of adding doped spherical nanoparticles inside a host matrix on the thermoelectric properties. This takes into account electron multiple scatterings that are important in samples with relatively high volume fraction of nanoparticles (>1%). We show that with large fraction of uniform small size nanoparticles (∼1 nm), the power factor can be enhanced significantly. The improvement could be large (up to 450% for GaAs) especially at low temperatures when the mobility is limited by impurity or nanoparticle scattering. The advantage of doping via embedded nanoparticles compared to the conventional shallow impurities is quantified. At the optimum thermoelectric power factor, the electrical conductivity of the nanoparticle-doped material is larger than that of impurity-doped one at the studied temperature range (50-500 K) whereas the Seebeck coefficient of the nanoparticle doped material is enhanced only at low temperatures (∼50 K).

The capability of radial basis function to forecast the volume fractions of the annular three-phase flow of gas-oil-water.

PubMed

Roshani, G H; Karami, A; Salehizadeh, A; Nazemi, E

2017-11-01

The problem of how to precisely measure the volume fractions of oil-gas-water mixtures in a pipeline remains as one of the main challenges in the petroleum industry. This paper reports the capability of Radial Basis Function (RBF) in forecasting the volume fractions in a gas-oil-water multiphase system. Indeed, in the present research, the volume fractions in the annular three-phase flow are measured based on a dual energy metering system including the 152 Eu and 137 Cs and one NaI detector, and then modeled by a RBF model. Since the summation of volume fractions are constant (equal to 100%), therefore it is enough for the RBF model to forecast only two volume fractions. In this investigation, three RBF models are employed. The first model is used to forecast the oil and water volume fractions. The next one is utilized to forecast the water and gas volume fractions, and the last one to forecast the gas and oil volume fractions. In the next stage, the numerical data obtained from MCNP-X code must be introduced to the RBF models. Then, the average errors of these three models are calculated and compared. The model which has the least error is picked up as the best predictive model. Based on the results, the best RBF model, forecasts the oil and water volume fractions with the mean relative error of less than 0.5%, which indicates that the RBF model introduced in this study ensures an effective enough mechanism to forecast the results. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The roles of auxeticity and volume fraction on γ‧ precipitate microstructures in nickel-base alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ardell, Alan J.

2017-01-01

New correlations are found between the elastic constants and late-stage precipitate microstructures in Ni-Al, Ni-Ga, Ni-Ge and Ni-Si alloys. The auxetic behaviour of Poisson's ratio, ν, measured parallel to [0 0 1] or ? in response to [1 1 0] loading, favours the amalgamation of Ni3Al and Ni3Ga precipitates into non-equilibrium shapes along cube directions when δν = (νγ‧ - νγ)/νγ‧ > 0, the superscripts referring to the γ‧ (Ni3X) and γ (Ni-X) phases, respectively. When δν < 0 amalgamation of Ni3Ge and Ni3Si precipitates does not occur and the particles retain cuboidal shapes. When δν > 0 amalgamation of Ni3Al and Ni3Ga occurs readily, primarily producing laths of both phases. The γ‧ volume fraction, f, is also shown to play a role in the late-stage microstructures of Ni-Al alloys, with an increasing tendency to form Ni3Al laths, rather than plates, as f increases. The shapes of elastically soft γ precipitates in inverse Ni-Al and Ni-Ge alloys are different; Ni-Al precipitates are lath shaped, but Ni-Ge precipitates are plate shaped. The Ni-Ge plate shape, in a non-auxetic Ni3Ge matrix (Ni3Ge being the sole non-auxetic Ni3X phase of the four studied), is the only example of persistent plates in any of the Ni-base alloys investigated to date. The combination of an elastically soft precipitate (Ni-Ge) in a non-auxetic matrix suggests a connection between auxeticity and shape.

Upscaling Multiphase Fluid Flow in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matthai, S.; Maghami-Nick, H.; Belayneh, M.; Geiger, S.

2009-04-01

Hydrocarbon recovery from fractured porous reservoirs is difficult to predict as it depends on the focusing of the flow and the local balance of viscous, gravitational, and capillary forces. Hecto-metre scale sub-volumes of fractured oil reservoirs contain thousands of fractures with highly variable flow properties, dimensions and orientations. This complexity precludes direct geometric incorporation into field scale multiphase flow models. Macroscopic laws of their integral effects on multiphase flow are required. These can be investigated by DFM (discrete fracture and matrix) numerical simulations based on discrete fracture models representing fractured reservoir analogues. Here we present DFM results indicating that hecto-metre-scale relative permeability, the time to water breakthrough, and the subsequent water cut primarily depend on the fracture-to-rock matrix flux ratio, qf/qm, quantifying the proportion of the cross-sectional flux that occurs through the fractures. Relative permeability during imbibition runs is best approximated by a rate-dependent new model taking into account capillary fracture-matrix transfer. The up-scaled fractional flow function fo(sw) derived from this new kri formulation is convex with a near-infinity slope at the residual water saturation. This implies that the hector-metre scale spatially averaged Buckley-Leverett equation for fractured porous media does not contain a shock, but a long leading edge in the averaged profile of the invading phase. This dispersive behaviour marks the progressively widening saturation front and an early water breakthrough observed in the discrete fracture reservoir analogues. Since fracture porosity φf is usually only a fraction of a percent, a cross-over from krw < kro to krw/kro ≈ qf/qm occurs after the first few percent of recovery, and because qf/qm ranges between 10-1,000, sweep efficiency ignoring the positive influence of counter-current imbibition is extremely low. The accuracy of reservoir performance predictions by the proposed fo(sw) up-scaling methodology depends on how well φf , qf/qm and a new parameter termed fraction of fracture matrix interface area in contact with the invading fluid, XA,if(si) can be constrained under in situ conditions.

Chromatographic separation of fructose from date syrup.

PubMed

Al Eid, Salah M

2006-01-01

The objective of this study is to provide a process for separating fructose from a mixture of sugars containing essentially fructose and glucose, obtained from date palm fruits. The extraction procedure of date syrup from fresh dates gave a yield of 86.5% solids after vacuum drying. A process for separating fructose from an aqueous solution of date syrup involved adding the date syrup solutions (20, 30 and 40% by weight) to a chromatographic column filled with Dowex polystyrene strong cation exchange gel matrix resin Ca2 + and divinylbenzene, a functional group, sulfonic acid, particle size 320 microm, with a flow rate of 0.025 and 0.05 bed volume/min, under 30 and 70 degrees C column temperature. After the date sugar solution batch, a calculated quantity of water was added to the column. Glucose was retained by the resin more weakly than fructose and proceeded faster into the water batch flowing ahead. Three fractions were collected: a glucose-rich fraction, a return fraction, and a fructose-rich fraction. The return fraction is based on when the peaks of fructose and glucose were reached, which could be determined by means of an analyzer (polarimeter) based on the property of glucose and fructose solutions to turn the polarization level of polarized light. A high yield of fructose is obtained at 70 degrees C column temperature with a flow rate of 0.025 bed volume/min and date syrup solution containing 40% sugar concentration. The low recovery by weight obtained using date syrup solutions having a sugar concentration of 20 and 30%, encourages the use of a concentration of 40%. However, with the 40% date syrup supply the average concentrations of glucose and fructose in the return fractions were more than 40%, which can be used for diluting the thick date syrup solution extracted from dates.

Quantitative tomographic measurements of opaque multiphase flows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

GEORGE,DARIN L.; TORCZYNSKI,JOHN R.; SHOLLENBERGER,KIM ANN

2000-03-01

An electrical-impedance tomography (EIT) system has been developed for quantitative measurements of radial phase distribution profiles in two-phase and three-phase vertical column flows. The EIT system is described along with the computer algorithm used for reconstructing phase volume fraction profiles. EIT measurements were validated by comparison with a gamma-densitometry tomography (GDT) system. The EIT system was used to accurately measure average solid volume fractions up to 0.05 in solid-liquid flows, and radial gas volume fraction profiles in gas-liquid flows with gas volume fractions up to 0.15. In both flows, average phase volume fractions and radial volume fraction profiles from GDTmore » and EIT were in good agreement. A minor modification to the formula used to relate conductivity data to phase volume fractions was found to improve agreement between the methods. GDT and EIT were then applied together to simultaneously measure the solid, liquid, and gas radial distributions within several vertical three-phase flows. For average solid volume fractions up to 0.30, the gas distribution for each gas flow rate was approximately independent of the amount of solids in the column. Measurements made with this EIT system demonstrate that EIT may be used successfully for noninvasive, quantitative measurements of dispersed multiphase flows.« less

DNA and proteins of the nuclear matrix are the main targets of benzo[a]pyrene's action in rat hepatocytes.

PubMed

Widłak, P; Rzeszowska-Wolny, J

1993-01-01

The binding of [14C]benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to DNA and proteins in total nuclei and subnuclear fractions of cultured rat hepatocytes was compared. The main targets of B[a]P were non-histone high molecular weight proteins of the nuclear matrix and DNA sequences attached to this structure. Following 24 h exposure to B[a]P the amounts of adducts in the nuclear matrix DNA and proteins were twice as high as in total nuclei. After withdrawal of the carcinogen containing medium the level of B[a]P-induced adducts gradually decreased but always remained the highest in the nuclear matrix proteins. Removal of adducts from the nuclear matrix DNA was more efficient than from the other DNA fractions, and 72 h after exposure to the carcinogen the level of DNA adducts in this fraction was similar to that in total nuclei.

High Precision Low-blank Lithium Isotope Ratios in Forams.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Misra, S.; Froelich, P. N.

2007-12-01

We present a high precision (±1‰, 2σ) low blank (<500 fg/ml) method for Li isotope measurements of forams using <2 ng of Li by single collector Quad ICP-MS (Agilent 7500cs). The Li isotope ratio of seawater (δ7Li) recorded in planktonic forams has the potential to constrain the evolution of seawater chemistry and elucidate the factors driving variations of oceanic mass balances linked to the continental and sea floor/hydrothermal silica cycles. In addition a δ7Li record of seawater will complement other long-term recorders of seawater chemistry such as Sr, Os and S isotopes. Li isotope measurements of forams are limited by several factors: low Li concentrations in forams (1-2 ppm), instrument-induced fractionation and mass bias effects, matrix effects, high Li blanks and incomplete recovery of Li during column separation. Modest concentrations of alkali and alkaline earth elements in the matrix result in variable mass bias in measured Li isotope ratios. Even worse, Li strongly fractionates during chromatographic clean-up to remove Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+, from +100‰ in the leading edge to - 100‰ in the trailing edge of elution peaks (Urey 1938). Consequently, miniscule incomplete recoveries of Li during chromatographic separations can result in large unrecognized isotope fractionation of eluents. Large mass-dependent fractionation caused by a difference of 17% in mass between 6Li and 7Li, makes Li a powerful tracer of geochemical processes, but also promotes large and difficult-to-fix isotope fractionations during laboratory chemical processing. Matrix effects of Na & Ca and of column chromatography on Li isotope ratios were investigated using artificial Li solutions representative of foram compositions (matrix matching). Li/Ca and Li/Na ratios in cleaned forams are 10 μmol/mol and 3 mmol/mol respectively. An ICP-MS tolerance limit of 20 ppb for Na and 20 μM for Ca was established, much higher tolerances than by TIMS. A single step chromatographic method to quantitatively separate Li from matrix elements using both small volume resin (3.4 meq/2ml AG50W-X8) and acid (6 ml of 0.5N HCl) was developed. Our low blank (<0.5 pg/ml) and high yield (>99.99%) column method minimizes errors in measured Li isotope ratios associated with incomplete column recovery and presence of matrix elements. High sensitivity and precision achieved with a 7500cs using cold plasma (600W), soft extraction and peak jumping coupled with very low sample to blank ratios enables high precision (±1‰, 2σ) statistically significant Li isotope measurements using very small mass of Li (0.8 ng). The development of this technique makes possible good quality Li isotope measurements from samples that are mass limited for Li, i.e., reasonable number of picked forams. This will enable us to test interferences regarding chemical cleaning and species effects in planktonic forams along the road toward creating a δ7Li record of seawater for the Cenozoic.

Characterization of the kinetic arrest of martensitic transformation in Ni45Co5Mn36.8In13.2 melt-spun ribbons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lino-Zapata, F. M.; Yan, H. L.; Ríos-Jara, D.; Sánchez Llamazares, J. L.; Zhang, Y. D.; Zhao, X.; Zuo, L.

2018-01-01

The kinetic arrest (KA) of martensitic transformation (MT) observed in Ni45Co5Mn36.8In13.2 melt-spun ribbons has been studied. These alloy ribbons show an ordered columnar-like grain microstructure with the longer grain axis growing perpendicular to ribbon plane and transform martensitically from a single austenitic (AST) parent phase with the L21-type crystal structure to a monoclinic incommensurate 6 M modulated martensite (MST). Results show that the volume fraction of austenite frozen into the martensitic matrix is proportional to the applied magnetic field. A fully arrest of the structural transition is found for a magnetic field of 7 T. The metastable character of the non-equilibrium field-cooled glassy state was characterized by introducing thermal and magnetic field fluctuations or measuring the relaxation of magnetization. The relaxation of magnetization from a field-cooled kinetically arrested state at 5 and 7 T follows the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) stretched exponential function with a β exponent around 0.95 indicating the weak metastable nature of the system under the strong magnetic fields. The relationship between the occurrence of exchange bias and the frozen fraction of AST into the MST matrix was studied.

Volume Fraction Determination in Cast Superalloys and DS Eutectic Alloys by a New Practice for Manual Point Counting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrews, C. W.

1976-01-01

Volume fraction of a constituent or phase was estimated in six specimens of conventional and DS-eutectic superalloys, using ASTM E562-76, a new standard recommended practice for determining volume fraction by systematic manual point count. Volume fractions determined ranged from 0.086 to 0.36, and with one exception, the 95 percent relative confidence limits were approximately 10 percent of the determined volume fractions. Since the confidence-limit goal of 10 percent, which had been arbitrarily chosen previously, was achieved in all but one case, this application of the new practice was considered successful.

Tutorial for Collecting and Processing Images of Composite Structures to Determine the Fiber Volume Fraction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conklin, Lindsey

2017-01-01

Fiber-reinforced composite structures have become more common in aerospace components due to their light weight and structural efficiency. In general, the strength and stiffness of a composite structure are directly related to the fiber volume fraction, which is defined as the fraction of fiber volume to total volume of the composite. The most common method to measure the fiber volume fraction is acid digestion, which is a useful method when the total weight of the composite, the fiber weight, and the total weight can easily be obtained. However, acid digestion is a destructive test, so the material will no longer be available for additional characterization. Acid digestion can also be difficult to machine out specific components of a composite structure with complex geometries. These disadvantages of acid digestion led the author to develop a method to calculate the fiber volume fraction. The developed method uses optical microscopy to calculate the fiber area fraction based on images of the cross section of the composite. The fiber area fraction and fiber volume fraction are understood to be the same, based on the assumption that the shape and size of the fibers are consistent in the depth of the composite. This tutorial explains the developed method for optically determining fiber area fraction performed at NASA Langley Research Center.

Tuning the dielectric properties of polystyrene/poly(vinylidene fluoride) blends by selectively localizing carbon black nanoparticles.

PubMed

Zhao, Xiaodong; Zhao, Jun; Cao, Jian-Ping; Wang, Xiaoyan; Chen, Min; Dang, Zhi-Min

2013-02-28

In this work, the dielectric properties of immiscible polystyrene (PS)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) blends are tuned by selectively localizing carbon black (CB) nanoparticles in different phases. The PS/PVDF blends have a wide window of cocontinuity (ca. 30-80 vol % in terms of the volume fraction of PS component (v(PS))). The selective localization of CB nanoparticles is achieved by using the masterbatch process during melt mixing. For the volume ratio PS/PVDF 1/1 and the volume fraction of CB nanoparticles (v(CB)) below but close to the percolation threshold (v(c)(CB)), the selective localization of CB nanoparticles in PVDF phase produces higher dielectric constant (ε) than that in PS phase, whereas the ε of the ternary mixtures without selective localization of fillers is in the middle. For the volume ratios PS/PVDF 1/2 and 2/1, the selective location of CB nanoparticles in different phases can be used to easily tune the system from conductive to insulating or inverse, which might have potential applications in industry. The fillers are found to be "fixed" in the masterbatch of PS or PVDF component and there is no migration of the fillers to another phase occurring during the further mixing process for the mixing time up to 30 min. Furthermore, the addition of CB nanoparticles to the polymer matrix is found to induce the brittle-ductile transition in the system and increase the compatibility between the immiscible PS and PVDF components, which should benefit the mechanical properties.

Isothermal fatigue mechanisms in Ti-based metal matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Majumdar, Bhaskar S.; Newaz, Golam M.

1993-01-01

Stress-controlled isothermal fatigue experiments were performed at room temperature (RT) and 548 C (in argon) on (0)8 SCS6/Ti 15-3 metal matrix composites (MMC's) with 15 and 41 volume percent SCS6 (SiC) fibers. The primary objectives were to evaluate the mechanical responses, and to obtain a clear understanding of the damage mechanisms leading to failure of the MMC's. The mechanical data indicated that strain ranges attained fairly constant values in the stress-controlled experiments at both RT and 538 C, and remained so for more than 85 percent of life. The fatigue data for MMC's with different volume fraction fibers showed that MMC life was controlled by the imposed strain range rather than the stress range. At RT, and at low and intermediate strain ranges, the dominant fatigue mechanism was matrix fatigue, and this was confirmed metallurgically from fractographic evidence as well as from observations of channel type dislocation structures in the matrix of fatigued MMC specimens. Reaction-zone cracks acted as important crack initiating sites at RT, with their role being to facilitate slip band formation and consequent matrix crack initiation through classical fatigue mechanisms. MMC life agreed with matrix life at the lower strain ranges, but was smaller than matrix life at higher strain ranges. Unlike the case of monotonic deformation, debonding damage was another major damage mechanism during fatigue at RT, and it increased for higher strain ranges. At high strain ranges at RT, fractography and metallography showed an absence of matrix cracks, but long lengths of debonds in the outer layers of the SCS6 fibers. Such debonding and consequent rubbing during fatigue is believed to have caused fiber damage and their failure at high strain ranges. Thus, whereas life was matrix dominated at low and intermediate strain ranges, it was fiber dominated at high strain ranges. At 538 C, the mean stain constantly increased (ratchetting) with the number of cycles. At high strain ranges, such ratchetting led to overload failure of the fibers, and debonding of the type at RT was very small. At intermediate strain ranges, fractography showed large areas of matrix cracks. However, in spite of this matrix dominated mechanism, the MMC life at elevated temperatures was significantly less than the matrix fatigue life at all strain ranges. The reason for this difference is still unclear, although metallographic and fractographic evidences suggest that internal crack initiation sites at Mo-ribbons and reaction-zone cracks may have played a critical role, with the former tending to dominate.

Correlated matrix-fluctuation-mediated activated transport of dilute penetrants in glass-forming liquids and suspensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Rui; Schweizer, Kenneth S.

2017-05-01

We formulate a microscopic, force-level statistical mechanical theory for the activated diffusion of dilute penetrants in dense liquids, colloidal suspensions, and glasses. The approach explicitly and self-consistently accounts for coupling between penetrant hopping and matrix dynamic displacements that actively facilitate the hopping event. The key new ideas involve two mechanistically (at a stochastic trajectory level) coupled dynamic free energy functions for the matrix and spherical penetrant particles. A single dynamic coupling parameter quantifies how much the matrix displaces relative to the penetrant when the latter reaches its transition state which is determined via the enforcement of a temporal causality or coincidence condition. The theory is implemented for dilute penetrants smaller than the matrix particles, with or without penetrant-matrix attractive forces. Model calculations reveal a rich dependence of the penetrant diffusion constant and degree of dynamic coupling on size ratio, volume fraction, and attraction strength. In the absence of attractions, a near exponential decrease of penetrant diffusivity with size ratio over an intermediate range is predicted, in contrast to the much steeper, non-exponential variation if one assumes local matrix dynamical fluctuations are not correlated with penetrant motion. For sticky penetrants, the relative and absolute influence of caging versus physical bond formation is studied. The conditions for a dynamic crossover from the case where a time scale separation between penetrant and matrix activated hopping exists to a "slaved" or "constraint release" fully coupled regime are determined. The particle mixture model is mapped to treat experimental thermal systems and applied to make predictions for the diffusivity of water, toluene, methanol, and oxygen in polyvinylacetate liquids and glasses. The theory agrees well with experiment with values of the penetrant-matrix size ratio close to their chemically intuitive values.

Correlated matrix-fluctuation-mediated activated transport of dilute penetrants in glass-forming liquids and suspensions

PubMed Central

Schweizer, Kenneth S.

2017-01-01

We formulate a microscopic, force-level statistical mechanical theory for the activated diffusion of dilute penetrants in dense liquids, colloidal suspensions, and glasses. The approach explicitly and self-consistently accounts for coupling between penetrant hopping and matrix dynamic displacements that actively facilitate the hopping event. The key new ideas involve two mechanistically (at a stochastic trajectory level) coupled dynamic free energy functions for the matrix and spherical penetrant particles. A single dynamic coupling parameter quantifies how much the matrix displaces relative to the penetrant when the latter reaches its transition state which is determined via the enforcement of a temporal causality or coincidence condition. The theory is implemented for dilute penetrants smaller than the matrix particles, with or without penetrant-matrix attractive forces. Model calculations reveal a rich dependence of the penetrant diffusion constant and degree of dynamic coupling on size ratio, volume fraction, and attraction strength. In the absence of attractions, a near exponential decrease of penetrant diffusivity with size ratio over an intermediate range is predicted, in contrast to the much steeper, non-exponential variation if one assumes local matrix dynamical fluctuations are not correlated with penetrant motion. For sticky penetrants, the relative and absolute influence of caging versus physical bond formation is studied. The conditions for a dynamic crossover from the case where a time scale separation between penetrant and matrix activated hopping exists to a “slaved” or “constraint release” fully coupled regime are determined. The particle mixture model is mapped to treat experimental thermal systems and applied to make predictions for the diffusivity of water, toluene, methanol, and oxygen in polyvinylacetate liquids and glasses. The theory agrees well with experiment with values of the penetrant-matrix size ratio close to their chemically intuitive values. PMID:28527449

Slow plastic deformation of extruded NiAl-10TiB2 particulate composites at 1200 and 1300 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. D.; Kumar, S.; Mannan, S. K.; Viswanadham, R. K.

1990-01-01

A dispersion of 1-micron TiB2 particles in the B2 crystal structure NiAl intermetallic can effectively increase its elevated temperature strength, in association with increasing deformation resistance with TiB2 volume fraction. Attention is presently given to alternative densification methods, which may increase the initial as-fabricated dislocation density and lead to enhanced elevated-temperature strength. The 'XD' extrusion method was used to produce NiAl with 10 vol pct TiB2. Although apparent extrusion defects were occasionally found, neither grain-boundary cracking nor particle-matrix separation occurred.

Ni, Cu, Au, and platinum-group element contents of sulphides associated with intraplate magmatism: A synthesis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barnes, S.-J.; Zientek, M.L.; Severson, M.J.

1997-01-01

The tectonic setting of intraplate magmas, typically a plume intersecting a rift, is ideal for the development of Ni - Cu - platinum-group element-bearing sulphides. The plume transports metal-rich magmas close to the mantle - crust boundary. The interaction of the rift and plume permits rapid transport of the magma into the crust, thus ensuring that no sulphides are lost from the magma en route to the crust. The rift may contain sediments which could provide the sulphur necessary to bring about sulphide saturation in the magmas. The plume provides large volumes of mafic magma; thus any sulphides that form can collect metals from a large volume of magma and consequently the sulphides will be metal rich. The large volume of magma provides sufficient heat to release large quantities of S from the crust, thus providing sufficient S to form a large sulphide deposit. The composition of the sulphides varies on a number of scales: (i) there is a variation between geographic areas, in which sulphides from the Noril'sk - Talnakh area are the richest in metals and those from the Muskox intrusion are poorest in metals; (ii) there is a variation between textural types of sulphides, in which disseminated sulphides are generally richer in metals than the associated massive and matrix sulphides; and (iii) the massive and matrix sulphides show a much wider range of compositions than the disseminated sulphides, and on the basis of their Ni/Cu ratio the massive and matrix sulphides can be divided into Cu rich and Fe rich. The Cu-rich sulphides are also enriched in Pt, Pd, and Au; in contrast, the Fe-rich sulphides are enriched in Fe, Os, Ir, Ru, and Rh. Nickel concentrations are similar in both. Differences in the composition between the sulphides from different areas may be attributed to a combination of differences in composition of the silicate magma from which the sulphides segregated and differences in the ratio of silicate to sulphide liquid (R factors). The higher metal content of the disseminated sulphides relative to the massive and matrix sulphides may be due to the fact that the disseminated sulphides equilibrated with a larger volume of magma than massive and matrix sulphides. The difference in composition between the Cu- and Fe-rich sulphides may be the result of the fractional crystallization of monosulphide solid solution from a sulphide liquid, with the Cu-rich sulphides representing the liquid and the Fe-rich sulphides representing the cumulate.

Intrinsic fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectral features of cottonseed protein fractions and the effects of denaturants

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

To better understand the functional and physicochemical properties of cottonseed protein, we investigated the intrinsic fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectral features of cottonseed protein isolate (CSPI) and sequentially extracted water (CSPw) and alkali (CSPa) protein fractions, an...

Numerical model for an epoxy beam reinforced with superelastic shape memory alloy wires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Viet, N. V.; Zaki, W.; Umer, R.

2018-03-01

We present a numerical solution for a smart composite beam consisting of an epoxy matrix reinforced with unidirectional superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers with uniform circular cross section. The beam is loaded by a tip load, which is then removed resulting in shape recovery due to superelasticity of the SMA wires. The analysis is carried out considering a representative volume element (RVE) of the beam consisting of one SMA wire embedded in epoxy. The analytical model is developed for a superelastic SMA/epoxy composite beam subjected to a complete loading cycle in bending. Using the proposed model, the moment-curvature profile, martensite volume fraction variation, and axial stress are determined. The results are validated against three-dimensional finite element analysis (3D FEA) for the same conditions. The proposed work is a contribution toward better understanding of the bending behavior of superelastic SMA-reinforced composites.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sanadi, A.R.; Caulfield, D.F.; Jacobson, R.E.

Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus) is a fast growing annual growth plant that is harvested for its bast fibers. These fibers have excellent specific properties and have potential to be outstanding reinforcing fillers in plastics. In our experiments, the fibers and polypropylene (PP) were blended in a thermokinetic mixer and then injection molded, with the fiber weight fractions varying to 60%. A maleated polypropylene was used to improve the interaction and adhesion between the non-polar matrix and the polar lignocellulosic fibers. The specific tensile and flexural moduli of a 50 % by volume (39 % by volume) of kenaf-PP composites compares favorablymore » with a 40 % by weight of glass fiber-PP injection molded composites, These results suggest that kenaf fibers are a viable alternative to inorganic/mineral based reinforcing fibers as long as the right processing conditions are used and for applications where the higher water absorption is not critical.« less

Fractionation of the Gulf toadfish intestinal precipitate organic matrix reveals potential functions of individual proteins.

PubMed

Schauer, Kevin L; Grosell, Martin

2017-06-01

The regulatory mechanisms behind the production of CaCO 3 in the marine teleost intestine are poorly studied despite being essential for osmoregulation and responsible for a conservatively estimated 3-15% of annual oceanic CaCO 3 production. It has recently been reported that the intestinally derived precipitates produced by fish as a byproduct of their osmoregulatory strategy form in conjunction with a proteinaceous matrix containing nearly 150 unique proteins. The individual functions of these proteins have not been the subject of investigation until now. Here, organic matrix was extracted from precipitates produced by Gulf toadfish (Opsanus beta) and the matrix proteins were fractionated by their charge using strong anion exchange chromatography. The precipitation regulatory abilities of the individual fractions were then analyzed using a recently developed in vitro calcification assay, and the protein constituents of each fraction were determined by mass spectrometry. The different fractions were found to have differing effects on both the rate of carbonate mineral production, as well as the morphology of the crystals that form. Using data collected from the calcification assay as well as the mass spectrometry experiments, individual calcification promotional indices were calculated for each protein, giving the first insight into the functions each of these matrix proteins may play in regulating precipitation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

3D Finite Element Analysis of Particle-Reinforced Aluminum

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shen, H.; Lissenden, C. J.

2002-01-01

Deformation in particle-reinforced aluminum has been simulated using three distinct types of finite element model: a three-dimensional repeating unit cell, a three-dimensional multi-particle model, and two-dimensional multi-particle models. The repeating unit cell model represents a fictitious periodic cubic array of particles. The 3D multi-particle (3D-MP) model represents randomly placed and oriented particles. The 2D generalized plane strain multi-particle models were obtained from planar sections through the 3D-MP model. These models were used to study the tensile macroscopic stress-strain response and the associated stress and strain distributions in an elastoplastic matrix. The results indicate that the 2D model having a particle area fraction equal to the particle representative volume fraction of the 3D models predicted the same macroscopic stress-strain response as the 3D models. However, there are fluctuations in the particle area fraction in a representative volume element. As expected, predictions from 2D models having different particle area fractions do not agree with predictions from 3D models. More importantly, it was found that the microscopic stress and strain distributions from the 2D models do not agree with those from the 3D-MP model. Specifically, the plastic strain distribution predicted by the 2D model is banded along lines inclined at 45 deg from the loading axis while the 3D model prediction is not. Additionally, the triaxial stress and maximum principal stress distributions predicted by 2D and 3D models do not agree. Thus, it appears necessary to use a multi-particle 3D model to accurately predict material responses that depend on local effects, such as strain-to-failure, fracture toughness, and fatigue life.

Tranpsort phenomena in solidification processing of functionally graded materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Juwen

A combined numerical and experimental study of the transport phenomena during solidification processing of metal matrix composite functionally graded materials (FGMs) is conducted in this work. A multiphase transport model for the solidification of metal-matrix composite FGMs has been developed that accounts for macroscopic particle segregation due to liquid-particle flow and particle-solid interactions. An experimental study has also been conducted to gain physical insight as well as to validate the model. A novel method to in-situ measure the particle volume fraction using fiber optic probes is developed for transparent analogue solidification systems. The model is first applied to one-dimensional pure matrix FGM solidification under gravity or centrifugal field and is extensively validated against the experimental results. The mechanisms for the formation of particle concentration gradient are identified. Two-dimensional solidification of pure matrix FGM with convection is then studied using the model as well as experiments. The interaction among convection flow, solidification process and the particle transport is demonstrated. The results show the importance of convection in the particle concentration gradient formation. Then, simulations for alloy FGM solidification are carried out for unidirectional solidification as well as two-dimensional solidification with convection. The interplay among heat and species transport, convection and particle motion is investigated. Finally, future theoretical and experimental work is outlined.

Influence of the intramedullary nail preparation method on nail's mechanical properties and degradation rate.

PubMed

Morawska-Chochół, Anna; Chłopek, Jan; Szaraniec, Barbara; Domalik-Pyzik, Patrycja; Balacha, Ewa; Boguń, Maciej; Kucharski, Rafael

2015-06-01

When it comes to the treatment of long bone fractures, scientists are still investigating new materials for intramedullary nails and different manufacturing methods. Some of the most promising materials used in the field are resorbable polymers and their composites, especially since there is a wide range of potential manufacturing and processing methods. The aim of this work was to select the best manufacturing method and technological parameters to obtain multiphase, and multifunctional, biodegradable intramedullary nails. All composites were based on a poly(l-lactide) matrix. Either magnesium alloy wires or carbon and alginate fibres were introduced in order to reinforce the nails. The polylactide matrix was also modified with tricalcium phosphate and gentamicin sulfate. The composite nails were manufactured using three different methods: forming from solution, injection moulding and hot pressing. The effect of each method of manufacturing on mechanical properties and degradation rate of the nails was evaluated. The study showed that injection moulding provides higher uniformity and homogeneity of the particle-modified polylactide matrix, whereas hot pressing favours applying higher volume fractions of fibres and their better impregnation with the polymer matrix. Thus, it was concluded that the fabrication method should be individually selected dependently on the nail's desired phase composition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nacre-mimetic bulk lamellar composites reinforced with high aspect ratio glass flakes.

PubMed

Guner, Selen N Gurbuz; Dericioglu, Arcan F

2016-12-05

Nacre-mimetic epoxy matrix composites reinforced with readily available micron-sized high aspect ratio C-glass flakes were fabricated by a relatively simple, single-step, scalable, time, cost and man-power effective processing strategy: hot-press assisted slip casting (HASC). HASC enables the fabrication of preferentially oriented two-dimensional inorganic reinforcement-polymer matrix bulk lamellar composites with a micro-scale structure resembling the brick-and-mortar architecture of nacre. By applying the micro-scale design guideline found in nacre and optimizing the relative volume fractions of the reinforcement and the matrix as well as by anchoring the brick-and-mortar architecture, and tailoring the interface between reinforcements and the matrix via silane coupling agents, strong, stiff and tough bio-inspired nacre-mimetic bulk composites were fabricated. As a result of high shear stress transfer lengths and effective stress transfer at the interface achieved through surface functionalization of the reinforcements, fabricated bulk composites exhibited enhanced mechanical performance as compared to neat epoxy. Furthermore, governed flake pull-out mode along with a highly torturous crack path, which resulted from extensive deflection and meandering of the advancing crack around well-aligned high aspect ratio C-glass flakes, have led to high work-of-fracture values similar to nacre.

