No description available.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanical properties of continuous fiber reinforced composite tubes, produced by filament winding technique. For this purpose, tensile and split-disk tests were performed with specimens produced with five different fiber materials and two different resin systems. Longitudinal tensile and hoop tensile properties of the selected specimens were determined and the effect of reinforcement direction on the mechanical performance of these composites was investigated. In addition, the effect of a filament-winding processing variable (fiber tension) on longitudinal and hoop tensile properties of the selected composites was obtained. A slight increase in hoop/longitudinal tensile properties of specimens was observed for specimens wounded with tension and with winding angles greater than 60o. The tests were performed according to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The split-disk tests of selected composite specimens were simulated by the finite element method. For this purpose, a commercial finite element package program was used. Experimental results were used both as input in terms of material data for the finite element study and for comparison purposes. A good agreement was obtained between the simulation results and the experimental data.

Laser induced shock experiments were performed to study the dynamics of various solid state material processes, including shock-induced melt, fast rate fracture, and elastic to plastic response. Fast rate fracture and dynamic yielding are greatly influenced by microstructural features such as grain boundaries, impurity particles and alloying atoms. Fast fracture experiments using lasers are aimed at studying how material microstructure affects the tensile fracture characteristics at strain rates above 106 s-1. We used the Z-Beamlet Laser at Sandia National Laboratories to drive shocks via ablation and we measured the maximum tensile stress of aluminum targets with various microstructures. Using a velocity interferometer and sample recovery, we are able to measure the maximum tensile stress and determine the source of fracture initiation in these targets. We have explored the role that grain size, impurity particles and alloying in aluminum play in dynamic yielding and spall fracture at tensile strain rates of ~3x106 s-1. Preliminary results and analysis indicated that material grain size plays a vital role in the fracture morphology and spall strength results. In a study with single crystal aluminum specimens, velocity measurements and fracture analysis revealed that a smaller amplitude tensile stress was initiated by impurity particles; however, these particles served no purpose in dynamic yielding. An aluminum-magnesium alloy with various grain sizes presented the lowest spall strength, but the greatest dynamic yield strength. Fracture mode in this alloy was initiated by both grain boundaries and impurity particles. With respect to dynamic yielding, alloying elements such as magnesium serve to decrease the onset of plastic response. The fracture stress and yield stress showed no evidence of grain size dependence. Hydrodynamic simulations with material strength models are used to compare with our experiments. In order to study the strain rate dependence of spall in aluminum we used a shorter pulsed laser and thinner targets. From these experiments we do not observe an increase in spall strength for aluminum up to strain rates of ~2x107 s-1. / text

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Skin wound healing is an urgent problem in clinical treatment, in particular, with a military context. Although significant advances have been made in treating skin wounds, traditional methods face several challenges, e.g., limited donor skin tissue for transplants and inflammation over the period of long term healing. To address these challenges, in this study we present a method to fabricate Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) nanofibres encapsulated with the Ag nanoparticle, using the electro-spinning technique. The manufacturing process of nanofibres by electro-spinning is the subject of the present research. Electro-spinning is a process which produces nanofibres through the electrically charged jet of a polymer solution. While the principle has long been understood, the process of forming them still remains difficult to control. In its simplest form, the technique consists of a pipette to hold the polymer solution, two electrodes and a DC voltage supply over a 10 KV range. The polymer dropping from the tip of the pipette is drawn into a jet which is electrically charged and spun into fine fibres by the electronic field. An appropriate combination of the control parameters, such as the charge voltage, density and viscosity of the polymer solution and the travel distance of the jet, etc. will lead to the production of fibres with diameters in the range of 10-7~8 meters. The fibres can then be collected on the surface of a grounded target. regulating three main parameters, namely, a concentrated EVOH solution, the electric voltage and the distance between the injection needle tip (high voltage point) and the fibre collector. Ag was added to the nanofibres to offer long term anti-inflammation properties by the slow release of Ag nanoparticles through the gradual degradation of the EVOH nanofibre. The method developed here could lead to new dressing materials for the treatment of skin wounds. The thin EVOH nanofibre sheets obtained from electro-spinning were tested in uniaxial tension for their mechanical properties, with a view to the possibilities of using them as wound dressings. It was found that the sheets show a mild hardening behaviour with extensive elongation and necking before failure in multiple fractures at random locations. The failure is not simply fibre breakage. Due to the random orientation of the continuing fibres in the sheet, detachment, shear, straightening and twinning. etc., among the fibres all occur at the same time to different extents. The Young’s modulus and the yield stress (at 0.4~0.5% proof strains) are predominately affected by the diameters of the fibres. The latter are largely insensitive to strain rate over the range tested.

