As cerâmicas a base de carbeto de silício, SiC, tem muitas aplicações na engenharia devido às suas excelentes propriedade mecânicas, térmicas e químicas. Para a produção de cerâmicas de SiC com propriedades específicas, seu processamento deve ser escolhido de maneira a se produzirem microestruturas adequadas para cada aplicação. Para isso, na maioria das vezes, essas cerâmicas são sinterizadas via fase líquida, usando como aditivos formadores dessa fase misturas de óxidos de alumínio e algumas terras raras. Esta dissertação tem dois objetivos principais: implantar o método SEVNB no Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais (DEMAR), na Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL), para medida de KIC, propriedades mecânicas que, muitas vezes, limita aplicações das cerâmicas, e introduzir mais dois óxidos de terras raras para formação da fase líquida na sinterização do SiC, os óxidos de disprósio e itérbio. Após a mistura e secagem das matérias primas, os pós foram prensados com dupla ação de pistões e isostaticamente, e em seguida foram sinterizados em atmosfera de argônio utilizando seis ciclos diferentes para cada sistema de aditivos. Após sinterização as amostras foram caracterizadas e entalhadas com lâmina de barbear utilizando pastas diamantadas de 6 e 0,25 ?m e flexionadas em 4 pontos. Os resultados mostraram uma maior densificação para o sistema de aditivos Al2O3/ Yb2O3, de aproximadamente 97% da densidade teórica, prensados a 400 MPa e sinterizados na temperatura de 1950ºC por 1 hora, com formação de ?-SiC, DyAG e YbAG em todas as temperaturas estudadas. A máquina fabricada para entalhamento das amostras se mostrou eficiente, produzindo raios de entalhes atendendo a norma ISSO 23146:2008. Quanto as propriedades mecânicas, o sistema com itérbia possui os maiores valores de módulo de elasticidade e dureza, porém menor tenacidade à fratura em relação a cada ciclo de sinterização, resultado que sugere a influência do raio catiônico das terras raras formadoras da fase secundária nas cerâmicas a base de SiC. / The silicon carbide, SiC, has many applications in engineering due to its excellent mechanical, thermal and chemical properties. For the production of SiC ceramics with specific properties, the processing should be chosen to produce microstructures suitable for each application. For this reason, in most cases, these ceramics are liquid phase sintered using additives such as formers of this phase mixed oxides of aluminum and certain rare-earths. This dissertation has two main objectives: to implement the method SEVNB at Department of Materials Engineering (DEMAR), Engineering School of Lorena (EEL), to measure KIC, mechanical propertie, which often limits the ceramic\'s applications, and introduce two more rare-earth oxides for the formation of liquid phase sintering SiC, dysprosium and ytterbium oxide . After mixing and drying, the powders were pressed with a double acting piston and isostatically, and then sintered in an argon atmosphere using six different cycles for each additive system. After sintered, samples were characterized and V-notched using a razor blade and diamond pastes of 6 and 0.25 ?m and four-point flexured. The results showed a higher densification for the system Al2O3 / Yb2O3, approximately 97% , pressed at 400 MPa and sintered at a temperature of 1950 ° C for 1 hour, with formation of ?-SiC, DyAG and YbAG at all temperatures studied. The machine used to notched the samples proved to be effective, producing notch root according to the standard ISO 23146:2008. As for the mechanical properties, the system with ytterbium oxide has higher values of elastic modulus and hardness, but lower fracture toughness for each sintering cycle studied, result that suggests the influence of the rare-earth\'s cationic radius that forming the secondary phase in the SiC.

This thesis reports a study of the effects on processing and properties of incorporating nano-scale reinforcements (multiwall carbon nanotubes, MWCNTs) in the matrix of epoxy- carbon fibre (CF) laminate composites to produce multi-scale composites (M-SC). The main aim of this research was to study the effects of MWCNTs on matrix toughening and the through-thickness properties of M-SCs based on a commonly used aerospace grade epoxy resin — triglycidyl-p-aminophenol (TGPAP) cured with diaminodiphenyl sulphone (DDS). In order to improve resin processing, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (DGEBF) was added into the TGPAP/DDS system as a reactive diluent. Factorial experimental design (FED) was used to optimize the composition of this tri-component system to obtain high Tg and low resin viscosity, which gave a TGPAP/DGEBF/DDS system with 30.56 wt.% of DGEBF and a chemical stoichiometry of 0.5. Three types of MWCNTs were used; as-received (AR-), base-washed (BW-) and amine functionalized (NH2-). These were shear-mixed with both the bi- and tri-component systems using a 3-roll mill to produce nanocomposite matrices (NCM). The curing behaviour, dispersion state of MWCNTs in the resin and processability of NCMs were studied to decide upon the preparation method for the final M-SC. The fracture toughness (KIC) and the flexural properties of NCM were affected by both MWCNTs and the matrix type; thus KIC increased by up to 8 % in TGPAP/DDS NCM but decreased by 23% in TGPAP/DGEBF/DDS NCM with 0.5 wt.% AR-CNTs. The addition of both non-functionalized and functionalized MWCNTs increased the flexural modulus. The failure mechanism of NCMs was found to be dominated by the size and distribution of CNT aggregates and the behaviour of MWCNTs, both those dispersed in the matrix and in aggregates. The addition of functionalized MWCNTs increased the interfacial bonding between MWCNT and epoxy resin and thus improved the mechanical properties. All the NCM systems were taken forward to manufacture M-SC using a hybrid resin film infusion (RFI)/hot press process. The fibre volume fraction and the void content could be controlled at 43 ± 5 % for M-SC with TGPAP/DDS NCM and 60 ± 6 % for M-SC with TGPAP/DGEBF/DDS NCM. M-SCs were characterised using a range of tests, including flexural, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), mode-II interlaminar fracture toughness (GIIC), low velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI). The most obvious improvement occurred for the M-SC with tri-component system with 0.5 wt.% CNTs, whereILSS increased by 16 % upon adding NH2-CNTs and GIIC increased significantly on addition of 0.5 wt.% AR-CNTs and NH2-CNTs, by 85% and 184% respectively. However the effect of MWCNTs on other properties was at best marginal. For example, for the M-SC with TGPAP/DDS, the flexural modulus and ILSS only increased by 4.1 % and 2.3 % with 0.5 wt.% AR-CNT.

