Prediction of changes in the strength of filled thermoplastics upon aging in an oxidizing atmosphere

Problems related to analyzing specimens with damaged surface layers have been examined using polyamide, trioxane—dioxolane copolymer, and polycarbonate as source materials. A model was developed for the brittle fracture of block specimens with damaged surface layers, which provides an estimate of the restraints to plastic deformation in these layers. Three segments are seen in the strength—time curves featuring 1) increasing strength, 2) decreased strength with brittle fracture, and 3) constant low strength. The strength of filled specimens of a specific period permits us to evaluate the effect of the filler on the fracture resistance of the matrix. A method was proposed for predicting the strength of filled samples using the matrix aging data.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 29, No. 3, pp. 375–380, May–June, 1993.     

Improving the strength of plastics by vacuum molding

An account is given of a completely new method of processing thermosets by molding them under vacuum. The authors' vacuum-molding equipment is briefly described. Data on the compressive, tensile, static bending and impact strength of vacuum-molded specimens are given. These indicate that in every respect the strength of vacuum-molded materials is considerably superior to that of plastics molded in the usual way (in the atmosphere).Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 722–727, 1966     

Statistical laws of fracture and statistical estimation of the static strength of structural elements made from polymeric composites

The basis of the statistical estimation of the strength of structural elements made from fibrous composites is considered; the statistical characteristics of the strength of these materials are described and the limit states are formulated. Special attention is given to the resistance to debonding. The conditions of fracture of this class of materials in plane stress are subjected to a statistical analysis.Presented at the 2nd All-Union Conference on Polymer Mechanics, Riga, November 10–12, 1971.Aviation Engineering Institute, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 466–482, May–June, 1972.     

Physicomechanical properties of composites from recycled polyethylene and linen yarn production wastes

The possibilities of utilizing wastes of linen thread production (chaffs, spinning and roving losses) in recycled polyolefin composites have been investigated. The wastes were mixed with recycled polyethylenes (produced from domestic and industrial film production wastes). The physicomechanical properties (tensile strength, bending and tensile moduli, and water resistance) and the fluidity (melt flow-behavior index) for systems with a different filler content are estimated. Almost all the composite materials obtained have satisfactory fluidity (melt flow-behavior index is not lower than 0.07–0.15 dg/min). For all types of the composites, a slight increase in tensile strength and a considerable increase (3–7 times) in bending and tensile moduli were observed. The water resistance of the composites decreased with an increase in the filler content. The modification of filled systems with diisocyanates (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) improved the useful properties and water resistance of all the composites investigated.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 199–210, March–April, 1999.     

A method of testing the transverse tensile strength of wound articles

A theoretical and experimental justification is provided for a method of determining the transverse tensile strength of composites on the basis of bending tests on a segment of a circular ring. Test data obtained by different methods are compared.Moscow Power Engineering Institute. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 759–761, July–August, 1973.     

Effect of fiber length on the strength and fracture properties of a fiber-filled silicone composite

The mechanism by which fillers strengthen polymers is discussed, and the effect of fiber length on static and impact bending strength and on the area of the fracture surface is studied with reference to the example of a silicone composite. A correlation is established between the strength properties and the area of the fracture surface. On the basis of the data obtained it is shown that, as the fiber length increases, the fracture mechanism changes from extraction of the ends of the fibers along the fracture path to breakage of the fibers.Moscow Lomonosov Institute of Fine Chemical Technology. Ter-Gazaryan State Scientific-Research Planning Institute of Polymer Adhesives, Kirovakan. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 445–449, May–June, 1971.     

Resistance of three-layered structures to static and cyclic bending

Conclusions The above studies of two types of three-layer structural elements showed that the types have different resistances to static deformation in bending. Regardless of the materials, the use of structures which are symmetrical in regard to stiffness makes it possible to obtain a stiffness and strength for the structure which are 10–15% lower than the stiffness and strength of the external plates if the thickness of the latter does not account for more than 25% of the thickness of the structure. This finding, in turn, permits a substantial reduction in the weight of the structure by the use of a lower-density material for the internal layer. Resistance to static bending is determined mainly by the resistance of the structure to shear stresses. The mechanism of fatigue fracture differs appreciably from the fracture mechanism in static deformation. Regardless of the thickness of the structural elements, fatigue fracture for both types of structure occurs as a result of the acting normal compressive stresses. The endurance limit of the hybrid structure is determined by the fatigue resistance of the external layers, and its value is nearly equal to the resistance of the pure materials.Presented at the Sixth All-Union Conference on the Mechanics of Polymer and Composite Materials (Riga, November, 1986).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 5, pp. 878–882, September–October, 1986.     

