Dynamic Attenuation and Compressive Characterization of Syntactic Foams

Author(s):  
Bhaskar Ale ◽  
Carl-Ernst Rousseau

Hollow particulate composites are lightweight, have high compressive strength, are low moisture absorbent, have high damping materials, and are used extensively in aerospace, marine applications, and in the manufacture of sandwich composites core elements. The high performance of these materials is achieved by adding high strength hollow glass particulates (microballoons) to an epoxy matrix, forming epoxy-syntactic foams. The present study focuses on the effect of volume fraction and microballoon size on the ultrasonic and dynamic properties of Epoxy Syntactic Foams. Ultrasonic attenuation coefficient from an experiment is compared with a previously developed theoretical model for low volume fractions that takes into account attenuation loss due to scattering and absorption. The guidelines of ASTM Standard E 664-93 are used to compute the apparent attenuation. Quasi-static compressive tests were also conducted to fully characterize the material. Both quasi-static and dynamic properties, as well as coefficients of attenuation and ultrasonic velocities are found to be strongly dependent upon the volume fraction and size of the microballoons.

Author(s):  
Reidar André Skarbøvik ◽  
Henry Piehl ◽  
Sverre Torben ◽  
Mette Lokna Nedreberg ◽  
Vilmar Æsøy

Abstract In many marine applications, modern high-performance synthetic fibre ropes have replaced, and are continuing to replace, well-known steel wire rope solutions due to the low weight of the synthetic ropes removing limitations for operations at large water depths. In some cases, replacement of steel wires with synthetic ropes has caused permanent deformations and damage to multilayer winch drums, indicating that synthetic fibre ropes can cause larger pressure on winch drums than steel wire. This paper presents the first results from a novel experimental investigation of a multilayer winch subjected to a selection of braided high-performance synthetic fibre ropes and a reference steel wire rope. The tested ropes, with nominal diameters between 12 and 20mm, are spooled at different tensile loads and with maximum number of layers in the range of 10 to 19. The experiments utilize a test rig with two winch drums, controllable spooling gear and sheaves with load cells to apply and control required load and speed during spooling. Measurements from twelve biaxial strain gauges on the inside of a thick high-strength drum are used to measure stresses in the structure. The results show that the selected fibre ropes induce considerably larger stress in the winch drum than the steel wire rope. This confirms that design of multilayer winch drums with high-performance synthetic fibre ropes requires special considerations and that the guidance for multilayer stress calculations, related to steel wire ropes, in DNV-GL-0378 “Standard for offshore and platform lifting appliances” is not applicable for synthetic fibre rope applications.


2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 155892501501000
Author(s):  
Abdelfattah Mohamed Seyam ◽  
Rahul Vallabh ◽  
Ahmed H. Hassanin

High strength fibers such as PBO and Kevlar are used to produce composites, bulletproof vests, tendons of giant scientific balloons, and other high performance products. These fibers, however, are known to degrade upon exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) radiation which causes premature failure of the end-products. Improving UV resistance of high strength fibers like PBO through methods such as adding UV inhibiting particles during filament spinning or dyeing/coating process is not only extremely difficult, but often fails to provide the adequate UV protection. As an alternative to conventional approaches, UV protection of high performance yarns/braids can be effectively achieved by covering them with a polymeric sheath containing dispersed UV inhibiting nanoparticles. In this work, a computational model was developed to optimize critical factors such as thickness (weight) of the protective sheath and the amount of UV blockers for a given particle size, which influence the UV protective efficiency of the sheath. In order to simulate three-dimensional dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, the model considers a random distribution of cylindrical nanoparticles of different size, aspect ratio, and volume fraction in a three-dimensional volume of protective sheath of a given length, width, and thickness. 2D visualization and image analysis techniques were utilized to determine the area projected by the particles on the x-y plane (areal coverage provided by nanoparticles). The areal coverage values obtained from the model were found to be higher than the experimental results due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles in the sheath caused during the polymer compounding process. However, the purpose of the model is to serve as a benchmarking tool to aid in the design and development of UV protective sheaths and films, and not to estimate absolute UV protection values. Analysis of the relationship between areal coverage and various input parameters in the model show that areal coverage increases with an increase in particle volume fraction and film thickness, and a decrease in particle diameter and length. It was also found that areal coverage was more significantly influenced by particle aspect ratio than by particle length.


