A creep model for ultra-deep salt rock considering thermal-mechanical damage under triaxial stress conditions

To investigate the specific creep behavior of ultra-deep buried salt during oil and gas exploitation,a set of triaxial creep experiments was conducted at elevated temperatures with constant axial pressure and unloading confining pressure conditions.Experimental results show that the salt sample deforms more significantly with the increase of applied temperature and deviatoric loading.The accelerated creep phase is not occurring until the applied temperature reaches 130℃,and higher temperature is beneficial to the occurrence of accelerated creep.To describe the specific creep behavior,a novel three-dimensional(3D)creep constitutive model is developed that incorporates the thermal and mechanical variables into mechanical elements.Subsequently,the standard particle swarm optimization(SPSO)method is adopted to fit the experimental data,and the sensibility of key model parameters is analyzed to further illustrate the model function.As a result,the model can accurately predict the creep behavior of salt under the coupled thermo-mechanical effect in deep-buried condition.Based on the research results,the creep mechanical behavior of wellbore shrinkage is predicted in deep drilling projects crossing salt layer,which has practical implications for deep rock mechanics problems.

Composite Panels from the Combination of Rice Husk and Wood Chips with a Natural Resin Based on Tannins Reinforced with Sugar Cane Molasses Intended for Building Insulation: Physico-Mechanical and Thermal Properties

The objective of this work is to develop new biosourced insulating composites from rice husks and wood chips that can be used in the building sector. It appears from the properties of the precursors that rice chips and husks are materials which can have good thermal conductivity and therefore the combination of these precursors could make it possible to obtain panels with good insulating properties. With regard to environmental and climatic constraints, the composite panels formulated at various rates were tested and the physico-mechanical and thermal properties showed that it was essential to add a crosslinker in order to increase certain solicitation. an incorporation rate of 12% to 30% made it possible to obtain panels with low thermal conductivity, a low surface water absorption capacity and which gives the composite good thermal insulation and will find many applications in the construction and real estate sector. Finally, new solutions to improve the fire reaction of the insulation panels are tested which allows to identify suitable solutions for the developed composites. In view of the flame tests, the panels obtained are good and can effectively combat fire safety in public buildings.

The Effects of Stacking Sequence on Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Thermal Degradation of Kenaf/Jute Hybrid Composites

This research focused on the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties of woven mat jute/kenaf/jute(J/K/J)and kenaf/jute/kenaf(K/J/K)hybrid composites.Dynamic mechanical analysis(DMA)and Thermo-gravimetric Analysis(TGA)were used to study the effect of layering sequence on the thermal properties of kenaf/jute hybrid composites.The DMA results;it was found that the differences in the stacking sequence between the kenaf/jute composites do not affect their storage modulus,loss modulus and damping factor.From the TGA and DMA results,it has been shown that stacking sequence has given positive effect to the kenaf/jute hybrid composite compared to pure epoxy composite.This is because kenaf and jute fibre has increased the Tg values of the composites,thus affect the thermal degradation.Results showed that the storage modulus for kenaf/jute hybrid composites increased compared with pure epoxy composites with increasing temperature and the values of remained almost the same at glass transition temperature(Tg),the hybrid composite perhaps due to the improved fibre/matrix interface bonding.The preliminary analysis could provide a new direction for the creation of a novel hybrid composite which offers unique properties which cannot be accomplished in a single material system.

Curing Kinetics, Mechanical Properties and Thermal Stability of Epoxy/Graphene Nanoplatelets(GNPs) Powder Coatings

Epoxy/graphene nanoplatelets（GNPs） powder coatings were fabricated using ultrasonic predispersion of GNPs and melt-blend extrusion method. The isothermal curing kinetics of epoxy/GNPs powder coating were monitored by means of real-time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FT-IR） with a heating cell. The mechanical properties of the epoxy/GNPs cured coatings had been investigated, by evaluating their fracture surfaces with field-emission scanning electron microscopy（FE-SEM） after three-point-bending tests. The thermal stability of the epoxy/GNPs cured coatings was studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis（TGA）. The isothermal curing kinetics result showed that the GNPs would not affect the autocatalytic reaction mechanism, but the loading of GNPs below 1.0 wt % additive played a prompting role in the curing of the epoxy/GNPs powder coatings. The fracture strain, fracture toughness and impact resistance of the epoxy/GNPs cured coatings increased dramatically at low levels of GNPs loading（1 wt %）, indicating that the GNPs could improve the toughness of the epoxy/GNPs powder coatings. Furthermore, from FE-SEM studies of the fracture surfaces, the possible toughening mechanisms of the epoxy/GNPs cured coatings were proposed. TGA result showed that the incorporation of GNPs improved the thermal stability of the cured coatings. Hence, the GNPs modified epoxy can be an efficient approach to toughen epoxy powder coating along with improving their thermal stability.

