A numerical analysis of the loop tack test is presented to study the behavior of the strip and the influence of several factors, and the results are compared with experimental ones. The numerical results can be applied to model the performance of a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). Since the simulation of the loop tack test includes geometrical and material nonlinearities, it is solved numerically by the finite element method. The finite element program ABAQUS is used throughout the research. As the teardrop shaped loop is pushed down onto the adhesive and then pulled up, the variation of the loop behavior is investigated using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models. A bilinear elastic-plastic constitutive law is used for the strip. The deformation of the pressure sensitive adhesive is approximated as uniaxial extension of independent adhesive strands. A Winkler-type nonlinear elastic foundation and a viscoelastic foundation are used to model the PSA. A nonlinear elastic spring function is used, which is composed of a compression region for the bonding phase and a tension region for the debonding phase. A debonding failure criterion is assumed, in which an adhesive strand will debond when it reaches a certain length. During the bonding phase, it is assumed that the loop is perfectly bonded, and the contact time is not included. Curves of the pulling force versus the top displacement (i.e., tack curves) are obtained throughout the simulation. A parametric study is made with respect to the nonlinear spring function parameters, experimental uncertainties, and strip thickness. Anticlastic bending behavior is shown in the 3D analysis, and the contact patterns are presented. The effects of the elasticity modulus of the PSA for the elastic foundation and the displacement rate for the viscoelastic model are investigated. / Ph. D.

Asphalt tack coats are applied during pavement construction to ensure bond between pavement layers, thus providing a more durable pavement. A prototype tack coat evaluation device (TCED) was developed to evaluate the tensile and torque-shear strength of tack coat materials. Three emulsions (SS-1, CSS-1, and CRS-2) and one asphalt binder (PG 67-22), commonly used as tack coats, were evaluated using the TCED at various application temperatures, application rates, dilutions, and set times. A laboratory bond interface strength device (LBISD) was developed to assess interface shear strength of laboratory-prepared specimens. Mass loss testing was performed to evaluate moisture evaporation and visual breaking properties of emulsions. Study results indicate application rate, tack coat, and emulsion set time significantly affect TCED strength. Application rate also affected evaporation rate of emulsions.

Pappersbaserade förpackningar är ett område som växer snabbt. För att hålla ihop en förpackning och skydda dess innehåll är det nödvändigt mednågon form av förslutningsystem. I projektet har förslutningar i form av varmförseglingar studerats för olika sorters förpackningsmaterial. Vidvarmförsegling pressar två varma metallbackar ihop materialen vilket gör att en försegling bildas mellan dem. Hur stark en försegling blir beror påmaterialegenskaper och på de parameterinställningar som används vid försegling. Vilken analysmetod och vilka inställningar proverna analyseratsmed påverkar de resultat som erhålls. Studien inkluderade flexibla material för applikationer inom medicin och livsmedel samt styva material vilkavar svåra att analysera med de analysmetoder som fanns tillgängliga. Förseglingar gjordes i laboratoriemiljö och i kommersiellatillverkningsmaskiner för att undersöka om dessa kan jämföras. Experimenten visar bland annat att förseglingsegenskaperna varierar beroende påtyp av plast och papper, materialets tjocklek och ytvikt. Förseglingsstyrkan är också olika beroende på om den testas längs eller tvärs materialetstillverkningsriktning. Genom en stor mängd analyser har en strategi för hur olika material bör utvärderas arbetats fram. / Paperboard and paper based solutions are of rapidly increasing interest to the packaging industry. Packaging needs a sealing system to keep theproduct inside safe. One common type of sealing is heat sealing, i.e. the materials are placed between two hot sealing bars which are closedtogether to form a seal. The strength of such seals depend on the properties of the material and the settings during sealing. The test method and thesettings used when analysing samples do also influence the results. This study of sealing properties includes flexible material for medicalapplications and materials used in food applications, as well as stiff and thick materials used in food applications which are harder to analyse usingcurrent methods. Sealing properties are for some materials compared between seals made in commercial packaging machines and seals made in thelaboratory. The results from this study show that sealability is dependent on 1) what kind of paper and what kind of plastic are used; 2) thicknessand weight of the material; and 3) whether the test is performed in or cross machine direction. Finally, a method is proposed on how to evaluatedifferent kinds of materials based on data generated by this study.