1987 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. K. Sung ◽  
B. S. Thompson

An essential ingredient of the next generation of robotic manipulators will be high-strength lightweight arms which promise high-performance characteristics. Currently, a design methodology for optimally synthesizing these essential robotic components does not exist. Herein, an approach is developed for addressing this void in the technology-base by integrating state-of-the-art techniques in both the science of composite materials and also the science of flexible robotic systems. This approach is based on the proposition that optimal performance can be achieved by fabricating robot arms with optimal cross-sectional geometries fabricated with optimally tailored composite laminates. A methodology is developed herein which synthesizes the manufacturing specification for laminates which are specifically tailored for robotic applications in which both high-strength, high-stiffness robot arms are required which also possess high material damping. The parameters in the manufacturing specification include the fiber-volume fraction, the matrix properties, the fiber properties, the ply layups, the stacking sequence and the ply thicknesses. This capability is then integrated within a finite-element methodology for analyzing the dynamic response of flexible robots. An illustrative example demonstrates the approach by simulating the three-dimensional elastodynamic response of a robot subjected to a prescribed spatial maneuver.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romeo C. A. Dubini ◽  
Huihun Jung ◽  
Melik C. Demirel ◽  
Petra Rovó

AbstractA major challenge in developing biomimetic, high-performance, and sustainable products is the accurate replication of the biological materials’ striking properties, such as high strength, self-repair, and stimuli-responsiveness. The rationalization of such features on the microscopic scale, together with the rational design of synthetic materials, is currently hindered by our limited understanding of the sequence-structure-property relationship. Here, employing state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we link the atomistic structural and dynamic properties of an artificial bioinspired tandem repeat protein TR(1,11) to its stunning macroscopic properties including high elasticity, self-healing capabilities, and recordholding proton conductivity amongst biological materials. We show that the hydration-induced structural rearrangement of the amorphous Gly-rich soft segment and the ordered Ala-rich hard segment is the key to the material’s outstanding physical properties. We found that in the hydrated state both the Ala-rich ordered and Gly-rich disordered parts contribute to the formation of the nanoconfined β-sheets, thereby enhancing the strength and toughness of the material. This restructuring is accompanied by fast proline ring puckering and backbone cis-trans isomerization at the water-protein interface, which in turn enhances the elasticity and the thermal conductivity of the hydrated films. Our in-depth characterization provides a solid ground for the development of next-generation materials with improved properties.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Lepage ◽  
Hooman Tavallali ◽  
Santiago Pujol ◽  
Jeffrey M. Rautenberg

Experimental data are presented for six concrete specimens subjected to displacement reversals. Two specimens were reinforced longitudinally with steel bars Grade 410 (60 ksi), two with Grade 670 (97 ksi), and two with Grade 830 (120 ksi). Other experimental variables included axial load (0 or 0.2fc′  Ag) and volume fraction of hooked steel fibers (0 or 1.5%). All transverse reinforcement was Grade 410, and the nominal concrete compressive strength was 41 MPa (6 ksi). The loading protocol consisted of repeated cycles of increasing lateral displacement reversals (up to 5% drift) followed by a monotonic lateral push to failure. The test data indicate that replacing conventional Grade-410 longitudinal reinforcement with reduced amounts of Grade-670 or Grade-830 steel bars did not cause a decrease in usable deformation capacity nor a decrease in flexural strength. The evidence presented shows that the use of advanced high-strength steel as longitudinal reinforcement in frame members is a viable option for earthquake-resistant construction.


Author(s):  
Sameer L. Peter ◽  
Eyassu Woldesenbet

The effect of nanoclay on the high strain rate mechanical properties of syntactic foams is studied. Two types of microballoons with different wall thicknesses are used in fabrication of plain and nanoclay syntactic foams. Plain syntactic foams are fabricated with 60% volume fraction of glass microballoons. 1%, 2%, and 5% volume fractions of Nanomer I.30E nanoclay are incorporated to produce nanoclay syntactic foams. High strain rate test using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus is performed on all types of plain and nanoclay syntactic foams. Dynamic modulus, strength, and corresponding strain are calculated using the SHPB data. Quasistatic test is also performed and results are compared with the dynamic SHPB results. The results demonstrate the importance of nanoclay and microballoon wall thickness in determination of syntactic foam dynamic properties. It is found that at a high strain rate, the strength and modulus of composite foams having K46 microballoons increase due to addition of 1% volume fraction of nanoclay. However, in composite foams having S22 microballoons, the increase in strength is not significant at a high strain rate. Further increase in nanoclay volume fraction to 2% and 5% reduces the strength and modulus of composite foams having S22 microballoons. Difference in wall thickness of microballoons is found to affect the strength, modulus, strain energy, and deformation of composite foams. Composite foams fabricated with thicker walled microballoons (K46) show comparatively higher values of strength, modulus, and strain energy compared with thin walled (S22) microballoons. Scanning electron microscopy shows that crack propagation behavior is distinct at different strain rates.


