The shear modulus in the fiber direction of unidirectional fiber composites based on the concept of mesophase

A new and accurate relationship for the shear modulus in the fiber direction of unidirectional fiber composites is derived, based on the Kerner model concepts but not using its approximate relationships. Furthermore, this model is extended by taking into account the mesophase between the fiber and the matrix accomodating smoothly the mechanical properties between neighbouring phases. The introduction of the mesophase results in an improvement of the theoretical predictions, which now approach close to experimental values for the moduli of different fibrous composites.     

A theoretical model for the prediction of thermal expansion behaviour of particulate composites

The thermal expansion coefficient of particle-reinforced polymers was evaluated using a theoretical model which takes into account the adhesion efficiency between the inclusions and the matrix — an important factor affecting the thermomechanical properties of a composite. To measure the adhesion efficiency a boundary interphase, i.e. a layer between the matrix and the fillers having a structure and properties different from those of the constituent phases, was considered. This layer is assumed to have varying properties.To obtain information concerning the properties and extent of the interphase, an experimental study of the thermal behaviour of aluminium-epoxy composites was undertaken. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed to evaluate heat capacity with respect to temperature. In addition, the effects of different factors, such as heating rate and filler concentration on the glass transition temperature of the composite, were examined. The sudden changes in heat capacity values in the glass transition region were used to estimate the extent of the boundary interphase according to an existing theory.Finally, the values of the thermal expansion coefficient, predicted by this model, were compared with theoretical results obtained by other authors and with experimental results.     

A linear analysis of instabilities in Couette flow of nematic liquid crystals

This paper presents a new method for determining the critical threshold values at which both homogeneous and roll-type instabilities may appear when thin layers of nematic liquid crystal are subjected to Couette flow. The anisotropic axis of the material is initially uniformly aligned parallel to the axial direction and the effect of a stabilising, axially oriented, uniform magnetic field is allowed for in calculations. Carrying out a linear stability analysis of the continuum equations, we employ a Fourier series method to derive an expression for determining the critical shear rate at which instability occurs. Thresholds for both homogeneous and roll instabilities are obtained and their variation with rotation rate and applied magnetic field strength is examined for the material MBBA.     

Pressure driven flow of dilute polymer solutions in a channel: Analytic results for very small and for very large channels

Kinetic theory of dilute macromolecular solutions is applied to pressure driven flow in a small channel where wall- (and interfacial) layers have to be reckoned with. The complete rheology is studied. It turns out that for very small channels both the shear stress and the normal stress are an order of magnitude larger than corresponding quantities in simple shear. On the other hand, when the channel is so wide that the wall layers are very thin in comparison, agreement with results appropriate for simple shear is found. The volume flow rate-pressure difference relation is derived and compared to the prediction which utilizes the slip velocity concept. For very small channels, this concept is five orders of magnitude off, but reproduces asymptotically correct results for very large channels.     

The molecular theory of viscoelasticity for thermoplastic elastomer SBS (SIS) at large deformations

A microstructure model for SBS and SIS triblock copolymers with hard domains as multifunctional reinforcing fillers is proposed. Based on this model and proposed mechanism of large deformations, the probability distribution function of the end-to-end vector for each constituent chain and the free energy of deformation for the total networks was calculated by the combination of statistical thermodynamics and kinetics. A new molecular theory of non-linear visco-elasticity for SBS and SIS at large deformations is presented. It is successful in relating the viscoelastic state to molecular constitution by three important parameters (C ₁₀₀,C ₀₂₀, andC ₂₀₀) of the networks. The relations of stress to strain for four types of deformation, the elastic modulus and the constitutive equation for the stress relaxation were derived from this theory. It provides a theoretical foundation for studying the relationships of multiphase network structures and mechanical properties at large deformations. An excellent agreement between the theoretical relationships and experimental data from the experiments and the reference was obtained.Project supported by the National Natural Foundation of China     

A different approach for calculation of stress intensity factors in continuous fiber reinforced metal matrix composites

In this paper, a numerical model developed for the analysis of a cylindrical element of matrix containing a single fiber is presented. A ring-shaped crack is assumed at interface of fiber and matrix. Both layers in the model are bonded perfectly with the exception of the crack faces. Contact elements, which have bonded feature, are used between fiber and matrix. Displacement correlation method is used to calculate opening-mode and sliding-mode stress intensity factors. These results obtained from the analysis help to understand the debonding phenomenon between fiber and matrix interface. Effects of the mechanical properties of fiber and matrix on direction of crack propagation are also discussed.     

