ON THE DRYING MECHANISM OF SHRINKAGE MATERIALS

ABSTRACT

Effects of moisture content on Liquid transport properties (Permeability and suction pressure) and mechanical properties (Young's modulus, yield stress and tensile strength) of drying shrinkage materials (Kibnshi, IIaido and mixed clay) were measured and a strong dependence was found. When glass beads are added to the Kibushi, permeability increase and Young's modulus and yield stress decrease in spite of the same suction pressure and tensile strength. Changes in local moisture content and stress during drying was calculated by using finite-element method, taking into account the stress gradient in addition to the pressure gradient due to osmotic suction.     

ON THE DRYING MECHANISM OF SHRINKAGE MATERIALS

Effects of moisture content on Liquid transport properties (Permeability and suction pressure) and mechanical properties (Young's modulus, yield stress and tensile strength) of drying shrinkage materials (Kibnshi, IIaido and mixed clay) were measured and a strong dependence was found. When glass beads are added to the Kibushi, permeability increase and Young's modulus and yield stress decrease in spite of the same suction pressure and tensile strength. Changes in local moisture content and stress during drying was calculated by using finite-element method, taking into account the stress gradient in addition to the pressure gradient due to osmotic suction.     

Change of mechanical properties related to starch gelatinization and moisture content of rice kernel during fluidized bed drying

Rice fissuring during the drying process is a major problem affecting rice quality. To alleviate this critical issue, it is necessary to understand the change of mechanical properties and the drying kinetics of paddy during drying. The objective of this work is therefore to study the drying characteristics and changes of mechanical properties, i.e., breaking force (F), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and apparent modulus of elasticity (AMOE) during fluidized bed drying. Suphanburi 1 paddy variety with three initial moisture contents (Mi) of 29.5, 30.2, and 42.8% dry basis was used as the raw material, which was dried at drying air temperatures (Ta) of 110, 130, and 150?°C. A three-point bending method was used for testing the mechanical properties with a texture analyzer. The experimental results showed that the breaking force and the ultimate tensile strength of paddy during drying were more strengthened with higher drying temperatures and higher initial moisture content while its apparent modulus of elasticity was changed only with the moisture content. However, both operating parameters positively affected the apparent modulus of elasticity when evaluated at a 16% dry basis. The maximum changes in F, UTS, and AMOE concerning the initial moisture content were 25.1, 25.2, and 19.5%, respectively. Besides, the maximum changes in F, UTS, and AMOE concerning drying temperatures during drying were 14.2, 14.3, and 13.5%, respectively. The improvement of the mechanical properties could be attributed to the starch gelatinization of which the degree was higher in cases of higher initial moisture content and higher drying temperatures. The empirical models of ultimate tensile strength and apparent modulus of elasticity were developed and related to intermediate moisture content and the degree of starch gelatinization.     

SOME INVESTIGATIONS OF A NEBRASKA CLAY1

A brief review of the literature on the fluxing action of different metallic oxides on clays is given. A series of mixtures of what seemed to be the “dirtiest” clay of four obtained, with varying amounts of pure calcium carbonate which passed a 150-mesh screen was made up into briquets and physical properties were studied on the unfired and fired specimens. The firing was done at four temperatures, 1800°F, 1900°F, 1950°F, and 2000°F. Properties observed were fusion point, drying and firing shrinkage, crushing strength, and porosities of the fired specimens. The principle of the Armstrong volumeter used for porosity determinations is explained. The results obtained indicate possibilities of materially improving qualities of brick now being produced from so-called ordinary clays but only after a very considerable amount of further work is done.     

Humidity Drying of Plastic Clay

The humidity drying cycle gives rise to surface and body cracks in plastic clay. The cracks appear in the initial stages when the clay is being heated in a saturated atmosphere. Various factors affecting cracking in this initial heating stage were studied using a purified kaolin in the plastic state, and appropriate experimental models were used to isolate certain aspects for study. It is shown that the condensation of moisture on the clay surface is the major factor influencing the cracking of the plastic clay. The effect of thermal diffusion is insignificant and the loss of mechanical strength is of secondary importance. The balance af evidence from the literature and from this study indicates that capillarity plays a major part in the movement of moisture and the production of stresses during drying. When air spaces are present in the body, thermal capillarity may become important. Stresses caused by thermal expansion oppose those caused by drying shrinkage, while the thermal expansion of capillaries will have a negligible effect.     