Author(s):  
C. K. Sung ◽  
S. S. Shyl

Abstract A design methodology considering the issue of manufacturability, in particular, is presented for synthesizing high-performance articulating robotic systems fabricated with optimally-tailored composite laminates. By optimally specifying the types of fiber, matrix, stacking sequence, fiber volume fraction, fiber layups, etc., the synthesized composite material may possess significantly superior characteristics such as high damping, high stiffness, high strength and low mass. In accordance with the design requirements, the minimum deflection during articulating motion or the fast settling time after the power stopped, the design objectives and constraint conditions were specified. As an illustrative example, a two-link robot manipulator fabricated with aforementioned composite laminates is employed for demonstrating the proposed design methodology.


2015 ◽  
Vol 665 ◽  
pp. 21-24
Author(s):  
B.I. Bae ◽  
Hyun Ki Choi ◽  
Chang Sik Choi

In this study, ductility of members with ultra-high performance concrete was investigated using moment-curvature analysis for the verification of safety under large deformation of ultra-high performance concrete structural members. For the analysis of members with ultra-high performance concrete, mathematical stress-strain model was selected among the results conducted by other researchers on the compressive and tensile behavior of high strength concrete and fiber reinforced concrete. According to the investigation on ductility of members with ultra-high performance concrete, decrease of ductility was observed with increase of tensile strength of concrete under the same reinforcement ratio. Members with 2~3% of reinforcement ratio, which usually be used in the field engineering, show the decrease of ductility with increase of fiber volume fraction. As a results of parametric study, limitation of maximum reinforcement ratio ( or limitation of net tensile strain ) suggested by current design code is not safe when using ultra-high performance concrete.


Author(s):  
Kanakaji Chittineni ◽  
Eyassu Woldesenbet

Light weight high strength composites can be obtained by reinforcing resin with fillers such as hollow or solid particles and fibers. Composites were fabricated using microballoons (hollow particles) called syntactic foams. These foams can be used in various low density applications such as buoyancy aid materials for deep sea exploration and aerospace vehicles. These foams are usually utilized as light weight core materials for sandwich structures. The present study explores the procedure to fabricate functionally gradient syntactic foams (FGSFs) and further analyze their mechanical properties. The FGSFs produced are gradient structures consisting of four layers with four different types of microballoons, namely, S22, S32, S38, and K46, each having different wall thickness. The volume fraction of all microballoons is maintained constant at 60% to maintain light weight structures. Several FGSF specimens having similar density are fabricated with different layer arrangements. The different layers are integrated before major solidification takes place. Quasistatic compression testing is then performed on the cured FGSF samples using MTS-810 servohydraulic machine. Compressive strength and energy absorption values for each arrangement are compared. The stress plateau in integrated FGSF composites extends from 10% to 60% strain compared with plain syntactic foams. The integrated FGSF shows increment in yield strength and energy absorption compared with adhesively bonded FGSF. It is found that the compressive strength and energy absorption of integrated FGSF composites can be varied based on arrangement of the layers.


Author(s):  
Auclair Gilles ◽  
Benoit Danièle

During these last 10 years, high performance correction procedures have been developed for classical EPMA, and it is nowadays possible to obtain accurate quantitative analysis even for soft X-ray radiations. It is also possible to perform EPMA by adapting this accurate quantitative procedures to unusual applications such as the measurement of the segregation on wide areas in as-cast and sheet steel products.The main objection for analysis of segregation in steel by means of a line-scan mode is that it requires a very heavy sampling plan to make sure that the most significant points are analyzed. Moreover only local chemical information is obtained whereas mechanical properties are also dependant on the volume fraction and the spatial distribution of highly segregated zones. For these reasons we have chosen to systematically acquire X-ray calibrated mappings which give pictures similar to optical micrographs. Although mapping requires lengthy acquisition time there is a corresponding increase in the information given by image anlysis.


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