Damage and failure modelling of hybrid three-dimensional textile composites: a mesh objective multi-scale approach

PubMed Central

Patel, Deepak K.

2016-01-01

This paper is concerned with predicting the progressive damage and failure of multi-layered hybrid textile composites subjected to uniaxial tensile loading, using a novel two-scale computational mechanics framework. These composites include three-dimensional woven textile composites (3DWTCs) with glass, carbon and Kevlar fibre tows. Progressive damage and failure of 3DWTCs at different length scales are captured in the present model by using a macroscale finite-element (FE) analysis at the representative unit cell (RUC) level, while a closed-form micromechanics analysis is implemented simultaneously at the subscale level using material properties of the constituents (fibre and matrix) as input. The N-layers concentric cylinder (NCYL) model (Zhang and Waas 2014 Acta Mech. 225, 1391–1417; Patel et al. submitted Acta Mech.) to compute local stress, srain and displacement fields in the fibre and matrix is used at the subscale. The 2-CYL fibre–matrix concentric cylinder model is extended to fibre and (N−1) matrix layers, keeping the volume fraction constant, and hence is called the NCYL model where the matrix damage can be captured locally within each discrete layer of the matrix volume. The influence of matrix microdamage at the subscale causes progressive degradation of fibre tow stiffness and matrix stiffness at the macroscale. The global RUC stiffness matrix remains positive definite, until the strain softening response resulting from different failure modes (such as fibre tow breakage, tow splitting in the transverse direction due to matrix cracking inside tow and surrounding matrix tensile failure outside of fibre tows) are initiated. At this stage, the macroscopic post-peak softening response is modelled using the mesh objective smeared crack approach (Rots et al. 1985 HERON 30, 1–48; Heinrich and Waas 2012 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Honolulu, HI, 23–26 April 2012. AIAA 2012-1537). Manufacturing-induced geometric imperfections are included in the simulation, where the FE mesh of the unit cell is generated directly from micro-computed tomography (MCT) real data using a code Simpleware. Results from multi-scale analysis for both an idealized perfect geometry and one that includes geometric imperfections are compared with experimental results (Pankow et al. 2012 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Honolulu, HI, 23–26 April 2012. AIAA 2012-1572). This article is part of the themed issue ‘Multiscale modelling of the structural integrity of composite materials’. PMID:27242294

Damage and failure modelling of hybrid three-dimensional textile composites: a mesh objective multi-scale approach.

PubMed

Patel, Deepak K; Waas, Anthony M

2016-07-13

This paper is concerned with predicting the progressive damage and failure of multi-layered hybrid textile composites subjected to uniaxial tensile loading, using a novel two-scale computational mechanics framework. These composites include three-dimensional woven textile composites (3DWTCs) with glass, carbon and Kevlar fibre tows. Progressive damage and failure of 3DWTCs at different length scales are captured in the present model by using a macroscale finite-element (FE) analysis at the representative unit cell (RUC) level, while a closed-form micromechanics analysis is implemented simultaneously at the subscale level using material properties of the constituents (fibre and matrix) as input. The N-layers concentric cylinder (NCYL) model (Zhang and Waas 2014 Acta Mech. 225, 1391-1417; Patel et al. submitted Acta Mech.) to compute local stress, srain and displacement fields in the fibre and matrix is used at the subscale. The 2-CYL fibre-matrix concentric cylinder model is extended to fibre and (N-1) matrix layers, keeping the volume fraction constant, and hence is called the NCYL model where the matrix damage can be captured locally within each discrete layer of the matrix volume. The influence of matrix microdamage at the subscale causes progressive degradation of fibre tow stiffness and matrix stiffness at the macroscale. The global RUC stiffness matrix remains positive definite, until the strain softening response resulting from different failure modes (such as fibre tow breakage, tow splitting in the transverse direction due to matrix cracking inside tow and surrounding matrix tensile failure outside of fibre tows) are initiated. At this stage, the macroscopic post-peak softening response is modelled using the mesh objective smeared crack approach (Rots et al. 1985 HERON 30, 1-48; Heinrich and Waas 2012 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Honolulu, HI, 23-26 April 2012 AIAA 2012-1537). Manufacturing-induced geometric imperfections are included in the simulation, where the FE mesh of the unit cell is generated directly from micro-computed tomography (MCT) real data using a code Simpleware Results from multi-scale analysis for both an idealized perfect geometry and one that includes geometric imperfections are compared with experimental results (Pankow et al. 2012 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Honolulu, HI, 23-26 April 2012 AIAA 2012-1572). This article is part of the themed issue 'Multiscale modelling of the structural integrity of composite materials'. © 2016 The Author(s).

Experimentation and analysis of mechanical behavior modification of titanium matrix composites through controlled fiber placement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bowman, Cheryl Lynne

Titanium composites reinforced with SiC fibers in a uniaxial direction are being considered for various high temperature applications which require high specific strength or stiffness in the primary loading direction. However the very low tensile and creep strength of these composites in the transverse direction (loading perpendicular to the fiber axis) limits their use in many practical applications. Recent advances in composite fabrication techniques have provided not only better control of fiber volume fraction and distribution, but also the ability to control the relative fiber placement. The goal of this research was produce continuously reinforced SiC/Ti composites with precise fiber arrangement in order to ascertain the significance of fiber arrangements on transverse mechanical properties. In this study, TIMETAL 21S and Ti-6-4 composites reinforced with SCS-6 SiC fibers were produced with six distinct fiber placement arrangements. The effect of fiber placement on uniaxial tensile and creep behaviors was assessed and the results compared to analytical predictions. Consistent with analytical predictions, the fiber arrangements used in this study did not significantly change the longitudinal tensile behavior, but differences were obtained in the transverse loading response. For example, a diamond (non-equilateral triangle) fiber packing was found to have a higher transverse ultimate tensile strength and better transverse creep resistance than a rectangular fiber packing arrangement for a given volume fraction and fiber spacing (within-ply vs. between-ply). Initially this result appeared to be in contrast to previous computational and analytical simulations which predicted more favorable mechanical behavior for rectangular-type arrangements. However, this experimental/predictive conflict was resolved, in part, by simply defining a fiber spacing ratio which could describe both rectangular type and diamond-type arrangements. The computationally efficient Micromechanical Analysis Code based on the Generalized Method of Cells captured the correct behavior trends for these fiber arrangements and thus can be used to estimate the optimum fiber arrangement for a given materials system. Although this research utilized SiC/titanium alloy composites, the results should be relevant to any composite with a continuous reinforcement, a ductile matrix, and a finite fiber/matrix interfacial bond strength.

SU-E-T-427: Cell Surviving Fractions Derived From Tumor-Volume Variation During Radiotherapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Comparison with Predictive Assays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chvetsov, A; Schwartz, J; Mayr, N

2014-06-01

Purpose: To show that a distribution of cell surviving fractions S{sub 2} in a heterogeneous group of patients can be derived from tumor-volume variation curves during radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: Our analysis was based on two data sets of tumor-volume variation curves for heterogeneous groups of 17 patients treated for nonsmall cell lung cancer with conventional dose fractionation. The data sets were obtained previously at two independent institutions by using megavoltage (MV) computed tomography (CT). Statistical distributions of cell surviving fractions S{sup 2} and cell clearance half-lives of lethally damaged cells T1/2 have been reconstructed in eachmore » patient group by using a version of the two-level cell population tumor response model and a simulated annealing algorithm. The reconstructed statistical distributions of the cell surviving fractions have been compared to the distributions measured using predictive assays in vitro. Results: Non-small cell lung cancer presents certain difficulties for modeling surviving fractions using tumor-volume variation curves because of relatively large fractional hypoxic volume, low gradient of tumor-volume response, and possible uncertainties due to breathing motion. Despite these difficulties, cell surviving fractions S{sub 2} for non-small cell lung cancer derived from tumor-volume variation measured at different institutions have similar probability density functions (PDFs) with mean values of 0.30 and 0.43 and standard deviations of 0.13 and 0.18, respectively. The PDFs for cell surviving fractions S{sup 2} reconstructed from tumor volume variation agree with the PDF measured in vitro. Comparison of the reconstructed cell surviving fractions with patient survival data shows that the patient survival time decreases as the cell surviving fraction increases. Conclusion: The data obtained in this work suggests that the cell surviving fractions S{sub 2} can be reconstructed from the tumor volume variation curves measured during radiotherapy with conventional fractionation. The proposed method can be used for treatment evaluation and adaptation.« less

Multiscale Micromechanical Modeling of Polymer/Clay Nanocomposites and the Effective Clay Particle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sheng, Nuo; Boyce, Mary C.; Parks, David M.; Manovitch, Oleg; Rutledge, Gregory C.; Lee, Hojun; McKinley, Gareth H.

2003-03-01

Polymer/clay nanocomposites have been observed to exhibit enhanced mechanical properties at low weight fractions (Wp) of clay. Continuum-based composite modeling reveals that the enhanced properties are strongly dependent on particular features of the second-phase ¡°particles¡+/-; in particular, the particle volume fraction (fp), the particle aspect ratio (L/t), and the ratio of particle mechanical properties to those of the matrix. However, these important aspects of as-processed nanoclay composites have yet to be consistently and accurately defined. A multiscale modeling strategy was developed to account for the hierarchical morphology of the nanocomposite: at a lengthscale of thousands of microns, the structure is one of high aspect ratio particles within a matrix; at the lengthscale of microns, the clay particle structure is either (a) exfoliated clay sheets of nanometer level thickness or (b) stacks of parallel clay sheets separated from one another by interlayer galleries of nanometer level height. Here, quantitative structural parameters extracted from XRD patterns and TEM micrographs are used to determine geometric features of the as-processed clay ¡°particles¡+/-, including L/t and the ratio of fp to Wp. These geometric features, together with estimates of silicate lamina stiffness obtained from molecular dynamics simulations, provide a basis for modeling effective mechanical properties of the clay particle. The structure-based predictions of the macroscopic elastic modulus of the nanocomposite as a function of clay weight fraction are in excellent agreement with experimental data. The adopted methodology offers promise for study of related properties in polymer/clay nanocomposites.

Frequency domain system identification methods - Matrix fraction description approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Horta, Luca G.; Juang, Jer-Nan

1993-01-01

This paper presents the use of matrix fraction descriptions for least-squares curve fitting of the frequency spectra to compute two matrix polynomials. The matrix polynomials are intermediate step to obtain a linearized representation of the experimental transfer function. Two approaches are presented: first, the matrix polynomials are identified using an estimated transfer function; second, the matrix polynomials are identified directly from the cross/auto spectra of the input and output signals. A set of Markov parameters are computed from the polynomials and subsequently realization theory is used to recover a minimum order state space model. Unevenly spaced frequency response functions may be used. Results from a simple numerical example and an experiment are discussed to highlight some of the important aspect of the algorithm.

The effect of particle volume fraction and temperature on the enhancement of thermal conductivity of maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) water-based nanofluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurdin, Irwan; Satriananda

2017-03-01

Thermal conductivity of maghemite nanofluids were experimentally investigated at different maghemite nanoparticles volume fraction and temperatures. Maghemite nanofluids were prepared by suspending maghemite nanoparticles in water as base fluids. The thermal conductivity ratio of maghemite nanofluids was linearly increase with increasing particle volume fraction and temperature. The highest enhancement of thermal conductivity is 42.5% which is obtained at particle volume fraction 2.5% and temperature 60 °C.

Analysis of White Matter Damage in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis via a Novel In Vivo MR Method for Measuring Myelin, Axons, and G-Ratio.

PubMed

Hagiwara, A; Hori, M; Yokoyama, K; Nakazawa, M; Ueda, R; Horita, M; Andica, C; Abe, O; Aoki, S

2017-10-01

Myelin and axon volume fractions can now be estimated via MR imaging in vivo, as can the g-ratio, which equals the ratio of the inner to the outer diameter of a nerve fiber. The purpose of this study was to evaluate WM damage in patients with MS via this novel MR imaging technique. Twenty patients with relapsing-remitting MS with a combined total of 149 chronic plaques were analyzed. Myelin volume fraction was calculated based on simultaneous tissue relaxometry. Intracellular and CSF compartment volume fractions were quantified via neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging. Axon volume fraction and g-ratio were calculated by combining these measurements. Myelin and axon volume fractions and g-ratio were measured in plaques, periplaque WM, and normal-appearing WM. All metrics differed significantly across the 3 groups ( P < .001, except P = .027 for g-ratio between periplaque WM and normal-appearing WM). Those in plaques differed most from those in normal-appearing WM. The percentage changes in plaque and periplaque WM metrics relative to normal-appearing WM were significantly larger in absolute value for myelin volume fraction than for axon volume fraction and g-ratio ( P < .001, except P = .033 in periplaque WM relative to normal-appearing WM for comparison between myelin and axon volume fraction). In this in vivo MR imaging study, the myelin of WM was more damaged than axons in plaques and periplaque WM of patients with MS. Myelin and axon volume fractions and g-ratio may potentially be useful for evaluating WM damage in patients with MS. © 2017 by American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Explicit formulas for effective piezoelectric coefficients of ferroelectric 0-3 composites based on effective medium theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, C. K.; Poon, Y. M.; Shin, F. G.

2003-01-01

Explicit formulas were derived for the effective piezoelectric stress coefficients of a 0-3 composite of ferroelectric spherical particles in a ferroelectric matrix which were then combined to give the more commonly used strain coefficients. Assuming that the elastic stiffness of the inclusion phase is sufficiently larger than that of the matrix phase, the previously derived explicit expressions for the case of a low volume concentration of inclusion particles [C. K. Wong, Y. M. Poon, and F. G. Shin, Ferroelectrics 264, 39 (2001); J. Appl. Phys. 90, 4690 (2001)] were "transformed" analytically by an effective medium theory (EMT) with appropriate approximations, to suit the case of a more concentrated suspension. Predictions of the EMT expressions were compared with the experimental values of composites of lead zirconate titanate ceramic particles dispersed in polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer, reported by Furukawa [IEEE Trans. Electr. Insul. 24, 375 (1989)] and by Ng et al. [IEEE Trans. Ultrason. Ferroelectr. Freq. Control 47, 1308 (2000)] respectively. Fairly good agreement was obtained. Comparisons with other predictions, including the predictions given by numerically solving the EMT scheme, were also made. It was found that the analytic and numeric EMT schemes agreed with each other very well for an inclusion of volume fraction not exceeding 60%.

Structural evolution in Ar+ implanted Si-rich silicon oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brusa, R. S.; Karwasz, G. P.; Mariotto, G.; Zecca, A.; Ferragut, R.; Folegati, P.; Dupasquier, A.; Ottaviani, G.; Tonini, R.

2003-12-01

Silicon-rich silicon oxide films were deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Energy was released into the film by ion bombardment, with the aim of promoting formation of Si nanoclusters and reordering the oxide matrix. The effect of the initial stoichiometry, as well as the evolution of the oxide films due to the ion bombardment and to subsequent thermal treatments, has been studied by depth-resolved positron annihilation Doppler spectroscopy, Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. As-deposited films were found to contain an open volume fraction in the form of subnanometric cavities that are positively correlated with oxygen deficiency. No Si aggregates were observed. The ion bombardment was found to promote the formation of amorphous Si nanoclusters, together with a reduction of the open volume in the matrix and a substantial release of hydrogen. It also leaves electrically active sites in the oxide and produces gas-filled vacancy defects in the substrate, with the concentrations depending on the implantation temperature. Thermal treatment at 500 °C removes charge defects in the oxide, but vacancy defects are not completely annealed even at 1100 °C. In one case, heating at 1100 °C produced cavities of about 0.6 nm in the oxide. Transformation of Si nanoclusters into nanocrystals is observed to occur from 800 °C.

A numerical approximation to the elastic properties of sphere-reinforced composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Segurado, J.; Llorca, J.

2002-10-01

Three-dimensional cubic unit cells containing 30 non-overlapping identical spheres randomly distributed were generated using a new, modified random sequential adsortion algorithm suitable for particle volume fractions of up to 50%. The elastic constants of the ensemble of spheres embedded in a continuous and isotropic elastic matrix were computed through the finite element analysis of the three-dimensional periodic unit cells, whose size was chosen as a compromise between the minimum size required to obtain accurate results in the statistical sense and the maximum one imposed by the computational cost. Three types of materials were studied: rigid spheres and spherical voids in an elastic matrix and a typical composite made up of glass spheres in an epoxy resin. The moduli obtained for different unit cells showed very little scatter, and the average values obtained from the analysis of four unit cells could be considered very close to the "exact" solution to the problem, in agreement with the results of Drugan and Willis (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 44 (1996) 497) referring to the size of the representative volume element for elastic composites. They were used to assess the accuracy of three classical analytical models: the Mori-Tanaka mean-field analysis, the generalized self-consistent method, and Torquato's third-order approximation.

Enhanced expression by the brain matrix of P-glycoprotein in brain capillary endothelial cells.

PubMed

Tatsuta, T; Naito, M; Mikami, K; Tsuruo, T

1994-10-01

P-glycoprotein (PGP), an active efflux pump of antitumor agents in multidrug-resistant tumor cells, exists in brain capillary endothelium and could be functionally involved in the blood-brain barrier. To study the regulatory mechanism of PGP expression in brain capillary endothelium, various mouse tissue matrices were tested for their abilities to enhance the expression of PGP in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells (MBEC), which express relatively small amounts of PGP. Of the four tissue matrices we examined, PGP expression in MBEC cultured on the brain matrix increased 2.0-fold. The PGP-inducing activity was similarly detected in bovine brain matrix, and the activity was enriched in the fraction of pl 9.0 by isoelectric focusing. The fraction, named PIC-fraction (PGP-inducing component), increased the PGP expression in MBEC 3.5-fold. By Northern blot analysis, a 3.3-fold enhancement of mdr gene expression was observed in MBEC cultured on the PIC-fraction. The PGP-inducing activity of the PIC-fraction was reduced by the treatment with trypsin but not with collagenase, suggesting that a proteinaceous factor distinct from type I collagen might be responsible for the PGP-inducing activity of PIC-fraction. Although the PIC-fraction increased the PGP expression in other mouse brain capillary endothelial cells, the PIC-fraction did not increase PGP expression in mouse aortic endothelial cells and KB carcinoma cell lines expressing various amounts of PGP. These observations suggest that PGP expression in brain capillary endothelium is specifically regulated by a tissue-specific factor in the brain matrix.

Well-conditioned fractional collocation methods using fractional Birkhoff interpolation basis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiao, Yujian; Wang, Li-Lian; Huang, Can

2016-01-01

The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, we provide explicit and compact formulas for computing both Caputo and (modified) Riemann-Liouville (RL) fractional pseudospectral differentiation matrices (F-PSDMs) of any order at general Jacobi-Gauss-Lobatto (JGL) points. We show that in the Caputo case, it suffices to compute F-PSDM of order μ ∈ (0 , 1) to compute that of any order k + μ with integer k ≥ 0, while in the modified RL case, it is only necessary to evaluate a fractional integral matrix of order μ ∈ (0 , 1). Secondly, we introduce suitable fractional JGL Birkhoff interpolation problems leading to new interpolation polynomial basis functions with remarkable properties: (i) the matrix generated from the new basis yields the exact inverse of F-PSDM at "interior" JGL points; (ii) the matrix of the highest fractional derivative in a collocation scheme under the new basis is diagonal; and (iii) the resulted linear system is well-conditioned in the Caputo case, while in the modified RL case, the eigenvalues of the coefficient matrix are highly concentrated. In both cases, the linear systems of the collocation schemes using the new basis can be solved by an iterative solver within a few iterations. Notably, the inverse can be computed in a very stable manner, so this offers optimal preconditioners for usual fractional collocation methods for fractional differential equations (FDEs). It is also noteworthy that the choice of certain special JGL points with parameters related to the order of the equations can ease the implementation. We highlight that the use of the Bateman's fractional integral formulas and fast transforms between Jacobi polynomials with different parameters, is essential for our algorithm development.

Dynamic heterogeneities and non-Gaussian behavior in two-dimensional randomly confined colloidal fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schnyder, Simon K.; Skinner, Thomas O. E.; Thorneywork, Alice L.; Aarts, Dirk G. A. L.; Horbach, Jürgen; Dullens, Roel P. A.

2017-03-01

A binary mixture of superparamagnetic colloidal particles is confined between glass plates such that the large particles become fixed and provide a two-dimensional disordered matrix for the still mobile small particles, which form a fluid. By varying fluid and matrix area fractions and tuning the interactions between the superparamagnetic particles via an external magnetic field, different regions of the state diagram are explored. The mobile particles exhibit delocalized dynamics at small matrix area fractions and localized motion at high matrix area fractions, and the localization transition is rounded by the soft interactions [T. O. E. Skinner et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 128301 (2013), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.111.128301]. Expanding on previous work, we find the dynamics of the tracers to be strongly heterogeneous and show that molecular dynamics simulations of an ideal gas confined in a fixed matrix exhibit similar behavior. The simulations show how these soft interactions make the dynamics more heterogeneous compared to the disordered Lorentz gas and lead to strong non-Gaussian fluctuations.

A model to predict thermal conductivity of irradiated U-Mo dispersion fuel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burkes, Douglas E.; Huber, Tanja K.; Casella, Andrew M.

2016-05-01

Numerous global programs are focused on the continued development of existing and new research and test reactor fuels to achieve maximum attainable uranium loadings to support the conversion of a number of the world's remaining high-enriched uranium fueled reactors to low-enriched uranium fuel. Some of these programs are focused on assisting with the development and qualification of a fuel design that consists of a uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloy dispersed in an aluminum matrix as one option for reactor conversion. Thermal conductivity is an important consideration in determining the operational temperature of the fuel and can be influenced by interaction layer formation between the dispersed phase and matrix and upon the concentration of the dispersed phase within the matrix. This paper extends the use of a simple model developed previously to study the influence of interaction layer formation as well as the size and volume fraction of fuel particles dispersed in the matrix, Si additions to the matrix, and Mo concentration in the fuel particles on the effective thermal conductivity of the U-Mo/Al composite during irradiation. The model has been compared to experimental measurements recently conducted on U-Mo/Al dispersion fuels at two different fission densities with acceptable agreement. Observations of the modeled results indicate that formation of an interaction layer and subsequent consumption of the matrix reveals a rather significant effect on effective thermal conductivity. The modeled interaction layer formation and subsequent consumption of the high thermal conductivity matrix was sensitive to the average dispersed fuel particle size, suggesting this parameter as one of the most effective in minimizing thermal conductivity degradation of the composite, while the influence of Si additions to the matrix in the model was highly dependent upon irradiation conditions.

A model to predict thermal conductivity of irradiated U–Mo dispersion fuel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Burkes, Douglas E.; Huber, Tanja K.; Casella, Andrew M.

The Office of Materials Management and Minimization Reactor Conversion Program continues to develop existing and new research and test reactor fuels to achieve maximum attainable uranium loadings to support the conversion of a number of the world’s remaining high-enriched uranium fueled reactors to low-enriched uranium fuel. The program is focused on assisting with the development and qualification of a fuel design that consists of a uranium-molybdenum (U-Mo) alloy dispersed in an aluminum matrix as one option for reactor conversion. Thermal conductivity is an important consideration in determining the operational temperature of the fuel and can be influenced by interaction layermore » formation between the dispersed phase and matrix and upon the concentration of the dispersed phase within the matrix. This paper extends the use of a simple model developed previously to study the influence of interaction layer formation as well as the size and volume fraction of fuel particles dispersed in the matrix, Si additions to the matrix, and Mo concentration in the fuel particles on the effective thermal conductivity of the U-Mo/Al composite during irradiation. The model has been compared to experimental measurements recently conducted on U-Mo/Al dispersion fuels at two different fission densities with acceptable agreement. Observations of the modeled results indicate that formation of an interaction layer and subsequent consumption of the matrix reveals a rather significant effect on effective thermal conductivity. The modeled interaction layer formation and subsequent consumption of the high thermal conductivity matrix was sensitive to the average dispersed fuel particle size, suggesting this parameter as one of the most effective in minimizing thermal conductivity degradation of the composite, while the influence of Si additions to the matrix in the model was highly dependent upon irradiation conditions.« less

Petrography and preliminary interpretations of the crystalline breccias from the Manson M-1 core

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, M. S.; Reagan, M. K.; Anderson, R. R.; Foster, C. T., Jr.

1993-01-01

The M-1 core was drilled on the eastern edge of the central uplift within the Manson Impact Structure in Iowa. The lower 107.9 m of the core consists of crystalline breccias. Twelve intervals of thin sections from this core have been studied for preliminary discussion. The breccias are divided into three units by matrix size and abundance. Unit 1 is characterized by a high volume fraction of matrix, and a decreasing proportion of matrix with depth. This matrix is nearly isotropic and consists of grains less than 0.005 to less than 0.02 mm in length. The matrix between 112 and 146 meters depth consists of a crystalline intergrowth of felsic and opaque minerals with or without chlorite. This was the hottest section of the core after impact, and may have undergone high temperature metamorphic recrystallization. Unit 2 is transitional between units 1 and 3, and is delineated by a rapid increase in grain size to .01-.04 mm and a decrease in matrix abundance to 10 percent. Unit 3 has a coarse, often porous matrix, whose abundance changes from about 10 percent at the top to about 2 percent at the base. Grain sizes range from 0.01-0.1 mm over this interval and coarsen with depth. Changes in the character of the matrix as well as the changes in clast lithology and abundance outlined below suggest that unit 3 is in-situ brecciated basement with injected melt and shale fragments; unit 1 is a crater veneer deposit consisting of transported basement materials and unit 2 is a mixed zone between units 1 and 3.

Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity Prevents Increases in Myocardial Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

PubMed Central

Murray, David B.; Levick, Scott P; Brower, Gregory L.; Janicki, Joseph S.

2010-01-01

Aim TNF-α is known to cause adverse myocardial remodeling. While we have previously shown a role for cardiac mast cells in mediating myocardial TNF-α, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) activation of TNF-α may also be contributory. We sought to determine the relative roles of MMPs and cardiac mast cells in the activation of TNF-α in the hearts of rats subjected to chronic volume overload. Methods Interventions with the broad spectrum MMP inhibitor, GM6001, or the mast cell stabilizer, nedocromil, were performed in the rat aortocaval fistula (ACF) model of volume overload. Results Myocardial TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the ACF. This increase was prevented by MMP inhibition with GM6001 (p ≤ 0.001 vs. ACF). Conversely, myocardial TNF-α levels were increased in the ACF + nedocromil treated fistula groups (p ≤ 0.001 vs. sham). The degradation of interstitial collagen volume fraction seen in the untreated ACF group was prevented in both the GM6001 and nedocromil treated hearts. Significant increases in LV myocardial ET-1 levels also occurred in the ACF group at 3 days post-fistula. Whereas administration of GM6001 significantly attenuated this increase, mast cell stabilization with nedocromil markedly exacerbated the increase, producing ET-1 levels 6.5 fold and 2 fold greater than that in the sham-operated control and ACF group, respectively. Conclusion The efficacy of the MMP inhibitor, GM6001, to prevent increased levels of myocardial TNF-α is indicative of MMP-mediated cleavage of latent extracellular membrane bound TNF-α protein as the primary source of bioactive TNF-α in the myocardium of the volume-overload heart. PMID:20403361

Substance P induces adverse myocardial remodelling via a mechanism involving cardiac mast cells.

PubMed

Meléndez, Giselle C; Li, Jianping; Law, Brittany A; Janicki, Joseph S; Supowit, Scott C; Levick, Scott P

2011-12-01

Substance P and neurokinin A (NKA) are sensory nerve neuropeptides encoded by the TAC1 gene. Substance P is a mast cell secretagogue and mast cells are known to play a role in adverse myocardial remodelling. Therefore, we wondered whether substance P and/or NKA modulates myocardial remodelling via a mast cell-mediated mechanism. Volume overload was induced by aortocaval fistula in TAC1(-/-) mice and their respective wild types. Left ventricular internal diameter of wild-type (WT) fistulas increased by 31.9%; this was prevented in TAC1(-/-) mice (4.2%). Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was significantly increased in WT fistula mice and was prevented in TAC1(-/-) mice. Myocardial collagen volume fraction was decreased in WT fistula mice; this collagen degradation was not observed in the TAC1(-/-) group. There were no significant differences between any groups in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α or cell death. Cardiac mast cells were isolated from rat hearts and stimulated with substance P or NKA. We found that these cells degranulated only to substance P, via the neurokinin-1 receptor. To determine the effect of substance P on mast cells in vivo, volume overload was created in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with the NK-1 receptor antagonist L732138 (5 mg/kg/day) for a period of 3 days. L732138 prevented: (i) increases in cardiac mast cell density; (ii) increased myocardial TNF-α; and (iii) collagen degradation. Our studies suggest that substance P may be important in mediating adverse myocardial remodelling secondary to volume overload by activating cardiac mast cells, leading to increased TNF-α and MMP activation with subsequent degradation of the extracellular matrix.

Substance P induces adverse myocardial remodelling via a mechanism involving cardiac mast cells

PubMed Central

Meléndez, Giselle C.; Li, Jianping; Law, Brittany A.; Janicki, Joseph S.; Supowit, Scott C.; Levick, Scott P.

2011-01-01

Aims Substance P and neurokinin A (NKA) are sensory nerve neuropeptides encoded by the TAC1 gene. Substance P is a mast cell secretagogue and mast cells are known to play a role in adverse myocardial remodelling. Therefore, we wondered whether substance P and/or NKA modulates myocardial remodelling via a mast cell-mediated mechanism. Methods and results Volume overload was induced by aortocaval fistula in TAC1−/− mice and their respective wild types. Left ventricular internal diameter of wild-type (WT) fistulas increased by 31.9%; this was prevented in TAC1−/− mice (4.2%). Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was significantly increased in WT fistula mice and was prevented in TAC1−/− mice. Myocardial collagen volume fraction was decreased in WT fistula mice; this collagen degradation was not observed in the TAC1−/− group. There were no significant differences between any groups in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α or cell death. Cardiac mast cells were isolated from rat hearts and stimulated with substance P or NKA. We found that these cells degranulated only to substance P, via the neurokinin-1 receptor. To determine the effect of substance P on mast cells in vivo, volume overload was created in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with the NK-1 receptor antagonist L732138 (5 mg/kg/day) for a period of 3 days. L732138 prevented: (i) increases in cardiac mast cell density; (ii) increased myocardial TNF-α; and (iii) collagen degradation. Conclusions Our studies suggest that substance P may be important in mediating adverse myocardial remodelling secondary to volume overload by activating cardiac mast cells, leading to increased TNF-α and MMP activation with subsequent degradation of the extracellular matrix. PMID:21908647

Size-dependent characterization of embedded Ge nanocrystals: Structural and thermal properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araujo, L. L.; Giulian, R.; Sprouster, D. J.; Schnohr, C. S.; Llewellyn, D. J.; Kluth, P.; Cookson, D. J.; Foran, G. J.; Ridgway, M. C.

2008-09-01

A combination of conventional and synchrotron-based techniques has been used to characterize the size-dependent structural and thermal properties of Ge nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in a silica (a-SiO2) matrix. Ge NC size distributions with four different diameters ranging from 4.0 to 9.0 nm were produced by ion implantation and thermal annealing as characterized with small-angle x-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The NCs were well represented by the superposition of bulklike crystalline and amorphous environments, suggesting the formation of an amorphous layer separating the crystalline NC core and the a-SiO2 matrix. The amorphous fraction was quantified with x-ray-absorption near-edge spectroscopy and increased as the NC diameter decreased, consistent with the increase in surface-to-volume ratio. The structural parameters of the first three nearest-neighbor shells were determined with extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and evolved linearly with inverse NC diameter. Specifically, increases in total disorder, interatomic distance, and the asymmetry in the distribution of distances were observed as the NC size decreased, demonstrating that finite-size effects govern the structural properties of embedded Ge NCs. Temperature-dependent EXAFS measurements in the range of 15-300 K were employed to probe the mean vibrational frequency and the variation of the interatomic distance distribution (mean value, variance, and asymmetry) with temperature for all NC distributions. A clear trend of increased stiffness (higher vibrational frequency) and decreased thermal expansion with decreasing NC size was evident, confirming the close relationship between the variation of structural and thermal/vibrational properties with size for embedded Ge NCs. The increase in surface-to-volume ratio and the presence of an amorphous Ge layer separating the matrix and crystalline NC core are identified as the main factors responsible for the observed behavior, with the surrounding a-SiO2 matrix also contributing to a lesser extent. Such results are compared to previous reports and discussed in terms of the influence of the surface-to-volume ratio in objects of nanometer dimensions.

Characterization of dissolved organic matter during reactive transport: A column experiment with spectroscopic detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vazquez, A.; Hernández, S.; Rasmussen, C.; Chorover, J.

2010-12-01

Al and Fe oxy-hydroxide minerals have been implicated in dissolved organic matter (DOM) stabilization. DOM solutions from a Pinus ponderosa forest floor (PPDOM) were used to irrigate polypropylene columns, 3.2 cm long by 0.9 cm diameter (total volume 2.0 cm3), that were packed with quartz sand (QS), gibbsite-quartz sand (Al-QS), and goethite-quartz sand (Fe-QS) mixtures. To investigate the mobilization and fractionation of DOM during reactive transport, effluent solutions were characterized by UV-Vis absorbance and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopies. Magnitude of PPDOM sorption followed the trend Al-QS > Fe-QS > QS during the initial transport. Effluent pH values suggest that ligand exchange is a primary mechanism for PPDOM sorption onto oxy-hydroxide minerals. Low molar absorptivity values were observed in effluent solutions of early pore volumes, indicating preferential mobilization of compounds with low aromatic character. Compounds traditionally characterized by EEM spectroscopy as being more highly humified were favorably absorbed onto the gibbsite and goethite surfaces. Humification index values (HIX) were also correlated with DOM aromaticity. HIX results suggest that the presence of low mass fractions of oxy-hydroxide minerals affect the preferential uptake of high molar mass constituents of PPDOM during reactive transport.

