Bond–slip models for double strap joints strengthened by CFRP

This paper presents the results of a series of tension tests on CFRP bonded steel plate double strap joints. The main aim of this research is to provide detailed understanding of bond characteristics using experimental and numerical analysis of strengthened double strap joints under tension. A parametric study has been performed by numerical modelling with the variables of CFRP bond lengths, adhesive maximum strain and adhesive layer thicknesses. Finally, bond–slip models are proposed for three different types of adhesives within the range of the parametric study.     

Bond strength of CFRP–concrete elements under freeze–thaw cycles

Bonding between the adherents represents a key point when dealing with the reinforcement of concrete structures by using FRPs. Bonding depends on mechanical and physical properties of concrete, composite and adhesive as well as on the surface treatment of the concrete substrate. A very important topic for civil engineering applications is related to the durability of the bond in harsh environments. In the present paper some specimens were first subjected to freeze–thaw cycles and then experimental debonding tests were performed in order to investigate the effects of the bonding length and environmental conditions. First, the effects of environmental conditions on bond strength is discussed. Finally, the experimental data are compared to the design formulae proposed by the Italian Recommendations CNR DT200/2004 and critical considerations are presented.     

Mechanical behavior of CFRP confined low strength concretes subjected to simultaneous heating–cooling cycles and sustained loading

This study aims to present the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) reinforced low strength cylindrical and prism concrete specimens under both heating?Ccooling cycles and sustained loading. Heating?Ccooling cycles range from ?10 to 50°C and the applied sustained load level is 40% of the ultimate strength of concrete. After 200 heating?Ccooling cycles and/or sustained load testing, specimens were tested to determine the mechanical behavior under uniaxial compression. The experimental test results show that heating?Ccooling cycles alone have insignificant effect on the mechanical properties of CFRP-wrapped specimens. However, as for simultaneous exposure of sustained loading and heating?Ccooling cycles the main difference is on the shape of the stress?Cstrain diagram, in which the bilinear response becomes clear. The other difference is on the ultimate strain, which decreases up to 29 and 15% for cylindrical and prismatic specimens, respectively.     

Tensile properties of Cu/Sn–58Bi/Cu soldered joints subjected to isothermal aging

The effects of isothermal aging on the tensile properties of Cu/Sn–58Bi/Cu soldered joints were investigated. Experimental results show that the scallop-shaped Cu₆Sn₅ and planar Cu₃Sn formed at the interface between solder and Cu substrate during reflowing and aging. The thickness of the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) increased almost linearly with the square root of aging time, and aging at 120 °C yielded a much faster growth of the IMCs layer than that of samples aged at 100 °C. The IMCs growth rate constants were 6.02 × 10^?18 and 1.85 × 10^?18 m² s^?1 for solder joints aged at 120 and 100 °C, respectively. The tensile strength of the Sn–58Bi/Cu soldered joints decreased slightly with the increasing aging time and temperature. The failure was dominated by the mixed fracturing in both the solder and the Cu₆Sn₅ grains irrespective of their thermal aging conditions. However, the fracture pattern tended to transform from ductile to brittle with increasing aging time and temperature. The Bi segregation and voids were observed around the Cu/Cu₃Sn interface as the long term aging at high aging temperature was carried out, which resulted in reduction of tensile strength of solder joints.     

Microstructural and mechanical behavior of SnCu–Ge solder alloy subjected to high temperature storage

This paper addresses the effect of high temperature storage on the microstructural and mechanical behavior of novel SnCu–Ge solder alloys. Eutectic Sn99.3Cu0.7 solder was micro-alloyed with the addition of minor Ge as an anti-oxidant and to improve the wetting performance of the alloy. The addition of Ge significantly reduced the aging degradation of the alloy. The ultimate tensile strength and yield stress dropped within first few days of aging and the fracture strain increased with aging. The corresponding microstructure changed after annealing at 125 °C for 3 months; the average grain size of the β-tin portions of the microstructure increased with aging and the imbedded IMC particles segregated along and/or within the grains. Based on growth kinetics and activation energy arguments, we suggest that the addition of Ge restricts the Cu diffusion into the alloy and inhibits the IMC growth.     

Stress and failure analysis of crimped metal–composite joints used in electrical insulators subjected to bending

Experimental and numerical investigations are carried out on metal/fibreglass-reinforced-plastic joints integrated in electrical insulators subject to bending. Numerical stress and strain distributions through the bond are calculated with a solid 3D finite element model and the damage initiation in the composite is highlighted. The simulations are compared to experimental data obtained from several joint specimens tested under bending on an experimental setup equipped with strain gauges and a six-channel acoustic emission system. Good correlation between the finite element predictions and the test results is found. The investigations have identified the stress concentrations in the rod, the onset of damage when the load–displacement curve characterizing the bending test deviates from linearity, and the different failure mechanisms.     