Effects of alternating temperatures and humidity on the moisture absorption and mechanical properties of ramie fiber reinforced phenolic plates

In this article, ramie fiber reinforced phenolic (RFRP) plates were prepared with compression molding process, and the plates were subjected to 98% humidity environment and alternating temperatures (from 25°C to 55°C in 24 h for a cycle) for 4 weeks. The resulted moisture absorption and the variation of the mechanical properties of RFRPs were studied. As found, compared to constant exposure temperatures (25°C or 60°C), alternating temperatures brought in higher moisture uptake and more serious degradation in the flexural strength, flexural modulus and short beam shear strength of the RFRP samples under the same humidity condition. The deteriorated effects of alternating temperatures is attributed to more remarkable degradation of the bonding between the fiber and resin, due to the moisture uptake and the internal cyclic stress around the ramie fibers with alternating temperatures. The flexural modulus of RFRP plates was much more susceptible to the moisture uptake than the flexural strength. After fully drying, the mechanical properties of the RFRP samples were recovered to some extent, but still less than the original values, indicating permanent damages occurred. Fiber Bragg grating sensors embedded in the RFRP plate was applied to monitor the variation of the internal strain during the exposure. As indicated, the moisture absorption and alternating temperatures bring in relaxation of the internal tension stress formed during compressing process, and decrease in the coefficient of thermal expansion of the RFRP samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1590–1596, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

USE OF TORSIONAL STRESSES FOR OBSERVING HIGH-TEMPERATURE CHARACTERISTICS OF CERAMIC MATERIALS*

A method is described for testing ceramic specimens under torsional stresses at temperatures to 2500 °F. With simple apparatus and minimum time, consistent values are obtained for modulus of rigidity, Poisson's ratio (when the modulus of elasticity is known), tensile (torsion) strength, torque-twist graph, approximate softening temperature, plastic deformation, and short-time creep rate. The results are in satisfactory agreement with tensile test, bending test, and long-time creep-rate results and thus provide a quick means of making a preliminary selection of promising compositions for more extensive testing. Among the advantages of torsion testing are freedom from error caused by thermal expansion, absence of need for close dimensional tolerances, simplicity of specimen installation in grips, and the ability to make deformation measurements outside the furnace on the cool end of the specimen. Data for a sillimanite body and a beryl-lia body illustrate the types of information given by the method. The beryllia body has more suitable high-temperature characteristics.     

Dynamic Viscoelasticity of Wood After Various Drying Processes

In this study, specimens of heartwood from Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata [Lamb.] Hook.) plantation trees were dried by high-temperature drying (HTD), low-temperature drying (LTD), and freeze vacuum drying (FVD), respectively. The dynamic viscoelastic properties of dried and untreated wood specimens with various moisture contents were investigated in the temperature range between ? 120 and 40°C at 1 Hz using a dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The results indicated that the relative storage modulus and relative loss modulus were both the highest for HTD wood and the lowest for FVD wood, and that two mechanical relaxation processes developed. The α relaxation process in the higher temperature range was presumably a result of surpassing the glass transition of hemicelluloses with low molecular weight, whereas the β relaxation process occurring in the lower temperature range was most probably due to the motions of both methyl groups in the amorphous region of wood cell wall and adsorbed water molecules in wood. As moisture content increased, the decrease of relative storage modulus with increasing temperature became more dramatic, and the loss peak temperatures of the relaxation processes shifted to lower temperature range. The difference of dynamic mechanical behavior among untreated and dried specimens reduced with the increase of moisture content.     

