Bending Strength Measurements Research Articles

Selection for longer limbs in mice increases bone stiffness and brittleness, but does not alter bending strength.

The ability of a bone to withstand loads depends on its structural and material properties. These tend to differ among species with different modes of locomotion, reflecting their unique loading patterns. The evolution of derived limb morphologies, such as the long limbs associated with jumping, may compromise overall bone strength. We evaluated bone mechanical properties in the Longshanks mouse, which was selectively bred for increased tibia length relative to body mass. We combined analyses of 3D shape and cross-sectional geometry of the tibia, with mechanical testing and bone composition assays, to compare bone strength, elastic properties and mineral composition in Longshanks mice and randomly bred controls. Our data show that, despite being more slender, cortical geometry and predicted bending strength of the Longshanks tibia were similar to controls. In whole bone bending tests, measures of bone bending strength were similar across groups; however, Longshanks tibiae were significantly more rigid, more brittle, and required less than half the energy to fracture. Tissue-level elastic properties were also altered in Longshanks mice, but the bones did not differ from the control in water content, ash content or density. These results indicate that while Longshanks bones are as strong as control tibiae, selection for increased tibia length has altered its elastic properties, possibly through changes in organic bony matrix composition. We conclude that selection for certain limb morphologies, and/or selection for rapid skeletal growth, can lead to tissue-level changes that can increase the risk of skeletal fracture, which in turn may favor the correlated evolution of compensatory mechanisms to mitigate increased fracture risk, such as delayed skeletal maturity.

Measurement of bending strength for ultra-thin silicon dies

Measurement of bending strength for ultra-thin silicon dies

A new noninvasive mechanical bending test accurately predicts ulna bending strength in cadaveric human arms.

High error rates in the prediction of fragility fractures by bone mineral density have motivated searches for better clinical indicators of bone strength, and the high incidence of non-hip, non-spine fractures has raised interest in cortical bone. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of Cortical Bone Mechanics Technology™. CBMT is a new non-invasive 3-point bending technique for measuring the mechanical properties of cortical bone in the ulnas of living humans. 35 cadaveric human arms were obtained from small women and large men ranging widely in age (17 < Age < 99 years) and body size (14 < BMI < 40 kg/m2). Noninvasive CBMT measurements of the flexural rigidity of the ulna bones within these arms (EICBMT) were compared to measurements of EI by Quasistatic Mechanical Testing in the ulnas excised from those arms (EIQMT). Ulna bending strength was also measured by QMT as the peak moment before fracture (Mpeak). The open source BoneJ plugin to ImageJ image processing software was used to calculate cortical porosity (CP) in micro-computed tomography images of a 2 mm length of the mid-shaft of each fractured ulna, and the interosseous diameter (IOD) of each ulna was also measured in those images. EICBMT measurements (13 < EICBMT < 97 Nm2) explained 99% of the variance in QMT measurements of ulna bending strength (11 < Mpeak < 90 Nm), but EICBMT was biased high by 30% (p < 0.0001) relative to EIQMT (11 < EIQMT < 69 Nm2). After correcting this bias, EICBMT and EIQMT measurements lay along the identity line (y = 1.00x, R2 = 0.99, SEE = 3.1 Nm2). Predictions of Mpeak by EICBMT were less accurate than predictions by EIQMT (both R2 = 0.99; SEECBMT = 5.9 Nm vs SEEQMT = 4.5 Nm, F = 2.92, p = 0.001), but EICBMT predictions were substantially more accurate than those by IOD (R2 = 0.79; SEEIOD = 10.6 Nm, F = 3.30, p < 0.001) and CP (R2 = 0.35; SEECP = 18.9 Nm, F = 10.45, p < 10-9). Predictions by EICBMT were also more accurate than predictions by arm donor height (R2 = 0.63; SEE = 14.3 Nm, F = 5.87, p < 10-6), body weight (R2 = 0.77; SEE = 11.1 Nm, F = 3.54, p < 0.001) and BMI (R2 = 0.64; SEE = 14.1 Nm, F = 2.39, p < 0.01). In forward stepwise multiple regression beginning with EICBMT, only age explained any additional variance in ulna bending strength (ΔR2 = 0.3%, F = 8.03, p = 0.008). Noninvasive CBMT measurements of ulna EI explain 99% of individual differences in QMT measurements of ulna bending strength in cadaveric human arms.

