Role of Cyclic Thermal Shocks on the Physical and Mechanical Responses of White Marble

Marble is a common rock used in many buildings for structural or ornamental purposes and is widely distributed in underground engineering projects. The rocks are exposed to high temperatures when a tunnel fire occurs, and they will be rapidly cooled during the rescue process, which has a great impact on the rock performance and the underground engineering stability. Therefore, the role of cyclic thermal shocks on the physical and mechanical properties of marble specimens was systematically investigated. Different cyclic thermal shock treatments (T = 25, 200, 400, 600, 800 °C; N = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) were applied to marble specimens and the changes in mass, volume, density and P-wave velocity were recorded in turn. Then, the thermal conductivity, optical microscopy and uniaxial compression tests were carried out. The results showed that both the cyclic thermal shock numbers (N) and the temperature level (T) weaken the rock properties. When the temperature of a thermal shock exceeds 600 °C, the mass loss coefficient and porosity of the marble will increase significantly. The most noticeable change in P-wave velocity occurs between 200 and 400 °C, with a 52.98% attenuation. After three thermal shocks, the cyclic thermal shock numbers have little influence on the uniaxial compressive strength and Young’s modulus of marble specimens. Shear failure is the principal failure mode in marble specimens that have experienced severe thermal damage (high N or T). The optical microscopic pictures are beneficial for illustrating the thermal cracking mechanism of marble specimens after cyclic thermal shocks.

Influence of Thermal Shocks on Residual Static Strength, Impact Strength and Elasticity of Polymer-Composite Materials Used in Firefighting Helmets

The article presents results of experimental studies on mechanical properties of the polymer-composite material used in manufacturing firefighting helmets. Conducted studies included static and impact strength tests, as well as a shock absorption test of glass fiber-reinforced polyamide 66 (PA66) samples and firefighting helmets. Samples were subject to the impact of thermal shocks before or during being placed under a mechanical load. A significant influence of thermal shocks on mechanical properties of glass fiber-reinforced PA66 was shown. The decrease in strength and elastic properties after cyclic heat shocks ranged from a few to several dozen percent. The average bending strength and modulus during the 170 degree Celsius shock dropped to several dozen percent from the room temperature strength. Under these thermal conditions, the impact strength was lost, and the lateral deflection of the helmet shells increased by approximately 300%. Moreover, while forcing a thermal shock occurring during the heat load, it was noticed that the character of a composite damage changes from the elasto-brittle type into the elasto-plastic one. It was also proved that changes in mechanical and elastic properties of the material used in a helmet shell can affect the protective abilities of a helmet.

Preparation and properties of ZrO2-5CrMnMo composites by ceramic injection molding

ZrO2-5CrMnMo composites were fabricated by ceramic injection molding in this research. The hardness and wear properties of ZrO2 ceramic layer and 5CrMnMo substrate were investigated. Moreover, physical properties and microstructures of ZrO2 ceramic coatings were studied and the interfaces of composite samples were observed. The results illustrated that the interface was smooth and properly bonded, and it was concluded that the 5CrMnMo substrate ceramic layer could be provided effectively by ZrO2 ceramic coating. Thermal insulation and thermal shock cycle tests were carried out. The heat insulating property of ZrO2 ceramic coating was remarkable, and even better at a high temperature. The composite samples prepared at 1200 °C did not failed until after more than 68 thermal shocks. The main reasons of limiting the application of this composites so far were still the physical and thermodynamic mismatch between ceramics and steel. But the composite samples fabricated by ceramic injection molding showed excellent thermal shock resistance and high bonding strength in this work.

