Role of the entangled amorphous network in tensile deformation of semicrystalline polymers

Being composed of crystalline lamellae and entangled amorphous polymeric chains in between, semicrystalline polymers always show a complicated deformation behavior under tensile deformation. In recent years, the process of tensile deformation was found to exhibit several regimes: intralamellar slipping of crystalline blocks occurs at small deformation whereas a stress-induced crystalline block disaggregation-recrystallization process occurs at a strain larger than the yield strain. The strain at this transition point is related to the interplay between the amorphous entanglement density and the stability of crystal blocks. We report experimental evidence from true stress-strain experiments that support this argument. It is emphasized that tie molecules, which connect adjacent lamellae, are of lesser importance with respect to the deformational behavior.     

Observation of persistent photoconductivity in flower shaped PbS dendrite structures

We report the observation of persistent photoconductivity (PPC) in flower shaped PbS dendrites grown by the hydrothermal method. Potential fluctuations, due to the presence of various confinement regimes in the branches of dendrites, and surface traps, are likely responsible for the PPC observed here. We also observed photocurrent quenching and decreased dark current in the PPC below 40 K, due to the presence of a metastable state, whereas positive PPC was observed in the temperature region 40–220 K. Dark conductivity measurements, time constant parameters obtained from the stretched exponential fittings of PPC, also showed the metastable state related transition around 50 K.     

Application of the time-temperature superposition principle to the mechanical characterization of elastomeric adhesives for crash simulation purposes

In the automotive industry, finite element simulation is widely used to ensure crashworthiness. Mechanical material data over wide strain rate and temperature ranges are required as a basis. This work proposes a method reducing the cost of mechanical material characterization by using the time-temperature superposition principle on elastomeric adhesives. The method is based on the time and temperature interdependence which is characteristic for mechanical properties of polymers. Based on the assumption that polymers behave similarly at high strain rates and at low temperatures, a temperature-dominated test program is suggested, which can be used to deduce strain rate dependent material behavior at different reference temperatures. The temperature shift factor is found by means of dynamic mechanical analysis according to the WLF-equation, named after Williams, Landel and Ferry. The principle is applied to the viscoelastic properties as well as to the failure properties of the polymer. The applicability is validated with high strain rate tests.     

Active nonlinear microrheology in a glass-forming Yukawa fluid

A molecular dynamics computer simulation of a glass-forming Yukawa mixture is used to study the anisotropic dynamics of a single particle pulled by a constant force. Beyond linear response, a scaling regime is found where a force-temperature superposition principle of a Peclet number holds. In the latter regime, the diffusion dynamics perpendicular to the force can be mapped on the equilibrium dynamics in terms of an effective temperature, whereas parallel to the force a superdiffusive behavior is seen in the long-time limit. This behavior is associated with a hopping motion from cage to cage and can be qualitatively understood by a simple trap model.     

Face-centred cubic to body-centred cubic phase transformation under [1 0 0] tensile loading

Molecular dynamics simulation was used to verify a speculation of the existence of a certain face-centred cubic (FCC) to body-centred cubic (BCC) phase transformation pathway. Four FCC metals, Ni, Cu, Au and Ag, were stretched along the [1?0?0] direction at various strain rates and temperatures. Under high strain rate and low temperature, and beyond the elastic limit, the bifurcation of the FCC phase occurred with sudden contraction along one lateral direction and expansion along the other lateral direction. When the lattice constant along the expansion direction converged with that of the stretched direction, the FCC phase transformed into an unstressed BCC phase. By reducing the strain rate or increasing the temperature, dislocation or ‘momentum-induced melting’ mechanisms began to control the plastic deformation of the FCC metals, respectively.     

