Self‐assembled structures in polystyrene‐block‐polyisoprene‐blend‐polystyrene and polystyrene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐blend‐polystyrene or ‐blend‐poly(methyl methacrylate) in the strong segregation regime

This study deals with the investigation of microphase‐separated morphology and phase behaviour in blends of polystyrene‐block‐polyisoprene with homopolystyrene and blends of polystyrene‐block‐poly(methyl methacrylate) with homopoly(methyl methacrylate) or homopolystyrene in the strong segregation regime using small‐angle X‐ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy as a function of composition, molecular weight of homopolymers, r_M and temperature. Parameter r_M = M_H/M_C (where M_H is the molecular weight of homopolymer and M_C that of the corresponding block copolymer) was selected to encompass behaviour of the chains denoted as a ‘wet brush’ (i.e. r_M < 1). The relative domain spacing D/D_o increases in the regime 0 < r_M?1 with increasing concentration of homopolymer w_P and increasing r_M but depends on the specific implemented morphology. We tested a new approximate D/D_o versus w_P relation in the strong segregation regime using block copolymers of high molecular weights. It is shown that the parameters r_M and χ^3/2N determine the slope of the D/D_o versus w_P relation in the strong segregation regime and the new approximation generally matches the experimental data better than the approximations used so far. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Poisson’s ratio of porous and cellular materials with randomly distributed isometric pores or cells

The porosity dependence of Poisson's ratio of materials with random microstructure is investigated via analytical and numerical modeling. It is shown that all analytical models predict porosity independence if the solid Poisson ratio is 0.2 and for low porosities a converging trend toward this value with increasing porosity. From all theory-based relations, only power-law and exponential relations allow for auxetic behavior. Numerical calculations on computer-generated digital microstructures (overlapping and isolated spherical pores, pores between overlapping spherical grains, wall-based cellular materials/closed-cell foams, and strut-based cellular materials/open-cell foams) confirm the general qualitative trends of the analytical models, although a closer look reveals significant quantitative differences. Cellular materials and foams exhibit similar features as porous materials in general, but lack their converging trend toward values around 0.2. Comparison of our results with the classical Roberts-Garboczi results shows good agreement, with subtle differences due to the different microstructures generated.     

Zusätzliche Stromwärmeverluste im Läufer von Induktionsmaschinen und ihre räumliche Verteilung bei Speisung mit U-Umrichtern im Blockbetrieb

Übersicht Die zusätzlichen Stromwärmeverluste im Läufer ändern sich bei einem Drehzahlstellantrieb je nach Betriebsweise des Umrichters beträchtlich. Im Blockbetrieb ist der Gesamtverlust kaum vom Lastzustand (Schlupf) abhängig. Im Synchronismus sind die Verluste jedoch ungleichmäßig auf die einzelnen Läuferstränge oder Stäbe verteilt. Die Maxima und Minima der Stabverluste stehen im Synchronismus etwa im Verhältnis 10:1 zueinander. Die Verluste in dem am stärksten beaufschlagten Läuferstab liegen nicht wesentlich niedriger als im Bemessungsbetrieb. Die gesamten zusätzlichen Stromwärmeverluste wachsen bei konstanter Speisefrequenz quadratisch mit der Spannung. Im Feldschwächbereich nehmen sie in Abhängigkeit von der Speisefrequenz ungefähr nach der Funktion 1/^1,52 ab.

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Additional rotor I²R-losses and their spatial distribution in three-phase windings respectively rotor bars of induction motors fed from six-step U-invertors

Contents Additional rotor I²R-losses in speed variable drives with induction motors change very strongly with the operation mode of the invertor. During block-operation the sum of these additional losses is nearly independent of the load (slip). But at synchronous speed the losses are distributed very unequally among the phase windings respectively the rotor bars. The ratio of maximum to minimum bar losses is approximately 10:1. The highest ohmic loss in a bar is nearly the same as the rated bar loss. The additional rotor I²R-losses change with the square of the voltage. In the field weakening range the losses drop with the frequency approximately following the function 1/^1,52.