Inhomogeneity of Microstructure and Damping Capacity of a FC25 Disc-Brake Rotor and Their Interrelationship

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jongbin; Han, Jeongho; Lee, Seung-Joon; Yi, Kyoungdon; Kwon, Chelwoong; Lee, Young-Kook

2016-08-01

The objective of the present study was to investigate the inhomogeneity of microstructure and damping capacity of a FC25 disc-brake rotor made of gray cast iron (GCI) and their interrelationship. The rotor had inhomogeneous microstructure due to different cooling rates caused by the position of inlets in a mold during casting. The volume fraction and size of graphite decreased with increasing cooling rate. A maximum deviation of the volume fraction of graphite within the rotor was approximately 2 pct, whereas that of the total perimeter of graphite per unit area was approximately 33 pct. Damping capacities measured at the first vibrational mode of both the real rotor and cantilever specimens, which were taken from four different regions within the rotor, depended on the location within the rotor. This result indicates that the damping capacity of the rotor is influenced by the inhomogeneous microstructure; particularly, the damping capacity was proportional to the total perimeter of graphite per unit area. Therefore, it was concluded that the damping of the GCI rotor used in the present study occurs primarily by the viscous or plastic flow at the interphase boundaries between the pearlite matrix and graphite particles at least at the frequencies of below 1140 Hz.

Nacre-like hybrid films: Structure, properties, and the effect of relative humidity.

PubMed

Abba, Mohammed T; Hunger, Philipp M; Kalidindi, Surya R; Wegst, Ulrike G K

2015-03-01

Functional materials often are hybrids composed of biopolymers and mineral constituents. The arrangement and interactions of the constituents frequently lead to hierarchical structures with exceptional mechanical properties and multifunctionality. In this study, hybrid thin films with a nacre-like brick-and-mortar microstructure were fabricated in a straightforward and reproducible manner through manual shear casting using the biopolymer chitosan as the matrix material (mortar) and alumina platelets as the reinforcing particles (bricks). The ratio of inorganic to organic content was varied from 0% to 15% and the relative humidities from 36% to 75% to determine their effects on the mechanical properties. It was found that increasing the volume fraction of alumina from 0% to 15% results in a twofold increase in the modulus of the film, but decreases the tensile strength by up to 30%, when the volume fraction of alumina is higher than 5%. Additionally, this study quantifies and illustrates the critical role of the relative humidity on the mechanical properties of the hybrid film. Increasing the relative humidity from 36% to 75% decreases the modulus and strength by about 45% and triples the strain at failure. These results suggest that complex hybrid materials can be manufactured and tailor made for specific applications or environmental conditions. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A theoretical model for the flow behavior of commercial dual-phase steels containing metastable retained austenite: Part II. calculation of flow curves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sangal, Sandeep; Goel, Naresh C.; Tangri, Kris

1985-11-01

The role of metastable retained austenite (γ R), its volume fraction, and mechanical stability on the flow characteristics of a dual phase steel containing 20 vol pct of ‘as quenched’ martensite in a ferrite matrix has been examined in this paper employing the flow curve expressions derived in Part I of this paper. It has been found that for a given volume fraction of γ R, its mechanical stability plays a crucial role in enhancing the ductility. Whereas highly stable γ R does not contribute either to strength or ductility of the steel, highly unstable γ R which causes an increase in the strength is detrimental to ductility. A γ R which is moderately stable and undergoes γ R → α' transformation over a larger strain range is beneficial to enhanced ductility. Increasing amounts of moderately stable γ R significantly increase both the strength and the ductility of dual-phase steels through a sustained work-hardening due to γ R → α' transformation. Load transfer which is determined by a parameter q has a significant contribution to work-hardening. A value of ∣|q∣| = 4500 MPa has been found to partition realistically the stress and strain in these steels.

A nano lamella NbTi–NiTi composite with high strength

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jiang, Jiang; Jiang, Daqiang; Hao, Shijie

A hypereutectic Nb60Ti24Ni16 (at%) alloy was prepared by vacuum induction melting, and a nano lamellae NbTi-NiTi composite was obtained by hot-forging and wire-drawing of the ingot Microscopic analysis showed that NbTi and NiTi nano lamellae distributed alternatively in the composite, and aligned along the wire axial direction, with a high volume fraction (similar to 70%) of NbTi nano lamellae. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that stress induced martensitic transformation occurred upon loading, which would effectively weaken the stress concentration at the interface and avoid the introduction of defects into the nano reinforced phase. Then the embedded NbTi nanomore » lamellae exhibited a high elastic strain up to 2.72%, 1.5 times as high as that of the Nb nanowires embedded in a conventional plastic matrix, and the corresponding stress carried by NbTi was evaluated as 2.53 GPa. The high volume fraction of NbTi nano lamellae improved the translation of high strength from the nano reinforced phase into bulk properties of the composite, with a platform stress of similar to 1.7 GPa and a fracture strength of similar to 1.9 GPa. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.« less

Measuring the fraction of pool volume filled with fine sediment

Treesearch

Sue Hilton; Thomas E. Lisle

1993-01-01

The fraction of pool volume filled with fine sediment (usually fine sand to medium gravel) can be a useful index of the sediment supply and substrate habitat of gravel-bed channels. It can be used to evaluate and monitor channel condition and to detect and evaluate sediment sources. This fraction (V*) is the ratio of fine-sediment volume to pool water volume plus fine-...

Characterization and Demonstrations of Laser-Induced Incandescence in both Normal and Low-Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanderWal, Randall L.

1997-01-01

Knowledge of soot volume fraction is important to a wide range of combustion studies in microgravity. Laser-induced incandescence (LII) offers high sensitivity, high temporal and spatial resolution in addition to geometric versatility for real-time determination of soot volume fraction. Implementation of LII into the 2.2 see drop tower at The NASA-Lewis Research Center along with system characterization is described. Absolute soot volume fraction measurements are presented for laminar and turbulent gas-jet flames in microgravity to illustrate the capabilities of LII in microgravity. Comparison between LII radial intensity profiles with soot volume fraction profiles determined through a full-field light extinction technique are also reported validating the accuracy of LII for soot volume fraction measurements in a microgravity environment.

Meso-Scale Modeling of Spall in a Heterogeneous Two-Phase Material

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Springer, Harry Keo

2008-07-11

The influence of the heterogeneous second-phase particle structure and applied loading conditions on the ductile spall response of a model two-phase material was investigated. Quantitative metallography, three-dimensional (3D) meso-scale simulations (MSS), and small-scale spall experiments provided the foundation for this study. Nodular ductile iron (NDI) was selected as the model two-phase material for this study because it contains a large and readily identifiable second- phase particle population. Second-phase particles serve as the primary void nucleation sites in NDI and are, therefore, central to its ductile spall response. A mathematical model was developed for the NDI second-phase volume fraction that accountedmore » for the non-uniform particle size and spacing distributions within the framework of a length-scale dependent Gaussian probability distribution function (PDF). This model was based on novel multiscale sampling measurements. A methodology was also developed for the computer generation of representative particle structures based on their mathematical description, enabling 3D MSS. MSS were used to investigate the effects of second-phase particle volume fraction and particle size, loading conditions, and physical domain size of simulation on the ductile spall response of a model two-phase material. MSS results reinforce existing model predictions, where the spall strength metric (SSM) logarithmically decreases with increasing particle volume fraction. While SSM predictions are nearly independent of applied load conditions at lower loading rates, which is consistent with previous studies, loading dependencies are observed at higher loading rates. There is also a logarithmic decrease in SSM for increasing (initial) void size, as well. A model was developed to account for the effects of loading rate, particle size, matrix sound-speed, and, in the NDI-specific case, the probabilistic particle volume fraction model. Small-scale spall experiments were designed and executed for the purpose of validating closely-coupled 3D MSS. While the spall strength is nearly independent of specimen thickness, the fragment morphology varies widely. Detailed MSS demonstrate that the interactions between the tensile release waves are altered by specimen thickness and that these interactions are primarily responsible for fragment formation. MSS also provided insights on the regional amplification of damage, which enables the development of predictive void evolution models.« less

Electrostatic, elastic and hydration-dependent interactions in dermis influencing volume exclusion and macromolecular transport.

PubMed

Øien, Alf H; Wiig, Helge

2016-07-07

Interstitial exclusion refers to the limitation of space available for plasma proteins and other macromolecules based on collagen and negatively charged glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the interstitial space. It is of particular importance to interstitial fluid and plasma volume regulation. Here we present a novel mechanical and mathematical model of the dynamic interactions of structural elements within the interstitium of the dermis at the microscopic level that may explain volume exclusion of charged and neutral macroparticles. At this level, the interstitium is considered to consist of elements called extracellular matrix (ECM) cells, again containing two main interacting structural components on a fluid background including anions and cations setting up osmotic forces: one smaller GAG component, having an intrinsic expansive electric force, and one bigger collagen component, having an intrinsic elastic force. Because of size differences, the GAG component interacts with a fraction of the collagen component only at normal hydration. This fraction, however, increases with rising hydration as a consequence of the modeled form of the interaction force between the GAGs and collagen. Collagen is locally displaced at variable degrees as hydration changes. Two models of GAGs are considered, having largely different geometries which demands different, but related, forms of GAG-collagen interaction forces. The effects of variable fixed charges on GAGs and of GAG density in tissue are evaluated taking into account observed volume exclusion properties of charged macromolecules as a function of tissue hydration. The presented models may improve our biophysical understanding of acting forces influencing tissue fluid dynamics. Such knowledge is significant when evaluating the transport of electrically charged and neutral macromolecules into and through the interstitium, and therefore to drug uptake and the therapeutic effects of macromolecular agents. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adomian decomposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daftardar-Gejji, Varsha; Jafari, Hossein

2005-01-01

Adomian decomposition method has been employed to obtain solutions of a system of fractional differential equations. Convergence of the method has been discussed with some illustrative examples. In particular, for the initial value problem: where A=[aij] is a real square matrix, the solution turns out to be , where E([alpha]1,...,[alpha]n),1 denotes multivariate Mittag-Leffler function defined for matrix arguments and Ai is the matrix having ith row as [ai1...ain], and all other entries are zero. Fractional oscillation and Bagley-Torvik equations are solved as illustrative examples.

Fabricating Composite-Material Structures Containing SMA Ribbons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Travis L.; Cano, Roberto J.; Lach, Cynthia L.

2003-01-01

An improved method of designing and fabricating laminated composite-material (matrix/fiber) structures containing embedded shape-memory-alloy (SMA) actuators has been devised. Structures made by this method have repeatable, predictable properties, and fabrication processes can readily be automated. Such structures, denoted as shape-memory-alloy hybrid composite (SMAHC) structures, have been investigated for their potential to satisfy requirements to control the shapes or thermoelastic responses of themselves or of other structures into which they might be incorporated, or to control noise and vibrations. Much of the prior work on SMAHC structures has involved the use SMA wires embedded within matrices or within sleeves through parent structures. The disadvantages of using SMA wires as the embedded actuators include (1) complexity of fabrication procedures because of the relatively large numbers of actuators usually needed; (2) sensitivity to actuator/ matrix interface flaws because voids can be of significant size, relative to wires; (3) relatively high rates of breakage of actuators during curing of matrix materials because of sensitivity to stress concentrations at mechanical restraints; and (4) difficulty of achieving desirable overall volume fractions of SMA wires when trying to optimize the integration of the wires by placing them in selected layers only.

Mechanical model of suture joints with fibrous connective layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miroshnichenko, Kateryna; Liu, Lei; Tsukrov, Igor; Li, Yaning

2018-02-01

A composite model for suture joints with a connective layer of aligned fibers embedded in soft matrix is proposed. Based on the principle of complementary virtual work, composite cylinder assemblage (CCA) approach and generalized self-consistent micro-mechanical models, a hierarchical homogenization methodology is developed to systematically quantify the synergistic effects of suture morphology and fiber orientation on the overall mechanical properties of sutures. Suture joints with regular triangular wave-form serve as an example material system to apply this methodology. Both theoretical and finite element mechanical models are developed and compared to evaluate the overall normal stiffness of sutures as a function of wavy morphology of sutures, fiber orientation, fiber volume fraction, and the mechanical properties of fibers and matrix in the interfacial layer. It is found that generally due to the anisotropy-induced coupling effects between tensile and shear deformation, the effective normal stiffness of sutures is highly dependent on the fiber orientation in the connective layer. Also, the effective shear modulus of the connective layer and the stiffness ratio between the fiber and matrix significantly influence the effects of fiber orientation. In addition, optimal fiber orientations are found to maximize the stiffness of suture joints.

Constituent Effects on the Stress-Strain Behavior of Woven Melt-Infiltrated SiC Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morscher, Gregory N.; Eldridge, Jeff I.; Levine, Stanley (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

The stress-strain behavior of 2D woven SiC fiber reinforced, melt-infiltrated SiC matrix composites with BN interphases were studied for composites fabricated with different fiber tow ends per unit length, different composite thickness, and different numbers of plies. In general, the stress-strain behavior, i.e., the 'knee' in the curve and the final slope of the stress-strain curve, was controlled by the volume fraction of fibers. Some of the composites exhibited debonding and sliding in between the interphase and the matrix rather than the more common debonding and sliding interface between the fiber and the interphase. Composites that exhibited this 'outside debonding' interface, in general, had lower elastic moduli and higher ultimate strains as well as longer pull-out lengths compared to the 'inside debonding' interface composites. Stress-strain curves were modeled where matrix crack formation as a function of stress was approximated from the acoustic emission activity and the measured crack density from the failed specimens. Interfacial shear strength measurements from individual fiber push-in tests were in good agreement with the interfacial shear strength values used to model the stress-strain curves.

Effects of Solute Concentrations on Kinetic Pathways in Ni-Al-Cr Alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Booth-Morrison, Christopher; Weninger, Jessica; Sudbrack, Chantal K.; Mao, Zugang; Seidman, David N.; Noebe, Ronald D.

2008-01-01

The kinetic pathways resulting from the formation of coherent gamma'-precipitates from the gamma-matrix are studied for two Ni-Al-Cr alloys with similar gamma'-precipitate volume fractions at 873 K. The details of the phase decompositions of Ni-7.5Al-8.5Cr at.% and Ni-5.2Al-14.2Cr at.% for aging times from 1/6 to 1024 h are investigated by atom-probe tomography, and are found to differ significantly from a mean-field description of coarsening. The morphologies of the gamma'-precipitates of the alloys are similar, though the degrees of gamma'-precipitate coagulation and coalescence differ. Quantification within the framework of classical nucleation theory reveals that differences in the chemical driving forces for phase decomposition result in differences in the nucleation behavior of the two alloys. The temporal evolution of the gamma'-precipitate average radii and the gamma-matrix supersaturations follow the predictions of classical coarsening models. The compositional trajectories of the gamma-matrix phases of the alloys are found to follow approximately the equilibrium tie-lines, while the trajectories of the gamma'-precipitates do not, resulting in significant differences in the partitioning ratios of the solute elements.

Acoustic emission monitoring of damage in ceramic matrix composites: Effects of weaves and feature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ojard, Greg; Mordasky, Matt; Kumar, Rajesh

2018-04-01

Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are a class of high temperature materials with better damage tolerance properties compared to monolithic ceramics. The improved toughness is attributed to weak interface coating between the fiber and the matrix that allows for crack deflection and fiber pull-out. Thus, CMCs have gained consideration over monolithic materials for high temperature applications such as in gas turbines. The current standard fiber architecture for CMCs is a harness satin (HS) balanced weave (5HS and 8HS); however, other architectures such as uni-weave materials (tape layup) are now being considered due to fiber placement control and higher fiber volume fraction in the tensile loading direction. Engineering components require additional features in the CMC laminates, such as holes for attachments. Past work has shown that acoustic emission could differentiate the effect of changing interface conditions due to heat treatment effects. The focus of the present work is to investigate the effects of different weaves and the presence of a feature on damage behavior of CMCs as observed via acoustic emission technique. The results of the tensile testing with acoustic emission monitoring will be presented and discussed.

Preparation of the Nuclear Matrix for Parallel Microscopy and Biochemical Analyses.

PubMed

Wilson, Rosemary H C; Hesketh, Emma L; Coverley, Dawn

2016-01-04

Immobilized proteins within the nucleus are usually identified by treating cells with detergent. The detergent-resistant fraction is often assumed to be chromatin and is described as such in many studies. However, this fraction consists of both chromatin-bound and nuclear-matrix-bound proteins. To investigate nuclear-matrix-bound proteins alone, further separation of these fractions is required; the DNA must be removed so that the remaining proteins can be compared with those from untreated cells. This protocol uses a nonionic detergent (Triton X-100) to remove membranes and soluble proteins from cells under physiologically relevant salt concentrations, followed by extraction with 0.5 m NaCl, digestion with DNase I, and removal of fragmented DNA. It uses a specialized buffer (cytoskeletal buffer) to stabilize the cytoskeleton and nuclear matrix in relatively gentle conditions. Nuclear matrix proteins can then be assessed by either immunofluorescence (IF) and immunoblotting (IB). IB has the advantage of resolving different forms of a protein of interest, and the soluble fractions can be analyzed. The major advantage of IF analysis is that individual cells (rather than homogenized populations) can be monitored, and the spatial arrangement of proteins bound to residual nuclear structures can be revealed. © 2016 Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Assessment of interpatient heterogeneity in tumor radiosensitivity for nonsmall cell lung cancer using tumor-volume variation data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chvetsov, Alexei V., E-mail: chvetsov2@gmail.com; Schwartz, Jeffrey L.; Mayr, Nina

2014-06-15

Purpose: In our previous work, the authors showed that a distribution of cell surviving fractionsS{sub 2} in a heterogeneous group of patients could be derived from tumor-volume variation curves during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. In this research study, the authors show that this algorithm can be applied to other tumors, specifically in nonsmall cell lung cancer. This new application includes larger patient volumes and includes comparison of data sets obtained at independent institutions. Methods: Our analysis was based on two data sets of tumor-volume variation curves for heterogeneous groups of 17 patients treated for nonsmall cell lung cancermore » with conventional dose fractionation. The data sets were obtained previously at two independent institutions by using megavoltage computed tomography. Statistical distributions of cell surviving fractionsS{sub 2} and clearance half-lives of lethally damaged cells T{sub 1/2} have been reconstructed in each patient group by using a version of the two-level cell population model of tumor response and a simulated annealing algorithm. The reconstructed statistical distributions of the cell surviving fractions have been compared to the distributions measured using predictive assays in vitro. Results: Nonsmall cell lung cancer presents certain difficulties for modeling surviving fractions using tumor-volume variation curves because of relatively large fractional hypoxic volume, low gradient of tumor-volume response, and possible uncertainties due to breathing motion. Despite these difficulties, cell surviving fractionsS{sub 2} for nonsmall cell lung cancer derived from tumor-volume variation measured at different institutions have similar probability density functions (PDFs) with mean values of 0.30 and 0.43 and standard deviations of 0.13 and 0.18, respectively. The PDFs for cell surviving fractions S{sub 2} reconstructed from tumor volume variation agree with the PDF measured in vitro. Conclusions: The data obtained in this work, when taken together with the data obtained previously for head and neck cancer, suggests that the cell surviving fractionsS{sub 2} can be reconstructed from the tumor volume variation curves measured during radiotherapy with conventional fractionation. The proposed method can be used for treatment evaluation and adaptation.« less

Assessment of interpatient heterogeneity in tumor radiosensitivity for nonsmall cell lung cancer using tumor-volume variation data.

PubMed

Chvetsov, Alexei V; Yartsev, Slav; Schwartz, Jeffrey L; Mayr, Nina

2014-06-01

In our previous work, the authors showed that a distribution of cell surviving fractions S2 in a heterogeneous group of patients could be derived from tumor-volume variation curves during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. In this research study, the authors show that this algorithm can be applied to other tumors, specifically in nonsmall cell lung cancer. This new application includes larger patient volumes and includes comparison of data sets obtained at independent institutions. Our analysis was based on two data sets of tumor-volume variation curves for heterogeneous groups of 17 patients treated for nonsmall cell lung cancer with conventional dose fractionation. The data sets were obtained previously at two independent institutions by using megavoltage computed tomography. Statistical distributions of cell surviving fractions S2 and clearance half-lives of lethally damaged cells T(1/2) have been reconstructed in each patient group by using a version of the two-level cell population model of tumor response and a simulated annealing algorithm. The reconstructed statistical distributions of the cell surviving fractions have been compared to the distributions measured using predictive assays in vitro. Nonsmall cell lung cancer presents certain difficulties for modeling surviving fractions using tumor-volume variation curves because of relatively large fractional hypoxic volume, low gradient of tumor-volume response, and possible uncertainties due to breathing motion. Despite these difficulties, cell surviving fractions S2 for nonsmall cell lung cancer derived from tumor-volume variation measured at different institutions have similar probability density functions (PDFs) with mean values of 0.30 and 0.43 and standard deviations of 0.13 and 0.18, respectively. The PDFs for cell surviving fractions S2 reconstructed from tumor volume variation agree with the PDF measured in vitro. The data obtained in this work, when taken together with the data obtained previously for head and neck cancer, suggests that the cell surviving fractions S2 can be reconstructed from the tumor volume variation curves measured during radiotherapy with conventional fractionation. The proposed method can be used for treatment evaluation and adaptation.

How Much Do Ultrathin Polymers with Intrinsic Microporosity Swell in Liquids?

PubMed

Ogieglo, Wojciech; Ghanem, Bader; Ma, Xiaohua; Pinnau, Ingo; Wessling, Matthias

2016-10-06

As synthetic membrane materials, polymers with intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) have demonstrated unprecedented permeation and molecular-separation properties. Here, we report the swelling characteristics of submicron-thick supported films of spirobisindane-based PIMs, PIM-1 and PIM-6FDA-OH, for six organic solvents and water using in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry. Surprisingly, PIMs swell significantly in most organic solvents, with swelling factors (SF = h swollen /h dry ) as high as 2.5. This leads to the loss of the ultrarigid character of the polymer and produces equilibrated liquid-like swollen films. Filling of the excess frozen-in fractional free volume with liquid was discovered next to swelling-induced polymer matrix dilation. Water hardly swells the polymer matrix, but it penetrates into the intrinsic microporous structure. This study is the first to provide fundamental swelling data for PIMs, leading to better comprehension of their permeation properties. Such an understanding is indispensable for applications such as solvent filtration, natural-gas separation, and ion retention in flow batteries.

Failure Resistance of Fiber-Reinforced Ultra-High Performance Concrete (FRUHPC) Subjected to Blast Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellis, Brett; Zhou, Min; McDowell, David

2011-06-01

As part of a hierarchy-based computational materials design program, a fully dynamic 3D mesoscale model is developed to quantify the effects of energy storage and dissipation mechanisms in Fiber-Reinforced Ultra-High Performance Concretes (FRUHPCs) subjected to blast loading. This model accounts for three constituent components: reinforcement fibers, cementitious matrix, and fiber-matrix interfaces. Microstructure instantiations encompass a range of fiber volume fraction (0-2%), fiber length (10-15 mm), and interfacial bonding strength (1-100 MPa). Blast loading with scaled distances between 5 and 10 m/kg1/3 are considered. Calculations have allowed the delineation and characterization of the evolutions of kinetic energy, strain energy, work expended on interfacial damage and failure, frictional dissipation along interfaces, and bulk dissipation through granular flow as functions of microstructure, loading and constituent attributes. The relations obtained point out avenues for designing FRUHPCs with properties tailored for specific load environments and reveal trade-offs between various design scenarios.

Coarsening Experiment Prepared for Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hickman, J. Mark

2003-01-01

The Coarsening in Solid-Liquid Mixtures-2 (CSLM-2) experiment is a materials science spaceflight experiment whose purpose is to investigate the kinetics of competitive particle growth within a liquid matrix. During coarsening, small particles shrink by losing atoms to larger particles, causing the larger particles to grow. In this experiment, solid particles of tin will grow (coarsen) within a liquid lead-tin eutectic matrix. The following figures show the coarsening of tin particles in a lead-tin (Pb-Sn) eutectic as a function of time. By conducting this experiment in a microgravity environment, we can study a greater range of solid volume fractions, and the effects of sedimentation present in terrestrial experiments will be negligible. The CSLM-2 experiment flew November 2002 on space shuttle flight STS-113 for operation on the International Space Station, but it could not be run because of problems with the Microgravity Science Glovebox in the U.S. Laboratory module. Additional samples will be sent to ISS on subsequent shuttle flights.

Microstructures and properties of ceramic particle-reinforced metal matrix composite layers produced by laser cladding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qingmao; He, Jingjiang; Liu, Wenjin; Zhong, Minlin

2005-01-01

Different weight ratio of titanium, zirconium, WC and Fe-based alloy powders were mixed, and cladded onto a medium carbon steel substrate using a 3kW continuous wave CO2 laser, aiming at producing Ceramic particles- reinforced metal matrix composites (MMCs) layers. The microstructures of the layers are typical hypoeutectic, and the major phases are Ni3Si2, TiSi2, Fe3C, FeNi, MC, Fe7Mo3, Fe3B, γ(residual austenite) and M(martensite). The microstructure morphologies of MMCs layers are dendrites/cells. The MC-type reinforcements are in situ synthesis Carbides which main compositions consist of transition elements Zr, Ti, W. The MC-type particles distributed within dendrite and interdendritic regions with different volume fractions for single and overlapping clad layers. The MMCs layers are dense and free of cracks with a good metallurgical bonding between the layer and substrate. The addition ratio of WC in the mixtures has the remarkable effect on the microhardness of clad layers.

Single Transducer Ultrasonic Imaging Method that Eliminates the Effect of Plate Thickness Variation in the Image

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roth, Don J.

1996-01-01

This article describes a single transducer ultrasonic imaging method that eliminates the effect of plate thickness variation in the image. The method thus isolates ultrasonic variations due to material microstructure. The use of this method can result in significant cost savings because the ultrasonic image can be interpreted correctly without the need for machining to achieve precise thickness uniformity during nondestructive evaluations of material development. The method is based on measurement of ultrasonic velocity. Images obtained using the thickness-independent methodology are compared with conventional velocity and c-scan echo peak amplitude images for monolithic ceramic (silicon nitride), metal matrix composite and polymer matrix composite materials. It was found that the thickness-independent ultrasonic images reveal and quantify correctly areas of global microstructural (pore and fiber volume fraction) variation due to the elimination of thickness effects. The thickness-independent ultrasonic imaging method described in this article is currently being commercialized under a cooperative agreement between NASA Lewis Research Center and Sonix, Inc.

The Effect of Microstructure on Mechanical Properties of Directionally Solidified Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) Eutectic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sayir, Ali; Farmer, Serene C.

1999-01-01

The eutectic architecture of a continuous reinforcing phase within a higher volume fraction phase or matrix can be described as a naturally occurring in-situ composite. Here we report the results of experiments aimed at identifying the sources of high temperature creep resistance and high levels of strength in a two phase Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) system. The mechanical properties of two phase Al2O3/ZrO2(Y2O3) eutectic are superior to those of either constituent alone due to strong constraining effects provided by the coherent interfaces and microstructure. The AlO3/ZrO2(Y2O3) eutectic maintains a low energy interface resulting from directional solidification and can produce strong and stable reinforcing phase/matrix bonding. The phases comprising a eutectic are thermodynamically compatible at higher homologous temperatures than man-made composites and as such offer the potential for superior high temperature properties.

The acousto-ultrasonic approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vary, Alex

1987-01-01

The nature and underlying rationale of the acousto-ultrasonic approach is reviewed, needed advanced signal analysis and evaluation methods suggested, and application potentials discussed. Acousto-ultrasonics is an NDE technique combining aspects of acoustic emission methodology with ultrasonic simulation of stress waves. This approach uses analysis of simulated stress waves for detecting and mapping variations of mechanical properties. Unlike most NDE, acousto-ultrasonics is less concerned with flaw detection than with the assessment of the collective effects of various flaws and material anomalies. Acousto-ultrasonics has been applied chiefly to laminated and filament-wound fiber reinforced composites. It has been used to assess the significant strength and toughness reducing effects that can be wrought by combinations of essentially minor flaws and diffuse flaw populations. Acousto-ultrasonics assesses integrated defect states and the resultant variations in properties such as tensile, shear, and flexural strengths and fracture resistance. Matrix cure state, porosity, fiber orientation, fiber volume fraction, fiber-matrix bonding, and interlaminar bond quality are underlying factors.

Rapid solidification of high-conductivity copper alloys. Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bloom, Theodore Atlas

1989-01-01

The main objective was to develop improved copper alloys of high strength and high thermal and electric conductivity. Chill block melt spinning was used to produce binary alloys of Cu-Cr and Cu-Zr, and ternary alloys of Cu-Cr-Ag. By quenching from the liquid state, up to 5 atomic percent of Cr and Zr were retained in metastable extended solid solution during the rapid solidification process. Eutectic solidification was avoided and the full strengthening benefits of the large volume fraction of precipitates were realized by subsequent aging treatment. The very low solid solubility of Cr and Zr in Cu result in a high conductivity Cu matrix strengthened by second phase precipitates. Tensile properties on as-cast and aged ribbons were measured at room and elevated temperatures. Precipitate coarsening of Cr in Cu was studied by changes in electrical resistance during aging. X-ray diffraction was used to measure the lattice parameter and the degree of supersaturation of the matrix. The microstructures were characterized by optical and electron microscopy.

Viscosity of rock-ice mixtures and applications to the evolution of icy satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Friedson, A. J.; Stevenson, D. J.

1983-01-01

Theory and experiments are used to establish lower and upper bounds on the ratio of actual viscosity to pure ice viscosity for a suspension of rock particles in a water ice matrix. A rheological model for rock-ice mixtures is described, establishing bounds for the range of possible viscosity enhancements provided by a suspension of silicate spheres in an ice matrix. A parametrized thermal convection model is described and used to determine a criterion for criticality, defined as the heat flow and/or silicate volume fraction for which the satellite temperature profile intercepts the melting curve of water ice. The consequences of achieving this critical state are examined, and it is shown that under certain circumstances a 'runaway' differentiation can occur in which the silicates settle to form a core and extensive melting of water ice takes place, the latent heat being supplied by the gravitational energy of differentiation. A possible application of these results to Ganymede and Callisto is described.

Optics of Water Microdroplets with Soot Inclusions: Exact Versus Approximate Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Li; Mishchenko, Michael I.

2016-01-01

We use the recently generalized version of the multi-sphere superposition T-matrix method (STMM) to compute the scattering and absorption properties of microscopic water droplets contaminated by black carbon. The soot material is assumed to be randomly distributed throughout the droplet interior in the form of numerous small spherical inclusions. Our numerically-exact STMM results are compared with approximate ones obtained using the Maxwell-Garnett effective-medium approximation (MGA) and the Monte Carlo ray-tracing approximation (MCRTA). We show that the popular MGA can be used to calculate the droplet optical cross sections, single-scattering albedo, and asymmetry parameter provided that the soot inclusions are quasi-uniformly distributed throughout the droplet interior, but can fail in computations of the elements of the scattering matrix depending on the volume fraction of soot inclusions. The integral radiative characteristics computed with the MCRTA can deviate more significantly from their exact STMM counterparts, while accurate MCRTA computations of the phase function require droplet size parameters substantially exceeding 60.

Effect of volume fraction of alpha and transformed beta on the high cycle fatigue properties of bimodal Ti6Al4V alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jadhav, Shital; Powar, Amit; Patil, Sandip; Supare, Ashish; Farane, Bhagwan; Singh, Rajkumar, Dr.

2017-05-01

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of volume fraction of alpha and transformed beta phase on the high-cycle fatigue (HCF) properties of the bimodal titanium Ti6Al4V alloy. The effect of such morphology on mechanical properties was studied using tensile and rotating bending fatigue test as per ASTM standards. Microstructures and fractography of the specimens were studied using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively.Ti6Al4V alloy samples were heat treated to have three distinctive volume fractions of alpha and transformed beta phase. With an increase in quench delay from 30,50 and 70 sec during quenching after solutionizing temperature of 967°C, the volume fraction of alpha was found to be increased from 20% to 67%. Tests on tensile and rotating bending fatigue showed that the specimen with 20% volume fraction of alpha phase exhibited the highest tensile and fatigue strength, however the properties gets deteriorate with increase in volume fraction of alpha.

An experimental study on rheological behavior of a nanofluid containing oxide nanoparticle and proposing a new correlation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saeedi, Amir Hussein; Akbari, Mohammad; Toghraie, Davood

2018-05-01

In this paper, the nanofluid dynamic viscosity composed of CeO2- Ethylene Glycol is examined within 25-50 °C with 5 °C intervals and at six volume fractions (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.2%) experimentally. The nanofluid was exposed to ultrasound waves for various durations to study the effect of this parameter on dynamic viscosity of the fluid. We found that at a constant temperature, nanofluid viscosity increases with increases in the volume fraction of the nanoparticles. Also, at a given volume fraction, nanofluid viscosity decreases when temperature is increased. Maximum increase in nanofluid viscosity compared to the base fluid viscosity occurs at 25 °C and volume fraction of 1.2%. It can be inferred that the obtained mathematical relationship is a suitable predicting model for estimating dynamic viscosity of CeO2- Ethylene Glycol (EG) at different volume fractions and temperatures and its results are consistent to laboratory results in the set volume fraction and temperature ranges.