Plastic response of a 2D Lennard-Jones amorphous solid: Detailed analysis of the local rearrangements at very slow strain rate

We analyze in detail the atomistic response of a model amorphous material submitted to plastic shear in the athermal, quasi-static limit. After a linear stress-strain behavior, the system undergoes a noisy plastic flow. We show that the plastic flow is spatially heterogeneous. Two kinds of plastic events occur in the system: quadrupolar localized rearrangements, and shear bands. The analysis of the individual motion of a particle shows also two regimes: a hyper-diffusive regime followed by a diffusive regime, even at zero temperature.     

温度、应变率和空位缺陷对氮化硼纳米管压缩性能的影响

采用分子动力学方法,分别模拟了完好的和含有缺陷的氮化硼纳米管的轴向压缩过程。原子间的相互作用采用Tersoff多体势函数来描述。结果表明,同尺寸的锯齿型氮化硼纳米管的临界轴向压缩强度高于扶手型氮化硼纳米管,这与碳纳米管的研究结果一致。发现纳米管的压缩强度,如临界轴向内力在低温下受温度影响明显,并且和应变率的大小有关。然而,应变率对纳米管的弹性变形没有影响。另外,还发现空位缺陷降低了纳米管的力学性能。与完好的纳米管相比,含有缺陷的纳米管轴向压缩强度对于温度的影响并不敏感。     

Stretchable electromagnetic interference shielding and antenna for wireless strain sensing by anisotropic micron-steel-wire based conductive elastomers

We prepare stretchable elastic electromagnetic interference(EMI) shielding and stretchable antenna for wireless strain sensing using an elastic composite comprising commercial steel wool as a conducting element. The prepared elastic conductor shows anisotropic electrical properties in response to the external force. In the stretchable range, the electrical resistance abnormally decreases with the increase of tensile deformation. The EMI shielding effectiveness of the elastic conductor can reach above-30 d B under 80% tensile strain. The resonance frequency of the dipole antenna prepared by the elastic conductor is linearly correlated with the tensile strain, which can be used as a wireless strain sensor. The transmission efficiency is stable at about-15 d B when stretched to 50% strain, with attenuation less than 5%. The current research provides an effective solution for stretchable EMI shielding and wireless strain sensing integrated with signal transmission by an antenna.     

Temperature Effects of Parabolic Linear Bound Potential and Coulomb Bound Potential Quantum Dot Qubit

On the condition of electric-LO phonon strong coupling in a parabolic quantum dot, we obtain the eigenenergy and the eigenfunctions of the ground state and the first-excited state using the variational method of Pekar type. This system in a quantum dot may be employed as a two-level quantum system-qubit. When the electron is in the superposition state of the ground state and the first-excited state, we obtain the time evolution of the electron density. The relations of the probability density of electron on the temperature and the electron-LO-phonon coupling constant and the relations of the period of oscillation on the temperature, the electron-LO-phonon coupling constant, the Coulomb binding parameter and the confinement length are derived. The results show that the probability density of electron oscillates with a period when the electron is in the superposition state of the ground and thefirst-excited state, and show that there are different laws that theprobability density of electron and the period of oscillation change with the temperature and the electron-LO-phonon coupling constant when the temperature is lower or higher. And it is obtained that the period of oscillation decreases with increasing the Coulomb bound potential and increases with increasing the confinement length not only at lower temperatures but also at higher temperatures.     

Finite element modelling of dielectric elastomer minimum energy structures

This paper presents an experimentally validated finite element model suitable for simulating the quasi-static behaviour of Dielectric Elastomer Minimum Energy Structure(s) (DEMES). A DEMES consists of a pre-stretched Dielectric Elastomer Actuator (DEA) adhered to a thin, flexible frame. The tension in the stretched membrane causes the frame to curl up, and when a voltage is applied, the frame returns to its initial planar state thus forming a useful bending actuator. The simulation method presented here incorporates a novel strain energy function suitable for simulating general DEA actuator elements. When compared against blocked force data from our previous work, the new model provides a good fit with an order of magnitude reduction in computational time. Furthermore, the model accurately matched experimental data on the free displacement of DEMES formed with non-equibiaxially pre-stretched VHB4905 membranes driven by 2500 V. Non-equibiaxially pre-stretching the membranes allowed control of effective frame stiffness and bending moment, this was exploited by using the model to optimise stroke at 2500 V in a hypothetical case study. Dielectric constant measurements for non-equibiaxially stretched VHB4905 are also presented.     