The stripping effect of using high voltage electrical pulses breakage for waste printed circuit boards

In this study, high voltage electrical pulses were utilized to process waste printed circuit boards to cost effectively liberate metal and nonmetal materials. Relative mass ωiand particles content ηiindexes were defined to assess the stripping effect produced by high voltage electrical pulses breakage. For relative mass level in the 0–10% range, in the −6+3 mm fraction, particles content accounted for 84.84% of the total particles, while the mechanical crushing only occupied 8.84%. Voltage and pulse experiments were carried out to investigate the crushing effect of high voltage electrical pulse breakage for printed circuit boards. It was found that when the voltage and pulse number was at 160 kV and 300, the stripping rate of copper was 98.56% and 92.58% in the −25+13 mm fraction respectively. The measured bending strength of the material revealed the selective crushing effect of high voltage electrical pulses in the different material interfaces. A liberation mechanism was elaborated by using the energy band theory, and a process model was utilized to reveal the mode of crushing. Furthermore, the microscopic appearance of the resulting product confirmed that copper underwent high-temperature melting, while the resin was decomposed during the crushing process. Compared to conventional mechanical crushing process, high voltage electrical pulses can better liberate metal-bearing than mechanical comminution technology.

Effect of silane modification on CNTs/silica composites fabricated by a non-firing process to enhance interfacial property and dispersibility

Carbon nanotube/ceramic composites have been in the spotlight thanks to their excellent properties. Sintering is the vital part of ceramics fabrication in terms of reliability, however sintering the carbon nanotube (CNT) based ceramic composites is a challenging task. In this study, interfacial bonding of silane functionalized CNT with silica ceramic is investigated by a non-firing sintering process. CNTs are first treated by a mixed acid with the aid of a silane 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), which improves the chemical bonding and dispersibility of CNT in ceramic bodies. The extent of APTES chemical functionalization and mechanical property of CNT/silica ceramic composites are characterized using Raman spectrometer, FT-IR analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and three-point bending strength measurement. Results show that composites are successfully prepared without sintering with stable CNT-silica interface, superior dispersibility, and good mechanical properties.

Synthesis of Cu-CNTs nanocomposites via double pressing double sintering method

In this research, copper (Cu)-carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanocomposites were synthesized with different weight percentages of CNTs by double pressing double sintering (DPDS) method as well as conventional sintering method. A planetary ball mill was used to disperse CNTs in Cu matrix. The milled powders were first cold pressed to 450 MPa in a uniaxial stainless-steel die with cylindrical compacts (diameter: 12 mm and height: 5 mm). The effect of CNTs content and the DPDS method on the properties of the nanocomposites were investigated. The microstructure and phase analysis of Cu-CNTs nanocomposite samples were studied by FESEM and X-Ray Diffraction. The electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was measured and compared to both sintering methods. Mechanical properties of Cu-CNTs nanocomposites were characterized using bending strength and micro-hardness measurements. Enhancements of about 32% in bending strength, 31.6% in hardness and 19.5% in electrical conductivity of Cu-1 wt.% CNTs nanocomposite synthesized by DPDS method were observed as compared to Cu-1 wt.% CNTs nanocomposites fabricated under the similar condition by a conventional sintering process.

Investigation of process parameter effect on anisotropic properties of 3D printed sand molds

The development of sand mold three-dimensional printing technologies enables the manufacturing of molds without the use of a physical model. However, the effects of the three-dimensional printing process parameters on the mold permeability and strength are not well known, leading the industries to keep old settings until castings have recurring defects. In the present work, the influence of these parameters was experimentally investigated to understand their effect on the mold strength and permeability. Cylindrical and bar-shaped test specimens were printed to perform, respectively, permeability and bending strength measurements. Experiments were designed to statistically quantify the individual and combined effect of these process parameters. While the binder quantity only affects the mold strength, increasing the recoater speed leads to both greater permeability and reduced strength due to the reduced sand compaction. Recommendations for optimizing some 3D printer settings are proposed to attain predefined mold properties and minimize the anisotropic behavior of the sand mold in regard to both the orientation and the position in the job box.

Bending strength dependence of load-to-annual ring direction

We were studying the bending strength for load- to-grain direction at angle of 90° and load-to- annual tree ring direction at angle of 45° of almost 700 years old subfossil elm wood from Sava riverbed. Elm wood is widely used because it is solid and hard regarding its weight. However, due to the Elm Dutch disease and mass drying of elm trees in 1950s, nowadays it is almost impossible to find in natural forest stands of south-eastern Europe a tree of reproductive age. The value and uniqueness of the studied material lies also in the fact that the subfossil elm wood is even rarer than the recent one, and is highly appreciated for its aesthetic and mechanical qualities. Bending strength has been determined by a three-point bending test. The mean bending strength value is within the limits for recent elm wood. This investigation has shown that such load-to- annual ring direction has almost 20 % higher value for bending strength than for loads applied to the longitudinal-tangential surface (angle of 0°) and to the longitudinal-radial surface (angle of 90°). This proves that the ring orientation plays an important role in the measurement of mechanical properties of elm wood and that the measurement of the angle of 45° should always be considered for investigation of bending strength. The coefficient of determination of Weibull functions has been close to value of 1, so it has been concluded that the measured bending strength follows Weibull distribution.