Microstructure stability and mechanical properties of an age-hardenable Ni–Mo–Cr alloy subjected to long-term exposure to elevated temperature

This paper characterizes the microstructure and mechanical properties of a nickel-based superalloy with a nominal composition of Ni–25Mo–8Cr (wt.%) after long-term exposures to elevated temperatures. The alloy is strengthened by long-range-ordered precipitates of an oI6 metastable phase with the Ni₂(Mo,Cr) stoichiometry. The alloy was annealed at 650 °C for 1000, 2000 and 4000 h, after it had been plastically deformed in order to accelerate diffusion processes occurring at elevated temperature and consequently to ease the formation of stable phases. The microstructure was characterized using TEM, SEM and X-ray phase analyses; mechanical properties were measured in tensile tests.It has been determined that the alloy loses its phase stability upon plastic deformation and subsequent long-term annealing at 650 °C. The microstructure, composed initially of a dispersed Ni₂(Mo,Cr) strengthening phase in a Ni-based solid solution, decomposes during annealing into a mixture of Ni₃Mo- and Ni₄Mo-type phases, Mo-lean Ni-based solid solution and a complex intermetallic P phase. The dominant new phase is a plate-shaped Ni₃Mo-type phase while the P phase appears as singular small precipitates. The Ni₃Mo phase is formed mainly in regions of highly localized deformation, e.g., in shear bands, and only occasionally nucleates in regions where the deformation was relatively uniform (dislocations or twins in one system). Regions adjacent to the plates of the Ni₃Mo phase are recrystallized and free from an Ni₂(Mo,Cr) strengthening phase. Changes in microstructure of the deformed alloy during long time annealing at 650 °C result in the decrease in the yield strength as well as tensile elongation at both room temperature and 650 °C. A significant decrease in elongation at 650 °C occurs only in specimens tested in air but not those tested in vacuum.     

Effect of brazing temperature on the microstructure of martensitic–austenitic steel joints

Dissimilar joining of reduced activation ferritic–martensitic steel to AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel is carried out by brazing in inert atmosphere at three different temperatures, i.e. 980, 1020 and 1040°C using AWS BNi-2 powder. The braze joints are characterised by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-hardness measurement. With increasing brazing temperature from 980 to 1040°C, the approximate width of the braze layer decreases from 350 to 80?µm and hardness reduces from 600 to 410?VHN. However, not much difference is found in microstructure and hardness between braze joints produced at 1020 and 1040°C. With increasing brazing temperature, morphology and volume fraction of intermetallics formed in the braze layer change, thereby reducing the hardness variation between the braze layer and the base metal.     

Effect of moisture on the mechanical properties of CFRP–wood composite: An experimental and atomistic investigation

Adhesive bonding of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) to wood has been proven as a general way to achieve reinforcement and rehabilitation for wood structures. Although a significant mechanical enhancement can be acquired by using such approach, there exists a big concern about the long-term performance of the FRP–wood composite, especially under the effect of moisture. In this paper, both experimental and atomistic approaches are adopted for investigating the moisture effect on the entire FRP–wood composite system. Macroscopic mechanical tests show that its mechanical properties and its fracture behaviors notably change at different levels of ambient humidity. From an atomistic perspective, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations reveal that water molecules significantly reduce the adhesion energy between wood and epoxy. Results from experimental and numerical studies imply that the strength of the FRP–wood interface critically determines the mechanical performance of the entire system. The water molecules absorbed at the interface are crucial to the durability of multi-layer systems and a general mechanism governing the failure modes of such systems is found.     

Effects of temperature on interface microstructure and strength properties of titanium–niobium stainless steel diffusion bonded joints

Abstract

The effects of temperature on interface microstructure and strength properties of Ti/stainless diffusion bonded joint using Nb interlayer, processed in the temperature range 800–950°C for 1·5 h in vacuum were investigated. The stainless steel/Nb interface is free from intermetallic phase up to 900°C; however, Fe₂Nb+Fe₇Nb₆ phase mixture has been observed at 950°C processing temperature. The Nb/Ti interface is free from intermetallic for all processing temperatures. The maximum tensile strength of ～287 MPa (～90% of Ti) and shear strength ～222 MPa (～75% of Ti) along with 6·9% ductility have been achieved in the diffusion bonded joints, when processed at 900°C. The bonded samples failure takes place through the stainless steel/Nb interface for all processing temperatures during the loading.     