THE REVERSIBLE THERMAL EXPANSION OF REFRACTORY MATERIALS

The reversible thermal expansion from 15–1000°C was measured for kaolin, siliceous and aluminous fire clays, quartzite, alumina, magnesia, and carborundum, after preliminary burnings at cones 06, 9, 14 and 20, and as well as for English commercial silica bricks before and after use in a coke oven and the roof of a steel furnace. Kaolin and bauxitic fire clay after calcination have a regular reversible thermal expansion which does not vary much with the temperature of calcination. Siliceous fire clays, after calcination at cone 06 (980°C) or cone 9 (1280°C) display irregularities (departures from uniformity) in their expansion. Between 500° and 600°C they show a large expansion due to contained quartz and on cooling the contraction in that region is larger than the corresponding expansion. Moreover, the expansion between 100° and 250°C after being fired to cone 9 (1280°C) exceeds the average. After calcination at higher temperatures, cone 14 (1410°C) or cone 20 (1530°C). these materials gradually lose these peculiarities until on incipient vitrification a linear expansion similar to that of kaolin is attained. This change is due to the destruction of quartz by its interaction with the clay material and fluxes; it takes place most easily in a fine-grained, rather friable clay such as ball clay. The previous thermal treatment necessary for a particular clay in order to obtain regular expansion in use can only be determined by trial. It can be stated with confidence that in such a piece of apparatus as a glass pot or crucible, a distinct gain will result from maintenance at a high temperature for some time before use, but that the red heat of an ordinary pot arch is useless for the purpose. An increase in the porosity of a fire clay was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in expansion between 15° and 1000°C until a porosity of 50% was attained. Further increase in porosity produced very little change in the expansion. No irregularities in expansion were shown by magnesia brick, carborundum, or alumina bonded with 10% of ball clay. Welsh quartzite with lime bond, either unfired or after burning at cone 06, had a large expansion to 550 °C and a much larger expansion from 550–600 °C due to the inversion of α to β quartz while from 600–1000°C a slight contraction took place. Firing to cone 9 converted part of the quartz into cristobalite, thus increasing the expansion from 200–250°C. This conversion was considerably increased on burning for two hours at cone 14, which greatly reduced the expansion from 550–600°C with a corresponding increase of that from 200–250°C. The conversion of the quartz into cristobalite was completed by a further heating for two hours at cone 20. Determinations of refractive indices and specific gravities confirmed these results. Flint inverted to cristobalite with greater ease than quartz. Commercial silica brick consisted chiefly of cristobalite and unconverted quartz and showed a large expansion up to 300°C, followed by a considerably smaller but regular expansion to 550°C. From 550° to 600°C the rate of expansion was considerably increased, but above 600°C the change in dimensions was small. The innermost exposed layer of a silica brick after use in a coke oven was an impure glass with a steady expansion, but only half as large as that of the layers of brick behind, which was made for shelling away. A silica brick after use in a steel furnace was divided into four layers. The layer exposed to the furnace heat was practically all cristobalite and silicates, the next layer the same, the third layer showed some α to β quartz expansion as well as the α to β cristobalite expansion, while the fourth (outermost) layer exposed to air was similar to the brick before use. In these bricks exposure to high temperature had evidently completed the change from quartz to cristobalite which had been largely effected in the kiln during manufacture. Little or no tridymite had formed. The reversible thermal expansion from 15–1000°C of the commercial silica brick examined was 1.1 to 1.3%, about double that of fire clay brick.     

Strength and deformation of concrete with variable content of moisture at elevated temperature up to 90°C

It is known, that the change of mechanical properties of concrete due to elevated temperature is also influenced by the moisture content. This change was primarily studied for prestressed concrete reactor vessels (PCRV). Because a PCRV is a mass concrete structure, the results of this research cannot be transfered to slender members. To simulate drying conditions of the latter, specimens of differing initial moisture content were subject to elevated temperatures and defined climates. The results of tests reveal the differing influence of moisture on strength and modulus of elasticity. The compressive strength is partly increased, partly decreased as the moisture content grows. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity are weakened by decreasing moisture. Also the thermal strain as function of type of aggregate and moisture content was studied. The changes are caused by the alteration of structure of cement stone and by microcracks due to incompatibility.     

