Improved fracture toughness at a given strength level is one of the most important properties of cemented carbides. Large number of different testing methods (both theoretical and experimental) has been proposed to determine fracture toughness of cemented carbides and it has been always a topic of interest to relate fracture toughness with mechanical properties. In this report method such as Palmqvist toughness, chevron notch, toughness determination through Hertzian indentation and different theoretical toughness models have been utilized in order to investigate fracture characteristics and is also compared with other mechanical properties by varying cobalt content and grain size. This study has provided some new and interesting results as well as new information about hardmetals in different loading conditions.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Raloxifene is an FDA-approved selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that improves tissue quality by binding to collagen and increasing the bound water content in the bone matrix in a cell-independent manner. In this thesis, active tissue formation was induced by non-invasive external tibial loading in female mice and combined with raloxifene treatment to assess their combined effect on bone morphology and mechanical properties. Thermoregulation is an important factor that could have physiological consequences on research outcomes, and was introduced as an additional experimental factor in this study. We hypothesized that by removing the mild cold stress under which normal lab animals are housed, a metabolic boost would allow for further architectural and mechanical improvements as a result of the combination of tibial loading and raloxifene treatment. Ten week old female C57BL/6J mice were treated with raloxifene, underwent tibial loading to a strain level of 2050µε and were housed in thermoneutral conditions (32°C) for 6 weeks. We investigated bone morphology through microcomputed tomography (µCT) and mechanical properties via four-point bending and fracture toughness testing. Results indicated a combined improvement by external loading and raloxifene on geometry, particularly in the cancellous region of the bone, and also in bone mechanics leading to greater improvements than either treatment individually. Temperature did not have a robust impact on either bone architecture or mechanical integrity.

Dovetail joints are commonly seen in a furniture frame construction because of their unique configuration and strength. The tensile strength of dovetail joints was experimentally and analytically investigated using fracture mechanics method in this study. Experimental results of the investigation of effects of geometry factors on the tensile strength of dovetail joints in southern yellow pine and red oak indicated that the tensile strength of red oak joints was about 2 times higher than the one of southern yellow pine joints. Statistical analysis results indicated that the tail angle and tenon length of dovetail joints had significant influences on their tensile strength, and the tenon width was not a significant factor on the joint tensile strength. The fracture behaviors of southern yellow pine and red oak materials were investigated in the radial-longitudinal crack propagation system using a compact tension test method. Effects of wood specific gravity on fracture toughness for two wood species were studied in terms of their three growth ring combinations; earlywood, earlywood and latewood interface, and latewood. Regression analysis results indicated that the fracture toughness of two evaluated wood species can be predicted based on their specific gravity values. Statistical analyses indicated that the latewood yielded the significantly higher fracture toughness value, followed by earlywood and latewood interface, then earlywood for both wood species. Proposed prediction equations for tensile strengths of dovetail joints based on fracture toughness values of wooden materials used for frame construction were validated experimentally.

Despite being one of the most important organs of vertebrates, the material properties of skin are also one of the most poorly understood. In the field of designing medical devices and surgical tools there are significant advantages to having a model that describes the interaction of forces between a blade tip and skin during surgical cutting. In general, skin can best be described as a composite layer consisting of a viscoelastic dermis with interwoven collagen and elastin fibers beneath a superficial epidermis. The purpose of this research is to study the fracture toughness of porcine skin during practical cutting applications, the behavior of skin under quasistatic loads, and viscoelastic behavior of skin during stress relaxation. To fully describe the mechanics of skin in this model tensile test are conducted to determine the material properties of skin. The fracture toughness of the material is calculated by measuring the energy release rate of the material during required during cutting with Number 11 scalpel blade with a tip radius of 12 [micro]m . These results are then compared to a finite element analysis with a debonding interface and a Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic material model with viscoelastic relaxation in an effort to predict the loads required by tools during surgical applications. The main outcome of this research is the development of a testing protocol and material model of skin that can be used in finite element simulations of uniaxial loads and surgical cutting.

<p> Small scale tests were utilized in order to obtain characteristic fracture mechanics parameters such as the crack opening displacement (C.O.D.) and the J-integral. Two main types of steels were used (H.S.L.A. and AISI 4340) in obtaining data over a wide range of yield strengths and ductilities. Tests were done to see the effect of both notch geometry and sample geometry·in one of the H.S.L.A. steels, and it is verified that the minimum value of C.O.D., at crack initiation in plane strain, is independent of the geometry and plastic zone size. Further the development of a simple single specimen J-integral test method is done during this work. In terms of the data obtained both the minimum C.O.D.i values and the Jlc values increase with increasing ductility of the materials tested. In the attempt to relate the magnitude of the fracture toughness with microstructural parameters and the limiting processes occuring at the crack tip prior to fracture, the concept of the process zone is discussed. For this study a simple plain carbon steel spheroidized with different carbon contents was examined in addition to the H.S.L.A. and 4340 steels. From the data obtained the minimum C.O.D.i at crack initiation was found to be approximately equal to the product of the materials plain strain ductility and a characteristic distance scaling with the spacing between large non metallic inclusions or the spacing between the bands of the sulphides. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

