Micromechanical characterisation of fibre/matrix interfaces

Theoretical analyses for the single fibre pull-out and push-out models under monotonic loading are given which are based on a shear-lag analysis in a fracture mechanics approach considering non-constant friction at the debonded interface as a result of fibre Poisson contraction (or expansion). The solutions allow the determination of typical fibre/matrix interfacial properties such as the interfacial fracture toughness, G_ic, the coefficient of friction, μ, and the residual clamping stress, q₀. Under cyclic loading the interfacial properties are expected to degrade as a result of repetitive abrasion, and a power law function is assumed between μ and the number of elapsed cycles, N. However, G_ic is assumed to be unaffected and a fracture mechanics based debond criterion is derived for the relationship between the external applied stress, the debond length and the reduced friction coefficient for both fibre pull-out and fibre push-out. In addition, the relative displacements between the free fibre end and the matrix top are obtained for cyclic fatigue when the fibre is loaded and unloaded. A relationship obtained for the protrusion (or intrusion) length in fibre pull-out (or push-out) experiments allows the severity of the interface frictional degradation to be evaluated and characterised. Similarities and differences in the frictional degradation behaviour between fibre pull-out and push-out are also identified.     

Fracture mechanics of a shaft-loaded blister of thin flexible membrane on rigid substrate

A shaft-loaded blister test has been developed to measure the interfacial energy W of a thin flexible polymeric film adhered to a rigid substrate. A theoretical analysis is given of an axisymmetric debond (blister) in terms of an external applied load P, tensile stretching modulus E and thickness h of the adhering layer. The fracture mechanics model presented considers both elastic and elastoplastic deformations in the thin film. The intrinsic stable interface debonding process provides an attractive alternative to the conventional adhesion measurement techniques.     

Pulse chemical vapour infiltration of SiC in porous carbon or SiC participate preform using an r.f. heating system

SiC was infiltrated into a porous carbon or an SiC particulate preform from a gaseous system of 6% CH₃SiCl₃-H₂ using a pulse chemical vapour infiltration apparatus and r.f. heating at 1273 to 1423 K. At 1273 K, the SiC matrix infiltrated the porous carbon initially to half the thickness of the substrate and finally over the full thickness. After 10000 pulses, three-point flexural strength saturated at about 120MPa. SiC particulate preform made from an average particle size of 4m was infiltrated by SiC. After 30000 pulses at 1273 K, the flexural strength of the composite increased to 200 to 220 M Pa.     

Some characteristics of a sparged agitated vessel under foaming — Mechanical control of foaming —

Foam-breaking with a rotating disk mechanical foam-breaker (MFRD) was studied for a foaming system containing a diluted detergent solution in a laboratory sparged agitated vessel. The change of the foam-breaking capacity of the MFRD by varying the air sparge rate, the working volume and the impeller speed or the disk diameter was measured. Based on these measurements, empirical equations are presented for predicting the critical foam-breaking regions of the MFRD fitted with the agitated vessel. The operational range where foam-breaking with the MFRD can be carried out effectively and economically is also discussed.     

Grain size effects on cyclic fatigue and crack-growth resistance behaviour of partially stabilized zirconia

Cyclic fatigue crack growth and crack-resistance behaviour was studied in partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) with three different cubic-phase grain sizes following sub-eutectoid heat treatments. Raman spectroscopy was used to determine the extent of phase transformation around the cracks for both cyclic and monotonic loading conditions. All tests were on long, through thickness cracks using compact-tension specimens. Predictions of crack-tip shielding were made following determination of toughening parameters using crackresistance data. It was found that the dominant factors affecting cyclic fatigue-crack growth were the level of crack-tip shielding, as a result of phase transformation, and the intrinsic toughness of the material. Grain size did not appear to significantly affect fatigue crack-growth behaviour.     