The purpose of this work is to identify the parameters of scaffold's mechanical properties by observing/monitoring their response to defined external mechanical strain. The first part of the work is summarizing the knowledge about the required properties of scaffolds, their production and the factors influencing production. The practical part of the work concerns itself with measurement, analysis and evaluation of data based on proprietary methodology. Based on the results at this stage of the research, we can confirm, that scaffolds have viscoelastic, or viscoplastic character and its response depends on the magnitude of deformation, state of hydration, ratio of solutions and period of networking. Keywords: scaffod, tensile test, rheologic model

Natural fibre composites (NFCs), which are polymers reinforced with cellulosic bast fibres, have the potential to be applied into a range of building products. They are seen as an alternative to glass fibre reinforced plastics (GFRP) in some applications, because of natural fibres (NF) relatively high strength and low density. Moreover, natural fibres have a set of beneficial traits, such as thermal insulation, thermal stability, biodegradability, and are inherently renewable. Those characteristics are of importance when NF are used as reinforcements in polymer composites, but developments in mechanical performance, reliability and economic viability are still required in order to be adopted fully by industry. The goal of this thesis was the development of a processing methodology for NFC laminate and subsequent material characterisation to assess the developed material suitability for building applications. Research objectives included materials selection, processing route development for laminates and tubes, manufacture of NFC laminates and analysis of mechanical properties in order to find an optimal composition. Hemp and flax fibres were selected as the reinforcement, because both have high mechanical properties and are important bast fibre crops in the European region with established cultivation and processing methods. As a matrix, fossil-fuel based and partially bio-derived thermoset resin systems were used. Handling and processing methodologies were developed for laminates and composite tubes based on filament winding and compression moulding techniques. The effects of the selected factors, namely material composition, volume fraction, processing parameters, reinforcement linear density, yarn twist, lamination sequence, yarn waviness and hybrid hemp-wool reinforcement were subsequently described in mechanical properties analysis of laminates. The influence of weathering conditions on the mechanical performance of the NFCs was examined. Furthermore, a study of NFC tubes under compression was performed. Results showed that the developed laminates reinforced with NF yarns have sufficient mechanical properties to be utilised in sandwich panels and/or tubes. However, a low resistance to moisture-related weathering restricts the developed NFCs for indoor applications.

The objective of the report is to investigate the feasibility and reliability of additive friction stir manufacturing of 7055 aluminum alloy. This is a technique in which multiple lap welds are performed to create a three-dimensional part out of relatively thin plate aluminum. To accomplish this, a four inch stack of 7055 aluminum alloy lap welds must be created. The solid weld nugget is then machined out of the center of the welded stack to create ASTM approved subsize tensile coupons. Rockwell hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and percent elongation information is gathered from the tensile coupons to investigate the effectiveness of the additive friction stir manufacturing process. The data shows that the additive manufactured material experiences a significant reduction in strength and percent elongation while not showing any significant response to heat treatment. Suggestions are made regarding possible changes to the weld schedule that could improve the material properties of the additive manufactured aluminum.

Modernamente os cabos vêm sendo empregados como elemento portante de coberturas de grandes vãos - as coberturas pênseis. É finalidade deste trabalho a apresentação da análise estática de cabos livremente suspensos, visando à sua aplicação nestas coberturas. Realiza-se o estudo de cabos - submetidos a carregamento estático uniformemente distribuído em todo o seu vão, a variações de temperatura e a deslocamentos de seus apoios - através do Processo Analítico (equações diferenciais) e do Processo dos Deslocamentos (rigidez tangente). Considera-se a não linearidade geométrica e admite-se a linearidade física. A comparação e análise dos resultados destes processos de cálculo são feitas através de experimentação numérica. / Nowadays cables have been utilized as a resistant element in roofs of large dimensions, the hanging roofs. The objective of this work is to present the static analysis of suspended cables, aiming their application in roofs. A study of cables subjected to static uniform load distributed on the length, variations of temperature and displacements of the supports is done through Analytical Process (differential equations) and Stiffness Process (tangent stiffness). Geometrical non-linear analysis is allowed and physical linear analysis is admitted. The results are compared and analysed through numerical experimentation.

