Mechanical properties of a porous mullite material

Modulus of rupture specimens were used to determine crack growth parameters of a porous mullite material. Strength testing was performed in ambient and moist environments. The power law crack growth rate parameters n and 1n B in 50 percent relative humidity were found to be 44.98 and 0.94, respectively. The inert strength, fracture toughness, and elastic modulus were also determined and found to be 19 MPa, 055 MPa(m) exp 1/2, and 11.6 GPa, respectively

Fracture mechanics of cellular glass

The fracture mechanics of cellular glasses (for the structural substrate of mirrored glass for solr concentrator reflecting panels) are discussed. Commercial and developmental cellular glasses were tested and analyzed using standard testing techniques and models developed from linear fracture mechanics. Two models describing the fracture behavior of these materials were developed. Slow crack growth behavior in cellular glass was found to be more complex than that encountered in dense glasses or ceramics. The crack velocity was found to be strongly dependent upon water vapor transport to the tip of the moving crack. The existence of a static fatigue limit was not conclusively established, however, it is speculated that slow crack growth behavior in Region 1 may be slower, by orders of magnitude, than that found in dense glasses

Monte-Carlo simulation of the durability of glass fibre reinforced composite under environmental stress corrosion

The lifetime distribution of glass fibre subject to permanent environmental stress corrosion is very important for assessing the durability and damage tolerance of composites using glass reinforcement. A mechanical model based on the statistics of flaw spectra during stress corrosion and 3D shear lag model is presented. The proposed approach shows that it is possible to identify the influence of stress corrosion properties on the long term durability of glass fibre reinforced composites (GFRP)

Mechanical Stability in Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Mechanical stability of back contact solar cells deteriorates when holes (MWT, EWT) or grooves (TWT) are created in the wafer. These operations are essential for these structures so we found necessary to quantify the magnitude of this damage. A set of wafers with the EWT structure was produced and its mechanical strength measured by the Ring on Ring bending test. Other two sets of wafers with similar processes were prepared and tested to compare the effect of different fabrication steps on mechanical strength of the wafer. A numeric model was developed to analyse the data from the Ring on Ring test and a statistical study was carried out

On Measurement and Interpretation of Toughness Behaviour of Carbide Tools

The actual significance of any definition of toughness behaviour of carbide tools depends on the existence of an interrelation between the quality as defined and the occurrence of chipping and premature failure in cutting. While at present there is no adequate analysis available and the existing classifications do not even provide a qualitative indication for tool choice, one first has to evaluate the behaviour of cemented carbides for simplified load conditions. Where fracture and chipping is a mechanical phenomenon, in the case of tools assisted or even dominated by thermo-mechanical effects, a logical first step for the evaluation of carbide grades would seem to determine the property profile of carbide tools in terms of toughness and resistance to thermal shock, but in such a way that a qualitative interpretation of the cutting conditions can be taken into account. This article deals with a tentative approach for the evaluation of toughness performance of throw-away carbide inserts with the aid of a four point bending test and the diagonal compression test, the latter also being used for measuring the relative resistance to thermal shock

Evaluation of cellular glasses for solar mirror panel applications

An analytic technique was developed to compare the structural and environmental performance of various materials considered for backing of second surface glass solar mirrors. Cellular glass was determined to be a prime candidate due to its low cost, high stiffness-to-weight ratio, thermal expansion match to mirror glass, evident minimal environmental impact and chemical and dimensional stability under conditions of use. The current state of the art and anticipated developments in cellular glass technology are discussed; material properties are correlated to design requirements. A mathematical model is presented which suggests a design approach which allows minimization of life cost; and, a mechanical and environmental testing program is outlined, designed to provide a material property basis for development of cellular glass hardware, together with methodology for collecting lifetime predictive data. Preliminary material property data from measurements are given. Microstructure of several cellular materials is shown, and sensitivity of cellular glass to freeze-thaw degradation and to slow crack growth is discussed. The effect of surface coating is addressed

SCARE: A post-processor program to MSC/NASTRAN for the reliability analysis of structural ceramic components

A computer program was developed for calculating the statistical fast fracture reliability and failure probability of ceramic components. The program includes the two-parameter Weibull material fracture strength distribution model, using the principle of independent action for polyaxial stress states and Batdorf's shear-sensitive as well as shear-insensitive crack theories, all for volume distributed flaws in macroscopically isotropic solids. Both penny-shaped cracks and Griffith cracks are included in the Batdorf shear-sensitive crack response calculations, using Griffith's maximum tensile stress or critical coplanar strain energy release rate criteria to predict mixed mode fracture. Weibull material parameters can also be calculated from modulus of rupture bar tests, using the least squares method with known specimen geometry and fracture data. The reliability prediction analysis uses MSC/NASTRAN stress, temperature and volume output, obtained from the use of three-dimensional, quadratic, isoparametric, or axisymmetric finite elements. The statistical fast fracture theories employed, along with selected input and output formats and options, are summarized. An example problem to demonstrate various features of the program is included