Effect of scale and temperature factors on the compressive and shear strengths of plastics

Results are given of investigations of certain strength characteristics of a number of thermosetting plastics in relation to the scale of specimens reduced to 1/5 the standard size, i. e., the effect of the scale factor on the mechanical characteristics of plastics in compression and shear. In addition, results of a study of the dependence of the mechanical characteristics of plastics on the degree of heating in the temperature range from 20 to 200°C, i. e., the effect of the temperature factor on these characteristics, are also given.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 92–99, 1965     

Effect of the chemical structure of the polymer matrix on the properties of foam polyurethanes at low temperatures

The dependence of physical and mechanical properties of oligoether-based foam polyurethanes on the molecular mass (M_c) of polymer chains between the nodes of the polymer network and on the content of rigid segments in the polymer is investigated at 293 and 98K. The values of M_c at which the foam plastics have the best mechanical properties at low temperatures are determined. The content of rigid segments in the polymer at which foam polyurethanes have the best combination of the linear thermal expansion coefficient and mechanical properties in tension at a temperature of 98K is found.Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 517–526, July–August, 1999.     

Experimental investigation of compression waves in polyurethane foam

The behavior of porous foam plastics under impact loading has been experimentally investigated with reference to the example of polyurethane foam. The specially designed loading mechanism made it possible to measure the propagation velocity of the compression wave, its dependence on the impact velocity, and the absorption. The impact loading velocities varied from 2.5 to 13 m/sec. The results obtained are discussed from the standpoint of nonlinear acoustics.Leningrad Zhdanov State University. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 1, pp. 160–162, January–February, 1970.     

Room- and Low-Temperature Deformation of Multilayered Fiberglass Plastics Reinforced with a Fabric of Sateen Weave

The regularities of elastic deformation of multilayered fiberglass plastics reinforced with a fabric of sateen weave are studied. The effect of cooling to 77 K on the averaged elastic characteristics of the orthotropic material is analyzed. The efficiency of mathematical modeling in calculating the stiffness and compliance parameters of the woven composites based on the geometry and mechanical properties of their constituents is investigated.     

Method of constructing shock compression diagrams for foam plastics

A method is proposed for constructing shock compression diagrams for foam plastics based on experimental determination of the residual deformation of a specimen after impact with a rigid obstacle. An approximate diagram is obtained for expanded polystyrene PS-1 of initial density 0.21 g/cm³, and the dynamic yield strength is estimated.Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 566–568, May–June, 1973.     

Dispersion of the mechanical characteristics of plastics at various temperatures

The results of an investigation of the dispersion (standard deviation s and coefficient of variation V) of the static and dynamic strengths of plastics are described. The effect of temperature, state of stress, and type of plastic on the dispersion characteristics is considered.Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 1, pp. 29–34, January–February, 1970.     

Effect of Magnetic Treatment on the Structure and Properties of Aramid-Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Plastics

The problems of hardening of aramid-fiber-reinforced (ARF) epoxy plastics during thermomagnetic treatment are considered. The basic results of experimental investigations of the effect of weak magnetic fields on the structure and properties of epoxy materials and on the thermohardening conditions of various ARF plastics are presented. It is found that the physicomechanical properties of ARF textolites, unidirectional aramid-fiber-filled (AFF) plastics, and cylindrical shells improve as a result of treatment in stationary and rotating magnetic fields.     

Structural characteristics of materials reinforced with high-modulus fibers

Research on the mechanics of boron and carbon-reinforced plastics is briefly reviewed. The design and testing characteristics of these materials associated with the high degree of anisotropy of their elastic properties, as compared with those of glass-reinforced plastics, are discussed. Problems relating to testing at an angle to the direction of the reinforcement, the effect of misorientation and distortion of the fibers, and the consequences of the low shear strength are considered. Experimental confirmation has been obtained by testing unidirectional (1 : 0), orthogonally reinforced (1 : 1 and 2 : 1), and tridirectional (1 : 1 : 1 in the 0°, +60°, and –60° directions) boron and carbon-reinforced plastics.DeceasedInstitute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 676–685, July–August, 1971.     

