Determination of crack growth kinetics in non-reinforced semi-crystalline thermoplastics using the linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) approach

The aim of this study was to find a satisfactory method to characterize the fatigue crack growth behavior of non-reinforced, semi-crystalline thermoplastic polymers using linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). For this, crack growth curves (crack length versus cycle number) as well as crack growth kinetics curves (crack growth rate da/dN versus amplitude stress intensity factor ΔK) had to be generated. As methods suggested by ISO 15850 and ASTM E 647-11 failed to provide satisfactory results for the crack growth curves, a more advanced method was searched for and finally found in the literature. Regarding the crack growth kinetics curve, the idea of the calculation was based on methods recommended in ISO 15850 and ASTM E 647-11. However, these methods had to be considerably modified and improved in order to get accurate results with little scatter. The whole methodology was developed and verified with fatigue crack growth tests on two semi-crystalline thermoplastics (polyoxymethylene POM and polyetheretherketone PEEK).     

固体的冲击拉伸碎裂

固体材料在冲击拉伸载荷作用下常常会断裂成多个碎片(碎片化)，固体材料碎片化的物理机制是多点损伤同时在固体中成核和发展，导致固体多处破坏。自 Mott 对固体的动态碎裂问题进行了开创性研究后，几十年来，对固体动态碎裂机制的研究一直是应用物理学、力学、航天和兵器工程等领域共同关心的重要课题。本文介绍了在冲击拉伸载荷作用下固体的动态碎裂研究的发展历史，给出相关的理论分析、实验研究和数值模拟的研究进展，特别针对现有的各种关于碎片尺度、碎片分布、以及碎片化物理机制的理论模型进行了较详尽的阐述和讨论，最后指出现有实验和理论研究中仍然存在的关键科学问题及进一步的研究展望。     

Adhesive fracture of heterogeneous interfaces

We have studied the effect of interface heterogeneity on fracture, at both local and global scales. The single cantilever beam adhesion test was used to investigate interfacial fracture between polycarbonate plates and an elastic/fragile epoxy adhesive. Two surface treatments were applied to a (given) polycarbonate plate giving zones of strong and weak adhesion parallel to the crack direction. Calculated fracture energies differed from those expected from a simple rule-of-mixtures. A perturbation method, proposed by Rice, was used and results compared with crack fronts observed in situ. The technique was applied successfully but the difference in values of stress intensity factor between the zones was found substantially different from the experimental value. In an attempt to explain discrepancies, specimens with discontinuous crack fronts (adhesive and/or plates severed along the strong/weak adhesion frontier) were tested. Good agreement was found with the rule-of-mixtures predictions raising questions about the role of crack front continuity in load transfer.     

过载作用下聚乙烯疲劳裂纹扩展行为研究

论文针对中密度聚乙烯材料(MDPE)，采用平板试样进行了I型疲劳裂纹扩展和单次过载下裂纹扩展试验．发现与金属材料类似，单次拉伸过载对聚乙烯(PE)的疲劳裂纹扩展有明显的迟滞作用，降低了裂纹扩展速率．试验还通过变载荷刻线法获取疲劳裂纹扩展前缘的实际形貌和变化规律，对常规变载荷刻线方法进行了调整和验证，其修正方法对高分子材料的疲劳裂纹扩展前缘刻线具有较好的效果．通过观察发现含楔形塑性区的裂尖钝化是裂纹迟滞的主要原因．过载引入的塑性区内残余应力对裂纹迟滞也起了重要作用．论文利用Dugdale模型计算了塑性区尺寸，使用基于残余应力的Wheeler模型对过载迟滞进行了很好的拟合．     

爆燃压裂技术对水泥试样致裂实验研究

为模拟爆燃压裂技术的破岩效果和裂缝形态，进行了水泥试样致裂实验。制作了含有模拟射孔孔眼的ϕ244.5 mm套管，外维为ϕ1 600 mm×1 000 mm的水泥试样9组，并采用现场常用的航天复合推进剂和军工双基药进行实验。在实验基础上，与层内爆炸技术和重复强电冲击波技术进行储层致裂机理对比分析。研究表明，爆燃压裂技术对9组水泥试样具有100%致裂效果，裂缝条数在2~4条，裂缝缝宽在厘米级，且水泥试样的顶部缝宽要大于中部。随着火药用量减少，井筒内峰值压力减小，岩石裂缝条数减少，裂缝宽度减小。其造缝机理和形态有别于使用炸药的层内爆炸技术和使用脉冲功率负载及含能材料的可重复强电冲击波技术。     

On the use of edge cracked short bend beam specimen for PMMA fracture toughness testing under mixed-mode I/II

In this paper an inclined edge cracked short beam specimen subjected to symmetric three-point bend loading was designed and examined for conducting mixed-mode I/II fracture toughness experiments. The aspect ratio (i.e. length to width ratio) and the loading span distance are considered much lower than the other conventional cracked bend beam samples. Crack tip parameters such as stress intensity factors and T-stress were computed numerically for this specimen by several finite element analyses and it was demonstrated that the specimen is able to produce full combinations of mode I and II including pure mode II. The practical capability of the short bend beam specimen was studied experimentally by conducting a set of mixed-mode fracture tests on PolymethylMethacrylate (PMMA) as a well-known model brittle material. The critical stress intensity factors, the direction of fracture kinking and the path of fracture trajectory were investigated both experimentally and theoretically using two stress and strain-based fracture criteria. The fracture toughness of tested PMMA was decreased by moving towards mode II case due to the effect of T-stress on the fracture mechanism of the short bend beam specimen.     

