A discrete conservative model for the linear vibrating string and rod

AbstractIn this paper, we shall suggest and study a conservative discrete model for the linear vibrating string and rod fixed at the end points. We shall prove that the difference systems involved in our models may be seen as second-order unconditionally stable finite difference schemes of the classical equations of the linear vibrating string and vibrating rod. If the forces acting on the string (or rod) are conservative the total energy of the discrete solutions of our models is conserved and we can prove that we have stability for every choice of the time step Δt. We have considered both hinged and clamped rod; the constrains are naturally included into the model and the conservation of energy is still proved by giving a suitable definition of potential energy. Some numercial examples are presented

Is there any chance for polypropylene/clay nanocomposites in injection molding?

editoria

Making an impact with nanocomposites

Nanoclays can improve the performance of injection-molded polypropylene components likely to be subjected to impact in servic

Prediction of weld line location for injection molded thermoplastic components

Weld lines in polymeric injection molded parts occur wherever two or more melt fronts meet. They cause reduced mechanical properties and visual defects due to the poor intermolecular entanglement, molecular orientation induced by the fountain flow and the stress concentration effect of surface V-notch. A challenge related to these defects is that they are hard to detect and monitor because they’re usually not visible to the naked eye. Through this paper a numerical model for mold filling simulations has been developed aiming to predict the location of this defect and the initial meeting angle between the colliding flow fronts. A hybrid interface tracking technique was implemented in conjunction with a fix topology pseudo-quadratic mesh. Navier-Stokes equations were reduced to Hele-Shaw equations for thin plates. For validating purposes polypropylene plates injection moldings with weld lines were produced using a two-gated mold in a laboratory scale injector machine. Location of the defect was measure using an optical polariscope and then contrasted with simulation results. In order to establish the differences between 3D and Hele-Shaw models, predictions of weld line location were compared with the results provided by commercial injection molding simulation package Moldex3D.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 6Facultad de Ingenierí

Prediction of weld line location for injection molded thermoplastic components

Weld lines in polymeric injection molded parts occur wherever two or more melt fronts meet. They cause reduced mechanical properties and visual defects due to the poor intermolecular entanglement, molecular orientation induced by the fountain flow and the stress concentration effect of surface V-notch. A challenge related to these defects is that they are hard to detect and monitor because they’re usually not visible to the naked eye. Through this paper a numerical model for mold filling simulations has been developed aiming to predict the location of this defect and the initial meeting angle between the colliding flow fronts. A hybrid interface tracking technique was implemented in conjunction with a fix topology pseudo-quadratic mesh. Navier-Stokes equations were reduced to Hele-Shaw equations for thin plates. For validating purposes polypropylene plates injection moldings with weld lines were produced using a two-gated mold in a laboratory scale injector machine. Location of the defect was measure using an optical polariscope and then contrasted with simulation results. In order to establish the differences between 3D and Hele-Shaw models, predictions of weld line location were compared with the results provided by commercial injection molding simulation package Moldex3D.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 6Facultad de Ingenierí

Microestructura y desempeño de compuestos de PP/nanoarcilla producidos por técnicas de inyección no convencionales

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)CONyCET (Argentina

Surface property effects of compounding a nanoclay masterbatch in PP injection moulding

Indicado para o prémio de melhor artigo mais inovador.The interest on the use of nanofillers in injection mouldings has been going on for more than a decade but a real breakthrough has not been achieved yet, especially in that mechanical properties are concerned. The nucleating effect of nanoclays in semicrystalline polymers suggests that surface effects may result interesting especially during processing. This paper includes some information on the surface properties of an injection moulding grade of polypropylene mixed with a commercial masterbatch of PP and 50% of organoclay. They were moulded as plates for testing in a prototype device for determining the coefficient of friction in as-moulding conditions. The surface was also characterised by depth sensing indentation tests. The through thickness microstructures of the mouldings were assessed by optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, while surface morphology was assessed by X-ray diffraction. It was observed that independently of MB content, its addition caused a slight increase in elastic modulus and hardness in the skin layer.The friction properties directly associable to the product performance showed a slight improvement in terms of the dynamic friction coefficient. Conversely the static friction coefficient that is relevant in processing was no affected by the presence of the nanoclay

The cockayne syndrome B protein is essential for neuronal differentiation and neuritogenesis

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a progressive developmental and neurodegenerative disorder resulting in premature death at childhood and cells derived from CS patients display DNA repair and transcriptional defects. CS is caused by mutations in csa and csb genes, and patients with csb mutation are more prevalent. A hallmark feature of CSB patients is neurodegeneration but the precise molecular cause for this defect remains enigmatic. Further, it is not clear whether the neurodegenerative condition is due to loss of CSB-mediated functions in adult neurogenesis. In this study, we examined the role of CSB in neurogenesis by using the human neural progenitor cells that have self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. In this model system, stable CSB knockdown dramatically reduced the differentiation potential of human neural progenitor cells revealing a key role for CSB in neurogenesis. Neurite outgrowth, a characteristic feature of differentiated neurons, was also greatly abolished in CSB-suppressed cells. In corroboration with this, expression of MAP2 (microtubule-associated protein 2), a crucial player in neuritogenesis, was also impaired in CSB-suppressed cells. Consistent with reduced MAP2 expression in CSB-depleted neural cells, tandem affinity purification and chromatin immunoprecipitation studies revealed a potential role for CSB in the assembly of transcription complex on MAP2 promoter. Altogether, our data led us to conclude that CSB has a crucial role in coordinated regulation of transcription and chromatin remodeling activities that are required during neurogenesis

Impact behavior of injected PP/nanoclay parts

This work attempts to contribute to bridge the gap between scientific challenges and industrial stakes regarding PP/nanoclay composites. Pieces of nanocomposites were obtained by direct injection of commercial PP mixed with a commercial MB of PP with 50% of organoclay, with a double-gated hot runner mould, which produced mouldings with a weld line. The moulding microstructure was assessed by POM and XRD, while the distribution and exfoliation grade of clay was evaluated by TEM and XRD. The typical skin-core structure was found, with a skin thickness wider in bulk than in weld line zones. Regarding clay platelets mostly intercalated structures were seen. The impact properties at room temperature were assessed by means of tensile and biaxial tests. Properties were monitored at different sites of the mouldings. At the weld line zone less energy was consumed under tensile conditions and exhibited higher apparent impact toughness under biaxial conditions than the bulk zone. Visual inspection of biaxially impacted samples showed that the orientation of polymer molecules and clay platelets induced by melt flow prevailed, and the weld line was not the determinant of the toughness of the mouldings. An optimum in impact performance was found for moulding with 3% of clay, since at larger clay contents platelets agglomerated and acted as stress raisers