Free-edge stresses and progressive cracking in surface coatings of circular torsion bars

This paper considers the explicit solutions of free-edge stresses near circumferential cracks in surface coatings of circular torsion bars and their application in determining the progressive cracking density in the coating layers. The problem was formulated within the framework of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The free-edge stresses near crack tip and the shear stresses in the cross-section of the torsion bar were approached in explicit forms based on the variational principle of complementary strain energy. Criterion for progressive cracking in the coating layer was established in sense of strain energy conservation, and the crack density is thereby estimated. Effects of external torque, aspect ratio, and elastic properties on the density of progressive cracking were examined numerically. The present study shows that, in the sense of inducing a given crack density, compliant coating layer with lower modulus has much higher critical torque than that of a stiffer one with the same geometries and substrate material, i.e., compliant coating layer has greater cracking tolerance. Meanwhile, the study also indicates that thicker surface coating layer is more pliant to cracking than the thinner ones. The present model can be used for analyzing the damage mechanism and cracking tolerance of surface coatings of torsion shafts and for data reduction of torsional fracture test of brittle surface coatings, etc.     

Discrete gap solitons in modulated waveguide arrays

We suggest a novel concept of diffraction management in waveguide arrays and predict the existence of discrete gap solitons that possess the properties of both conventional discrete and Bragg grating solitons. We demonstrate that one can control both the soliton velocity and the propagation direction by varying the input light intensity.     

Investigation of the temperature change associated with the adiabatic compression of high-density polyethylene

The changes in the temperature of high-density polyethylene specimens during adiabatic compression and unloading have been experimentally investigated at various initial temperatures and at pressures up to 2500 kgf/cm². It is shown that the temperature rise depends nonmonotonically on the initial temperature, which is due to the temperature and pressure dependence of the volume expansion coefficient and thermal stability.Institute of Polymer Mechanics, Academy of Sciences of the Latvian SSR, Riga. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 2, pp. 416–419, May–June, 1976.     

Effect of hydrostatic pressure on the tensile strength of polymer materials

The effect of hydrostatic pressure on the tensile strength of amorphous, crystalline, and thermosetting polymers has been investigated. The maximum hydrostatic pressure was 2000 kgf/cm². The surfaces of some specimens were protected from the ambient medium (oil). The tests showed that hydrostatic pressure improves the strength or high-elastic limit and Young's modulus of all the materials investigated. In the case of brittle materials, the increase in strength is greater if the surface is protected, whereupon the plasticity is also improved. Hydrostatic pressure produces important changes in the deformation behavior of crystalline polymers.Mekhanika Polimerov, Vol. 3, No. 6, pp. 1043–1047, 1967     

Highly efficient rapid ethanol sensing based on Co-doped In₂O₃ nanowires

Pristine and Co-doped In₂O₃ nanowires were synthesized via electrospinning with subsequent calcination. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize nanowire morphology and structure. Ethanol sensing performance analyzed in the range of temperatures and concentrations showed that Co-doped In₂O₃ nanowires exhibited significantly enhanced sensitivity and rate of performance with the response and recovery times of 2 s and 3 s, respectively. Combined with excellent selectivity and linearity, these properties make the fabricated nanowires a good candidate for practical ethanol sensing. Further performance improvements are possible with utilization of nanofiber continuity intrinsic of the used top-down nanowire nanomanufacturing process.     

Towards a comprehensive theory of lyoluminescence in alkali halide crystals: Some results and some perspectives for future research

Lyoluminescence is an interesting tool to study irradiation defects in solids and their behaviour after dissolution. A general kinetic scheme of the process valid for alkali halide crystals is presented, and some ideas about structure and properties of the interacting species, in the solid as well as in the liquid phase, are discussed.     

Wrinkling of a charged elastic film on a viscous layer

A thin metallic film deposited on a compliant polymeric substrate begins to wrinkle under compression induced in curing process and afterwards cooling of the system. The wrinkle mode depends upon the thin film elasticity, thickness, compressive strain, as well as mechanical properties of the compliant substrate. This paper presents a simple model to study the modulation of the wrinkle mode of thin metallic films bonded on viscous layers in external electric field. During the procedure, linear perturbation analysis was performed for determining the characteristic relation that governs the evolution of the plane-strain wrinkle of the thin films under varying conditions, i.e., the maximally unstable wrinkle mode as a function of the film surface charge, film elasticity and thickness, misfit strain, as well as thickness and viscosity of the viscous layer. It shows that, in proper electric field, thin film may wrinkle subjected to either compression or tension. Therefore, external electric field can be employed to modulate the wrinkle mode of thin films. The present results can be used as the theoretical basis for wrinkling analysis and mode modulation in surface metallic coatings, drying adhesives and paints, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), etc.