Mechanical Properties of Adhesive Joints Made with Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

The paper aims to determine the mechanical properties of the adhesive joints made with acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives. Two types of double-sided acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are used. Three construction materials are used to prepare the adhesive joints: structural steel sheet (C45), aluminium alloy sheet (EN-AW 5754), and titanium sheet (Grade 2). Strength tests of adhesive joints made with the pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes are carried out both after conditioning time at room temperature (23 °C) and subjected to thermal shocks (500 cycles: +60 °C / –40 °C). Strength tests are carried out based on the DIN EN 1465 standard on a Zwick/Roell Z150 testing machine. The main conclusion from the tests carried out was the positive effect of thermal shocks on the mechanical strength of joints bonded with pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

Analysis of impacts of thermal shocks on mechanical properties of E-glass fiber reinforced polyester composites

Glass fiber reinforced polyester composites are economic and high-performance composite materialsthat has gained a wide range of applications. Besides the developments in composites design, scientific studies addressing the consequences of thermal changes on the mechanical properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites(FRPCs) are scarce. Therefore, the main aim of the present work is to investigate the physical/mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polyester composites under thermal shocks. The effects of thermal cycle duration (2, 5 and 20 hours) on the porosity and mechanical properties (maximum stress, strain, elastic modulus and impact resistance) of polymeric composites reinforced by glass fiber, woven fabric and copper/silica nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated. The results exhibited that the porosity and mechanical properties changed obviously in long duration cycles, i.e., 20 hours. Major reduction trends were observed when the fabric reinforced samples were further reinforced by NPs. It was concluded that although NPs reduce porosity and pose filling effect in composite matrix, can also provide stress concentration locations. The composites reinforced by woven fabric and prepared by RTM method provide better mechanical properties. Moreover, after thermal shocks, the fibers within the composite structure formed curved shapes. Consequently, a reduction occurred at the elastic modulus of fibrous reinforced composites (fiber or fabric) after thermal cycles. Besides theelevated porositywas the predominant factor reducing elastic modulus, fiber deformation was also considered as a hidden factor which has never been discussed in previous research studies. A model of bicomponent structure was used to explain the effects of fiber deformation on elastic modulus of the FRPCs.

Fabricación de crisoles con caolinita de Combita - Boyacá para la caracterización de minerales de oro

La región boyacense cuenta con grandes riquezas minerales y una de ellas es la roca sedimentaria de arcilla caolinitica, con excelentes propiedades para la industria cerámica tradicional. Al realizar pruebas de caracterización a este material se encontró en el análisis propiedades plásticas, de alta refractariedad, bajo punto de fusión, resistencia a los choques térmicos y resistencia a la rotura. A partir de estos resultados se crearon crisoles resistentes a altas temperaturas, por diferentes tipos de fabricación, obteniéndose crisoles aptos para utilizarlos en ensayos de fusión a temperaturas de 1200°C. The Boyacá region has great mineral wealth and one of them is the sedimentary rock of kaolinitic clay, with excellent properties for the traditional ceramic industry. When performing characterization tests on this material, its plastic properties, high refractoriness, low melting point, resistance to thermal shocks and resistance to breakage were defined. These properties are due to its kaolinitic composition, aluminum silicate and the presence of magnesium in the clay. From these results, crucibles resistant to high temperatures were created by different types of manufacture, suitable for use in fusion tests at temperatures of 1200 ° C, and especially in fire tests for the characterization of gold ore.

Mechanical test of granite with multiple water–thermal cycles

To study the influence of thermal shock caused by water-cooling on the physical and mechanical properties of high-temperature granite, granite was subjected to an increasing number of high-temperature (300 °C) water-cooling and thermal shock treatment cycles, and static mechanical experiments were carried out on the treated granite. The results support the following conclusions: (1) thermal shock causes an increase in the number and size of the pores and cracks within the granite; thus, its volume expands, density decreases, water absorption rate increases, and P-wave velocity decreases. (2) With an increase in the number of thermal shocks, both the compressive strength and tensile strength of the granite decrease, and there is a linear relationship between the compressive strength and tensile strength. (3) With an increase in the number of thermal shocks, the plasticity of the granite increases and its resistance to deformation weakens, which is manifested as a decrease in both the compressive modulus and tensile modulus of the granite. After 15 cycles of thermal shock, the compressive elastic modulus and tensile modulus of the granite decreased by 25.18% and 46.76%, respectively. (4) The m and s values of the damaged granite were calculated based on the Hoek–Brown empirical criterion, and it was found that both of these parameters decrease with the increase in the number of thermal shocks. The calculation results can provide a reference for engineering rock mass failure.