     

Traveling-wave Phenomena in a Model of Autocrine Signaling Coupled with Dynamics of the MAPK Cascade

Recently we have revealed a minimal reaction subnetwork in the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascade that is responsible for the emergence of bistable and oscillatory behavior. Here we examine a possible mechanism that provides for the propagation of increased MAPK activity in cell populations by interconnecting the intracellular MAPK subnetwork with the ligand-receptor signaling machinery. Such approach allows for significant reduction of the dimensionality of the parameter space on one hand and the conservation of dynamical complexity of the system on the other hand. The coupled model predicts coexistence of one, two or three different stable steady states, or the coexistence of a stable steady state and periodic solution. We found two robust and physiologically relevant characteristics of the proposed model: (i) There is a very large region of coexistence of at least one stable steady state with non-zero MAPK activity and one steady state with zero MAPK activity in the parameter space. (ii) Spontaneous traveling front waves always switching originally inactive cells into ligand releasing cells emerge in adjacent cell populations, e. g. in healthy and injured tissues. Moreover, the formation of composite traveling front waves and spatial oscillatory patterns of MAPK activity are predicted and discussed.     

Determination of compounding formulation of cured rubber by reverse engineering

The present work deals with reverse engineering on four rubber formulations. Information about the material composition of the compounding formulations was obtained by using techniques such as acetone extract, thermogravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence studies, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in attenuated total reflection mode. The reverse engineered formulations were compared on a qualitative and quantitative basis with the initial formulations. The aim was to ascertain the validity of the methodology, which may be used as reverse engineering of rubber compounds to quantitatively analyze unknown ground tire rubber in future. The state of the art was based on a fractional mass transfer from acetone extract to the rubbers detected in TGA. Through this new approach, the formulations calculated were very consistent with the formulations employed, thus establishing the validity of the methodology used. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1450–1458, 2015. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Mixtures of poly(vinyl chloride) and copolyesters based on ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide: Miscibility,thermal stability,and weathering resistance

Properties of the blends of Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCLO) and copolyesters based on ε‐caprolactone and L‐lactide (LLA) prepared by rolling were studied. Incorporating the LLA units into the structure of PCLO the content of the crystalline phase was controlled. Miscibility of the blends was assessed using DMA, and basic mechanical properties were correlated with the type and content of the polymer plasticizer. The PVC blends containing up to 20 wt parts polyesters were miscible. The presence of the LLA units in the copolyester influenced negatively the thermal stability. On the other hand even small content of copolyester in the blend enhanced the resistivity against aging. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Effect of amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile/clay combinations on the structure and properties of epoxy nanocomposites

The effect of the clay content and the method of its combination with amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile (ATBN) on the structure and behavior of epoxy was studied. In the case of the simultaneous addition of both components, the increasing clay content had a very small effect on the size of the reaction-induced phase separation-formed particles at 5% rubber content due to predominant elimination of two major clay effects, i.e., the nucleation due to phase separation and the kinetics. As a result, both the time window between the onset of phase separation and vitrification and the viscosity at the cloud point did not change significantly. The minor change in the particle size/clay content dependences with different curing temperatures indicates that the balance between the two clay effects shifted. The corresponding study of the mechanical behavior indicated that the best balanced mechanical properties were obtained at certain clay/ATBN ratios, and thus, there was synergy between the components. Similar mechanical parameters were obtained for the application of both components in the form of ATBN/montmorillonite intercalate. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Prediction of ring crack initiation in ceramics and glasses using a stress–energy fracture criterion

Crack initiation in brittle materials upon spherical indentation is associated with the tensile radial stresses during loading. However, location of crack onset often differs (offset) from the site of maximal stress. In addition, experiments reveal a strong dependency of crack initiation forces on geometrical parameters as well as the surface condition of the sample. In this work, a coupled stress–energy fracture criterion is introduced to describe the initiation of ring cracks in brittle materials, which takes into account the geometry of the contact and the inherent strength and fracture toughness of the material. Several experiments reported in literature are evaluated and compared. The criterion can explain the location offset of the ring crack upon loading, as observed in various ceramics and glasses. It also predicts the ring crack initiation force upon contact loading, provided that surface compressive stresses, introduced during grinding or polishing processes, are taken into account. Furthermore, the stress–energy criterion may be employed to estimate the surface residual stress of ceramic parts, based on simple contact damage experiments.