O presente trabalho tem como objetivo estudar o efeito da carga normal aplicada, da velocidade de deslizamento, do acabamento superficial e do tipo de contra-corpo, na degradação dos materiais poliméricos POM e UHMWPE, resultante do contato deslizante contra corpos rígidos. Para tanto, foram realizados ensaios de desgaste em um tribômetro do tipo pino-contra-disco, com os pinos de materiais poliméricos e os discos de alumina e aço inoxidável. Nos ensaios de desgaste, utilizou-se 3 valores de carga, 3 velocidades de deslizamento e 3 níveis de acabamento superficial do contra-corpo. Para cada condição de ensaio, foram realizadas 3 repetições. Durante os ensaios, foram monitoradas a temperatura na interface dos materiais, a força de atrito e a posição vertical do pino. O deslocamento vertical do pino devido ao desgaste foi utilizado para a determinação da taxa de desgaste do polímero. A distância percorrida pelos pinos sobre o disco foi de 3.500 metros. Os ensaios foram realizados em ambiente com umidade relativa controlada em 50 ± 5 %. As análises por microscopia eletrônica de varredura das superfícies de desgaste dos pinos e dos discos indicaram a ocorrência de três tipos de mecanismos de desgaste: a abrasão, a fadiga e a transferência de filme (adesão). Para analisar o comportamento do desgaste mediante as influências estudadas, um parâmetro de severidade global (PVR/DD) é proposto. No parâmetro PVR/DD, considerou-se a relação entre um fator mecânico (condição de pressão e velocidade, PV), um fator topográfico (rugosidade do contra-corpo, R) e um fator térmico (difusividade térmica dos materiais em contato, DD). Verificou-se que os níveis de desgaste dos materiais poliméricos são influenciados pela condição de severidade global do contato; entretanto, o efeito preponderante foi devido ao tipo de material do contracorpo. Como foi observado que o deslocamento vertical ocorre devido não somente ao desgaste, mas também à fluência do polímero, à atuação de diferentes mecanismos de desgaste e ao fenômeno da fusão, os resultados de cada material de polímero estudado foram organizados na forma de mapas em função da severidade global, salientando as regiões de atuação de cada fenômeno. / The present investigation aims to study the degradation of polymeric materials resulting from the sliding contact against rigid bodies. The effect of some tribological influences, such as the applied load, the sliding velocity, the surface roughness and the counter-face material, were investigated. Experimental sliding wear tests were performed through a pin-on-disc tribometer, with the pins of polymeric material and the discs of alumina and stainless steel. The testing conditions of the wear tests encompassed three values of load (normal pressure) and three values of sliding velocity, or PV values, and three ranges of disc surface roughness. Three tests were performed in each condition. The interface temperature between the specimens, the friction force and the vertical position of the pin were monitored along the tests. The vertical displacement of the pin, resulting from the wear, was used for the determination of the polymer wear rate. The total sliding distance was of 3,500 meters. During the tests, the relative humidity of the environment was controlled to 50 ± 5 %. Analyses on the worn surfaces of pins and discs performed through scanning electronic microscopy indicated the occurrence of three wear mechanisms: abrasion (scratches), fatigue (waves) and adhesion (transfer film). In order to analyze the wear behavior of the polymer, a parameter of global severity of the contact (PVR/DD) was proposed. This parameter comprised a mechanical factor (the PV values), a topographic factor (the disc roughness) and a thermal factor (the thermal diffusivity of the materials in contact). It was possible to verify that the polymer wear depended on the level of global severity of the contact, where the major effect was due to the counterface material. It was also observed that the vertical displacement of the pin occurred not only due to the wear phenomena, but also due to the creep and the melting of the polymer, both depending on the testing condition. The creep and the melting phenomena were considered in the polymer degradation behavior, organizing the results of polymeric pin displacement in degradation maps, showing the boundaries of each observed phenomena, in function of the contact global severity.

