5 Werkstofftechnik
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- 5 Werkstofftechnik (139) (entfernen)
Eingeladener Vortrag
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Polyethylen hoher Dichte (PE-HD) wird als Werkstoff für Rohre und Behälter für den Transport und zur Lagerung von Gefahrgütern verwendet. Für die Beurteilung und technische Freigabe dieser Materialien ist insbesondere das Verständnis des Schädigungsmechanismus des langsamen, umgebungsbedingten Spannungsrisses (engl.: „environmental stress cracking“, ESC) essentiell. ESC tritt bei relativ geringen auf einen Werkstoff einwirkenden mechanischen Spannungen auf. An lokalen Fehlstellen (z.B. Defekte, Inhomogenitäten, Kerben) beginnend wächst ein Riss langsam durch das Material und führt nach gewisser Zeit zu einem charakteristischen, pseudo-spröden Bruch. Dabei wird das Risswachstum durch äußere Medieneinwirkung zusätzlich entscheidend beeinflusst. Dieses langsame Risswachstum wird als Hauptursache für das plötzliche und unerwartete Versagen von Polymerwerkstoffen angesehen.
Eine etablierte Prüfmethode zur Bewertung des Materialverhaltens gegenüber dieses Schädigungsmechanismus ist der Full-Notch Creep Test (FNCT), der für PE-HD Behältermaterialien üblicherweise unter Verwendung von wässrigen Netzmittellösungen (Arkopal N 100) durchgeführt wird. Die aus dem FNCT erhaltene Standzeit dient dabei als Bewertungskriterium für verschiedene PE-HD-Werkstoffe. In einer Studie wurden neben einer typischen Arkopal-N-100-Netzmittellösung praktisch relevante, organische Flüssigkeiten wie Biodiesel und Diesel als Testmedien verwendet, um deren Einfluss auf das ESC-Verhalten von PE-HD-Behältermaterialien zu charakterisieren. Neben der klassischen Standzeit-Auswertung erfolgte eine erweiterte Bruchflächenanalyse mittels Licht- (LM), Laserscanning- (LSM) und Rasterelektronenmikroskopie (REM). Insbesondere die LSM erlaubt eine schnelle und einfache Unterscheidung pseudo-spröder und duktiler Bruchbilder, die zur Beurteilung der Repräsentativität des FNCT für das dem Spannungsriss zugrundeliegenden langsamen Risswachstum von Bedeutung ist.
Virtual-lab-based determination of a macroscopic yield function for additively manufactured parts
(2019)
This work aims for a yield function description of additively manufactured parts of S316L steel at the continuum-mechanical macro-scale by means of so-called virtual experiments using a crystal plasticity (CP) model at meso-scale. Additively manufactured parts require the consideration of the specific process-related microstructure, which prevents this material to be macroscopically treated as isotropic, because of crystallographic as well as topological textures. From virtual experiments, yield loci under various loading conditions are simulated. The scale bridging from meso- to macro-scale is realised by the identification of the simulated yield loci as a modified anisotropic Barlat-type yield model representation.
If the particle size decreases, the ratio of surface area to volume increases considerably. This provides benefits for all surface-driven processes that run faster or at lower temperatures than larger particles. However, handling and characterization of the nanopowders are much more difficult. Particularly polydisperse powders with irregular shape, as grinding products, represent a challenge. Granulometry in the submicron and nanoscale often leads to incorrect results without knowledge of particle morphology.
This presentation demonstrates potentials of using the volume-specific surface area (SV or VSSA) in the granulometric characterization of nanopowders, for instance, correlations between the volume-specific surface area and the median particle size are discussed considering the particle morphology and the model of the logarithmic normal distribution.
Moreover, the presentation deals with the optimal dispersion of nanopowders during sample preparation. Indirect ultrasound device with defined cooling was developed to prevent both contamination by sonotrode abrasion and sample changes by heat.
Successful granulometric characterization of nanopowders demands both improved dispersion technology and very often an effective combination of two or more measurement methods.
Im Vortrag werden das Messprinzip des Zentrifugen-Sedimentationsverfahrens erläutert und die Anforderungen der zugrundeliegenden Normen diskutiert. Es schließen sich umfangreiche Ausführungen zur praktischen Durchführung der Messung, insbesondere auch zu den vorbereitenden Arbeiten, sowie zur Auswertung der Rohdaten an. Nach einem Vergleich der Ergebnisse mit anderen Messverfahren, wird das Verfahren in einer Zusammenfassung bewertet.
The introduction of the 5G technology and automotive radar applications moving into higher frequency ranges trigger further miniaturization of LTCC technology (low temperature co-fired ceramics). To assess dimensional tolerances of inner metal structures of an industrially produced LTCC multilayer, computer tomography (CT) scans were evaluated by machine learning segmentation.
The tested multilayer consists of several layers of a glass ceramic substrate with low resistance silver-based vertical interconnect access (VIA). The VIAs are punched into the LTCC green tape and then filled with silver-based pastes before stacking and sintering. These geometries must abide by strict tolerance requirements to ensure the high frequency properties.
This poster presents a method to extract shape and size specific data from these VIAs. For this purpose, 4 measurements, each containing 3 to 4 samples, were segmented using the trainable WEKA segmentation, a non-commercial machine learning tool. The dimensional stability of the VIA can be evaluated regarding the edge-displacement as well as the cross-sectional area. Deviation from the ideal tubular shape is best measured by aspect ratio of each individual layer. The herein described method allows for a fast and semi-automatic analysis of considerable amount of structural data. This data can then be quantified by shape descriptors to illustrate 3-dimensional information in a concise manner. Inter alia, a 45 % periodical change of cross-sectional area is demonstrated.