<p>This licentiate thesis comprises two complementary studiesdealing with the sheet-fed offset printing of paper. The firststudy addresses the further development of a practical methodto acoustically monitor and analyse the film splitting ofoffset inks. This method was tested on laboratory printingequipment, specifically monitoring the continuous ink splittingin the nip of an IGT ink distribution unit and the short-timeink splitting in the inked print disc-paper nip of the printingunit of an ISIT instrument. The study verified that the inksplitting component of the acoustic signal contributes to thehigher frequency range (10-20 kHz) of the audible spectrum, andcan thus be separated from the lower frequency machine noise.Furthermore, the film splitting component is sensitive tochanges in the ink and printing conditions, thus enabling itsuse in probing the fundamental mechanisms occurring during inktransfer and also suggesting its applicability fornon-intrusive monitoring of industrial printing presses. Anincrease in film thickness during ink distribution correspondsto an increased acoustic power, with the exception of very lowink amounts, which give reduced acoustic emission due to alubricating effect. The effect of the presence of fountainsolution was simulated by adding emulsion-forming, butnon-evaporative, ethylene glycol. This produces an increase inacoustic power at low amounts, due to resistance to glycol dropdeformation, followed by a decrease at higher amounts owing toexcess glycol lining the rolls. During test printing on paper,increasing ink amounts also display an increased acousticresponse.</p><p>The second study further developed a theoretical model toexplain and predict the evolution of ink tack in terms of inksetting directly after offset printing on coated paper. Asmeasured by the ISIT, the tack of the printed ink rises duringshorter time periods, attains a maximum, and then falls atlonger times. The proposed model described how the ink tack,characterised by the impulse during disc pull-off, dependsdynamically on the viscoelastic properties of the ink, thecontact with paper and disc, and the flow geometry. The inksetting was modelled as a diffusion-limited transport of theoil vehicle through the ink film and into the pores of thecoated paper. The coupling of the tack and setting models,compared to the ISIT experimental measurements, then provided adiffusion coeffcient for ink setting during the tack riseperiod. This coeffcient decreases with time, and increasinglyrapidly with decreasing ink amounts due to theconcentration-dependent diffusion. For an accurate descriptionthe elasticity and adhesion effects also have to be considered,at least for explaining the tack fall period.</p>

The main topic of the thesis was to examine the hydrophobicity of labeling adhesives in the state before drying, it means their resistance against condensated moisture. The problem was solved by measuremensts of contact angle between the drop of water and glue. Measurements of dynamic viscosity and wet tack were also performed for the sake of complex characterization of the glue properties. Comparison of properties among single-component adhesives based on the acrylic copolymers alkalised with various agents was made. The impact of starches and industrial additives on glues was determined by the analysis of primary physical and chemical parameters. The purpose of the measurements was to develop a formula of the glue with enhanced atmospheric moisture resistance, that also would have the required parameters in the equilibrium. Finally, some selected glue samples were practically tested for condensation water resistance. These tests were performed in a climatic chamber with water condensating conditions.

This licentiate thesis comprises two complementary studiesdealing with the sheet-fed offset printing of paper. The firststudy addresses the further development of a practical methodto acoustically monitor and analyse the film splitting ofoffset inks. This method was tested on laboratory printingequipment, specifically monitoring the continuous ink splittingin the nip of an IGT ink distribution unit and the short-timeink splitting in the inked print disc-paper nip of the printingunit of an ISIT instrument. The study verified that the inksplitting component of the acoustic signal contributes to thehigher frequency range (10-20 kHz) of the audible spectrum, andcan thus be separated from the lower frequency machine noise.Furthermore, the film splitting component is sensitive tochanges in the ink and printing conditions, thus enabling itsuse in probing the fundamental mechanisms occurring during inktransfer and also suggesting its applicability fornon-intrusive monitoring of industrial printing presses. Anincrease in film thickness during ink distribution correspondsto an increased acoustic power, with the exception of very lowink amounts, which give reduced acoustic emission due to alubricating effect. The effect of the presence of fountainsolution was simulated by adding emulsion-forming, butnon-evaporative, ethylene glycol. This produces an increase inacoustic power at low amounts, due to resistance to glycol dropdeformation, followed by a decrease at higher amounts owing toexcess glycol lining the rolls. During test printing on paper,increasing ink amounts also display an increased acousticresponse. The second study further developed a theoretical model toexplain and predict the evolution of ink tack in terms of inksetting directly after offset printing on coated paper. Asmeasured by the ISIT, the tack of the printed ink rises duringshorter time periods, attains a maximum, and then falls atlonger times. The proposed model described how the ink tack,characterised by the impulse during disc pull-off, dependsdynamically on the viscoelastic properties of the ink, thecontact with paper and disc, and the flow geometry. The inksetting was modelled as a diffusion-limited transport of theoil vehicle through the ink film and into the pores of thecoated paper. The coupling of the tack and setting models,compared to the ISIT experimental measurements, then provided adiffusion coeffcient for ink setting during the tack riseperiod. This coeffcient decreases with time, and increasinglyrapidly with decreasing ink amounts due to theconcentration-dependent diffusion. For an accurate descriptionthe elasticity and adhesion effects also have to be considered,at least for explaining the tack fall period.