Dynamic Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Cross-linked Polystyrene/Glass Fiber Composites

Cross-linked polystyrene/glass fiber composites were fabricated using cross-linked polystyrene （CLPS） as matrix and E-glass fiber as the reinforcement. Surfaces of E-glass fibers were modified by vinyl triethoxysilane （VTES）, vinyl trimethoxysilane （VTMS） and γ-methacryloylpropyl trimethoxysilane （MPS）. The treated glass fibers were analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR）. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis （DMTA） and thermo-gravimetric analysis （TGA） were employed to investigate the effect of glass fibers surface modification on viscoelastic behavior and thermal properties. The morphology of fracture surfaces of various composites was observed by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results revealed that these coupling agents were connected to the surfaces of the fibers by chemical bonding. Dynamic mechanical properties as well as thermal stability of the composites were improved considerablely, but to varying degrees depending on the fiber modification. The diversities of improvement of properties were attributed to the different interfacial adhesion between CLPS matrix and the glass fibers.

Chemical, mechanical, and thermal expansion properties of a carbon nanotube-reinforced aluminum nanocomposite

In the present study,the chemical and mechanical properties and the thermal expansion of a carbon nanotube（CNT）-based crystalline nano-aluminum（nano Al） composite were reported.The properties of nanocomposites were tailored by incorporating CNTs into the nano Al matrix using a physical mixing method.The elastic moduli and the coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE） of the nanocomposites were also estimated to understand the effects of CNT reinforcement in the Al matrix.Microstructural characterization of the nanocomposite reveals that the CNTs are dispersed and embedded in the Al matrix.The experimental results indicate that the incorporation of CNTs into the nano Al matrix results in the increase in hardness and elastic modulus along with a concomitant decrease in the coefficient of thermal expansion The hardness and elastic modulus of the nanocomposite increase by 21%and 20%,respectively,upon CNT addition.The CTE of CNT/A1 nanocomposite decreases to 70%compared with that of nano Al.

Mechanical and Thermal Expansion Properties of SiCp/ZAlSi9Mg Composites Produced by Centrifugal Casting

Centrifugal casting was applied to produce cylindrical castings using SiCp/Al composite slurry,which contained 20%SiC particles.The castings comprised a particle free zone and a particle rich zone.The amount of SiC particles had a dramatic transformation from the particle rich zone to the particle free zone,and the maximum content of SiC particles in the particle rich zone reached up to 40 vol%.The ultimate tensile strength（UTS） of the as-cast SiCp / Al composites in the particle rich zone was 143 MPa,and the fracture was caused by the desorption of SiC particles from matrix alloy.The coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE） of the SiC_p / Al composites in the range of 20 and 100 ℃ was determined as 16.67×10^（-6） s^（-1）,and the experimental CTE was lower than the predicted data based on the Kerner＇s model.The results show that the decrease in CTE in the case of the composites at high temperature stage can be attributed to the solute concentration of Si in Al and the plastic deformation of the matrix alloy in the composites with void architecture.

Effect of nonuniform sintering on mechanical and thermal properties of silica-based ceramic cores

During sintering of the silica-based ceramic core of turbine blades,a phenomenon called"nonuniform sintering"occurs that negatively affects the thermal and mechanical properties of the core.Standard samples of silica-based core were prepared by an injection molding method and sintered with alumina backfilling powder with different sodium contents.The effect of sodium content on the nonuniform sintering of silica-based cores and the thermal and mechanical properties was evaluated.Results show that the sintering level and the content ofα-cristobalite in the surface layer are significantly higher than that of the sample interior.A considerable number of microcracks are found in the surface layer due to theβtoα-phase transition of cristobalite.As the sodium content in the alumina powder decreases,the level of the nonuniform sintering and the amount of crystallized cristobalite in the surface layer decrease,which is beneficial to the thermal expansion and flexural strength at ambient temperature.The flexural strength and thermal deformation at high temperature are improved by reducing the surface cracks,but deteriorated with the decrease of the cristobalite crystallization when the surface cracks are macroscopically invisible.

