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).     

On The Maximum Friction Law for Rigid/Plastic,Hardening Materials

For a rigid/plastic, hardening material model, it is shown that the velocity fields adjacent to surfaces of maximum friction must satisfy the sticking condition. This means that the stress boundary condition, the maximum friction law, may be replaced by the velocity boundary condition. Axisymmetric flows without rotation and planar flows are considered.     

The Chemistry of the Noncrystalline State

This article sets out to describe and account for the chemical and physical consequences of the presence of gross disorder in solids. Knowledge of the structure of such disordered materials is an obvious prerequisite to a further understanding of other properties and behavior, and our current knowledge of the structure of various noncrystalline systems is discussed together with the experimental techniques which need to be employed in order to obtain such information. The so-called glass transition, which takes place as a liquid is supercooled below the crystallization temperature, is discussed in terms of the various models which have been proposed to account for this phenomenon. The effect of noncrystallinity on electronic properties is also discussed, and we highlight new developments in the understanding of electron localization and transport processes. Finally, two applications of amorphous solids are considered in some detail: optical fibers for use in communication networks and “superionic” glasses for possible use in solid-state batteries.     

MATLAB语言在X射线衍射谱图处理中的应用

利用MATLAB语言编写了X射线衍射数据处理程序,使之能够导人到Materials Studio软件,进行粉末晶面指标化以及粉末精修等后续处理.处理程序简单易懂,可作为其他测试数据格式转换程序的参考.     

Vibration induced flow in hoppers: DEM 2D polygon model

A two-dimensional discrete element model (DEM) simulation of cohesive polygonal particles has been developed to assess the benefit of point source vibration to induce flow in wedge-shaped hoppers. The particle-particle interaction model used is based on a multi-contact principle.The first part of the study investigated particle discharge under gravity without vibration to determine the critical orifice size (Be) to just sustain flow as a function of particle shape. It is shown that polygonal-shaped particles need a larger orifice than circular particles. It is also shown that Be decreases as the number of particle vertices increases. Addition of circular particles promotes flow of polygons in a linear manner.The second part of the study showed that vibration could enhance flow, effectively reducing Be. The model demonstrated the importance of vibrator location (height), consistent with previous continuum model results, and vibration amplitude in enhancing flow.     

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.