M.S.

Yes / An experimental study is presented here to understand the stress transmission characteristics under different geometrical arrangements of particulates inside a narrow chamber subjected to axial compression loading. The multi-grain systems considered here are face-centred, simple cubic and poly-dispersed structures, as well as inclusions embedded inside seeded, unseeded and cohesive powder bed of Durcal (calcium carbonate). The distribution of the maximum shear stress, direction of the major principal stress and shear stress concentration factor were obtained using photo stress analysis tomography (PSAT). The results show that the maximum shear stress distribution in the simple cubic structure is chain-like and self-repetitive, i.e., a single grain behaviour is representative of the whole system. This is not the case in the case of other granular packing. In the case of the inclusion surrounded by powder media, the maximum shear stress distribution in the inclusion occurs through ring-like structures, which are different from those observed in the structured granular packing. This tendency increases for an increase in the cohesivity of the surrounding particulates. In the granular systems, the direction of the major principal stress is mostly orthogonal to the direction of loading except in some particles in the random granular packing. In the case of inclusion surrounded by Durcal particulates, the directional of the major principal stress acts along the direction of the axial loading except in the ring region where this tends to be oblique to the direction of axial loading. Estimates of the shear stress concentration factor (k) show that, k tends to be independent of the structural arrangement of granular packing at higher load levels. In the case of inclusion surrounded by powder bed, k for the seeded granulated particulate bed is mostly independent of the external load levels. In the case of unseeded particulate (granulated) bed, a fluctuation in k is observed with the loading level. This suggests that the seeded granules could distribute stresses in a stable manner without much change in the nature of shear stress-transmitting fabric of the particulate contacts under external loading. An increase in the cohesion of particulate bed results in more plastic deformation as shown by the differential shear stress concentration factor. The results reported in this study show the usefulness of optical stress analysis to shed some scientific lights on unravelling some of the complexities of particulate systems under different structural arrangements of grains and surrounding conditions of the inclusions in particulate media.

<p>Development of products which can be produced from a country’s natural resources is very important as far as the industrialization of a nation and saving foreign exchange is concerned. Presently, industries in Uganda and the other states in the Lake Victoria region import all refractory-related-consumables, as the demand cannot be met locally. Based on the abundance of ceramic raw materials for high temperature applications in the region and the demand for refractories by industries it is pertinent to develop and manufacture firebricks by exploiting the locally available raw materials.</p><p>This thesis thus, concerns the characterisation of ceramic raw mineral powders from the Lake Victoria region, more particularly, Uganda, with the aim of developing firebrick refractories from the minerals. Two main deposits of kaolin and a ball clay deposit were investigated to assess their potential in the manufacture of refractory bricks. Raw- and processed sample powders were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA-TG) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the chemical composition, particle size distribution, density, and surface area of the powders were determined.</p><p>A comprehensive study on beneficiation of Mutaka kaolin was carried out using mechanical segregation of particles. The aim of the study was to explore other potential applications like in paper filling and coating. The beneficiation process improves the chemical composition of kaolin to almost pure, the major impurity being iron oxide.</p><p>A general production process scheme for manufacturing fireclay bricks starting with raw powder minerals (Mutaka kaolin and Mukono ball clay) was used to make six groups of sample fireclay brick. Experimental results from the characterization of formulated sample bricks indeed revealed the viability of manufacturing fireclay bricks from the raw minerals. Based on these results, industrial samples were formulated and manufactured at Höganäs Bjuf AB, Sweden. Kaolin from the Mutaka deposit was used as the main source of alumina while ball clay from Mukono was the main plasticizer and binder material. The formulated green body was consolidated by wet pressing and fired at 1350°C in a tunnel kiln. Characterization of the sintered articles was done by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical composition (ICP-AES). In addition, technological properties related to thermal conductivity, thermal shock, alkali resistance, water absorption, porosity, shrinkage, permanent linear change (PLC), linear thermal expansion, refractoriness under load (RUL), and cold crushing strength were determined. The properties of the articles manufactured from the selected naturally occurring raw minerals reveal that the produced articles compare favourably with those of parallel types. Thus, the raw materials can be exploited for industrial production.</p>

