Enhancement of thermoelectric and mechanical properties of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) with hydroxylated graphene by dynamic vulcanization

In order to obtain higher thermoelectric and mechanical properties in nonpolar thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), the butyl rubber/polypropylene (TPVs)/hydroxylated graphene (HGE) composites with nanosheet network were prepared through masterbatch technique and based on thermodynamic calculations, using polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PP-MA) as a compatibilizer. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectra revealed the introduced maleic anhydride group on PP-MA can form strong interfacial interaction with hydroxyl-containing functional groups on HGE. Morphology study indicated the rubber particles in the composites occupied the most volume of the PP phase, as expected to hinder the aggregation of HGE and form the effective nanosheet network. The nanosheet network can be combined with the butyl rubber (IIR) cross-linked particles during the dynamic vulcanization process to improve the interface bonding between PP and IIR, thus increasing the tensile strength of TPVs. The prepared TPVs/HGE composites have significantly improved in mechanical properties, thermal properties and dielectric properties, which provides a guarantee for their potential application as multifunctional TPVs polymers.

Review of ultrasonic testing technology for bonding interfaces of solid rocket motors

The internal structure of heavy-calibre rocket engines, as used in army ordnance, is a multi-interface bonding structure. The bonding quality between layers has an important impact on safety when shooting, so it must be tested before use in the field. In this paper, the progress of research into ultrasonic testing (UT) technology for the interface bonding of solid rocket motors is reviewed from the two aspects of testing methods and signal processing technology. Future work is also discussed.

Effect of Carbon Fiber Surface Microstructure on Composite Interfacial Property Based on Image Quantitative Characterization Technique

The surface roughness (Ra) and composite interfacial property of carbon fiber (CF) are considered to be mainly affected by the microstructure of the CF surface. However, quantitative characterization of the CF surface microstructure is always a difficulty. How the CF surface microstructure affects the interfacial property of CF composites is not entirely clear. A quantitative characterization technique based on images was established to calculate the cross-section perimeter and area of five types of CFs, as well as the number (N), width (W) and depth (D) of grooves on these CF surfaces. The CF composite interfacial shear strength (IFSS) was tested by the micro-droplet debonding test and modified by the realistic perimeter. The relationship between the groove structure parameter and the Ra, specific surface area and composite interfacial property was discussed in this article. The results indicated that the CF cross-section perimeter calculated by this technique showed strong consistency with the CF specific surface area and composite interfacial property. At last, the composite interface bonding mechanism based on defect capture was put forward. This mechanism can be a guiding principle for CF surface modification and help researchers better understand and establish interface bonding theories.

In Situ Transformed Carbon Fibers/Al2O3 Nanocomposites Using Cao–MgO–SiO2 Sintering Agent

In Situ transformed carbon fibers/Al2O3 ceramic matrix nanocomposites with Cao–MgO–SiO2 sintering agent were prepared by hot-pressed sintering technology in vacuum. In the sintering process, pre-oxidized polyacrylonitrile fibers (below named as pre-oxidized PAN fibers) were used as the precursors of In Situ transformed carbon fibers. The micro/nanostructure of composites and interface between In Situ transformed carbon fibers and matrix were investigated, as well as the properties of composites. The results showed that the composites could be sintered well at a relatively low temperature of 1650 °C. During the sintering, the precursors, pre-oxidized PAN fibers, were In Situ transformed into carbon fibers, and the In Situ transformed carbon fibers had the graphitelike structure along the fiber axial direction. The carbon atoms arrangement in the surface layer of the fiber was more orderly than the core. A typical diffraction peak of carbon fiber at 26°, which corresponded to the (002) crystal plane, was observed, and the inter-planar spacing was approximately 0.34 nm. The CaO–MgO–SiO2 sintering agent formed MgAl2O4 and CaAl2Si2O8 phases in the interface between In Situ transformed carbon fibers and matrix, therefore improving the interface bonding, and thereby modifying the mechanical properties of the composites.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Diffusion-Bonded CoCrNi-Based Medium-Entropy Alloy to DD5 Single-Crystal Superalloy Joint

This study focuses on the diffusion bonding of a CoCrNi-based medium-entropy alloy (MEA) to a DD5 single-crystal superalloy. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the joint diffusion-bonded at variable bonding temperatures were investigated. The formation of diffusion zone, mainly composed of the Ni3(Al, Ti)-type γ′ precipitates and Ni-rich MEA matrix, effectively guaranteed the reliable joining of MEA and DD5 substrates. As the bonding temperature increased, so did the width of the diffusion zone, and the interfacial microvoids significantly closed, representing the enhancement of interface bonding. Both tensile strength and elongation of the joint diffusion-bonded at 1110 °C were superior to those of the joints diffusion-bonded at low temperatures (1020, 1050, and 1080 °C), and the maximum tensile strength and elongation of 1045 MPa and 22.7% were obtained. However, elevated temperature produced an adverse effect that appeared as grain coarsening of the MEA substrate. The ductile fracture of the joint occurred in the MEA substrate (1110 °C), whereas the tensile strength was lower than that of the MEA before diffusion bonding (approximately 1.3 GPa).

Photothermal Effects and Heat Conduction in Nanogranular Silicon Films

We present results on the photothermal (PT) and heat conductive properties of nanogranular silicon (Si) films synthesized by evaporation of colloidal droplets (drop-casting) of 100 ± 50 nm-sized crystalline Si nanoparticles (NP) deposited on glass substrates. Simulations of the absorbed light intensity and photo-induced temperature distribution across the Si NP films were carried out by using the Finite difference time domain (FDTD) and finite element mesh (FEM) modeling and the obtained data were compared with the local temperatures measured by micro-Raman spectroscopy and then was used for determining the heat conductivities k in the films of various thicknesses. The cubic-to-hexagonal phase transition in Si NP films caused by laser-induced heating was found to be heavily influenced by the film thickness and heat-conductive properties of glass substrate, on which the films were deposited. The k values in drop-casted Si nanogranular films were found to be in the range of lowest k of other types of nanostructurely voided Si films due to enhanced phonon scattering across inherently voided topology, weak NP-NP and NP-substrate interface bonding within nanogranular Si films.

Application of Wireless Communication in Experimental Research of the Interface Bonding Condition between Asphalt Layers by Tensile Testing

The vigorous development of communication technology, especially the development of wireless network communication technology, has accelerated its informatization process in more and more industrial applications. In the field of monitoring and detection applications, the many advantages of wireless network transmission technology provide an important reference for high-quality compaction monitoring. Engineering practice shows that the construction technology of asphalt pavement is the ultimate guarantee of engineering quality. It is important to recognize that pavement performance is greatly influenced by interface bonding condition and interface failure can reduce the serviceability of pavements rather than their overall structural lifetime. This paper presents a laboratory test to investigate the bonding tensile performance between asphalt layers by tensile testing. The test methods and devices for determining the bond regarding tensile testing are summarized as follows. Different interface conditions have been analyzed herein: 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 kg/m2 with corresponding emulsified asphalt (MA) and SBS-modified MA. It is found that the stress-strain relationship of tensile testing for interface bonding is similar with low-carbon steels and it can be categorized into four zones. The results of tensile strength and damage displacement are discussed which are key parameters in describing the interface bonding condition and evaluating pavement performance.