View planetary differentiation process through high-resolution 3D imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fei, Y.

2011-12-01

Core-mantle separation is one of the most important processes in planetary evolution, defining the structure and chemical distribution in the planets. Iron-dominated core materials could migrate through silicate mantle to the core by efficient liquid-liquid separation and/or by percolation of liquid metal through solid silicate matrix. We can experimentally simulate these processes to examine the efficiency and time of core formation and its geochemical signatures. The quantitative measure of the efficiency of percolation is usually the dihedral angle, related to the interfacial energies of the liquid and solid phases. To determine the true dihedral angle at high pressure and temperatures, it is necessary to measure the relative frequency distributions of apparent dihedral angles between the quenched liquid metal and silicate grains for each experiment. Here I present a new imaging technique to visualize the distribution of liquid metal in silicate matrix in 3D by combination of focus ion beam (FIB) milling and high-resolution SEM image. The 3D volume rendering provides precise determination of the dihedral angle and quantitative measure of volume fraction and connectivity. I have conducted a series of experiments using mixtures of San Carlos olivine and Fe-S (10wt%S) metal with different metal-silicate ratios, up to 25 GPa and at temperatures above 1800C. High-quality 3D volume renderings were reconstructed from FIB serial sectioning and imaging with 10-nm slice thickness and 14-nm image resolution for each quenched sample. The unprecedented spatial resolution at nano scale allows detailed examination of textural features and precise determination of the dihedral angle as a function of pressure, temperature and composition. The 3D reconstruction also allows direct assessment of connectivity in multi-phase matrix, providing a new way to investigate the efficiency of metal percolation in a real silicate mantle.

A discrete model of Ostwald ripening based on multiple pairwise interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Nunzio, Paolo Emilio

2018-06-01

A discrete multi-particle model of Ostwald ripening based on direct pairwise interactions is developed for particles with incoherent interfaces as an alternative to the classical LSW mean field theory. The rate of matter exchange depends on the average surface-to-surface interparticle distance, a characteristic feature of the system which naturally incorporates the effect of volume fraction of second phase. The multi-particle diffusion is described through the definition of an interaction volume containing all the particles involved in the exchange of solute. At small volume fractions this is proportional to the size of the central particle, at higher volume fractions it gradually reduces as a consequence of diffusion screening described on a geometrical basis. The topological noise present in real systems is also included. For volume fractions below about 0.1 the model predicts broad and right-skewed stationary size distributions resembling a lognormal function. Above this value, a transition to sharper, more symmetrical but still right-skewed shapes occurs. An excellent agreement with experiments is obtained for 3D particle size distributions of solid-solid and solid-liquid systems with volume fraction 0.07, 0.30, 0.52 and 0.74. The kinetic constant of the model depends on the cube root of volume fraction up to about 0.1, then increases rapidly with an upward concavity. It is in good agreement with the available literature data on solid-liquid mixtures in the volume fraction range from 0.20 to about 0.75.

Experimental investigation on thermal conductivity and viscosity of maghemite (γ –Fe2O3) water-based nanofluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nurdin, I.; Johan, M. R.; Ang, B. C.

2018-03-01

Thermal conductivity and kinematic viscosity of maghemite nanofluids were experimentally investigated at a small volume fraction of maghemite nanoparticles and temperatures. Maghemite nanofluids were prepared by suspending maghemite nanoparticles in water as base fluids. Results show that the thermal conductivity of maghemite nanofluids linearly increase with increasing particle volume fraction and temperature, while kinematic viscosity increase with increasing particle volume fraction and decrease with increasing temperature. The highest enhancement of thermal conductivity and kinematic viscosity are 18.84% and 13.66% respectively, at particle volume fraction 0.6% and temperature 35.

Proteomic Analysis of Altered Extracellular Matrix Turnover in Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

PubMed Central

Decaris, Martin L.; Gatmaitan, Michelle; FlorCruz, Simplicia; Luo, Flora; Li, Kelvin; Holmes, William E.; Hellerstein, Marc K.; Turner, Scott M.; Emson, Claire L.

2014-01-01

Fibrotic disease is characterized by the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Surprisingly, very little is known about the synthesis and degradation rates of the many proteins and proteoglycans that constitute healthy or pathological extracellular matrix. A comprehensive understanding of altered ECM protein synthesis and degradation during the onset and progression of fibrotic disease would be immensely valuable. We have developed a dynamic proteomics platform that quantifies the fractional synthesis rates of large numbers of proteins via stable isotope labeling and LC/MS-based mass isotopomer analysis. Here, we present the first broad analysis of ECM protein kinetics during the onset of experimental pulmonary fibrosis. Mice were labeled with heavy water for up to 21 days following the induction of lung fibrosis with bleomycin. Lung tissue was subjected to sequential protein extraction to fractionate cellular, guanidine-soluble ECM proteins and residual insoluble ECM proteins. Fractional synthesis rates were calculated for 34 ECM proteins or protein subunits, including collagens, proteoglycans, and microfibrillar proteins. Overall, fractional synthesis rates of guanidine-soluble ECM proteins were faster than those of insoluble ECM proteins, suggesting that the insoluble fraction reflected older, more mature matrix components. This was confirmed through the quantitation of pyridinoline cross-links in each protein fraction. In fibrotic lung tissue, there was a significant increase in the fractional synthesis of unique sets of matrix proteins during early (pre-1 week) and late (post-1 week) fibrotic response. Furthermore, we isolated fast turnover subpopulations of several ECM proteins (e.g. type I collagen) based on guanidine solubility, allowing for accelerated detection of increased synthesis of typically slow-turnover protein populations. This establishes the presence of multiple kinetic pools of pulmonary collagen in vivo with altered turnover rates during evolving fibrosis. These data demonstrate the utility of dynamic proteomics in analyzing changes in ECM protein turnover associated with the onset and progression of fibrotic disease. PMID:24741116

Terahertz frequency superconductor-nanocomposite photonic band gap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elsayed, Hussein A.; Aly, Arafa H.

2018-02-01

In the present work, we discuss the transmittance properties of one-dimensional (1D) superconductor nanocomposite photonic crystals (PCs) in THz frequency regions. Our modeling is essentially based on the two-fluid model, Maxwell-Garnett model and the characteristic matrix method. The numerical results investigate the appearance of the so-called cutoff frequency. We have obtained the significant effect of some parameters such as the volume fraction, the permittivity of the host material, the size of the nanoparticles and the permittivity of the superconductor material on the properties of the cutoff frequency. The present results may be useful in the optical communications and photonic applications to act as tunable antenna in THz, reflectors and high-pass filter.

Vector solution for the mean electromagnetic fields in a layer of random particles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, R. H.; Seker, S. S.; Levine, D. M.

1986-01-01

The mean electromagnetic fields are found in a layer of randomly oriented particles lying over a half space. A matrix-dyadic formulation of Maxwell's equations is employed in conjunction with the Foldy-Lax approximation to obtain equations for the mean fields. A two variable perturbation procedure, valid in the limit of small fractional volume, is then used to derive uncoupled equations for the slowly varying amplitudes of the mean wave. These equations are solved to obtain explicit expressions for the mean electromagnetic fields in the slab region in the general case of arbitrarily oriented particles and arbitrary polarization of the incident radiation. Numerical examples are given for the application to remote sensing of vegetation.

High heat flux composites for plasma-facing materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ting, J.-M.; Lake, M. L.

1994-09-01

Vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) has been shown to have the highest thermal conductivity of all carbon fiber currently available. This property holds potential of increasing the thickness and longevity of fusion reactor plasma-facing materials. The use of VGCF as a reinforcement in carbon/carbon composites has been explored, as well as methods of joining these plasma-facing materials to copper alloy heat pipes. In extensive study of VGCF/carbon matrix composites, the influence of fiber volume fraction, density, densification method, and heat treatment on composite properties were investigated. Joining of VGCF/carbon composites to copper and beryllium to copper using a novel alloying method was studied. The joint interface was examined by RBS analysis and thermal conductance.

A preliminary research on the mechanical properties of TiAl + Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3} dual phase alloys

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, L.; Qiu, G.; Wu, J.

A sufficient Si addition to TiAl matrix has led to TiAl + Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3} dual phase alloys, showing coupled-growth microstructure. Compression tests at R.T. as well as high temp indicated that the yield stress increased with increasing Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3} volume fraction, and decreased at higher temperature. The reinforcement from Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3} phase was obvious while high Si and Al contents resulted in low ductility. The fracture surfaces were quasi-cleavage. Further research should concern with the adjustment of the shape and amount of the second phase.

Predicting Morphology of Polymers Using Mesotek+

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-02-01

file is then produced for Mesotek+ to reproduce the phase behavior for an experimental system of poly (styrene-b- isoprene ) in the solvent tetradecane...theoretical code 3a and (b) experimental code 3b. .....6  Figure 3. Results from 40/60 volume styrene-b- isoprene + tetradecane using gnuplot: A...styrene volume fraction, B) isoprene volume fraction, and C) tetradecane volume fraction. The color bar to the right of each plot indicates how the

Multiscale pore structure and constitutive models of fine-grained rocks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heath, J. E.; Dewers, T. A.; Shields, E. A.; Yoon, H.; Milliken, K. L.

2017-12-01

A foundational concept of continuum poromechanics is the representative elementary volume or REV: an amount of material large enough that pore- or grain-scale fluctuations in relevant properties are dissipated to a definable mean, but smaller than length scales of heterogeneity. We determine 2D-equivalent representative elementary areas (REAs) of pore areal fraction of three major types of mudrocks by applying multi-beam scanning electron microscopy (mSEM) to obtain terapixel image mosaics. Image analysis obtains pore areal fraction and pore size and shape as a function of progressively larger measurement areas. Using backscattering imaging and mSEM data, pores are identified by the components within which they occur, such as in organics or the clastic matrix. We correlate pore areal fraction with nano-indentation, micropillar compression, and axysimmetic testing at multiple length scales on a terrigenous-argillaceous mudrock sample. The combined data set is used to: investigate representative elementary volumes (and areas for the 2D images); determine if scale separation occurs; and determine if transport and mechanical properties at a given length scale can be statistically defined. Clear scale separation occurs between REAs and observable heterogeneity in two of the samples. A highly-laminated sample exhibits fine-scale heterogeneity and an overlapping in scales, in which case typical continuum assumptions on statistical variability may break down. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Band Gaps for Elastic Wave Propagation in a Periodic Composite Beam Structure Incorporating Microstructure and Surface Energy Effects

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, G. Y.; Gao, X. -L.; Bishop, J. E.

Here, a new model for determining band gaps for elastic wave propagation in a periodic composite beam structure is developed using a non-classical Bernoulli–Euler beam model that incorporates the microstructure, surface energy and rotational inertia effects. The Bloch theorem and transfer matrix method for periodic structures are employed in the formulation. The new model reduces to the classical elasticity-based model when both the microstructure and surface energy effects are not considered. The band gaps predicted by the new model depend on the microstructure and surface elasticity of each constituent material, the unit cell size, the rotational inertia, and the volumemore » fraction. To quantitatively illustrate the effects of these factors, a parametric study is conducted. The numerical results reveal that the band gap predicted by the current non-classical model is always larger than that predicted by the classical model when the beam thickness is very small, but the difference is diminishing as the thickness becomes large. Also, it is found that the first frequency for producing the band gap and the band gap size decrease with the increase of the unit cell length according to both the current and classical models. In addition, it is observed that the effect of the rotational inertia is larger when the exciting frequency is higher and the unit cell length is smaller. Furthermore, it is seen that the volume fraction has a significant effect on the band gap size, and large band gaps can be obtained by tailoring the volume fraction and material parameters.« less

Band Gaps for Elastic Wave Propagation in a Periodic Composite Beam Structure Incorporating Microstructure and Surface Energy Effects

DOE PAGES

Zhang, G. Y.; Gao, X. -L.; Bishop, J. E.; ...

2017-11-20

Here, a new model for determining band gaps for elastic wave propagation in a periodic composite beam structure is developed using a non-classical Bernoulli–Euler beam model that incorporates the microstructure, surface energy and rotational inertia effects. The Bloch theorem and transfer matrix method for periodic structures are employed in the formulation. The new model reduces to the classical elasticity-based model when both the microstructure and surface energy effects are not considered. The band gaps predicted by the new model depend on the microstructure and surface elasticity of each constituent material, the unit cell size, the rotational inertia, and the volumemore » fraction. To quantitatively illustrate the effects of these factors, a parametric study is conducted. The numerical results reveal that the band gap predicted by the current non-classical model is always larger than that predicted by the classical model when the beam thickness is very small, but the difference is diminishing as the thickness becomes large. Also, it is found that the first frequency for producing the band gap and the band gap size decrease with the increase of the unit cell length according to both the current and classical models. In addition, it is observed that the effect of the rotational inertia is larger when the exciting frequency is higher and the unit cell length is smaller. Furthermore, it is seen that the volume fraction has a significant effect on the band gap size, and large band gaps can be obtained by tailoring the volume fraction and material parameters.« less

Possible mechanism by which renal sympathetic denervation improves left ventricular remodelling after myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Zheng, Xiao-Xin; Li, Xiao-Yan; Lyu, Yong-Nan; He, Yi-Yu; Wan, Wei-Guo; Zhu, Hong-Ling; Jiang, Xue-Jun

2016-02-01

What is the central question of this study? The enzyme system that is responsible for extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover is the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which can be blocked by the tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). Whether renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) is able to ameliorate post-myocardial infarction left ventricular remodelling through attenuation of ECM via regulation of MMP activity and/or the MMP-TIMP complex remains unknown. What is the main finding and its importance? Renal sympathetic denervation has therapeutic effects on post-myocardial infarction left ventricular remodelling, probably by attenuating the ECM through regulation of the MMP9-TIMP1 complex in the transforming growth factor-β1 (a profibrotic cytokine that accelerates ECM remodelling after ischaemia) signalling pathway. Whether renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) is able to ameliorate post-myocardial infarction (post-MI) left ventricular (LV) remodelling by attenuation of the extracellular matrix via regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and/or the MMP-tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) complex remains unknown. Sixty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal (N, n = 15), RSD (RSD, n = 15), myocardial infarction (MI, n = 15) and RSD 3 days after MI (MI3d+RSD, n = 20). The bilateral renal nerves were surgically denervated 3 days after MI had been induced by coronary artery ligation. Left ventricular function was assessed using echocardiography and a Millar catheter at 6 weeks post-MI. Plasma noradrenaline, angiotensin II and aldosterone, collagen volume fraction, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP1 in heart tissue were measured 6 weeks after MI. In rats with MI3d+RSD compared with MI rats, RSD improved systolic and diastolic function, resulting in an improvement in ejection fraction (P < 0.05), fractional shortening (P < 0.05) and LV internal dimension in systole (P < 0.05) and diastole (P < 0.05). Additionally, RSD treatment decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (P < 0.05) and increased LV systolic pressure (P < 0.05) and maximal and minimal rate of LV pressure (both P < 0.05). Meanwhile, RSD reduced collagen content (P < 0.01). TIMP1 was upregulated (P < 0.05), whereas MMP2, MMP9 and TGF-β1 were downregulated in the LV of RSD-treated animals (P < 0.05). Renal sympathetic denervation has therapeutic effects on post-MI LV remodelling, probably owing to effects on the extracellular matrix by regulation of the MMP9-TIMP1 balance in the TGF-β1 signalling pathway. Renal sympathetic denervation may be considered as a non-pharmacological approach for the improvement of post-MI cardiac dysfunction. © 2015 The Authors. Experimental Physiology © 2015 The Physiological Society.

Effect of pyrolysis temperature on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons toxicity and sorption behaviour of biochars prepared by pyrolysis of paper mill effluent treatment plant sludge.

PubMed

Devi, Parmila; Saroha, Anil K

2015-09-01

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) toxicity and sorption behaviour of biochars prepared from pyrolysis of paper mill effluent treatment plant (ETP) sludge in temperature range 200-700 °C was studied. The sorption behaviour was found to depend on the degree of carbonization where the fractions of carbonized and uncarbonized organic content in the biochar act as an adsorption media and partition media, respectively. The sorption and partition fractions were quantified by isotherm separation method and isotherm parameters were correlated with biochar properties (aromaticity, polarity, surface area, pore volume and ash content). The risk assessment for the 16 priority EPA PAHs present in the biochar matrix was performed and it was found that the concentrations of the PAHs in the biochar were within the permissible limits prescribed by US EPA (except BC400 and BC500 for high molecular weight PAHs). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laminate behavior for SiC fiber-reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhatt, R. T.; Phillips, R. E.

1988-01-01

The room temperature mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composite laminates (SiC/RBSN) have been measured. The laminates contained approx 30 volume fraction of aligned 142-micron diameter SiC fiber in a porous RBSN matrix. Three types of laminate studied were unidirectional: (1) (0) sub 8, (2) (10) sub 8, and (3) (45) sub 8, and (90) sub 8; cross plied laminates (0 sub 2/90 sub 2); and angle plied laminates: (+45 sub 2/-45 sub 2). Each laminate contained eight fiber plies. Results of the unidirectionally reinforced composites tested at various angles to the reinforcement direction indicate large anisotropy in in-plane properties. In addition, strength properties of these composites along the fiber direction were independent of specimen gage length and were unaffected by notches normal to the fiber direction. Splitting parallel to the fiber at the notch tip appears to be the dominant crack blunting mechanism responsible for notch insensitive behavior of these composites. In-plane properties of the composites can be improved by 2-D laminate construction. Mechanical property results for (0 sub 2/90 sub 2)sub s and (+45/-45 sub 2) sub s laminates showed that their matrix failure strains were similar to that for (0) sub 8 laminates, but their primary elastic moduli, matrix cracking strengths, and ultimate composite strengths were lower. The elastic properties of unidirectional, cross-ply, and angle-ply composites can be predicted from modified constitutive equations and laminate theory. Further improvements in laminate properties may be achieved by reducing the matrix porosity and by optimizing the bond strength between the SiC fiber and RBSN matrix.

Laminate behavior for SiC fiber-reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhatt, Ramakrishna T.; Phillips, Ronald E.

1990-01-01

The room temperature mechanical properties of SiC fiber reinforced reaction-bonded silicon nitride matrix composite laminates (SiC/RBSN) have been measured. The laminates contained approx 30 volume fraction of aligned 142-micron diameter SiC fiber in a porous RBSN matrix. Three types of laminate studied were unidirectional: (1) (0) sub 8, (2) (10) sub 8, and (3) (45) sub 8, and (90) sub 8; cross plied laminates (0 sub 2/90 sub 2); and angle plied laminates: (+45 sub 2/-45 sub 2). Each laminate contained eight fiber plies. Results of the unidirectionally reinforced composites tested at various angles to the reinforcement direction indicate large anisotropy in in-plane properties. In addition, strength properties of these composites along the fiber direction were independent of specimen gage length and were unaffected by notches normal to the fiber direction. Splitting parallel to the fiber at the notch tip appears to be the dominant crack blunting mechanism responsible for notch insensitive behavior of these composites. In-plane properties of the composites can be improved by 2-D laminate construction. Mechanical property results for (0 sub 2/90 sub 2) sub s and (+45/-45 sub 2) sub s laminates showed that their matrix failure strains were similar to that for (0) sub 8 laminates, but their primary elastic moduli, matrix cracking strengths, and ultimate composite strengths were lower. The elastic properties of unidirectional, cross-ply, and angle-ply composites can be predicted from modified constitutive equations and laminate theory. Further improvements in laminate properties may be achieved by reducing the matrix porosity and by optimizing the bond strength between the SiC fiber and RBSN matrix.

Recurrence of random walks with long-range steps generated by fractional Laplacian matrices on regular networks and simple cubic lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Michelitsch, T. M.; Collet, B. A.; Riascos, A. P.; Nowakowski, A. F.; Nicolleau, F. C. G. A.

2017-12-01

We analyze a Markovian random walk strategy on undirected regular networks involving power matrix functions of the type L\\frac{α{2}} where L indicates a ‘simple’ Laplacian matrix. We refer to such walks as ‘fractional random walks’ with admissible interval 0<α ≤slant 2 . We deduce probability-generating functions (network Green’s functions) for the fractional random walk. From these analytical results we establish a generalization of Polya’s recurrence theorem for fractional random walks on d-dimensional infinite lattices: The fractional random walk is transient for dimensions d > α (recurrent for d≤slantα ) of the lattice. As a consequence, for 0<α< 1 the fractional random walk is transient for all lattice dimensions d=1, 2, .. and in the range 1≤slantα < 2 for dimensions d≥slant 2 . Finally, for α=2 , Polya’s classical recurrence theorem is recovered, namely the walk is transient only for lattice dimensions d≥slant 3 . The generalization of Polya’s recurrence theorem remains valid for the class of random walks with Lévy flight asymptotics for long-range steps. We also analyze the mean first passage probabilities, mean residence times, mean first passage times and global mean first passage times (Kemeny constant) for the fractional random walk. For an infinite 1D lattice (infinite ring) we obtain for the transient regime 0<α<1 closed form expressions for the fractional lattice Green’s function matrix containing the escape and ever passage probabilities. The ever passage probabilities (fractional lattice Green’s functions) in the transient regime fulfil Riesz potential power law decay asymptotic behavior for nodes far from the departure node. The non-locality of the fractional random walk is generated by the non-diagonality of the fractional Laplacian matrix with Lévy-type heavy tailed inverse power law decay for the probability of long-range moves. This non-local and asymptotic behavior of the fractional random walk introduces small-world properties with the emergence of Lévy flights on large (infinite) lattices.

Relativistic, model-independent, multichannel 2 → 2 transition amplitudes in a finite volume

DOE PAGES

Briceno, Raul A.; Hansen, Maxwell T.

2016-07-13

We derive formalism for determining 2 + J → 2 infinite-volume transition amplitudes from finite-volume matrix elements. Specifically, we present a relativistic, model-independent relation between finite-volume matrix elements of external currents and the physically observable infinite-volume matrix elements involving two-particle asymptotic states. The result presented holds for states composed of two scalar bosons. These can be identical or non-identical and, in the latter case, can be either degenerate or non-degenerate. We further accommodate any number of strongly-coupled two-scalar channels. This formalism will, for example, allow future lattice QCD calculations of themore » $$\\rho$$-meson form factor, in which the unstable nature of the $$\\rho$$ is rigorously accommodated. In conclusion, we also discuss how this work will impact future extractions of nuclear parity and hadronic long-range matrix elements from lattice QCD.« less

Identification of proteins in a human pleural exudate using two-dimensional preparative liquid-phase electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Nilsson, C L; Puchades, M; Westman, A; Blennow, K; Davidsson, P

1999-01-01

Pleural effusion may occur in patients suffering from physical trauma or systemic disorders such as infection, inflammation, or cancer. In order to investigate proteins in a pleural exudate from a patient with severe pneumonia, we used a strategy that combined preparative two-dimensional liquid-phase electrophoresis (2-D LPE), matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and Western blotting. Preparative 2-D LPE is based on the same principles as analytical 2-D gel electrophoresis, except that the proteins remain in liquid phase during the entire procedure. In the first dimension, liquid-phase isoelectric focusing allows for the enrichment of proteins in liquid fractions. In the Rotofor cell, large volumes (up to 55 mL) and protein amounts (up to 1-2 g) can be loaded. Several low abundance proteins, cystatin C, haptoglobin, transthyretin, beta2-microglobulin, and transferrin, were detected after liquid-phase isoelectric focusing, through Western blotting analysis, in a pleural exudate (by definition, >25 g/L total protein). Direct MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of proteins in a Rotofor fraction is demonstrated as well. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of a tryptic digest of a continuous elution sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) fraction confirmed the presence of cystatin C. By applying 2-D LPE, MALDI-TOF-MS, and Western blotting to the analysis of this pleural exudate, we were able to confirm the identity of proteins of potential diagnostic value. Our findings serve to illustrate the usefulness of this combination of methods in the analysis of pathological fluids.

Erosion and corrosion resistance of laser cladded AISI 420 stainless steel reinforced with VC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zhe; Yu, Ting; Kovacevic, Radovan

2017-07-01

Metal Matrix Composites (MMC) fabricated by the laser cladding process have been widely applied as protective coatings in industries to improve the wear, erosion, and corrosion resistance of components and prolong their service life. In this study, the AISI 420/VC metal matrix composites with different weight percentage (0 wt.%-40 wt.%) of Vanadium Carbide (VC) were fabricated on a mild steel A36 by a high power direct diode laser. An induction heater was used to preheat the substrate in order to avoid cracks during the cladding process. The effect of carbide content on the microstructure, elements distribution, phases, and microhardness was investigated in detail. The erosion resistance of the coatings was tested by using the abrasive waterjet (AWJ) cutting machine. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was studied utilizing potentiodynamic polarization. The results showed that the surface roughness and crack susceptibility of the laser cladded layer were increased with the increase in VC fraction. The volume fraction of the precipitated carbides was increased with the increase in the VC content. The phases of the coating without VC consisted of martensite and austenite. New phases such as precipitated VC, V8C7, M7C3, and M23C6 were formed when the primary VC was added. The microhardness of the clads was increased with the increase in VC. The erosion resistance of the cladded layer was improved after the introduction of VC. The erosion resistance was increased with the increase in the VC content. No obvious improvement of erosion resistance was observed when the VC fraction was above 30 wt.%. The corrosion resistance of the clads was decreased with the increase in the VC content, demonstrating the negative effect of VC on the corrosion resistance of AISI 420 stainless steel

[Course of ejection fraction, regurgitation fraction and ventricular volumes during exertion in chronic aortic insufficiency. Study using technetium 99m gamma-cineangiography].

PubMed

Bassand, J P; Faivre, R; Berthout, P; Cardot, J C; Verdenet, J; Bidet, R; Maurat, J P

1985-06-01

Previous studies have shown that variations of the ejection fraction (EF) during exercise were representative of the contractile state of the left ventricle: an increased EF on effort is considered to be physiological, whilst a decrease would indicate latent LV dysfunction unmasked during exercise. This hypothesis was tested by performing Technetium 99 gamma cineangiography at equilibrium under basal conditions and at maximal effort in 8 healthy subjects and 44 patients with pure, severe aortic regurgitation to measure the ejection and regurgitant fractions and the variations in end systolic and end diastolic LV volume. In the control group the EF increased and end systolic volume decreased significantly on effort whilst the regurgitant fraction and end diastolic volume were unchanged. In the 44 patients with aortic regurgitation no significant variations in EF, end systolic and end diastolic volumes were observed because the individual values were very dispersed. Variations of the EF and end systolic volume were inversely correlated. The regurgitant fraction decreased significantly on effort. Based on the variations of the EF and end systolic volume three different types of response to effort could be identified: in 7 patients, the EF increased on effort and end systolic volume decreased without any significant variation in the end diastolic volume, as in the group of normal control subjects; in 22 patients, a reduction in EF was observed on effort, associated with an increased end systolic volume. These changes indicated latent IV dysfunction inapparent at rest and unmasked by exercise; in a third group of 15 patients, the EF decreased on effort despite a physiological decrease in end systolic volume due to a greater decrease in end diastolic volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

How the dispersion of magnesium oxide nanoparticles effects on the viscosity of water-ethylene glycol mixture: Experimental evaluation and correlation development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afrand, Masoud; Abedini, Ehsan; Teimouri, Hamid

2017-03-01

In this paper, the effect of dispersion of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on viscosity of a mixture of water and ethylene glycol (50-50% vol.) was examined experimentally. Experiments were performed for various nanofluid samples at different temperatures and shear rates. Measurements revealed that the nanofluid samples with volume fractions of less than 1.5% had Newtonian behavior, while the sample with volume fraction of 3% showed non-Newtonian behavior. Results showed that the viscosity of nanofluids enhanced with increasing nanoparticles volume fraction and decreasing temperature. Results of sensitivity analysis revealed that the viscosity sensitivity of nanofluid samples to temperature at higher volume fractions is more than that of at lower volume fractions. Finally, because of the inability of the existing model to predict the viscosity of MgO/EG-water nanofluid, an experimental correlation has been proposed for predicting the viscosity of the nanofluid.

Development of High Strength Ni-Cu-Zr-Ti-Si-Sn In-Situ Bulk Metallic Glass Composites Reinforced by Hard B2 Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Hyo Jin; Hong, Sung Hwan; Park, Hae Jin; Kim, Young Seok; Kim, Jeong Tae; Na, Young Sang; Lim, Ka Ram; Wang, Wei-Min; Kim, Ki Buem

2018-03-01

In the present study, the influence of atomic ratio of Zr to Ti on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ni-Cu-Zr-Ti-Si-Sn alloys is investigated. The alloys were designed by fine replacement of Ti for Zr from Ni39Cu20Zr36-xTixSi2Sn3. The increase of Ti content enhances glass forming ability of the alloy by suppression of formation of (Ni, Cu)10(Zr, Ti)7 phase during solidification. With further increasing Ti content up to 24 at.%, the B2 phase is introduced in the amorphous matrix with a small amount of B19' phase from alloy melt. The bulk metallic glass composite containing B2 phase with a volume fraction of 10 vol% exhibits higher fracture strength ( 2.5 GPa) than that of monolithic bulk metallic glass ( 2.3 GPa). This improvement is associated to the individual mechanical characteristics of the B2 phase and amorphous matrix. The B2 phase exhibits higher hardness and modulus than those of amorphous matrix as well as effective stress accommodation up to the higher stress level than the yield strength of amorphous matrix. The large stress accommodation capacity of the hard B2 phase plays an important factor to improve the mechanical properties of in situ Ni-based bulk metallic glass composites.

Effects of Strain Rate on Compressive Properties in Bimodal 7075 Al-SiCp Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyungsoo; Choi, Jin Hyeok; Jo, Min Chul; Jo, Ilguk; Lee, Sang-Kwan; Lee, Sunghak

2018-07-01

A 7075 Al alloy matrix composite reinforced with SiC particulates (SiCps) whose sizes were 10 and 30 μm, i.e., a bimodal Al-SiCp composite, was made by a liquid pressing process, and its quasi-static and dynamic compressive properties were evaluated by using a universal testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar, respectively. Mg-Si-, Al-Fe-, and Cu-rich intermetallic compounds existed inside the Al matrix, but might not deteriorate compressive properties because of their low volume fraction (about 2.6%) which was much lower than that of SiCp. The dynamic compressive strength was higher than the quasi-static strength, and was higher in the specimen tested at 2800 s-1 than in the specimen tested at 1400 s-1 according to the strain-rate hardening. For explaining the strain data, the blocking extent of crack propagation by the Al matrix was quantitatively examined. The melting of Al matrix occurred by adiabatic heating was favorable for the improvement in compressive strain because it favorably worked for activating the shear band formation and for blocking the crack propagation, thereby leading to the excellent compressive strain (10.9-11.6%) as well as maximum compressive strength (1057-1147 MPa). Thus, the present bimodal 7075 Al-SiCp composite provides a promise for new applications to high-performance armor plates.

Alloy NASA-HR-1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Po-Shou; Mitchell, Michael

2005-01-01

NASA-HR-1 is a high-strength Fe-Ni-base superalloy that resists high-pressure hydrogen environment embrittlement (HEE), oxidation, and corrosion. Originally derived from JBK-75, NASA-HR-1 has exceptional HEE resistance that can be attributed to its gamma-matrix and eta-free (Ni3Ti) grain boundaries. The chemistry was formulated using a design approach capable of accounting for the simultaneous effects of several alloy additions. This approach included: (1) Systematically modifying gamma-matrix compositions based on JBK-75; (2) Increasing gamma (Ni3(Al,Ti)) volume fraction and adding gamma-matrix strengthening elements to obtain higher strength; and (3) Obtaining precipitate-free grain boundaries. The most outstanding attribute of NASA-HR-1 is its ability to resist HEE while showing much improved strength. NASA-HR-1 has approximately 25% higher yield strength than JXK-75 and exhibits tensile elongation of more than 20% with no ductility loss in a hydrogen environment at 5 ksi, an achievement unparalleled by any other commercially available alloy. Its Cr and Ni contents provide exceptional resistance to environments that promote oxidation and corrosion. Microstructural stability was maintained by improved solid solubility of the gamma-matrix, along with the addition of alloying elements to retard eta (Ni3Ti) precipitation. NASA-HR-1 represents a new system that greatly extends the compositional ranges of existing HEE-resistant Fe-Ni-base superalloys.

Matrix-enhanced degradation of p,p'-DDT during gas chromatographic analysis: A consideration

USGS Publications Warehouse

Foreman, W.T.; Gates, Paul M.

1997-01-01

Analysis of p,p‘-DDT in environmental samples requires monitoring the GC-derived breakdown of this insecticide, which produces p,p‘-DDD and/or p,p‘-DDE, both also primary environmental degradation products. A performance evaluation standard (PES) containing p,p‘-DDT but notp,p‘-DDD or p,p‘-DDE can be injected at regular intervals throughout an analytical sequence to monitor GC degradation. Some U.S. EPA methods limit GC breakdown of DDT in the PES to ≤20%. GC/MS analysis of large-volume natural water samples fortified with deuterium- and 13C-labeled p,p‘-DDT exhibited up to 65% DDT breakdown by the GC inlet. These matrix-enhanced GC degradation amounts substantially exceeded the <20% breakdown levels indicated by bracketing injections of the PES containing unlabeled and labeled DDT. Substantial matrix-enhanced GC degradation was not observed during analysis of a limited number of fractionated bed-sediment extracts containing labeled DDT. Use of isotopically labeled DDT seems to provide an effective tool for monitoring sample-specific DDT breakdown during GC/MS analysis. However, analyte co-elutions render impractical their use in GC/ECD analysis. The oc currence of matrix-enhanced GC degradation might have important implications on data quality and the resultant interpretations of the environmental degradation of DDT and other thermolabile contaminants.

