Partial crack closure under block loading

Fatigue crack propagation tests under high-low and low-high block loading sequences have been performed in aluminium alloy specimens. The tests were carried out at constant [Delta]K conditions. Two stress ratios were analysed: R = 0.05 and R = 0.4. Crack closure was monitored in all tests by the compliance technique using a pin microgauge. The observed transient post load step behaviour is discussed in terms of the load change magnitude, [Delta]K baseline levels and stress ratio. The crack closure level was obtained and compared with the crack growth transients. A good agreement between experimental and predicted crack growth rates is obtained when the partial crack closure effect is properly taken into account. Therefore, plasticity-induced crack closure plays an important role on the load interaction effects observed in aluminium alloys.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V35-4S01WM6-1/1/55ac18d861098dc98cd7150c4c5fa4d

Analysis of low cycle fatigue in AlMgSi aluminium alloys

In this study low-cycle fatigue tests were performed in two AlMgSi aluminium alloys with different chemical composition, namely 6082-T6 and 6060-T6 alloys, using standard round specimens and tube specimens, respectively. The tests were undertaken in strain control with a strain ratio R[var epsilon]=-1. The cyclic stress-strain curves were determined using one specimen for each imposed strain level. The low-cycle fatigue results are used for the characterisation of the cyclic plastic response and the fatigue live of the alloys. Moreover, the geometry of the hysteresis loops and the occurrence of Masing behaviour are also analysed. The observed behaviour is discussed in terms of the chemical composition of the alloys (Mg2Si hardening particles and Mn dispersoid content) and fracture mechanisms. Alloy 6060-T6 exhibits nearly ideal Masing behaviour, while alloy 6082-T6 presents significant deviations from the Masing model. The type of cyclic deformation behaviour in AlMgSi alloys seems to be influenced by the dispersoid phase.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2X-4BP9HP4-5/1/cf9a3c11deb6a8ecab2506fa8797db0

Fatigue behaviour of nanoclay reinforced epoxy resin composites

Nanoparticle filling is a feasible way to increase the mechanical properties of polymer matrices. Abundant research work has been published in the last number of years concerning the enhancement of the mechanical properties of nanoparticle filled polymers, but only a reduced number of studies have been done focusing on the fatigue behaviour. This work analyses the influence of nanoclay reinforcement and water presence on the fatigue behaviour of epoxy matrices. The nanoparticles were dispersed into the epoxy resin using a direct mixing method. The dispersion and exfoliation of nanoparticles was characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fatigue strength decreased with the nanoclay incorporation into the matrix. Fatigue life of nanoclay filled composites was significantly reduced by the notch effect and by the immersion in water

Fatigue behaviour of laser repairing welded joints

This paper presents a fatigue study in Nd-YAG laser surface repairing welded joints in specimens of two base materials used in mould production. The tests were carried out in a servo-hydraulic machine in tension, under constant amplitude loading, with two stress ratios R = 0 and R = 0.4. Welded specimens were prepared with U notches and filled with laser welding deposits. The fatigue results are presented in the form of S-N curves obtained in welded and non-welded conditions. Complementary measurements of hardness and residual stresses profiles were carried out along the surface of laser welded specimens to understand the observed fatigue behaviour. The melted material was the weaker region, with lower values of hardness and higher tensile residual stresses, presenting also a high number of defects that are potential failure sites. The presence of such defects can explain the relatively poor fatigue strength of the laser repairing joints in comparison to base materials.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2X-4N2M6PH-1/1/945a7f442fb922704c73d665abcb0b0

Mould steels repaired by laser welding

Laser-deposit welding, by using Nd-YAG, is a mould repairing process, which has the advantages relatively to the traditional methods of achieving a less change of the metal composition around the repaired zone and permitting a very accurate deposition of a small volume of the filler material in the area chosen at the work-piece surface. This paper presents a fatigue study in specimens of two base materials used in mould production (AISI H13 and P20). Filler material as well as welding parameters were analysed in order to obtain better fatigue strength. The tests were carried out under constant amplitude loading, with two stress ratios R = 0 and R = 0.4. Welded specimens were prepared with V notches and filled with laser welding deposits. The fatigue results are presented in the form of S-N curves obtained in welded and non-welded conditions. Complementary measurements of hardness profiles and SEM analysis were carried out to understanding the fatigue behaviour and failure sites. The laser-deposit material was the weaker region in both steels, due to a high level of tensile residual stresses and also to some planar defects that are potential failure sites. Fatigue crack initiation is therefore reduced and the fatigue propagation life is enhanced. A significant mean stress effect in the base material was also observed in both mould steels.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2X-4S03RKY-3/1/b8b7da232b765381e7d08d9f3d7f897