Assessment of nanocomposites based on unsaturated polyester resin/nanoclay under impact loading

The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of nanoclay reinforced unsaturated polyester (UP) resin under impact loads. Nanocomposite specimens containing nanoclay in 0, 1.5, and 3 (wt%) were prepared by melt mixing method. X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy analysis, scanning electron microscope photographs, and viscosity changes in liquid state resin confirmed exfoliation and intercalation of the nanoclay in the UP resin system used. Tensile modulus showed an increase with increase in nanoclay content. However, the tensile strength and elongation at break exhibited reducing performance with increase in nanoclay content. Izod impact test results indicated better performance for the specimens containing nanoclay reinforcements, with 1.5 (wt%) of nanoclay specimens showing the highest value. High velocity impact tests were carried out using gas gun in velocity range of 20–100 m/sec and harden steel hemispherical tip projectile with diameter of 8.7 mm and weight of 11.54 g. Results for high velocity impact test indicated better performance by the specimens containing nanoclay, with 1.5 (wt%) nanoclay showing the highest attained value. Damage assessments of impact area for all specimens showed spalling type brittle failure with punch out and sever fragmentation pattern. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ESSENTIAL WORK OF FRACTURE AND THE PHASE TRANSFORMATION IN β-iPP

The possibility of phase transformation toughening is demonstrated by the example of the β-modification isotactic polypropylene (β-iPP), which undergoes the β–α transformation (i.e., from hexagonal to monoclinic) during mechanical loading. The β–α recrystallization was examined on essential work of fracture (EWF) specimens with two processing conditions. Differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle x-ray diffraction demonstrate the occurrence of this β–α transformation. Some structural changes can be identified in EWF specimens by using nano-indentation machine. Toughness of the α- and β-iPP is studied and compared with the EWF concept by using static-loaded deeply double-edge-notched tensile specimens. The main effect of the β–α transformation is a large increase in the specific plastic work consumed in the necked zone.     

航空铝合金预腐蚀疲劳寿命退化规律

航空铝合金材料在服役过程中常因腐蚀损伤而导致疲劳断裂问题,通过采用扫描电镜及疲劳寿命测试等方法,研究了不同预腐蚀损伤对2xxx铝合金在不同应力比下疲劳寿命的影响,探讨了预腐蚀损伤对疲劳裂纹萌生扩展的影响机理.结果表明:预腐蚀损伤对2xxx铝合金材料疲劳寿命的影响显著,材料的疲劳性能随着腐蚀损伤程度的增加而明显下降.同时建立了预腐蚀损伤对材料疲劳极限的影响系数C-T-R模型,材料疲劳极限的影响系数C随着预腐蚀时间的增加或者应力比R的增加而变大.断口分析表明,预腐蚀损伤的存在导致裂纹萌生寿命大大缩短,裂纹萌生由单源转变为多源,并且均萌生于腐蚀坑处.     

Micro-CT参数对骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折术后复发的预测价值

本研究探讨Micro-CT参数对骨质疏松性椎体压缩性骨折(OVCF)患者术后复发的预测价值。选取OVCF患者127例,根据术后6个月骨折复发情况分为复发组(n=41)与未复发组(n=86)。患者均接受Micro-CT检查,对比两组Micro-CT参数,即骨体积分数(BV/TV)、骨小梁厚度(Tb.Th)、骨小梁间隙(Tb.Sp)、结构模型指数(SMI),以及骨密度(BMD)、骨矿含量(BMC),分析各参数与BMD、BMC及术后复发相关性,并评价各参数对术后复发的预测价值。结果显示,复发组骨体积分数(BV/TV)、骨小梁厚度(Tb.Th)低于未复发组,骨小梁间隙(Tb.Sp)、结构模型指数(SMI)高于未复发组(P<0.05);BV/TV、Tb.Th与骨密度(BMD)、骨矿含量(BMC)呈正相关,Tb.Sp、SMI与BMD、BMC呈负相关(P<0.05);将年龄、BMD、BMC等其他因素控制后,BV/TV、Tb.Sp、Tb.Th、SMI与OVCF术后骨折复发显著相关(P<0.05);BV/TV、Tb.Sp、Tb.Th、SMI联合预测OVCF术后骨折复发的曲线下面积(AUC)最大,为0.888(P<0.05)。提示Micro-CT参数在OVCF患者中呈异常表达,采用Micro-CT检查可为临床预测OVCF术后骨折复发提供科学指导。