Bildung orientierter Randschichten in Spritzgußplatten aus Polypropylen

Zusammenfassung An 2 mm dicken unter verschiedenen Bedingungen spritzgegossenen Platten aus zwei Polypropylentypen mit unterschiedlicher Molmassenverteilung wird durch Messung der optischen Doppelbrechung die Dicke der hochorientierten Randschichten bestimmt. Durch solche Messungen an Platten, die mit und ohne Nachdruck gespritzt wurden, lassen sich die während der Füllphase von den während der Nachdruckphase entstandenen Orientierungsanteilen trennen. Möglichkeiten der theoretischen Berechnung der Randschichtdicke werden diskutiert.Hieraus ergibt sich, daß die hochorientierten Randschichten bereits während des Füllvorganges entstehen und deren Dicke vermutlich durch die Konkurrenz zwischen scherinduzierter Kristallisation und Relaxation bestimmt wird. Beim Spritzen ohne Nachdruck kann die Schmelze in der Mitte der Platte zwischen den Randschichten relaxieren und stark unterkühlt werden, bevor sie kristalliert, wie durch zusätzliche Messungen nachgewiesen wurde.

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The thickness of highly oriented skin layers is determined on 2-mm-thick plates injected under different processing conditions by birefringence measurements. Two technical polypropylene types of different molar mass distributions are used. Measurements on samples injected with and without pressure hold after filling make it possible to decide between chain orientation caused during injection and chain orientation caused by the pressure hold after filling. Different models for the calculation of the oriented layer thickness are discussed.The results reveal that the highly oriented skin layers are already formed during the filling phase and that thickness is probably determined through the opposing development of stress-induced crystallization and relaxation. Further measurements indicate that at the injection molding without pressure hold after filling, the melt can relax between the skin layers and can be strongly supercooled before it crystallizes.

Erweiterte Fassung eines Vortrages anläßlich des Hamburger Symposiums Rheologie makromolekularer Stoffe, 18.–22. 9. 1986     

The unraveling of a polymer chain in a strong extensional flow

By assuming that in a strong extensional flow a polymer molecule in dilute solution is quickly driven into a folded or kinked state in which drag and entropic elastic forces dominate over the Brownian force, we derive kink dynamics equations that describe the unraveling of the molecule in the extensional flow. Solving these equations numerically, we find that although the ends of the chain move, on average, affinely in the flow field until the chain is unfolded to about 1/3 of its fully extended length, large viscous stresses are produced because the solvent must flow around nonextending strands of polymer that lie between neighboring kinks. These predictions are compared with available experimental data and with other theoretical models.     

On the role of stress-induced migration on time-dependent terminal velocities of falling spheres

There is experimental evidence to suggest that even under steady-state conditions the velocity of solid spheres or bubbles moving through viscoelastic fluids can become time dependent. One of the possible explanations offered for interpreting this phenomenon has been the generation of a polymer depleted layer in the line of passage of the particles, which disappears due to the counterbalancing effect of molecular diffusion in the long range. We have done some careful experiments and measured these concentrations to show that no such depletion layers are formed. Alternative explanations of the phenomenon have been examined and the importance of the possible effects of microstructures generated through temporary associations has been emphasised.     

Estimates of apparent elongational viscosity using the fibre spinning and “pure” methods

A comparison is made between elongational properties predicted by the FENE-P dumbbell rheological equation of state for fibre spinning and true values obtained from pure elongation. True values are found by using a constant elongation rate in the model and calculating the steady state values of the stresses. Two new averaging procedures are suggested for extracting elongational properties from fibre spinning experiments. It is suggested that a variety of flow conditions be used and care be taken when determining these properties. The rheological model is found to predict adequately shear and elongational flow properties of the polyacrylamide-type of Boger or ideal elastic fluid.     

Evaluation of the extent of the gel particle grafting of impact polystyrene

High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) consists of a glassy polystyrene matrix and a rubber-like particle phase (gel phase). The extent of grafting of the gel phase is known to be an important parameter in the fracture toughness of the material. [1]. A simple quantitative model is developed in this paper to determine the extent of gel-particle grafting from the observed shifts in the glass transition temperature of the gel phase of three commercial types of HIPS.Although the increase in interfacial [2] and gel-particle grafting accounts for an increase in the energy absorbed before fracture at low strain rates, above a certain amount of grafting the material becomes embrittled at high strain rates. The adhesion factor A of mesophase models [3, 19], considered between the main phases of the material, was found to correlate with the observed impact behaviour.     

纵向剪切三相共焦点椭圆模型的精确解及其应用

推广夹杂问题的三相同心圆模型,提出了三相共焦点椭圆模型,从而计及了夹杂形状变化的重要因素。利用保角变换结合罗朗级数展开技术获得了纵向剪切载荷下的封闭形式解。本模型和解答对夹杂、界面层附近的细观应力场分析、对复合材料和含缺陷材料的有效弹性模量预测有重要实用价值,获得了比经典公式更精确的结果。对特殊模型,可以得到许多有意义的问题（如二相模型）的解答。     

Correlation between interfacial interactions and internal stresses in filled high density polyethylene

The stress relaxation and the creep behaviour of high density polyethylene (HDPE) filled with glass fibres, clay (plate-like particles) or CaCO₃ (particles with irregular shape) were measured in uniaxial extension at room temperature. It was observed that the addition of filler increased the internal stress level, as evaluated from stress relaxation data. This increase was larger than the corresponding increase in the (short-term) elastic modulus. This behaviour may be attributed to a reduced macromolecular mobility in the matrix material close to the filler surface, i.e. to formation of an interphase region in the HDPE-matrix. From the internal stress values, the thickness of this interphase region around each filler particle was estimated, assuming a uniform coverage of the particles. It was suggested that the amount of matrix material with reduced mobility (or the thickness of the interphase region) reflected the degree of adhesion between the filler and HDPE. The change in the internal stress level due to the incorporation of different fillers, which were surface treated in some cases, was also consistent with the observed creep behaviour.     