Effects of Strain Rate on Compressive Properties in Bimodal 7075 Al-SiCp Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyungsoo; Choi, Jin Hyeok; Jo, Min Chul; Jo, Ilguk; Lee, Sang-Kwan; Lee, Sunghak

2018-03-01

A 7075 Al alloy matrix composite reinforced with SiC particulates (SiCps) whose sizes were 10 and 30 μm, i.e., a bimodal Al-SiCp composite, was made by a liquid pressing process, and its quasi-static and dynamic compressive properties were evaluated by using a universal testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar, respectively. Mg-Si-, Al-Fe-, and Cu-rich intermetallic compounds existed inside the Al matrix, but might not deteriorate compressive properties because of their low volume fraction (about 2.6%) which was much lower than that of SiCp. The dynamic compressive strength was higher than the quasi-static strength, and was higher in the specimen tested at 2800 s-1 than in the specimen tested at 1400 s-1 according to the strain-rate hardening. For explaining the strain data, the blocking extent of crack propagation by the Al matrix was quantitatively examined. The melting of Al matrix occurred by adiabatic heating was favorable for the improvement in compressive strain because it favorably worked for activating the shear band formation and for blocking the crack propagation, thereby leading to the excellent compressive strain (10.9-11.6%) as well as maximum compressive strength (1057-1147 MPa). Thus, the present bimodal 7075 Al-SiCp composite provides a promise for new applications to high-performance armor plates.

On the effect of incremental forming on alpha phase precipitation and mechanical behavior of beta-Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winter, S.; F-X Wagner, M.

2016-03-01

A combination of good ductility and fatigue resistance makes β-titanium alloys interesting for many current and potential future applications. The mechanical behavior is primarily determined by microstructural parameters like (beta phase) grain size, morphology and volume fraction of primary / secondary α-phase precipitates, and this allows changing and optimizing their mechanical properties across a wide range. In this study, we investigate the possibility to modify the microstructure of the high-strength beta titanium alloy Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al, with a special focus on shape and volume fraction of primary α-phase. In addition to the conventional strategy for precipitation of primary α, a special thermo-mechanical processing is performed; this processing route combines the conventional heat treatment with incremental forming during the primary α-phase annealing. After incremental forming, considerable variations in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties can be obtained for different thermo-mechanical processing routes. The microstructures of the deformed samples are characterized by globular as well as lamellar (bimodal) α precipitates, whereas conventional annealing only results in the formation of lamellar precipitates. Because of the smaller size, and the lower amount, of α-phase after incremental forming, tensile strength is not as high as after the conventional strategy. However, high amounts of grain boundary α and lamellar αp-phase in the undeformed samples lead to a significantly lower ductility in comparison to the matrix with bimodal structures obtained by thermo-mechanical processing. These results illustrate the potential of incremental forming during the annealing to modify the microstructure of the beta titanium Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al in a wide range of volume fractions and morphologies of the primary α phase, which in turn leads to considerably changes, and improved, mechanical properties.

Pendulum impact resistance of tungsten fiber/metal matrix composites.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Winsa, E. A.; Petrasek, D. W.

1972-01-01

The impact properties of copper, copper-10 nickel, and a superalloy matrix reinforced with tungsten fibers were studied. In most cases the following increased composite impact strength: increased fiber or matrix toughness, decreased fiber-matrix reaction, increased test temperature, hot working and heat treatment. Notch sensitivity was reduced by increasing fiber or matrix toughness. The effect of fiber content depended on the relative toughness of the fibers and matrix. Above 530 K a 60 volume per cent superalloy matrix composite had a greater impact strength than a turbine blade superalloy, whereas below 530 K a hot worked 56 volume per cent composite had a greater impact strength than the superalloy.

BIOCHEMICAL AND ULTRASTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF A MITOCHONDRIAL INNER MEMBRANE FRACTION DEFICIENT IN OUTER MEMBRANE AND MATRIX ACTIVITIES

PubMed Central

Chan, T. L.; Greenawalt, John W.; Pedersen, Peter L.

1970-01-01

Treatment of the inner membrane matrix fraction of rat liver mitochondria with the nonionic detergent Lubrol WX solubilized about 70% of the total protein and 90% or more of the following matrix activities: malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP). The Lubrol-insoluble fraction was enriched in cytochromes, phospholipids, and a Mg++-stimulated ATPase activity. Less than 2% of the total mitochondrial activity of monoamine oxidase, an outer membrane marker, or adenylate kinase, an intracristal space marker could be detected in this inner membrane fraction. Electron micrographs of negatively stained preparations showed vesicles (≤0.4 µ diameter) literally saturated on the periphery with the 90 A ATPase particles. These inner membrane vesicles, which appeared for the most part to be inverted with respect to the normal inner membrane configuration in intact mitochondria, retained the succinicoxidase portion of the electron-transport chain, an intact phosphorylation site II with a high affinity for ADP, and the capacity to accumulate Ca++. A number of biochemical properties characteristic of intact mitochondria and the inner membrane matrix fraction, however, were either absent or markedly deficient in the inner membrane vesicles. These included stimulation of respiration by either ADP or 2,4-dinitrophenol, oligomycin-sensitive ADP-ATP exchange activity, atractyloside sensitivity of adenine nucleotide requiring reactions, and a stimulation of the Mg++-ATPase by 2,4-dinitrophenol. PMID:4254678

[Sustained release of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 combined with stromal vascular fraction cells in promoting posterolateral spinal fusion in rat model].

PubMed

Yuan, Wei; Zheng, Jun; Qian, Jinyu; Zhou, Xiaoxiao; Wang, Minghui; Wang, Xiuhui

2017-07-01

To observe the effect of stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFs) from rat fat tissue combined with sustained release of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) in promoting the lumbar fusion in rat model. SVFs were harvested from subcutaneous fat of bilateral inguinal region of 4-month-old rat through the collagenase I digestion. The sustained release carrier was prepared via covalent bond of the rhBMP-2 and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) by the biominetic apatite coating process. The sustained release effect was measured by BCA method. Thirty-two rats were selected to establish the posterolateral lumbar fusion model and were divided into 4 groups, 8 rats each group. The decalcified bone matrix (DBX) scaffold+PBS, DBX scaffold+rhBMP-2/β-TCP sustained release carrier, DBX scaffold+SVFs, and DBX scaffold+rhBMP-2/β-TCP sustained release carrier+SVFs were implanted in groups A, B, C, and D respectively. X-ray films, manual spine palpation, and high-resolution micro-CT were used to evaluate spinal fusion at 8 weeks after operation; bone mineral density (BMD) and bone volume fraction were analyzed; the new bone formation was evaluated by HE staining and Masson's trichrome staining, osteocalcin (OCN) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The cumulative release amount of rhBMP-2 was about 40% at 2 weeks, indicating sustained release effect of rhBMP-2; while the control group was almost released within 2 weeks. At 8 weeks, the combination of manual spine palpation, X-ray, and micro-CT evaluation showed that group D had the strongest bone formation (100%, 8/8), followed by group B (75%, 6/8), group C (37.5%, 3/8), and group A (12.5%, 1/8). Micro-CT analysis showed BMD and bone volume fraction were significantly higher in group D than groups A, B, and C ( P <0.05), and in group B than groups A and C ( P <0.05). HE staining, Masson's trichrome staining, and immunohistochemistry staining for OCN staining exhibited a large number of cartilage cells with bone matrix deposition, and an active osteogenic process similar to the mineralization of long bones in group D. The bone formation of group B was weaker than that of group D, and there was no effective new bone formation in groups A and C. The combination of sustained release of rhBMP-2 and freshly SVFs can significantly promote spinal fusion in rat model, providing a theoretical basis for further clinical applications.

40 CFR 63.4730 - What records must I keep?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... to determine the mass fraction of organic HAP and density for each coating, thinner, and cleaning material and the volume fraction of coating solids for each coating. If you conducted testing to determine mass fraction of organic HAP, density, or volume fraction of coating solids, you must keep a copy of...

Optimal Frequency-Domain System Realization with Weighting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Juang, Jer-Nan; Maghami, Peiman G.

1999-01-01

Several approaches are presented to identify an experimental system model directly from frequency response data. The formulation uses a matrix-fraction description as the model structure. Frequency weighting such as exponential weighting is introduced to solve a weighted least-squares problem to obtain the coefficient matrices for the matrix-fraction description. A multi-variable state-space model can then be formed using the coefficient matrices of the matrix-fraction description. Three different approaches are introduced to fine-tune the model using nonlinear programming methods to minimize the desired cost function. The first method uses an eigenvalue assignment technique to reassign a subset of system poles to improve the identified model. The second method deals with the model in the real Schur or modal form, reassigns a subset of system poles, and adjusts the columns (rows) of the input (output) influence matrix using a nonlinear optimizer. The third method also optimizes a subset of poles, but the input and output influence matrices are refined at every optimization step through least-squares procedures.

Investigation of thermal aging effects on the tensile properties of Alloy 617 by in-situ synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Xiang; Mo, Kun; Miao, Yinbin

The nickel-base Alloy 617 has been considered as the lead candidate structural material for the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) of the Very-High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR). In order to assess the long-term performance of Alloy 617, thermal aging experiments up to 10,000 h in duration were performed at 1000 degrees C. Subsequently, in-situ synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) tensile tests were carried out at ambient temperature. M23C6 carbides were identified as the primary precipitates, while a smaller amount of M6C was also observed. The aging effects were quantified in several aspects: (1) macroscopic tensile properties, (2) volume fraction of the M23C6 Phase,more » (3) the lattice strain evolution of both the matrix and the M23C6 precipitates, and (4) the dislocation density evolution during plastic deformation. The property-microstructure relationship is described with a focus on the evolution of the M23C6 phase. For aging up to 3000 h, the yield strength (YS) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) showed little variation, with average values being 454 MPa and 787 MPa, respectively. At 10,000 h, the YS and UTS reduced to 380 MPa and 720 MPa, respectively. The reduction in YS and UTS is mainly due to the coarsening of the M23C6 Precipitates. After long term aging, the volume fraction of the M23C6 phase reached a plateau and its maximum internal stress was reduced, implying that under large internal stresses the carbides were more susceptible to fracture or decohesion from the matrix. Finally, the calculated dislocation densities were in good agreement with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The square roots of the dislocation densities and the true stresses displayed typical linear behavior and no significant change was observed in the alloys in different aging conditions.« less

Gel characteristics and microstructure of fish myofibrillar protein/cassava starch composites.

PubMed

Fan, Mingcong; Hu, Ting; Zhao, Siming; Xiong, Shanbai; Xie, Jing; Huang, Qilin

2017-03-01

The changes in fish myofibrillar protein/cassava starch composites in the starch fraction range from 0 to 1, with their total content maintained at 60mg/mL, were investigated in terms of textural properties, rheological behaviours, morphology, spatial distribution and protein molecular structure. The results revealed that the starch fraction of 0.5 was a critical point for the conversion of the protein matrix to starch matrix and conversion of the gel from elastic to weak. Moreover, the protein-starch synergistic effect on the storage modulus was strongest at fractions of 0.5 and 0.6, due to the formation of a semi-interpenetrating network, with more amylose from the melted starch granules interpenetrated with the protein molecules, and the absorption of water by the starch granules to concentrate the protein matrix. Additionally, no covalent interaction between the protein and starch occurred with increasing starch fraction, thus having no significant influence on the protein secondary structure. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Magnetic and Dielectric Property Studies in Fe- and NiFe-Based Polymer Nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Himani; Jain, Shubham; Raj, Pulugurtha Markondeya; Murali, K. P.; Tummala, Rao

2015-10-01

Metal-polymer composites were investigated for their microwave properties in the frequency range of 30-1000 MHz to assess their application as inductor cores and electromagnetic isolation shield structures. NiFe and Fe nanoparticles were dispersed in epoxy as nanocomposites, in different volume fractions. The permittivity, permeability, and loss tangents of the composites were measured with an impedance analyzer and correlated with the magnetic properties of the particle such as saturation magnetization and field anisotropy. Fe-epoxy showed lower magnetic permeability but improved frequency stability, compared to the NiFe-epoxy composites of the same volume loading. This is attributed to the differences in nanoparticle's structure such as effective metal core size and particle-porosity distribution in the polymer matrix. The dielectric properties of the nanocomposites were also characterized from 30 MHz to 1000 MHz. The instabilities in the dielectric constant and loss tangent were related to the interfacial polarization relaxation of the particles and the dielectric relaxation of the surface oxides.

Prediction of Elastic Constants of the Fuzzy Fibre Reinforced Polymer Using Computational Micromechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pawlik, Marzena; Lu, Yiling

2018-05-01

Computational micromechanics is a useful tool to predict properties of carbon fibre reinforced polymers. In this paper, a representative volume element (RVE) is used to investigate a fuzzy fibre reinforced polymer. The fuzzy fibre results from the introduction of nanofillers in the fibre surface. The composite being studied contains three phases, namely: the T650 carbon fibre, the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) reinforced interphase and the epoxy resin EPIKOTE 862. CNTs are radially grown on the surface of the carbon fibre, and thus resultant interphase composed of nanotubes and matrix is transversely isotropic. Transversely isotropic properties of the interphase are numerically implemented in the ANSYS FEM software using element orientation command. Obtained numerical predictions are compared with the available analytical models. It is found that the CNTs interphase significantly increased the transverse mechanical properties of the fuzzy fibre reinforced polymer. This extent of enhancement changes monotonically with the carbon fibre volume fraction. This RVE model enables to investigate different orientation of CNTs in the fuzzy fibre model.

Experimental and theoretical studies of perceptible color fading of decorative paints consisting of mixed pigments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Auger, Jean-Claude; McLoughlin, Daragh

2017-01-01

We study the color fading of paints films composed of mixtures of white rutile titanium dioxide and yellow arylide pigments dispersed in two polymer binders at different volume concentrations. The samples were exposed to ultraviolet radiations in an accelerated weathering tester during three weeks. The measured patterns in color variations appeared to be independent of the chemistry of the binders. We then developed a theoretical framework, based on the Radiative transfer Equation of light and the One Particle T-Matrix formalism to simulate the color fading process. The loss of color is correlated to the progressive decrease of the original colored pigment volume-filling fraction as the destructive UV radiations penetrate deeper into the films. The calculated patterns of color variations of paints film composed by mixtures of white pigments with yellow Cadmium Sulfate (CdS) and red Cerium Sulfide (Ce2S3) pigments showed the same trend as that seen experimentally.

SPAR X Technical Report for Experiment 76-22 Directional Solidification of Magnetic Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bethin, J.

1984-01-01

The effects of gravity on Bridgman-Stockbarger directional solidification of off-eutectic Bi/MnBi were studied in reduced gravity aboard the SPAR X flight and compared to normal-gravity investigations and previous eutectic Bi/MnBi SPAR flight experiments. The directional solidification of off-eutectic Bi/MnBi results in either a dendritic structure connected with local cooperative growth or a coupled low volume fraction faceted/non faceted aligned rod eutectic whose Mn macrosegregation, MnBi rod size, interrod spacing, and thermal and magnetic properties are sensitive functions of the solidification processing conditions. Two hypoeutectic and two hypereutectic samples were solidified during 605 sec of furnace travel, with an initial 265 sec low-gravity interval. Comparison Earth-gravity samples were solidified in the same furance assembly under identical processing conditions. Macrosegregation in the low-g samples was consistent with a metastable increase in Mn solubility in the Bi matrix, in partial agreement with previous Bi/MnBi SPAR findings of MnBi volume reduction.

Mesoscale Characterization of Fracture Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Using a Lattice-Particle Model.

PubMed

Montero-Chacón, Francisco; Cifuentes, Héctor; Medina, Fernando

2017-02-21

This work presents a lattice-particle model for the analysis of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC). In this approach, fibers are explicitly modeled and connected to the concrete matrix lattice via interface elements. The interface behavior was calibrated by means of pullout tests and a range for the bond properties is proposed. The model was validated with analytical and experimental results under uniaxial tension and compression, demonstrating the ability of the model to correctly describe the effect of fiber volume fraction and distribution on fracture properties of SFRC. The lattice-particle model was integrated into a hierarchical homogenization-based scheme in which macroscopic material parameters are obtained from mesoscale simulations. Moreover, a representative volume element (RVE) analysis was carried out and the results shows that such an RVE does exist in the post-peak regime and until localization takes place. Finally, the multiscale upscaling strategy was successfully validated with three-point bending tests.

Mesoscale Characterization of Fracture Properties of Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Using a Lattice–Particle Model

PubMed Central

Montero-Chacón, Francisco; Cifuentes, Héctor; Medina, Fernando

2017-01-01

This work presents a lattice–particle model for the analysis of steel fiber-reinforced concrete (SFRC). In this approach, fibers are explicitly modeled and connected to the concrete matrix lattice via interface elements. The interface behavior was calibrated by means of pullout tests and a range for the bond properties is proposed. The model was validated with analytical and experimental results under uniaxial tension and compression, demonstrating the ability of the model to correctly describe the effect of fiber volume fraction and distribution on fracture properties of SFRC. The lattice–particle model was integrated into a hierarchical homogenization-based scheme in which macroscopic material parameters are obtained from mesoscale simulations. Moreover, a representative volume element (RVE) analysis was carried out and the results shows that such an RVE does exist in the post-peak regime and until localization takes place. Finally, the multiscale upscaling strategy was successfully validated with three-point bending tests. PMID:28772568

Laser-Induced Incandescence Measurements in Low Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanderWal, R. L.

1997-01-01

A low-gravity environment offers advantages to investigations concerned with soot growth or flame radiation by eliminating of buoyancy-induced convection. Basic to each type of study is knowledge of spatially resolved soot volume fraction, (f(sub v). Laser-induced incandescence (LII) has emerged as a diagnostic for soot volume fraction determination because it possesses high temporal and spatial resolution, geometric versatility and high sensitivity. Implementation and system characterization of LII in a drop tower that provides 2.2 sec of low-gravity (micro)g) at the NASA Lewis Research Center are described here. Validation of LII for soot volume fraction determination in (micro)g is performed by comparison between soot volume fraction measurements obtained by light extinction [20] and LII in low-gravity for a 50/50 mixture (by volume) of 0 acetylene/nitrogen issuing into quiescent air. Quantitative soot volume fraction measurements within other laminar flames of ethane and propane and a turbulent diffusion flame in (micro)g via LII are also demonstrated. An analysis of LII images of a turbulent acetylene diffusion flame in 1-g and (micro)g is presented.

Quantification of skeletal fraction volume of a soil pit by means of photogrammetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baruck, Jasmin; Zieher, Thomas; Bremer, Magnus; Rutzinger, Martin; Geitner, Clemens

2015-04-01

The grain size distribution of a soil is a key parameter determining soil water behaviour, soil fertility and land use potential. It plays an important role in soil classification and allows drawing conclusions on landscape development as well as soil formation processes. However, fine soil material (i.e. particle diameter ≤2 mm) is usually documented more thoroughly than the skeletal fraction (i.e. particle diameter >2 mm). While fine soil material is commonly analysed in the laboratory in order to determine the soil type, the skeletal fraction is typically estimated in the field at the profile. For a more precise determination of the skeletal fraction other methods can be applied and combined. These methods can be volume-related (sampling rings, percussion coring tubes) or non-volume-related (sieve of spade excavation). In this study we present a framework for the quantification of skeletal fraction volumes of a soil pit by means of photogrammetry. As a first step 3D point clouds of both soil pit and skeletal grains were generated. Therefore all skeletal grains of the pit were spread out onto a plane, clean plastic sheet in the field and numerous digital photos were taken using a reflex camera. With the help of the open source tool VisualSFM (structure from motion) two scaled 3D point clouds were derived. As a second step the skeletal fraction point cloud was segmented by radiometric attributes in order to determine volumes of single skeletal grains. The comparison of the total skeletal fraction volume with the volume of the pit (closed by spline interpolation) yields an estimate of the volumetric proportion of skeletal grains. The presented framework therefore provides an objective reference value of skeletal fraction for the support of qualitative field records.

Effect of the Different High Volume Fraction of SiC Particles on the Junction of Bismuthate Glass-SiCp/Al Composite

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaoqiang

2018-01-01

The in-house developed bismuthate glass and the SiCp/Al composites with different volume fractions of SiC particles (namely, 60 vol.%, 65 vol.%, 70 vol.%, and 75 vol.%) were jointed by vacuum hot-pressing process. The novel material can be used for the space mirror. The SiCp is an abbreviation for SiC particle. Firstly, the SiCp/Al composites with different vol.% of SiC particle were manufactured by using infiltration process. In order to obtain a stable bonding interface, the preoxide layers were fabricated on the surfaces of these composites for reacting with the bismuthate glass. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was carried out for characterizing the difference between the composites and bismuthate glass. The sealing quality of the composites and the bismuthate glass was quantified by using shear strength testing. The optical microstructures showed the particles were uniformly distributed in the Al matrix. The SEM image shows that a smooth oxidation layer was generated on the SiCp/Al composite. The CTE testing result indicated that the higher the vol.% of the particles in the composite, the lower the CTE value. The shear strength testing result disclosed that SiCp/Al composite with relatively low CTE value was favorable to obtain a bonding interface with high strength. PMID:29675118

Alignment of carbon iron into polydimethylsiloxane to create conductive composite with low percolation threshold and high piezoresistivity: experiment and simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dong, Shuai; Wang, Xiaojie

2017-04-01

In this study, various amounts of carbonyl iron particles (CIPs) were cured into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrix under a magnetic field up to 1.0 T to create anisotropy of conductive composite materials. The electrical resistivity for the longitudinal direction was measured as a function of filler volume fraction to understand the electrical percolation behavior. The electrical percolation threshold (EPT) of CIPs-PDMS composite cured under a magnetic field can be as low as 0.1 vol%, which is much less than most of those studies in particulate composites. Meanwhile, the effects of compressive strain on the electrical properties of CIPs-PDMS composites were also investigated. The strain sensitivity depends on filler volume fraction and decreases with the increasing of compressive strain. It has been found that the composites containing a small amount of CI particles curing under a magnetic field exhibit a high strain sensitivity of over 150. Based on the morphological observation of the composite structures, a two-dimensional stick percolation model for the CIPs-PDMS composites has been established. The Monte Carlo simulation is performed to obtain the percolation probability. The simulation results in prediction of the values of EPTs are close to that of experimental measurements. It demonstrates that the low percolation behavior of CIPs-PDMS composites is due to the average length of particle chains forming by external magnetic field.

Effect of the Different High Volume Fraction of SiC Particles on the Junction of Bismuthate Glass-SiCp/Al Composite.

PubMed

Wang, Bin; Qu, Shengguan; Li, Xiaoqiang

2018-01-01

The in-house developed bismuthate glass and the SiC p /Al composites with different volume fractions of SiC particles (namely, 60 vol.%, 65 vol.%, 70 vol.%, and 75 vol.%) were jointed by vacuum hot-pressing process. The novel material can be used for the space mirror. The SiCp is an abbreviation for SiC particle. Firstly, the SiC p /Al composites with different vol.% of SiC particle were manufactured by using infiltration process. In order to obtain a stable bonding interface, the preoxide layers were fabricated on the surfaces of these composites for reacting with the bismuthate glass. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) was carried out for characterizing the difference between the composites and bismuthate glass. The sealing quality of the composites and the bismuthate glass was quantified by using shear strength testing. The optical microstructures showed the particles were uniformly distributed in the Al matrix. The SEM image shows that a smooth oxidation layer was generated on the SiC p /Al composite. The CTE testing result indicated that the higher the vol.% of the particles in the composite, the lower the CTE value. The shear strength testing result disclosed that SiC p /Al composite with relatively low CTE value was favorable to obtain a bonding interface with high strength.

40 CFR 63.3930 - What records must I keep?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... formulation data, or test data used to determine the mass fraction of organic HAP and density for each coating... coating. If you conducted testing to determine mass fraction of organic HAP, density, or volume fraction... rather than a record of the volume used. (e) A record of the mass fraction of organic HAP for each...

Effectiveness of metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites as orbital debris shield materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgill, Preston B.; Mount, Angela R.

1992-01-01

The effectiveness of two metal matrix composites and one ceramic matrix material in defeating hypervelocity impacts at about 3.8 km/s are evaluated to determine the potential of these composites as spacecraft shield materials. The metal matrix composites investigated consist of SiC particles (70 percent by volume) in an aluminum matrix and Al2O3 particles (50 percent by volume) in an Al matrix. The ceramic composite consists of ZrB2 platelets in a ZrC matrix. Both the metal matrix and ceramic matrix composites are found to perform as well or better than 6061-T6 aluminum, which is presently used in the Whipple type bumper shield of Space Station Freedom. Test results indicate that the composites tested may have applications as micrometeoroid/orbital debris shield materials.

Half a century of "the nuclear matrix".

PubMed

Pederson, T

2000-03-01

A cell fraction that would today be termed "the nuclear matrix" was first described and patented in 1948 by Russian investigators. In 1974 this fraction was rediscovered and promoted as a fundamental organizing principle of eukaryotic gene expression. Yet, convincing evidence for this functional role of the nuclear matrix has been elusive and has recently been further challenged. What do we really know about the nonchromatin elements (if any) of internal nuclear structure? Are there objective reasons (as opposed to thinly veiled disdain) to question experiments that use harsh nuclear extraction steps and precipitation-prone conditions? Are the known biophysical properties of the nucleoplasm in vivo consistent with the existence of an extensive network of anastomosing filaments coursing dendritically throughout the interchromatin space? To what extent may the genome itself contribute information for its own quarternary structure in the interphase nucleus? These questions and recent work that bears on the mystique of the nuclear matrix are addressed in this essay. The degree to which gene expression literally depends on nonchromatin nuclear structure as a facilitating organizational format remains an intriguing but unsolved issue in eukaryotic cell biology, and considerable skepticism continues to surround the nuclear matrix fraction as an accurate representation of the in vivo situation.

Modified glass fibre reinforced polymer composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Yumei

A high ratio of strength to density and relatively low-cost are some of the significant features of glass fibre reinforced polymer composites (GFRPCs) that made them one of the most rapidly developed materials in recent years. They are widely used as the material of construction in the areas of aerospace, marine and everyday life, such as airplane, helicopter, boat, canoe, fishing rod, racket, etc. Traditionally, researchers tried to raise the mechanical properties and keep a high strength/weight ratio using all or some of the following methods: increasing the volume fraction of the fibre; using different polymeric matrix material; or changing the curing conditions. In recent years, some new techniques and processing methods were developed to further improve the mechanical properties of glass fibre (GF) reinforced polymer composite. For example, by modifying the surface condition of the GF, both the interface strength between the GF and the polymer matrix and the shear strength of the final composite can be significantly increased. Also, by prestressing the fibre during the curing process of the composite, the tensile, flexural and the impact properties of the composite can be greatly improved. In this research project, a new method of preparing GFRPCs, which combined several traditional and modern techniques together, was developed. This new method includes modification of the surface of the GF with silica particles, application of different levels of prestressing on the GF during the curing process, and the change of the fibre volume fraction and curing conditions in different sets of experiments. The results of the new processing were tested by the three-point bend test, the short beam shear test and the impact test to determine the new set of properties so formed in the composite material. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to study the fracture surface of the new materials after the mechanical tests were performed. By taking advantages of the traditional and modern techniques at the same time, the newly developed modified glass fibre reinforced epoxy matrix composites (MGFRECs) have much improved comprehensive properties. The flexural strength, the flexural modulus, the shear modulus and the impact energy (Izod impact test) of the composites were improved up to 87%, 74%, 30% and 89% respectively when modified samples were compared to the samples made by the traditional methods.

Comparisons of Damage Evolution between 2D C/SiC and SiC/SiC Ceramic-Matrix Composites under Tension-Tension Cyclic Fatigue Loading at Room and Elevated Temperatures

PubMed Central

Li, Longbiao

2016-01-01

In this paper, comparisons of damage evolution between 2D C/SiC and SiC/SiC ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) under tension–tension cyclic fatigue loading at room and elevated temperatures have been investigated. Fatigue hysteresis loops models considering multiple matrix cracking modes in 2D CMCs have been developed based on the damage mechanism of fiber sliding relative to the matrix in the interface debonded region. The relationships between the fatigue hysteresis loops, fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy, fatigue peak stress, matrix multiple cracking modes, and interface shear stress have been established. The effects of fiber volume fraction, fatigue peak stress and matrix cracking mode proportion on fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy and interface debonding and sliding have been analyzed. The experimental fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy of 2D C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites at room temperature, 550 °C, 800 °C, and 1100 °C in air, and 1200 °C in vacuum corresponding to different fatigue peak stresses and cycle numbers have been analyzed. The interface shear stress degradation rate has been obtained through comparing the experimental fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy with theoretical values. Fatigue damage evolution in C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites has been compared using damage parameters of fatigue hysteresis dissipated energy and interface shear stress degradation rate. It was found that the interface shear stress degradation rate increases at elevated temperature in air compared with that at room temperature, decreases with increasing loading frequency at room temperature, and increases with increasing fatigue peak stress at room and elevated temperatures. PMID:28773966

Multi-functional layered structure having structural and radiation shielding attributes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kaul, Raj K. (Inventor); Barghouty, Abdulnasser Fakhri (Inventor); Penn, Benjamin G. (Inventor); Hulcher, Anthony Bruce (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A cosmic and solar radiation shielding structure that also has structural attributes is comprised of three layers. The first layer is 30-42 percent by volume of ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene fibers, 18-30 percent by volume of graphite fibers, and a remaining percent by volume of an epoxy resin matrix. The second layer is approximately 68 percent by volume of UHMW polyethylene fibers and a remaining percent by volume of a polyethylene matrix. The third layer is a ceramic material.

Influence of primary α-phase volume fraction on the mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy at different strain rates and temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yu; Zhou, Shimeng; Luo, Wenbo; Xue, Zhiyong; Zhang, Yajing

2018-03-01

Bimodal microstructures with primary α-phase volume fractions ranging from 14.3% to 57.1% were gained in Ti-6Al-4V (Ti-64) alloy through annealed in two-phase region at various temperatures below the β-transus point. Then the influence of the primary α-phase volume fraction on the mechanical properties of Ti-64 were studied. The results show that, at room temperature and a strain rate of 10‑3 s‑1, the yield stress decreases but the fracture strain augments with added primary α-phase volume fraction. The equiaxed primary α-phase possesses stronger ability to coordinate plastic deformation, leading to the improvement of the ductile as well as degradation of the strength of Ti-64 with higher primary α-phase volume fraction. As the temperature goes up to 473 K, the quasi-static yield stress and ultimate strength decrease first and then increase with the incremental primary α-phase volume fraction, due to the interaction between the work hardening and the softening caused by the DRX and the growth of the primary α-phase. At room temperature and a strain rate of 3×103 s‑1, the varying pattern of strength with the primary α-phase volume fraction resembles that at a quasi-static strain rate. However, the flow stress significantly increases but the strain-hardening rate decreases compared to those at quasi-static strain rate due to the competition between the strain rate hardening and the thermal softening during dynamic compression process.

Long-term aging behaviors in a model soft colloidal system.

PubMed

Li, Qi; Peng, Xiaoguang; McKenna, Gregory B

2017-02-15

Colloidal and molecular systems share similar behaviors near to the glass transition volume fraction or temperature. Here, aging behaviors after volume fraction up-jump (induced by performing temperature down-jumps) conditions for a PS-PNIPAM/AA soft colloidal system were investigated using light scattering (diffusing wave spectroscopy, DWS). Both aging responses and equilibrium dynamics were investigated. For the aging responses, long-term experiments (100 000 s) were performed, and both equilibrium and non-equilibrium behaviors of the system were obtained. In the equilibrium state, as effective volume fraction increases (or temperature decreases), the colloidal dispersion displays a transition from the liquid to a glassy state. The equilibrium α-relaxation dynamics strongly depend on both the effective volume fraction and the initial mass concentration for the studied colloidal systems. Compared with prior results from our lab [X. Di, X. Peng and G. B. McKenna, J. Chem. Phys., 2014, 140, 054903], the effective volume fractions investigated spanned a wider range, to deeper into the glassy domain. The results show that the α-relaxation time τ α of the samples aged into equilibrium deviate from the classical Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT)-type expectations and the super-Arrhenius signature disappears above the glass transition volume fraction. The non-equilibrium aging response shows that the time for the structural evolution into equilibrium and the α-relaxation time are decoupled. The DWS investigation of the aging behavior after different volume fraction jumps reveals a different non-equilibrium or aging behavior for the considered colloidal systems compared with either molecular glasses or the macroscopic rheology of a similar colloidal dispersions.

