Novel implementation of homogenization method to predict effective properties of periodic materials

Representative volume element （RVE） method and asymptotic homogenization （AH） method are two widely used methods in predicting effective properties of pe- riodic materials. This paper develops a novel implementa- tion of the AH method, which has rigorous mathematical foundation of the AH method, and also simplicity as the RVE method. This implementation can be easily realized using commercial software as a black box, and can use all kinds of elements available in commercial software to model unit cells with rather complicated microstructures, so the model may remain a fairly small scale. Several examples were car- fled out to demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of the new implementation.

Preparation, Characterization and Luminescent Properties of MCM-41 Type Materials Impregnated with Rare Earth Complex

Hybrid materials incorporating Eu-(TTA)(3). 2H(2)O (7hereafter designated as Eu-TTA, with TTA: thenoyltrifluoroacetone) in unmodified or modified MCM-41 by 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) were prepared by impregnation method. The obtained materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and luminescence spectra. All the hybrid samples exhibited the characteristic emission bands of EU3+ under UV light excitation at room temperature, and the excitation spectra showed significant blue-shifts compared to the pure rare-earth complex. Although the red emission intensity in the modified hybrid was almost the half of the red emission intensity in the pure Eu-TTA complex at room temperature, the hybrid showed a much higher thermal stability due to the shielding character of the MCM-41 host.

Properties of Sensitive Materials Mainly Composed of ZnO

Sensitive materials mainly composed of ZnO and their multi-functional properties were investigated. The temperature extent of linear resistance, non-linear deviation and endurance ability of surge energy were further discussed. The effect of Mg^2+, AI^3+ and Si^4+, which could be solid solutioned in ZnO grain and the function of Y^3+ ion segregated out in grain boundary were studied as well. The function of Ti was analyzed emphatically.

Influence of the gassing materials on the dielectric properties of air

Influence of the gassing materials, such as PA6, PMMA, and POM on the dielectric properties of air are investigated. In this work, the fundamental electron collision cross section data were carefully selected and validated. Then the species compositions of the air–organic vapor mixtures were calculated based on the Gibbs free energy minimization. Finally, the Townsend ionization coefficient, the Townsend electron attachment coefficient and the critical reduced electric field strength were derived from the calculated electron energy distribution function by solving the Boltzmann transport equation. The calculation results indicated that H;O with large attachment cross sections has a great impact on the critical reduced electric field strength of the air–organic vapor mixtures. On the other hand, the vaporization of gassing materials can help to increase the dielectric properties of air circuit breakers to some degree.

Study on Properties of Blue-Brick Masonry Materials for Historical Buildings

There are a large number of historic buildings which were mainly made of blue-brick masonry in today’s world.However,for the natural and man-made reasons,these historic buildings have been damaged in different degrees.In order to protect historic buildings more scientifically and learn about the preservation state of existing historic buildings,it is necessary to ascertain the material properties of blue brick in historic buildings.The article takes the blue bricks of historical buildings in Kaifeng area of the Central Plains as an example to study.Through the analysis of physical properties,X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of blue brick specimens,the physical properties such as the apparent density,moisture content,porosity,and material structure composition are understood.The results show that the apparent density of blue brick is 1.64 g/cm^(3),the moisture content is 10.23%,the 24 h atmospheric water absorption is 17.86%,and the porosity is 20.99%.The smaller the apparent density is,the larger the porosity is,and the water absorption performance is better.From the microscopic point of view,bonding ability between blue brick mineral particles is relatively weak.The pores between skeletons are large and the pore structure is obvious.From the perspective of material phase,the elements of blue brick are mainly O,Si,Al,Fe,and the composition of blue brick is mainly composed of quartz and feldspar.The softening coefficient of blue brick is 0.80,and the deformation and stability of the structure should be paid special attention in the rainy season or wet environment.Through the frost test,there are salt substances in the internal pores of the brick,and the surface of the blue brick is eroded and pulverized.In this paper,the experimental process and analysis methods for testing the material properties of blue brick can provide reference for the research on the material properties of the same kind of blue-brick masonry in historic buildings and masonry relics.The relevant material property parameters obtained in this paper can provide guidance for making protection schemes and scientific repairs for historic buildings in Central China,enrich the evaluation criteria for maintaining and reinforcing historic buildings,and provide theoretical support for studying the damage and health detection technology related to historic buildings.

EFFECT OF STRUCTURE OF FUNCTIONAL POLYMER ACTIVE MATERIALS ON PROPERTIES OF GADOLINIUM ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODE

In this paper,the functional polymeric active materials were prepared by the grafting copolymerization and their structure and properties were studied.The results show that the structure and properties of these ac- tive materials have the relative large effects on the properties of gadolinium ion selective electrodes.

