Material Toughness Research Articles

Compact-tension-shear specimen for orthotropic materials in fracture toughness testing

Conducting Compact-Tension-Shear (CTS) tests emerges as a promising research methodology to determine the fracture toughness of orthotropic materials in mixed-mode I&II. However, the absence of pertinent fracture parameter solutions incorporating material orthotropy impedes the further application and standardization of CTS testing. Therefore, this study performed a systematic two-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) on orthotropic CTS specimens to evaluate critical fracture parameters, including the normalized stress intensity factors (YI, YII) and compliance (u). First, the impacts of three commonly cited boundary conditions (BCs) of CTS models were investigated, revealing that the simplified or equivalent methods developed for isotropic CTS models are no longer applicable. Subsequently, the suitable CTS models were used to analysis the coupling effects of material orthotropy (λ, ρ), crack length ratios (a/W), and loading angles (β). Findings indicated that YI or u no longer exhibit a monotonic relationship with respect to a/W or β under strong orthotropy. The impact of λ and ρ on fracture parameters is equally significant across different geometries and loading conditions. Further, the impact of orthotropy on YII is relatively small, while the more affected YI may have a difference compared to isotropic results of over 80%. Finally, CTS tests were carried out on the unidirectional carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composite measuring the fracture toughness in mixed-modes I&II. The obtained fracture parameter solutions were applied and validated during the process. The acquired results are poised to contribute to the advancement of fracture toughness testing standardization for orthotropic materials under mixed-mode loading.

On the intermolecular interactions and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/inositol supramolecular complexes

Hydrogen-bond (H-bond) cross-linking has recently been proven a promising strategy for simultaneously improving strength, toughness, and ductility of H-bonded polymers. However, there has been a lack of a fundamental understanding of how H-bond cross-linking works on a molecular level. To fill this knowledge gap, coarse-grained (CG) simulation provides a possibility because of its high computational efficiency and access to longer lengths and time scales. However, existing coarse-grained force fields and potential functions exhibit an inability to accurately describe H-bonded polymer systems. Herein, we report a modified CG model to understand the H-bond crosslinking effect of small molecules, inositol (IN) on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), with reference to MARTINI 3.0 parameters and empirical data. The simulation results show that incorporating IN molecules results in a significant improvement in the strength, ductility, and toughness of PVA, which is in good agreement with experimental data. Moreover, the modified CG model establishes a close correlation between IN content, water content, tensile rate and glass transition, free volume, chain movement and mechanical properties of PVA. The results show that the yield strength of PVA initially increases and then decreases with the addition of IN. The maximum yield stress of PVA at IN-1.0 is approximately 155 MPa, representing a 33% increase compared to that of PVA. Additionally, the glass transition temperature (Tg) reaches 80.2 °C, ∼2.8 °C higher than that of pure PVA. This work develops a modified CG model for understanding intermolecular interactions and mechanical properties of H-bonded polymer systems on a molecular level. This understanding is expected to help expediate the material design and properties optimization of strong and tough polymeric materials.

IPP/HDPE blends compatibilized by a polyester: An unconventional concept to valuable products.

Polyolefins are the most widely used plastics accounting for a large fraction of the polymer waste stream. Although reusing polyolefins seems to be a logical choice, their recycling level remains disappointingly low. This is mainly due to the lack of large-scale availability of efficient and inexpensive compatibilizers for mixed polyolefin waste, typically consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) that, despite their similar chemical hydrocarbon structure, are immiscible. Here, we describe an unconventional approach of using polypentadecalactone, a straightforward and simple-to-produce aliphatic polyester, as a compatibilizer for iPP/HDPE blends, especially the brittle iPP-rich ones. The unexpectedly effective compatibilizer transforms brittle iPP/HDPE blends into unexpectedly tough materials that even outperform the reference HDPE and iPP materials. This simple approach creates opportunities for upcycling polymer waste into valuable products.

A Review of Sisal Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymers: Preparation, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties.