Progress in the fields of wearable computing, soft robotics and bio hybrid engineering depend on new classes of soft multifunctional materials that match the mechanical properties of soft biological tissue and possess high toughness, while having metal-like electrical and thermal properties.

Research in local fracture processes and micro-machining of polymers and polymer-based composites has attracted increasing attention, in development of composite materials and miniaturisation of polymer components. In this thesis, sectioning (machining) of a glassy polymer and a carbon nanotube based composite at the nanoscale was performed by an instrumented ultramicrotome. The yield stresses and fracture toughness of these materials were determined by analysing the sectioning forces. Fractographic analysis by atomic force microscopy was conducted to characterise the topographies and elastic properties of the sectioned surfaces to explore the deformation and fracture behaviour of the polymer during nanosectioning. The study reveals that a transition from homogenous to shear localised deformation occurred as the uncut chip thickness (depth of cut) or sectioning speed increased to a critical value. Analytical and finite element methods were used to model the nanosectioning process. The shear localised deformation was caused by thermal softening due to plastic dissipation. Although not considering sectioning, the tensile properties of a polymer nanocomposite were additionally investigated, where the degree of nanofibrillation and polyethylene glycol (PEG) content had significant effects.

Since resin composites were first presented to dentistry more than half a century ago, the composition of resin composites has developed significantly. One major change was that the reinforcing filler particles were reduced in size to generate materials of a given filler content that display better physical and mechanical properties. Resin composites may absorb water and chemicals from the surrounding environment but at the same time, composites may release constituents to their surroundings. The physical/mechanical properties of a restorative material provide an indication of how the material will function under stress in the oral environment. The aims of this research were to examine the effects of water at 37°C on the physical and mechanical properties, and the effect of food-simulating solvents of a variety of experimental and contemporary resin composites, on the surface properties. Eight representative resin composites were selected (Exp. VT, BL, NCB, TEC, GSO, XB, VDF and CXD). Due to the recent development of bulk fill materials on the market during the course of this research, the post-cure depth of cure of new bulk fill materials was also investigated. Five representative resin composites were selected: TBF, XB, FBF, VBF and SF. Water sorption and solubility were investigated at 37°C for 150 days. Sorption and solubility are affected by the degree of hydrophilicity of the resin matrix. The bulk fill materials examined showed the lowest water sorption and solubility. Laser scan micrometer (LSM) was used to investigate hygroscopic expansion. The extent of the hygroscopic expansion positively correlated with the amount of water sorption. The effect of water on fracture toughness was also examined. A self-adhesive hydrophilic resin matrix decreased in fracture toughness after 7 days of storage at 37°C. By contrast, the least water absorbed bulk fill material increased in fracture toughness over time. The effect of food-simulating solvents (distilled water, 75% ethanol/water and MEK) on surface micro-hardness, colour stability and gloss retention were investigated. The MEK solvent resulted in the lowest micro-hardness and the greatest colour change (ΔE) for most of the examined composites, while the 75% ethanol/water solution caused the greatest loss in gloss for most of the examined composites. A highly filled nano-composite showed the best result over time, regardless of the condition of storage. Surface micro-hardness profiles were used as an indirect method to assess the depth of cure of bulk fill resin composites. The examined bulk fill resin composites can be cured to an acceptable depth (4 mm).

Highly crosslinked epoxy resin systems are essential in aerospace applications due to the high operating temperatures. Although highly crosslinked epoxy resins have the required glass transition temperature (Tg) for the application, they are inherently brittle and matrix toughness is improved by incorporation of a second phase. Previous studies have focused mostly on toughening of lightly crosslinked epoxy systems, whereas this study investigates toughening of a highly crosslinked epoxy resin system using thermoplastic toughners poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and a poly(methyl methacrylate)-b- poly(butyl acrylate)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate) (MAM) block copolymer (BCP).

