Notch sensitivity of thermoset and thermoplastic laminates loaded in tension

Inplane tensile fracture of unnotched and notched thermoset graphite-epoxy and thermoplastic graphite-PEEK composite laminates is examined. Both fibre-dominated quasi-isotropic and matrix dominated ±45 angle-ply layups were investigated.Classical lamination theory predictions of elastic and strength properties of unnotched specimens are compared with experiments. Several notched geometries, i.e. centre-notched, double-edge notched and open-hole specimens subjected to tensile loading to fracture were examined. The notched strength of the quasi-isotropic laminates was analysed by a damage zone model, where damage around the notch is represented by an equivalent crack with cohesive force acting between the crack surfaces.Good agreement between experimental and calculated strength was observed for the graphite-epoxy laminates which failed in a collinear manner. For the graphite-PEEK laminates discrepancies between predicted and experimental strength are related to observed deviations from collinear crack growth. The angle-ply graphite-PEEK laminates showed larger notch sensitivity than the corresponding graphite-epoxy, probably due to less degree of stress relieving damage formation around the notch.     

High-temperature properties of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system: Simultaneous occurrence of melting, oxygen desorption, and a metal-insulator transition

We have investigated the temperature dependence of the electrical transport and the thermogravimetric properties, from -200°C to +1000, of the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O high-temperature superconductor. We conclude that this system has a cooperative, simultaneous-melting/oxygen desorption/metal-insulator transition that occurs near 900°C. We speculate on its nature and on its relationship to phenomena found in other high-T _c superconductors.     

The diffusion and solubility of oxygen in solid nickel

Solid-state electrochemical measurements using various experimental procedures were made with the double cell: $$ Ni + NiO|ZrO_2 + Y_2 O_3 |Ni + \underline O |ZrO_2 + Y_2 O_3 |Ni + NiO $$ to determine the diffusivity and thermodynamic functions of oxygen dissolved in solid nickel. Non-steady state diffusion of oxygen in the specimen was caused by applying a preselected potential between the reference and specimen electrodes and was monitored by measuring time-dependent potentials and/or currents. The following results were obtained for the diffusivity of oxygen and the solubility of oxygen in nickel in equilibrium with NiO: $$D{\text{ = 4}}{\text{.9 }} \times {\text{ 10}}^{{\text{ - 2}}} {\text{ exp}}\left( {{\text{ - }}\frac{{{\text{164 kJ/mole}}}}{{{\text{R}}T}}} \right){\text{cm}}^{\text{2}} /{\text{sec (850 to 1400 }}{}^{\text{o}}{\text{C)}}$$ $$C_{\text{O}}^s {\text{ = 8}}{\text{.3 exp}}\left( { - \frac{{55{\text{kJ/mole}}}}{{{\text{R}}T}}} \right){\text{at}}{\text{. pct (800 to 1000 }}{}^{\text{o}}{\text{C)}}$$ The thermodynamic and transport behaviors of oxygen in solid nickel were fairly well described by a simple quasi-regular model and an interstitial diffusion model, respectively.     

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Their Implications in Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Disease

Neutrophils are primary effector cells of innate immunity and fight infection by phagocytosis and degranulation. Activated neutrophils also release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in response to a variety of stimuli. These NETs are net-like complexes composed of cell-free DNA, histones and neutrophil granule proteins. Besides the evolutionarily conserved mechanism to capture and eliminate pathogens, NETs are also associated with pathophysiological processes of various diseases. Here, we elucidate the mechanisms of NET formation and their different implications in disease. We focused on autoinflammatory and cardiovascular disorders as the leading cause of death. Neutrophil extracellular traps are not only present in various cardiovascular diseases but play an essential role in atherosclerotic plaque formation, arterial and venous thrombosis, as well as in the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Furthermore, NETosis can be considered as a source of autoantigens and maintains an inflammatory milieu promoting autoimmune diseases. Indeed, there is further need for research into the balance between NET induction, inhibition, and degradation in order to pharmacologically target NETs and their compounds without impairing the patient’s immune defense. This review may be of interest to both basic scientists and clinicians to stimulate translational research and innovative clinical approaches.     