The early strength of geopolymers (GPs) and their composites is higher, and the hardening speed is faster than that of ordinary cementitious materials. Due to their wide source of raw materials, low energy consumption in the production process, and lower emissions of pollutants, they are considered to have the most potential to replace ordinary Portland cement. However, similar to other inorganic materials, the GPs themselves have weak flexural and tensile strength and are sensitive to micro-cracks. Improving the toughness of GP materials can be achieved by adding an appropriate amount of fiber materials into the matrix. The use of discrete staple fibers shows great potential in improving the toughness of GPs. Sisal is a natural fiber that is reproducible and easy to obtain. Due to its good mechanical properties, low cost, and low carbon energy usage, sisal fiber (SF) is a GP composite reinforcement with potential development. In this paper, the research progress on the effect of SF on the properties of GP composites in recent decades is reviewed. It mainly includes the chemical composition and physical properties of SFs, the preparation technology of sisal-reinforced geopolymers (SFRGs), the microstructure analysis of the interface of SFs and the GP matrix, and the macroscopic mechanical properties of SFRGs. The properties of SFs make them have good bonding properties with the GP matrix. The addition of SFs can improve the flexural strength and tensile strength of GP composites, and SFRGs have good engineering application prospects.

Bioinspired chitin/gelatin composites with enhanced mechanical property

AbstractThe defensive tissues such as insect epidermis and crustacean exoskeleton in nature displayed characteristics of high strength and high toughness via multi‐level structure, which shed light on the designation of natural polymer‐based composites with enhanced mechanical property. Herein, a bioinspired strategy was used to prepare chitin/gelatin composite with improved mechanical property. Chitin hydrogels were first prepared by dissolution in NaOH/urea via freezing–thawing and then regeneration in sodium propionate, to form a heterogeneous nanofibrous structure. After coating gelatin on the chitin nanofibers, a hierarchical structure was obtained, leading to more compact and homogenous morphology. The coating process significantly strengthened the chitin nanofibrous structure and reduced the weak defect, which enhanced the tensile strength and toughness of the composite. The present work not only supplies a chitin/gelatin composite with high mechanical property but also offers a facile approach to prepare strengthening and toughening materials based on natural polymers.

A Strong, Tough, and Stable Composite with Nacre-Inspired Sandwich Structure.

Improving the fracture resistance of nacre-inspired composites is crucial in addressing the strength-toughness trade-off. However, most previously proposed strategies for enhancing fracture resistance in these composites have been limited to interfacial modification by polymer, which restricts mechanical enhancement. Here, a composite material consisting of graphene oxide (GO) lamellae and nanocrystalline reinforced amorphous alumina nanowires (NAANs) has been developed. The structure of the composite is inspired by nacre and is composed of stacked GO nanosheets with NAANs in between, forming a sandwich-like structure. This design enhances the fracture resistance of the composite through the pull-out of GO nanosheets at the nanoscale and GO/NAANs sandwich-like coupling at the micro-scale, while also providing stiff ceramic support. This composite simultaneously possesses high strength (887.8MPa), toughness (31.6MJm-3), superior cyclic stability (1600 cycles), and long-term (2 years) immersion stability, which outperform previously reported GO-based lamellar composites. The hierarchical fracture design provides a new path to design next-generation strong, tough, and stable materials for advanced engineering applications.

A novel strength-energy criterion for bimaterial interface crack propagation

This paper aims to propose a novel fracture criterion to predict complex propagation behaviors of a bimaterial interface crack, either delaminating along the interface or kinking out of the interface into one of the adjoining materials. A strength-based criterion is used to predict the crack deflection, and an energy-based criterion is adopted to assess delamination along the interface. To determine the competition between these two cracking modes, a competing strategy is developed by comparing the strength-based and energy-based criteria. This coupled strength-energy fracture criterion eliminates the disadvantages arising from a criterion based solely on strength or energy, and is convenient to be calculated and embedded into numerical models. As practice, we embed the criterion into a homemade extended finite element model to simulate bimaterial interface crack propagation. Several numerical examples are performed to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the developed model. Finally, this model is applied to simulate an interface crack propagation in a sandwich structure that has a specially designed peel-stopper. Parametric studies reveal that the material and interface toughness as well as geometrical dimensions of the structure have significant effects on the propagation mode of the interface crack. The results provide practical suggestions on the optimal design of peel-stopper in sandwich structures.