This research focuses on the development of optimal sailing maneuvers for an AC75 foiling sailboat competing in the America's Cup. The America's Cup is the oldest, most prestigious, and technologically advanced sailboat racing competition in the world. Each iteration brings new and innovative sailboat designs which drastically improve sailing performance but increase complexity in the control of the sailboat system. This added complexity in the design and operation of the AC75 sailboat presents many challenges to the development of optimal sailing maneuvers. These challenges arise from the introduction of extra degrees of freedom and articulations in the boat such as the canting mechanisms (hydrofoils), which result in complex dynamical behaviors. The sailboat system is nonlinear, high-dimensional, and highly unstable. These complex characteristics require the development of high-order models, which are often intractable, or which introduce significant delays making them not well-suited for real-time control. The optimal maneuvers were achieved via the exploration of out-of-the-box solutions through data-driven controls and optimization. We used a high-fidelity sailboat simulator for the data generation process, and data-driven optimization schemes, such as Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Extremum Seeking Control (ESC), and Jacobian Learning (JL) to optimize the sailing maneuvers. The optimizations were performed separately on various sailing maneuvers including close-hauled, tacking, and takeoff, as well as combinations of these maneuvers as performed during a race. The close-hauled and tacking maneuvers were optimized to achieve maximum Velocity Made Good (VMG) and minimum loss of VMG, respectively. The takeoff maneuver was optimized for maximum VMG and minimum time for the boat's transitions from displacement mode to foiling mode. The optimal solutions are subject to physical constraints and operational constraints enforced by the humans (sailors) in the loop. These maneuvers were developed for various heading angles (True Wind Angle (TWA)) and environmental conditions, such as True Wind Speed (TWS). Additionally, we performed an in-depth analysis of the optimal parameter settings obtained for close-hauled sailing to discern general trends in the parameter space. The trend of optimal parameters versus the wind direction provides a good understanding of the parameter space for varying sailing directions which can help guide the sailor's decisions during a race. The results show how optimization and controls can play a significant role in the development of advisory systems for complex human-operated systems. Lastly, the maneuvers developed in this search serve as performance benchmarks and provide insightful information about the underlying dynamics of the boat. / Mechanical Engineering

No description available.

The loop tack test measures the tack (instant grip) of an adhesive. An analytical model of this test seems to be lacking and is the subject of this research. The strip is investigated using several mathematical formulations, and the solutions are obtained numerically. The loop is created from a flexible elastic strip that is bent into a teardrop shape, with its ends clamped together. The strip is tested in a cycle, in which the loop is first pushed onto the surface, compressing the adhesive. Then the loop is pulled up, and gradually debonds from the substrate. The loop is assumed to be nonlinearly elastic and inextensible. The mechanics of the loop tack test are studied in order to determine the impact of various factors on adhesive performance. These factors include the stiffness of the backing, the stiffness and thickness of the adhesive, the elongation of the adhesive before debonding, and the contact time. The relationship between the applied force and the vertical deflection of the loop's ends is determined, as well as that between the applied force and the contact length. Also, the maximum "pull - off" force needed to remove the substrate from the loop is obtained from the results. Shapes of the loop during the cycle are found. This research will increase understanding of the behavior of the adhesive and backing during the loop tack test. With the computer model that has been developed, any set of parameters and conditions can be analyzed, and improvements can be made in the test procedure. / Master of Science

This was a university/industry research cooperation with focus on how organic fillers affect the properties of phenol-formaldehyde resole (PF) resins that are formulated for veneer applications like plywood and laminated veneer lumber. The PF formulations studied in this work used fillers that were derived from walnut shell (Juglans regia), alder bark (Alnus rubra), almond shell (Prunus dulcis), and corn cob (furfural production) residue. The chemical composition of all fillers was measured and compared to published data. The basic rheological behavior of the formulations was determined and used to develop an adhesive tack measurement based upon lubrication theory. In this work, the probe-tack test was adapted to a typical stress-controlled rheometer by using the normal force and displacement system to compress the adhesive between parallel plates. By employing a simple power law to describe the complex rheology of adhesives and a lubrication approximation for the viscous force, squeeze flow of adhesives between two flat, impermeable steels and between steel and porous wood can be successfully modeled. However, deviations from theory were encountered as related to the method of adhesive application. Both meniscus force in consequence of the surface tension of adhesive pull around the edge of plate and viscous force due to the viscosity of adhesive operate inside the meniscus when adhesive was spread on the entire surface by a hard roller. manufacture where viscosity and surface tension effects were both involved. Last but not Such is probably the case when wood veneer is cold-pressed (pre-pressed) in plywood least, rheological behavior and alkali modification of wheat flour was determined by rheological and infrared studies, respectively. / Master of Science