Graphene oxide-decorated Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> microflowers as a promising anode for lithium and sodium storage

Mixed transition metal oxides (MTMOs) have received intensive attention as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, we demonstrate a facile one-step water-bath method for the preparation of graphene oxide (GO) decorated Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ (FMO) microflower composite (FMO/GO), in which the FMO is constructed by numerous nanosheets. The resulting FMO/GO exhibits excellent electrochemical performances in both LIBs and SIBs. As the anode material for LIBs, the FMO/GO delivers a high capacity of 1,220 mAh·g^–1 at 200 mA·g^–1 after 50 cycles and a capacity of 685 mAh·g^–1 at a high current density of 10 A·g^–1. As the anode material for SIBs, the FMO/GO shows an initial discharge capacity of 571 mAh·g^–1 at 100 mA·g^–1, maintaining a discharge capacity of 307 mAh·g^–1 after 100 cycles. The promising performance is attributed to the good electrical transport from the intimate contact between FMO and graphene oxide. This work indicates that the FMO/GO composite is a promising anode for high-performance lithium and sodium storage.

Open image in new window

     

Pressure-pulsed chemical vapour infiltration of TiN to SiC particulate preforms

SiC particulate preforms were infiltrated by TiN matrix from a gas mixture of TiCl₄ (5%), nitrogen (30%) and hydrogen using a repeating pressure pulse between 760 and about 1 torr. SiC particle sizes of 5 and 20 m were used. For matrix packing into deep level, optimum temperature was determined between 800 and 850 °C, and the maximum packing ratio reached 67% after 4 × 10⁴ pulses at 850 °C. The increase of TiCl⁴ concentration to 10% resulted in higher deposition rate and packing ratio. The decrease of nitrogen concentration led to slower deposition, that is, a similar effect to temperature lowering. The maximum flexural strength measured was 140 MPa.     

A cross-junction channel valveless-micropump with PZT actuation

A gas-jet micro pump with novel cross-junction channel has been designed and fabricated using a Si micromachining process. The valveless micro pump is composed of a piezoelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) diaphragm actuator and fluidic network. The design of the valveless pump focuses on a cross-junction formed by the neck of the pump chamber and one outlet and two opposite inlet channels. The structure of cross-junction allows differences in fluidic resistance and fluidic momentum inside the channels during each PZT diaphragm vibration cycle, which leads to the gas flow being rectified without valves. The flow channels were easily fabricated by using silicon etching process. To investigate the effects of the structure of the cross-junction on the gas flow rate, two types of pump with different cross-junction were studied. The design and simulation were done using ANSYS-Fluent software. The simulations and experimental data revealed that the step-nozzle structure is much more advantageous than the planar structure. A flow rate of 5.2 ml/min was obtained for the pump with step structure when the pump was driven at its resonant frequency of 7.9 kHz by a sinusoidal voltage of 50 V_p–p.     

基于差分蜂群算法的电力系统经济负荷分配

针对电力系统经济负荷分配问题,提出一种有效的差分蜂群算法．受差分进化算法的启发,该算法基于差分进化操作改进了雇佣蜂的搜索方式,提高了探索能力和收敛速度．此外,提出一种有效的修复机制以保证新个体的可行性．该算法在带有阀点效应和多燃料特征的典型电力系统经济负荷分配问题上进行了测试．仿真结果验证了所提算法的有效性．     

The essential work of plane stress ductile fracture of a strain-aged steel

The paper reports the results of an experimental investigation on the essential work of fracture of a strain-aged low carbon (0.1% C) temper-rolled 16-gauge sheet steel which has been subjected to pre-strain levels of 2 to 12% and ageing temperatures of 80 and 100C. Deep edge-notched tension specimens were used to determine the specific essential work by extrapolating the straight-line relationship between the specific work of fracture (W _f) and ligament length (I) to zero ligament length. The strain-aged steels at 80 and 100 give approximately the same specific essential fracture work of 0.18 to 0.20 J mm^–2 which is independent of the amount of prestrain. Advancing crack opening displacements (C.O.D.) have also been analysed, which give 0.60 to 0.63 mm for the strain-aged steels. For comparison, the prestrained but unaged steels have a higher essential work of fracture of 0.275 J mm^–2 and a larger C.O.D. of 0.73 mm. It is concluded, therefore, that the causes of strain-ageing embrittlement are primarily due to the reduction of both the essential work of fracture and the advancing C.O.D. at the crack tip end region.