Nano-ZnO modified hydroxyapatite whiskers with enhanced osteoinductivity for bone defect repair

Abstract Hydroxyapatite (HA) whisker (HAw) represents a distinct form of HA characterized by its high aspect ratio, offering significant potential for enhancing the mechanical properties of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. However, the limited osteoinductivity of HAw hampers its widespread application. In this investigation, we observed HAw punctured osteoblast membranes and infiltrated the cell body, resulting in mechanical damage to cells that adversely impacted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. To address this challenge, we developed nano-zinc oxide particle-modified HAw (nano-ZnO/HAw). Acting as a reinforcing and toughening agent, nano-ZnO/HAw augmented the compressive strength and ductility of the matrix materials. At the same time, the surface modification with nano-ZnO particles improved osteoblast differentiation by reducing the mechanical damage from HAw to cells and releasing zinc ion, the two aspects collectively promoted the osteoinductivity of HAw. Encouragingly, the osteoinductive potential of 5%nano-ZnO/HAw and 10%nano-ZnO/HAw was validated in relevant rat models, demonstrating the efficacy of this approach in promoting new bone formation in vivo. Our findings underscore the role of nano-ZnO particle surface modification in enhancing the osteoinductivity of HAw from a physical standpoint, offering valuable insights into the development of bone substitutes with favorable osteoinductive properties while simultaneously bolstering matrix material strength and toughness.

Energy-Based Unified Models for Predicting the Fatigue Life Behaviors of Austenitic Steels and Welded Joints in Ultra-Supercritical Power Plants.

The development of a cost-effective and accurate model for predicting the fatigue life of materials is essential for designing thermal power plants and assessing their structural reliability under operational conditions. This paper reports a novel energy-based approach for developing unified models that predict the fatigue life of boiler tube materials in ultra-supercritical (USC) power plants. The proposed method combines the Masing behavior with a cyclic stress-strain relationship and existing stress-based or strain-based fatigue life prediction models. Notably, the developed models conform to the structure of the modified Morrow model, which incorporates material toughness (a temperature compensation parameter) into the Morrow model to account for the effects of temperature. A significant advantage of this approach is that it eliminates the need for tensile tests, which are otherwise essential for assessing material toughness in the modified Morrow model. Instead, all material constants in our models are derived solely from fatigue test results. We validate our models using fatigue data from three promising USC boiler tube materials-Super304H, TP310HCbN, and TP347H-and their welded joints at operating temperatures of 500, 600, and 700 °C. The results demonstrate that approximately 91% of the fatigue data for all six materials fall within a 2.5× scatter band of the model's predictions, indicating a high level of accuracy and broad applicability across various USC boiler tube materials and their welded joints, which is equivalent to the performance of the modified Morrow model.

Characterization of hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of 18CrNiMo7-6 alloy steel surface-modified layer based on scratch method

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the hydrogen embrittlement sensitivity of carbon gradient heterostructure materials and to verify the reliability of the scratch method.Design/methodology/approachThe surface-modified layer of 18CrNiMo7-6 alloy steel was delaminated to study its hydrogen embrittlement characteristics via hydrogen permeation, electrochemical hydrogen charging and scratch experiments.FindingsThe results showed that the diffusion coefficients of hydrogen in the surface and matrix layers are 3.28 × 10−7 and 16.67 × 10−7 cm2/s, respectively. The diffusible-hydrogen concentration of the material increases with increasing hydrogen-charging current density. For a given hydrogen-charging current density, the diffusible-hydrogen concentration gradually decreases with increasing depth in the surface-modified layer. Fracture toughness decreases with increasing diffusible-hydrogen concentration, so the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement decreases with increasing depth in the surface-modified layer.Originality/valueThe reliability of the scratch method in evaluating the fracture toughness of the surface-modified layer material is verified. An empirical formula is given for fracture toughness as a function of diffused-hydrogen concentration.

Compositional, Structural, and Biomechanical Properties of Three Different Soft Tissue-Hard Tissue Insertions: A Comparative Review.

