The system of upper high nickel alloying steel seal ring and lower high nickel alloying steel seal ring, installed in the grooves of turbine, can extend out and fit with the wall of valve cage, resulting in forming a good seal under the pressure. In the project, the failure steel seal ring is considered. This situation had threatened the safety of the whole steam turbine system. The purpose of this study is to identify the failure cause of the steel seal ring used in nuclear steam turbines. New high nickel steel alloy seal ring was compared with the failed seal ring. The dimensions of macroscopic ring with clearly plastic deformation were measured using calipers. Surface morphology of ring was observed by optical microscopy through metallographic analysis. There is a lot of precipitation in the grain boundaries of used seal ring, along with smaller grain size than the new seal ring. To explore the composition of precipitation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used. The results indicated that the concentration of titanium (Ti) and molybdenum (Mo) was higher in the precipitation of used seal ring. At the same time, the hardness and elastic modulus of used seal ring were reduced, measured by nanoindentation test. In-situ SEM tensile testing were used to record and analyze the generation of crack source and crack development under applied load. The reasons of the seal ring failure can be answered because of these experimental results at both macroscopic and microscopic scales. The main reason of the seal ring failure is a combination of long-term stress and elevated temperature during turbine operation. Complex work environment caused recrystallization and recovery, resulting in grain refinement and secondary phase precipitation. Further embodiment, recrystallization and recovery caused the elastic modulus and hardness of used seal ring decrease. Moreover, a lot of secondary phase precipitates appeared at grain boundaries during use. The appearance of secondary phase precipitates become the weakest part of used seal ring. The applied load lead to seal ring failure from the formation of microvoids to microvoids aggregated becoming microcracks until to the appearance of cracks at macroscopic scale. These changes of microscopic structure ultimately reflected in critical plastic deformation of used seal ring.

This master thesis summarizes the current knowledge about non-commercial 3D printing FDM technology. The goal of this thesis is to demonstrate the gained knowledge by building a 3D printer which can partially replicate itself, and to evaluate its technological parameters. The experimental part of this work is focused on the impact of the changes in technological parameters of printing on mechanical properties of printed parts.

The master´s thesis is focused on the characterization of degradation process of polypropylene and polypropylene with statistic copolymer into which manganese (II) stearate and cobalt (II) stearates were added at 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 wt.% loadings. The aim of the thesis was to prepare the controlled life-time polypropylene. The degradation was studied at varying temperatures and prodegradant loadings. The prodegradants were synthetized and characterized using the FTIR and DSC techniques. Thermooxidation of the tested samples induced the changes in crystallinity, melting points and melt-flow indexes. Tensile strength and other mechanical properties were determined by means of the tensile test. The carbonyl index was determined using FTIR, the thermooxidation stability test was used to determine the activation energies of reactions. The changes in morphology of degraded samples were observed by SEM analysis.

Bioactive glasses exhibit unique characteristics as a material for bone tissue engineering. Unfortunately, their extensive application for the repair of load-bearing bone defects is still limited by low mechanical strength and fracture toughness. The main aim of this work was two-fold: the reinforcement of brittle Bioglass®-based porous scaffolds and the production of bulk Bioglass® samples exhibiting enhanced mechanical properties. For the first task, scaffolds were coated by composite coating constituted by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). The addition of PVA/MFC coating led to a 10 fold increase of compressive strength and a 20 fold increase of tensile strength in comparison with non-coated scaffolds. SEM observations of broken struts surfaces proved the reinforcing and toughening mechanism of the composite coating which was ascribed to crack bridging and fracture of cellulose fibrils. The mechanical properties of the coating material were investigated by tensile testing of PVA/MFC stand–alone specimens. The stirring time of the PVA/MFC solution came out as a crucial parameter in order to achieve a more homogeneous dispersion of the fibres and consequently enhanced strength and stiffness. Numerical simulation of a PVA coated Bioglass® strut revealed the infiltration depth of the coating until the crack tip as the most effective criterion for the struts strengthening. Contact angle and linear viscosity measurements of PVA/MFC solutions showed that MFC causes a reduction in contact angle and a drastic increase in viscosity, indicating that a balance between these opposing effects must be achieved. Concerning the production of bulk samples, conventional furnace and spark plasma sintering technique was used. Spark plasma sintering performed without the assistance of mechanical pressure and at heating rates ranging from 100 to 300°C /min led to a material having density close to theoretical one and fracture toughness nearly 4 times higher in comparison with conventional sintering. Fractographic analysis revealed the crack deflection as the main toughening mechanisms acting in the bulk Bioglass®. Time–dependent crack healing process was also observed. The further investigation on the non-equilibrium phases crystallized is required. All obtained results are discussed in detail and general recommendations for scaffolds with enhanced mechanical resistance are served.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第21462号 / 工博第4537号 / 新制||工||1707(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科マイクロエンジニアリング専攻 / (主査)教授 田畑 修, 教授 鈴木 基史, 准教授 土屋 智由, 教授 平方 寛之 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