Editorial: Special subject on the mechanical behavior of thermal protection materials and structures

The thermal protection materials and structures are widely used in hypersonic vehicles for the purpose of thermal insulation, and their mechanical behavior is one of the key issues in design and manufacture of hypersonic vehicles. It is our great pleasure to present the seven papers in this special subject of Theoretical ＆ Applied Mechanics Letters （TAML） and introduce the recent progresses on the mechanical behavior of thermal protection materials and structures by the authors.

Influence of Yb_2O_3-MgO on Mechanical Properties and Thermal Conductivity of Silicon Nitride Ceramics via Gas Pressure Sintering

In this work,Yb2O3 and Mg O were used as sintering aids in preparing silicon nitride ceramics by gas pressure sintering（ 0. 6 MPa N2atmosphere） to investigate how the amounts of Yb2O3- Mg O influence the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of silicon nitride ceramics. The total contents of Yb2O3- Mg O added were 1 mol%,2 mol%,4 mol%,6 mol%,8 mol%,10 mol%,12 mol%,14 mol%,keeping the Yb2O3-Mg O molar ratio of 1 ∶ 1 steadily. Curves of the relative density,thermal conductivity and bending strength plotted against the aids content present a ‘mountain＇shape with a maximum at nearly 10 mol% aids. The fracture toughness increased with the amounts of additives up to10 mol% and decreased slightly thereafter. The mechanical properties and thermal conductivity were almost proportional to the amount of the additives before10 mol%. When the content of aids exceeded 10 mol%,it would weaken the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the ceramics. The optimum content of Yb2O3- Mg O was 10 mol% by gas pressure sintering（ 0. 6MPa） at 1 850 ℃ for 4 h,which led to a relative density of 98. 9%,a flexural strength of（ 966 ± 38）MPa as well as a fracture toughness of（ 6. 29 ± 0. 29）MPa·m1 /2and thermal conductivity of 82 W /（ m·K）.

Thermal Expansion and Mechanical Properties of Middle Reinforcement Content SiCp/Al Composites Fabricated by PM Technology

Middle reinforcement content SiCp/Al composites（Vp=30%, 35% and 40%） for precision optical systems applications were fabricated by powder metallurgy technology. The composites were free of porosity and SiC particles distributed uniformly in the composites. The mean linear coefficients of thermal expansion（20-100 ℃） of SiCp/Al composites ranged from 11.6×10-6 to 13.3×10-6 K-1 and decreased with an increase in volume fraction of SiC content. The experimental coeffi cients of thermal expansion agreed well with predicted values based on Kerner＇s model. The Brinell hardness increased from 116 to 147, and the modulus increased from 99 to 112 GPa for the corresponding composites. The tensile strengths were higher than 320 MPa, but no signifi cant increasing trend between tensile strength and SiC content was observed.

Mechanical, electrical, and thermal expansion properties of carbon nanotube-based silver and silver–palladium alloy composites

The mechanical, electrical, and thermal expansion properties of carbon nanotube（CNT）-based silver and silver–palladium（10：1, w/w） alloy nanocomposites are reported. To tailor the properties of silver, CNTs were incorporated into a silver matrix by a modified molecular level-mixing process. CNTs interact weakly with silver because of their non-reactive nature and lack of mutual solubility. Therefore, palladium was utilized as an alloying element to improve interfacial adhesion. Comparative microstructural characterizations and property evaluations of the nanocomposites were performed. The structural characterizations revealed that decorated type-CNTs were dispersed, embedded, and anchored into the silver matrix. The experimental results indicated that the modification of the silver and silver–palladium nanocomposite with CNT resulted in increases in the hardness and Young＇s modulus along with concomitant decreases in the electrical conductivity and the coefficient of thermal expansion（CTE）. The hardness and Young＇s modulus of the nanocomposites were increased by 30%？40% whereas the CTE was decreased to 50%-60% of the CTE of silver. The significantly improved CTE and the mechanical properties of the CNT-reinforced silver and silver–palladium nanocomposites are correlated with the intriguing properties of CNTs and with good interfacial adhesion between the CNTs and silver as a result of the fabrication process and the contact action of palladium as an alloying element.