The Effect of Adhesion Interaction on the Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Basalt Plastics

The effect of temperature, adhesion time, and surface treatment of a reinforcing filler on the mechanical properties of thermoplastic basalt plastics based on a high-density polyethylene and a copolymer of 1,3,5-trioxane with 1,3-dioxolan is investigated. An extreme dependence for the adhesive strength in a thermoplastic-basalt fiber system is established and its effect on the mechanical properties of basalt plastics and the influence of the adhesion contact time on the adhesive strength in the system are clarified. The surface modification of basalt fibers in acidic and alkaline media intensifies the adhesion of thermoplastics to them owing to a more developed surface of the reinforcing fibers after etching. It is found that the treatment in the acidic medium is more efficient and considerably improves the mechanical properties of basalt plastics.     

Glass-reinforced plastics based on matrices combining thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics

The conditions of fabrication and the physicomechanical properties of glass-reinforced plastics based on polysulfone combined in different ratios with epoxy resin and Rolivsan were investigated. It was found that realization of the strength of the fibers in glass-reinforced plastics based on three types of binders and mixtures of them at room temperature is approximately the same. The lower strength of glass-reinforced plastics based on polysulfone is determined by the lower concentration of fibers. Modification of thermosetting plastics with polysulfone significantly increases (by 5–8 times) the specific energy of delamination of the glass-reinforced plastics G_1c, which should be manifested by an increase in their crack resistance and other operating characteristics. Modification of ED-20 with polysulfone and polysulfone with Rolivsan significantly increases the glass transition temperature of the polymer and affects the character of the temperature curves of the strength of the glass-reinforced plastics.Institute of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow. D. I. Mendeleev Russian Chemical Technological University, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 1, pp. 111–117, January–February, 1996.     

Experimental investigation of the strength of structural plastics in multiple pulsed bending

Strip-beams of molded fabric-reinforced plastic, unidirectional wound glass-reinforced plastic, and polystyrene and syntactic foam have been tested in pulse bending in a modified electrodynamic testing device. The main stages of the failure process and the nature of the relation between the peak load and the number of cycles to failure have been established. For all the materials tested these relations are similar to the cyclic strength curves obtained at low loading rates. It is shown that for glass-reinforced plastics there is a correlation between the various stages of the failure process.Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 2, pp. 337–341, March–April, 1971.     

Influence of technological processing parameters on the properties of carbon filled thermoplastics

The effect of processing parameters of injection molding on the mechanical and tribotechnical properties of carbon plastics based on polyacetals is investigated. The copolymer of 1,3,5-trioxane with 1,3-dioxolane is used as the polymer matrix. Hydrated cellulose Ural LO-24 carbon fibers are used as the reinforcing filler. The effect of molding temperature, pressing time, and temperature of the casting mould on the properties of carbon plastics is investigated. It has been found that for improving the mechanical properties of carbon plastics it is necessary to raise the molding temperature up to 200–210°C. Prolongation of the technological cycle leads to thermal degradation of the polymer in the cylinder of a casting machine. The mould temperature only slightly affects the composite strength properties, but lower temperatures create better conditions for polymer crystallization. As a result of our investigations, the optimal processing parameters of the above carbon plastics are determined.Ukrainian State University of Chemical Technology, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 385–392, 1999.     

Choice of optimal structure of glass laminates with random reinforcement. I

The effect of structural parameters — length, diameter, and distribution of the reinforcing elements — on the mechanical characteristics of glass-reinforced plastics is investigated with reference to the case of glass laminates with randomly distributed, straight, uncut glass fibers in parallel planes. It is shown that the reduced strength of these laminates as compared with unidirectional material is associated with the redistribution of the load between the fibers and the resin and the relative reduction in the number of fibers in the cross section. A formula is proposed for estimating the strength of glass-reinforced plastics with a random distribution of the fibers in parallel planes.All-Union Scientific-Research Institute of Glass-Reinforced Plastics and Glass Fiber, Moscow Region. Moscow Bauman Higher Technical College. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 1043–1050, November–December, 1968.     