Thai Tea Seed Oil and Virgin Olive Oil Similarly Reduce Plasma Lipids: A Pilot Study within a Healthy Adult Male Population

The potential cardiovascular benefit of virgin olive oil (VOO) is widely recognized. However, the use of VOO at very high cooking temperatures makes these oils poorly suited for many Asian dishes. The use of tea seed oil (TSO) is increasing in Thailand, with TSO having a higher smoke point than VOO. The current study examines the effects of daily TSO intake in healthy adults. In a randomized, single-blind crossover design, 12 men consumed for 3 weeks 40 g day⁻¹ of food prepared with either TSO or VOO as a cooking oil. Plasma lipids, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and oxidant defense enzyme activities are measured before and after each 3-week intervention period. Gas chromatography analysis of TSO and VOO demonstrates that both oils are equally high in monounsaturated fatty acid. The dietary incorporation of TSO and VOO for three weeks reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations by 15% and 13%, respectively; with total cholesterol (TC) levels lowered by 10% in both groups. No significant changes in TBARS or antioxidant enzyme activity is observed. These results support the concept that Thai TSO can be utilized as a suitable and healthy alternative oil for high-temperature cooking in many Thai and Asian diets. Practical Applications: Tea seed oil from Camellia oleifera grown in Thailand has been recently reported to favorably lower lipid profiles in hamsters fed a high-fat diet in a manner similar to feeding refined olive oil or grapeseed oil. A pilot crossover trial is conducted to compare the effects of three weeks of daily intake of either TSO or VOO in healthy human adults. Consumption of both oils produced significant reductions in TC and LDL-C. Thai TSO leads to favorable lipid profiles and is a reasonable choice for many Thai and Asian food recipes.     

Segregation Neutralised Steels: Microstructural Banding Elimination from Dual-Phase Steel Through Alloy Design Accounting for Inherent Segregation

Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A - Banding in commercial dual-phase steels, such as banded ferrite and pearlite or ferrite and martensite microstructures, is inherited from segregation...     

The role of thermal shock in cyclic oxidation

The effect of thermal shock on the spalling of oxides from the surfaces of several commercial alloys was determined. The average cooling rate was varied from approximately 240°C/sec to less than 1.0°C/sec during cyclic oxidation tests in air. The tests consisted of 100 cycles of 1 hr at the maximimum temperature (1100 or 1200°C). The alloys were HOS-875, TD-Ni, TD-NiCrAl, In-601, In-702, and B-1900 plus Hf. All of these alloys exhibited partial spalling within the oxide rather than total oxide loss down to bare metal. Thermal shock resulted in deformation of the metal, which in turn resulted, in most cases, in change of the oxide failure mode from compressive to tensile. Tensile failures were characterized by cracking of the oxide and little loss, while compressive failures were characterized by explosive loss of platelets of oxide. This behavior was confirmed by examination of mechanically stressed oxide scales. The thermally shocked oxides spalled less than the slow-cooled samples with the exception of TD-NiCrAl. This material failed in a brittle manner rather than by plastic deformation. The HOS-875 and the TD-Ni did not spall during either type of cooling. Thus, the effect of thermal shock on spalling is determined, in large part, by the mechanical properties of the metal.     

Corrosion and wear properties of multipurpose coatings deposited by ion-beam-assisted deposition

Electrochemical measurements and wear tests were performed on aluminium and aluminium alloy coatings containing magnesium for uniform and local pitting corrosion protection of low carbon steel substrates. Final hard chromium nitride and aluminium nitride layers were deposited at the surface of the protective films in order to lower friction and wear. The results show that wear and corrosion protection can be improved by use of bifunctional multilayers. The coatings for multipurpose application were generated by ion-beam-assisted deposition. The defined intrinsic film stress controlled by the ion-to-atom arrival ratio influences the corrosion properties. Increasing the ion-to-atom ratios usually improves the corrosion resistance.     

Recent Advances in Conjugated Transition Metal-containing Polymers and Materials

Metal-containing conjugated oligomers and polymers are reviewed, focusing on the work carried out by the author and coworkers since 1995. The synthesis of model systems, electropolymerizable monomers and polymer films are discussed, along with the electronic and spectroscopic properties of these systems. The application of phosphino-oligothiophene ligands as an entry to conjugated metallopolymers is described.     

Transient studies on methane oxidative coupling over alkali-metal promoted titanate catalysts

A transient method to study the role of the different oxygen species involved in oxidative coupling of methane is discussed. The method is applied to two new active catalysts for this process, which are based on alkali metal loaded titanates of lanthanum and nickel and also to a lithium/titania catalyst used in previous works. The results show that the participation of lattice oxygen in the formation of C2 products depends on the Li loading and the type of titanate used.