Current state and prospects for development of the physical theory of brittle strength of polymers

Various mechanisms of brittle fracture and theories of the time dependence of the strength of rigid polymers are examined. The effect of various types of mechanical losses (deformation, dynamical, surface) on polymer strength and life is analyzed. The principal shortcomings of Griffith's theory of strength are pointed out. From an examination of the two basic mechanisms of brittle fracture of polymers-nonthermal and thermal (thermal fluctuation)-it is concluded that the latter is the more important. A comparison is made of the fluctuation theory of polymer strength with new experimental data on polymethyl methacrylate, and the causes of the transition from brittle to nonbrittle fracture are discussed. The effect of molecular orientation on the strength of polymers is examined on the basis of the fluctuation theory of strength.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 700–721, 1966     

Experimental study of fracture toughness and energy in composite materials

The paper presents an experimental investigation of fracture characteristics of composite materials. The post-peak response of the load-crack opening displacement of notched specimens is used to evaluate the fracture energy associated with progressive matrix damage and crack growth. Effects of fiber orientation and other geometric characteristics on fracture parameters are studied. The load versus crack opening displacement as well as crack length, fracture toughness, and energy versus the number of loading cycles are obtained for different specimens. Based on the experimental results of this study, concepts of the fracture mechanics are applied to evaluate the evolution of fracture toughness and energy.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2. Published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 323–332, May–June, 1998.     

Predicting the transverse strength of unidirectional composites under combination loading

This article presents a mathematical model for predicting the transverse strength of unidirectional fiber composites subjected to combination transverse loading under different conditions. The behavior of the matrix is described by nonlinear physical equations consistent with the strain theory of plasticity for the active loading section. The fibers are assumed to be isotropic and elastic. The boundary-value problem of micromechanics that is formulated includes strength criteria for the matrix and fibers that mark the beginning of their possible failure. The modeling of the fracture process is taken farther through the use of a scheme that reduces the stiffness of the matrix and fibers in the failed regions in relation to the sign of the first invariant of the stress tensor. The method of local approximation is used together with the finite-element method to calculate the stress and strain fields in unidirectional composites with cylindrical fibers in a tetragonal layup. The model is used to study the behavior of an epoxy-based organic-fiber-reinforced plastic subjected to transverse loading in different simple paths — including simultaneous compressive and tensile loads, as well as transverse shear.Paper to be presented at the Ninth International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, October 1995).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 473–481, July–August, 1995.     

The scale effect and the statistical theory of strength of polymer coatings

As a result of normal tensile tests on coatings based on ED-6 epoxy resin and kapron applied to a metal surface it has been established that the fracture is brittle in character and accompanied by a scale effect and a regular distribution of the strength values for specimens of the same type. It is shown that the data obtained are all in good agreement with the statistical theory of strength.State All-Union Scientific-Research Technological Institute for the Repair and Maintenance of Tractors and Agricultural Machinery, Moscow. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 5, pp. 839–843, September–October, 1968.     

Effect of bond strength on the breaking strength of two-layer cellophane film materials

The effect of bond strength on over-all tensile strength has been investigated in relation to two-layer materials consisting of cellophane film cut in the longitudinal and transverse directions and bonded with polyisobutylene. It is shown that there is a linear correlation between the bond strength and the combination hardening effect. The breaking stress of two-layer materials is higher than that of the individual films. A possible explanation of this effect is proposed.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 89–94, 1967     

Effect of chemical nature of matrix on the strength of bonds with Armos aramide fibers

This investigation deals with adhesion between high-strength and high-modulus Armos aramide fibers (polyheteroarylene-co-p-phenyleneterephthalamide) and a series of different thermosetting matrices. The effect of the chemical nature of the matrix, time-temperature conditions of bond formation, and test temperature on the strength of the fiber-matrix interface was studied. Modified epoxy and heat-resistant matrices were used as adhesives. As a measure of adhesion, the shear adhesive strength ₀ determined by the fiber pull-out technique was used. It was found that both the adhesive strength and the fracture location in adhesive bonds depended on the nature of the matrix. At room temperature, chlorine-containing epoxy matrices provide the highest values of ₀, while the smallest strength of the interface is observed for bonds with heat-resistant (bismaleimide, oligomethacrylate) matrices. Fracture of adhesive bonds does not always occur at the fiber-matrix interface. A number of the specimens failed near the interface of the fiber. With temperature increase, the values of ₀ decrease. The adhesive strength falls especially drastically in the region of matrix softening. An advantage of heat-resistant matrices is that they retain 60–67% of ₀ value even at 250°C. The strength of unidirectional composites based on the investigated fibers and matrices was also estimated under different loading conditions such as tension, shear, compression, and bending. It was found that the strength in shear and compression did not correlate with the interface strength. The values of _c in bending and tension increased linearly with increase of ₀. The obtained dependences _c–₀ were compared with those of composites based on the SVM polyheteroarylene fibers determined by us earlier.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 391–406, May–June, 1998.     

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the strength properties of polymer materials

On the assumption that the strength characteristics of homogeneous polymer materials depend on the specific volume, equations are derived for the dependence of the strength or high-elastic limit on the hydrostatic component of the stress tensor and temperature. The ultimate strengths in simple tension, compression and shear are considered in relation to brittle and plastic fracture.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 3, pp. 449–454, May–June, 1969.     

