Effects of poling state and pores on fracture toughness of Pb(Zr0·95Ti0·05)O3 ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Abstract

The effects of poling state and pores on the fracture toughness of Pb(Zr_0·95Ti_0·05)O₃ (PZT 95/5) ferroelectric ceramics were investigated. X-ray diffraction analysis and piezoelectric constant measurements reveal that the phase structures of PZT 95/5 ceramics change with the poling state, which significantly affects the fracture toughness. The poled PZT 95/5 ceramics demonstrate higher fracture toughness than the unpoled ceramics, and their fracture toughness significantly increases after the pressure depoling. As the porosity of ceramics increases with addition of poreformer during preparation, their fracture toughnesses all decrease accordingly either in poled state or unpoled state. The effect of pore size on the fracture toughness is subtle for the poled ceramics, but for the hydrostatic pressure depoled porous PZT 95/5 ceramics, their fracture toughness increases with the increase in pore size. A new stress model is proposed to explain the pore size effect on the fracture toughness of hydrostatic pressure depoled PZT 95/5 ceramics.     

The use of peel tests to examine the self adhesion of polyimide films

Peel tests were used to examine the adhesion between two layers of the polyimide pyromellitic dianhydride-oxydianiline (PMDA ODA). The main thrust of this work was to examine these tests with particular emphasis on yielding in bending of the peeled strips. Two peel geometries and a range of sample thicknesses were used to study interfaces whose strength could be varied over a wide range by changing the cure schedule. The peel strength varied with strip thickness and often reached a peak at an intermediate thickness. The results were shown to agree qualitatively with a combination of two theoretical models for the effects of yielding on peel tests. It was also found that a second problem of polyimide adhesion, the effect of solvent swelling, could significantly enhance the adhesion between polyimide layers.     

Role of water wettability,water transport,and adhesion in vision

Water plays an important role in life processes, although the specifics are not always known. In the past 25 years, major progress has been made in vision science by applying the principles and techniques of interface science to tear film physiology and pathophysiology, to novel surgical techniques, and to contact lens wear. In this paper, the role and structure of the preocular tear film are discussed, as well as the factors affecting its stability. This double-layered fluid film plays an important role not only in vision and the health of the exposed ocular tissues, but also in deciding contact lens tolerance and functioning. The little-known, misunderstood, and often misdiagnosed dry eye syndrome that is effected by the compromised stability of the tear film is also discussed. A newly recognized role of water as a bioabhesive in ocular tissue adhesion and its failure in terms of disjoining pressure and weak boundary layer are examined in the vision-threatening and painful adhesion failure of corneal epithelium and epithelial trauma during routine ophthalmic procedures such as tonography. The modalities to prevent undesirable contact adhesion in intraocular surgery that could result in surgical complications arc explored. Retinal tears are thought to result from the adhesion failure of the retina to the underlying tissues. A concentric double membrane model of retinal adhesion is proposed that analyzes the role of certain biophysical factors such as elasticity and hydraulic conductivity in promoting or diminishing the adhesion of retina to the choroid.     

Cleanability of Surfaces from Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Surrogate Riboflavin by Falling Film

Falling films in wash down process are of major interest for pharmaceutical isolators, which are used for processing of highly potent pharmaceutical products. In this study multiple process parameters were examined with common materials of isolator systems. The importance of material and surface finish in respect of cleanability and complete wetting as well as a combination of process parameters are presented and discussed. For cleaning validation an effect of high interest was discovered: swab sampling areas changed their properties over many repeated cycles and showed decreased cleanability.     

Critical and Subcritical Adhesion Measurements of a Model Epoxy Coating Exposed to Moisture Using the Shaft-Loaded Blister Test

The shaft-loaded blister test (SLBT) was used to investigate the adhesion between a model epoxy coating and a silicon oxide surface as a function of relative humidity. Critical and subcritical strain energy release rates were measured using specimens that incorporate reinforcing layers of Kapton® film. A simplified procedure that eliminates the need for video imaging to measure the blister radius and fracture energy was developed. A critical relative humidity level for adhesion loss was observed, in agreement with measurements that have been made previously in a number of polymeric systems. The SLBT was confirmed to be particularly attractive for fracture energy measurements on thin, strongly adhered coatings and films which otherwise tend to be problematic.     