O uso do laser previamente à polimerização de sistemas adesivos aplicados sobre a dentina tem sido proposto para melhorar a resistência de união à dentina. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da variação da potência (P) e da energia por pulso (Ep) na resistência de união à dentina de um sistema adesivo convencional irradiado com laser previamente à fotoativação. Duzentos terceiros molares foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 10 grupos (n=20) sendo um grupo sem irradiação (Controle) e nove grupos irradiados com laser de Diodo (970 nm) (SiroLaser - Sirona Dental Systems - Benshein, Alemanha), de acordo com a potência (P) e energia por pulso (Ep) utilizados: 1 - 0,5W/0,05J; 2 - 0,5W/0,08J; 3 - 0,5W/0,1J; 4 - 0,8W/0,05J; 5 - 0,8W/0,08J; 6 - 0,8W/0,1J; 7 - 1W/0,05J; 8 - 1W/0,08J; 9 - 1W/0,1J. Em todos os grupos fez-se o condicionamento com ácido fosfórico, aplicação do sistema adesivo convencional de dois passos AdperTM Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN, EUA) e restauração com resina composta Z250 (3M). Para avaliar a resistência de união foi realizado teste de microtração obtendo-se os valores em MPa. Os resultados foram analisados pelo ANOVA a dois critérios, seguido de Dunnett t (p < 0,001) para comparação entre os grupos. Os grupos irradiados foram avaliados pelo ANOVA a um critério, seguido dos testes de comparações múltiplas Bonferroni e Tamhane. Os valores de resistência de união ± desvio padrão de todos os grupos foram, respectivamente: 0 - Controle (34,60±10,76); 1 - (19,62±8,65); 2 - (27,56±9,20); 3 - (30,34±7,92); 4 - (23,31±5,96); 5 - (20,93±7,46); 6 - (24,67±8,59); 7 - (23,61±7,04); 8 - (25,94±6,82) e 9 - (21,48±3,59). O laser de Diodo influencia na resistência de união entre os grupos irradiados e não irradiado. A potência de 0,5W e energia por pulso de 0,1J influenciam positivamente nos valores de resistência de união quando o sistema adesivo é irradiado previamente a sua fotoativação. / The use of the laser prior to polymerisation of adhesive systems applied to the dentin has been proposed to improve the bond strength of dentin. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the variation of the output power (P) and pulse energy (Ep) on bond strength to dentin irradiated of conventional adhesive system with laser. Two hundred third molars were randomly distributed in 10 groups (n = 20): a group without laser irradiation (group control) and nine groups irradiated with diode laser (970 nm) (SiroLaser Sirona Dental Systems-Benshein, Germany), according to the output power (P) and pulse energy (Ep): 1 - 0,5W/0,05J; 2 - 0,5W/0,08J; 3 - 0,5W/0,1J; 4 - 0,8W/0,05J; 5 - 0,8W/0,08J; 6 - 0,8W/0,1J; 7 - 1W/0,05J; 8 - 1W/0,08J; 9 - 1W/0,1J. It was used in all groups etching with phosphoric acid, application of conventional adhesive system AdperTM Single Bond 2 (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA) and restoration with composite resin Z250 (3M). Microtensile test was performed obtaining bond strength values in MPa. Results were analyzed by two-ways ANOVA test, followed by Dunnett t (p < 0.001) for comparison between groups. The groups laser irradiated were assessed by one-way ANOVA test and subsequent t test with Bonferroni and Tamhane corrections. Bond strength values ± standard deviation for the groups were, respectively: 0 group control (34.60 ± 10.76); 1 - (19.62 ± 8.65); 2 - (27.56 ± 9.20); 3 - (30.34 ± 7.92); 4 - (23.31 ± 5.96); 5 - (20.93 ± 7.46); 6 - (24.67 ± 8.59); 7 - (7.04 ± 23.61); 8 - (25.94 ± 6.82) and 9 - (3.59 ± 21.48). The Diode laser influences on bond strength between irradiated and without irradiated groups. The output power 0.5W and energy per pulse 0.1J influence positively in the bond strength values when the adhesive system is irradiated prior to their light curing.