Anisotropic Transport and Magnetic Properties of Charge-Density-Wave Materials RSeTe2（R=La,Ce,Pr,Nd）

Single crystals of RSeTe2 （R =La, Ce, Pr, Nd） are synthesized using LiC1/RbCI flux. Transport and magnetic properties in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the a-c plane are investigated. We find that the resistivity anisotropy P⊥/P∥ lies in the range 486-615 for different compounds at 2K, indicating the highly two-dimensional character. In both the orientations, the charge-density-wave transitions start near Tcow = 284（3）K, 316（3）K, 359（3）K for NdSeTe2, PrSeTe2, CeSeTe2, respectively, with a considerable increase in dc resistivity. While for LaSeTe2, no obvious resistivity anomaly is observed up to 380K. The value of TCDW increases monotonically with the increasing lattice parameters. Below TCDW, slight anomalies can be observed in NdSeTe2, PrSeTe2 and CeSeTe2 with onset temperature at 193（3）K, 161（3）K, 108（3）K, respectively, decreasing as lattice parameters increase. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the valence state of rare earth ions are trivalenee in these compounds. Antiferromagnetie-type magnetic order is formed in CeSeTe2 at 2.1 K, while no magnetic transition is observed in PrSeTe2 and NdSeTe2 down to 1.8 K.

Electromagnetic and microwave absorbing properties of W-type barium ferrite doped with Gd^(3+)

W-type barium ferrites doped with Gd^3＋,Ba1-xGdx（Zn0.3Co0.7）2Fe16O27（x = 0,0.05,0.10,0.15,0.20）,were prepared by a sol-gel method.The effects of Gd^3＋ substitution on their microstructure,electromagnetic properties and microwave absorptive behavior were analyzed.The XRD patterns showed the single phase of W-type barium ferrite when x ≤ 0.15.Microwave electromagnetic properties of samples were studied at the frequency range from 2 GHz to 18 GHz using a network analyzer（Agilent 8722ET）.The complex permittivity ε（ε＇,ε＇＇） increased gradually when x ≤ 0.10,but it decreased as x = 0.15.The real permeability（μ＇） decreased with the increase of Gd^3＋ content,while the imaginary permeability（μ＇＇） increased when x ≤ 0.10.All these reasons were discussed using the electromagnetic theory.Furthermore,the ferrite-epoxy compound coating materials with 80 wt.% of Ba0.9Gd0.1（Zn0.3Co0.7）2Fe16O27 were prepared to measure the microwave absorbing properties.The maximum of reflection loss（RL） reached about-27 dB and RL was below-10 dB in the frequency range of 8-18 GHz when the thickness was 1.92 mm.

Low-temperature densification sintering and properties of CaAl_2Si_2O_8 ceramics with MeO·2B_2O_3(Me=Ca,Sr,Ba)

Dense CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics were prepared via a two-step sintering process at temperatures below 1000℃. First, pre-sintered CaAl2Si2O8 powders containing small amounts of other crystal phases were obtained by sintering a mixture of calcium hydroxide and kaolin powders at 950℃ for 6 h. Subsequently, the combination of the pre-sintered ceramic powders with MeO＇2B203 （Me = Ca, Sr, Ba） flux agents enabled the low-temperature densification sintering of the CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics at 950℃. The sintering behavior and phase formation of the CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics were investigated in terms of the addition of the three MeO·2B2O3 flux agents. Furthermore, alumina and quartz were introduced into the three flux agents to investigate the sintering behaviors, phase evolvements, microstructures, and physical properties of the resulting CaA12Si208 ceramics. The results showed that, because of their low-melting characteristics, the MeO·2B2O3 （Me = Ca, Sr, Ba） flux agents facilitated the formation of the CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics with a dense microstructure via liquid-phase sintering. The addition of alumina and quartz to the flux agents also strongly affected the microstructures, phase formation, and physical properties of the CaA12Si208 ceramics.

Wave propagation of a functionally graded plate via integral variables with a hyperbolic arcsine function

Several studies on functionally graded materials(FGMs)have been done by researchers,but few studies have dealt with the impact of the modification of the properties of materials with regard to the functional propagation of the waves in plates.This work aims to explore the effects of changing compositional characteristics and the volume fraction of the constituent of plate materials regarding the wave propagation response of thick plates of FGM.This model is based on a higher-order theory and a new displacement field with four unknowns that introduce indeterminate integral variables with a hyperbolic arcsine function.The FGM plate is assumed to consist of a mixture of metal and ceramic,and its properties change depending on the power functions of the thickness of the plate,such as linear,quadratic,cubic,and inverse quadratic.By utilizing Hamilton’s principle,general formulae of the wave propagation were obtained to establish wave modes and phase velocity curves of the wave propagation in a functionally graded plate,including the effects of changing compositional characteristics of materials.