Correlation of Gas Permeability in a Metal-Organic Framework MIL-101(Cr)–Polysulfone Mixed-Matrix Membrane with Free Volume Measurements by Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS)

PubMed Central

Jeazet, Harold B. Tanh; Koschine, Tönjes; Staudt, Claudia; Raetzke, Klaus; Janiak, Christoph

2013-01-01

Hydrothermally stable particles of the metal-organic framework MIL-101(Cr) were incorporated into a polysulfone (PSF) matrix to produce mixed-matrix or composite membranes with excellent dispersion of MIL-101 particles and good adhesion within the polymer matrix. Pure gas (O2, N2, CO2 and CH4) permeation tests showed a significant increase of gas permeabilities of the mixed-matrix membranes without any loss in selectivity. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) indicated that the increased gas permeability is due to the free volume in the PSF polymer and the added large free volume inside the MIL-101 particles. The trend of the gas transport properties of the composite membranes could be reproduced by a Maxwell model. PMID:24957061

In Situ Production of Hard Metal Matrix Composite Coating on Engineered Surfaces Using Laser Cladding Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raza, Mohammad Shahid; Hussain, Manowar; Kumar, Vikash; Das, Alok Kumar

2017-01-01

The growing need for high wear-resistant surface with enhanced physical properties has led to extensive researches in the field of surface engineering. Laser cladding emerged to be a promising method to achieve these objectives in a cost-effective way. The present paper studies the viability of cladding of tungsten disulfide (WS2) powder by using 400 W continuous-wave fiber laser. WS2 was used as a coating material, which was decomposed at higher temperature and underwent several chemical reactions. By this process, in situ formation of metal matrix composites and hard face coating on the substrate surface were attained. The characterization of laser cladded surface was done to study its morphological, microstructural, mechanical and tribological properties. It was observed that cladding of WS2 powder on 304 SS resulted in the formation of Cr-W-C-Fe metal matrix composite having improved mechanical and tribological properties. The value of microhardness of the coated surface was found to increase three to four times in comparison with the parent material surface. Wear test results indicated a decrease in wear by 1/9th (maximum) as compared to the parent 304 SS surface. The volume fractions of tungsten particles on the cladded surface were also investigated through EDS analysis.

Simultaneous increase in strength and ductility by decreasing interface energy between Zn and Al phases in cast Al-Zn-Cu alloy.

PubMed

Han, Seung Zeon; Choi, Eun-Ae; Park, Hyun Woong; Lim, Sung Hwan; Lee, Jehyun; Ahn, Jee Hyuk; Hwang, Nong-Moon; Kim, Kwangho

2017-09-22

Cast-Al alloys that include a high amount of the second element in their matrix have comparatively high strength but low ductility because of the high volume fraction of strengthening phases or undesirable inclusions. Al-Zn alloys that have more than 30 wt% Zn have a tensile strength below 300 MPa, with elongation under 5% in the as-cast state. However, we found that after substitution of 2% Zn by Cu, the tensile strength of as-cast Al-Zn-Cu alloys was 25% higher and ductility was four times higher than for the corresponding Al-35% Zn alloy. Additionally, for the Al-43% Zn alloy with 2% Cu after 1 h solution treatment at 400 °C and water quenching, the tensile strength unexpectedly reached values close to 600 MPa. For the Al-33% Zn alloy with 2% Cu, the tensile strength was 500 MPa with 8% ductility. The unusual trends of the mechanical properties of Al-Zn alloys with Cu addition observed during processing from casting to the subsequent solution treatment were attributed to the precipitation of Zn in the Al matrix. The interface energy between the Zn particles and the Al matrix decreased when using a solution of Cu in Zn.

Continuum Damage Modeling for Dynamic Fracture Toughness of Metal Matrix Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Intaek; Ochi, Yasuo; Bae, Sungin; Song, Jungil

Short fiber reinforced metal-matrix composites (MMCs) have widely adopted as structural materials and many experimental researches have been performed to study fracture toughness of it. Fracture toughness is often referred as the plane strain(maximum constraint) fracture toughness KIc determined by the well-established standard test method, such as ASTM E399. But the application for dynamic fracture toughness KId has not been popular yet, because of reliance in capturing the crack propagating time. This paper deals with dynamic fracture toughness testing and simulation using finite element method to evaluate fracture behaviors of MMCs manufactured by squeeze casting process when material combination is varied with the type of reinforcement (appearance, size), volume fraction and combination of reinforcements, and the matrix alloy. The instrumented Charphy impact test was used for KId determination and continuum damage model embedded in commercial FE program is used to investigate the dynamic fracture toughness with the influence of elasto-visco-plastic constitutive relation of quasi-brittle fracture that is typical examples of ceramics and some fibre reinforced composites. With Compared results between experimental method and FE simulation, the determination process for KId is presented. FE simulation coupled with continuum damage model is emphasized single shot simulation can predict the dynamic fracture toughness, KId and real time evolution of that directly.

Inclusion Detection in Aluminum Alloys Via Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hudson, Shaymus W.; Craparo, Joseph; De Saro, Robert; Apelian, Diran

2018-04-01

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has shown promise as a technique to quickly determine molten metal chemistry in real time. Because of its characteristics, LIBS could also be used as a technique to sense for unwanted inclusions and impurities. Simulated Al2O3 inclusions were added to molten aluminum via a metal-matrix composite. LIBS was performed in situ to determine whether particles could be detected. Outlier analysis on oxygen signal was performed on LIBS data and compared to oxide volume fraction measured through metallography. It was determined that LIBS could differentiate between melts with different amounts of inclusions by monitoring the fluctuations in signal for elements of interest. LIBS shows promise as an enabling tool for monitoring metal cleanliness.

Assessment of solvent capsule-based healing for woven E-glass fibre-reinforced polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Manfredi, Erica; Cohades, Amaël; Richard, Inès; Michaud, Véronique

2015-01-01

Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion Molding (VARIM) with low vacuum pressure difference was used to manufacture woven glass fibre-reinforced epoxy resin plates, with a fibre volume fraction of approx. 50 vol% and containing ethyl phenylacetate (EPA)-filled capsules for self-healing purposes. Capsules were introduced by functionalising the fabrics through manual dispersion. We investigated the capability of autonomously healing delaminations induced by static loading in Mode I and II. Healing did not take place for composite samples; this was attributed to the presence of bare fibres on the crack plane and to the reduction of EPA diffusion into the matrix in the presence of fibres both of which hinder the swelling mechanism responsible for healing the cracks.

Porosity influence of power generating equipment structural materials on its thermoelastic characteristics and thermal conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zarubin, V. S.; Sergeeva, E. S.

2017-11-01

This paper outlines simulation models that represent the quantitative interdependencies between the thermal conductivity and the thermoelastic properties of composites, on the one hand, and their porous structure and matrix properties, as well as the volume fraction of their reinforcing inclusions, on the other hand. As the reinforcing inclusions, randomly-oriented anisotropic single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT) are taken. The key means for constructing the simulation models are the self-matching method and the dual variational formulation of the thermal conductivity/thermoelasticity problem for a non-homogeneous solid body. With the simulation models presented below, it is possible to estimate the effect the nanocomposite porosity has on the thermoelastic properties and thermal conductivity of nanocomposites.

Gamma Prime Precipitate Evolution During Aging of a Model Nickel-Based Superalloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodfellow, A. J.; Galindo-Nava, E. I.; Christofidou, K. A.; Jones, N. G.; Martin, T.; Bagot, P. A. J.; Boyer, C. D.; Hardy, M. C.; Stone, H. J.

2018-03-01

The microstructural stability of nickel-based superalloys is critical for maintaining alloy performance during service in gas turbine engines. In this study, the precipitate evolution in a model polycrystalline Ni-based superalloy during aging to 1000 hours has been studied via transmission electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, and neutron diffraction. Variations in phase composition and precipitate morphology, size, and volume fraction were observed during aging, while the constrained lattice misfit remained constant at approximately zero. The experimental composition of the γ matrix phase was consistent with thermodynamic equilibrium predictions, while significant differences were identified between the experimental and predicted results from the γ' phase. These results have implications for the evolution of mechanical properties in service and their prediction using modeling methods.

Preparation and properties of TiC-Ni cermets using Ni-plated TiC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Soon-Gi

2002-04-01

TiC powders were coated with Ni by a chemical plating technique and the pressed compacts sintered at 1623K. The density of the sintered bodies was 98-99%. Compared with mechanically-mixed powder, Ni-plated TiC powders gave a more uniform microstructure in which TiC particles were well dispersed in the Ni matrix. The cermets exhibited ductile fracture for TiC-70 vol.% Ni and brittle fracture for TiC-30 vol.% Ni. The flexural strength was improved by the homogeneous dispersion of TiC. The thermal expansion coefficient increased with a decrease in Ni content, following a nearly linear law of mixtures on the basis of volume fractions of pure TiC and Ni.

Tensile Properties and Deflection Temperature of Polypropylene/Sumberejo Kenaf Fiber Composites with Fiber Content Variation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ollivia, S. L.; Juwono, A. L.; Roseno, Seto

2017-05-01

The use of synthetic fibers as reinforcement in composites has disadvantage which are unsustainable and an adverse impact on the environment. An alternative reinforcement for composites is natural fiber. Polypropylene and Sumberejo kenaf fibers were used respectively as the matrix and reinforcement. The aim of this research was to obtain the optimum tensile properties and deflection temperature with the variation of kenaf fiber fractions. Polypropylene/kenaf fiber composites were fabricated by hot press method. The kenaf fiber was soaked in NaOH solution before being used as the reinforcement and polypropylene was extruded before being used as the matrix. The weight fractions were varied to produce composites and pristine polypropylene samples were also prepared for comparison. The optimum tensile strength, modulus and deflection temperature were found in the composites with the 40 wt% kenaf fiber fraction with an increase up to 80% and 170% compared to the pristine polypropylene with the values of (60.3 ± 4,3) MPa and (159.1 ± 1,8) °C respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscope observation results in the fracture surface of the composites with the 40 wt% fiber fraction showed a relatively good bonding interface between fibers and the matrix and the failure modes were fiber breakage and matrix failures.

Platelet Counts in Insoluble Platelet-Rich Fibrin Clots: A Direct Method for Accurate Determination.

PubMed

Kitamura, Yutaka; Watanabe, Taisuke; Nakamura, Masayuki; Isobe, Kazushige; Kawabata, Hideo; Uematsu, Kohya; Okuda, Kazuhiro; Nakata, Koh; Tanaka, Takaaki; Kawase, Tomoyuki

2018-01-01

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) clots have been used in regenerative dentistry most often, with the assumption that growth factor levels are concentrated in proportion to the platelet concentration. Platelet counts in PRF are generally determined indirectly by platelet counting in other liquid fractions. This study shows a method for direct estimation of platelet counts in PRF. To validate this method by determination of the recovery rate, whole-blood samples were obtained with an anticoagulant from healthy donors, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fractions were clotted with CaCl 2 by centrifugation and digested with tissue-plasminogen activator. Platelet counts were estimated before clotting and after digestion using an automatic hemocytometer. The method was then tested on PRF clots. The quality of platelets was examined by scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry. In PRP-derived fibrin matrices, the recovery rate of platelets and white blood cells was 91.6 and 74.6%, respectively, after 24 h of digestion. In PRF clots associated with small and large red thrombi, platelet counts were 92.6 and 67.2% of the respective total platelet counts. These findings suggest that our direct method is sufficient for estimating the number of platelets trapped in an insoluble fibrin matrix and for determining that platelets are distributed in PRF clots and red thrombi roughly in proportion to their individual volumes. Therefore, we propose this direct digestion method for more accurate estimation of platelet counts in most types of platelet-enriched fibrin matrix.

Platelet Counts in Insoluble Platelet-Rich Fibrin Clots: A Direct Method for Accurate Determination

PubMed Central

Kitamura, Yutaka; Watanabe, Taisuke; Nakamura, Masayuki; Isobe, Kazushige; Kawabata, Hideo; Uematsu, Kohya; Okuda, Kazuhiro; Nakata, Koh; Tanaka, Takaaki; Kawase, Tomoyuki

2018-01-01

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) clots have been used in regenerative dentistry most often, with the assumption that growth factor levels are concentrated in proportion to the platelet concentration. Platelet counts in PRF are generally determined indirectly by platelet counting in other liquid fractions. This study shows a method for direct estimation of platelet counts in PRF. To validate this method by determination of the recovery rate, whole-blood samples were obtained with an anticoagulant from healthy donors, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fractions were clotted with CaCl2 by centrifugation and digested with tissue-plasminogen activator. Platelet counts were estimated before clotting and after digestion using an automatic hemocytometer. The method was then tested on PRF clots. The quality of platelets was examined by scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry. In PRP-derived fibrin matrices, the recovery rate of platelets and white blood cells was 91.6 and 74.6%, respectively, after 24 h of digestion. In PRF clots associated with small and large red thrombi, platelet counts were 92.6 and 67.2% of the respective total platelet counts. These findings suggest that our direct method is sufficient for estimating the number of platelets trapped in an insoluble fibrin matrix and for determining that platelets are distributed in PRF clots and red thrombi roughly in proportion to their individual volumes. Therefore, we propose this direct digestion method for more accurate estimation of platelet counts in most types of platelet-enriched fibrin matrix. PMID:29450197

The effect of high fiber fraction on some mechanical properties of unidirectional glass fiber-reinforced composite.

PubMed

Abdulmajeed, Aous A; Närhi, Timo O; Vallittu, Pekka K; Lassila, Lippo V

2011-04-01

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of an increase of fiber-density on some mechanical properties of higher volume fiber-reinforced composite (FRC). Five groups of FRC with increased fiber-density were fabricated and two additional groups were prepared by adding silanated barium-silicate glass fillers (0.7 μm) to the FRC. The unidirectional E-glass fiber rovings were impregnated with light-polymerizable bisGMA-TEGDMA (50-50%) resin. The fibers were pulled through a cylindrical mold with an opening diameter of 4.2mm, light cured for 40s and post-cured at elevated temperature. The cylindrical specimens (n=12) were conditioned at room temperature for 2 days before testing with the three-point bending test (Lloyd Instruments Ltd.) adapted to ISO 10477. Fiber-density was analyzed by combustion and gravimetric analyzes. ANOVA analysis revealed that by increasing the vol.% fraction of E-glass fibers from 51.7% to 61.7% there was a change of 27% (p<0.05) in the modulus of elasticity, 34% (p<0.05) in the toughness, and 15% (p<0.05) in the load bearing capacity, while there was only 8% (p<0.05) increase in the flexural strength although it was statistically insignificant. The addition of particulate fillers did not improve the mechanical properties. This study showed that the properties of FRC could be improved by increasing fibervolume fraction. Modulus of elasticity, toughness, and load bearing capacity seem to follow the law of ratio of quantity of fibers and volume of the polymer matrix more precisely than flexural strength when high fiber-density is used. Copyright © 2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Al2O3sf addition on the friction and wear properties of (SiCp+Al2O3sf)/Al2024 composites fabricated by pressure infiltration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Hui; Zhang, Gong-zhen; Cui, Wei; Ren, Shu-bin; Wang, Qian-jin; Qu, Xuan-hui

2018-03-01

Aluminum (Al) 2024 matrix composites reinforced with alumina short fibers (Al2O3sf) and silicon carbide particles (SiCp) as wear-resistant materials were prepared by pressure infiltration in this study. Further, the effect of Al2O3sf on the friction and wear properties of the as-synthesized composites was systematically investigated, and the relationship between volume fraction and wear mechanism was discussed. The results showed that the addition of Al2O3sf, characterized by the ratio of Al2O3sf to SiCp, significantly affected the properties of the composites and resulted in changes in wear mechanisms. When the volume ratio of Al2O3sf to SiCp was increased from 0 to 1, the rate of wear mass loss ( K m) and coefficients of friction (COFs) of the composites decreased, and the wear mechanisms were abrasive wear and furrow wear. When the volume ratio was increased from 1 to 3, the COF decreased continuously; however, the K m increased rapidly and the wear mechanism became adhesive wear.

Nano-Fiber Reinforced Enhancements in Composite Polymer Matrices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos C.

2009-01-01

Nano-fibers are used to reinforce polymer matrices to enhance the matrix dependent properties that are subsequently used in conventional structural composites. A quasi isotropic configuration is used in arranging like nano-fibers through the thickness to ascertain equiaxial enhanced matrix behavior. The nano-fiber volume ratios are used to obtain the enhanced matrix strength properties for 0.01,0.03, and 0.05 nano-fiber volume rates. These enhanced nano-fiber matrices are used with conventional fiber volume ratios of 0.3 and 0.5 to obtain the composite properties. Results show that nano-fiber enhanced matrices of higher than 0.3 nano-fiber volume ratio are degrading the composite properties.

Characterization of Austempered Ferritic Ductile Iron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dakre, Vinayak S.; Peshwe, D. R.; Pathak, S. U.; Likhite, A. A.

2018-04-01

The ductile iron (DI) has graphite nodules enclose in ferrite envelop in pearlitic matrix. The pearlitic matrix in DI was converted to ferritic matrix through heat treatment. This heat treatment includes austenitization of DI at 900°C for 1h, followed by furnace cooling to 750°C & hold for 1h, then again furnace cooling to 690°C hold for 2h, then samples were allowed to cool in furnace. The new heat treated DI has graphite nodules in ferritic matrix and called as ferritic ductile iron (FDI). Both DIs were austenitized at 900°C for 1h and then quenched into salt bath at 325°C. The samples were soaked in salt bath for 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 min followed by air cooling. The austempered samples were characterized with help of optical microscopy, SEM and X-ray diffraction analysis. Austempering of ferritic ductile iron resulted in finer ausferrite matrix as compared to ADI. Area fraction of graphite, ferrite and austenite were determining using AXIOVISION-SE64 software. Area fraction of graphite was more in FDI than that of as cast DI. The area fraction of graphite remains unaffected due to austempering heat treatment. Ausferritic matrix coarsened (feathered) with increasing in austempering time for both DI and FDI. Bulk hardness test was carried on Rockwell Hardness Tester with load of 150 kgf and diamond indenter. Hardness obtained in as cast DI is 28 HRC which decreased to 6 HRC in FDI due conversion of pearlitic matrix to ferritic matrix. Hardness is improved by austempering process.

Computational Characterization of Impact Induced Multi-Scale Dissipation in Reactive Solid Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

Predicted variation in (a) hot-spot number density , (b) hot-spot volume fraction, and (c) hot-spot specific surface area for each ensemble with piston speed...packing density , characterized by its effective solid volume fraction φs,0, affects hot-spot statistics for pressure dominated waves corresponding to...distribution in solid volume fraction within each ensemble was nearly Gaussian, and its standard deviation decreased with increasing density . Analysis of

Lamb Wave Assessment of Fiber Volume Fraction in Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seale, Michael D.; Smith, Barry T.; Prosser, W. H.; Zalameda, Joseph N.

1998-01-01

Among the various techniques available, ultrasonic Lamb waves offer a convenient method of examining composite materials. Since the Lamb wave velocity depends on the elastic properties of a material, an effective tool exists to evaluate composites by measuring the velocity of these waves. Lamb waves can propagate over long distances and are sensitive to the desired in-plane elastic properties of the material. This paper discusses a study in which Lamb waves were used to examine fiber volume fraction variations of approximately 0.40-0.70 in composites. The Lamb wave measurements were compared to fiber volume fractions obtained from acid digestion tests. Additionally, a model to predict the fiber volume fraction from Lamb wave velocity values was evaluated.

Estimation of the fractional coverage of rainfall in climate models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eltahir, E. A. B.; Bras, R. L.

1993-01-01

The fraction of the grid cell area covered by rainfall, mu, is an essential parameter in descriptions of land surface hydrology in climate models. A simple procedure is presented for estimating this fraction, based on extensive observations of storm areas and rainfall volumes. Storm area and rainfall volume are often linearly related; this relation can be used to compute the storm area from the volume of rainfall simulated by a climate model. A formula is developed for computing mu, which describes the dependence of the fractional coverage of rainfall on the season of the year, the geographical region, rainfall volume, and the spatial and temporal resolution of the model. The new formula is applied in computing mu over the Amazon region. Significant temporal variability in the fractional coverage of rainfall is demonstrated. The implications of this variability for the modeling of land surface hydrology in climate models are discussed.

Matrix-Product-State Algorithm for Finite Fractional Quantum Hall Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Zhao; Bhatt, R. N.

2015-09-01

Exact diagonalization is a powerful tool to study fractional quantum Hall (FQH) systems. However, its capability is limited by the exponentially increasing computational cost. In order to overcome this difficulty, density-matrix-renormalization-group (DMRG) algorithms were developed for much larger system sizes. Very recently, it was realized that some model FQH states have exact matrix-product-state (MPS) representation. Motivated by this, here we report a MPS code, which is closely related to, but different from traditional DMRG language, for finite FQH systems on the cylinder geometry. By representing the many-body Hamiltonian as a matrix-product-operator (MPO) and using single-site update and density matrix correction, we show that our code can efficiently search the ground state of various FQH systems. We also compare the performance of our code with traditional DMRG. The possible generalization of our code to infinite FQH systems and other physical systems is also discussed.

Unconfined laminar nanofluid flow and heat transfer around a rotating circular cylinder in the steady regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouakkaz, Rafik; Salhi, Fouzi; Khelili, Yacine; Quazzazi, Mohamed; Talbi, Kamel

2017-06-01

In this work, steady flow-field and heat transfer through a copper- water nanofluid around a rotating circular cylinder with a constant nondimensional rotation rate α varying from 0 to 5 was investigated for Reynolds numbers of 5-40. Furthermore, the range of nanoparticle volume fractions considered is 0-5%. The effect of volume fraction of nanoparticles on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are carried out by using a finite-volume method based commercial computational fluid dynamics solver. The variation of the local and the average Nusselt numbers with Reynolds number, volume fractions, and rotation rate are presented for the range of conditions. The average Nusselt number is found to decrease with increasing value of the rotation rate for the fixed value of the Reynolds number and volume fraction of nanoparticles. In addition, rotation can be used as a drag reduction technique.

Elevated temperature slow plastic deformation of NiAl-TiB2 particulate composites at 1200 and 1300 K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whittenberger, J. Daniel; Viswanadham, R. K.; Mannan, S. K.; Sprissler, B.

1990-01-01

Elevated temperature compression testing has been conducted in air at 1200 and 1300 K with strain rates varying from about 10 to the -4th to about 10 to the -7th/sec on NiAl-TiB2 particulate composites. These materials, which consisted of a B2 crystal structure intermetallic Ni-50 at. pct Al matrix and from 0 to 30 vol pct of approximately 1- micron diameter TiB2 particles, were fabricated by XD synthesis and hot pressed to full density. Flow strength of the composites increased with volume fraction of the strengthening phase with NiAl-30TiB2 being approximately three times stronger than NiAl. Comparison of the light optical and TEM microstructures of as-received and tested samples revealed that reactions did not occur between the two phases, and NiAl-TiB2 interfaces were not cracked during deformation. Additional TEM indicated that the particles stabilize a vastly different microstructure in the NiAl matrix of the composites than that formed in unreinforced NiAl.

Localized entrapment of green fluorescent protein within nanostructured polymer films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ankner, John; Kozlovskaya, Veronika; O'Neill, Hugh; Zhang, Qiu; Kharlampieva, Eugenia

2012-02-01

Protein entrapment within ultrathin polymer films is of interest for applications in biosensing, drug delivery, and bioconversion, but controlling protein distribution within the films is difficult. We report on nanostructured protein/polyelectrolyte (PE) materials obtained through incorporation of green fluorescent protein (GFP) within poly(styrene sulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) multilayer films assembled via the spin-assisted layer-by-layer method. By using deuterated GFP as a marker for neutron scattering contrast we have inferred the architecture of the films in both normal and lateral directions. We find that films assembled with a single GFP layer exhibit a strong localization of the GFP without intermixing into the PE matrix. The GFP volume fraction approaches the monolayer density of close-packed randomly oriented GFP molecules. However, intermixing of the GFP with the PE matrix occurs in multiple-GFP layer films. Our results yield new insight into the organization of immobilized proteins within polyelectrolyte matrices and open opportunities for fabrication of protein-containing films with well-organized structure and controllable function, a crucial requirement for advanced sensing applications.

Magnetic anisotropy of nickel nanorods and the mechanical torque in an elastic environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schopphoven, C.; Tschöpe, A.

2018-03-01

Nickel nanorods with average length L=340~nm and diameter D=20~nm were prepared by the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO)-template method, processed to a colloidal dispersion and embedded in a gelatine hydrogel matrix at low volume fraction φ ≤slant 10-4 . The large aspect ratio of these single-domain particles gives rise to a high magnetic shape anisotropy in combination with a significant anisotropic optical polarizability. The magnetic anisotropy enables exertion of a torque on nanorods without contact by applying a homogeneous magnetic field. In response, the nanorods rotate by an angle which is determined by the balance between the magnetic torque and the mechanical counter torque, caused by the elastic deformation of the surrounding matrix. This rotation was experimentally detected using optical transmission of linearly polarized light. We used the combination of magnetization and torque-driven rotation measurements to evaluate an adapted Stoner-Wohlfarth model of the orientation- and field-dependent magnetic torque on Ni nanorods in an elastic environment as base for optimization of torque-driven magnetic actuators.

Closed-form analysis of fiber-matrix interface stresses under thermo-mechanical loadings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Naik, Rajiv A.; Crews, John H., Jr.

1992-01-01

Closed form techniques for calculating fiber matrix (FM) interface stresses, using repeating square and diamond regular arrays, were presented for a unidirectional composite under thermo-mechanical loadings. An Airy's stress function micromechanics approach from the literature, developed for calculating overall composite moduli, was extended in the present study to compute FM interface stresses for a unidirectional graphite/epoxy (AS4/3501-6) composite under thermal, longitudinal, transverse, transverse shear, and longitudinal shear loadings. Comparison with finite element results indicate excellent agreement of the FM interface stresses for the square array. Under thermal and longitudinal loading, the square array has the same FM peak stresses as the diamond array. The square array predicted higher stress concentrations under transverse normal and longitudinal shear loadings than the diamond array. Under transverse shear loading, the square array had a higher stress concentration while the diamond array had a higher radial stress concentration. Stress concentration factors under transverse shear and longitudinal shear loadings were very sensitive to fiber volume fraction. The present analysis provides a simple way to calculate accurate FM interface stresses for both the square and diamond array configurations.

Influence of thermal residual stress on behaviour of metal matrix composites reinforced with particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guzmán, R. E.; Hernández Arroyo, E.

2016-02-01

The properties of a metallic matrix composites materials (MMC's) reinforced with particles can be affected by different events occurring within the material in a manufacturing process. The existence of residual stresses resulting from the manufacturing process of these materials (MMC's) can markedly differentiate the curves obtained in tensile tests obtained from compression tests. One of the themes developed in this work is the influence of residual stresses on the mechanical behaviour of these materials. The objective of this research work presented is numerically estimate the thermal residual stresses using a unit cell model for the Mg ZC71 alloy reinforced with SiC particles with volume fraction of 12% (hot-forging technology). The MMC's microstructure is represented as a three dimensional prismatic cube-shaped with a cylindrical reinforcing particle located in the centre of the prism. These cell models are widely used in predicting stress/strain behaviour of MMC's materials, in this analysis the uniaxial stress/strain response of the composite can be obtained through the calculation using the commercial finite-element code.

Development and characterization of powder metallurgically produced discontinuous tungsten fiber reinforced tungsten composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Y.; Coenen, J. W.; Riesch, J.; Sistla, S.; Almanstötter, J.; Jasper, B.; Terra, A.; Höschen, T.; Gietl, H.; Bram, M.; Gonzalez-Julian, J.; Linsmeier, Ch; Broeckmann, C.

2017-12-01

In future fusion reactors, tungsten is the prime candidate material for the plasma facing components. Nevertheless, tungsten is prone to develop cracks due to its intrinsic brittleness—a major concern under the extreme conditions of fusion environment. To overcome this drawback, tungsten fiber reinforced tungsten (Wf/W) composites are being developed. These composite materials rely on an extrinsic toughing principle, similar to those in ceramic matrix composite, using internal energy dissipation mechanisms, such as crack bridging and fiber pull-out, during crack propagation. This can help Wf/W to facilitate a pseudo-ductile behavior and allows an elevated damage resilience compared to pure W. For pseudo-ductility mechanisms to occur, the interface between the fiber and matrix is crucial. Recent developments in the area of powder-metallurgical Wf/W are presented. Two consolidation methods are compared. Field assisted sintering technology and hot isostatic pressing are chosen to manufacture the Wf/W composites. Initial mechanical tests and microstructural analyses are performed on the Wf/W composites with a 30% fiber volume fraction. The samples produced by both processes can give pseudo-ductile behavior at room temperature.

Facilitating the Hyphenation of CIEF and MALDI-MS for Two-Dimensional Separation of Proteins

PubMed Central

Cheng, Chang; Lu, Joann J.; Wang, Xiayan; Roberts, Jonathan; Liu, Shaorong

2011-01-01

Both CIEF and MALDI-MS are frequently used in protein analysis, but hyphenation of the two is not investigated proportionally. One of the major reasons is that the additives (such as carrier ampholytes and detergent) in CIEF severely suppress the MALDI-MS signal, which hampers the hyphenation of the two. In this paper, we develop a simple means to alleviate the above signal-suppressing effect. We first deposit 1 µL of water onto a MALDI-MS target, deliver a fraction of CIEF-separated protein (~0.1 µL) to the water droplet, evaporate the solvent, add 0.5 µL of MALDI matrix to the sample spot, dry the matrix, and move the target plate to a MALDI-TOF-MS for mass spectrum measurement. We optimize the droplet volume and the laser-ablation region. Under the optimized conditions, we improve the signal to noise ratio by 2–10 fold. We also apply this method for two-dimensional separations of standard proteins and Apolipoprotein A-I, a membrane protein expressed in E. Coli cells. PMID:20603827

Influence of the Geometric Parameters on the Mechanical Behaviour of Fabric Reinforced Composite Laminates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Axinte, Andrei; Taranu, Nicolae; Bejan, Liliana

2016-10-01

A polymer fabric reinforced composite is a high performance material, which combines strength of the fibres with the flexibility and ductility of the matrix. For a better drapeability, the tows of fibres are interleaved, resulting the woven fabric, used as reinforcement. The complex geometric shape of the fabric is of paramount importance in establishing the deformability of the textile reinforced composite laminates. In this paper, an approach based on Classical Lamination Theory ( CLT), combined with Finite Element Methods ( FEM), using Failure Analysis and Internal Load Redistribution, is utilised, in order to compare the behaviour of the material under specific loads. The main goal is to analyse the deformability of certain types of textile reinforced composite laminates, using carbon fibre satin as reinforcement and epoxy resin as matrix. This is accomplished by studying the variation of the in-plane strains, given the fluctuation of several geometric parameters, namely the width of the reinforcing tow, the gap between two consecutive tows, the angle of laminae in a multi-layered configuration and the tows fibre volume fraction.

Microstructure and wear characterization of aluminum matrix composites reinforced with industrial waste fly ash particulates synthesized by friction stir processing

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dinaharan, I., E-mail: dinaweld2009@gmail.com

Fly ash (FA) is a waste product of coal combustion in thermal power plants which is available in massive quantities all over the world causing land pollution. This paper reports the characterization of AA6061 aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) reinforced with FA particles synthesized using friction stir processing (FSP). The volume fraction of FA particles was varied from 0 to 18 in steps of 6. The prepared AMCs were characterized using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron backscattered diagram (EBSD). The wear rate was estimated using a pin-on-disc wear apparatus. FA particles were observed to be distributed homogeneouslymore » in the AMC irrespective of the location within the stir zone. The EBSD micrographs revealed remarkable grain refinement in the AMC. The incorporation of FA particles enhanced the microhardness and wear resistance of the AMC. The strengthening mechanisms of the AMC were discussed and correlated to the observed microstructures. The wear mechanisms were identified by characterizing the wear debris and worn surfaces. - Highlights: •Industrial waste fly ash was used to produce aluminum matrix composites. •Friction stir processing was used to produce AA6061/Fly Ash composite. •Fly ash particles refined the grains of aluminum matrix. •Fly ash particles enhanced the hardness and wear resistance. •Successful utilization of fly ash to make aluminum composites reduces land pollution.« less

Speciation of strontium-90 in NIST natural matrix standard reference materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomas, J.W.L.; Inn, K.G.W.; Garcia, M.E.

1995-12-31

A sequential leaching, radiochemical separating, and low-level beta-particle counting procedure was designed to study the speciation of radionuclides in natural matrix standard reference materials, SRMs 4350B (Columbia River Sediment) and 4353 (Rocky Flats Soil-1). Strontium-90 is the first radionuclide studied because of the difficulty experienced with this nuclide in natural-matrix SRMs. The nine-step procedure extracted {sup 90}Sr from the following fractions: water solubles, exchangeables, carbonates, reducibles, organics, iron and manganese oxides, acid leachables, micas, and silicates. The majority of {sup 90}Sr in the soil samples was found in the exchangeable fraction. By contrast, the {sup 90}Sr in the sediment ismore » more evenly distributed among the various leached fractions. Information on the leach distribution of radionuclides in environmental SRMs, based on the procedure described, should lead to more cost-effective restoration strategies and more confidence in risk assessments of human health hazards.« less

A study on the effects of temperature and volume fraction on thermal conductivity of copper oxide nanofluid.