Connective tissue attaches to bone across an insertion with spatial gradients in components, microstructure, and biomechanics. Due to regional stress concentrations between two mechanically dissimilar materials, the insertion is vulnerable to mechanical damage during joint movements and difficult to repair completely, which remains a significant clinical challenge. Despite interface stress concentrations, the native insertion physiologically functions as the effective load-transfer device between soft tissue and bone. This review summarizes tendon, ligament, and meniscus insertions cross-sectionally, which is novel in this field. Herein, the similarities and differences between the three kinds of insertions in terms of components, microstructure, and biomechanics are compared in great detail. This review begins with describing the basic components existing in the four zones (original soft tissue, uncalcified fibrocartilage, calcified fibrocartilage, and bone) of each kind of insertion, respectively. It then discusses the microstructure constructed from collagen, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), minerals and others, which provides key support for the biomechanical properties and affects its physiological functions. Finally, the review continues by describing variations in mechanical properties at the millimeter, micrometer, and nanometer scale, which minimize stress concentrations and control stretch at the insertion. In summary, investigating the contrasts between the three has enlightening significance for future directions of repair strategies of insertion diseases and for bioinspired approaches to effective soft-hard interfaces and other tough and robust materials in medicine and engineering.

Adaptive and Robust Vitrimers Fabricated by Synergy of Traditional and Supramolecular Polymers.

Vitrimers offer a unique combination of mechanical performance, reprocessability, and recyclability that makes them highly promising for a wide range of applications. However, achieving dynamic behavior in vitrimeric materials at their intended usage temperatures, thus combining reprocessability with adaptivity through associative dynamic covalent bonds, represents an attractive but formidable objective. Herein, we couple boron-nitrogen (B-N) dative bonds and B-O covalent bonds to generate a new class of vitrimers, boron-nitrogen vitrimers (BNVs), to endow them with dynamic features at usage temperatures. Compared with boron-ester vitrimers (BEVs) without B-N dative bonds, the BNVs with B-N dative bonds showcase enhanced mechanical performance. The excellent mechanical properties come from the synergistic effect of the dative B-N supramolecular polymer and covalent boron-ester networks. Moreover, benefiting from the associative exchange of B-O dynamic covalent bonds above their topological freezing temperature (Tv), the resultant BNVs also possess the processability. This study leveraged the structural characteristics of a boron-based vitrimer to achieve material reinforcement and toughness enhancement, simultaneously providing novel design concepts for the construction of new vitrimeric materials.

Adaptive and Robust Vitrimers Fabricated by Synergy of Traditional and Supramolecular Polymers

AbstractVitrimers offer a unique combination of mechanical performance, reprocessability, and recyclability that makes them highly promising for a wide range of applications. However, achieving dynamic behavior in vitrimeric materials at their intended usage temperatures, thus combining reprocessability with adaptivity through associative dynamic covalent bonds, represents an attractive but formidable objective. Herein, we couple boron‐nitrogen (B−N) dative bonds and B−O covalent bonds to generate a new class of vitrimers, boron‐nitrogen vitrimers (BNVs), to endow them with dynamic features at usage temperatures. Compared with boron‐ester vitrimers (BEVs) without B−N dative bonds, the BNVs with B−N dative bonds showcase enhanced mechanical performance. The excellent mechanical properties come from the synergistic effect of the dative B−N supramolecular polymer and covalent boron‐ester networks. Moreover, benefiting from the associative exchange of B−O dynamic covalent bonds above their topological freezing temperature (Tv), the resultant BNVs also possess the processability. This study leveraged the structural characteristics of a boron‐based vitrimer to achieve material reinforcement and toughness enhancement, simultaneously providing novel design concepts for the construction of new vitrimeric materials.

