Parametric Study of Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Sandwich Composite Structures Flexural Behaviour
Sandwich panels with composite/steel skin sheets and foam core are very often used as lightweight structures in automotive, maritime and aerospace applications due to their performances like high bending stiffness and strength and also lightweight. As an alternative to classical structural reinforced panels, the sandwich structures are justifying their use in various industrial fields, making these structures less complex, by eliminating the need for secondary stiffening. In the paper are presented three models of sandwich, steel-foam-steel, composite-foam-composite or steel-foam-composite structures, of different thicknesses, with functional use in various fields depending on necessities. The mechanical characteristics of the materials used in their manufacture have been determined. The panels have been subjected to various load cases in order to determine an optimal combination of weight and strength. At the same time, the numerical models used in the finite element analysis of the sandwich structures with specific elements for layered composites or sandwich (SHELL 4L and SOLID L) are presented.
Study Regarding the Surface State of Composite Resins After Finishing and Polishing Using Different Systems
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different finishing and polishing systems and of composite resins structure on surface state of the restoration. Cylindrical samples from two different composite resins (Filtek Z 550 and Filtek Z 250, 3M ESPE) were obtained. In group 1 the samples were not finished and polished. In groups 2-4 the samples were submitted to finishing procedure using two tungsten carbide burs, then polished using three different polishing systems: three steps diamond abrasive polishers (Kenda CGI, Lichtenstein) - group 2, one step silicon carbide abrasive particles brush (Occlubrush, KerrHawe SA, Switzerland) - group 3 and two steps Sof-Lex spiral wheels (3M ESPE) - group 4. Half of the samples in each group were subjected to surface microstructure evaluation using a scanning electron mycroscope. The other half of the samples was subjected to surface state assessment using profilometery. All the investigated finishing and polishing systems leaded to increased surface roughness when compared to the roughness of composite resins placed in direct contact to celluloid clear matrix. The surface roughness of both microfilled-hybrid and nanofilled-hybrid composite resins finished and polished with different systems were influenced mostly by the polishing system and less by the composite resin structure.
Fatigue Crack Propagation and Charpy Impact Properties in Armor Steel Welds
The process of welding armor steel is a complex process because of possible welding faults, appearing in the weld metal zone in the form of cracks and pores. Austenitic filler material is traditionally used for welding armor steels. For heavy structural engineering such as armored military vehicles, which are frequently under the effect of dynamic load, it is important to know the dynamic properties of the most sensitive area of welded joints, the weld metal zone. Due to a significant interest in quantification of material resistance to crack initiation and propagation, the fatigue crack growth rate was measured in the welded metal zone, while the resistance to crack growth in the weld metal was tested by the amount of austenite transformed into martensite. Accordingly, the threshold stress concentration factor was 10 MPa m1/2. XRD spectral analysis revealed direct transformation of g - austenite into a’ -martensite.
Impact Testing on Composite Panels of Fiberglass, Carbon and Kevlar-Carbon A comparison and validation study
A validation study between finite element analysis and experimental testing considering an impact loading of Fiberglass, Carbon and Kevlar-Carbon composite panels of 150 x 100 mm2 was conducted by the authors. Using the design of experiments method and the Design Expert software tool, the data obtained in FEA environment is validated, through means of statistical distributions, by the experimental tests results.
Effects of (complementary) Polyelectrolytes Characteristics on Composite Calcium Carbonate Microparticles Properties
This study follows the possibility to tune the thermal stability of some CaCO3/polymer composites by crystal growth from supersaturated solutions controlled by polymer structure or by using nonstoichiometric polyelectrolyte complexes (NPECs). As the ratio between the organic and inorganic parts in the composites controls the Ca2+/polymer network crosslinking density, the CaCO3/polymer weight ratio was kept constant at 50/1, varying the initial concentration of the polyanions solutions (0.05 or 0.06 wt.%), the NPECs molar ratio , n+/n- (0.2 or 0.4), or the inorganic precursors concentration (0.25 or 0.3 M). Poly(2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid-co-acrylic acid) (PSA) and chondroitin-4-sulfate (CSA) were used as polyanions. Some NPEC dispersions, prepared with the same polyanions and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), were also used for calcium carbonate crystallization. The characteristics of the prepared composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), flow particle image analysis (FPIA), particles charge density (CD), zeta-potential (ZP). The thermal stability of the composite particles was investigated as compared to bare CaCO3 microparticles prepared at the same initial inorganic concentrations.
