Experimental studies on adhesively-bonded scarf joints: influence of natural ageing on progressive damage

This work characterizes the effects of natural ageing on the micro-mechanical behaviour of two adhesively-bonded scarf joints. The samples studied are made of XC18-type steel with different scarf angles (33 and 6°) and the adhesive is an epoxy resin. Contrary to most experimental studies which determine the strength of bonded joints in terms of their failure load, in this study sensitive strain gauges have been used to measure progressive damage of the adhesive joints. The results show that the damage is closely linked to the mechanical and geometrical properties of the test joints and that ageing increases the load thresholds of the first microcracks initiation and the ultimate failure of both adhesively bonded scarf joints.     

Compression behaviour of semisolid YL112 die casting aluminium alloy following isothermal heat treatment

Abstract

The semisolid compression deformation behaviour of YL112 die casting aluminium alloy with the non-dendritic and dendritic structures has been compared in tests using a Gleeble-1500 thermomechanical simulator. The non-dendritic structure was obtained by isothermal treatment at 570°C for 120 min. In tests up to compressive strains of 0·8, the semisolid compression stress of the alloy with non-dendritic structure initially increases rapidly with increasing strain, then decreases, before reaching a plateau value. Under different deformation temperatures and deformation rates, the maximum compressive stresses are obtained in all cases at strain values of ～0·07. The semisolid deformation stress decreases with increasing deformation temperature and increases with increasing deformation rate. The compression behaviour of the two types of alloy differs. The semisolid compression stress of the alloy with dendritic structure is higher than that of the alloy with non-dendritic structure; and for strains >0·07, the semisolid compression stress increases and decreases with increasing strain for alloys with dendritic and non-dendritic structures respectively.     

Electrochemical rehabilitation methods for reinforced concrete structures: advantages and pitfalls

Abstract

There are still many unresolved issues concerning the efficiency of electrochemical realkalisation and electrochemical chloride removal as electrochemical rehabilitation methods for corroding reinforced concrete structures. The present paper seeks to answer a number of questions which, though seemingly elementary, continue to arouse controversy in scientific, technical and economic communities, despite the vast amount of work that has been devoted to research on corrosion in concrete embedded steel, such as whether corrosion can be stopped once it has started, whether corroded reinforced concrete structures can be repassivated, and whether it is sufficient to remove the sources of corrosion in order to stop rusting. A discussion is conducted on the relationship between the prerusting grade of rebars and the possibility of their repassivation; on whether electrochemical rehabilitation methods treatments are efficient, and if so, when and on whether a simple potential measurement can determine the passive or active state of a rebar. For this purpose an analysis is made, using electrochemical, gravimetric and metallographic techniques, of the response of clean and previously corroded steel electrodes in a Ca(OH)₂ saturated solution with and without a sodium nitrite corrosion inhibitor and in cement mortar. The effectiveness of electrochemical realkalisation and electrochemical chloride removal for repassivating prerusted steel in concrete is found to depend heavily on the prerusting grade.     

Modelling method based on idealised fibre bundles

Abstract

In the fibrous structures such as textiles and composites there are fibre assemblies exhibiting statistical bundle like behaviour. This paper presents a modelling method and software FibreSpace, based on a system of structuralised statistical fibre bundles, so called fibre bundle cells. These fibre bundle cells introduced before represent different idealised and typified fibre properties such as fibre shape, state of deformation, gripping as a connection with the vicinity, and the characteristic of force-transmitting and damage. With the help of the weighted parallel connection of the fibre bundle cells the mechanical behaviour and the damage process of real fibrous systems can be modelled as well as some structural properties or the strength data of single fibres can be determined by a fibre bundle cells model identified on the basis of measurements. The applicability of the fibre bundle cells method and modelling program developed is demonstrated by modelling the load and damage process of real textile structures and unidirectional composites during tensile or flexural test.     

32—SUPERMOLECULAR STRUCTURE AND FIBRE PROPERTIES

Various theories of fibre structure are briefly reviewed, and it is shown that the original ‘fringed-micelles’ theory is no longer considered valid. The influence of the genesis of fibres on their structure is demonstrated, and it is shown that, because of this difference in fibre formation, it is difficult to fit a single model to all fibres. The architectural models proposed for various fibres are discussed, and it is pointed out that the validity of these models can be tested by reference to the fibre properties.

It is emphasized that there is still insufficient knowledge of the behaviour of fibres subjected to transverse stresses, and it is shown that some of the phenomena that occur under the action of such stresses can be explained by the comparatively recent ‘fringed-fibrils’ theory of fibre structure. Finally, attention is drawn to some aspects of the structure and behaviour of fibres that are still unexplained, and towards which it is proposed that further research should be directed.     