<p> The effects of small additions of Fe2O3, GeO2, Ta2O5, V2O5, TiO2, and SiO2 on the microstructure and fracture toughness of magnesia enriched doloma were investigated. Effects of up to 5% additive oxides on grain growth and sintering in MgO and CaO were determined in preliminary tests. One percent additions were made to 40%, 60% and 80% MgO dolomas and the fracture toughness at temperatures up to 1500°C determined using the single edge notched beam specimen. Fracture surfaces were studied on the scanning electron microscope to determine fracture mode. Silica and Ta2O5 doped material showed high toughness at 1500°C possibly due to microcracks, while TiO2 resulted in formation of a viscous grain boundary film producing high toughness at 1300°C followed by a rapid decline by 1500°C. In undoped samples increases in MgO resulted in the appearance of a toughness peak near 1300°C. This was attributed to grain boundary segregation of impurities.</p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Effective treatment of carbon fiber components to improve delamination resistance is vital to the application of such materials since delamination is one of the biggest concerns regarding the use of composites in the aerospace sector. Due to the significant application benefit gained from increased stiffness to density ratio with composite materials, innovative developments resulting in improved through-thickness strength have been on the rise. The inherent anisotropy of composite materials results in an added difficulty in designing structural elements that make use of such materials. Proposed techniques to improve the through-thickness strength of laminar composites are many and varied; however all share the common goal of improving inter-laminar bond strength. This research makes use of novel materials in the field of wet flocking and Z-pinning. Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) have already demonstrated excellent mechanical properties in terms of stiffness and strength, originating at the nano-scale. These materials were introduced into the laminate while in a sol-gel suspension in an effort to improve load transfer between laminate layers. The effect of CNFs as lightweight renewable reinforcement for CFRPs will be investigated. Carbon nanotube (CNT) additives were also considered for their beneficial structural properties. / Master of Science

Os ensaios mecânicos são mundialmente empregados para caracterização e implementação de diversos materiais. Dentre a vasta gama de ensaios existentes, o ensaio de impacto convencional é consagrado no meio científico, industrial e na indústria do óleo e gás onde a sua função básica é determinar a energia total absorvida na fratura de um corpo-de-prova entalhado conforme as recomendações da norma ASTM E23. Entretanto, a energia global absorvida possui um valor de uso muito limitado e ela normalmente não é aceita como um indicador quantitativo da resistência à fratura do material. Assim, com a utilização de uma máquina de ensaios de impacto instrumentada, torna-se possível a aquisição de um maior número de informações obtidas através de um ensaio de impacto clássico, como por exemplo, o estudo detalhado da integridade estrutural de materiais utilizados na fabricação de dutos. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a tenacidade de um duto de aço API 5L X70 sem costura, com 11 polegadas de diâmetro externo e ½ polegada de parede, frente a uma falha dinâmica, através da tenacidade a fratura, comparando carregamento estático com dinâmico através dos resultados de J0,2 e Jm. Entretanto a tenacidade a fratura é consideravelmente afetada para altas taxas de deformação, com redução de aproximadamente 30% nas amostras com orientação de entalhe X-Y (defeito lateral passante) e de aproximadamente 40% nas amostras com orientação de entalhe X-Z (defeito superficial), demostrados através do JΔinit. / Mechanical testing are worldwide employed for materials characterization and implementation. Among the large group of the existing tests, the conventional impact test has been used for industry and academic fields, especially oil and gas engineering in order to evaluate the energy absorbed of a notched sample, according to the ASTM E23 standard. However, the energy absorbed has a limited use and is not usually accepted as a quantitative indicator of the fracture thougness. Thus, by using an instrumented impact test, there will be an increasing in the amount of information obtained than the traditional impact test and, thefore, a detailed study of the structural integrity of materials can be carried out for manufacturing of pipes. Hence, this study aims to characterize a pipe steel API 5L X70 seamless, with 11 inches outside diameter and ½ inche of wall, against dynamic failure through fracture toughness, comparing static loading with dynamic through the results of J0,2 and Jm. However, fracture toughness is considerably affected at high deformation rates, with a reduction of approximately 30% in X-Y notch (through thickness defect) and approximately 40% in X-Z notch (surface defect) samples, demonstrated for JΔinit.