METHOD FOR DETERMINING TENSILE PROPERTIES OF REFRACTORY MATERIALS AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES*

Equipment for testing ceramic materials to temperatures of 2000°F. was developed, and a method was devised for evaluating the bending stresses introduced by the test equipment. With this equipment, the tensile strength, stress-to-rupture characteristics, and modulus of elasticity of a sillimanite refractory were investigated at the Cleveland Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. The tensile strength varied from a minimum of 8000 lb. per sq. in. at 500°F. to a maximum of 19,000 lb. per sq. in. at 1800°F. Heat-treating the tensile specimens for one half hour at 1800°F. increased the tensile strength 35% at room temperature and 70% at 500°F. No increase in strength was noted at or above 1400°F. The stress-to-rupture in 1000 hours at 1600°F. was 8500 lb. per sq. in. The modulus of elasticity at room temperature was 20.3 × 10⁶.     

THE USE OF TALC AND PYROPHYLLITE IN SEMIVITREOUS DINNERWARE BODIES *

The use of talc and pyrophyllite in semivitreous dinnerware bodies is discussed. The effect of these materials on shrinkage, absorption, modulus of rupture, and moisture expansion are shown. The advantages obtained are better drying and firing properties, higher mechanical strength, and greater resistance to delayed crazing.     

POSSIBILITY OF CLAY DAMAGE DURING DRYING

The convective drying of plate made of clay is considered in the paper. The model of drying with material coefficients dependent on the moisture content and the temperature is presented. The material is assumed to be brittle-elastic (linear elasticity with moisture dependent material constants). The strength of the material estimated by bending test, is moisture dependent. Numerical simulation of drying processes is done. Through the comparison of the stresses arising during drying with the strength of the material the possibility of dried body damage is shown. The range of constant drying conditions in which damage is expected is specified.     

POSSIBILITY OF CLAY DAMAGE DURING DRYING

The convective drying of plate made of clay is considered in the paper. The model of drying with material coefficients dependent on the moisture content and the temperature is presented. The material is assumed to be brittle-elastic (linear elasticity with moisture dependent material constants). The strength of the material estimated by bending test, is moisture dependent. Numerical simulation of drying processes is done. Through the comparison of the stresses arising during drying with the strength of the material the possibility of dried body damage is shown. The range of constant drying conditions in which damage is expected is specified.     

Improving head rice yield of glutinous rice by novel parboiling process

Most commercial parboiled rice is produced from high-amylose content rice. Glutinous rice, which is lacking in amylose content, is generally consumed in Southeast Asian countries. Rare study of parboiling glutinous rice has been observed. In this study, glutinous rice was improved in head rice yield by a novel parboiling process. Two rough glutinous rice, rice department 6 (RD6) and black glutinous rice (BGR) cultivars, were soaked in hot water at 70?±?5°C for 3?h. The ricer 3moisture content after soaking was 50–52% (d.b.), it was dried with hot air and superheated steam (SHS) at 110, 130, and 150°C in a fluidized bed dryer. The results show that SHS at all drying temperatures can improve the high head rice yield in both parboiled glutinous rice cultivars better than hot air drying. Higher temperature drying caused L* value to decrease but the b* value increases in RD6, whereas in BGR, all color values decreased and ΔE* was increased when the drying temperature increased. Increasing drying temperature presented a softer texture of both glutinous rice cultivars. Upper 130°C, completed gelatinization of both varieties can be obtained and seen by scanning electron microscope and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). This technique of using high-temperature fluidized bed drying can produce completely parboiled glutinous rice in a single process instead of two conventional processes, steaming and drying, in series.     

Reduction of fractures in dried clay-like materials due to specific surfactants

The possibility of fracture reduction as a result of application of specific surfactants during intensive drying of clay-like materials was examined in this paper. The dodecyl sulfate sodium salt (SDS) and the fluoric (FC 4430) surfactants were used for the tests. Different amounts of these surfactants were mixed with distilled water and used for wetting a dry clay material before forming clay samples. The clay samples in the form of cylinders 44 mm in diameter and 50 mm high were extruded and after leveling the moisture distribution subjected to convectively drying in hot air at 120 °C. The acoustic emission (AE) method was used to monitor on line the development of crack formation in dried samples. It was stated that application of surfactants in a prescribed amount may significantly reduce the drying induced fractures in clay during its intensive drying and thus to obtain good quality products by high drying rates.     