Moisture damage in asphalt pavement has always been a problem for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate moisture susceptibility of Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) and to investigate mitigation techniques using different antistripping agents. Three types of antistripping agents were used in this research investigation. Two of which are chemical based and the other is hydrated lime. The two types of liquid antistripping agents used in this study include Arr Maz CC LOF-6500 and Arr Maz CC XL-9000. These two liquid antistripping agents were tested at 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. Hydrated Lime was tested at 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%. The binder used in this study is Asphalt Performance Grade (PG) 64-16 provided by Oxnard Refinery. The crushed stone aggregate used in this study was provided by Cal Portland. This study follows the guidelines of standardized AASHTO, ASTM, and SuperPave mix design for all preparation and test procedures. A total of 120 4-inch by 2.83-inch core specimens with void ratios between 6 to 8 percent were created to test for moisture susceptibility in accordance with the Modified Lottman Test, which tested for Indirect Tensile Strength and Immersion Compression Test, which tested for Compression Strength and Elasticity. During the test, half of these specimens were placed in a hot water bath for 24 hours to condition the sample to represent field performance and the other half were unconditioned. Based on the results, the best liquid antistripping agent is XL-9000 at 0.50% and hydrated lime is most efficient at a dosage rate of 1.5%. The best performing antistripping additive for the value is hydrated lime at 1.5%.

Sprains are the most common injuries to ligamentous tissues. They are classified as first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree sprains depending upon their severity. First-degree sprains are the result of over-stretching of ligaments. Second-degree sprains involve partial tears of the ligaments. In third-degree sprains, the ligaments are completely torn. Although first- and second-degree sprains are not as severe as third-degree sprains, they occur more frequently. The mechanisms leading to sprains are still not well understood. Therefore, histo-mechanical experiments and theoretical studies are needed to advance our current knowledge on the etiology of sprains. In the first part of this study, a structurally-based constitutive equation is proposed to simulate the damage evolution process in ligaments. The ligament is modeled as a bundle of crimped collagen fibers that are assumed to be oriented along one direction, the physiological loading direction. The gradual straightening of collagen fibers determines the nonlinearity in the toe region of the tensile axial stress-strain curve. Straight collagen fibers behave as a linear elastic material. The gradual damage of collagen fibers determines the nonlinearity in the failure region of the tensile axial stress-strain curve. The parameters in the constitutive equation are estimated by curve fitting experimental data on rat medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) published in the biomechanics literature. In the second part of this study, mechanical experiments are performed in order to identify and quantify damage in ligamentous tissues. MCLs, which are harvested from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, are subjected to displacement controlled tensile tests. Specifically, the ligaments are stretched to consecutively increasing stretch values until their complete failure occurs. The elongation of the toe region and decrease in tangent modulus of the linear region of the collected stress-strain data are analyzed and two significantly different damage threshold strains are determined. The effect of age and skeletal maturation on the damage evolution process is also investigated by performing mechanical tests on MCLs isolated from two age groups of SD rats. In the third part of this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to determine variations in the microstructure of ligaments that are associated with the elongation of the toe region and decrease in tangent modulus of the linear region of the stress-strain curve. MCLs from SD rats are subjected to different threshold strains that produce damage and, subsequently, examined using SEM. By comparing the morphology of collagen fibers and fibrils in undamaged and damaged MCLs, the microscopic variations induced by strain are determined and correlated to the observed macroscopic mechanical damage. / Ph. D.

