The effect of extreme temperatures on the elastic properties and fracture behavior of graphite/polyimide composites

The influence of elevated and cryogenic temperatures on the elastic moduli and fracture strengths of several C6000/PMR-15 and C6000/NR-15082 laminates was measured. Tests were conducted at -157 C, 24 C, and 316 C (-250 F, 75 F, and 600 F). Both notched and unnotched laminates were tested. The average stress failure criterion was used to predict the fracture strength of quasi-isotropic notched laminates

Comparisons of various configurations of the edge delamination test for interlaminar fracture toughness

Various configurations of Edge Delamination Tension (EDT) test specimens, of both brittle (T300/5208) and toughened-matrix (T300/BP907) graphite reinforced composite laminates, were manufactured and tested. The mixed-mode interlaminar fracture toughness, G sub C, was measured using (30/30 sub 2/30/90 sub N)sub s, n=1 or 2, (35/-35/0/90) sub s and (35/0/-35/90) sub s layups designed to delaminate at low tensile strains. Laminates were made without inserts so that delaminations would form naturally between the central 90 deg plies and the adjacent angle plies. Laminates were also made with Teflon inserts implanted between the 90 deg plies and the adjacent angle (theta) plies at the straight edge to obtain a planar fracture surface. In addition, interlaminar tension fracture toughness, GIc, was measured from laminates with the same layup but with inserts in the midplane, between the central 90 deg plies, at the straight edge. All of the EDT configurations were useful for ranking the delamination resistance of composites with different matrix resins. Furthermore, the variety of layups and configurations available yield interlaminar fracture toughness measurements needed to generate delamination failure criteria. The influence of insert thickness and location, and coupon size on G sub c values were evaluated

Investigation of heat transfer augmentation through use of internally finned and roughened tubes : final summary report

This report summarizes a three-year program concerned with obtaining basic design information for tubes having a random roughness on the inside wall (RID) and tubing having continuous internal fins (Forge Fin). Test apparatus and procedures were developed to obtain accurate heat-transfer and friction data for a wide variety of tube geometries using water as the test fluid. For the random roughness the heat-transfer coefficient was above the smooth tube value, for comparable flow conditions, by over 60 percent at a Reynolds number of 30,000. Larger percentage improvements can be expected for higher Reynolds numbers and for fluids having higher Prandtl numbers. Improvements in performance, based on equal pumping power for augmented and smooth tubes, of about 50 percent were observed. The heat-transfer characteristics for tape-generated swirl flow through rough tubes were investigated in order to determine the interaction of swirl flow and roughness effects. For the particular range of parameters covered, for equal flow rates, the maximum improvement in heat transfer with swirl flow in smooth tubes was 70 percent, whereas with swirl flow in rough tubes, the improvement was as much as 100 percent. The heat-transfer coefficient for rough tube swirl flow was accurately correlated by a modification of an additive expression previously suggested for prediction of smooth tube swirl flow data.(cont.) The test program for internally finned tubes established that short spiralled fins produce the greatest improvement in heat transfer. On the basis of equal flow conditions, the heat transfer was improved by over 200 percent; while at equal pumping power, the performance was as high as 170 percent. These improvements, which are attributed to increased area and turbulence promotion, appear to equal the improvements displayed by any of the schemes used to augment heat transfer inside tubes. In order to bring the augmentation problem into perspective, a discussion of data for other types of roughness and finning is included.DS

A phase II study of weekly neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer

Background: We investigated the feasibility of dose-dense neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) with paclitaxel and carboplatin before radical chemoradiation (CRT) and assessed the response rate to such a regimen. Methods: CxII is a single-arm phase II trial of 46 patients, with locally advanced cervical cancer (stage Ib2-IVa). Patients received dose-dense carboplatin (AUC2) and paclitaxel (80 mg m−2) weekly for six cycles followed by CRT (40 mg m−2 of weekly cisplatin, 50.4 Gy, 28 fractions plus brachytherapy). The primary end point was response rate 12 weeks post-CRT. Results: Baseline characteristics were: median age at diagnosis 43 years; 72% squamous, 22% adenocarcinoma and 7% adenosquamous histologies; FIGO stage IB2 (11%), II (50%), III (33%), IV (7%). Complete or partial response rate was 70% (95% CI: 54–82) post-NACT and 85% (95% CI: 71–94) post-CRT. The median follow-up was 39.1 months. Overall and progression-free survivals at 3 years were 67% (95% CI: 51–79) and 68% (95% CI: 51–79), respectively. Grade 3/4 toxicities were 20% during NACT (11% haematological, 9% non-haematological) and 52% during CRT (haematological: 41%, non-haematological: 22%). Conclusion: A good response rate is achieved by dose-dense weekly NACT with carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by radical CRT. This treatment regimen is feasible as evidenced by the acceptable toxicity of NACT and by the high compliance to radiotherapy (98%)