Fracture characteristics of PEEK at various stress triaxialities

Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is an alternative to metal alloys in orthopaedic applications. It gives significant advantages including excellent mechanical properties and non-toxicity. In this work, a set of specimens with different notched radii were selected to examine the effect of triaxial state of stress on the fracture behavior of PEEK. Fractographic analysis via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) further elucidated the fracture micromechanisms. Distinct fracture patterns were identified under different stress triaxialities. In addition, the microstructural inclusion properties in PEEK specimen such as inclusion size and chemical composition were analysed and determined. Finite element simulations were carried out to evaluate the correlation of observed fracture characteristics with different stress triaxialities

Common Ground : Contemporary Craft, Architecture, and the Decorative Arts

Aiming at a thorough, more nuanced understanding of contemporary crafts, these proceedings from a conference held in 1997 groups together 16 papers (out of the 24 which were presented) in which anthropologists, ethnologists and craftspeople explore similarities between crafts, architecture and the decorative arts. Also discussed is the meaning-inducing relationship between the design process, building or making methods and materials. Additional essays by persons in charge of museum collections, and a case study of the Fuji Pavilion in the Montreal Botanical Garden. Includes lists of recipients of two crafts awards. Brief biographical notes on authors. Circa 180 bibl. ref