Annual ring orientation effect on bending strength of subfossil elm wood

The effect of annual rings’ orientation on bending strength was examined on subfossil elm wood. Elm is extremely rarely found as subfossil wood, and during the last 50–60 years it has almost disappeared from natural forest stands of south-eastern Europe, due to the Elm Dutch disease. The samples were cut from approximately 670 years old subfossil elm trunk retrieved from the bed of the river Sava in the area between the villages Grebnice and Domaljevac in north Bosnia. The wood was identified to the genus level based on optical microscopy analysis of three wood sections—transverse, tangential and radial. Bending strength was determined by the three-point bending test. The load was applied to the longitudinal–tangential surface (LT) and to the longitudinal–radial surface (LR). The bending strength values of subfossil elm do not differ from the values of recent elm, despite the 700-year resting in anoxic river conditions. Bending strength in LT direction was slightly higher than bending strength in LR direction. The coefficient of variation and the standard deviation of the arithmetical mean were higher for LT direction. It was found that the measured bending strength for both directions follows Weibull distribution. Coefficient of determination of Weibull functions was close to 1 for both directions. The Weibull shape parameter was higher for LR direction.

Strength grading on the basis of high resolution laser scanning and dynamic excitation: a full scale investigation of performance

Effective utilization of structural timber requires grading and indicating properties (IPs) that are able to predict strength with high accuracy and machines that are able to measure the underlying board properties at a speed that corresponds to the production speed of sawmills. The aim of this research is to assess the performance of a new machine strength grading method/procedure which was recently approved for the European market and to compare the performance of it with the performance of other available techniques. The novel method is based on laser scanning utilizing the tracheid effect, in combination with data from dynamic excitation and weighing. Applied indicating properties are defined in detail and results presented include assessment of the repeatability, coefficients of determination between IPs and grade determining properties, and examples of the yield achieved in different strength classes and combinations of strength classes. The investigated sample comprised more than 900 pieces of timber of Norway spruce (Picea abies) from Sweden, Norway and Finland. For this sample the coefficient of determination between the IP to bending strength and the measured bending strength was as high as R2 = 0.69, while the coefficient of determination between dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE) and measured bending strength was R2 = 0.53. The yield in high strength classes, C35 and above, becomes about twice as high using the new method/procedure compared to machines using dynamic MOE as IP. A comparison of the performance with what has been presented for machines that are based on X-ray in combination with dynamic excitation indicates that the new method/procedure will surpass such machines as well.

Design and application of forming device for the thin-walled Cf/Mg composite component

Carbon fiber reinforced magnesium matrix composites (Cf/Mg) is lightweight yet very strong, therefore is a highly attractive material in aerospace applications. A well-designed forming device is critical to ensure good quality component. Two types of device design, namely internal localization and external localization, were proposed and analyzed. Numerical simulation of infiltration showed that the internal localization provided a better uniform infiltration than the external localization. The experimental implementation of results internal localization forming device produced good well surface quality and compact Cf/Mg composite components. Measurements showed the longitudinal microstructures are uniform and conducive to the excellent properties of Cf/Mg composites. The measured bending strength and elastic modulus is 367MPa and 59GPa respectively, or a 45.6% and 31.1% improvement compares with those of the casting AZ91D magnesium alloy.

Maize Stalk Lodging: Flexural Stiffness Predicts Strength

Late‐season stalk lodging in maize (Zea mays L.) is a major agronomic problem that has far‐reaching economic ramifications. More rapid advances in lodging resistance could be achieved through development of selective breeding tools that are not confounded by environmental factors. It was hypothesized that measurements of stalk flexural stiffness (a mechanical measurement inspired by engineering beam theory) would be a stronger predictor of stalk strength than current technologies. Stalk flexural stiffness, rind penetration resistance and stalk bending strength measurements were acquired for five commercial varieties of dent corn grown at five planting densities and two locations. Correlation analyses revealed that stalk flexural stiffness predicted 81% of the variation in stalk strength, whereas rind penetration resistance only accounted for 18% of the variation in stalk strength. Strength predictions based on measurements of stalk flexural stiffness were not confounded by hybrid type, planting density, or planting location. Strength predictions based on rind penetration resistance were moderately to severely confounded by such factors. Results indicate that stalk flexural stiffness is a good predictor of stalk strength and that it may outperform rind penetration resistance as a selective breeding tool to improve lodging resistance of future varieties of maize.

