Determination of silicone coating Young's modulus using atomic force microscopy

The polymerisation degree of thin polymer coatings was checked by following the variation of their local mechanical properties. Atomic force microscope (AFM) was used in an indentation mode to investigate the mechanical characteristics of silicone coatings on polycarbonate substrates. The evolution of Young's modulus of the silicone coatings was determined as a function of the polymer annealing time. We have used a relative method to measure Young's moduli, which involves a calibration step with a set of reference polymers. No variation was observed for the modulus of silicone coatings annealed during more than 40 min at 130 °C. This result indicates that over-heating does not modify the mechanical properties of the coating.     

黏弹性材料的动态力学特性及其对覆盖层吸声性能的影响

本文利用标准化动态力学测量手段获得了某种高分子聚合物的动态杨氏模量,并根据时温等效原理对动态杨氏模量与声学测量在频段上的差异加以分析和转换,得到了500—7500 Hz频率范围内该黏弹性材料杨氏模量随频率变化的特性.基于所测得动态杨氏模量,采用有限元方法分析了均匀黏弹材料的吸声性能,并将仿真结果与样品声管实验数据进行对比,验证了测试所得参数的准确性.进一步仿真分析了含有局域共振结构的声学覆盖层吸声性能,并讨论了黏弹性材料的动态特性对其吸声性能的影响,提出了改进水声覆盖层低频宽带吸声特性的建议.     

Effects of temperature and vacancy defects on tensile deformation of single-walled carbon nanotubes

This study adopts the Tersoff-Brenner interaction potential function in a series of molecular dynamic (MD) simulations which investigate the mechanical properties under tensile loading of (10,0) zigzag, (8,3) chiral and (6,6) armchair single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of similar radii. The Young's modulus values of the (10,0), (8,3) and (6,6) nanotubes are determined to be approximately 0.92, 0.95, and 1.03 TPa, respectively. Of these nanotubes, the results reveal that the (6,6) nanotube possesses the best tensile strength and toughness properties under tension. Although it is noted that under small tensions, the mechanical properties such as Young's modulus are essentially insensitive to helicity, under larger plastic deformations, they may be influenced by helicity effects. Finally, the simulations demonstrate that the values of the majority of the considered mechanical properties decrease with increasing temperature and increasing vacancy percentage.     

金纳米管力学性能的分子动力学模拟

采用分子动力学模拟方法, 研究了金纳米管沿不同晶向拉伸与压缩载荷下的力学性能, 并分析了金纳米管的半径对其力学行为的影响. 在模拟计算中, 采用镶嵌原子势描述金原子之间的相互作用. 模拟结果表明, 在拉伸及压缩过程中, 不同晶向的金纳米管力学性能相差较大, 在拉伸和压缩载荷下金纳米管<110>向的屈服强度最大; 在三个晶向<100>, <110>, <111>的金纳米管中, <100>晶向的金纳米管其屈服强度和杨氏模量都远远小于其他晶向. 研究结果还发现, 当纳米管的半径小于3.0 nm时, 金纳米管的屈服强度没有大的变化, 而当半径大于3.0 nm后, 随着半径的增大, 其屈服强度明显降低. 关键词： 分子动力学模拟 金纳米管 力学性能     

Mechanical properties of ZnO nanowires

Semiconductor nanowires are unique as functional building blocks in nanoscale electrical and electromechanical devices. Here, we report on the mechanical properties of ZnO nanowires that range in diameter from 18 to 304 nm. We demonstrate that in contrast to recent reports, Young's modulus is essentially independent of diameter and close to the bulk value, whereas the ultimate strength increases for small diameter wires, and exhibits values up to 40 times that of bulk. The mechanical behavior of ZnO nanowires is well described by a mechanical model of bending and tensile stretching.     

Molecular dynamic investigation of mechanical properties of armchair and zigzag double-walled carbon nanotubes under various loading conditions

Using molecular dynamic simulation (MDS), effects of chirality and Van der Waals interaction on Young's modulus, elastic compressive modulus, bending, tensile, and compressive stiffness, and critical axial force of double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) and its inner and outer tubes are considered. Achieving the highest safety factor, mechanical properties have been investigated under applied load on both inner and outer tubes simultaneously and on each one of them separately. Results indicate that as a compressive element, DWCNT is more beneficial than single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) since it carries two times higher compression before buckling. Except critical axial pressure and tensile stiffness, in other parameters zigzag DWCNT shows higher amounts than armchair type. Outer tube has lower strength than inner tube; therefore, most reliable design of nanostructures can be attained if the mechanical properties of outer tube taken as the properties of DWCNT.     