Deformation of globular polysoaps: extension, confinement and extensional flow

A theoretical model of the extension and confinement of globular polysoaps predicts novel force laws. Polysoaps are polymers comprising of a flexible hydrophilic backbone incorporating, at intervals, amphiphilic monomers. The equilibrium configuration of long polysoaps, that form numerous spherical intrachain micelles, is a spherical globule of close packed micelles. The coupling of the deformation to the hierarchical self organization of the chain gives rise to a distinctive force law involving, for extension, two plateau regimes. When the chain is stretched by extensional flow the two regimes merge and the polysoap exhibits a single globule-stretch transition. Received 16 June 1998 and Received in final form 19 November 1998     

Analysis of near weld stress field based on strain measurement and physical mesomechanics

Stresses induced by welding are analyzed from the viewpoint of material deformation behavior. Strain gages are used to measure the residual stresses, and electronic speckle-pattern interferometry is used to analyze the response of the welded work to external force. A tensile load is applied to a butt-welded, thin-plate steel specimen, and the resultant strain field is analyzed with the electronic speckle-pattern interferometry. Comparison is made with the case of a nonwelded specimen of the same material and dimension. The analysis indicates that the residual stress due to welding makes the normal strain due to the external tensile load asymmetric. The asymmetry enhances shear and rotational modes of deformation, generating stress concentration at a point away from the weld where the residual stress is substantially negligible. The observed features are discussed based on physical mesomechanics. Analysis reveals plastic deformation like behavior in the response of the welded specimen to the external force.     

Effect of a weak magnetic field on stepwise deformation of lead in the large strain region

Precision measurements of the strain rate of lead at constant stresses in a magnetic field and without field and changes in the strain rate resulting from field turn-on and -off have been performed by the interferometric method. It has been shown that the entire stress-strain curve in the field and without field consists of steps of different amplitudes and lengths: from several tens of nanometers to several hundreds of micrometers. The magnetic field causes a certain strain enhancement and the redistribution of contributions of steps of different values. The magnetic field turn-on during creep results in a sharp increase in the strain rate, followed by its drop to the values larger than or close to those before the field turn-on. The field turn-off is accompanied by the reverse effect. The characteristics of strain steps at various scale levels and the magneto-plastic effect depend on the strain rate and the strain value. The observed features in the behavior of lead are related to its possible multiple recrystallization during creep.     

Creep Behaviour of Fe-Mn Binary Alloys

Tensile creep behaviour of fine-grained Fe-Mn binary alloys containing 0.42-1.21 wt. % Mn has been investigated in the temperature range from room temperature to 475K under 10-50 MPa. Tensile tests are carried out with a constant cross-head speed under uniaxial load at a strain rate 10^-4s^-1. Stress exponent and activation energy are determined to clarify deformation mechanism. The obtained variation of steady state creep rate with respect to the applied stress for Fe-Mn binary alloys exhibits two distinct regimes at about 20 MPa, indicating a possible change in creep mechanism. The average stress exponent is approximately 2.2, which is a characteristic of grain boundary sliding in the alloys. The activation energy for plastic flow varies from 135 to 92k J/mol, depending on the Mn content.     

Quasistatic rheology and the origins of strain

Features of rheological laws applied to solid-like granular materials are recalled and confronted to microscopic approaches via discrete numerical simulations. We give examples of model systems with very similar equilibrium stress transport properties—the much-studied force chains and force distribution—but qualitatively different strain responses to stress increments. Results on the stability of elastoplastic contact networks lead to the definition of two different rheological regimes, according to whether a macroscopic fragility property (propensity to rearrange under arbitrary small stress increments in the thermodynamic limit) applies. Possible consequences are discussed. To cite this article: J.-N. Roux, G. Combe, C. R. Physique 3 (2002) 131–140.     