Mechanical properties of natural chitosan/hydroxyapatite/magnetite nanocomposites for tissue engineering applications

Chitosan (CS), hydroxyapatite (HA), and magnetite (Fe3O4) have been broadly employed for bone treatment applications. Having a hybrid biomaterial composed of the aforementioned constituents not only accumulates the useful characteristics of each component, but also provides outstanding composite properties. In the present research, mechanical properties of pure CS, CS/HA, CS/HA/magnetite, and CS/magnetite were evaluated by the measurements of bending strength, elastic modulus, compressive strength and hardness values. Moreover, the morphology of the bending fracture surfaces were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an image analyzer. Studies were also conducted to examine the biological response of the human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) on different composites. We conclude that, although all of these composites possess in-vitro biocompatibility, adding hydroxyapatite and magnetite to the chitosan matrix can noticeably enhance the mechanical properties of the pure chitosan.

Microstructures of hot-pressed Cr–Ti–Cu targets and their film properties for perpendicular magnetic recording application

In this study, the effect of Cr50−0.5xTi50−0.5xCux (x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50) hot-pressed target on film performance was investigated. By increasing the ratio of Cu, the target strength and anti crack properties showed significant improvements due to the decrease of brittle intermetallic compound. In addition, the target properties were found to affect the performance of sputtering process and its film. During sputtering test, the arcing behavior was significantly suppressed by reducing the incoherent defects of the target. The results of film analysis also showed the advantages with increasing Cu ratio in Cr–Ti–Cu alloy systems, including the decrease on sheet resistivity, intrinsic stress and surface roughness. Moreover, all as-deposited films were clarified as amorphous structures to meet the requirement for perpendicular recording media application, and further analyzed with Ω and δ indices, which were subjected to quasi-chemical energy and the atomic size difference, respectively. Unfortunately, the excessive Cu addition makes a side effect on the corrosion resistance in acid environment. Related results mentioned above were supported by bending strength measurement, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, Twyman–Green interferometer, and four-point probes method.

Manufacture of Ceramic Bodies by Using a Mud Waste from the TiO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Pigment Industry

The main objective of this paper is focused in the use of waste generated by the TiO2 pigment industry, ilmenite mud (MUD), on the production of ceramic bodies. These ceramic bodies were produced from mixtures of a commercial red stoneware mixture (RSM) with different concentrations of mud (3, 5, 7, 10, 30 and 50 wt%). The samples were sintered to simulate a fast-firing process. The sintering behaviour of the fired samples was evaluated according to ISO rules by linear shrinkage, water absorption and porosity measurements. Both green powder and fired samples were characterised by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC/TG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and bending strength measurements. Moreover, the activity concentrations of radionuclides were measured by high-resolution low-background gamma spectrometry, because this mud is a NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) waste. Finally, the TCLP leaching test (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure, USEPA) was performed to assess the risks of use tiles from an environmental perspective. The results demonstrated that MUD can be successfully valorisated in the manufacture of red stoneware ceramic bodies with similar, or even better technological properties than commercial materials used currently.

Effects of Processing Condition on the Properties of Porcelain Building Ceramic Tiles

Due to low water absorption, high bending strength and abrasion resistance, and excellent chemical and frost resistance, porcelain building ceramic tiles are the highest increase in production and sales over all other kind of building ceramic tiles materials. In this paper, porcelain building ceramic tiles was prepared by a fast firing process of rare earth tailings as the main raw material, low fused sand and Zhuji porcelain sand et al mixture. Effects of firing temperature and forming pressure on the sintering behavior and mechanical property of porcelain building ceramic tiles were studied. The sintering behavior of the fired samples was evaluated by linear shrinkage and water absorption. The fired samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and bending strength measurements. The sample is pressured at 15 MPa and sintered at 1180 °C and endowed with 0.04% of the water absorption and 51 MPa of the bending strength, due to denser microstructure. The obtained results would contribute to save natural resources and protect environment.

