Hybrid polymer networks of unsaturated polyester–urethane as composite matrices for jute reinforcement

Reactions of unsaturated polyester resin and 4,4′ diphenyl methane diisocyanate were carried out at different NCO/OH ratios in presence of catalysts to form the hybrid polymer networks. Chain extender (1,4 butanediol) added in the hybrid network (NCO/OH ratio: 0.76) was optimized at a level of ～ 3 wt % only of the polyester resin. The curing of these networks was studied by a rigid body pendulum type (RPT) method in terms of reduced damping ratio and increased frequency. Lack of multiple glass transition temperatures, sharp Tan delta peak, and particulate composite type morphology clearly demonstrated the formation of phase mixed domains in the hybrid networks. The storage modulus and loss modulus master curves obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis indicate that hybrid polymer networks retained higher modulus at lower and intermediate frequencies over the polyester resin showing their superior time‐dependent response. Efficacy of these hybrid network resins was examined as matrices in the jute composites and compared with those of polyester resin and unsaturated polyester–polyurethane interpenetrating network matrices. It is found that the hybrid polymer network matrix composites exhibited superior physicomechanical properties under both dry and boiling water age test. Fractographic evidences such as fiber–matrix adhesion, hackle markings, and fiber breakage also supported their superior behavior over other composite matrices. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Frequency-truncated system norms

Some applications require norm computation of frequency-truncated systems. A typical frequency-truncated system is one whose frequency response is rational in certain frequency bands and is zero in others. This note explains how to compute the L² norm of such systems.     

Effect of air ambient on surface recombination and determination of diffusion length in silicon wafer using photocurrent generation method

An n⁺-p-p⁺ structure was formed by depositing a thin Al layer on one side and a semitransparent Pd layer on other side of a p-Si wafer, and the diffusion length L was determined from the slope of short circuit current density J_sc vs. illumination intensity P_in characteristics by illuminating the p⁺ side with a laser light of wavelength λ = 789 nm, following the photocurrent generation method. The slope was found to decrease after the specimen was exposed to air for a few hours before the measurement. The present investigation revealed that the degradation of slope was owing to increase in surface recombination velocity S significantly, e.g. to 2800 cm/s for air exposure of 8 h, above its initial value 10 cm/s. This resulted from adsorption of moisture on Pd surface which decreases work function of Pd and lowers the accumulation potential barrier. The adsorbed water molecules could be removed from Pd surface by vacuum pumping and then S again became small and the slope regained its original value. The true value of L, smaller or larger than the wafer thickness, can be determined using single monochromatic illumination if S is known or has a negligibly small value, as in our case where the specimen was stored in vacuum. In our specimen we determined L = 56 μm when S was negligibly small. However, using the experimental slopes of J_sc-P_in curves at two monochromatic illuminations obtained by Sharma et al. we determined both S and L and found their values 1390 cm/s and 94 μm, respectively.     

A cohesive modeling technique for theoretical and experimental estimation of damping in serial robots with rigid and flexible links

Dynamic model incorporating damping characteristics, namely joint damping and structural damping in flexible links, of the serial robots with rigid and flexible links is presented. A novel procedure, based on the unified approach of theoretical formulation and analysis of experimental data, is proposed for the estimation of damping coefficients. First, the dynamic model of a robotic system with rigid and flexible links is presented. Next, the modifications in the dynamic model due to the considerations of damping characteristics of joints and structural damping characteristics of the flexible links are presented. A systematic methodology based on analysis of data obtained from experiments is presented for estimation and determination of damping coefficients of rigid-flexible links. The determination of joint damping coefficients, is based on the logarithmic decay of the amplitude of the oscillations of robotic links, while the structural damping coefficients are estimated mainly using the modal analysis and the method of evolving spectra. The method of evolving spectra, based on the Fast Fourier Transform of the decay of the amplitude in structural vibrations of the robot links in progressive windows is used to estimate the structural damping ratios while the critical structural coefficients are determined using the modal analysis. The methodology is illustrated through a series of simple experiments on simple robotic systems. The experimental results are then compared with the simulation results incorporating the damping coefficients determined using the proposed procedure. The comparisons leads to the validation of the proposed dynamic modeling technique, modeling of the damping characteristics, and the method proposed for estimation of damping coefficients for rigid-flexible link robotic systems.     

Role of residual stresses induced by industrial fabrication on stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of austenitic stainless steel

Effect of residual stress generated during tube fabrication, roll expansion and machining of stainless steel on the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility was studied by testing fabricated tubes, tube–tube sheet joint and heavily machined plate of austenitic stainless steel (SS) in boiling MgCl₂. U bend samples of machined plate were exposed to acidified SO₄ + Cl^? environment at room temperature to study its ambient temperature SCC behavior. The results correlate the SCC behavior of the SS tubes and roll expanded joints to the nature and magnitude of residual stresses present. The study also highlights the distinct difference in ambient temperature SCC behavior of machined vs. nonmachined surfaces.     

Effect of Fiber Bridging Stress on the Fracture Resistance of Silicon-Carbide-Fiber/Zircon Composites

The room-temperature fracture-resistance behavior ( R -curve) of unidirectional silicon-carbide-fiber-reinforced zircon-matrix composites has been studied experimentally and numerically. The composites showed strong rising R -curve behavior from experimental results that used in situ crack-length measurements taken via optical microscopy as well as the compliance method. A numerical calculation, based on the available models, then was performed to determine the bridging-stress function from the experimental R -curve. In addition, the effect of the residual stress and constituent properties on the bridging-stress function also has been considered in the numerical calculations. These results have indicated that the bridging-stress function, which controls the fracture resistance of ceramic composites, can be obtained from the carefully measured R -curve.     

Hybrid connection algorithm: A strategy for efficient restoration in WDM optical networks

In present communication, we propose a modified resource allocation strategy, namely, hybrid connection algorithm, for achieving efficient restoration in WDM optical networks. The main theme of the algorithm is that, while attempting connection establishment, a wavelength is reserved in advance for providing resources for backup lightpaths. The analysis and the comparison of the proposed strategy with other existing strategies has been undertaken using metrics such as, restoration efficiency, number of wavelength links used by primary and backup lightpaths, and the percent link utilization. The proposed strategy provides 100% restoration efficiency and much better performance than the existing techniques.     

Superconductivity at 4 K in Pd-Deficient Layered Ta2Pd x S6

In the present short letter, we report on the low dimensional 4d and 5d transition metals-chalcogenide based compounds i.e., Ta2PdxS6, showing semiconducting to superconducting transition at around 4K with their upper critical fields outside the Pauli paramagnetic limit. It seems couple of different superconducting phases do exist in these new set of compounds. Our short letter in this regards is thought provoking, asking to explore various unearthed possible new superconducting phases in (Nb/Ta)2Pdx(S/Se/Te)y systems.     

DRYING OF PADDY IN A BED DRYER

The experimental results of a bed dryer (at Ludhiana) have been analyzed. The experimental results are well predicted by the small scale laboratory experiments on a spouted bed dryer.