Fracture of model polyurethane elastomeric networks

Fracture properties of model elastomeric networks of polyurethane have been investigated with a double‐edge notch geometry. The networks were synthesized from monodisperse end‐functionalized polypropylene glycol precursors and a trifunctional isocyanate. All reagents were carefully purified and nearly defect‐free ideal networks were prepared at a stoichiometry very close to the theoretical one. Three networks were prepared: an unentangled network of short chains (M_n = 4 kg mol^?1), an entangled network of longer chains (M_n = 8 kg mol^?1) and a bimodal network with 8 kg mol^?1 and 1 kg mol^?1 chains. The presence of entanglements was found to increase significantly the toughness of the rubber, in particular at room temperature, relative to the bimodal networks and to the short chains network. Fracture experiments were carried out at different strain rates and temperatures and showed for all three networks a marked decrease in fracture toughness with increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate which mirrored reasonably well the rate and temperature dependence of tan δ, the dissipative factor. However the proportionality factor between tan δ, and G_IC was very material dependent and the shift factors obtained for the master curves of the viscoelastic properties could not be used to build fracture energy master curves. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010     

Aspects of fatigue failure mechanisms in polymer fuel cell membranes

The swelling‐driven fatigue behavior of polymer fuel cell membranes during relative humidity (RH) cycling is investigated. In particular, swelling‐induced membrane stresses are obtained from a numerical model simulating fuel cell RH cycle tests, and compared to the lifetimes obtained experimentally from tests conducted in the absence of electrochemical effects. A strong correlation between the lifetimes of the membranes in the actual tests and model results is obtained. In general, higher RH (or swelling) amplitude results in larger stress amplitudes and shorter lifetime, that is, fewer cycles to failure. Tensile stresses are needed for forming local cavities in the membrane, which may eventually lead to craze formation. Cavitation is less likely to occur in compressed membrane at high humidities. The stress–lifetime plots for polymer fuel cell membranes exhibit similar features to those observed for other polymers. The crazing criterion for polymers suggests that craze initiation during RH cycling is more likely to occur in the low compression regions, such as under the channels, which is in agreement with experimental observations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1506–1517, 2011     

Reliability tests for Weibull distribution with variational shape parameter based on sudden death lifetime data

In the traditional design of reliability tests for assuring the mean time to failure (MTTF) in Weibull distribution with shape and scale parameters, it has been assumed that the shape parameter in the acceptable and rejectable populations is the same fixed number. For the purpose of expanding applicability of the reliability testing, Hisada and Arizono have developed a reliability sampling scheme for assuring MTTF in the Weibull distribution under the conditions that shape parameters in the both populations do not necessarily coincide, and are specified as interval values, respectively. Then, their reliability test is designed using the complete lifetime data. In general, the reliability testing based on the complete lifetime data requires the long testing time. As a consequence, the testing cost becomes sometimes expensive. In this paper, for the purpose of an economical plan of the reliability test, we consider the sudden death procedure for assuring MTTF in Weibull distribution with variational shape parameter.     

RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS BASED ON DIRECTIONAL VECTOR SIMULATION TECHNIQUE

The new improved directional vector simulation method for analyzing the reliability of structural systems failure probability is researched. This paper also points out the defects of general directional vector simulation, and gives rise to a new higher accuracy approximate integral formula of structural systems failure probability. A new geometric meaning of characteristic function is obtained. A new simple method of generating uniformly distributed random vector samples inn-dimensional unit hyper-spherical surface is put forward and strictly proved. This method is easy to put into practice. Numerical examples are given to show the applicability and effectiveness of the suggested approach to structural systems reliability problems. Supported by Chinese Postdoctor Fund([1998]6, 23).     

Fracture in Ceramic-Matrix Composites Reinforced with Strongly Bonded Metal Particles

The resistance of a ceramic matrix composite to the cleavage cracking across a field of strongly bonded, uniformly distributed metal particles is studied. The crack trapping and bridging effects of the metal particles are analyzed by means of calculating the strain energy and the traction work. An explicit expression for the critical energy release rate as a function of particle volume fraction has been obtained. The fracture resistance is independent of elastic properties of the matrix and the sample geometry and is predominantly determined by the size/spacing ratio of the particles. It is shown that the theoretical curves agree with experimental data quite well. The methodology developed in this article can be used in studying the fracture resistances of composites with high filler contents and irregular filler geometries.__________Russian translation published in Mekhanika Kompozitnykh Materialov, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 303–318, May–June, 2005.     

Prediction of yield and long‐term failure of oriented polypropylene: Kinetics and anisotropy

The time‐dependent yield and failure behavior of off‐axis loaded uniaxially oriented polypropylene tape is investigated. The yield and failure behavior is described with an anisotropic viscoplastic model. A viscoplastic flow rule is used with an equivalent stress, based on Hill's anisotropic yield criterion, and the Eyring flow theory combined with a critical equivalent strain definition. This model is based on factorization of the rate and draw ratio dependence and is capable of quantitatively predicting the rate, angle and draw ratio dependence of the yield stress as well as time‐to‐failure in various off‐axis tensile loading conditions characterized solely from the transverse direction. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2026–2035, 2009     

氧自由基与心血管疾病

随着氧自由基（ＯＦＲ）在疾病中的研究日趋深入，大量的资料证实氧自由基与充血性心力衰竭，动脉粥样硬化、心肌缺血、心律失常及淋巴细胞与心力衰竭的关系诸方面的发生，发匀有密切关系。     

Ply-by-Ply Failure Analysis of Laminates Under Dynamic Loading

Ply-by-ply failure analysis of symmetric and anti-symmetric laminates under uniform sinusoidal transverse dynamic loading is performed for a specified duration. The study investigates the first ply failure load, followed by the detection of successive ply failures along with their failure modes using various failure theories. Some of the well-established failure theories, mostly used by the researchers, are considered for the failure prediction in laminates. The finite element computational model based on higher order shear deformation displacement field is used for the failure analysis and the complete methodology is computer coded using FORTRAN. The ply-discount stiffness reduction scheme is employed to modify the material properties of the failed lamina. The failure theories used in the analysis are compared according to their ability to predict failure load, failed ply, failure mode and progression of failure. The failure analysis is performed for both the cross-ply and angle-ply laminates with all edges simply supported and clamped. The significance of fibre orientation and stacking sequence in terms of the strength of a laminate and failure progression is also highlighted.     

极值型风荷载作用下大型结构可靠性分析

研究了在极值型风荷载作用下大型结构的可靠性。结构的破坏以结构刚度矩阵奇异为依据，首先列举结构的主要破坏模式，其次利用增量载荷法求出的结构的安全余量方程，然后将极值型风荷载正态化，计算出各主要破坏模式的破坏概率，并用二阶窄界限理论计算大型结构的可靠性。最后以一大型输电塔为例进行了可靠性计算     

Structural behaviour of fibre metal laminates subjected to a low velocity impact

Structural impact tests were first presented to cover typical fibre metal laminates (FMLs) subjected a low velocity projectile impact,which produced the corresponding load-displacement traces and deformation/failure modes for the validation of numerical models.Finite element (FE) models were then developed to simulate the impact behaviour of FMLs tested.The aluminium (alloy grade 2024-0) layer was modelled as an isotropic elasto-plastic material up to the on-set of post failure stage,followed by shear failu...