A MULTISCALE MECHANICAL MODEL FOR MATERIALS BASED ON VIRTUAL INTERNAL BOND THEORY

Only two macroscopic parameters are needed to describe the mechanical properties of linear elastic solids, i.e. the Poisson＇s ratio and Young＇s modulus. Correspondingly, there should be two microscopic parameters to determine the mechanical properties of material if the macroscopic mechanical properties of linear elastic solids are derived from the microscopic level. Enlightened by this idea, a multiscale mechanical model for material, the virtual multi-dimensional internal bonds （VMIB） model, is proposed by incorporating a shear bond into the virtual internal bond （VIB） model. By this modification, the VMIB model associates the macro mechanical properties of material with the microscopic mechanical properties of discrete structure and the corresponding relationship between micro and macro parameters is derived. The tensor quality of the energy density function, which contains coordinate vector, is mathematically proved. From the point of view of VMIB, the macroscopic nonlinear behaviors of material could be attributed to the evolution of virtual bond distribution density induced by the imposed deformation. With this theoretical hypothesis, as an application example, a uniaxial compressive failure of brittle material is simulated. Good agreement between the experimental results and the simulated ones is found.

A roughness parameter considering joint material properties and peak shear strength model for rock joints

This study aims at proposing a reasonable roughness parameter that can reflect the peak shear strength(PSS)of rock joints.Firstly,the contribution of the asperities with different apparent dip angles to shear strength is studied.Then the shear strength of the entire joint asperities is derived.The results showed that the PSS of the entire joint asperities is proportional to a key parameter hs,which is related to the geometric character of the joint surface and the joint material properties.The parameter hsis taken as the new roughness parameter,and it is reasonable to associate the PSS with the geometric characteristics of the joint surface.Based on the new roughness parameter and shear test results of 20 sets of joint specimens,a new PSS model for rock joints is proposed.The new model is validated with the artificial joints in this paper and real rock joints in published studies.Results showed that it is suitable for different types of rock joints except for gneiss joints.The new model has the form of the Mohr-Coulomb model,which can directly reflect the relationship between the 3 D roughness parameters and the peak dilation angle.

Preparation and Characterization of Component Materials for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell by Glycine-Nitrate Process

La1-xSrxGa1-y MgyO3-δ(LSGM) electrolyte, La1-xSrxCr1-y MnyO3-δ( LSCM ) anode and La1-xSrxFe1-y MnyO3-aaaaaaa(LSFM) cathode materials were all synthesized by glycine-nitrate process (GNP). The microstructure and characteristics of LSGM, LSCM and LSFM were tested via X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microcopy (SEM), A C impedance and four-probe direct current techniques. XRD shows that pure perovskite phase LSGM electrolyte and electrode (LSCM anode and LSFM cathode) materials were prepared after being sintered at 1400℃for 20 h and at 1000℃for 5 h, respectively. The max conductivities of LSGM (ionic conductivity), LSCM (total conductivity) and LSFM (total conductivity) materials are 0.02, 10, 16 S·cm-1 in the air below 850℃, respectively. The conductivity of LSCM becomes smaller when the atmosphere changes from air to pure hydrogen at the same temperature and it decreases with the temperature like metal. The porous and LSGM-based LSCM anode and LSFM cathode films were prepared by screen printing method, and the sintering temperatures for them were 1300 and 1250℃, respectively. LSGM and electrode (LSCM and LSFM) materials have good thermal and chemical compatibility.

Effects of fault movement and material properties on deformation and stress fields of Tibetan Plateau

We compare the factors which affect the movement of Tibetan Plateau by building three types of finite element models： an elastic materials （M-EC）, a continuous model composed by non-linear materials （M-PC）, and an elastic model with discontinuous fault movements （M-ET）. Both in M-ET and M-EC, the materials in Qiangtang and Lhasa block are elastic, and in M-ET, discontinuous movement of faults is considered for evaluating the effects of strike-slip faults. In model M-PC Druker-Prager plastic materials are used in Qiangtang and Lhasa block. Comparisons of the numerical simulation and the GPS observations show following characteristics： （1） Under present tectonic environment, short-term deformation of Tibetan Plateau can be simulated well by elastic models; （2） Discontinuous fault activities increase the lateral extrusion of the eastern part of Tibetan Plateau, reduce the stress field level in Qiangtang, Tarim and Qaidam blocks and strengthen the E-W extensional force in the east and the west parts of Qiangtang block; （3） Properties of plastic materials reduce the total stress field and the E-W extensional force, thus, the normal fault earthquakes in southern Tibet is mainly owed to the effect of active fault movement. Based on the numerical simulations we speculate that faults movement may play a more important role on the kinematic pattern of Tibetan Plateau than bulk properties.

