Nonlinear dynamic and bifurcations analysis of an axially moving circular cylindrical nanocomposite shell

International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design - The focus of the present paper is on investigating the nonlinear dynamics of the axially moving FG-CNTRC shells with different...     

An Experimental Study of Nozzle Temperature and Heat Treatment (Annealing) Effects on Mechanical Properties of High-Temperature Polylactic Acid in Fused Deposition Modeling

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is the trendiest three-dimensional (3D) printing method among additive manufacturing technologies. In this process, the final parts are constructed through layer-by-layer adhesion of thermoplastic polymers. Amorphous thermoplastic polymers have better printability compared to semicrystalline ones; so, they are most popular with FDM users. Generally, the overall mechanical properties of FDM 3D printed parts are weaker in comparison to the traditional methods (such as injection molding) due to the weak bonds between the deposited rasters and layers. Therefore, the introduction of new materials with higher mechanical properties and easy printing process of the semicrystalline polymers has always been challenging to progress the mechanical properties of the products. In this study by the FDM process, the effect of nozzle temperature and heat treatment (annealing) on the mechanical properties of high-temperature polylactic acids is investigated. The increase in the nozzle temperature develops the rasters and layers bonding, and the heat treatment of the parts after printing rises the crystallinity percentage, which is crucial for the improvement of mechanical properties. Experimental results show that an increase in the nozzle temperature raises the tensile strength and modulus to 65.7 MPa and 4.97 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, the heat treatment process increases the tensile strength and modulus up to 67.4 MPa and 5.65 GPa. The final tensile modulus values are the highest ones reported for pure materials printed by the FDM process. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 60:979–987, 2020. © 2020 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Experimental validation of a deep neural network—Sparse representation classification ensemble method

In the current study, a new pattern recognition‐based damage detection technique is developed using the frequency response function of the structure. Principal component analysis is employed as an authoritative feature extraction method for dimensional reduction of the measured frequency response function data and constructing distinct feature patterns. Subsequently, as a novel approach, an ensemble of 2 powerful classifiers containing deep neural networks and couple sparse coding classification is utilized for damage prediction of the structure because there is no individual optimal classifier for all the problems. Verification of the proposed method is evaluated by an aluminum beam experimental setup besides a numerical 3D finite element model of a truss bridge. Damage detection results elucidate that the ensemble method decisions are much more accurate compared with the individual classifier decision. The proposed ensemble method verifies to be a novel, robust, and powerful damage detection process.     

Preparation of aminated-polyacrylonitrile nanofiber membranes for the adsorption of metal ions: comparison with microfibers

Polyacrylonitrile nanofibers (PAN-nFs) were produced using the electrospinning method. Subsequently, the electrospun fibers were modified by diethylenetriamine to produce aminated polyacrylonitrile (APAN) nanofibers. Finally, the adsorbability of copper ions on the surface of the nanofibers was examined in an aqueous solution. Attenuated total internal reflection (ATIR) analysis confirmed the surface amination of the produced PAN-nFs. The grafting yield was calculated by the gravimetric method. The optimum condition was determined to yield the maximum grafting of amine groups to PAN with no losses in sample flexibility. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to measure the copper ion concentration in the solution. Results indicate that the adsorption process in nanofibers is three times faster in comparison with microfibers. Moreover, the pH effect was studied based on the adsorption behavior of copper ions on the APAN nanofibers. In addition, thermodynamic parameters were calculated, revealing that the process was endothermic and demonstrating that randomness increased at the solid-solution interface during the process. The obtained enthalpy value indicates that the chelation of copper ions among the aminated polyacrylonitrile can be regarded as a chemical adsorption process. The adsorption data fit well with the Langmuir isotherm. The saturation adsorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir model for Cu(II) ions was 116.522 mg/g which is five times more than the reported value for APAN microfibers [S. Deng, R. Bai, J.P. Chen, Aminated polyacrylonitrile fibers for lead and copper removal, Langmuir,19 (2003)5058-5064]. Analysis using atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that the surface roughness increased upon adsorption of the metal ion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination demonstrated that there were no cracks or sign of degradation on the surface after amination.     

Effect of raster angle on the fracture properties of additively manufactured ABS via essential work of fracture

The increasing application of additive manufacturing (AM) technology across various sectors has sparked significant interest in characterizing 3D-printed components. An essential aspect of achieving fracture-resistant designs is gaining a comprehensive understanding of the fracture behavior exhibited by these components. While most studies have focused on linear-elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM), there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the post-yield fracture behavior (PYFM) of 3D-printed components. As a result, this study aims to fill this gap by investigating the impact of raster angle, a critical parameter influencing fracture properties and often leading to premature failures, on the fracture properties of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printed acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) using essential work of fracture (EWF). Outcomes showed that by changing lay-ups from [90]₅ to [0]₅, the value of w_e or elastic work increased by nearly 306%. Further, the maximum and minimum values of the plastic work (βw_p) were for [45/−45/45/−45/45] and [90]₅ lay-ups, in order. By changing lay-ups from [90]₅ to [45/−45/45/−45/45], the value of βw_p increased by approximately 216%. In addition, the fractured surfaces of tested samples are also analyzed to provide insights into the dominant failure mechanisms for different raster angles.     