Effects of CaO-Li&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O-K&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O-Na&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O Fluxing Agents on the Properties of Porcelain Ceramic Tiles

With the rapid development of the world's industrial, issues of energy and environment have increasingly been prominent. Currently, the cost of building ceramics production needs a large number of raw materials and fuel, how to save energy and reduce consumption in building ceramic process is still hot spot of domestic and international research and the main development trends. Reducing the sintering temperature is one of the most efficient ways for energy conservation and consumption. In order to reduce the sintering temperature, fluxing agents are often used in preparing ceramic products. In this paper, the ceramic green bodies were prepared by mixing clays, lithium China stone and grammite, equivalent to “K2O-Na2O-Li2O-CaO” normally used as fluxing agents. The effects of grammite on the properties of ceramic body were studied. The sintering behavior of the samples was evaluated by water absorption and bulk density. The fired samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and bending strength measurements. The results showed that the optimum sintering temperature range of 40 °C and bending strength of 60 MPa could be achieved in the presence of 3 wt % grammite. The obtained results are useful in low-temperature sintering porcelain ceramic application.

Influence of Specimen Geometry and Surface Quality on the Bending Strength of Short Fiber-Reinforced C/SiC

For continuous fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites, there is an extensive knowledge of the influence of specimen geometry on the failure mode and the determined strength in bending tests. In contrast, there are almost no studies on this topic for short-fiber-reinforced CMC, and as a consequence no testing standard for bending tests for such materials exists. In the present work, the influence of the specimen cross-section and the span width on the calculated mean and variance of the bending strength of different short fiber CMC (C/SiC with 3 mm and 10 mm fiber length) were examined. Below a certain specimen cross-section a decrease of the determined bending strength was observed. The relationships between the orientation of fiber bundles in the loaded area of the bending sample, the region of failure initiation and measured failure stress was investigated by high resolution X-ray CT in order to obtain further insight into the causes of strength scatter in these materials. The effect of different surface qualities prepared by grinding and milling on the measured bending strength in short fiber C/SiC was found to be negligible.

Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris Schrad.) from Moist Forest and Derived Savanna Locations in South West Nigeria – Properties and Gluability

Bamboo culms of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. were collected from two locations in moist forests and two sites in derived Savanna zones in South West Nigeria. The study involved chemical analyses, density variability, bonding tests, gluability tests, and measurements of bending strength of the bamboo in addition to durability testing with decay fungi and treatability of glued boards with a copper-based wood preservative. Chemical analyses showed a uniform composition of the bamboo with a cellulose content of 45 to 47.5% and a lignin content of 23 to 25.6% as the predominant chemical constituents. An average wood density of 700 kg/m(3) was a prerequisite for high mechanical strength. The moduli of elasticity were high and exceeded 14 kN/mm(2) for bamboo boards and 13 kN/mm(2) for finger joints. Bamboo boards from all growth sites showed high moduli of rupture in the range of 150 to 166 N/mm(2) and 72.9 to 94.7 N/mm(2) for boards and finger joints, respectively. Bamboo from the four sites showed variable mass loss with the EN-113 (1996) test method, which classifies this biomass as a moderately to non-durable plant material. White rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) caused the highest mass losses (11.2 to 16.8%). The bamboo showed good treatability using a 500-kg/m(3) solution of a copper-based preservative.

Sex-specific differences in progressive glucose intolerance and hip geometry: the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Fracture risk is increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The effect of pre-diabetes and T2DM on bone macroarchitecture and strength has not been well investigated. In this study, we show that in women only, both pre-diabetes and T2DM are associated with decreased hip bending strength and mineralization which might lead to skeletal weakness. Older men and women with T2DM are at increased risk for fracture despite normal bone mineral density (BMD). The discordance between bone quantity and skeletal fragility has driven investigation into additional determinants of fracture resistance in T2DM. Additionally, the effect of pre-diabetes on bone strength has not been well described. The aim of this study was to determine differences in bone macroarchitecture and strength, measured by hip geometry, in persons with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2DM. We performed cross-sectional analyses of older (age >55years) men (n = 472) and women (n = 473) participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) classified as NGT, IGT, or T2DM based on oral glucose tolerance testing. Bone strength measures included the hip geometry parameters of section modulus (Z), cross-sectional area (CSA), and buckling ratio (BR). Sex-stratified analyses were conducted using adjusted stepwise regression models. In women, IGT and T2DM were negatively associated with hip geometry parameters including mineralization in cross section (CSA, ß -0.076 and -0.073, respectively; both p < 0.05) and hip bending strength (Z, ß -0.097 and -0.09, respectively; both p < 0.05); conversely, IGT and T2DM were associated with improved compressive strength (BR, ß -0.31 and -0.29, respectively; both p < 0.05). There was no significant association between glycemic status and hip geometry in men. In women only, both IGT and T2DM were inversely associated with bone macroarchitecture and measures of bone mineralization and bending strength. The same association between worsening glycemic status and bone strength was not observed in men. These data suggest a differential effect of sex on hip geometry with evolving glucose intolerance.