The constants modernization in the fuels used request improvements in the combustioneffectiveness, as a consequence the material for components as the cylinder heads mustenhance their properties. Seven different compositions of compacted graphite iron (CGI)are analysed with the aim of characterized and select the most suitable material for thecylinder head service condition. The present master thesis report focuses on the impactof the matrix- either pearlitic or ferritic- and alloying elements such as molybdenum andnickel in the fatigue crack propagation ratedadNand fracture toughness (kIc).Tests to determined the fatigue crack growth rate, according to the ASTM standardE647 and fracture toughness (ASTM E399) were conducted. The equipment utilized was aservo hydraulic machine, for the fatigue crack propagation rate test and a electromechanicalmachine for the fracture toughness. Moreover, for measure the crack length a portablemicroscope camera and a camera connected to a DIC(digital image correlation) softwarewas used. The interpretation of the data obtained from the tests were done by TEMA- aDIC software- and MATLAB.The test results are analysed describing the influence of the composition and the microstructurehave over the mechanical properties achieved. Furthermore, an analyse forrelating the graphite average length and the hardness with the fatigue crack growth rateand the fracture toughness of the materials is performed.

Buildings construction and realization of public infrastructures have always been a primary need in the human society, developing low cost and user-friendly materials which also encounter safety and durability requirements. Portland cement is the most used material in construction industry from the industrial revolution up to date, but the raising concerns related to the climate change are pushing the governments worldwide to replace it with more eco-friendly and greener materials. Geopolymers are considered to be best alternatives to Portland cement in construction industry, but issues related to cost and mechanical properties are still hindering the commercialization of this material. Geopolymer incorporating wastes is one of the solutions. Fly ash, a thermal power plant by-product, and borosilicate glass, a recycled glass from pharmaceutical vials, are suitable candidates in geopolymers activation. NMR and FTIR spectroscopies demonstrated that borates from borosilicate glass are active compounds in geopolymerization, substituting the alumina is its role, composing a B-Al-Si network never observed before. Various fly ash and borosilicate glass weight contents were studied in terms of mechanical properties (compression test, 3-point bending test). It was found that fly ash 55 wt.% and borosilicate 45 wt.% composition activated in 13 M NaOH solution holds the best compressive and flexural strength (45 and 4 MPa respectively), 25% stronger than similar counterparts found in literature. Cellulose fibres in different weight contents were dispersed into the geopolymeric paste to produce geopolymer composites, with the aim to render the material more suitable for structural applications. 3-point bending test showed an improvement of the flexural strength of about 165% (12 MPa), while the chevron notch method displayed a fracture toughness of 0.7 MPam1/2, in line with the results of geopolymer composites found in literature. In this thesis work, fly ash was also successfully densified in 3 M NaOH solution and distilled water through a new method based on hydraulic pressure, called hydro-pressure sintering. This innovative technology involves a drastic reduction of NaOH utilization in geopolymerization, rendering the material more eco-friendly. XRD spectroscopy conducted on produced samples revealed a higher formation of crystals, most likely induced by the application of hydraulic pressure (450 MPa).

An experiment was carried out in order to locate and quantify osteon types within a sample of cortical bone taken from a human tibia. This was done using a microscope-camera assembly and the BioQuant computer software. The results of this were correlated with a previous experiment’s results on fracture toughness so that an analysis could be run on the data in order to determine the factors that most affect the value of fracture toughness of this cortical bone. Results were examined closely and the analysis repeated until the author was satisfied that the best possible model for fracture toughness had been achieved. A combination of usable parameters included: region, porosity, volume fraction of lightfield osteons, volume fraction of hooped osteons, volume fraction of dark osteons, volume fraction of alternating osteons, volume fraction total, density, average diameter total, average diameter of hooped osteons, average diameter of lightfield osteons, average diameter of darkfield osteons and average diameter of alternating osteons. This model explains the parameters that most affect fracture toughness by using a regression analysis, which also provides a regression equation to show exactly how much each specific parameter affects the fracture toughness value

This diploma thesis examines the effect of short fiber reinforcement in particle composite with a polymer matrix and the effect of its structure on the mechanical properties. It studies the refraction toughness depending on the addition of short polyvinylalcohol fibers (PVAL), nanosilica and pulverized polymethylacrylate (PMMA) to a dimethylacrylate matrix. Matrix strengthening was characterised with the help of differential compensation photocalorimetry. The inner structure of the composite and the morphology of fracture were studied using a scanning electron microscope. For the tested samples, the modules of elasticity and toughness were measured, the critical values of stress intensity factor and the energy release rate were determined. The findings suggest that the limit value of short fibers content is 4 vol. %. This content of fibers significantly increases the tenacity of the material but at the same time the uniform distribution of fibers and the ease of preparation of the material decrease. Within the possible applications, the manipulation of this material worsens as well. The fibers content of 2 ± 0.5 vol. % is an acceptable compromise between good treatability, uniform distribution of fibers and the required mechanical properties. During the study of the fracture surfaces of the material, different types of fibers disruption were witnessed (extraction from the matrix, plastic deformation, fibrillation on the surface of the fibers, fracture) depending on the type of used matrix and filling.