Improvement in thermo mechanical and optical properties of in situ synthesized PMMA/TiO2 nanocomposite

In this paper, transparent thin films of nano titania filled Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were synthesized by solvent casting method using tetra hydro furan as a solvent, with in situ nonaqueous ‘sol-gel’ transformation involving the mixing of titanium isopropoxide (as sol-gel precursor) and methanol. The present research work is focused at studying the effect of titania loading on optical and mechanical behavior of transparent nano hybrid thin films. The effect of nano Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) loading on PMMA morphology was studied by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Bowl shaped structures were obtained in pure PMMA thin film, which were deformed on incorporation of TiO₂ nanoparticles. This nanocomposite exhibits enhanced optical and mechanical properties. The peak of UV absorption is blue shifted to 261 and 266?nm with the incorporation of TiO₂. At this wavelength, the absorption is increased up to approximately 397%. The nanocomposites exhibit increased tensile strength up to 40% and modulus up to 16%. Tg of PMMA increased from 84.8 to 86.7?°C on adding 1.25% TiO₂ nanoparticles.     

Mechanical Properties of Ni-Coated Single Graphene Sheet and Their Embedded Aluminum Matrix Composites

The effects of Ni coating on the mechanical behaviors of single graphene sheet and their embedded Al matrix composites under axial tensionare investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. Theresults show that the Young's moduli and tensile strength of grapheneobviously decrease after Ni coating. The results also show that the mechanical properties of Al matrix can be obviously increased by embedding asingle graphene sheet. From the simulation, we also find that the Young'smodulus and tensile strength of the Ni-coated graphene/Al composite isobviously larger than those of the uncoated graphene/Al composite. Theincreased magnitude of the Young's modulus and tensile strength ofgraphene/Al composite are 52.27 and 32.32 at 0.01 K, respectively,due to Ni coating. By exploring the effects of temperature on the mechanicalproperties of single graphene sheet and their embedded Al matrix composites, it is found that the higher temperature leads to the lower critical strain and tensile strength.     

Orientation dependence of elastic properties in orthorhombic Ca_3Mn_2O_7

Elastic properties are important in fundamental understanding of multiferroic materials. However, up to now, there is no work about anisotropy of elastic properties in orthorhombic Ca_3Mn_2O_7. In this study, using coordinate transformation method, we investigated basic elastic parameters(elastic constants c'_(ij)) and engineering elastic parameters(Young's modulus E, Poisson's ratio v, and the rigidity modulus G') of orthorhombic Ca_3Mn_2O_7 along arbitrary orientations. The detailed anisotropic characteristics of these parameters were presented. The results reveal the orientation related elastic properties in mm2 point group orthorhombic Ca_3Mn_2O_7.     

Structural and mechanical stability of rare-earth diborides

Structural and mechanical properties of several rare-earth diborides were systematically investigated by first principles calculations. Specifically, we studied XB2 , where X=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, and Lu in the hexagonal AlB2 , ReB2 , and orthorhombic OsB2 -type structures. The lattice parameters, bulk modulus, bond distances, second order elastic constants, and related polycrystalline elastic moduli (e.g., shear modulus, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, Debye temperature, sound velocities) were calculated. Our results indicate that these compounds are mechanically stable in the considered structures, and according to "Chen’s method", the predicted Vickers hardness shows that they are hard materials in AlB2 - and OsB2 -type structures.     