Low-velocity impact on carbon/epoxy tubes subjected to torque – Experimental results,analytical models and FEM analysis

This paper investigates the effect of torsional loads on the damage introduced by lateral impacts on cylindrical T300-carbon/epoxy specimens. A total of 16 specimens were subjected to a 7 J transverse impact under various torsional preloads. Four different lamination sequences were studied. A two-degree-of-freedom spring-mass model was developed to investigate the impact dynamics. To account for the damage propagation, a non-linear model of the tube flexural stiffness is proposed. Moreover, impact damage initiation was studied in detail by various FEM analyses. For each laminate, results show an invariant delamination threshold contact force, suggesting that the delamination initiation is not affected by the torsional preload. On the other hand, as evidenced by the variation in the contact duration and the tube maximum deflection, delamination propagation is highly affected by the torsional load.     

Effect of Ni,Bi concentration on the microstructure and shear behavior of low-Ag SAC–Bi–Ni/Cu solder joints

This paper investigated the effect of Bi, Ni concentration on the microstructure and interfacial intermetallic compounds of low-Ag Sn–0.7Ag–0.5Cu–xBi–yNi/Cu solder joints by comparing with Sn–0.7Ag–0.5Cu (SAC0705)/Cu and Sn–3Ag–0.5Cu (SAC305)/Cu. Meanwhile, the shear behavior of the solder joints at both the bulk solder and soldering interface with various Bi, Ni content were also studied. Experimental results indicated that SAC0705–3.5Bi showed coarse microstructure due to the excessive growth of β-Sn dendritic crystal, which can be obviously suppressed by small amount of Ni element addition. Needle-like (Cu, Ni)₆Sn₅ appeared in the bulk solder of SAC–Bi–Ni/Cu, instead of the pipe-like Cu₆Sn₅ in SAC/Cu. Compare with SAC0705/Cu and SAC305/Cu, SAC–Bi–Ni/Cu showed higher shear strength at both the bulk solder and soldering interface. The increase of Bi content significantly increased the shear strength of Sn–0.7Ag–0.5Cu–xBi–yNi/Cu solder joints at the soldering interface. Brittle fracture appeared in the bulk solder of Sn–0.7Ag–0.5Cu–3.5Bi–0.05Ni/Cu solder joint. But this brittle failure can be suppressed by increasing the concentration of Ni in the solder alloys.     

High temperature magnetic properties of Sm–Co and Sm–Co/polyamide-12 materials: effects of temperature, particle size, and silanization

There is an increasing demand for polymer-bonded magnets (PBM) in high temperature applications. While most research deals with high temperature properties of NdFeB–PBM, only a few studies consider Sm–Co PBM. Therefore, this study, on the thermal and magnetic properties of Sm–Co alloy powders and blends of these with polyamide-12 (PA12), was undertaken. Since the Sm–Co powders were the product of ball milling, they contained a variety of shapes and sizes. Studies on size fractions of these showed that the thermal stability and magnetic properties were improved as the particle size increased. It was suggested that higher residual strains and smaller crystallite sizes in the small particles were responsible for a decrease in the thermal stability and magnetic properties. In addition, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the oxygen content increased with decreasing particle size (larger specific surface area) and higher oxygen content was possibly also responsible for a decrease in the magnetic properties. It was shown that, in general, the surface modification by silanization, using (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxsilane, increased the saturation magnetization and remanence of both the particles and the Sm–Co/PA12 composite. The silanization also improved the thermal stability of the particles.     

Effects of antimony on the microstructure,thermal properties,mechanical performance,and interfacial behavior of Sn–0.7Cu–0.05Ni–xSb/Cu solder joints

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - We investigated a new, lead-free solder alloy to replace traditional lead-based solder alloys. A Sn–0.7Cu–0.05Ni solder alloy...     

High temperature wear performance of Ti–6.5Al–3.5Mo–1.5Zr–0.3Si alloy subjected to laser shock peening

This paper investigates the influence of laser shock peening (LSP) parameters on surface integrities and high temperature wear performances of Ti–6.5Al–3.5Mo–1.5Zr–0.3Si alloy. Surface integrities include surface roughness, residual stress and micro-hardness are measured. High temperature wear performance of TC11 alloy with and without LSP are investigated. The results indicate that multiple LSP impacts can improve surface micro-hardness and induce compressive residual stress in the surface layer. Moreover, the friction coefficient and wear rate of TC11 alloy significantly decrease after LSP with optimised parameters. The improved wear performance is ascribed to the low surface roughness, higher surface micro-hardness and compressive residual stress induced by multiple LSP impacts in the surface layer.     