Manufacturing more reliable and lighter body armour using the fabrics with high-performance fibres is the development trend of ballistic protection device. However,increasing the reliability of the body armour normally needs to increase weight. Thisinvestigation aims to develop better ballistic performance of body armour withoutaffecting weight. Inter-yarn friction in quasi-static state in fabrics constructed for bodyarmour is one of the important factors affecting ballistic performance. This researchfocuses on increasing inter-yarn friction by surface modification methods for superiorballistic protection of woven fabrics. Finite element (FE) simulation is employed toanalyse the effects of inter-yarn friction on ballistic performance theoretically. BothAPPCVD and sol-gel methods are used to achieve the purpose of practically increasinginter-yarn friction. Ballistic experiments are conducted to evaluate ballistic performanceof the fabrics with different levels of inter-yarn friction after treatments. Through both numerical and experimental investigation, it is confirmed that increasinginter-yarn friction in quasi-static state can improve ballistic performance of fabrics. Theoverall energy absorption will be increased with the increase of inter-yarn frictionbecause higher inter-yarn friction generates higher resistance to the projectile, makesfabric structure more stable, leads to more involvement of the secondary yarns andincreases both KE and FDE percentages. Moreover, higher levels of inter-yarn frictionwill flatten the trauma and make the fabric response more globalised owing to the lesstransverse deflection ability. However, over high inter-yarn friction is counterproductivebecause of stress concentration on the primary yarns. For the surface modification, one of the aramid yarns, Twaron® yarn and one of theUHMWPE yarns, Dyneema® yarn, and their fabric products are used as the substrates. SEM analyses are used to characterise the morphology changes. Both FTIR and EDXanalyses are conducted to identify the coated substance. Based on coefficients of friction test and yarn pull-out test, the APPCVD treatment and sol-gel treatment have been proved as two effective ways to increase inter-yarn friction and at the same time the tensile properties of the yarns and the weight are almost unaffected. Moreover, sol-gel treatment has been established as an effective method for improvingballistic performance without significant weight increase, where the energy absorption ofthe Dyneema® fabric can be increased by 6.74%, and the trauma depth can be decreased by16.99% for Twaron® fabric panel and by10.73% for Dyneema® fabric panel.

The diploma thesis is focused on the run-in phase of total hip replacement. Mutual adjustment of contact surfaces takes place in this phase and polyethylene acetabular cup shows notable creep behaviour. The magnitude of creep deformations is assessed experimentally in relation to acetabular cups orientation in human body after its implantation. The condition of articulating surfaces is also assessed as well as resulting coefficient of friction in run-in phase. Physiological load and kinematics of the artificial joint as well as physiological conditioning is achieved by new module of existing joint simulator, which is created as part of this thesis. Deformations and condition of articulating surfaces are assessed via optical methods and SEM. Findings about the run-in phase are compared with existing FEM analyses to evaluate simplifications used in these analyses. Measurement of creep deformations has also potential to improve the accuracy of acetabular wear diagnosis in clinical practice.

The high strain rate fiber direction tensile response of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites is of interest in applications where impact damage may occur. This response varies substantially with strain rate. However, physical testing of these composites is difficult at strain rates above 10^-1/s. A Monte Carlo simulation of composite tensile strength is constructed to estimate the tensile behavior of these composites. Load redistribution in the vicinity of fiber breaks varies according to fiber and matrix properties, which are in turn strain rate dependent. The distribution of fiber strengths is obtained from single fiber tests at strain rates ranging from 10^-4/s to 10^-1/s and shifted using the time-Temperature Superposition Principle (tTSP) to strain rates of 10^-4/s to 10^6/s. Other fiber properties are obtained from the same tests, but are assumed to be deterministic. Matrix properties are also assumed to be deterministic and are obtained from mechanical testing of neat matrix material samples. Simulation results are compared to experimental data for unidirectional lamina at strain rates up to 10^-1/s. Above 10^-1/s, simulation results are compared to experimental data shifted using tTSP. Similarly, through-thickness shear response of UHMWPE composites is of interest to support computational modeling of impact damage. In this study, punch shear testing of UHMWPE composites is conducted to determine shear properties. Two test fixtures, one allowing, and one preventing backplane curvature are used in conjunction with finite element modeling to investigate the stress state under punch shear loading and the resulting shear strength of the composite. / Ph. D.

