Fracture mechanics model for subthreshold indentation flaws

A fracture mechanics model for subthreshold indentation flaws is. described. The model describes the initiation and extension of a microcrack from a discrete deformation-induced shear fault (shear crack) within the contact zone. A stress-intensity factor analysis for the microcrack extension in residual-contact and applied-stress fields is used in conjunction with appropriate fracture conditions, equilibrium in Part I and non-equilibrium in Part II, to determine critical instability configurations.In Part I, the K-field relations are used in conjunction with the Griffith requirements for crack equilibrium in essentially inert environments to determine: (i) the critical indentation size (or load) for spontaneous radial crack pop-in from a critical shear fault under the action of residual stresses alone; (ii) the inert strengths of surfaces with subthreshold or postthreshold flaws. The theory is fitted to literature data for silicate glasses. These fits are used to calibrate dimensionless parameters in the fracture mechanics expressions, for later use in Part II. The universality of the analysis in its facility to predict the main features of crack initiation and propagation in residual and applied fields will be demonstrated. Special emphasis is placed on the capacity to account for the significant increase in strength (and associated scatter) observed on passing from the postthreshold to the subthreshold domain.     

Microstructure and elastic tensile behavior of polyethylene terephthalate-exfoliated graphene nanocomposites

Polyethylene terephthalate-exfoliated graphene nanocomposites were prepared by injection molding. Nanocomposites with graphene platelets of 2, 5, 10, and 15% weight fractions were molded and tested for mechanical characterization. Transmission electron microscopy imaging along with X-ray diffraction show that the graphene platelets remained intact and were dispersed into the matrix. An exponential increase in the Young’s modulus of the nanocomposites was observed, but with current limits on exfoliation they do not yet reach the potential suggested by idealized predictions.     

Acoustical studies on polyvinylchloride in dimethylformamide

Ultrasonic velocity studies were undertaken on solutions of polyvinylchloride (PVC) in dimethylformamide (DMF) in the concentration range 0–3% by weight, at an RF frequency of 2 MHz at three different temperatures, 303 K, 313 K and 323 K. The observed non-linear increase in ultrasonic velocity with increase of PVC concentration is attributed to the segment–segment interaction which causes molecular association between PVC and DMF.     

DOD and DOA estimation using the spatial smoothing in MIMO radar with the EmV sensors

This paper deals with the directions of departure (DOD) and directions of arrival (DOA) estimation of coherent and noncoherent targets in bistatic MIMO radar with the electromagnetic vector (EmV) sensors. The high-resolution eigenspace-based methods such as, estimation of signal parameters via rotational invariance technique (ESPRIT), multiple signal classification, etc., fails to estimate DOD and DOA of fully or partially correlated targets. In order to employ these methods, a new pre-processing method is developed based on the spatial smoothing in MIMO radar with the EmV sensors. Then, the directions are estimated using the ESPRIT algorithm. Monte-Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the estimation-accuracy and resolution-capability of the proposed approach, and to compare with no pre-processing and the existing method. The simulation result shows that, the proposed methodology improves the performance significantly.     

Fibers from polypropylene/nano carbon fiber composites

Fibers from polypropylene and polypropylene/vapor grown nano carbon fiber composite have been spun using conventional melt spinning equipment. At 5 wt% nano carbon fiber loading, modulus and compressive strength of polypropylene increased by 50 and 100%, respectively, and the nano carbon fibers exhibited good dispersion in the polypropylene matrix as observed by scanning electron microscopy.     

Cyclic Fatigue Behavior of an Alumina Ceramic with Crack-Resistance Characteristics

The behavior under cyclic tension—tension loading of an alumina ceramic with pronounced crack-bridging (R-curve) characteristics is studied. Tests on disk specimens with indentation cracks reveal no failures below the static fatigue limit. Theoretical predictions of the stress-lifetime response, based on the premise that environmentally assisted slow crack growth is the sole factor determining lifetime, are consistent (within experimental scatter) with the data. The results indicate that there is no significant cyclic degradation from potential damage to the bridges, at least in the short-crack region pertinent to strength properties.     

Effect of high pressure torsion on the microstructure evolution of a gamma Ti–45Al–2Nb–2Mn–0.8 vol% TiB2 alloy

The technique of high pressure torsion (HPT) has been widely used to refine the microstructure of many metallic materials, especially pure metals and disordered alloys. Comparatively fewer studies have, however, been carried out in intermetallics. γ-TiAl alloys are envisioned as high potential materials to replace Ni superalloys in some turbine components due to their good performance at high temperatures and light weight. Exploring the potential beneficial effects of severe plastic deformation techniques in these materials is now timely. In this work, a γ-TiAl alloy with a lamellar microstructure has been processed by HPT using pressures ranging from 1 to 6 GPa and 0 to 5 anvil turns at room temperature. Significant refinement of the microstructure via twin formation, bending of the lamella and the accumulation of a high dislocation density upon the application of shear give rise to a drastic hardness increase.     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidative Annulation of 6‐Anilinopurines with Alkynes via C?H Activation: Synthesis of Indole‐Substituted Purines/Purine Nucleosides

Indole‐substituted purine nucleobases have been synthesized by Ru‐catalyzed oxidative annulation of 6‐anilinopurines with internal alkynes that involves C H activation. Unsymmetrical aryl(alkyl)alkynes led to high regioselectivity. The reaction was also successful with nucleosides by delivering unprotected indole‐substituted nucleosides. In the presence of [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ and copper(II) acetate hydrate [Cu(OAc)₂⋅H₂O], in some cases, we have observed two‐fold C H activation products that exhibit fluorescence. A ruthenacycle intermediate was characterized by crystallography, which suggests that the N‐1 nitrogen atom of the purine acts as a directing group for the present transformation.