Zur Strömung viskoser Flüssigkeiten durch gewellte Rohre

Zusammenfassung Die Strömung zäher nicht-newtonscher Flüssigkeiten durch gewellte kreisförmige Rohre unter Wirkung eines axialen Druckgefälles wurde theoretisch und experimentell untersucht. Das besondere Interesse galt dabei der durch die Wellung veränderten Druck-Durchsatz-Charakteristik. Die theoretischen Betrachtungen beziehen sich auf den Grenzfall hinreichend langer Wellen, wo sich der Querschnitt des Flüssigkeitsfadens in Strömungsrichtung nur langsam ändert und sowohl die Trägheit als auch die Elastizität der Flüssigkeit eine untergeordnete Rolle spielen. In dieser Näherung konnte der Durchsatz in Abhängigkeit vom Druckgefälle und den nichtlinearen Fließeigenschaften der Flüssigkeit für beliebige Wellenamplituden analytisch bestimmt werden. Die theoretischen Ergebnisse sind in Einklang mit experimentellen Befunden.

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The flow of a non-Newtonian fluid driven by an axial pressure gradient through a corrugated pipe of circular cross-section is analysed theoretically and realized experimentally. Particular attention is directed toward the pressure-discharge characteristics of the pipe which change due to the corrugation. A theory is developed for the limiting case of corrugations with long wave-length, where the cross-section of the pipe varies gradually in the flow direction and the effects of inertia and elasticity of the fluid are of minor importance. Within such a long-wave approximation the flow rate, in dependence on the applied pressure drop and on the non-linear viscous properties of the fluid, is determined analytically for arbitrary wave amplitudes. The theoretical results are in agreement with experimental findings.

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An automated dynamic viscometer with air bearing and inductive transducers for angular displacement detection

A dynamic viscometer is described, with which the dynamic moduli in the frequency range from 2 × 10^–3 to 10 Hz can be determined for liquids with 10^–3 Pa< |G ^* | <10² Pa. Due to the application of an air bearing and inductive transducers for the detection of the angular displacement of both the drive and the measuring cylinder a sensitive apparatus has been made. Very small strains (₀ 10^–3) can be applied and only a small amount of sample (4 ml) is needed. The operation of the apparatus is fully computer-controlled, thus, long runs at various frequencies and temperatures are possible without operator intervention. The theoretical background, calibration procedure, and operation window are described. A presentation of some measurements on two polyisoprene/polystyrene triblock copolymer solutions concludes the work.     

Evolution of the rheological properties during the reactive processing of thermoplastic/thermoset epoxy

The melt state reaction, or fusion process of bisphenol-A and the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A can produce both linear phenoxy backbone chains and crosslinked network structures. The linear chains can be thought of as thermoplastic polymer, while the crosslinked molecular matrix is a thermoset; therefore, this resin system can be termed a thermoplastic/thermoset epoxy.Rheological analysis has been performed on this system to determine the occurrence of the crossover of the storage and loss moduli during the reaction using three techniques: isothermal cure, interval frequency sweep, and interval stress relaxation.Determination of the activation energy of the reaction by consideration of the conventional gel-point determination prove unsatisfactory as compared to that which is determined by FTIR. An alternative technique is presented which yields a value in good agreement with that obtained by following epoxide consumption. The thermoplastic/thermoset nature of this material leads to the deviation from traditional thermoset cure behavior.     

Polymeric liquid sealing of a rotating shaft and rheological effects accompanying its functioning

A new type of contactless sealing of a rotating shaft based on use of normal stress effect developed on shearing in elastic polymeric liquids is reported. Physical phenomena accompanying sealing function, such as self-heating of a liquid, separation of polymer under strain from the walls by a water film, foaming of the polymer have been studied. The problem of polymer flow and of its self-heating between two coaxial disks has been considered; the problem serves as a basis for sealing calculations.     

Dynamic-mechanical properties of interfacially modified glass sphere filled polyethylene

Model composites of spherical glass particles dispersed in a matrix of high density polyethylene were prepared both with and without interfacial modification by an azidofunctional trialkoxysilane. Dynamic mechanical measurements of the composites in the melt state were recorded. The unmodified composites behave as theoretically predicted and the effect of particle—particle interaction at high volume fractions can be measured. The composites with a modified interfacial region have greater shear moduli due to the effect of a region surrounding the particle modified by the silane. The material in this region is largely bound to the glass surface and was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy after extraction of the bulk matrix. Theoretical calculations are shown to be useful in calculating the mechanical properties and volume fraction of the interfacial region.