Structural Analysis of Fragments of the Broken Coat of a Cylinder which Led to the Dismantling of a Combustion Engine
The paper presents the structural analysis of cast iron fragments from the cylinder coat of a combustion engine, as a result of the broken down through explosion. Initially, determinations of the chemical composition were made and it was found that although the cast iron had the carbon content imposed. As a result, detailed microstructural analyzes were made regarding the shape, size and distribution of graphite in the cast iron as well as for the identification of structural constituents and constitutive phases. The same investigations were carried out on samples taken from a cylinder coat with a good functioning for comparison (blank samples). The metallographic study revealed characteristics of inappropriate graphite separations (graphite type B, D, E) and areas with specific structural constituents to the mottled cast iron that can cause breakage of the cylinder coat and excessive wear of the segments.
Comparative Studies on the UV Radiations Resistance of Some Painting Materials
UV radiation has a long-term effect on the durability of anti-corrosive coatings applied by painting, generating conditions for accelerated localized corrosion of the protected metallic structure with adverse effects on operational safety. This paper presents a comparative study of the behavior of some painting materials ageing by exposure to UV radiation relevant by the investigation of dielectric behavior using dielectric spectroscopy in conjunction with the thermal stability investigated by coupled techniques of thermal analysis. From a practical point of view, the UV radiation behavior of two materials based on epoxy resins and polyurethane resin used as paints for protective decorative coatings was studied. The results of experimental investigations have shown that in the aging process of the studied painting materials there is a direct correlation between the evolution of the maximum temperature characteristic of the first thermooxidation process and the evolution of the dielectric performances (dielectric loss – tgd).
Ultrafiltration of Aqueous Solutions of Food Dye Using Polymeric Membranes Prepared with Surfactants
The objective of the study is the low-pressure membrane process for treating aqueous solutions containing synthetic food dye (E104 – quinoline yellow). Dye concentration used was 10% (equivalent to 100g/m3). The pressures used in the ultrafiltration process were 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 MPa. Experiments were performed in dead - end instalations in which the effectiveness of the polysulfone - alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride (PSU-ABDMA) and polysulfone - N-dodecylpyridinium chloride (PSU - NDPCl) were tested. The efficiency of these membranes has been proved by calculating the permeate flow and the retention. Analyzing the experimental data, it was found that for the polysulfone-alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride composite membrane the degree of retention is completely different, with high values being obtained for low pressures and low values for high pressures used.
Treatment Planning Optimization in Radiotherapy Using the Bolus
The present paper presents the results of the research regarding the bolus structure (Bio-Rad Win-IR instrument), the elasticity modulus, the bioadhesiveness properties (TA-XT2 Plus analyzer) and the clinical applications of the bolus in the adjuvant irradiation after radical mastectomy (Treatment Plan System Eclipse). The dose-volume histogram has made a comparative evaluation for with and without bolus treatment plans and confirmed the importance of bolus utilisation in selected patients. Conclusions: the thickness of the applied bolus is dependent on the skin dose required, on the treatment technique and must be equal to the depth of the build-up region for the removal of the skin-sparing effect of a high energy radiation.
Morphology and Rheology of Nanofilled PP / PVA Blends
The influence of Ag/SiO2 as nanofiller and sodium oleate as compatibilizer and their mixtures on the patterns flow and structure formation processes in thermodynamically incompatible polypropylene/plasticized polyvinylalcohol (PP / PVA) systems were studied. It is found that the change in the sequence of mixing the ingredients of the composition allows adjusting the morphology phase type due to the predominant localization of nanoparticle additives in the melt amount of a component or on the border of phase separation. Injection of Ag/SiO2 to melt PP increases dispersion degree and homogeneity of its distribution in the matrix. Simultaneous use of nanoadditive and sodium oleate as compatibilizer improves the connections between the polymers and promotes thinner and more homogeneous dispersion of the particles of the dispersed phase. It is shown that the effective viscosity of melt nanofilled system is determined by components mixing method: viscosity of melt blend increases when the additive is localized predominantly in the PVA and decreases with the prior injection of PP. The nature of the flow for all researched compositions obeys a power law and almost does not depend on the method of mixing. The ability of the longitudinal deformation of ternary blends is deteriorating, but remains sufficient for their processing. Combining nanoadditive with compatibilizer promotes increased elasticity and the melt spinnability of modified blends.