High-pressure properties of group IV clathrates

We review the investigations on clathrate materials having C, Si, Ge or Sn framework atoms in which the pressure parameter plays an important role. In this article, we studied the synthesis of clathrates, superconducting properties and those studies relative to the structural cohesivity and phase diagrams. We have tried to extensively review these subjects. Key references on other important properties of the group IV clathrates are provided in the introductory sections. As a main result of this review, we note that pressure appears as a key parameter for the elaboration of present and future clathrates in particular those exhibiting superconducting properties. We show how high-pressure research has also played an important role in the understanding of the parameters governing clathrate superconductivity. In contrast, the study of the structural evolution of group IV clathrates (bulk modulus and stability) gives abundant clues for tailoring new materials with improved mechanical properties. Finally, practically all investigations converge to point out that today hypothetical carbon clathrates are candidates for extraordinary superconducting and mechanical properties.     

Mechanical Properties of Formamidinium Halide Perovskites FABX_3(FA=CH(NH_2)_2; B=Pb,Sn; X=Br,I) by First-Principles Calculations

The mechanical properties of formamidinium halide perovskites FABX_3(FA=CH(NH_2)_2; B=Pb, Sn; X=Br, I)are systematically investigated using first-principles calculations. Our results reveal that FABX_3 perovskites possess excellent mechanical flexibility, ductility and strong anisotropy. We shows that the planar organic cation FA+ has an important effect on the mechanical properties of FABX3 perovskites. In addition, our results indicate that (i) the moduli(bulk modulus B, Young's modulus E, and shear modulus G) of FABBr_3 are larger than those of FABI_3 for the same B atom, and (ii) the moduli of FAPbX_3 are larger than those of FASnX_3 for the same halide atom. The reason for the two trends is demonstrated by carefully analyzing the bond strength between B and X atoms based on the projected crystal orbital Hamilton population method.     

V-Ta合金力学行为的计算与实验研究

用第一性原理方法计算V-Ta合金体系的弹性常数并对其力学性能进行评估.计算得到的杨氏模量、剪切模量、柯西压力及体模量与剪切模量等表明当合金中Ta的含量在10 wt.%左右时,合金具有较高的强度和良好的塑性.为了检验计算结果,合成了V-10 wt.%Ta,V-15 wt.%Ta,V-20 wt.%Ta等不同Ta含量体系,并对其力学性能进行表征,实验所得结果与计算相吻合,为通过计算设计合金提供了一种可行思路.     

Ab initio study of the effects of helium on the mechanical properties of different erbium hydrides

Although rare-earth metals have increasingly received attention for use in the storage and transportation of the tritium used in nuclear fusion reactions, they still face great challenges, such as the effect of helium on the mechanical properties of different erbium hydrides. In this work, first principles are used to study the mechanical properties(elastic constants, Young's modulus, transverse shear modulus and bulk modulus) of different erbium hydrides exposed to helium. The Young's modulus, the transverse shear modulus and the bulk modulus are given based on the elastic constants calculated according to first principles. It is found that the mechanical properties of all three erbium hydrides decrease in the presence of helium, and the decline of the mechanical properties of ErH_3 is the most serious. To explain the reason for the decrease in the mechanical properties, the densities of the states of erbium hydrides are calculated. During the calculations, helium embrittlement is not found and the ductility of the erbium hydrides improves following the production of helium at the helium concentrations considered in this work.     

Influence of static compression on mechanical parameters of acoustic foams

The modification of elastic properties of compressed acoustic foams is investigated. The porous sample is first submitted to a static compression and then to a dynamic excitation of smaller amplitude, corresponding to acoustical applications. The static compression induces the modification of the dynamic elastic parameters of the material. This work focuses on Young's modulus. The variation is measured with two different experimental methods: The classical rigidimeter and an absorption measurement. The effective Young's modulus is directly measured with the first method and is indirectly determined through the quarter-wave length resonance of the frame with the second one. The results of the two measurements are compared and give similar tendencies. The variation of the dynamic Young's modulus as a function of the degree of compression of the sample is shown to be separated in several zones. In the zones associated with weak compression (those usually zones encountered in practice), the variation of the effective Young's modulus can be approximated by a simple affine function. The results are compared for different foams. A simple model of the dependency of the Young's modulus with respect to the static degree of compression is finally proposed for weak compressions.     

