• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.440-445
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• 2008

The failure mechanism and failure morphology of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) tubing under hydrostatic pressure were investigated. Microscopic observations using video microscope and scanning electron microscope indicate that the failure mode is a brittle fracture including cracks propagated from inner wall to outer wall. In addition, oxidation induction time and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results show the presence of exothermic peak and the increase in carbonyl index on the surface of fractured LLDPE tubing, due to thermal-degradation. An accelerated life test methodology and testing system for LLDPE tubing are developed using the relationship between stresses and life characteristics by means of thermal acceleration. Statistical approaches using the Arrhenius model and Weibull distribution are implemented to estimate the long-term life time of LLDPE tubing under hydrostatic pressure. Consequently, the long-term life time of LLDPE tubing at the operating temperature of $25^{\circ}C$ could be predicted and also be analyzed.

• Composites Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.355-360
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• 2023

Epoxy-based carbon fibers reinforced plastic (CFRP) exhibit limitations in their suitability for industrial applications due to high brittleness characteristics. To address this challenge, extensive investigations are underway to enhance their toughness properties. This research focuses on evaluating the toughening mechanisms achieved by Polyamide 6 particles(p-PA6) and Carboxyl-Terminated Butadiene-Acrylonitrile (CTBN) elastomer, with a specific emphasis on utilizing minimal additive quantities. The study explores the impact of varying concentrations of p-PA6 and CTBN additives, namely 0.5, 1, 2.5, and 5 phr, through comprehensive Mode I fracture toughness and tensile strength analyses. The inclusion of p-PA6 demonstrated improvements in toughness when introduced at a relatively low content of 1phr. This improvement manifested as a sustained fracture behavior, contributing to enhanced toughness, while simultaneously maintaining the material's tensile strength. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the incorporation of p-PA6 affected in particle aggregation, thus influencing the overall toughening mechanism. Incorporation of CTBN, an elastomeric modifier, exhibited a pronounced increase in fracture toughness at higher concentrations of 2.5 phr and beyond. However, this increase in toughness was accompanied by a reduction in tensile strength, resulting in fracture behavior similar to conventional CFRP exhibiting brittleness. The synergy between pPA6, CTBN and CFRP appeared to marginally enhance tensile strength under specific content conditions. As a result of this study, optimized conditions for the application of the p-PA6, CTBN toughening technology have been identified and established.

• Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.221-231
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• 2011

Thinner and lighter structural members can be designed by utilizing the high stiffness and toughness, and high compressive strength of UHPC(ultra high performance concrete), which reaches up to 200MPa. The punching shear capacity of UHPC was investigated in this paper aiming for the application of UHPC to bridge decks. Six square slabs were fabricated and punching shear test was performed under fixed boundary condition. Different thicknesses of test slabs, which were 40mm and 70mm, were selected. The shape ratio of loading plates were ranged between 1.0~2.5. 40mm thickness slabs showed longer softening region after the peak load and, on the other hand, 70mm thickness slabs revealed a more brittle shear failure. Experimental results were analyzed using various existing punching shear predicting equations. Ductal$^{(R)}$ equation and JSCE equation better predicted for 40mm slabs, and Harajli et al. equation and ACI-Ductal$^{(R)}$ equation better suited for 70mm slabs. Nevertheless generally they didn't well predict the test results. A new punching shear equation which was derived based on the actual failure mechanism was proposed. The proposed equation appeared to better predict the punching shear strength of UHPC than other available equations.

• Composites Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.18-31
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• 2001

Interfacial and microfailure properties of the modified steel, carbon and glass fibers/cement composites were investigated using electro-pullout test under tensile and compressive tests with acoustic emission (AE). The hand-sanded steel composite exhibited higher interfacial shear strength (IFSS) than the untreated and even neoalkoxy zirconate (Zr) treated steel fiber composites. This might be due to the enhanced mechanical interlocking, compared to possible hydrogen or covalent bonds. During curing process, the contact resistivity decreased rapidly at the initial stage and then showed a level-off. Comparing to the untreated case, the contact resistivity of either Zr-treated or hand-sanded steel fiber composites increased to the infinity at latter stage. The number of AE signals of hand-sanded steel fiber composite was much more than those of the untreated and Zr-treated cases due to many interlayer failure signals. AE waveforms for pullout and frictional signals of the hand-sanded composite are larger than those of the untreated case. For dual matrix composite (DMC), AE energy and waveform under compressive loading were much higher and larger than those under tensile loading, due to brittle but well-enduring ceramic nature against compressive stress. Vertical multicrack exhibits fur glass fiber composite under tensile test, whereas buckling failure appeared under compressive loading. Electro-micromechanical technique with AE can be used as an efficient nondestructive (NDT) method to evaluate the interfacial and microfailure mechanisms for conductive fibers/brittle and nontransparent cement composites.