Ultra strong polyethylene fibers can be made by gel-spinning of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Such fibers exhibit extraordinary properties. They show very high tensile strength and stiffness and l...Ultra strong polyethylene fibers can be made by gel-spinning of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Such fibers exhibit extraordinary properties. They show very high tensile strength and stiffness and low density. On the other hand, the axial and transverse compression strength is low. This is a large difference with other advanced fibers like glass and carbon fibers. Additionally, the fibers are chemically inert and the bonding strength to other materials like resins is weak. Moreover, the coefficient of friction is very low, so the fiber is extremely slippery. Another property is viscoelasticity;the fiber elongates due to creep at higher loads or temperatures. This exceptional combination of properties explains why gel-spun UHMWPE fibers are not always applied in straight forward ways, e.g. like glass and carbon fibers in composites. On the other hand, weaknesses like the limited compression strength are related to very damage tolerant behavior on a micro scale. This opened application areas like providing of cut resistance. This paper describes some established applications and shows the relationship between the properties and the applications. Furthermore, some emerging applications are discussed and it is demonstrated how weaknesses can be turned into advantages.展开更多
Sternum closure after open heart surgery is typically done with steel wires. Final approximation of sternal parts and connection is achieved by twisting the ends of the wire and bending the twisted assembly towards th...Sternum closure after open heart surgery is typically done with steel wires. Final approximation of sternal parts and connection is achieved by twisting the ends of the wire and bending the twisted assembly towards the sternum in order to minimize outward protrusion. Though this routine procedure is highly effective, some failures do occur, e.g. due to wire fracture. Fatigue fracture of the wires, e.g. due to coughing implies a failure risk. An alternative development is to make cables from gel spun Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) fibres, such fibres are extremely strong, yet flexible, and if made as a very pure grade, they are highly bio compatible. The optimal connection technique will be different from that of steel. Connection will rather be with knotting than twisting. A new sternum closure and fixation technique has been developed for the sternum. Additionally, a testing technique was developed, for a connection of simulated sternum parts, using different materials according to their respective optimal connection method and subsequently testing the mechanical properties of the connection. Substantial differences were observed. The mechanical behaviour of twisted steel wire connection showed more scatter than the knotted UHMWPE cables and some initial slack was sometimes present in the twisted cables. The maximum attainable force in the steel wires was determined by “untwisting” due to the external load. The maximum force in the UHMWPE cables was determined by the knot strength, either slipping for small knots, or breaking of the cables at the knots for slip-improved knots. The maximum force on the knotted UHMWPE cables was substantially larger than the maximum force on the twisted steel wires. Fatigue tests were performed on both the steel solution and the UHMWPE cables solution. The performance was about similar, although the simulated sternum opening was smaller for the UHMWPE cables at higher load levels. Summarizing, the UHMWPE cables show two advantages namely higher maximum load and more reproducible mechanical behaviour due to less scatter in the mechanical behaviour. On the other hand, the connection by knotting UHMWPE cables is somewhat more elaborate than the simple twisting connection of steel wires.展开更多
Temporary high water floods may cause considerable damage. Protection against such flooding may be achieved with high dikes or walls. However, such rigid permanent structures may spoil the local architectures and view...Temporary high water floods may cause considerable damage. Protection against such flooding may be achieved with high dikes or walls. However, such rigid permanent structures may spoil the local architectures and views and may be quite expensive. Temporary collapsible structures do not have such disadvantages. This paper proposes such a temporary structure, consisting of a strong membrane made out of strong UHMWPE fibers (Dyneema?), a floating body and mooring cables. A two dimensional calculation scheme is presented and the calculation results are used for design considerations regarding the approximation of optimal configurations.展开更多
文摘Ultra strong polyethylene fibers can be made by gel-spinning of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Such fibers exhibit extraordinary properties. They show very high tensile strength and stiffness and low density. On the other hand, the axial and transverse compression strength is low. This is a large difference with other advanced fibers like glass and carbon fibers. Additionally, the fibers are chemically inert and the bonding strength to other materials like resins is weak. Moreover, the coefficient of friction is very low, so the fiber is extremely slippery. Another property is viscoelasticity;the fiber elongates due to creep at higher loads or temperatures. This exceptional combination of properties explains why gel-spun UHMWPE fibers are not always applied in straight forward ways, e.g. like glass and carbon fibers in composites. On the other hand, weaknesses like the limited compression strength are related to very damage tolerant behavior on a micro scale. This opened application areas like providing of cut resistance. This paper describes some established applications and shows the relationship between the properties and the applications. Furthermore, some emerging applications are discussed and it is demonstrated how weaknesses can be turned into advantages.
文摘Sternum closure after open heart surgery is typically done with steel wires. Final approximation of sternal parts and connection is achieved by twisting the ends of the wire and bending the twisted assembly towards the sternum in order to minimize outward protrusion. Though this routine procedure is highly effective, some failures do occur, e.g. due to wire fracture. Fatigue fracture of the wires, e.g. due to coughing implies a failure risk. An alternative development is to make cables from gel spun Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) fibres, such fibres are extremely strong, yet flexible, and if made as a very pure grade, they are highly bio compatible. The optimal connection technique will be different from that of steel. Connection will rather be with knotting than twisting. A new sternum closure and fixation technique has been developed for the sternum. Additionally, a testing technique was developed, for a connection of simulated sternum parts, using different materials according to their respective optimal connection method and subsequently testing the mechanical properties of the connection. Substantial differences were observed. The mechanical behaviour of twisted steel wire connection showed more scatter than the knotted UHMWPE cables and some initial slack was sometimes present in the twisted cables. The maximum attainable force in the steel wires was determined by “untwisting” due to the external load. The maximum force in the UHMWPE cables was determined by the knot strength, either slipping for small knots, or breaking of the cables at the knots for slip-improved knots. The maximum force on the knotted UHMWPE cables was substantially larger than the maximum force on the twisted steel wires. Fatigue tests were performed on both the steel solution and the UHMWPE cables solution. The performance was about similar, although the simulated sternum opening was smaller for the UHMWPE cables at higher load levels. Summarizing, the UHMWPE cables show two advantages namely higher maximum load and more reproducible mechanical behaviour due to less scatter in the mechanical behaviour. On the other hand, the connection by knotting UHMWPE cables is somewhat more elaborate than the simple twisting connection of steel wires.
文摘Temporary high water floods may cause considerable damage. Protection against such flooding may be achieved with high dikes or walls. However, such rigid permanent structures may spoil the local architectures and views and may be quite expensive. Temporary collapsible structures do not have such disadvantages. This paper proposes such a temporary structure, consisting of a strong membrane made out of strong UHMWPE fibers (Dyneema?), a floating body and mooring cables. A two dimensional calculation scheme is presented and the calculation results are used for design considerations regarding the approximation of optimal configurations.