Avec l’avènement des nouvelles générations d’avions civils et militaires, la démarche d’électrification des fonctions de commande de vol est aujourd’hui pleinement engagée, depuis les interfaces homme-machine jusqu’aux actionneurs de puissance. En vue de s’affranchir définitivement des inconvénients propres à l’utilisation de l’énergie hydraulique, l’utilisation d’actionneurs purement électromécaniques (EMA) constitue en toute logique une étape clef des évolutions technologiques à venir. Ce projet de recherche a pour objectif de développer l'une des briques technologiques majeures du système d’actionnement - le moteur électrique - pour pouvoir effectuer demain le saut technologique vers l'avion plus électrique, qui est l'électrification complète des systèmes d'actionnement des commandes de vol. Une première partie permet de se familiariser avec le domaine des actionneurs électromécaniques destinés aux applications aéronautiques et plus particulièrement aux commandes de vols. Après avoir rappelé le rôle et les évolutions qu’ont connues les commandes de vol durant la dernière décennie, les technologies hydrauliques et électriques usuelles sont présentées. L’environnement sévère associé au domaine aéronautique implique des contraintes de sûreté de fonctionnement qui sont alors définies plus précisément au niveau des systèmes électromécaniques. Une analyse des défauts électriques susceptibles de se produire au sein des actionneurs électromagnétiques est dans un dernier temps effectuée. Une seconde partie se focalise sur la définition de critères de dimensionnement des actionneurs électromagnétiques qui lui permettent de supporter les défauts électriques précédemment mis en avant. Profitant de l’émergence de matériaux magnétiques composites qui facilitent la définition de pièces magnétiques compressées à structure géométrique complexe, un concept d’actionneur à aimants permanents et stator modulaire est défini et baptisé Aximag. Une troisième partie se concentre sur la réalisation d’un démonstrateur qui réponde à un cahier des charges du type commande de vol. Une étude analytique est réalisée dans le but d’observer les axes de dimensionnement et les possibilités de la machine Aximag. Enfin dans une quatrième et dernière partie sont présentés et analysés les simulations numériques ainsi que les essais de caractérisation des démonstrateurs. Au travers du couple statique, du couple dynamique et aussi de paramètres électriques comme les inductances propres et mutuelles, les démonstrateurs sont étudiés. Une analyse critique de la technologie proposée ainsi que les perspectives d’évolution viennent alors conclure l’ensemble des travaux réalisés. / With the rise up of new civil and military aircraft generations, an electrification process concerning the flight control systems, from the human machine interface to the actuation power, has been engaged. In order to finally suppress faults linked to the hydraulic power use, the development of full electromechanical actuators (EMA) is a critical step concerning next technological evolutions. The purpose of this research project is the development of a major technological element of actuation systems, the electrical motor, in order to enable tomorrow, the technological gap leading to a more electrical aircraft, that is to say the complete electrification of flight control actuation systems. A first part presents generals concerning the electromechanical actuators dedicated to aircraft applications and especially to flying control systems. Once the aim and evolutions that flight control systems have known during the last decade has been reminded, the hydraulic and electric technologies are presented. The drastic environment combined to aircraft field leads to safety and security requirements that are more precisely defined around electromechanical systems. A last step analises electrical faults that can occur within electromagnetic actuators. A second part focuses on the definition of sizing criteria that will enable the actuator to support the previous electrical faults pointed out. With the mergence of magnetic composite materials that make easier the definition of sintered magnetic pieces with complex geometry, a permanent magnet actuator with modular stator has been defined and named Aximag. A third part deals with the realisation of demonstrators that answer specifications associated to a flight control actuation systems. The different parts of the fabrication process are presented. An analytical study is leaded in order to point out the axes for the design and the possibilities of the machine Aximag. Finally, in a fourth and last part numerical analysis and characterisation tests of demonstrators are presented and analysed. Through the static torque, the dynamic torque and electrical parameters like self inductance and mutual inductance, demonstrators are studied. A critical analysis of the proposed technology and the perspectives come to conclude this work.

Les poudres d'aluminium sont depuis longtemps utilisées comme additifs dans de nombreuses formulations pour la pyrotechnie ou les propergols. Introduites en quantité relativement faible dans les propergols des fusées, elles permettent d'accroître significativement les vitesses de combustion. Cependant, les mécanismes à l'origine de cette meilleure réactivité restent encore mal compris et vont bien au-delà d'une simple explication en terme d'augmentation de l'état de division. Au cours de cette thèse nous avons élaboré des poudres d'aluminium par broyage à haute énergie, technique mécanique peu couteuse qui pourrait être une alternative aux procédés de fabrication actuels. Nous montrons que cette méthode permet l'obtention de particules micrométriques ou nanométriques suivant les conditions de broyage. Les particules sont polycristallines et présentent une morphologie en plaquette. Les poudres nanométriques obtenues présentent une réactivité comparable voire même supérieure aux nanopoudres sphériques actuellement élaborées par électro-explosion de fil ou voie plasma. Nous montrons que cette bonne réactivité est lié à la morphologie des particules ainsi qu'à la microstructure de la couche d'alumine native qui passive l'aluminium. / Aluminium nanopowders have been using for a long time as additives in many formulations for propergol or in pyrotechnics. Introduced in small quantity in rocket propergol they allow to increase the combustion rate. However, the reactivity of aluminium particles is not really understood and not just linked to the size reduction effect. All along this study, we have elaborated aluminium powders using high energy mechanical milling, a mechanical technique with a low cost which could be an alternative process of powders fabrication. We prove that this method allows elaboration of micro and nano-particles as a function of the mechanical parameters. The particles are polycristallines with flake morphology. The obtained nanopowders have a similar reactivity, or better than spherical nanopowders obtained by wire electrical explosion or plasma. We proove that this good reactivity is linked to the particles morphology, as well as also to the microstructure of the native alumina core shell.