Os ensaios mecânicos são mundialmente empregados para caracterização e implementação de diversos materiais. Dentre a vasta gama de ensaios existentes, o ensaio de impacto convencional é consagrado no meio científico, industrial e na indústria do óleo e gás onde a sua função básica é determinar a energia total absorvida na fratura de um corpo-de-prova entalhado conforme as recomendações da norma ASTM E23. Entretanto, a energia global absorvida possui um valor de uso muito limitado e ela normalmente não é aceita como um indicador quantitativo da resistência à fratura do material. Assim, com a utilização de uma máquina de ensaios de impacto instrumentada, torna-se possível a aquisição de um maior número de informações obtidas através de um ensaio de impacto clássico, como por exemplo, o estudo detalhado da integridade estrutural de materiais utilizados na fabricação de dutos. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a tenacidade de um duto de aço API 5L X70 sem costura, com 11 polegadas de diâmetro externo e ½ polegada de parede, frente a uma falha dinâmica, através da tenacidade a fratura, comparando carregamento estático com dinâmico através dos resultados de J0,2 e Jm. Entretanto a tenacidade a fratura é consideravelmente afetada para altas taxas de deformação, com redução de aproximadamente 30% nas amostras com orientação de entalhe X-Y (defeito lateral passante) e de aproximadamente 40% nas amostras com orientação de entalhe X-Z (defeito superficial), demostrados através do JΔinit. / Mechanical testing are worldwide employed for materials characterization and implementation. Among the large group of the existing tests, the conventional impact test has been used for industry and academic fields, especially oil and gas engineering in order to evaluate the energy absorbed of a notched sample, according to the ASTM E23 standard. However, the energy absorbed has a limited use and is not usually accepted as a quantitative indicator of the fracture thougness. Thus, by using an instrumented impact test, there will be an increasing in the amount of information obtained than the traditional impact test and, thefore, a detailed study of the structural integrity of materials can be carried out for manufacturing of pipes. Hence, this study aims to characterize a pipe steel API 5L X70 seamless, with 11 inches outside diameter and ½ inche of wall, against dynamic failure through fracture toughness, comparing static loading with dynamic through the results of J0,2 and Jm. However, fracture toughness is considerably affected at high deformation rates, with a reduction of approximately 30% in X-Y notch (through thickness defect) and approximately 40% in X-Z notch (surface defect) samples, demonstrated for JΔinit.

Os ensaios mecânicos são mundialmente empregados para caracterização e implementação de diversos materiais. Dentre a vasta gama de ensaios existentes, o ensaio de impacto convencional é consagrado no meio científico, industrial e na indústria do óleo e gás onde a sua função básica é determinar a energia total absorvida na fratura de um corpo-de-prova entalhado conforme as recomendações da norma ASTM E23. Entretanto, a energia global absorvida possui um valor de uso muito limitado e ela normalmente não é aceita como um indicador quantitativo da resistência à fratura do material. Assim, com a utilização de uma máquina de ensaios de impacto instrumentada, torna-se possível a aquisição de um maior número de informações obtidas através de um ensaio de impacto clássico, como por exemplo, o estudo detalhado da integridade estrutural de materiais utilizados na fabricação de dutos. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a tenacidade de um duto de aço API 5L X70 sem costura, com 11 polegadas de diâmetro externo e ½ polegada de parede, frente a uma falha dinâmica, através da tenacidade a fratura, comparando carregamento estático com dinâmico através dos resultados de J0,2 e Jm. Entretanto a tenacidade a fratura é consideravelmente afetada para altas taxas de deformação, com redução de aproximadamente 30% nas amostras com orientação de entalhe X-Y (defeito lateral passante) e de aproximadamente 40% nas amostras com orientação de entalhe X-Z (defeito superficial), demostrados através do JΔinit. / Mechanical testing are worldwide employed for materials characterization and implementation. Among the large group of the existing tests, the conventional impact test has been used for industry and academic fields, especially oil and gas engineering in order to evaluate the energy absorbed of a notched sample, according to the ASTM E23 standard. However, the energy absorbed has a limited use and is not usually accepted as a quantitative indicator of the fracture thougness. Thus, by using an instrumented impact test, there will be an increasing in the amount of information obtained than the traditional impact test and, thefore, a detailed study of the structural integrity of materials can be carried out for manufacturing of pipes. Hence, this study aims to characterize a pipe steel API 5L X70 seamless, with 11 inches outside diameter and ½ inche of wall, against dynamic failure through fracture toughness, comparing static loading with dynamic through the results of J0,2 and Jm. However, fracture toughness is considerably affected at high deformation rates, with a reduction of approximately 30% in X-Y notch (through thickness defect) and approximately 40% in X-Z notch (surface defect) samples, demonstrated for JΔinit.