Failure mode analysis and a mechanism for hot-ductility improvement in the Nb-microalloyed steel

Loss of hot ductility at the straightening stage of the continuous casting of high-strength low-alloy steel is attributed to different microalloying elements, in particular, Nb. However, such elements are essential for the desired mechanical characteristics of the final product. Since the chemistry cannot be altered to alleviate the problem, thermomechanical processing was studied in order to improve the hot ductility. Two Nb-microalloyed steels, one also containing B, were examined. The thermal history occurring in the continuous casting process was taken into account as well. First, it was noticed that the steel with B has a higher hot ductility than the other after being subjected to in-situ melting followed by the thermal schedule. Grain boundary sliding was recognized as the failure mechanism. Then, the effect of deformation applied in the vicinity of the δ→γ transformation, while the thermal schedule was being executed, was investigated. Such deformation appeared to improve the hot ductility remarkably. Finally, the mechanism of such improvement in the hot ductility was elaborated.     

Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterization of a Pyritic Waste Pile at the Anjir Tangeh Coal Washing Plant, Zirab, Northern Iran

Coal washing at the Anjir Tangeh plant, in Zirab, northern Iran, has produced more than 1.5 Mt of coal wastes. These waste materials were geochemically and mineralogically characterised to guide development of an appropriate remediation scheme. Three vertical trenches up to 4 m deep were excavated from the coal waste pile surface and 25 solid samples were collected at 0.5 m intervals. The samples were analysed for total concentrations of 54 elements, paste pH, SO ₄ ^?2 , CO ₃ ^?2 , and HCO₃ ^?. The lowest pH values were measured at a depth of 0.3 m. The upper portion (1 m) of one profile was moderately oxidised, while oxidation in the other two profiles did not extend more than 0.8 and 0.5 m beneath the pile surface. The waste piles have low acid-producing potential (15–21.87 kg CaCO₃/t) and high values of acid-neutralizing potential (0.06–96.2 kg CaCO₃/t). Fe, Al, S, Na, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Ag increased with increasing depth, while Mo, Sr, Zr, and Ni decreased with increasing depth. The results show pyrite oxidation at depth and subsequent leaching of the oxidation products. Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Ag, and Cd are the most important contaminants of concern at this site.     

Analysis of a Fibre-optic Ring Resonator with Polarization Effects: Application to Polarization Sensing with Improved Sensitivity

Abstract

A theoretical analysis for a fibre-optic ring resonator is given by assuming a polarization modulation in the loop fibre. If the change in polarization angle θ in the loop is large, the output intensity has two resonance dips separated in phase by an angle equal to 2θ, when the loop phase is scanned from 0 to 2π. When θ is small, the resonator output produces only one resonance dip and the amplitude of this resonance dip is a measure of θ. By placing a polarizer at the resonator output, a resonance peak in the intensity is produced with an amplitude that increases with increasing θ. Such a system has potential applications, for example, in Faraday current sensing, with an increased sensitivity. The effects of birefringence in the loop and the angle of polarization of the input light are also analysed.     

Improvement of mechanical and electrical properties of epoxy resin with carbon nanofibers

In the present research, the reinforcement effect of vapor grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) was studied in relation to the mechanical properties and electrical conduction behavior of fabricated nanocomposites. Different weight fractions of nanofillers into epoxy resin, from 0.05 to 1 wt% and up to 2 wt% for mechanical and electrical properties were investigated. It was found that the optimum improvement in mechanical properties of nanocomposite is obtained at 0.25 wt% of carbon nanofibers. At this filler content, 23 % enhancement in tensile strength and 10 % in flexural strength have been observed. The degree of the VGCNF dispersion has been monitored by means of viscosity variation of the suspension during the sonication process to obtain the optimum sonication time. Finally, the quality of the dispersion for post-cured nanocomposites is characterized by fractured surfaces using the scanning electron microscopy. Agglomerates had a direct effect on the reduction of tensile and flexural strength of nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity was obtained by means of surface measuring method. The optimum amount of filler for the generation of a fine electrical conductivity was found to be around 0.5 wt% of VGCNF. After the threshold point, the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was slightly raised in spite of adding more filler contents.