Cette thèse porte sur le problème fondamental du mottage des poudres suite aux mécanismes de transition de phase. Le projet vise à étudier l'impact des facteurs intrinsèques (structure moléculaire des matériaux, propriétés physiques et/ou physicochimiques, etc.) ou des facteurs environnementaux (conditions de stockage ou paramètres de procédé) sur la stabilité de la structure des poudres. Plus précisément, notre étude a mis en évidence le rôle prépondérant du phénomène de cristallisation et des transitions entre les différents polymorphes du lactose. L'accent a été mis sur le rôle des phénomènes de cristallisation et de la transition de phase dans l'apparition du mottage des poudres de lactose. Deux cas ont particulièrement retenu notre attention: (1) des poudres de lactose monohydrate contenant une fraction de particules amorphes et (2) des échantillons de poudre anhydre composés des anomères α et β du lactose. Dans les deux cas, le mottage a été induite par l'exposition des échantillons à l'air humide, soit dans un dispositif de sorption dynamique de vapeur (SPS), soit par des tests accélérés utilisant deux appareils conçus et réalisés dans notre laboratoire (CLAIR & OLAF). Nos résultats ont montré que, dans les deux cas, la principale cause de prise en masse était la formation de lactose monohydrate, qui est la forme la plus stable parmi tous les polymorphes de lactose. Cependant, les mécanismes élémentaires, les étapes limites et la cinétique du processus de transformation étaient différents dans chaque cas. Les paramètres les plus déterminants étaient l’humidité relative et la température alors que la pression n’a pas eu d’effet significatif. La résistance mécanique des échantillons mottés était étroitement liée au taux et à la cinétique de cristallisation. Enfin, des simulations numériques basées sur la méthode des éléments discrets (DEM) de la résistance mécanique des échantillons mottés ont été réalisées. Le modèle permet de décrire le comportement des échantillons mottés soumis à des contraintes mécaniques de compression ou de traction. / This PhD study focuses on the fundamental problem of powder caking due to phase transition mechanisms. The project aims to study the impact of intrinsic factors (molecular structure of materials, physical and/or physicochemical properties, etc.) or environmental factors (storage conditions or process parameters) on the stability of the structure of powders. More precisely, our study has highlighted the preponderant role of the crystallization phenomenon and the transitions taking place between the different polymorphs of lactose. Emphasis was placed on the role of crystallization phenomena and phase transition on the advent of lactose powder caking. Two cases attracted particular attention: (1) lactose monohydrate powders containing a fraction of amorphous particles and (2) anhydrous powder samples composed of ð and anomers of lactose. In both cases, the caking was induced by exposure of the samples to moist air, either in a Dynamic Vapor Sorption device (SPS) or in accelerated caking tests using two home-made equipment (CLAIR & OLAF). Our results showed that in both cases, the main cause of caking was the formation of lactose monohydrate, which is the most stable form among all lactose polymorphs. However, the elementary mechanisms, the limiting steps and the kinetics of the transformation process were different in each case. The more influencing parameters were the relative humidity and the temperature whereas the pressure has no significant effect. The yield stress of caked samples was closely linked with crystallization extent and kinetics. Finally, numerical simulations based on Discrete Element Method (DEM) of mechanical resistance of caked samples were performed using the "beam model". The model allows describing the behavior of the caked samples subjected to compressive or tractive mechanical stresses.

Tong Hoi Yee. / "July, 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 237-253). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.