Experimental study on Corn Straw Fiber (CSF) toughening EPS concrete

The natural Corn Straw Fiber (CSF), it has the advantages of light weight, high strength, good toughness and renewable, can delay the cracking and improve the toughness of cement-based materials. The effects of different mass fractions of CSF and Expanded-Polystyrene (EPS) particles on the compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength and their failure modes, load-displacement curves and toughness of EPS concrete were analyzed by full factorial experimental design method. The compressive toughness index (I0, I1) and fracture energy (Gf) were defined to evaluate the effect of CSF on toughening EPS concrete. The results show that the addition of CSF can improve the compressive strength, flexural strength and cracking toughness of EPS concrete to a certain extent. The maximum compressive strength occurred in the E1F3 specimen with a CSF content of 3 % in Group I, which was 1.12 MPa, and the improvement rate was also the highest among the four groups, reaching 69.7 %. The compressive toughness index I1 also reached its maximum in the E1F3 specimen; The maximum flexural strength occurred in the E3F4 specimen with a 4 % CSF content in Group III, which was 0.885Mpa, with the highest improvement rate of 127.38 %. The maximum fracture energy Gf reached 0.827 in the E3F4 specimen. However, another additive, EPS particles, did not significantly improve the physical and mechanical properties of concrete. According to the SEM images and toughening mechanism analysis, it was discovered that tight adhesion between EPS particles and CSF with cement matrix, and the failure mode of CSF was tensile fracture, which could maximize the effect of CSF high tensile toughness. On the basis of mechanical properties and toughening effect, the relationship formulas between variable factors and strength, toughness index were fitted, and the optimal content of EPS and CSF were determined to be 1.3 % and 3 %, respectively.

Recyclable and mechanically tough nanocellulose reinforced natural rubber composite conductive elastomers for flexible multifunctional sensor

The development of flexible wearable multifunctional electronics has gained great attention in the field of human motion monitoring. However, developing mechanically tough, highly stretchable, and recyclable composite conductive materials for application in multifunctional sensors remained great challenges. In this work, a mechanically tough, highly stretchable, and recyclable composite conductive elastomer with the dynamic physical-chemical dual-crosslinking network was fabricated by the combination of multiple hydrogen bonds and dynamic ester bonds. To prepare the proposed composite elastomers, the polyaniline-modified carboxylate cellulose nanocrystals (C-CNC@PANI) were used as both conductive filler to yield high conductivity of 15.08 mS/m, and mechanical reinforcement to construct the dynamic dual-crosslinking network with epoxidized natural rubber latex to realize the high mechanical strength (8.65 MPa) and toughness (29.57 MJ/m3). Meanwhile, the construction of dynamic dual-crosslinking network endowed the elastomer with satisfactory recyclability. Based on these features, the composite conductive elastomers were used as strain sensors, and electrode material for assembling flexible and recyclable self-powered sensors for monitoring human motions. Importantly, the composite conductive elastomers maintained reliable sensing and energy harvesting performance even after multiple recycling process. This study provides a new strategy for the preparation of recyclable, mechanically tough composite conductive materials for wearable sensors.

Microstructure and fracture toughness of 850°C quenched and aged Zr-2.5Nb alloy

The Zr-2.5Nb alloy pressure tubes manufactured by Water Quenched and Aged (WQA) fabrication route has reportedly exhibited superior resistance against in-reactor dimensional changes. WQA route comprises three consecutive thermo-mechanical treatments viz., solution heat treatment (SHT), cold working and vacuum aging, which govern the final microstructure and therefore fracture toughness of the pressure tube material. This work describes the influence of SHT soaking duration, degree of cold working and aging temperature on the microstructure and fracture toughness of WQA Zr-2.5Nb alloy. WQA pressure tubes are expected to have better resistance to in-reactor dimensional changes. However, if proper care of hydrogen absorption during thermo-mechanical processing is not taken, though resistance to creep will improve expectedly but fracture toughness at ambient temperature will deteriorate.

Nacre-like carbon fiber-reinforced biomimetic ceramic composites: Fabrication, microstructure, and mechanical performance

The unique structure of nacre is composed of 'bricks' and ‘mortar,’ which gives it excellent damage resistance. In this study, nacre-like bionic ceramic scaffolds were 3D-printed using vat photopolymerization (VPP) technology, filled with polymer, and reinforced with carbon fiber to create high-strength and high-toughness carbon fiber-reinforced bionic composites. This approach leverages additive manufacturing technology to easily overcome the challenges of fabricating complex bionic structures with a simple and flexible production process. It offers a practical method for developing other lightweight, high-strength, and tough bionic materials. The microstructure of the composites was observed using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Additionally, finite element method and molecular dynamics simulations were performed on the composites. The results indicate that the composite material increased the flexural strength by 293.52 % and the fracture toughness by 109.36 % compared to solid ceramic parts. The primary toughening mechanisms of carbon fiber include crack deflection, fiber “pull-out,” and “debonding” within the composite.