CORRECTION OF AN EXTREME CASE OF CRACKING IN THE DRYING OF BRICK1

I. In the manufacture of stiff-mud brick from a highly colloidal clay of low permeability to water, drying breakage was extremely high even though the drying was conducted at a very slow rate under high humidity conditions. Laboratory investigation yielded two methods of correcting the faults: (1) Preheating the clay for half an hour at a temperature between 400 °C and 500 °C increased the permeability to such an extent that brick made from the preheated clay could be dried rapidly without cracking. (2) Coagulating chemicals, such as aluminium chloride, ferric chloride, sodium chloride, and hydrochloric acid, in conjunction with moderate additions of grog, increased the permeability and thus improved the drying properties of the clay. II. Plant scale tests using ferric chloride, sodium chloride, and grog resulted in the production of brick which could be dried safely in a reasonable time. The fired brick were improved in quality as to strength and color. III. The chemical treatment of the clay using 1% ferric chloride and 0.5% sodium chloride with 10 to 15% grog was adopted for plant operation and resulted in increased production, lower cost of manufacture, and improved quality of product.     

Effect of Andalusite Addition on Properties of Chrome-corundum Bricks

In order to improve the thermal shock resistance of chrome-corundum bricks, different amounts of andalusite were added to the formulation of chrome-corundum bricks to replace the equivalent white fused corundum with the same particle size. After mixing, shaping, drying and firing, the density, the cold strength, the cold wear resistance, the hot modulus of rupture and the thermal shock resistance were tested. XRD, SEM and elemental surface scanning were used to characterize the specimens. The results show that:(1) the volume expansion of andalusite mullitization reduces the apparent porosity of chrome-corundum bricks;(2) the density and the hardness of mullite are lower than those of corundum so the decrease of the corundum content in brick leads to the decrease of the bulk density, the strength and the cold wear resistance;(3) the cross-distributed columnar mullite in the matrix can effectively improve the hot modulus of rupture and the thermal shock resistance of the specimens;(4) considering comprehensively, the andalusite addition shall not exceed 18%.     

EVALUATION AND MODELING OF TWO-STAGE OSMO-CONVECTIVE DRYING OF APPLE SLICES

ABSTRACT

Two-stage drying kinetics of cylindrical pieces of apples were evaluated by subjecting test samples first to various osmotic treatments and then to convective air drying to complete the drying process. Osmotic drying was carried out with cut apple cylinders of three different sizes (12, 17 and 20 mm diameter), all with a length to diameter ratio of 1 : 1, in a well agitated large tank containing the osmotic solution at the desired temperature. Solution to fruit volume ratio was kept greater than 60. After the osmotic treatment, apple slices were further dried in a cabinet drier at an average temperature 58°C. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) with five levels of sucrose concentrations (34–63°Brix) and five temperatures (34–66°C) was used for osmotic treatment. Half-drying time and solids gain time were used as measures of rate of drying and associated diffusion coefficients for moisture loss and solids gain were evaluated. Half-drying time decreased with an increase in temperature or concentration, or a decrease in sample size. Diffusion coefficients were lower for smaller samples, and were higher for migration of moisture as compared to solids. For a given level of moisture removal, air drying times were shorter than osmotic drying times. Composite models were developed to describe the effect of process variables and particle size on the drying behavior of apple slices.     

Autogenous healing of engineered cementitious composites under wet-dry cycles

Self-healing of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) subjected to two different cyclic wetting and drying regimes was investigated in this paper. To quantify self-healing, resonant frequency measurements were conducted throughout wetting-drying cycles followed by uniaxial tensile testing of self-healing ECC specimens. Through self-healing, crack-damaged ECC recovered 76% to 100% of its initial resonant frequency value and attained a distinct rebound in stiffness. Even for specimens deliberately pre-damaged with microcracks by loading up to 3% tensile strain, the tensile strain capacity after self-healing recovered close to 100% that of virgin specimens without any preloading. Also, the effects of temperature during wetting-drying cycles led to an increase in the ultimate strength but a slight decrease in the tensile strain capacity of rehealed pre-damaged specimens. This paper describes the experimental investigations and presents the data that confirm reasonably robust autogenous healing of ECC in commonly encountered environments for many types of infrastructure.