Over one million hip prostheses are implanted in patients worldwide each year and the need is increasing as the patient group of younger and more active patients is increasing. Many parameters affect the longevity of the implant, where aseptic loosening caused by wear debris is the most common reason for revision. To be able to monitor wear in vivo and also to predict the longevity of new materials for hip prostheses are therefore important issues in this interdisciplinary research area. This thesis comprise a true non-invasive 3D method for determination of acetabular cup wear using Computed Tomography (CT) intended for clinical routine use in order to plan for a revision. It also comprises investigations of the influence of surface roughness and sterilization method in wear testing of materials for hip prostheses. Mainly wear of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated since it is the most common soft bearing in hip prostheses. The 3D-CT method was found to be easy to use and showed an accuracy and repeatability at a clinical relevant level for acetabular cup wear. It should lend itself well to semi-automation. The influence of surface roughness was investigated with both a multidirectional pin-on-disk machine and with a hip simulator. A new low friction coating, Micronite, was also evaluated with the pin-on-disk machine. This coating showed potential for use in artificial joints, but further investigations are needed. In the hip simulator test, it was found that not only a rougher counter surface increased wear, but also sterilization by γ-irradiation increased wear of UHMWPE cups. / QC 20101117

Cross-country skiing has turned into the most highly competitive winter sport, with skiers having the ability to win by merely milliseconds. Every year researchers, ski - technicians, and athletes come together to prepare the ski base surface that gives the best possible results. However, much current information is based on the ski technician’s experience. Therefore, this project has been carried out to help to bridge the gap between ski technician’s knowledge and experimental research. The ski bases are passed through several surface preparation steps before competitions. Stone grinding and hand texturing are two of them. Since grinding cannot be specifically applied as per the environmental conditions, it is followed by texturing. This application of grinding and texturing changes the surface topography of the ski base, which will affect the contact area between the ski base surface and snow/ice and the wettability of the ski base. For this project, work is focused on how the application of different grinds and hand textures affects the wettability of the ski base. This project illustrates the change in wettability of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and its composites under the application of ten different commercial grinds followed by three other hands texturing. Surface topography was observed under an Optical profilometer, and wettability was measured by measuring the contact angles of droplets on these ski base materials. It was found that the hydrophobicity of ski base materials can be increased to a certain level by increasing the Arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of specimens. Different ski base materials showed different hydrophobic behaviour when roughness was increased. Applying hand textured to different ground specimens again improved the hydrophobic behaviour of the ski base.

La topographie d'une surface se compose généralement de plusieurs échelles, depuis l'échelle macroscopique (sa géométrie physique), jusqu'aux échelles microscopiques ou atomiques appelées rugosité. L'évolution spatiale et géométrique de la rugosité fournit une description plus complète de la surface, et une interprétation physique de certains problèmes importants tels que le frottement et les mécanismes d'usure pendant le contact mécanique entre deux surfaces. La topographie d'une surface rugueuse est de nature aléatoire, ce qui traduit par des altitudes spatialement corrélées, appelées pics et vallées. La relation entre leurs densités de probabilité et leurs propriétés géométriques sont les aspects fondamentaux qui ont été développés dans cette thèse, en utilisant la théorie des champs aléatoires et la géométrie intégrale. Un modèle aléatoire approprié pour représenter une surface rugueuse a été mis en place et étudié au moyen des paramètres les plus significatifs, dont les changements influencent la géométrie des ensembles de niveaux (excursion sets) de cette surface. Les ensembles de niveaux ont été quantifiés par des fonctionnelles connues sous le nom de fonctionnelles de Minkowski, ou d'une manière équivalente sous le nom de volumes intrinsèques. Dans un premier temps, les volumes intrinsèques des ensembles de niveaux sont calculés analytiquement sur une classe de modèles mixtes, qui sont définis par la combinaison linéaire d'un champ aléatoire Gaussien et d'un champ de t-student (t-field), et ceux d'une classe de champs aléatoires asymétriques appelés skew-t. Ces volumes sont comparés et testés sur des surfaces produites par des simulations numériques. Dans un second temps, les modèles aléatoires proposés ont été appliqués sur des surfaces réelles acquises à partir d'une cupule d'UHMWPE (provenant d’une prothèse totale de hanche) avant et après les processus d'usure. Les résultats ont montré que le champ aléatoire skew-t est un modèle mieux approprié pour décrire la rugosité de surfaces usées, contrairement aux modèles adoptés dans la littérature. Une analyse statistique, basée sur le champ aléatoire skew-t, est ensuite proposée pour détecter les niveaux des pics/vallées de la surface usée et pour décrire le comportement et la fonctionnalité de la surface usée. / Surface topography is, generally, composed of many length scales starting from its physical geometry, to its microscopic or atomic scales known by roughness. The spatial and geometrical evolution of the roughness topography of engineering surfaces avail comprehensive understanding, and interpretation of many physical and engineering problems such as friction, and wear mechanisms during the mechanical contact between adjoined surfaces. Obviously, the topography of rough surfaces is of random nature. It is composed of irregular hills/valleys being spatially correlated. The relation between their densities and their geometric properties are the fundamental topics that have been developed, in this research study, using the theory of random fields and the integral geometry.An appropriate random field model of a rough surface has been defined by the most significant parameters, whose changes influence the geometry of its excursion. The excursion sets were quantified by functions known as intrinsic volumes. These functions have many physical interpretations, in practice. It is possible by deriving their analytical formula to estimate the parameters of the random field model being applied on the surface, and for statistical analysis investigation of its excursion sets. These subjects have been essentially considered in this thesis. Firstly, the intrinsic volumes of the excursion sets of a class of mixture models defined by the linear combination of Gaussian and t random fields, then for the skew-t random fields are derived analytically. They have been compared and tested on surfaces generated by simulations. In the second stage, these random fields have been applied to real surfaces measured from the UHMWPE component, involved in application of total hip implant, before and after wear simulation process. The primary results showed that the skew-t random field is more adequate, and flexible for modelling the topographic roughness. Following these arguments, a statistical analysis approach, based on the skew-t random field, is then proposed. It aims at estimating, hierarchically, the significant levels including the real hills/valleys among the uncertain measurements. The evolution of the mean area of the hills/valleys and their levels enabled describing the functional behaviour of the UHMWPE surface over wear time, and indicating the predominant wear mechanisms.