Heterogeneous and Cooperative Rupture of Histidine-Ni2+ Metal-Coordination Bonds on Rationally Designed Protein Templates.

Metal-coordination bonds, a highly tunable class of dynamic noncovalent interactions, are pivotal to the function of a variety of protein-based natural materials and have emerged as binding motifs to produce strong, tough, and self-healing bioinspired materials. While natural proteins use clusters of metal-coordination bonds, synthetic materials frequently employ individual bonds, resulting in mechanically weak materials. To overcome this current limitation, we rationally designed a series of elastin-like polypeptide templates with the capability of forming an increasing number of intermolecular histidine-Ni2+ metal-coordination bonds. Using single-molecule force spectroscopy and steered molecular dynamics simulations, we show that templates with three histidine residues exhibit heterogeneous rupture pathways, including the simultaneous rupture of at least two bonds with more-than-additive rupture forces. The methodology and insights developed improve our understanding of the molecular interactions that stabilize metal-coordinated proteins and provide a general route for the design of new strong, metal-coordinated materials with a broad spectrum of dissipative time scales.

A finite crack growth energy release rate for interlaminar fracture analysis of composite material at different temperatures

The interlaminar fracture toughness of unidirectional fiber reinforced polymer composite material is temperature and crack growth history dependence. The non-constant interlaminar fracture toughness challenges the wide application of the linear elastic fracture mechanics-based approach for analyzing the interlaminar crack growth in composite material and structures. In addition, a quantitative relationship between the ductility of the matrix and interlaminar fracture toughness of the fiber reinforced composite is still highly desirable. In this paper, both pure resin and composite double cantilever beam (DCB) are tested at different temperatures. A finite crack growth energy release rate is used to analyze the interlaminar crack growth behavior of composite material at different temperatures. The plasticity of the composite DCB is modeled by Hill’s anisotropic plasticity, with the properties determined from multiscale analyses. It is found that a single constant finite growth energy release rate can well predict the interlaminar mode I crack growth of composite material at different temperatures. The roles of the ductility of matrix, thickness of the DCB, and crack growth history on the interlaminar mode I fracture toughness of composite material are quantitatively determined by using the present method.

Sustainable high-strength and dimensionally stable composites through in situ regulation and reconstitution of bamboo-derived lignin and hemicellulose contents

The development of modern construction and transportation industries demands increasingly high requirements for thin, lightweight, high-strength, and highly tough composite materials, such as metal carbides and concrete. Bamboo is a green, low-carbon, fast-growing, renewable, and biodegradable material with high strength and toughness. However, the density of its inner layer is low due to the functional gradient (the volume fraction of vascular bundles decreases from the outer layer to the inner layer), resulting in low performance, high compressibility, and significant amounts of bamboo waste. We utilized chemical and mechanical treatments of bamboo's low-density, low-strength inner layers to create lightweight, ultra-thin, high-strength, and high-toughness composites. The treatment included the partial removal of lignin and hemicellulose to alter the chemical components, followed by mechanical drying and hot pressing. The treated bamboo had 100.8 % higher tensile strength (150.35 MPa), 47.7 % higher flexural strength (97.67 MPa), and 132.0 % higher water resistance and was approximately 68.9 % thinner than the natural bamboo. The excellent physical and mechanical properties of the treated bamboo are attributed to the contraction of parenchyma cells during delignification, the interlocking due to the collapse of parenchyma cells during mechanical drying, and an increase in the density of hydrogen bonds between cellulose molecular chains during hot pressing. Our research provides a new strategy for obtaining sustainable, ultra-thin, lightweight, high-strength, and high-toughness composite materials from bamboo for construction and transportation applications.