PubMed

Jwo, Ching-Song; Chang, Ho; Teng, Tun-Ping; Kao, Mu-Jnug; Guo, Yu-Ting

2007-06-01

By using copper oxide nanofluid fabricated by the self-made Submerged Arc Nanofluid Synthesis System (SANSS), this paper measures the thermal conductivity under different volume fractions and different temperatures by thermal properties analyzer, and analyzes the correlation among the thermal conductivity, volume fraction, and temperature of nanofluid. The CuO nanoparticles used in the experiment are needle-like, with a mean particle size of about 30 nm. They can be stably suspended in deionized water for a long time. The experimental results show that under the condition that the temperature is 40 degrees C, when the volume fraction of nanofluid increases from 0.2% to 0.8%, the thermal conductivity increment of the prepared nanofluid towards deionized water can be increased from 14.7% to 38.2%. Under the condition that the volume fraction is 0.8%, as the temperature of nanofluid rises from 5 degrees C to 40 degrees C, the thermal conductivity increment of the prepared nanofluid towards deionized water increases from 5.9% to 38.2%. Besides, the effects of temperature change are greater than the effects of volume fraction on the thermal conductivity of nanofluid. Therefore, when the self-made copper oxide nanofluid is applied to the heat exchange device under medium and high temperature, an optimal radiation effect can be acquired.

Simultaneous integrated vs. sequential boost in VMAT radiotherapy of high-grade gliomas.

PubMed

Farzin, Mostafa; Molls, Michael; Astner, Sabrina; Rondak, Ina-Christine; Oechsner, Markus

2015-12-01

In 20 patients with high-grade gliomas, we compared two methods of planning for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT): simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) vs. sequential boost (SEB). The investigation focused on the analysis of dose distributions in the target volumes and the organs at risk (OARs). After contouring the target volumes [planning target volumes (PTVs) and boost volumes (BVs)] and OARs, SIB planning and SEB planning were performed. The SEB method consisted of two plans: in the first plan the PTV received 50 Gy in 25 fractions with a 2-Gy dose per fraction. In the second plan the BV received 10 Gy in 5 fractions with a dose per fraction of 2 Gy. The doses of both plans were summed up to show the total doses delivered. In the SIB method the PTV received 54 Gy in 30 fractions with a dose per fraction of 1.8 Gy, while the BV received 60 Gy in the same fraction number but with a dose per fraction of 2 Gy. All of the OARs showed higher doses (Dmax and Dmean) in the SEB method when compared with the SIB technique. The differences between the two methods were statistically significant in almost all of the OARs. Analysing the total doses of the target volumes we found dose distributions with similar homogeneities and comparable total doses. Our analysis shows that the SIB method offers advantages over the SEB method in terms of sparing OARs.

Investigation of nanoparticle agglomeration on the effective thermal conductivity of a composite material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webb, Anthony J.

Phase Change Materials (PCMs), like paraffin wax, can be used for passive thermal management of portable electronics if their overall bulk thermal conductivity is increased through the addition of highly conducting nanoparticles. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is used to investigate the influence of nanoparticle agglomeration on the overall conductive thermal transport in a nanoenhanced composite by dictating the thermal conductivity of individual elements according to their local inclusion volume fraction and characteristics inside a low conducting PCM matrix. The inclusion density distribution is dictated by an agglomeration factor, and the effective thermal conductivity of each element is calculated from the nanoparticle volume fraction using a method similar to the Representative Volume Element (RVE) methodology. FEA studies are performed for 2-D and 3-D models. In the 2-D model, the grain boundary is fixed at x = 0 for simplicity. For the 3-D model, the grain boundary geometry is randomly varied. A negligible 2-D effect on thermal transport in the 2-D model is seen, so a 1-D thermal resistance network is created for comparison, and the results agree within 4%.The influence of the agglomeration factor and contact Biot number on the overall bulk thermal conductivity is determined by applying Fourier's Law on the entire simulated composite. For the 2-D and 3-D models with a contact Biot number above 1, the overall bulk thermal conductivity decreases prior to the percolation threshold being met and then increases with increasing agglomeration. Finally, a MatlabRTM based image processing tool is created to estimate the agglomeration factor based on an experimental image of a nanoparticle distribution, with a calculated approximate agglomeration value of Beta*L = 5 which results in a bulk thermal conductivity of 0.278 W/(m-K).

The nonchromatin substructures of the nucleus: the ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-containing and RNP-depleted matrices analyzed by sequential fractionation and resinless section electron microscopy

PubMed Central

1986-01-01

The nonchromatin structure or matrix of the nucleus has been studied using an improved fractionation in concert with resinless section electron microscopy. The resinless sections show the nucleus of the intact cell to be filled with a dense network or lattice composed of soluble proteins and chromatin in addition to the structural nuclear constituents. In the first fractionation step, soluble proteins are removed by extraction with Triton X-100, and the dense nuclear lattice largely disappears. Chromatin and nonchromatin nuclear fibers are now sharply imaged. Nuclear constituents are further separated into three well-defined, distinct protein fractions. Chromatin proteins are those that require intact DNA for their association with the nucleus and are released by 0.25 M ammonium sulfate after internucleosomal DNA is cut with DNAase I. The resulting structure retains most heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) and is designated the RNP-containing nuclear matrix. The proteins of hnRNP are those associated with the nucleus only if RNA is intact. These are released when nuclear RNA is briefly digested with RNAase A. Ribonuclease digestion releases 97% of the hnRNA and its associated proteins. These proteins correspond to the hnRNP described by Pederson (Pederson, T., 1974, J. Mol. Biol., 83:163- 184) and are distinct from the proteins that remain in the ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-depleted nuclear matrix. The RNP-depleted nuclear matrix is a core structure that retains lamins A and C, the intermediate filaments, and a unique set of nuclear matrix proteins (Fey, E. G., K. M. Wan, and S. Penman, 1984, J. Cell Biol. 98:1973- 1984). This core had been previously designated the nuclear matrix- intermediate filament scaffold and its proteins are a third, distinct, and nonoverlapping subset of the nuclear nonhistone proteins. Visualizing the nuclear matrix using resinless sections shows that nuclear RNA plays an important role in matrix organization. Conventional Epon-embedded electron microscopy sections show comparatively little of the RNP-containing and RNP-depleted nuclear matrix structure. In contrast, resinless sections show matrix interior to be a three-dimensional network of thick filaments bounded by the nuclear lamina. The filaments are covered with 20-30-nm electron dense particles which may contain the hnRNA. The large electron dense bodies, enmeshed in the interior matrix fibers, have the characteristic morphology of nucleoli. Treatment of the nuclear matrix with RNAase results in the aggregation of the interior fibers and the extensive loss of the 20-30-nm particles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) PMID:3700470

Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Mineral to Matrix Ratios Correlate with Physical Chemical Properties of Model Compounds and Native Bone Tissue.

PubMed

Taylor, Erik A; Lloyd, Ashley A; Salazar-Lara, Carolina; Donnelly, Eve

2017-10-01

Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging techniques can be used to characterize bone composition. In this study, our objective was to validate the Raman mineral:matrix ratios (ν 1 PO 4 :amide III, ν 1 PO 4 :amide I, ν 1 PO 4 :Proline + hydroxyproline, ν 1 PO 4 :Phenylalanine, ν 1 PO 4 :δ CH 2 peak area ratios) by correlating them to ash fraction and the IR mineral:matrix ratio (ν 3 PO 4 :amide I peak area ratio) in chemical standards and native bone tissue. Chemical standards consisting of varying ratios of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) and collagen, as well as bone tissue from humans, sheep, and mice, were characterized with confocal Raman spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy and gravimetric analysis. Raman and IR mineral:matrix ratio values from chemical standards increased reciprocally with ash fraction (Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Amide III: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.966; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Amide I: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.919; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Proline + Hydroxyproline: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.976; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /Phenylalanine: P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.911; Raman ν 1 PO 4 /δ CH 2 : P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.894; IR P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.91). Fourier transform infrared mineral:matrix ratio values from native bone tissue were also similar to theoretical mineral:matrix ratio values for a given ash fraction. Raman and IR mineral:matrix ratio values were strongly correlated ( P < 0.01, R 2  = 0.82). These results were confirmed by calculating the mineral:matrix ratio for theoretical IR spectra, developed by applying the Beer-Lambert law to calculate the relative extinction coefficients of HA and collagen over the same range of wavenumbers (800-1800 cm -1 ). The results confirm that the Raman mineral:matrix bone composition parameter correlates strongly to ash fraction and to its IR counterpart. Finally, the mineral:matrix ratio values of the native bone tissue are similar to those of both chemical standards and theoretical values, confirming the biological relevance of the chemical standards and the characterization techniques.

Local structure of percolating gels at very low volume fractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffiths, Samuel; Turci, Francesco; Royall, C. Patrick

2017-01-01

The formation of colloidal gels is strongly dependent on the volume fraction of the system and the strength of the interactions between the colloids. Here we explore very dilute solutions by the means of numerical simulations and show that, in the absence of hydrodynamic interactions and for sufficiently strong interactions, percolating colloidal gels can be realised at very low values of the volume fraction. Characterising the structure of the network of the arrested material we find that, when reducing the volume fraction, the gels are dominated by low-energy local structures, analogous to the isolated clusters of the interaction potential. Changing the strength of the interaction allows us to tune the compactness of the gel as characterised by the fractal dimension, with low interaction strength favouring more chain-like structures.

Dependence of particle volume fraction on sound velocity and attenuation of EPDM composites.

PubMed

Kim, K S; Lee, K I; Kim, H Y; Yoon, S W; Hong, S H

2007-05-01

The sound velocity and the attenuation coefficient of EPDM (Ethylene-propylene Diene Monomer) composites incorporated with Silicon Carbide particles (SiCp's) of various volume fractions (0-40%) were experimentally and theoretically investigated. For the experiment a through-transmission technique was used. For the theoretical prediction, some mechanical property models such as Reuss model and Coherent Potential Approximation (CPA) model etc. were employed. The experimental results showed that the sound velocity decreased with the increase of the SiCp volume fraction up to 30% and then increased with the 40 vol% specimen. The attenuation coefficient was increased with the increasing SiCp volume fractions. The modified Reuss model with a longitudinal elastic modulus predicted most well the experimental sound velocity and elastic modulus results.

A quantitative assessment of volumetric and anatomic changes of the parotid gland during intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer using serial computed tomography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ajani, Abdallah A.; Qureshi, Muhammad M.; Kovalchuk, Nataliya

To evaluate the change in volume and movement of the parotid gland measured by serial contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans in patients with head and neck cancer treated with parotid-sparing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). A prospective study was performed on 13 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing dose-painted IMRT to 69.96 Gy in 33 fractions. Serial computed tomography scans were performed at baseline, weeks 2, 4, and 6 of radiotherapy (RT), and at 6 weeks post-RT. The parotid volume was contoured at each scan, and the movement of the medial and lateral borders was measured. The patient's body weight was recordedmore » at each corresponding week during RT. Regression analyses were performed to ascertain the rate of change during treatment as a percent change per fraction in parotid volume and distance relative to baseline. The mean parotid volume decreased by 37.3% from baseline to week 6 of RT. The overall rate of change in parotid volume during RT was−1.30% per fraction (−1.67% and−0.91% per fraction in≥31 Gy and<31 Gy mean planned parotid dose groups, respectively, p = 0.0004). The movement of parotid borders was greater in the≥31 Gy mean parotid dose group compared with the<31 Gy group (0.22% per fraction and 0.14% per fraction for the lateral border and 0.19% per fraction and 0.06% per fraction for the medial border, respectively). The median change in body weight was−7.4% (range, 0.75% to−17.5%) during RT. A positive correlation was noted between change in body weight and parotid volume during the course of RT (Spearman correlation coefficient, r = 0.66, p<0.01). Head and neck IMRT results in a volume loss of the parotid gland, which is related to the planned parotid dose, and the patient's weight loss during RT.« less

Extraction, isolation, and aromatase inhibitory evaluation of low-polar ginsenosides from Panax ginseng leaves.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuchi; Zhang, Jianxu; Liu, Chunming; Yu, Min; Li, Sainan

2017-02-03

A hyphenated accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) technique was elaborately coupled with centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and photo-diode array detector (PDA). This approach was applied to obtain low-polar ginsenoside fractions from the leaves of Panax ginseng. The CPC fractions were isolated and analyzed using the hyphenated technique, and followed by testing and evaluation of their aromatase inhibitory effects. Subsequently, the aromatase inhibition rates of the compositions in the CPC fractions were calculated using a multivariable linear regression model. A biphasic ethyl acetate/n-butanol/ethanol/water solvent system with respective volume ratios of 10:2:2:8 was used for the ASE and CPC separation of 200g of leaves of P. ginseng raw material. The (lower) aqueous phase of the abovementioned solvent system was used as the extraction solvent. The ginsenosides were subjected to ASE, and the extraction solution was pumped into the sample loop and then directly into the CPC column. The CPC fractions were collected and monitored by an online UHPLC/PDA system at 5-min intervals. The aromatase inhibitory activities of CPC fractions were analyzed by a fluorescence method, with mathematical calculations indicating that the inhibition rates of ginsenosides Rk 1 , Rg 5 , Rs 5 , 20R-Rg 3 , and Rs 4 exceeded 50.00%; indicating that the aforementioned chemical compounds have potential for further development. The results were validated by comparison with authentic standards, indicating that the method used in this research was accurate and advantageous for matrix analysis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Change in Seroma Volume During Whole-Breast Radiation Therapy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sharma, Rajiv; Spierer, Marnee; Mutyala, Subhakar

2009-09-01

Purpose: After breast-conserving surgery, a seroma often forms in the surgical cavity. If not drained, it may affect the volume of tumor bed requiring a boost after whole-breast radiation therapy (WBRT). Our objective was to evaluate the change in seroma volume that occurs during WBRT, before boost planning. Methods and Materials: A retrospective review was performed of women receiving breast-conserving therapy with evidence of seroma at the time of WBRT planning. Computed tomography (CT) simulation was performed before WBRT and before the tumor bed boost. All patients received either a hypofractionated (42.4 Gy/16 fraction + 9.6 Gy/4 fraction boost) ormore » standard fractionated (50.4 Gy/28 fraction + 10 Gy/5 fraction boost) regimen. Seroma volumes were contoured and compared on CT at the time of WBRT simulation and tumor bed boost planning. Results: Twenty-four patients with evidence of seroma were identified and all patients received WBRT without drainage of the seroma. Mean seroma volume before WBRT and at boost planning were significantly different at 65.7 cm{sup 3} (SD, 50.5 cm{sup 3}) and 35.6 cm{sup 3} (SD, 24.8 cm{sup 3}), respectively (p < 0.001). Mean and median reduction in seroma volume during radiation were 39.6% (SD, 23.8%) and 46.2% (range, 10.7-76.7%), respectively. Fractionation schedule was not correlated with change in seroma volume. Length of time from surgery to start of radiation therapy showed an inverse correlation with change in seroma volume (Pearson correlation r = -0.53, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The volume of seroma changes significantly during WBRT. Consequently, the accuracy of breast boost planning is likely affected, as is the volume of normal breast tissue irradiated. CT-based boost planning before boost irradiation is suggested to ensure appropriate coverage.« less

Identification of the Centrifuged Lipoaspirate Fractions Suitable for Postgrafting Survival.

PubMed

Qiu, Lihong; Su, Yingjun; Zhang, Dongliang; Song, Yajuan; Liu, Bei; Yu, Zhou; Guo, Shuzhong; Yi, Chenggang

2016-01-01

The Coleman centrifugation procedure generates fractions with different adipocyte and progenitor cell densities. This study aimed to identify all fractions that are feasible for implantation. Human lipoaspirates were processed by Coleman centrifugation. The centrifugates were divided arbitrarily into upper, middle, and lower layers. Adipocyte viability, morphology, numbers of stromal vascular fraction cells, and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells of each layer were determined. The 12-week volume retention of subcutaneously implanted 0.3-ml lipoasperate of each layer was investigated in an athymic mice model. Most damaged adipocytes were located in the upper layers, whereas the intact adipocytes were distributed in the middle and lower layers. A gradient of stromal vascular fraction cell density was formed in the centrifugates. The implant volume retentions of samples from the upper, middle, and lower layers were 33.44 ± 5.9, 55.11 ± 4.4, and 71.2 ± 5.8 percent, respectively. Furthermore, the middle and lower layers contained significantly more adipose-derived stem cells than did the upper layer. The lower layer contains more viable adipocytes and stromal vascular fraction cells leading to the highest implant volume retention, whereas the most impaired cells are distributed in the upper layer, leading to the least volume retention. Although with a lower stromal vascular fraction content, the middle layer has a substantial number of intact adipocytes that are capable of retaining partial adipose tissue volume after implantation, suggesting that the middle layer may be an alternative fat source when large volumes of fat grafts are needed for transplantation.

Fuel Cells Utilizing Oxygen From Air at Low Pressures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cisar, Alan; Boyer, Chris; Greenwald, Charles

2006-01-01

A fuel cell stack has been developed to supply power for a high-altitude aircraft with a minimum of air handling. The fuel cell is capable of utilizing oxygen from ambient air at low pressure with no need for compression. For such an application, it is advantageous to take oxygen from the air (in contradistinction to carrying a supply of oxygen onboard), but it is a challenging problem to design a fuel-cell stack of reasonable weight that can generate sufficient power while operating at reduced pressures. The present fuel-cell design is a response to this challenge. The design features a novel bipolar plate structure in combination with a gas-diffusion structure based on a conductive metal core and a carbon gas-diffusion matrix. This combination makes it possible for the flow fields in the stack to have a large open fraction (ratio between open volume and total volume) to permit large volumes of air to flow through with exceptionally low backpressure. Operations at reduced pressure require a corresponding increase in the volume of air that must be handled to deliver the same number of moles of oxygen to the anodes. Moreover, the increase in the open fraction, relative to that of a comparable prior fuel-cell design, reduces the mass of the stack. The fuel cell has been demonstrated to operate at a power density as high as 105 W/cm2 at an air pressure as low as 2 psia (absolute pressure 14 kPa), which is the atmospheric pressure at an altitude of about 50,000 ft ( 15.2 km). The improvements in the design of this fuel cell could be incorporated into designs of other fuel cells to make them lighter in weight and effective at altitudes higher than those of prior designs. Potential commercial applications for these improvements include most applications now under consideration for fuel cells.

Segmentation of real-time three-dimensional ultrasound for quantification of ventricular function: a clinical study on right and left ventricles.

PubMed

Angelini, Elsa D; Homma, Shunichi; Pearson, Gregory; Holmes, Jeffrey W; Laine, Andrew F

2005-09-01

Among screening modalities, echocardiography is the fastest, least expensive and least invasive method for imaging the heart. A new generation of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound (US) technology has been developed with real-time 3-D (RT3-D) matrix phased-array transducers. These transducers allow interactive 3-D visualization of cardiac anatomy and fast ventricular volume estimation without tomographic interpolation as required with earlier 3-D US acquisition systems. However, real-time acquisition speed is performed at the cost of decreasing spatial resolution, leading to echocardiographic data with poor definition of anatomical structures and high levels of speckle noise. The poor quality of the US signal has limited the acceptance of RT3-D US technology in clinical practice, despite the wealth of information acquired by this system, far greater than with any other existing echocardiography screening modality. We present, in this work, a clinical study for segmentation of right and left ventricular volumes using RT3-D US. A preprocessing of the volumetric data sets was performed using spatiotemporal brushlet denoising, as presented in previous articles Two deformable-model segmentation methods were implemented in 2-D using a parametric formulation and in 3-D using an implicit formulation with a level set implementation for extraction of endocardial surfaces on denoised RT3-D US data. A complete and rigorous validation of the segmentation methods was carried out for quantification of left and right ventricular volumes and ejection fraction, including comparison of measurements with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as the reference. Results for volume and ejection fraction measurements report good performance of quantification of cardiac function on RT3-D data compared with magnetic resonance imaging with better performance of semiautomatic segmentation methods than with manual tracing on the US data.

A spectral tau algorithm based on Jacobi operational matrix for numerical solution of time fractional diffusion-wave equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhrawy, A. H.; Doha, E. H.; Baleanu, D.; Ezz-Eldien, S. S.

2015-07-01

In this paper, an efficient and accurate spectral numerical method is presented for solving second-, fourth-order fractional diffusion-wave equations and fractional wave equations with damping. The proposed method is based on Jacobi tau spectral procedure together with the Jacobi operational matrix for fractional integrals, described in the Riemann-Liouville sense. The main characteristic behind this approach is to reduce such problems to those of solving systems of algebraic equations in the unknown expansion coefficients of the sought-for spectral approximations. The validity and effectiveness of the method are demonstrated by solving five numerical examples. Numerical examples are presented in the form of tables and graphs to make comparisons with the results obtained by other methods and with the exact solutions more easier.

Intra-fraction motion of larynx radiotherapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durmus, Ismail Faruk; Tas, Bora

2018-02-01

In early stage laryngeal radiotherapy, movement is an important factor. Thyroid cartilage can move from swallowing, breathing, sound and reflexes. The effects of this motion on the target volume (PTV) during treatment were examined. In our study, the target volume movement during the treatment for this purpose was examined. Thus, setup margins are re-evaluated and patient-based PTV margins are determined. Intrafraction CBCT was scanned in 246 fractions for 14 patients. During the treatment, the amount of deviation which could be lateral, vertical and longitudinal axis was determined. ≤ ± 0.1cm deviation; 237 fractions in the lateral direction, 202 fractions in the longitudinal direction, 185 fractions in the vertical direction. The maximum deviation values were found in the longitudinal direction. Intrafraction guide in laryngeal radiotherapy; we are sure of the correctness of the treatment, the target volume is to adjust the margin and dose more precisely, we control the maximum deviation of the target volume for each fraction. Although the image quality of intrafraction-CBCT scans was lower than the image quality of planning CT, they showed sufficient contrast for this work.

Performance enhancement of direct ethanol fuel cell using Nafion composites with high volume fraction of titania

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matos, B. R.; Isidoro, R. A.; Santiago, E. I.; Fonseca, F. C.

2014-12-01

The present study reports on the performance enhancement of direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) at 130 °C with Nafion-titania composite electrolytes prepared by sol-gel technique and containing high volume fractions of the ceramic phase. It is found that for high volume fractions of titania (>10 vol%) the ethanol uptake of composites is largely reduced while the proton conductivity at high-temperatures is weakly dependent on the titania content. Such tradeoff between alcohol uptake and conductivity resulted in a boost of DEFC performance at high temperatures using Nafion-titania composites with high fraction of the inorganic phase.

In-Plane Cracking Behavior and Ultimate Strength for 2D Woven and Braided Melt-Infiltrated SiC/SiC Composites Tensile Loaded in Off-Axis Fiber Directions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morscher, Gregory N.; Yun, Hee Mann; DiCarlo, James A.

2007-01-01

The tensile mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) in directions off the primary axes of the reinforcing fibers are important for architectural design of CMC components that are subjected to multi-axial stress states. In this study, 2D-woven melt-infiltrated (MI) SiC/SiC composite panels with balanced fiber content in the 0 degree and 90 degree directions were tensile loaded in-plane in the 0 degree direction and at 45 degree to this direction. In addition, a 2D triaxially-braided MI composite panel with balanced fiber content in the plus or minus 67 degree bias directions and reduced fiber content in the axial direction was tensile loaded perpendicular to the axial direction tows (i.e., 23 degrees from the bias fibers). Stress-strain behavior, acoustic emission, and optical microscopy were used to quantify stress-dependent matrix cracking and ultimate strength in the panels. It was observed that both off-axis loaded panels displayed higher composite onset stresses for through-thickness matrix cracking than the 2D-woven 0/90 panels loaded in the primary 0 degree direction. These improvements for off-axis cracking strength can in part be attributed to higher effective fiber fractions in the loading direction, which in turn reduces internal stresses on critical matrix flaws for a given composite stress. Also for the 0/90 panel loaded in the 45 degree direction, an improved distribution of matrix flaws existed due to the absence of fiber tows perpendicular to the loading direction. In addition, for the +67/0/-67 braided panel, the axial tows perpendicular to the loading direction were not only low in volume fraction, but were also were well separated from one another. Both off-axis oriented panels also showed relatively good ultimate tensile strength when compared to other off-axis oriented composites in the literature, both on an absolute strength basis as well as when normalized by the average fiber strength within the composites. Initial implications are discussed for constituent and architecture design to improve the directional cracking of SiC/SiC CMC components with MI matrices.

A micromorphic model for steel fiber reinforced concrete.

PubMed

Oliver, J; Mora, D F; Huespe, A E; Weyler, R

2012-10-15

A new formulation to model the mechanical behavior of high performance fiber reinforced cement composites with arbitrarily oriented short fibers is presented. The formulation can be considered as a two scale approach, in which the macroscopic model, at the structural level, takes into account the mesostructural phenomenon associated with the fiber-matrix interface bond/slip process. This phenomenon is contemplated by including, in the macroscopic description, a micromorphic field representing the relative fiber-cement displacement. Then, the theoretical framework, from which the governing equations of the problem are derived, can be assimilated to a specific case of the material multifield theory. The balance equation derived for this model, connecting the micro stresses with the micromorphic forces, has a physical meaning related with the fiber-matrix bond slip mechanism. Differently to previous procedures in the literature, addressed to model fiber reinforced composites, where this equation has been added as an additional independent ingredient of the methodology, in the present approach it arises as a natural result derived from the multifield theory. Every component of the composite is defined with a specific free energy and constitutive relation. The mixture theory is adopted to define the overall free energy of the composite, which is assumed to be homogeneously constituted, in the sense that every infinitesimal volume is occupied by all the components in a proportion given by the corresponding volume fraction. The numerical model is assessed by means of a selected set of experiments that prove the viability of the present approach.

Serum protein fractionation using supported molecular matrix electrophoresis.

PubMed

Dong, Weijie; Matsuno, Yu-ki; Kameyama, Akihiko

2013-08-01

Supported molecular matrix electrophoresis (SMME), in which a hydrophilic polymer such as PVA serves as a support within a porous PVDF membrane, was recently developed. This method is similar to cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis but differs in the compatibility to glycan analysis of the separated bands. In this report, we describe the first instance of the application of SMME to human serum fractionation, and demonstrate the differences with serum fractionation by cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis. The SMME membrane exhibited almost no EOF during electrophoresis, unlike the cellulose acetate membrane, but afforded comparative results for serum fractionation. The visualization of each fraction was achieved by conventional staining with dye such as Direct Blue-71, and objective quantification was obtained by densitometry after inducing membrane transparency with 1-nonene. Immunostaining was also achieved. Moreover, mass spectrometric analysis of both N-linked and O-linked glycans from the separated bands was demonstrated. Serum fractionation and glycan profiling of each fraction using SMME will enable novel insights into the relationships between various glycosylation profiles and disease states. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Development and agronomical validation of new fertilizer compositions of high bioavailability and reduced potential nutrient losses.

PubMed

Erro, Javier; Urrutia, Oscar; San Francisco, Sara; Garcia-Mina, Jose M

2007-09-19

To optimize the economical cost of each unit of fertilizer applied and to reduce the environmental contamination caused by nutrient losses, the development of highly efficient granulated fertilizers is of great importance. This study proposes a strategy that consists of developing specific fertilizers having nutrient release patterns that are dependent on plant activity in the rhizosphere. This type of fertilizer is named "rhizosphere-controlled fertilizer" (RCF fertilizer). This fertilizer is based on the introduction of an organomineral matrix composed of metal [Mg (Ca is also possible), Zn (Fe and other metals are also possible)]-humic phosphates. The presence of this matrix modifies the nutrient release pattern of the fertilizer. In this way there are two main nutrient fractions: (i) a water-soluble fraction or "starter" fraction and (ii) a "rhizosphere-controlled" fraction insoluble in water but soluble by the action of the rhizospheric acids released by plants and microorganisms. This study shows the chemical and structural characterization of the organomineral matrix, as well as its efficiency in slowing the nutrient release rate of the RCF fertilizer, principally with respect to P and N. It is demonstrated how these properties of the matrix were also reflected in the significant reduction in both ammonia volatilization and N leaching in a pot system consisting of wheat plants cultivated in a calcareous soil and fertilized with a RCF fertilizer.

Pharmacokinetic evidence for improved ophthalmic drug delivery by reduction of instilled volume.

PubMed

Patton, T F

1977-07-01

The bioavailability of topically applied pilocarpine nitrate was studied as a function of instilled volume. As the instilled volume decreased, the fraction of dose absorbed increased. The relationship between fraction absorbed and instilled volume was not direct, but appropriate adjustment of instilled volume and concentration should permit substantial dosage reductions without sacrifice of drug concentration in the eye. The implications of these findings from both a therapeutic and toxicity standpoint are discussed.

Effect of hydration on interstitial distribution of charged albumin in rat dermis in vitro

PubMed Central

Wiig, Helge; Tenstad, Olav; Bert, Joel L

2005-01-01

At physiological pH, negatively charged glycosaminoglycans in the extracellular matrix may influence distribution volume of macromolecular probes, a phenomenon of importance for hydration of the interstitium and therefore for body fluid balance. We hypothesized that such charge effect was dependent on hydration. Human serum albumin (HSA) (the pH value for the isoelectric point (pI) = 4.9) was made neutral by cationization (cHSA) (pI = 7.6). Rat dermis was studied in vitro in a specially designed equilibration cell allowing control of hydration. Using a buffer containing labelled native HSA and cHSA, the distribution volumes were calculated relative to that of 51Cr-EDTA, an extracellular tracer. During changes in hydration (H), defined as (wet weight – dry weight) (dry weight)−1), the slope of the equation describing the relationship between extracellular fluid volume (Vx) (in g H2O (g dry weight)−1) and H (Vx = 0.925 H + 0.105) differed significantly from that for available volumes of cHSA (Va,cHSA = 0.624 H – 0.538) and HSA (Va,HSA = 0.518 H – 0.518). A gradual reduction in H led to a reduction in difference between available volumes for the two albumin species. Screening the fixed charges by 1 m NaCl resulted in similar available and excluded volumes of native HSA and neutral cHSA. We conclude that during gradual dehydration, there is a reduced effect of fixed negative charges on interstitial exclusion of charged macromolecules. This effect may be explained by a reduced hydration domain surrounding tissue and probe macromolecules in conditions of increased electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, screening of negative charges suggested that hyaluronan associated with collagen may influence intrafibrillar volume of collagen and thereby available and excluded volume fraction. PMID:16210353

Quantitative assessment of fatty infiltration and muscle volume of the rotator cuff muscles using 3-dimensional 2-point Dixon magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Matsumura, Noboru; Oguro, Sota; Okuda, Shigeo; Jinzaki, Masahiro; Matsumoto, Morio; Nakamura, Masaya; Nagura, Takeo

2017-10-01

In patients with rotator cuff tears, muscle degeneration is known to be a predictor of irreparable tears and poor outcomes after surgical repair. Fatty infiltration and volume of the whole muscles constituting the rotator cuff were quantitatively assessed using 3-dimensional 2-point Dixon magnetic resonance imaging. Ten shoulders with a partial-thickness tear, 10 shoulders with an isolated supraspinatus tear, and 10 shoulders with a massive tear involving supraspinatus and infraspinatus were compared with 10 control shoulders after matching age and sex. With segmentation of muscle boundaries, the fat fraction value and the volume of the whole rotator cuff muscles were computed. After reliabilities were determined, differences in fat fraction, muscle volume, and fat-free muscle volume were evaluated. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities were regarded as excellent for fat fraction and muscle volume. Tendon rupture adversely increased the fat fraction value of the respective rotator cuff muscle (P < .002). In the massive tear group, muscle volume was significantly decreased in the infraspinatus (P = .035) and increased in the teres minor (P = .039). With subtraction of fat volume, a significant decrease of fat-free volume of the supraspinatus muscle became apparent with a massive tear (P = .003). Three-dimensional measurement could evaluate fatty infiltration and muscular volume with excellent reliabilities. The present study showed that chronic rupture of the tendon adversely increases the fat fraction of the respective muscle and indicates that the residual capacity of the rotator cuff muscles might be overestimated in patients with severe fatty infiltration. Copyright © 2017 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of ethanol on crystallization of the polymorphs of L-histidine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wantha, Lek; Punmalee, Neeranuch; Sawaddiphol, Vanida; Flood, Adrian E.

2018-05-01

It is known that the antisolvents used for crystallization can affect the crystallization outcome and may promote the crystallization of a specific polymorph. In this study L-histidine (L-his) is used as a model substance, and ethanol was selected to be an antisolvent. The formation of the polymorphs of L-his in antisolvent crystallization as a function of supersaturation, ethanol volume fraction, and temperature was studied. The induction time for the antisolvent crystallization was also measured. The results showed that the induction time decreases with higher supersaturation and ethanol volume fraction, indicating that the nucleation rate of L-his from antisolvent crystallization (where water was used as the solvent and ethanol as the antisolvent) increases with higher supersaturation, as expected, and ethanol fraction. At all temperatures studied, the pure metastable polymorph B of L-his was obtained initially at higher ethanol volume fraction and supersaturation, while a mixture of the polymorphs A and B was obtained at lower ethanol volume fraction and supersaturation.