A Simple Way to Prepare Silicon Carbide Reinforced Graphite Composite Lubricating Materials

SiC reinforced graphite composites were prepared via introducing carbide silicon into the natural graphite flakes（NGF） by hot-pressing process. Their physical and mechanical properties, including density, open porosity, flexural strength, and friction behavior were investigated. The addition of 30vol% Si C increased the bending strength of composites materials to 127 MPa, 2 times higher than 60 MPa of commercial pure graphite block. What was particularly interesting was that the as-obtained graphite composite with 30vol% Si C kept the same low friction coefficient of about 0.1 as pure graphite, and the wear resistance of composites increased.

Forced vibration analysis of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by CNTs based on MCST with temperature-variable material properties

In this study, free and forced vibration analysis of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by carbon nanotubes （CNTs） under magnetic field based on modify couple stress theory （MCST） with temperature-variable material propertiesis presented. Also, the boundary conditions at two ends of nano-composite rotating pressurized microbeam reinforced by CNTs are considered as simply supported. The governing equations are obtained based on the Hamilton＇s principle and then computed these equations by using Navier＇s solution. The magnetic field is inserted in the thickness direction of the nano-composite microbeam. The effects of various parameters such as angular velocity, temperature changes, and pressure between of the inside and outside, the magnetic field, material length scale parameter, and volume fraction of nanocomposite microbeam on the natural frequency and response systemare studied. The results show that with increasing volume fraction of nano-composite microbeam, thickness, material length scale parameter, and magnetic fields, the natural frequency increases. The results of this research can be used for optimization of micro-structures and manufacturing sensors, displacement fluid, and drug delivery.

Characterization of structural and electrical properties of ZnO tetrapods

ZnO tetrapods were synthesized by a typical thermal vapor-solid deposition method in a horizontal tube furnace.Structural characterization was carried out by transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and select-area electron diffraction （SAED）,which shows the presence of zinc blende nucleus in the center of tetrapods while the four branches taking hexagonal wurtzite structure.The electrical transport property of ZnO tetrapods was investigated through an in-situ nanoprobe system.The three branches of a tetrapod serve as source,drain,and ＂gate＂,respectively;while the fourth branch pointing upward works as the force trigger by vertically applying external force downward.The conductivity of each branch of ZnO-tetrapods increases 3-4 times under pressure.In such situation,the electrical current through the branches of ZnO tetrapods can be tuned by external force,and therefore a simple force sensor based on ZnO tetrapods has been demonstrated for the first time.

Mechanical Properties with High Temperature and the Microstructure of Carbon/Phenolic Ablative Composites

Carbon fiber reinforced phenolic based composites were prepared by laminating molding. The variation in mechanical characteristics of composites was evaluated with heating temperature and procedure. The microstructures of composites at different temperatures were observed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope, respectively. The results showed that the main weight loss range of carbon/phenolic is from 300 to 800 ℃, before 700 ℃ the weight loss was resulted from pyrolysis and after that the weight loss was mainly by oxidation in the fiber phase; with the heat treatment temperature rising, the bonding at the interface of carbon fibers and resin matrix weakened; in the pyrolysis temperature range, the interlaminar shear strength（ILSS） of carbon/phenolic showed a rapid drop with temperature rising, and then decrease in the rate of ILSS became relatively slower; the fiber oxidation had little influence on the ILSS.

Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of ZrO_2-Ni Functionally Gradient Material

The fabrication. microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrO2-Ni functionally gradient materials (FGM ) have been studied. FGM as well as non-FG M of ZrO2-Ni system was developed by powder metallurgical process. X-ray diffractometer (XRD ). electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), scanning electron microscope (SEM ) and optical microscope were employed to investigate the crystalline phases. chemical composition and microstructure Experimental results demonstrate that the composition and microstructure of ZrO2-Ni FGM have the expected gradient distribution. There are no distinct interfaces in the FGM due to the gradient change of components. that is, the constituents are continuous in microstructure everywhere. Moreover, Vickers hardness and flexural strength were measured for the common composites as a function of composition. It is made clear that the mechanical properties of the FGM vary corresponding to the constitutional changes as well

Electrical Properties of GeTe-based Ternary Alloys

Ge_（50-x）Sb_xTe_（50） and Ge_（50-x）Bi_xTe_（50） ternary alloys were synthesized by vacuum melting at 1273 K with the starting materials of Ge, Bi, Sb, and Te. The lattice structures were analyzed based on X-ray diffraction patterns, which could all be indexed to R3m rhombic structure. Electrical properties measurements revealed that the Ge-Sb-Te ternary alloys were p-type semiconductors with high electrical conductivity of 4.5×10~5S？m^（-1） near room temperature. And the maximum electrical property was obtained at Ge_45Sb_5Te_50, with the power factor of 2.49×10^（-3）W？m^（-1）K^（-2） at 640 K. Due to the existence of secondary phases, the electrical conductivity of Ge-Bi-Te system was lower and Seebeck coefficient was higher comparing with those of Ge-Sb-Te system.