含克尔介质微波激射器的原子辐射率

建立了含克尔介质微波激射器(micromaser with Kerr medium)的基本量子原理,分析计算了处于不同方式(热原子和超冷原子状态)下的二能级原子沿z轴穿过处于相干态的含克尔介质微腔的原子辐射率,并着重讨论了克尔介质与单模辐射场作用的耦合强度χ、失谐量Δ和原子注入速率r对原子辐射概率的影响. 关键词： 含克尔介质微波激射器 热原子和超冷原子 原子辐射率     

Phase-field simulations of magnetic field-induced strain in Ni2MnGa ferromagnetic shape memory alloy

The magnetization and magnetic field-induced strain behavior of the ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, Ni₂MnGa, under constant compressive stress were studied using the phase-field method. Based on the evolving magnetic domain and martensitic structures, we analyzed the cycling effect, magnetization hysteresis, strain recoveries, and coupling between the domain wall and martensite twin boundaries. We compared the switching behavior of single variant and multivariant martensite structures. We observed three types of magnetic field-induced strain mechanisms, depending on the magnitude of the applied compressive stress. The study revealed that the martensite microstructure of the magnetic shape memory alloy plays an important role in magnetization and strain evolution during loading and unloading of an external magnetic field under different stress conditions. The results are compared with existing experimental observations.     

Interplay of surface morphology, strain relief, and surface stress during surfactant mediated epitaxy of Ge on Si

Lattice-mismatch-induced surface or film stress has significant influence on the morphology of heteroepitaxial films. This is demonstrated using Sb surfactant-mediated epitaxy of Ge on Si(111). The surfactant forces a two-dimensional growth of a continous Ge film instead of islanding. Two qualitatively different growth regimes are observed. Elastic relaxation: Prior to the generation of strain-relieving defects the Ge film grows pseudomorphically with the Si lattice constant and is under strong compressive stress. The Ge film relieves strain by forming a rough surface on a nm scale which allows partial elastic relaxation towards the Ge bulk lattice constant. The unfavorable increase of surface area is outbalanced by the large decrease of strain energy. The change of film stress and surface morphology is monitored in situ during deposition at elevated temperature with surface stress-induced optical deflection and high-resolution spot profile analysis low-energy electron diffraction. Plastic relaxation: After a critical thickness the generation of dislocations is initiated. The rough phase acts as a nucleation center for dislocations. On Si(111) those misfit dislocations are arranged in a threefold quasi periodic array at the interface that accommodate exactly the different lattice constants of Ge and Si. Received: 1 April 1999 / Accepted: 17 August 1999 / Published online: 6 October 1999     

A structural model for the amorphous state of polymers: Folded-chain fringed micellar grain model

A more realistic, two-phase structural model is proposed for the amorphous solid state of polymers. The model is based on structural evidence reported to date, in particular the evidence from our own electron diffraction and microscopy studies of crystallizable and non-crystallizable amorphous polymers, including near-molten rubbers. This model is different from either Kargin's chain-packet or Hose-mann's paracrystalline model. The two major elements of the model are the grain, which consists of an ordered domain and a distinct grain boundary, and the intergrain region, which consists of molecules that are in a more truly random conformation. In the ordered domain (～20～40 Å) the molecular chain segments are aligned parallel to one another with a nearly constant spacing. A natural consequence of the present model is the concentration of excess free volume in the intergrain region. The amount of excess free volume has been estimated for typical polymers in their glassy amorphous state and found to be large for polymers that possess good ductility, but small for brittle polymers. Phenomena, such as the contributions of changes in entropy and energy to the rubbery elastic force, the increasingly extended rubbery plateau with increasing molecular weight, the non-Newtonian behavior of viscous flow and lamella crystallization and formation, are also discussed and appear to be consistent with the proposed two-phase granular model.