Predicting the failure by slow crack growth of SiC-based multifilament tows: Batch-to-batch discrepancies as linked to fiber slack

This work investigates the scale effect observed on slow crack growth parameters for SiC-based fibers (Nicalon® and Tyranno® ZMI) and how it can be affected by the variability from a batch of tow to another one. A 10% difference on the stress exponents (n_t) was numerically estimated using a dedicated Monte Carlo simulation. This effect is however marginal when compared to the lifetime scatter itself. This partly originates from the fiber slack in used tow specimen, assessed by tensile test completing the experimental work. The number of tensile tests to be performed is discussed. Specimen gauge length is an additional and significant source of discrepancies affecting the fiber alignment and subsequently the tow stress exponent.     

Failure by slow crack growth of SiC fibers: Comparing the lifetime scatter for single filaments and multifilament tows

SiC-based fibers are subjected to slow crack growth, a crack growth mechanism activated by stresses and the chemical environment, as identified by static fatigue testing. Such tests can be performed on filaments or bundles. Although both types of specimens show a similar lifetime variation, testing of bundles is often preferred. This work compares the scatter of lifetimes predicted for filaments and for tows using a dedicated Monte Carlo simulation tool relying on the following hypotheses: The stress applied to a single filament can be defined, whereas the size of its most critical flaw cannot; on a bundle, neither the applied stress nor the strength of the critical filament (which triggers the cascade failure and the tow failure) can be defined. Depending on the parallelism of fibers inside the bundle and their strength dispersion, the lifetime scatter can be narrower for filaments compared to tows or vice versa.     

Double Torsion testing of thin porous zirconia supports for energy applications: Toughness and slow crack growth assessment

Thin, porous zirconia-based ceramic components are of high interest in energy application devices where they are used as structural ceramics. Mechanical reliability of such devices is not only dependent on the fracture toughness of the ceramic components, but also on their sensitivity to slow crack growth (SCG). In this work, the fracture toughness and SCG behavior of porous (4.5–45.5%) and thin (∼ 0.25 mm) 3Y-TZP ceramics are investigated using the Double Torsion method. The analysis of the double torsion data, previously developed for dense materials, was here assessed and adapted. The compliance of the samples was observed to change linearly with crack length and the measured stress intensity factor was dependent on crack length, as for dense materials. This dependency decreased by increasing the sample porosity. For all materials, the ratio of the SCG threshold to fracture toughness was of 0.56 ± 0.06.     

Vertical crack distribution effect on the TBC delamination induced by crack growth from the ceramic surface and near the interface

The propagation of vertical crack on the surface of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) may affect the interface cracking and local spallation. This research aims to establish a TBC model incorporating multiple cracks to comprehensively understand the effects of vertical crack distribution on the coating failure. The continuous TGO growth and ceramic sintering are together introduced in this model. The influence of the vertical crack spacing and non-uniform distribution on the stress state, crack driving force, and dynamic propagation is examined. Moreover, the influence of coating thickness on the crack growth driving is also explored. The results show that large spacing will lead to early crack propagation. The uniform distribution of vertical cracks can delay the spallation. When the spacing is less than 4 times ceramic coat thickness, the cracking driving force will come in a steady-state stage with the increase of vertical crack length. Prefabrication of vertical cracks with spacing less than 0.72 mm on the coating surface can greatly decrease the strain energy. The results in this study will contribute to the construction of an advanced TBC system with long lifetime.     

Influence of the molecular structure on slow crack growth resistance and impact fracture toughness in Cr-catalyzed ethylene-hexene copolymers for pipe applications

In this study we correlate parameters describing molecular structure (molar mass distribution, short chain branching content, intermolecular heterogeneity) of different ethylene-hexene Cr-catalyzed copolymers, with slow crack growth and rapid crack propagation resistances, respectively measured with Bent Strip and Charpy tests. The PTREF technique, coupled with classical techniques, was used. Two new indices were proposed to correlate mechanical properties and molecular structure. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 916–928, 2001     

Effects of the structural components on slow crack growth process in polyethylene blends. Composition intervals prediction for pipe applications

A linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) obtained from a metallocene based catalyst, was blended in an extruder with a high density polyethylene (HDPE) homopolymer synthesized with an iron based catalyst. The bimodal polyethylenes, made with blends from 0 to 100 wt % of copolymer were characterized by SEC, DSC, ESEM, SEC‐FTIR, and TREF, while their resistance to the slow crack growth (SCG) was evaluated through the PENT test. Results provide that polymer blends with copolymer contents between 47.5 and 72.5 wt % are suitable for pipe applications. Furthermore, a method based on the intercrystalline tie chains calculus is proposed as suitable and attractive, because of its simplicity and novelty, to forecast long term performance and to predict capabilities. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

A method to determine the relative value of the barriers of carbon chain growth and termination in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis: elementary reaction kinetics for chain growth

A method is established, by which the difference of the reaction activation barriers of carbon chain growth and termination in Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis can be determined from experiments. A FT synthesis is carried out on Fe/Zn catalyst. We apply the method to analyze the experimental result and obtain the difference of reaction activation barriers of carbon chain growth and termination of -olefins on the catalyst.     

A study of the passivation peak current density for (1 0 0) oriented silicon in tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH): effect of temperature, concentration and carrier type

A detailed study into the effect of temperature and concentration on the peak current density for p- and n-type (1 0 0) oriented silicon (Si) in aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solutions is described. The peak current density data was obtained from linear sweep voltammograms carried out at a sweep rate of 5 mV s⁻¹. The temperature range used was 30-80 °C and the concentration range employed was 5-25 wt.% TMAH. The peak current density was found to increase with temperature for both p(1 0 0) and n(1 0 0) Si at every concentration investigated. A general decrease in the peak current density was observed with increasing concentration for the two carrier types at every temperature investigated. The effect of carrier type was also investigated and how this effect varied with concentration and temperature. Peak current density data was used to estimate the activation energy for the dissolution of the Si(1 0 0) plane in TMAH. This appears to be a valid alternative method to the use of etch rate data for estimating these activation energies. The activation energy for n(1 0 0) Si (0.600-0.616 eV) was found to be consistently higher than that of its p(1 0 0) counterpart (0.521-0.578 eV). The results presented confirm that a close relationship between the peak current density and the etch rate exists.