Study of the impact shear strength of polymer materials

A method is proposed for studying the dynamic strength of block polymers in terms of their resistance to impact shear. An original instrument for conducting tests are room and elevated temperatures is described. The results obtained with this instrument for alkathene and styrene carylonitrile copolymer are discussed. It is found that there is a considerable increase in specific shear energy in the region of transition from the glassy to the high elastic state. In the case of alkathene the investigated characteristic falls linearly on the temperature interval studied.Leningrad Kirov Institute of the Textile and Light Industries. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 1135–1137, November–December, 1968.     

Structure analysis, fatigue testing, and lifetime prediction of composite steels

Composite steels prepared by technology of powder metallurgy are widely used as low cost parts with good resistance to wear, fracture, and corrosion. The development of powder composite steels is directly related to strength under vibration, fatigue stabilizing, and accurate lifetime prediction for actual composite topology. The fatigue behavior of powder steels was studied by experimental and numerical methods of composite mechanics and materials sciences. The chemical composition of composite steel is a pure iron powder as the base material and a handful of carbon, chromium, nickel, or phosphorus powders. The powder multi-component mixture is compacted by cold isostatic pressing to a rectangular form. The compactants are sintered in protective atmosphere. The microscale examination of the composite structure included an METAM-RV-21 metallographic optic microscope with a high-resolution ScanNexIIc scanner and an image processing package on the PC platform. The phase composition of powder steels has complex disordered topology with irregular ferrite/austenite grains, iron carbide inclusions, and pores. The microstructure images are treated according to the theory of stochastic processes as ergodic probability functions; statistical moments and a structural covariance function of the composite steels are given. The microscale stress-strain state of the composite steel is analyzed by finite element methods. The stiffness matrix of the composite steel is also presented together with stiffness matrices of ferrite/austenite grains, iron carbide inclusions, and pores as zero matrices. Endurance limits of the microstructural components are described by the Basquin or Coffin-Manson laws, respectively, as high and low cycle fatigue; cumulative microdamage in loading with a variable amplitude is taken from the Palmgren-Miner rule. Planar specimens were tested by console bending. Symmetric fatigue cycling was performed at a stable frequency of 20 Hz with endurance limits up to 5·10⁶ cycles. The probabilistic S-N curves were studied for various types of the composite steels. The fatigue properties of the structural components such as ferrite/austenite grains and carbide particles were defined by the microscale stress-strain modeling. Structural impact on the fatigue lifetime was computed; the probabilistic fatigue curves of the composite steels of various phase compositions are given. The prediction of cyclic lifetime and fatigue testing show good agreement for the powder composite steels studied.Presented at the 10th International Conference on the Mechanics of Composite Materials (Riga, April 20–23, 1998).Perm' State Technical University, Russia. Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 34, No. 3, pp. 371–382, May–June, 1998.     

Theoretical and maximum attainable strength of various uniaxially oriented polymers (film,fibers)

The theoretical strength of various ideally oriented synthetic fibers was calculated. The calculation was based on an assumption that the rupture of polymers involves simultaneous breaking of molecular chains and pulling asunder the chain ends. The temperature-time dependence of the strength of fibers was analyzed and the maximum attainable strength of fibers of various kinds was calculated to show that it is 2–5 times higher than that recorded in practice. The main causes of the difference between the attainable and attained levels of strength are associated with imperfections of the supermolecular structure and an insufficient degree of orientation of materials of this kind. The principal means of obtaining high strength levels of synthetic fibers were discussed.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 2, no. 6, pp. 845–856, 1966     

Bending strength of oriented glass-reinforced plastics

The authors consider the effect of the low shear strength and shear stiffness of oriented glass-reinforced plastics (GRP) on the stress distribution and type of failure in bending. On the basis of relations obtained in [1] it is shown that the effect of shears on the magnitude and law of distribution of the normal and shear stresses is important only for very short beams made of materials with a low shear stiffness. An experimental study of the nature of failure in bending has revealed that the chief cause of extension of the region of shear failure of oriented GRP is the low shear strength of the material, and has made it possible to establish the limits of this region for three typical materials. Anisotropy of the elastic properties has little effect on the type of failure in bending.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 535–542, 1966     

Cracking resistance and long-term strength of dispersion-hardened composites

Conclusions The previously proposed relationships were used to develop a method of predicting the endurance of dispersion-hardened composites on the basis of results of tensile tests on the material at a constant strain rate. It is shown that stress raisers in the form of cut out or defects which weaken the working cross section, greatly reduce the endurance of the material. The proposed method of evaluating the effect of stress raisers on the endurance of polymer materials is based on the assumption on the initiation of a crack-like defect and its propagation in accordance with the loss of linear fracture mechanics.Translated from Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, No. 5, pp. 869–877, September–October, 1989.     

Hardness of textolites and its relationship to strength

It is shown that the regularities previously obtained for a series of homogeneous polymer materials also apply to a heterogeneous material: 1) the Brinell hardness ata/R>0.7 can be used to calculate the compressive strength; 2) a quantity proportional to the tensile strength can be obtained from the experimentally determined HM =f(a/R) curve. Various Textolites based on phenol-formaldehyde resin were investigated.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 4, pp. 616–620, July–August, 1969.