<p>Over one million hip prostheses are implanted in patients worldwide each year and the need is increasing as the patient group of younger and more active patients is increasing. Many parameters affect the longevity of the implant, where aseptic loosening caused by wear debris is the most common reason for revision. To be able to monitor wear in vivo and also to predict the longevity of new materials for hip prostheses are therefore important issues in this interdisciplinary research area. This thesis comprise a true non-invasive 3D method for determination of acetabular cup wear using Computed Tomography (CT) intended for clinical routine use in order to plan for a revision. It also comprises investigations of the influence of surface roughness and sterilization method in wear testing of materials for hip prostheses. Mainly wear of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated since it is the most common soft bearing in hip prostheses. The 3D-CT method was found to be easy to use and showed an accuracy and repeatability at a clinical relevant level for acetabular cup wear. It should lend itself well to semi-automation. The influence of surface roughness was investigated with both a multidirectional pin-on-disk machine and with a hip simulator. A new low friction coating, Micronite, was also evaluated with the pin-on-disk machine. This coating showed potential for use in artificial joints, but further investigations are needed. In the hip simulator test, it was found that not only a rougher counter surface increased wear, but also sterilization by γ-irradiation increased wear of UHMWPE cups.</p>

Surface topography is, generally, composed of many length scales starting from its physical geometry, to its microscopic or atomic scales known by roughness. The spatial and geometrical evolution of the roughness topography of engineering surfaces avail comprehensive understanding, and interpretation of many physical and engineering problems such as friction, and wear mechanisms during the mechanical contact between adjoined surfaces. Obviously, the topography of rough surfaces is of random nature. It is composed of irregular hills/valleys being spatially correlated. The relation between their densities and their geometric properties are the fundamental topics that have been developed, in this research study, using the theory of random fields and the integral geometry.An appropriate random field model of a rough surface has been defined by the most significant parameters, whose changes influence the geometry of its excursion. The excursion sets were quantified by functions known as intrinsic volumes. These functions have many physical interpretations, in practice. It is possible by deriving their analytical formula to estimate the parameters of the random field model being applied on the surface, and for statistical analysis investigation of its excursion sets. These subjects have been essentially considered in this thesis. Firstly, the intrinsic volumes of the excursion sets of a class of mixture models defined by the linear combination of Gaussian and t random fields, then for the skew-t random fields are derived analytically. They have been compared and tested on surfaces generated by simulations. In the second stage, these random fields have been applied to real surfaces measured from the UHMWPE component, involved in application of total hip implant, before and after wear simulation process. The primary results showed that the skew-t random field is more adequate, and flexible for modelling the topographic roughness. Following these arguments, a statistical analysis approach, based on the skew-t random field, is then proposed. It aims at estimating, hierarchically, the significant levels including the real hills/valleys among the uncertain measurements. The evolution of the mean area of the hills/valleys and their levels enabled describing the functional behaviour of the UHMWPE surface over wear time, and indicating the predominant wear mechanisms.