Experimental Measurements of the Sensitivity of Fiber-optic Bragg Grating Sensors with a Soft Polymeric Coating under Mechanical Loading,Thermal and Magnetic under Cryogenic Conditions

The strain and temperature sensing performance of fiber-optic Bragg gratings （FBGs） with soft polymeric coating, which can be used to sense internal strain in superconducting coils, are evaluated under variable cryogenic field and magnetic field. The response to a temperature and strain change of coated-soft polymeric FBGs is tested by comparing with those of coated-metal FBGs. The results indicate that the coated-soft polymeric FBGs can freely detect temperature and thermal strain, their At variable magnetic field, the tested results indicate accuracy and repeatability are also discussed in detail. that the cross-coupling effects of FBGs with different matrixes are not negligible to measure electromagnetic strain during fast excitation. The present results are expected to be able to provide basis measurements on the strain of pulsed superconducting magnet/cable （cable- around-conduit conductors, cable-in-conduit conductors）, independently or utilized together with other strain measurement methods.

STRUCTURE AND THERMAL MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ORIENTED POLYIMIDE (PEI-E)

The strain induced crystallization behaviour in polyimide from 1,4-bis (3', 4'- dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene and 4,4'-oxydianiline (PEI-E)has been investigated by WAXD, DSC and FTIR. The results obtained show that crystallization in PEI-E did take place just after tensile yielding. Meanwhile, the effect of strain induced crystallization on the thermomechanical properties was studied by DMA and TMA, the results of which indicate that the crystallization and hot stretching have a certain influence on the dynamic mechanical properties, such as weakening the β relaxation and decreasing the glass transition temperature. The TMA results confirm the shifting of glass transition temperature to lower temperature region after hot stretching. This phenomenon could be well explained by the effect of residual stress according to Eyring's theory.

An analytical model of thermal mechanical stress induced by through silicon via

We present an accurate through silicon via （TSV） thermal mechanical stress analytical model which is verified by using finite element method （FEM）. The results show only a very small error. By using the proposed analytical model, we also study the impacts of the TSV radius size, the thickness, the material of Cu diffusion barrier, and liner on the stress. It is found that the liner can absorb the stress effectively induced by coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch. The stress decreases with the increase of liner thickness. Benzocyclobutene （BCB） as a liner material is better than SiO2. However, the Cu diffusion barrier has little effect on the stress. The stress with a smaller TSV has a smaller value. Based on the analytical model, we explore and validate the linear superposition principle of stress tensors and demonstrate the accuracy of this method against detailed FEM simulations. The analytic solutions of stress of two TSVs and three TSVs have high precision against the finite element result.

Interactive buckling of an inflated envelope under mechanical and thermal loads

This paper elucidates the interactive buckling behaviors of an inflated envelope under coupled mechanical and thermal loads, especially the longitudinal wrinkling bifurcation and hoop ovalization buckling. The longitudinal bending buckling process of the inflated envelope can be divided into three continuous stages, which are global buckling, interactive global-local buckling, and kink. A variety of hoop ovalization buckling modes are observed under coupled mechanical-thermal load. Unlike the mechanical case, thermal load leads to a hoop negative ovalization buckling. In addition, it can accelerate the longitudinal coupled bifurcation and resist the hoop coupled ovalization buckling. Moreover, the bending resistance of the inflated envelope will be improved when the length of the structure is increased, resulting in the difficulty of it to become wrinkled. These results provide a new insight into the buckling behaviors of an inflated envelope under coupled external loads, and give a reference for the design of the inflated envelope.

The Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene/Montmorillonite (UHMWPE/MMT) Nanocomposites Hybrid Gel Using Pressure-Induced Flow (PIF) Processing

Hybrid organic-inorganic polymer nanocomposites incorporating organically modified montmorillonite (MMT) and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were examined. UHMWPE/MMT hybrid nanocomposites were prepared using gel and pressure-induced flow(PIF) processing methods at a gel weight concentration of 8% UHMWPE with various organoclay contents (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 parts per hundred parts). The interlayer properties of the nanocomposites were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal and mechanical interfacial properties of the nanocomposites were investigated through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and the use of a universal test machine (UTM). TEM indicates that the nanocomposites are formed upon dispersion of MMT in the polymer matrix. From the DSC, TGA, and DMA results, we find that the thermal stability of the UHMWPE nanocomposites increases as the MMT content increases. The nanocomposites show higher tensile strengths than pure UHMWPE gel sheet. These findings indicate that the interfacial and mechanical properties are improved by the addition of MMT and PIF processing.

Preparation and Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Chlorinated Polyethylene Reinforced Polypropylene Foam

The foamed polypropylene（PP） with excellent mechanical and thermal insulating properties was reinforced by blending chlorinated polyethylene（CPE）, followed by compression molding foaming in cross-link. The effects of CPE on the foaming behavior, thermal and mechanical properties of the foamed PP were studied by the measurements of density, thermal conductivity, Vicat softening temperature, tensile strength, impact strength and SEM. The results showed that the foamed PP got the best properties when the weight ratio of CPE/PP was 20 wt%. The density of the obtained foamed PP was as low as 0.37 g/cm^3, the impact strength was 16.5 kJ/m^2, the tensile strength was 17.7 MPa, the thermal conductivity was 0.035 W/（m·K）, and the Vicat softening temperature was 112 ℃.

Comparison of the effect of carbon,halloysite and titania nanotubes on the mechanical and thermal properties of LDPE based nanocomposite films

In this study, titania nanotubes （TNTs） were prepared by hydrothermal method with the aim to compare the properties of these one-dimensional tubular nanostructures＇ reinforced nanocomposites with the carbon and halloysite nanotubes＇ （CNTs and HNTs, respectively） reinforced nanocomposites. Low density polyethylene （LDPE） was used as the matrix material. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized and compared by means of their morphological, mechanical and thermal properties. SEM results showed enhanced interracial interaction and better dispersion of TNTs and HNTs into LDPE with the incorporation of a MAPE compatibilizer, however, these interactions seem to be absent between CNTs and LDPE, and the CNTs remained agglomerated. Contact angle measurements revealed that CNT filled nanocomposites are more hydrophilic than HNT composites, and less than TNT composites. CNTs provided better tensile strength and Young＇s modulus than HNT and TNT nanocomposites, a 42% increase in tensile strength and Young＇s modulus is achieved compared to LDPE. Tear strength improvement was noticed in the TNT composites with a value of 35.4 N. mm -1, compared to CNT composites with a value of 25.5 N.mm 1 -s- 1. All the prepared nanocomposites are more thermally stable than neat LDPE and the best improvement in thermal stability was observed for CNT reinforced nanocomposites. CNTs depicted the best improvement in tensile and thermal properties and the MAPE compatibilizer effective- ness regarding morphological, mechanical and thermal properties was only observed for TNT and HNT systems.

Effect of microstructure on the mechanical, thermal, and electronic property measurement of ceramic coatings

Ceramic materials were investigated as thermal barrier coatings and electrolytes. Electrophoretic deposition（EPD） and physical vapor deposition（PVD） were employed to fabricate samples, and the mechanical properties and microstructure were examined by nanoindentation and microscopy, respectively. Yttria-stabilized zirconia/alumina（YSZ/Al2O3） composite coatings, a candidate for thermal barrier coatings, yield a kinky, rather than smooth, load–displacement curve. Scanning electron microscope（SEM） examination reveals that the kinky curve is because of the porous microstructure and cracks are caused by the compression of the indenter. Li0.34La0.51 Ti O2.94（LLTO） on Si/Sr Ru O3（Si/SRO） substrates, an ionic conductor in nature, demonstrates electronic performance. Although SEM images show a continuous and smooth microstructure, a close examination of the microstructure by transmission electron microscopy（TEM） reveals that the observed spikes indicate electronic performance. Therefore, we can conclude that ceramic coatings could serve multiple purposes but their properties are microstructure-dependent.