Evaluation of overload effects on fatigue crack growth and closure

Fatigue crack propagation tests with single tensile peak overloads have been performed in 6082-T6 aluminium alloy at several baseline [Delta]K levels and stress ratios of 0.05 and 0.25. The tests were carried out at constant [Delta]K conditions. Crack closure was monitored in all tests by the compliance technique using a pin microgauge. The observed transient post-overload behaviour is discussed in terms of overload ratio, baseline [Delta]K level and stress ratio. The crack closure parameter U was obtained and compared with the crack growth transients. Experimental support is given for the hypothesis that plasticity-induced closure is the main cause of overload retardation for plane stress conditions. Predictions based on crack closure measurements show good correlation with the observed crack growth rates for all the post-overload transients when discontinuous closure is properly taken into account.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V2R-46WPH0W-3/1/82b49d3e31362370a08505d5d300b60

Fatigue analysis of thin AlMgSi welded joints under constant and variable amplitude block loadings

This paper reports the fatigue behaviour of thin AlMgSi1 aluminium alloy weldments and the improvement in fatigue strength due to post-weld treatments. Several fatigue tests were performed using two distinct types of thin welded joints, T and single lap, manufactured using a 6xxx series aluminium alloy, and the efficiency of fatigue life improvement techniques, such as post-weld heat treatment and weld toe's burr dressing, was studied. Both the post-weld heat treatment and the burr dressing produced a fatigue strength improvement. This fact is discussed, for both geometries, in the context of the initiation and propagation phases contribution to total fatigue life. Finally, several fatigue tests were performed under variable amplitude block loading using T6 post-weld heat-treated single lap joints, and the correspondent fatigue lives were compared with the predictions of Miner's rule.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6V59-480CN2C-2/1/ef6815883b0431d9a8aa0d0d77743ff

Accuracy of prenatal culture in predicting intrapartum group B streptococcus colonization status

Objective: To evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of group B Streptococcus (GBS) cultures at 35–37 weeks of gestation relative to GBS colonization status at delivery. Methods: Rectovaginal swabs from 221 women at labor in four Lisbon hospitals were collected for GBS screening according to the CDC guidelines. Results: The PPV was 24.4%. IAP was administered to 100% of prenatally GBS positive women. There was no case of early onset GBS disease (EOD). Conclusions: Poor accuracy of prenatal cultures in identifying true candidates for IAP highlights the need for Portuguese clinical and laboratory guidelines to prevent EOD and antibiotic overtreatment of pregnant women

Position paper of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Rhinitis is a common problem in childhood and adolescence and impacts negatively on physical, social and psychological well-being. This position paper, prepared by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Taskforce on Rhinitis in Children, aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and therapy of paediatric rhinitis. Rhinitis is characterized by at least two nasal symptoms: rhinorrhoea, blockage, sneezing or itching. It is classified as allergic rhinitis, infectious rhinitis and nonallergic, noninfectious rhinitis. Similar symptoms may occur with other conditions such as adenoidal hypertrophy, septal deviation and nasal polyps. Examination by anterior rhinoscopy and allergy tests may help to substantiate a diagnosis of allergic rhinitis. Avoidance of relevant allergens may be helpful for allergic rhinitis (AR). Oral and intranasal antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids are both appropriate for first-line AR treatment although the latter are more effective. Once-daily forms of corticosteroids are preferred given their improved safety profile. Potentially useful add-on therapies for AR include oral leukotriene receptor antagonists, short bursts of a nasal decongestant, saline douches and nasal anticholinergics. Allergen-specific immunotherapy is helpful in IgE-mediated AR and may prevent the progression of allergic disease. There are still a number of areas that need to be clarified in the management of rhinitis in children and adolescents.publishersversionpublishe

Electron and ion spectroscopy of azobenzene in the valence and core shells

Azobenzene is a prototype and a building block of a class of molecules of extreme technological interest as molecular photo-switches. We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of its response to irradiation with light across the UV to x-ray spectrum. The study of valence and inner shell photo-ionization and excitation processes combined with measurement of valence photoelectron-photoion coincidence and mass spectra across the core thresholds provides a detailed insight into the site- and state-selected photo-induced processes. Photo-ionization and excitation measurements are interpreted via the multi-configurational restricted active space self-consistent field method corrected by second order perturbation theory. Using static modeling, we demonstrate that the carbon and nitrogen K edges of azobenzene are suitable candidates for exploring its photoinduced dynamics thanks to the transient signals appearing in background-free regions of the NEXAFS and XPS