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-03-23T22:18:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LUANA ARAÚJO DE OLIVEIRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEQ 2016..pdf: 2150320 bytes, checksum: ff1e004447bdf3876ca804146d360cca (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-03-23T22:18:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LUANA ARAÚJO DE OLIVEIRA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGEQ 2016..pdf: 2150320 bytes, checksum: ff1e004447bdf3876ca804146d360cca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-27 / Capes / Este trabalho teve o objetivo de produzir membranas poliméricas (polietileno de ultra alto peso molecular – PEUAPM) e membranas híbridas (PEUAPM/argila verde dura organofílica) e avaliar, em escala de laboratório, o comportamento e o desempenho destas na remoção de emulsão óleo/água, utilizando uma coluna de separação por membranas. Os ensaios foram realizados nas condições de concentração inicial do óleo 100 mgL-1, temperatura igual a 25ºC, pressão atmosférica. As membranas poliméricas foram produzidas utilizando o método incipiente de pós, de acordo com o planejamento experimental que teve como variáveis de entrada a percentagem de massa de argila verde dura organofílica e o tempo de sinterização no forno elétrico, e como resposta a remoção de emulsão óleo/água. A argila verde dura foi organofilizada com o sal quaternário de amônio Genamim. As argilas verde dura: natural e organofílica foram caraterizadas pelas técnicas de Difração de raios X (DRX), Espectroscopia de florescência de raios X por energia dispersiva (FRX-ED), Adsorção física de N2, Capacidade de Troca de Cátions (CTC), Capacidade de adsorção e de Inchamento de Foster, Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Análise Térmica Diferencial (ATD) e Termogravimétrica (TG). O polímero PEUAPM foi caracterizado pelas técnicas DRX e TG. As membranas produzidas (poliméricas e híbridas) foram caracterizadas pelas técnicas de DRX e Microscopia ótica (MO). Os resultados da análise de DRX mostraram que a argila verde dura natural apresenta reflexões características do grupo da esmectita. Após a organofilização, foi observado pelo difratograma que houve o deslocamento de picos e um aumento expressivo do espaçamento basal (d001) confirmando a efetiva intercalação do cátion quaternário de amônio (Genamin®) nas camadas interlamelares da argila verde dura. Os resultados obtidos por FRX-ED, adsorção física de nitrogênio e capacidade de troca catiônica demonstraram que a argila verde dura é tipicamente uma argila esmectítica. As membranas poliméricas e híbridas foram caracterizadas por DRX, em que apresentou os picos característicos de polietileno, e por MO, onde apresentou a distribuição dos grãos. A partir dos testes de separação da emulsão óleo/água, pode-se concluir que a inserção da argila verde dura organofílica ao polímero PEUAPM não melhorou o processo de separação da emulsão óleo/água. Dentre as membranas estudadas, polimérica e híbrida, os desempenhos foram semelhantes na separação da emulsão. / This work aimed to produce polymeric membranes and hybrid membranes (hard green organoclay/UHMWPE) and evaluate, on a laboratory scale, the behavior and performance of the membranes produced in removing oil / water emulsion using a separation column by membranes. Assays were performed in conditions of initial concentration of oil 100 mgL-1, temperature of 25°C atmospheric pressure. Polymeric membranes were produced using the incipient method of powders, according to the experimental design that had as input variables the percentage by mass of hard green organoclay and sintering time in the electric furnace, and in response to removing oil emulsion/water. The hard green clay was chemically with the quaternary ammonium salt Genamim. The hard green clays, natural and organoclay were characterized by diffraction techniques of X-ray (XRD) Spectroscopy blooming X-ray energy dispersive (FRX-ED), physical adsorption of N2, Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) adsorption capacity and Foster's swelling, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermogravimetric (TG). The UHMWPE polymer was characterized by XRD and TG techniques. The produced membranes (polymeric and hybrid) were characterized by XRD techniques and optical microscopy (OM). The results of XRD analysis showed that the natural green hard clay has characteristics of reflections of the smectite group. After organophilization, it was observed by the XRD pattern which there was displacement peaks and a significant increase in basal spacing (d001) confirming the effective merging of the quaternary ammonium cation (Genamin®) interlayer in layers of hard green clay. The results obtained by ED-XRF, nitrogen adsorption and cation exchange capacity showed that hard green clay is typically a smectite clay. Polymeric and hybrid membranes were characterized by XRD, which showed the characteristic peaks of polyethylene, and MO, where he presented the distribution of the grain. From the tests separation of oil/water emulsion, it can be concluded that the insertion of hard green clay organophilic the UHMWPE polymer did not improve the process of separating oil/water emulsion. Among those studied, polymeric and hybrid membranes, the performances were similar in the separation of the emulsion.