SU-E-T-480: Radiobiological Dose Comparison of Single Fraction SRS, Multi-Fraction SRT and Multi-Stage SRS of Large Target Volumes Using the Linear-Quadratic Formula

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ding, C; Hrycushko, B; Jiang, S

2014-06-01

Purpose: To compare the radiobiological effect on large tumors and surrounding normal tissues from single fraction SRS, multi-fractionated SRT, and multi-staged SRS treatment. Methods: An anthropomorphic head phantom with a centrally located large volume target (18.2 cm{sup 3}) was scanned using a 16 slice large bore CT simulator. Scans were imported to the Multiplan treatment planning system where a total prescription dose of 20Gy was used for a single, three staged and three fractionated treatment. Cyber Knife treatment plans were inversely optimized for the target volume to achieve at least 95% coverage of the prescription dose. For the multistage plan,more » the target was segmented into three subtargets having similar volume and shape. Staged plans for individual subtargets were generated based on a planning technique where the beam MUs of the original plan on the total target volume are changed by weighting the MUs based on projected beam lengths within each subtarget. Dose matrices for each plan were export in DICOM format and used to calculate equivalent dose distributions in 2Gy fractions using an alpha beta ratio of 10 for the target and 3 for normal tissue. Results: Singe fraction SRS, multi-stage plan and multi-fractionated SRT plans had an average 2Gy dose equivalent to the target of 62.89Gy, 37.91Gy and 33.68Gy, respectively. The normal tissue within 12Gy physical dose region had an average 2Gy dose equivalent of 29.55Gy, 16.08Gy and 13.93Gy, respectively. Conclusion: The single fraction SRS plan had the largest predicted biological effect for the target and the surrounding normal tissue. The multi-stage treatment provided for a more potent biologically effect on target compared to the multi-fraction SRT treatments with less biological normal tissue than single-fraction SRS treatment.« less

Effect on the operation properties of DMBR with the addition of GAC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Jizhi; Zhang, Qian; Hong, Junming

2017-01-01

The membrane bioreactor and dynamic membrane bioreactor were used to examine the effect of granular activated carbon (GAC) on the treatment of synthetic wastewater. After the addition of different volume fractions GAC in the DMBR, the operation parameters, effluent COD, NH4 +-N, NO3 --N, TN concentrations and sludge viscosity of the bioreactor was investigated. The results showed that the addition of GAC could relieve the membrane fouling and improve the removal efficiencies of pollutants in the DMBR. The effluent concentrations of pollutants were linear correlation with the addition of volume fractions of GAC in the bioreactor. The value of R2 of each modulation was almost more than 0.9. The sludge viscosity was almost not affected by the volume fractions of GAC in the bioreactor. The best volume fractions of GAC were 20% in the DMBR.

Tissue microstructure features derived from anomalous diffusion measurements in magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Yu, Qiang; Reutens, David; O'Brien, Kieran; Vegh, Viktor

2017-02-01

Tissue microstructure features, namely axon radius and volume fraction, provide important information on the function of white matter pathways. These parameters vary on the scale much smaller than imaging voxels (microscale) yet influence the magnetic resonance imaging diffusion signal at the image voxel scale (macroscale) in an anomalous manner. Researchers have already mapped anomalous diffusion parameters from magnetic resonance imaging data, but macroscopic variations have not been related to microscale influences. With the aid of a tissue model, we aimed to connect anomalous diffusion parameters to axon radius and volume fraction using diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging measurements. An ex vivo human brain experiment was performed to directly validate axon radius and volume fraction measurements in the human brain. These findings were validated using electron microscopy. Additionally, we performed an in vivo study on nine healthy participants to map axon radius and volume fraction along different regions of the corpus callosum projecting into various cortical areas identified using tractography. We found a clear relationship between anomalous diffusion parameters and axon radius and volume fraction. We were also able to map accurately the trend in axon radius along the corpus callosum, and in vivo findings resembled the low-high-low-high behaviour in axon radius demonstrated previously. Axon radius and volume fraction measurements can potentially be used in brain connectivity studies and to understand the implications of white matter structure in brain diseases and disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1068-1081, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Another elementary proof of the Jordan form of a matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Budhi, Wono Setya

2012-05-01

In this paper we establish the Jordan Form for a matrix using the elementary concepts of vector differentiation and partial fractions. The idea comes from the resolvent of the operator. For the matrix, the Laurent series is finite and easy to compute through rational representation. We also give a proof of some famous theorems in matrix analysis as consequences from the result.

The phase transition of matrix recovery from Gaussian measurements matches the minimax MSE of matrix denoising.

PubMed

Donoho, David L; Gavish, Matan; Montanari, Andrea

2013-05-21

Let X(0) be an unknown M by N matrix. In matrix recovery, one takes n < MN linear measurements y(1),…,y(n) of X(0), where y(i) = Tr(A(T)iX(0)) and each A(i) is an M by N matrix. A popular approach for matrix recovery is nuclear norm minimization (NNM): solving the convex optimization problem min ||X||*subject to y(i) =Tr(A(T)(i)X) for all 1 ≤ i ≤ n, where || · ||* denotes the nuclear norm, namely, the sum of singular values. Empirical work reveals a phase transition curve, stated in terms of the undersampling fraction δ(n,M,N) = n/(MN), rank fraction ρ=rank(X0)/min {M,N}, and aspect ratio β=M/N. Specifically when the measurement matrices Ai have independent standard Gaussian random entries, a curve δ*(ρ) = δ*(ρ;β) exists such that, if δ > δ*(ρ), NNM typically succeeds for large M,N, whereas if δ < δ*(ρ), it typically fails. An apparently quite different problem is matrix denoising in Gaussian noise, in which an unknown M by N matrix X(0) is to be estimated based on direct noisy measurements Y =X(0) + Z, where the matrix Z has independent and identically distributed Gaussian entries. A popular matrix denoising scheme solves the unconstrained optimization problem min|| Y-X||(2)(F)/2+λ||X||*. When optimally tuned, this scheme achieves the asymptotic minimax mean-squared error M(ρ;β) = lim(M,N → ∞)inf(λ)sup(rank(X) ≤ ρ · M)MSE(X,X(λ)), where M/N → . We report extensive experiments showing that the phase transition δ*(ρ) in the first problem, matrix recovery from Gaussian measurements, coincides with the minimax risk curve M(ρ)=M(ρ;β) in the second problem, matrix denoising in Gaussian noise: δ*(ρ)=M(ρ), for any rank fraction 0 < ρ < 1 (at each common aspect ratio β). Our experiments considered matrices belonging to two constraint classes: real M by N matrices, of various ranks and aspect ratios, and real symmetric positive-semidefinite N by N matrices, of various ranks.

CMH-17 Volume 5 Ceramic Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrulonis, Rachael; Kiser, J. Douglas; David, Kaia E.; Davies, Curtis; Ashforth, Cindy

2017-01-01

A wide range of issues must be addressed during the process of certifying CMC (ceramic matrix composite) components for use in commercial aircraft. The Composite Materials Handbook-17, Volume 5, Revision A on ceramic matrix composites has just been revised to help support FAA certification of CMCs for elevated temperature applications. The handbook supports the development and use of CMCs through publishing and maintaining proven, reliable engineering information and standards that have been thoroughly reviewed. Volume 5 contains detailed sections describing CMC materials processing, design analysis guidelines, testing procedures, and data analysis and acceptance. A review of the content of this latest revision will be presented along with a description of how CMH-17, Volume 5 could be used by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and others in the future.

Update on CMH-17 Volume 5 Ceramic Matrix Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Andrulonis, Rachael; Kiser, J. Douglas; David, Kaia E.; Davies, Curtis R.; Ashforth, Cindy

2017-01-01

A wide range of issues must be addressed during the process of certifying CMC (ceramic matrix composite) components for use in commercial aircraft. The Composite Materials Handbook-17, Volume 5, Revision A on ceramic matrix composites has just been revised to help support FAA certification of CMCs for elevated temperature applications. The handbook supports the development and use of CMCs through publishing and maintaining proven, reliable engineering information and standards that have been thoroughly reviewed. Volume 5 contains detailed sections describing CMC materialsprocessing design, analysisguidelines, testing procedures, and data analysis and acceptance. A review of the content of this latest revision will be presented along with a description of how CMH-17, Volume 5 could be used by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and others in the future.

Mast cell stabilization decreases cardiomyocyte and LV function in dogs with isolated mitral regurgitation.

PubMed

Pat, Betty; Killingsworth, Cheryl; Chen, Yuanwen; Gladden, James D; Walcott, Greg; Powell, Pamela C; Denney, Thomas; Gupta, Himanshu; Desai, Ravi; Tillson, Michael; Dillon, A Ray; Dell'italia, Louis J

2010-09-01

Mast cells are increased in isolated mitral regurgitation (MR) in the dog and may mediate extracellular matrix loss and left ventricular (LV) dilatation. We tested the hypothesis that mast cell stabilization would attenuate LV remodeling and improve function in the MR dog. MR was induced in adult dogs randomized to no treatment (MR, n = 5) or to the mast cell stabilizer, ketotifen (MR + MCS, n = 4) for 4 months. LV hemodynamics were obtained at baseline and after 4 months of MR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at sacrifice. MRI-derived, serial, short-axis LV end-diastolic (ED) and end-systolic (ES) volumes, LVED volume/mass ratio, and LV 3-dimensional radius/wall thickness were increased in MR and MR + MCS dogs compared with normal dogs (n = 6) (P < .05). Interstitial collagen was decreased by 30% in both MR and MR + MCS versus normal dogs (P < .05). LV contractility by LV maximum time-varying elastance was significantly depressed in MR and MR + MCS dogs. Furthermore, cardiomyocyte fractional shortening was decreased in MR versus normal dogs and further depressed in MR + MCS dogs (P < .05). In vitro administration of ketotifen to normal cardiomyocytes also significantly decreased fractional shortening and calcium transients. Chronic mast cell stabilization did not attenuate eccentric LV remodeling or collagen loss in MR. However, MCS therapy had a detrimental effect on LV function because of a direct negative inotropic effect on cardiomyocyte function. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Aerospace Structural Materials Handbook Supplement GRCop-84

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellis, David L.; Gray, Hugh R. (Technical Monitor); Nathel, Michael (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

GRCop-84 is a high strength-high conductivity copper-based alloy developed at NASA Glenn Research Center for combustion chamber liners of regeneratively cooled rocket engines. It also has promise for other high heat flux applications operating at temperatures up to 700 C (1292 F) and potentially higher. The alloy must be made by powder metallurgy techniques such as gas atomization. Slower cooling rates such as those experienced during casting do not develop a proper microstructure. Once made into powder, the alloy exhibits excellent processability using conventional consolidation and forming techniques, e.g., extrusion and rolling. GRCop-84 is strengthened by a combination of dispersion and precipitation strengthening by fine (50-500 nanometer (2-20 microinch)) Cr2Nb particles and Hall-Petch strengthening from a fine copper grain size. The presence of a high volume fraction of particles prevents grain boundary sliding at high temperatures and contributes to the alloy's overall good high temperature mechanical properties. Maximum thermal conductivity is obtained by using two alloying elements (Cr, Nb) with limited solubility in solid Cu that form a high temperature intermetallic compound with an even lower solid solubility. The resulting matrix of the alloy is nearly pure copper. The limited solubility also minimizes Cr2Nb particle coarsening at elevated temperatures and enhances microstructural and mechanical property stability. Further enhancement of the microstructural stability is obtained by using a high volume fraction (approx. 14 vol.%) of Cr2Nb particles that effectively pin grain growth.

Laminated Thin Shell Structures Subjected to Free Vibration in a Hygrothermal Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gotsis, Pascal K.; Guptill, James D.

1994-01-01

Parametric studies were performed to assess the effects of various parameters on the free-vibration behavior (natural frequencies) of (+/- theta)(sub 2) angle-ply, fiber composite, thin shell structures in a hygrothermal environment. Knowledge of the natural frequencies of structures is important in considering their response to various kinds of excitation, especially when structures and force systems are complex and when excitations are not periodic. The three dimensional, finite element structural analysis computer code CSTEM was used in the Cray YMP computer environment. The fiber composite shell was assumed to be cylindrical and made from T300 graphite fibers embedded in an intermediate-modulus, high-strength matrix. The following parameters were investigated: the length and the laminate thickness of the shell, the fiber orientation, the fiber volume fraction, the temperature profile through the thickness of the laminate, and laminates with different ply thicknesses. The results indicate that the fiber orientation and the length of the laminated shell had significant effects on the natural frequencies. The fiber volume fraction, the laminate thickness, and the temperature profile through the shell thickness had weak effects on the natural frequencies. Finally, the laminates with different ply thicknesses had an insignificant influence on the behavior of the vibrated laminated shell. Also, a single through-the-thickness, eight-node, three dimensional composite finite element analysis appears to be sufficient for investigating the free-vibration behavior of thin, composite, angle-ply shell structures.

Turbulent forced convection of nanofluids downstream an abrupt expansion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimouche, Abdelali; Mataoui, Amina

2018-03-01

Turbulent forced convection of Nanofluids through an axisymmetric abrupt expansion is investigated numerically in the present study. The governing equations are solved by ANYS 14.0 CFD code based on the finite volume method by implementing the thermo-physical properties of each nanofluid. All results are analyzed through the evolutions of skin friction coefficient and Nusselt number. For each nanofluid, the effect of both volume fraction and Reynolds number on this type of flow configuration, are examined. An increase on average Nusselt number with the volume fraction and Reynolds number, are highlighted and correlated. Two relationships are proposed. The first one, determines the average Nusselt number versus Reynolds number, volume fraction and the ratio of densities of the solid particles to that of the base fluid ( \\overline{Nu}=f(\\operatorname{Re},φ, ρ_s/ρ_f) ). The second one varies according Reynolds number, volume fraction and the conductivities ratio of solid particle to that of the base fluid ( \\overline{Nu}=f(\\operatorname{Re},φ, k_s/k_f) ).

SU-E-T-429: Uncertainties of Cell Surviving Fractions Derived From Tumor-Volume Variation Curves

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chvetsov, A

2014-06-01

Purpose: To evaluate uncertainties of cell surviving fraction reconstructed from tumor-volume variation curves during radiation therapy using sensitivity analysis based on linear perturbation theory. Methods: The time dependent tumor-volume functions V(t) have been calculated using a twolevel cell population model which is based on the separation of entire tumor cell population in two subpopulations: oxygenated viable and lethally damaged cells. The sensitivity function is defined as S(t)=[δV(t)/V(t)]/[δx/x] where δV(t)/V(t) is the time dependent relative variation of the volume V(t) and δx/x is the relative variation of the radiobiological parameter x. The sensitivity analysis was performed using direct perturbation method wheremore » the radiobiological parameter x was changed by a certain error and the tumor-volume was recalculated to evaluate the corresponding tumor-volume variation. Tumor volume variation curves and sensitivity functions have been computed for different values of cell surviving fractions from the practically important interval S{sub 2}=0.1-0.7 using the two-level cell population model. Results: The sensitivity functions of tumor-volume to cell surviving fractions achieved a relatively large value of 2.7 for S{sub 2}=0.7 and then approached zero as S{sub 2} is approaching zero Assuming a systematic error of 3-4% we obtain that the relative error in S{sub 2} is less that 20% in the range S2=0.4-0.7. This Resultis important because the large values of S{sub 2} are associated with poor treatment outcome should be measured with relatively small uncertainties. For the very small values of S2<0.3, the relative error can be larger than 20%; however, the absolute error does not increase significantly. Conclusion: Tumor-volume curves measured during radiotherapy can be used for evaluation of cell surviving fractions usually observed in radiation therapy with conventional fractionation.« less

Triphasic Composite And Method Of Making Same

DOEpatents

Kear, Bernard H.; Sadangi, Rajendra K.; McCandlish, Larry E.; Voronov, Oleg

2000-07-18

A method for fabricating a triphasic composite such as a WC/Co/diamond composite with a high volume fraction of diamond in a WC/Co matrix. The method involves sintering of a WC/Co powder compact to develop a porous preform, which displays some rigidity and strength, infiltrating the porous preform with a controlled distribution of carbon, and high pressure/high temperature treatment of the carbon-containing WC/Co preform to transform the carbon to diamond. The distribution of diamond in the composite can be functionally graded to provide a WC/Co core and a diamond-enriched surface, wherein all three phases form an interconnected structure in three dimensions. Such a tricontinuous structure combines high strength and toughness with superior wear resistance, making it attractive for applications in machine tools and drill bits.

Effect of Silicon in U-10Mo Alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kautz, Elizabeth J.; Devaraj, Arun; Kovarik, Libor

2017-08-31

This document details a method for evaluating the effect of silicon impurity content on U-10Mo alloys. Silicon concentration in U-10Mo alloys has been shown to impact the following: volume fraction of precipitate phases, effective density of the final alloy, and 235-U enrichment in the gamma-UMo matrix. This report presents a model for calculating these quantities as a function of Silicon concentration, which along with fuel foil characterization data, will serve as a reference for quality control of the U-10Mo final alloy Si content. Additionally, detailed characterization using scanning electron microscope imaging, transmission electron microscope diffraction, and atom probe tomography showedmore » that Silicon impurities present in U-10Mo alloys form a Si-rich precipitate phase.« less

Light-induced changes in silicon nanocrystal based solar cells: Modification of silicon-hydrogen bonding on silicon nanocrystal surface under illumination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ka-Hyun; Johnson, Erik V.; Cabarrocas, Pere Roca i.

2016-07-01

Hydrogenated polymorphous silicon (pm-Si:H) is a material consisting of a small volume fraction of nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous matrix. pm-Si:H solar cells demonstrate interesting initial degradation behaviors such as rapid initial change in photovoltaic parameters and self-healing after degradation during light-soaking. The precise dynamics of the light-induced degradation was studied in a series of light-soaking experiments under various illumination conditions such as AM1.5G and filtered 570 nm yellow light. Hydrogen effusion experiment before and after light-soaking further revealed that the initial degradation of pm-Si:H solar cells originate from the modification of silicon-hydrogen bonding on the surface of silicon nanocrystals in pm-Si:H.

Elevated temperature tensile and creep behavior of a SiC fiber-reinforced titanium metal matrix composite. Final Report, 22 Dec. 1994 M.S. Thesis, 7 May 1993

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thurston, Rita J.

1995-01-01

In this research program, the tensile properties and creep behavior in air of (0)(sub 4), (0/90)(sub s) and (90)(sub 4) SCS-9/Beta 21S composite layups with 0.24 volume fraction fiber were evaluated. Monotonic tensile tests at 23, 482, 650 and 815 C yielded the temperature dependence of the elastic modulus, proportional limit, ultimate tensile strength and total strain at failure. At 650 C, the UTS of the (0)(sub 4) and (0/90)(sub s) layups decreases by almost 50 percent from the room temperature values, indicating that operating temperatures should be less than 650 C to take advantage of the specific tensile properties of these composites.

Investigation of the fracture mechanism in Ti-5Al-2.5Sn at cryogenic temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanstone, R. H.; Low, J. R., Jr.; Shannon, J. L., Jr.

1977-01-01

The influence of microstructure on the fracture mechanism and plane-strain fracture toughness of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn was studied through the use of fractography and metallographic sectioning techniques. One-inch thick plates of extra low interstitial (ELI) and normal interstitial Ti-5Al-2.5Sn were mill annealed at 815 C followed by either air or furnace cooling. These variations in composition and cooling rate resulted in differences in the volume fraction and internal structure of the iron-stabilized phase, and in the crystallographic texture and ordering of the alpha matrix. The tensile properties of these plates were determined at 20 K, 77 K, and 295 K. The air-cooled ELI plate was the toughest material evaluated.

Elastic properties of uniaxial-fiber reinforced composites - General features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Datta, Subhendu; Ledbetter, Hassel; Lei, Ming

The salient features of the elastic properties of uniaxial-fiber-reinforced composites are examined by considering the complete set of elastic constants of composites comprising isotropic uniaxial fibers in an isotropic matrix. Such materials exhibit transverse-isotropic symmetry and five independent elastic constants in Voigt notation: C(11), C(33), C(44), C(66), and C(13). These C(ij) constants are calculated over the entire fiber-volume-fraction range 0.0-1.0, using a scattered-plane-wave ensemple-average model. Some practical elastic constants such as the principal Young moduli and the principal Poisson ratios are considered, and the behavior of these constants is discussed. Also presented are the results for the four principal sound velocities used to study uniaxial-fiber-reinforced composites: v(11), v(33), v(12), and v(13).

Effect of 0.2 and 0.5% Ti on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 13Cr supermartensitic stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lian, Yong; Huang, Jinfeng; Zhang, Jin; Zhang, Cheng; Gao, Wen; Zhao, Chao

2015-11-01

The effect that a 0, 0.2, and 0.5 wt.% titanium content has on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 13Cr supermartensitic stainless steel was investigated using an optical microscope, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction. The resultant microstructures of the three steels were tempered martensite with a reversed austenite dispersed throughout the matrix. Additionally, the formation of Cr-rich carbides was suppressed by stable Ti(C, N), which improved the strength without severely decreasing in the Ti-microalloyed steel toughness. Nano-precipitation of Ni3Ti was found for the 0.5 wt.% Ti steel during tempering, which significantly increased the strength, but decreased the toughness. The reversed austenite volume fraction also significantly influenced the mechanical properties.

Fabrication and characterization of microstructure of stainless steel matrix composites containing up to 25 vol% NbC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kan, Wen Hao, E-mail: wkan6795@uni.sydney.edu.au

AISI 440 stainless steels reinforced with various volume fractions of niobium carbide (NbC) particles of up to 25 vol% were fabricated in-situ using an argon arc furnace and then heat-treated to produce a martensitic matrix. Optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD) techniques were used to analyze the microstructure, phases and composition of these composites. Interestingly, it was found that Chinese-script NbC could nucleate on existing primary NbC particles creating NbC clusters with complex microstructures. Additionally, hardness tests were used to evaluate viability in mining and mineral processing applications. The increasemore » in NbC content resulted in an overall increase in the hardness of the composites while causing a marginal decrease in the amount of Cr in solid solution with the matrix, which could be a concern for corrosion resistance. The latter was due to the fact that the NbC lattice could dissolve a minor amount of Cr. Thermodynamic simulations also attributed this to a slight increase in M{sub 7}C{sub 3} precipitation. Nonetheless, these novel composites show great promise for applications in wear and corrosive environments. - Highlights: •Stainless steels reinforced with NbC particles of up to 25 vol% were fabricated. •NbC was formed in-situ in the steels using an arc melter. •Martensitic transformation of the matrix of each sample was achieved. •NbC reinforcements increased the bulk hardness values of the steels. •Dissolved Cr in the matrix of each sample was sufficient for passivity in theory.« less

Inclusion models of tensile fracture in fiber-reinforced brittle-matrix composites. Ph.D. Thesis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tsai, W.

1993-12-31

Inclusion models of tensile fracture in fiber-reinforced brittle-matrix composites are proposed in this study. Three stages of matrix cracking including initiation of microcracks, propagation of a bridged crack and multiplication of periodic cracks are modeled using the unique approach - Eshelby`s equivalent inclusion method. Moreover, the interfacial debonding may occur during matrix cracking and is taken into account by the present analysis. After interfacial debonding initiates, the fiber slides against the friction which is assumed to be constant in chapter 2 and chapter 3. However, the fiber-matrix interfaces are assumed to be Coulomb`s friction controlled in chapter 4. Energy releasemore » rate and crack resistance are obtained analytically. From the fracture criterion, the equivalence of energy release rate and crack resistance, the critical applied stress is also obtained. On the critical applied stress the effects of material parameters such as interfacial frictional stress, interfacial surface energy, volume fraction of fibers, misfit strain are evaluated. These evaluations are important for the purpose of material design. Finally, it is attempted in chapter 5 to solve the crack-inhomogeneity interaction problem inhomogeneities. First, the formulation of two inhomogeneities without overlapping is derived in detail. When one of the inhomogeneities is the penny-shape crack and the other one is the ellipsoidal inhomogeneity, the interaction energy between the crack and the applied stress and the energy release rate of the crack are evaluated. Based on the framework of this chapter, one can deal with the real configuration including many inhomogeneities in the similar way. Also, the misfit strains due to thermal mismatch, phase transformation et al. can be included in the present analysis with no difficulty.« less

Refined separation of combined Fe–Hf from rock matrices for isotope analyses using AG-MP-1M and Ln-Spec chromatographic extraction resins

PubMed Central

Cheng, Ting; Nebel, Oliver; Sossi, Paolo A.; Chen, Fukun

2014-01-01

A combined procedure for separating Fe and Hf from a single rock digestion is presented. In a two-stage chromatographic extraction process, a purified Fe fraction is first quantitatively separated from the rock matrix using AG-MP-1M resin in HCl. Hafnium is subsequently isolated using a modified version of a commonly applied method using Eichrom LN-Spec resin. Our combined method includes:•Purification of Fe from the rock matrix using HCl, ready for mass spectrometric analysis.•Direct loading of the matrix onto the resin that is used for Hf purification.•Collection of a Fe-free Hf fraction. PMID:26150946

Planar measurements of soot volume fraction and OH in a JP-8 pool fire

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henriksen, Tara L.; Ring, Terry A.; Eddings, Eric G.

2009-07-15

The simultaneous measurement of soot volume fraction by laser induced incandescence (LII) and qualitative imaging of OH by laser induced fluorescence (LIF) was performed in a JP-8 pool fire contained in a 152 mm diameter pan. Line of sight extinction was used to calibrate the LII system in a laminar flame, and to provide an independent method of measuring average soot volume fraction in the turbulent flame. The presence of soot in the turbulent flame was found to be approximately 50% probable, resulting in high levels of optical extinction, which increased slightly through the flame from approximately 30% near themore » base, to approximately 50% at the tip. This high soot loading pushes both techniques toward their detection limit. Nevertheless, useful accuracy was obtained, with the LII measurement of apparent extinction in the turbulent flame being approximately 21% lower than a direct measurement, consistent with the influence of signal trapping. The axial and radial distributions of soot volume fraction are presented, along with PDFs of volume fraction, and new insight into the behavior of soot sheets in pool fires are sought from the simultaneous measurements of OH and LII. (author)« less

Predicting Rectal and Bladder Overdose During the Course of Prostate Radiotherapy Using Dose-Volume Data From Initial Treatment Fractions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murthy, Vedang, E-mail: vmurthy@actrec.gov.in; Shukla, Pragya; Adurkar, Pranjal

2012-09-01

Purpose: To evaluate whether information from the initial fractions can determine which patients are likely to consistently exceed their planning dose-volume constraints during the course of radiotherapy for prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: Ten patients with high-risk prostate cancer were treated with helical tomotherapy to a dose of 60 Gy in 20 fractions. The prostate, rectum, and bladder were recontoured on their daily megavoltage computed tomography scans and the dose was recalculated. The bladder and rectal volumes (in mL) receiving {>=}100% and {>=}70% of the prescribed dose in each fraction and in the original plans were recorded. A fraction formore » which the difference between planned and delivered was more than 2 mL was considered a volume failure. Similarly if the difference in the planned and delivered maximum dose (D{sub max}) was {>=}1% for the rectum and bladder, the fraction was considered a dose failure. Each patient's first 3 to 5 fractions were analyzed to determine if they correctly identified those patients who would consistently fail (i.e., {>=}20% of fractions) during the course of their radiotherapy. Results: Six parameters were studied; the rectal volume (RV) and bladder volumes (BV) (in mL) received {>=}100% and {>=}70% of the prescribed dose and maximum dose to 2 mL of the rectum and bladder. This was given by RV{sub 100}, RV{sub 70}, BV{sub 100}, BV{sub 70}, RD{sub max}, and BD{sub max}, respectively. When more than 1 of the first 3 fractions exceed the planning constraint as defined, it accurately predicts consistent failures through the course of the treatment. This method is able to correctly identify the consistent failures about 80% (RV{sub 70}, BV{sub 100}, and RV{sub 100}), 90% (BV{sub 70}), and 100% (RD{sub max} and BD{sub max}) of the times. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a method accurately identifying patients who are likely to consistently exceed the planning constraints during the course of their treatment, using information from the first 3 to 5 fractions.« less

Cooperative Activated Transport of Dilute Penetrants in Viscous Molecular and Polymer Liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schweizer, Kenneth; Zhang, Rui

We generalize the force-level Elastically Collective Nonlinear Langevin Equation theory of activated relaxation in one-component supercooled liquids to treat the hopping transport of a dilute penetrant in a dense hard sphere fluid. The new idea is to explicitly account for the coupling between penetrant displacement and a local matrix cage re-arrangement which facilitates its hopping. A temporal casuality condition is employed to self-consistently determine a dimensionless degree of matrix distortion relative to the penetrant jump distance using the dynamic free energy concept. Penetrant diffusion becomes increasingly coupled to the correlated matrix displacements for larger penetrant to matrix particle size ratio (R) and/or attraction strength (physical bonds), but depends weakly on matrix packing fraction. In the absence of attractions, a nearly exponential dependence of penetrant diffusivity on R is predicted in the intermediate range of 0.2

Multiscale Modeling of Carbon Nanotube-Epoxy Nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fasanella, Nicholas A.

Epoxy-composites are widely used in the aerospace industry. In order to improve upon stiffness and thermal conductivity; carbon nanotube additives to epoxies are being explored. This dissertation presents multiscale modeling techniques to study the engineering properties of single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-epoxy nanocomposites, consisting of pristine and covalently functionalized systems. Using Molecular Dynamics (MD), thermomechanical properties were calculated for a representative polymer unit cell. Finite Element (FE) and orientation distribution function (ODF) based methods were used in a multiscale framework to obtain macroscale properties. An epoxy network was built using the dendrimer growth approach. The epoxy model was verified by matching the experimental glass transition temperature, density, and dilatation. MD, via the constant valence force field (CVFF), was used to explore the mechanical and dilatometric effects of adding pristine and functionalized SWNTs to epoxy. Full stiffness matrices and linear coefficient of thermal expansion vectors were obtained. The Green-Kubo method was used to investigate the thermal conductivity as a function of temperature for the various nanocomposites. Inefficient phonon transport at the ends of nanotubes is an important factor in the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites, and for this reason discontinuous nanotubes were modeled in addition to long nanotubes. To obtain continuum-scale elastic properties from the MD data, multiscale modeling was considered to give better control over the volume fraction of nanotubes, and investigate the effects of nanotube alignment. Two methods were considered; an FE based method, and an ODF based method. The FE method probabilistically assigned elastic properties of elements from the MD lattice results based on the desired volume fraction and alignment of the nanotubes. For the ODF method, a distribution function was generated based on the desired amount of nanotube alignment; and the stiffness matrix was calculated. A rule of mixture approach was implemented in the ODF model to vary the SWNT volume fraction. Both the ODF and FE models are compared and contrasted. ODF analysis is significantly faster for nanocomposites and is a novel contribution in this thesis. Multiscale modeling allows for the effects of nanofillers in epoxy systems to be characterized without having to run costly experiments.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sugano, Yasutaka; Mizuta, Masahiro; Takao, Seishin

Purpose: Radiotherapy of solid tumors has been performed with various fractionation regimens such as multi- and hypofractionations. However, the ability to optimize the fractionation regimen considering the physical dose distribution remains insufficient. This study aims to optimize the fractionation regimen, in which the authors propose a graphical method for selecting the optimal number of fractions (n) and dose per fraction (d) based on dose–volume histograms for tumor and normal tissues of organs around the tumor. Methods: Modified linear-quadratic models were employed to estimate the radiation effects on the tumor and an organ at risk (OAR), where the repopulation of themore » tumor cells and the linearity of the dose-response curve in the high dose range of the surviving fraction were considered. The minimization problem for the damage effect on the OAR was solved under the constraint that the radiation effect on the tumor is fixed by a graphical method. Here, the damage effect on the OAR was estimated based on the dose–volume histogram. Results: It was found that the optimization of fractionation scheme incorporating the dose–volume histogram is possible by employing appropriate cell surviving models. The graphical method considering the repopulation of tumor cells and a rectilinear response in the high dose range enables them to derive the optimal number of fractions and dose per fraction. For example, in the treatment of prostate cancer, the optimal fractionation was suggested to lie in the range of 8–32 fractions with a daily dose of 2.2–6.3 Gy. Conclusions: It is possible to optimize the number of fractions and dose per fraction based on the physical dose distribution (i.e., dose–volume histogram) by the graphical method considering the effects on tumor and OARs around the tumor. This method may stipulate a new guideline to optimize the fractionation regimen for physics-guided fractionation.« less

Strain rate sensitivity of a TRIP-assisted dual-phase high-entropy alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basu, Silva; Li, Zhiming; Pradeep, K. G.; Raabe, Dierk

2018-05-01

Dual-phase high-entropy alloys (DP-HEAs) with transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) have an excellent strength-ductility combination. To reveal their strain-rate sensitivity and hence further understand the corresponding deformation mechanisms, we investigated the tensile behavior and microstructural evolution of a typical TRIP-DP-HEA (Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10, at. %) under different strain rates (i.e., 5 × 10-3 s-1, 1 × 10-3 s-1, 5 × 10-4 s-1 and 1 × 10-4 s-1) at room temperature. The strain rate range was confined to this regime in order to apply the digital image correlation technique for probing the local strain evolution during tensile deformation at high resolution and to correlate it to the microstructure evolution. Grain size effects of the face-centered cubic (FCC) matrix and the volume fractions of the hexagonal-close packed (HCP) phase prior to deformation were also considered. The results show that within the explored strain rate regime the TRIP-DP-HEA has a fairly low strain rate sensitivity parameter within the range from 0.004 to 0.04, which is significantly lower than that of DP and TRIP steels. Samples with varying grain sizes (e.g., 2.8 μm and 38 μm) and starting HCP phase fractions (e.g., 25% and 72%) at different strain rates show similar deformation mechanisms, i.e., dislocation plasticity and strain-induced transformation from the FCC matrix to the HCP phase. The low strain rate sensitivity is attributed to the observed dominant displacive transformation mechanism. Also, the coarse-grained alloy samples with a very high starting HCP phase fraction ( 72%) prior to deformation show very good ductility with a total elongation of 60%, suggesting that both, the initial and the transformed HCP phase in the TRIP-DP-HEA are ductile and deform further via dislocation slip at the different strain rates which were probed.