Reply to Comments on “Fatigue Performance of Two Structural Adhesives” [J. Adhesion 26, 273-291 (1988)]

We are grateful to Dr Kinloch for his alternative interpretation of our experimental observations. Since our hypothesis was expressly declared to be speculative, we would not wish to defend it in the face of clear counter-evidence. Dr. Kinloch is far more knowledgeable than we are in this area and he is correspondingly more likely to provide the correct explanation. Nevertheless, our original ideas may not be wholly wrong.     

Analysis on the process of ZAO films by DC magnetron reactive sputtering

The ZAO (ZnO:Al) thin films were prepared by DC reactive magnetron sputtering technique. The relationship between the process parameters and the organizational structure,optical and electrical properties was studied. Through optimizing the process parameters,an optimal preparation parameter can be obtained. Using the optimal parameters to prepare the ZAO thin films,the resistivity of the ZAO film is as low as 4.5×10-4 Ω·cm and the average transmissivity in the visible region is around 80%,the optical and el...     

Low voltage organic devices and circuits with aluminum oxide thin film dielectric layer

Low voltage operating organic devices and circuits have been realized using atomic layer deposition deposited aluminum oxide thin film as dielectric layer. The dielectric film has per unit area capacitance of 165 nF/cm2 and leakage current of 1 nA/cm2 at 1 MV/cm. The devices and circuits use the small-molecule hydrocarbon pentacene as the active semiconductor material. Transistors,inverters,and ring oscillators with operating voltage lower than 5 V were obtained. The mobility of organic field-effect transis...     

Effect of rapeseed protein–gelatin film containing grapefruit seed extract on ‘Maehyang’ strawberry quality

To develop a packaging film for ‘Maehyang’ strawberries, an edible film containing antimicrobial grapefruit seed extract (GSE) was manufactured. Addition of GSE to the rapeseed protein–gelatin (RG) film inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. Packaging of ‘Maehyang’ strawberries with the RG film containing 1.0% GSE decreased the populations of total aerobic bacteria and of yeast and moulds in the strawberries by 1.03 and 1.34 log CFU g^?1, respectively, after 14 days of storage, compared to that of the control. Sensory evaluation of the GSE‐RG film‐packaged strawberries produced better sensory scores than did the control. These results suggest that RG film containing GSE can be used to package strawberries and to extend shelf life.     

Electro-dissolution of 30Nb–Ti alloys in methanolic sulfuric acid—Optimal conditions for electropolishing

The electro-dissolution behaviour of a (30 at.%) Niobium–Titanium (NbTi) alloy in non-aqueous methanolic sulfuric acid solution using the rotating disc electrode (RDE) was ascertained. The optimal condition for electropolishing and the mechanism were proposed. The influence of the rotation rate, process temperature and sulfuric acid concentration on the dissolution kinetics was investigated. The dissolution rate (limiting current) increases linearly with increase in rotation rate and follows a Levich behaviour confirming a mass transport controlled process. The temperature dependence in terms of Arrhenius plot renders an activation energy value of E_a = 16.1 kJ mol⁻¹ for the process. The dissolution rate shows a strong dependence on the sulfuric acid concentration (1 M, 3 M and 5 M). Higher sulfuric acid concentrations lead to decreased dissolution rates (limiting current). The dissolution process is mass transport controlled in all concentrations of sulfuric acid. From an electrochemical perspective, a 3 M sulfuric acid was chosen as optimum owing to better controllability of the material removal rate. The dissolving ions are the probable rate limiting species, indicating a compact salt-film mechanism. The average root mean square (RMS) roughness value for an electropolished surface was approximately 10 nm, which is significantly lower than a mechanically polished surface.