Für die Ermittlung der Ermüdungsfunktion sowie der E-Modul-Funktion sind in den europäischen Normen verschiedene Versuchsarten vorgesehen. In Deutschland werden bisher der Einaxiale Zugschwellversuch und der Spaltzugschwellversuch angewandt. Diese vergleichsweise einfachen Versuche können das Ermüdungsverhalten eines Asphaltgemisches in situ nur mit Einschränkungen (z.B. hinsichtlich des vorherrschenden Spannungszustandes) wiedergeben. Der Triaxialversuch mit Zug-/Druckschwellbelastung kann zur realitätsnahen Untersuchung des Ermüdungsverhaltens (Ermüdungsfunktion in Verbindung mit der E-Modul-Funktion) angewandt werden, da neben der frei wählbaren Zugbeanspruchung zusätzlich beliebige Druckbeanspruchungen normal zur Zugspannung auf den Probekörper aufgegeben werden können. Aufgrund der aufwändigen Versuchsdurchführung findet der Versuch bisher nur in der Forschung Anwendung. Die für die Dissertation ausgewerteten Daten umfassen die Ergebnisse von Einaxialen Zugschwellversuchen, Spaltzugschwellversuchen und Triaxialversuchen mit Zug-/Druckschwellbelastung an insgesamt sechs verschiedenen Asphaltgemischen. Die Einflüsse aus dem Hohlraumgehalt, der Belastungsfrequenz sowie der Mischgutart und -sorte auf das Ermüdungsverhalten konnten herausgearbeitet werden. Weiterhin gelang aus den Ergebnissen aller Versuchsarten die Aufstellung von Ermüdungsflächenfunktionen in Abhängigkeit von Dehnungsanteilen infolge verschiedener Spannungskomponenten (mehraxialer Spannungszustand) unter Berücksichtigung der in den Probekörpern der verschiedenen Ermüdungsversuche auftretenden Spannungskombinationen Zug- zu Druckspannung. Die Gültigkeit der ermittelten Ermüdungsflächenfunktion für andere, über die in den angewendeten Versuchsarten hinausgehende Spannungskombinationen muss mit Hilfe geeigneter (noch zu entwickelnder) Versuche überprüft werden.

Für die Ermittlung der Ermüdungsfunktion sowie der E-Modul-Funktion sind in den europäischen Normen verschiedene Versuchsarten vorgesehen. In Deutschland werden bisher der Einaxiale Zugschwellversuch und der Spaltzugschwellversuch angewandt. Diese vergleichsweise einfachen Versuche können das Ermüdungsverhalten eines Asphaltgemisches in situ nur mit Einschränkungen (z.B. hinsichtlich des vorherrschenden Spannungszustandes) wiedergeben. Der Triaxialversuch mit Zug-/Druckschwellbelastung kann zur realitätsnahen Untersuchung des Ermüdungsverhaltens (Ermüdungsfunktion in Verbindung mit der E-Modul-Funktion) angewandt werden, da neben der frei wählbaren Zugbeanspruchung zusätzlich beliebige Druckbeanspruchungen normal zur Zugspannung auf den Probekörper aufgegeben werden können. Aufgrund der aufwändigen Versuchsdurchführung findet der Versuch bisher nur in der Forschung Anwendung. Die für die Dissertation ausgewerteten Daten umfassen die Ergebnisse von Einaxialen Zugschwellversuchen, Spaltzugschwellversuchen und Triaxialversuchen mit Zug-/Druckschwellbelastung an insgesamt sechs verschiedenen Asphaltgemischen. Die Einflüsse aus dem Hohlraumgehalt, der Belastungsfrequenz sowie der Mischgutart und -sorte auf das Ermüdungsverhalten konnten herausgearbeitet werden. Weiterhin gelang aus den Ergebnissen aller Versuchsarten die Aufstellung von Ermüdungsflächenfunktionen in Abhängigkeit von Dehnungsanteilen infolge verschiedener Spannungskomponenten (mehraxialer Spannungszustand) unter Berücksichtigung der in den Probekörpern der verschiedenen Ermüdungsversuche auftretenden Spannungskombinationen Zug- zu Druckspannung. Die Gültigkeit der ermittelten Ermüdungsflächenfunktion für andere, über die in den angewendeten Versuchsarten hinausgehende Spannungskombinationen muss mit Hilfe geeigneter (noch zu entwickelnder) Versuche überprüft werden.

This report aims to increase the scientific knowledge about long-term prospects for the adhesive and adhesive joints for bonding of stainless steels. The effects of water, temperature and chemicals on the adhesive and adhesive joints are investigated. Stainless steel plates are pretreated with a primer and isopropanol, there after joined together with single lap modeling. The strength of the joint is tested with a tensile test and additionally a watertightness test is performed to determine if the joints are watertight. For this project three versions of stainless steels is used and two different technologies of two- part adhesives, silicone and silane-modified polymer and one technology of tape, a double coated acrylic foam tape are tested. The result shows that all the adhesives fails cohesively and that tape fails partly adhesively. Result shows that all tests are affected by water, temperature and chemicals on different levels but tape is affected the most with a minimum of 40% loss in shear strength. Watertightness test shows that aged tape joints are not watertight. The polymer shows no signs of decreasing in shear strength and is watertight, but does become more viscous by aging. The report shows that a possible combination of adhesive and pretreatment that can withstand the effects of water, temperature and chemicals is found. The polymer presents a possibility to bond stainless steel with a simple pretreatment. Tape didn’t pass the test in a suitable way but presents opportunities if a sufficient pretreatment can be found.