Study of slip velocity and application of drift-flux model to slip velocity in a liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed

The increasing applications of liquid–solid circulating fluidized bed in chemical/biochemical industries require a better understanding of hydrodynamics of such system. This work aims to experimentally investigate the slip between the phases in a LSCFB. The variation of slip velocity with superficial liquid velocity, solids velocity, bed voidage and particle size and density is discussed. The apparent slip velocity of the phases is higher than the particle terminal velocity of a single particle. The R–Z equation developed based on the homogenous flow characteristics underpredicts the slip velocity in a LSCFB. The drift-flux model which considers the radial non-uniformity and slip between the phases was applied to the data of the present study. The predicted value by the model agreed with the apparent slip velocity well. The study also proposed an empirical correlation to predict the slip velocity. The empirical correlations aggress well with the experimental data.     

Comparative study on microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded–brazed Mg/mild steel and Mg/stainless steel joints

A laser welding–brazing (LWB) technology using Mg based filler has been developed for joining Mg alloy to mild steel and Mg alloy to stainless steel in a lap configuration. Microstructure and mechanical properties of laser welded–brazed lap joints in both cases were comparatively studied. The results indicated that no distinct reaction layer was observed at the interface of Mg/mild steel and subsequently the interface was confirmed as mechanical bonding, whereas an ultra thin reaction layer with a continuous and uniform morphology was evidenced at the Mg/stainless steel interface, which was indicative of metallurgical bonding. The newly formed interfacial layer was indexed as FeAl phase by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The average tensile–shear strength of Mg/mild steel joint was only 142 N/mm with typical interfacial failure, while that of Mg/stainless steel joint could reach 270 N/mm, representing 82.4% joint efficiency relative to the Mg alloy base metal. The fracture location of Mg/stainless steel joint was at Mg fusion welding side, suggesting the interface was not weak point due to the formation of ultra thin interfacial layer. The role of alloying elements in base metal and bonding mechanism of the interfacial layer were discussed, respectively.     

Influence of fibres’ stiffness on wet lay-up CFRP/steel joints’ behaviour under subzero exposures

The current paper characterises and differentiates the bond behaviour of wet lay-up CFRP/steel double-strap joints fabricated with NM (normal modulus) and UHM (ultra high modulus) unidirectional CF (carbon fibres) plies. The influence of infrastructural subzero exposure on the bond attributes of these joints is also investigated. While environmental exposure is maintained at a particular subzero temperature, ranging from −40 to 20 °C, specimens representing these joints are tested in tension. Failure patterns, joints’ strength, and strain and LSS (lap-shear stress) distributions for the tested joints are extracted. Pertinent discussions and conclusions, related to the influence of CFRP moduli and subzero temperatures on the aforementioned parameters, are provided.     

Microstructure evolution in a Ni–Mo–Cr superalloy subjected to simulated heat-affected zone thermal cycle with high peak temperature

A typical Ni–Mo–Cr superalloy with basic composition of Ni–17Mo–7Cr (wt.%) was fabricated and the relationship between the microstructure and mechanical properties while it underwent simulated heat-affected zone thermal cycle (HAZ) treatment was investigated. The results show that the Ni–Mo–Cr alloy was mainly made up of Ni based solid solution and MoC carbides. The critical peak temperature that a unique lamellar-like structure occurred in the alloy was found to be 1300 °C, and they were firstly determined to be Ni matrix and carbides (MoC and chromium carbides) generated through local melting. Due to the formation of unique structure, the alloy exposed to HAZ thermal cycle with a peak temperature of 1300 °C could still maintain excellent high-temperature mechanical performance. The work carried out here will provide valuable guidelines in designing and applying the Ni–Mo–Cr series superalloys.     

Effect of ultrafine grain structure on strain hardening of C–Mn steel warm rolled and subjected to intercritical annealing

Abstract

The behaviour during the work hardening of low carbon–manganese (0·15%C–1·39%Mn) steel with an ultrafine ferritic grain structure was investigated using Jaoul–Crussard analysis. This microstructure was produced through out quenching, warm rolling and intercritical annealing at 800°C. The steel exhibited a high strain hardening exponent and tensile strength.