Residual stresses and distortions in welded structures: a perspective for engineering applications

Abstract

In this paper, some of the historical developments and recent advances in understanding welding induced residual stresses and distortions are discussed in the context of their impact on today's engineering applications. With recent rapid advances in computational simulation techniques, the complex thermomechanical phenomena associated with typical welding processes can be effectively dissected into solvable problem sets for both fundamental understanding and specific engineering applications. Although a great deal of research is currently still ongoing to advance our fundamental understanding of the complex thermophysical and thermomechanical phenomena, an engineering perspective is provided to demonstrate how an engineer can make use of the current state of knowledge to derive effective practical solutions when dealing with day to day problems in the areas of residual stresses and distortions in welded structures. First, some of the fundamental mechanical considerations associated with residual stress and distortion developments are presented. Then, some of the computational modelling requirements for engineering applications are discussed in the light of recent developments. Finally, application examples are presented to demonstrate how an effective engineering solution can be sought by taking advantage of today's advanced modelling techniques with appropriate engineering assumptions.     

Tribological properties of lubricated nanocrystalline diamond surfaces for various loads and geometries

Abstract

Diamond and diamond-like carbon films are well known for their outstanding properties such as high hardness, low coefficient of friction, good thermal conductivity, excellent biocompatibility and electrical insulation. Diamond films with nanocrystalline grains offer added advantages of higher hardness, improved surface finish (less roughness), very high sp³ content, etc. In view of the above, the present investigation is undertaken to explore the possibility of using nanocrystalline diamond films in advanced tribological applications. In this work, a nanocrystalline diamond film is deposited using a unique chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique. The microstructural features are characterised using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Tribological behaviour of these films is evaluated by means of a reciprocating model tribometer with various lubricants. The worn surfaces are examined using three-dimensional confocal microscopy. The results show that these films have comparable friction coefficient with and without lubricants. Furthermore, they exhibited negligible wear for the tested range of loads.     

Microjoining of Ni3Al based intermetallic thin foils

Abstract

A preliminary analysis of the joining ability of thin Ni₃Al (Zr, B) based foils (below 150 μm thickness) into 'honeycomb' structures by various techniques is described in this work. Resistance welding, CO₂ laser welding and microplasma arc welding, as well as explosive welding, were used in the investigations. The examinations conducted in this study of the joint microstructures obtained by each technique do not reveal the existence of a heat affected zone. Columnar grains with a longer axis, as determined by the direction of heat flow, were observed along the fusion lines. Changes in microhardness were also examined along with a microanalysis of the chemical composition of the joint cross-section. Preliminary tests of the joining of thin Ni₃Al foil into 'honeycomb' experimental structures were carried out.     

Real and extended volumes in simultaneous transformations

Abstract

The relationship between real and extended volumes is expanded to an indefinite number of simultaneous transformation processes. The assumption used in the present study is that the growth and nucleation of each product phase occurs randomly throughout the transforming region. The real volume of each phase is given in the form of an integral, using the extended volumes. Once the extended volumes of different product phases are related, the real volume of each product phase can be analytically or numerically calculated, and analytical solutions for cases where the extended volumes are related linearly or parabolically are given.     

Application of infrared thermography to adhesion science

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-contact, non-intrusive technique which converts the invisible thermal energy, radiated from the surface of an object in the infrared band of the electromagnetic spectrum, into a video signal, each energy level being generally represented by a color or a gray level. IRT has been considered an exciting scientific breakthrough since its introduction in the early 1960s. Indeed, the new generation of fully-computerized infrared imaging systems can provide both qualitative and quantitative measurements which are useful in many industrial and research fields. Nevertheless, infrared thermography is still not completely exploited. The reason for this lies, in part, in the lack of knowledge, since at first sight IRT seems to be too expensive and difficult to use and, in part, in the industrial inertia to change the routine procedures. The aim of this review article is to provide the reader with a background to infrared theory and with an overview of the most relevant applications of IRT to the adhesion field. The use of IRT as a non-destructive evaluation technique with the two different approaches of pulse thermography (PT) and lock-in thermography (LT) is discussed. Many applications are described which involve several different materials (metals, plastics, plaster, composites, hybrid composites and sandwiches) and different types of bonds (coatings, sandwiches and joints). The results show that both PT and LT are able to detect material modifications caused by surface treatments, presence of inhomogeneities in bulk materials, as well as disbonding, delamination, and cracks and slag inclusions in bonded structures. The LT is also capable of evaluating materials characteristics (e.g., variations in density, porosity, hardness, etc., which induce variations in the phase angle), the dimension of the heat affected zone in welded joints, coating thickness, bondline thickness, the effects of adhesive thickness, the effects induced in bonded structures by substrate surface treatments, and the effects of crosslinking in polymers. The LT technique is particularly advantageous in the evaluation of frescoes, mosaics and antique artworks. The reported applications provide also information which is useful for decision making about the use of IRT alone, or combined with other techniques.