Effectiveness of using high-modulus and hollow fibers in glass-reinforced plastics with a three-dimensional structure

The elastic and strength characteristics of glass-reinforced plastics based on three-dimensional multilayer glass fabrics with high-modulus, hollow and solid glass fibers have been studied. The effectiveness of using high-modulus and hollow fibers in these composites is estimated. The characteristics are calculated from the properties of reinforcement and the matrix and the results are compared with the experimental data.     

Mechanical characteristics of oriented glass-reinforced plastics in shear

The mechanical characteristics of oriented glass-reinforced plastics stressed in shear are considered. Various methods of determining them are compared. The dispersion of the shear strength is characterized and the possibility of glass-reinforced plastics elements failing as a result of low interlaminar shear strength is discussed.Moscow Aviation Technological Institute. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 6, pp. 1008–1013, November–December, 1969.     

Experimental evaluation of the effect of prestressing the fibers in two directions on certain elastic characteristic of woven-glass reinforced plastics

The effect of prestressing the reinforcing fibers in either of two mutually perpendicular directions on the elastic characteristics of woven-glass reinforced plastics has been experimentally investigated. It is shown that an increase in the elastic characteristics in the prestress direction is accompanied by a decrease in the direction at right angles. Applying the same prestress in both directions considerably improves the moduli of elasticity (E_x, E_y). The possibility of using Bolotin's theory [1] and the relations proposed in [4, 6] to estimate the effect of regular distortions of the fibers on the elastic moduli of woven-glass reinforced materials is examined.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 859–863, September–October, 1968.     

Effect of the cellular structure on thermal conductivity of rigid closed-cell foam polymers during long-term aging

The thermal conductivity of rigid closed-cell polyurethane foams during long-term aging has been studied. The similarity between the kinetics of changes in the physical and mechanical characteristics of PU foams on progressive aging is established, which is attributed to the effect of matrix destruction. It is found that rigid foams have cell walls of various strength, whose impact on the kinetics of changes in the physical characteristics of the foams during long-term aging is ascertained. The results of predicting the thermal conductivity of PU foams by the method of temperature-time analogy and establishing the limits of its application are discussed. The research presented is of interest both in determining the foam durability and in replacing freons by alternative, ecologically less harmful blowing agents.     

Mechanical characteristics of radiation-cured glass-reinforced plastics

Data are presented on the mechanical characteristics of oligoester maleates copolymerized with styrene and the corresponding glass-reinforced plastics crosslinked by the thermochemical and radiation methods. It is established that the radiation-cured glass-reinforced plastics have improved strength and stiffness as compared with similar specimens obtained by thermochemical curing.Institute of Mechanics, Institute of High Molecular Compounds, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR, Kiev. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 704–710, July–August, 1969.     

Electro-thermo-mechanical torsional buckling of a piezoelectric polymeric cylindrical shell reinforced by DWBNNTs with an elastic core

The effect of partially filled poly ethylene (PE) foam core on the behavior of torsional buckling of an isotropic, simply supported piezoelectric polymeric cylindrical shell made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and subjected to combined electro-thermo-mechanical loads has been analyzed using energy method. The shell is reinforced by armchair double walled boron nitride nanotubes (DWBNNTs). The core is modeled as an elastic environment containing Winkler and Pasternak modules. Using representative volume element (RVE) based on micromechanical modeling, mechanical, electrical and thermal characteristics of the equivalent composite were determined. Critical buckling load is calculated using strains based on Donnell theory, the coupled electro-thermo-mechanical governing equations and principle of minimum potential energy. The results indicate that buckling strength increases substantially as harder foam cores are employed i.e. as E_c/E_s is increased. The most economic in-fill foam core is at η = 0.6, as cost increases without much significant improvement in torsional buckling at higher η’s.