Parametric Studies on the Grafting of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) onto Organophilic Montmorillonite Using Silylated Clay Platelets

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/organophilic montmorillonite (Cloisite 30B) nanocomposites were synthesized by the chemical grafting of PMMA onto Cloisite 30B via solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with vinyl-modified organoclay. The effects of different parameters such as clay weight percent (CWP), solvent per monomer volume ratio, and dispersion time on the properties of the PMMA grafted Cloisite 30B were investigated using the Taguchi experimental design method. This method gives a much-reduced variance for the experiments with optimum setting of control parameters and provides a set of minimum experiments compared to the conventional methods. Qualitative evidence for the chemical grafting of the PMMA onto Cloisite 30B was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to investigate interlayer changes of the clay in the grafted nanoplatelets. The exfoliated/intercalated morphology of the nanocomposites was confirmed by XRD. Furthermore, thermal properties were measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Statistical analysis of results revealed that clay weight percent and solvent per monomer ratio had significant effects on the properties of final products. The percent of grafted PMMA and storage modulus of PMMA/30B nanocomposites decreased with increasing clay content due to better dispersion of the clay at lower loadings. On the other hand, because of a tendency to formation of homopolymer and oligomers at higher solvent loadings; the percent of grafted PMMA, storage modulus and glass transition temperature of PMMA/30B nanocomposites decreased with an increase in solvent per monomer volume ratio. However, the obtained PMMA/30B nanocomposites at the optimum conditions, was exhibited a higher glass transition temperature, higher storage modulus and better thermal stability than the pure PMMA.     

Analysis of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using a Chemical Bond Element Model

提出了一种纳米尺度的有限元方法,碳纳米管中的碳-碳化学键被模拟为键单元．按照平衡关系,根据有限元理论,作用于每个碳原子上的作用力可以写成键单元的刚度矩阵与每个碳原子位移的乘积．在分子力学的基本假设下,键单元刚度矩阵的每个元素可以写为分子力学中力场常数的函数,这样建立起了宏观力学方法(有限元)与纳米尺度力学方法(分子力学)之间的联系．应用该方法模拟了扶椅型与锯齿型单壁碳纳米管的力学行为从而验证了该方法的有效性．分析结果说明单壁碳纳米管的弹性模量与管厚度的选取直接相关．此外,弹性模量对所选取的分子力学中的力场常数非常敏感,管的弹性模量显示出对半径的尺度依赖性,但是管长度对弹性模量的影响小到可以被忽略．     

Deformation and failure processes of kaolinite under tension:Insights from molecular dynamics simulations

As a primary constituent of soft rocks, kaolinite plays an important role in large deformations of underground structures, which usually leads to serious safety risks. This paper investigates the deformation and failure processes of kaolinite under tension using molecular dynamics simulations. Based on the atomistic scale of these deformation and failure processes and their stressstrain curves, Young's moduli and strengths in three crystal directions and the surface energy of the(001) plane were obtained,which were consistent with theoretical predictions. The number of broken bonds and their corresponding broken sequences were determined. The results of our study indicated that as more bonds break during tension, the initiation of crack led to a sharp decrease in stress. We also explored the influence of temperature on the mechanical properties of kaolinite, which indicated that as temperature increased, the tensile strength and Young's modulus decreased.     

Numerical study of pressure relationships between sample and calibrant inside the diamond anvil cell

We present isotropic, elastic-plastic finite element calculations detailing the pressure relationship between an inclusion and its surrounding matrix, subject to an externally imposed hydrostatic strain. In general, the inclusion and the matrix have different values of hydrostatic pressure, depending on their absolute and relative values of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio. A series of finite element models was used to explore the parameter space of the elastic and plastic properties of an inclusion within a matrix. In all cases where there is insufficient relaxation of the nonhydrostatic stress, the material with the higher bulk modulus will also have a higher pressure, regardless of the shear moduli. The complete data set was subjected to a Pareto analysis to determine the main and secondary effects which influence the final result, expressed as the ratio of the pressure of the matrix to that of the inclusion. The four most important factors which determine the pressure ratio of an inclusion and matrix are the Young's modulus of the matrix, the interaction of the Young's modulus and the yield strength of the matrix material, the Young's modulus of the inclusion, and the interaction of the Young's modulus of the inclusion with the yield strength of the matrix material. The yield strength of the inclusion has a statistically insignificant effect on the results. This information provides guidelines for designing the most effective combinations of unknowns and material standards to minimize pressure errors in equation of state measurements.