Materiais biocerâmicos são constituídos por elementos encontrados normalmente no organismo e por esse motivo são empregados na área médica, principalmente para a fabricação de implantes dentários e aplicação ortopédica. A partir do tipo de ligação realizada com o organismo, o biocerâmico é classificado em inerte, reabsorvível e bioativo, sendo esse último dividido em vidro bioativo, hidroxiapatita e vitrocerâmico. O material vitrocerâmico exibe propriedades únicas devido a sua microestrutura específica, variedade de composições e propriedades mecânicas adequadas. Entre as possíveis composições, o sistema CaO-MgO-SiO2 exibe bioatividade devido a concentração de cálcio e silício que podem estimular os genes responsáveis pela proliferação de osteoblastos. A presença de magnésio eleva as propriedades mecânicas e a osteointegração devido a interações na superfície da cerâmica com os osteoblastos, possibilitando a formação de hidroxiapatita (HA) e consequentemente ligações diretas com o tecido vivo. Para este trabalho foram realizadas sínteses empregando sol-gel combinado com coprecipitação e sol-gel convencional, para comparação dos produtos obtidos. Os pós cerâmicos sintetizados foram caracterizados por DRX, MEV, BET e as cerâmicas foram testadas para determinação de bioatividade e citotoxicidade in vitro. A formação de HA na superfície das cerâmicas confirmou a bioatividade e observou-se que as amostras não são citotóxicas. Portanto, pôde-se concluir que a partir das metodologias aplicadas foi possível sintetizar pós cerâmicos que exibiram propriedades semelhantes, com potencial aplicação na área médica. / Bioceramic materials are constituted by elements normally found in the body and are therefore used in the medical field, mainly for the manufacture of dental implants and orthopedic application. From the type of binding performed with the organism, the bioceramic is classified as inert, resorbable and bioactive, the latter being divided into bioactive glass, hydroxyapatite and glass-ceramic. The glassceramic material exhibits unique properties due to its specific microstructure, variety of compositions and suitable mechanical properties. Among the possible compositions, the CaO-MgO-SiO2 system exhibits bioactivity due to the concentration of calcium and silicon that can stimulate the genes responsible for the proliferation of osteoblasts. The presence of magnesium increases the mechanical properties and the osseointegration due to interactions on the surface of the ceramic with the osteoblasts, allowing the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) and consequently direct connections with the living tissue. In this work, syntheses were performed using sol-gel combined with coprecipitation and conventional sol-gel methods for comparison of the obtained products. The synthesized ceramic powders were characterized by XRD, SEM and BET, and the ceramics were submitted for tests of in vitro bioactivity and cytotoxicity. The formation of HA on the surface of the ceramics confirmed the bioactivity and no cytotoxicity was observed in the samples. Therefore, it was possible to conclude that using proposed methodologies it was possible to synthesize ceramic powders that exhibited similar properties, with potential application in the medical area.

Development of products which can be produced from a country’s natural resources is very important as far as the industrialization of a nation and saving foreign exchange is concerned. Presently, industries in Uganda and the other states in the Lake Victoria region import all refractory-related-consumables, as the demand cannot be met locally. Based on the abundance of ceramic raw materials for high temperature applications in the region and the demand for refractories by industries it is pertinent to develop and manufacture firebricks by exploiting the locally available raw materials. This thesis thus, concerns the characterisation of ceramic raw mineral powders from the Lake Victoria region, more particularly, Uganda, with the aim of developing firebrick refractories from the minerals. Two main deposits of kaolin and a ball clay deposit were investigated to assess their potential in the manufacture of refractory bricks. Raw- and processed sample powders were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DTA-TG) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). In addition, the chemical composition, particle size distribution, density, and surface area of the powders were determined. A comprehensive study on beneficiation of Mutaka kaolin was carried out using mechanical segregation of particles. The aim of the study was to explore other potential applications like in paper filling and coating. The beneficiation process improves the chemical composition of kaolin to almost pure, the major impurity being iron oxide. A general production process scheme for manufacturing fireclay bricks starting with raw powder minerals (Mutaka kaolin and Mukono ball clay) was used to make six groups of sample fireclay brick. Experimental results from the characterization of formulated sample bricks indeed revealed the viability of manufacturing fireclay bricks from the raw minerals. Based on these results, industrial samples were formulated and manufactured at Höganäs Bjuf AB, Sweden. Kaolin from the Mutaka deposit was used as the main source of alumina while ball clay from Mukono was the main plasticizer and binder material. The formulated green body was consolidated by wet pressing and fired at 1350°C in a tunnel kiln. Characterization of the sintered articles was done by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and chemical composition (ICP-AES). In addition, technological properties related to thermal conductivity, thermal shock, alkali resistance, water absorption, porosity, shrinkage, permanent linear change (PLC), linear thermal expansion, refractoriness under load (RUL), and cold crushing strength were determined. The properties of the articles manufactured from the selected naturally occurring raw minerals reveal that the produced articles compare favourably with those of parallel types. Thus, the raw materials can be exploited for industrial production. / QC 20101029

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