Homogeneous introduction of organic additives is a key of ceramic powder processing. Addition of organics to ceramic slurries holds advantages compared to dry processing like organic content reduction and a more homogeneous additive distribution on the particle surface.
Investigations of the alumina slurries were primarily based on zeta potential measurements and sedimentation analysis by optical centrifugation. Both methods were combined to determine a suitable additive type, amount and composition, whereas the spray drying suitability has been ensured by viscosity measurements. Granules, yielded by spray drying of such ideally dispersed alumina slurries, are mostly hollow and possess a hard shell. Those granules cannot easily be processed and can only hardly be destroyed in the following shaping step, leading to sinter bodies with many defects and poor strength and density.
The precise slurry destabilization, carried out after ideally dispersing the ceramic powder, shows a strong influence on the drying behavior of the granules and hence on the granule properties. A promising degree of destabilization and partial flocculation was quantified by optical centrifugation and resulted in improved granule properties. Spray drying the destabilized alumina slurries yielded homogeneous “non-hollow” granules without the above mentioned hard shell. Sample bodies produced of these granules exhibited a reduction of defect size and number, leading to better results for sinter body density and strength.
The positive effect of the slurry destabilization has been further improved, by exchanging the atomizing unit from a two-fluid one to an ultrasound atomizer with only minor slurry adjustments necessary. The controlled destabilization and ultrasound atomization of the ceramic slurry show excellent transferability for zirconia and even ZTA (zirconia toughened alumina) composite materials.
Efficient studies of scarce or expensive materials require material saving processes. Therefore, a high yield concept for small batch preparation of ready-to-press powder is exemplarily presented for yttria stabilized nano-zirconia (d50 < 50 nm).
The concept involves small batch preparation in an ultrasound resonator, dispersant selection based on zeta potential measurements, evaluation of slurry stability using an analytical centrifuge, and preparation of ready-to-press powder by freeze drying.
Freeze drying offers key advantages. Process efficiency and high yield above 95 % are independent of sample size. The dried product does not require further mechanical treatment like milling or grinding. Side effects like migration of additives are avoided.
An optimized freeze drying process tolerates slurries with moderate stability. Thus, efforts for slurry development can be reduced. Generally, identifying a suitable dispersing agent requires only 3-5 zeta potential measurements. Slurry stability is rechecked using an analytical centrifuge, which also accounts for steric stabilization. An ultrasound resonator is used to disperse the powder without contamination, which becomes critical for small batches.
The described route is exemplarily presented for the development of an additive recipe for nano-sized zirconia powder, targeting for good pressing behavior and high green density. Therefore, a variety of binding and lubricating agents were tested.
Following the presented route, 80 g zirconia powder were sufficient to conduct a study including slurry development and five sample sets with varying composition, each set comprising five discs (d = 20 mm and h = 2 mm).
Localized patches are a cost- and time-effective method for repairing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) sandwich wind turbine rotor blade shells. To increase the understanding of their effect on the fatigue of the blades, this study examines the effect of various layup methods of localized repair patches on the structural integrity of composite sandwich structures. Manufactured with the vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process, the shell test specimens are produced as a curved structure with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) sandwiching a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam core. Patch repairs are then introduced with varying layup techniques, and material properties are examined with cyclic fatigue tests. The transition region between patch and parent material is studied in greater detail with finite element method (FEM) simulations, with a focus on the effect of fiber orientation mismatch. Damage onset, crack development, and eventual failure are monitored with in-situ non-destructive testing methods to develop a robust understanding of the effects of repair concepts on material stiffness and strength.
Glass powders are promising candidates for manufacturing a broad diversity of sintered materials like sintered glass-ceramics, glass matrix composites, glass bonded ceramics or pastes. Powder processing, however, can substantially affect sinterability, e.g. by promoting surface crystallization. On the other hand, densification can be hindered by gas bubble formation for slow crystallizing glass powders. Against this background, we studied sintering and foaming of silicate glass powders with different crystallization tendency for wet milling and dry milling in air, Ar, N2, and CO2 by means of heating microscopy, DTA, Vacuum Hot Extraction (VHE), SEM, IR spectroscopy, XPS, and ToF-SIMS. In any case, foaming activity increased significantly with progressive milling. For moderately milled glass powders, subsequent storage in air could also promote foaming. Contrarily, foaming could be substantially reduced by milling in water and 10 wt% HCl. Although all powder compacts were uniaxially pressed and sintered in air, foaming was significantly affected by different milling atmosphere and was found most pronounced for milling in CO2 atmosphere. Conformingly, VHE studies revealed that foaming is mainly driven by carbonaceous species, even for powders milled in other gases. Current results of this study thus indicate that foaming is caused by carbonaceous species trapped on the glass powder surface.
Up to now, oriented surface crystallization phenomena are discussed controversially, and related studies are restricted to few glasses. The vast majority of previous work does not consider possible effects of surface preparation and surrounding atmosphere. Moreover, very few observations of surface crystal orientation were made on separately grown crystals.
The aim of our project is to advance the basic understanding of oriented surface crystallization, e.g. whether preferred orientation of surface crystals results from oriented nucleation or reorientation mechanisms during early crystal growth. In both cases, crystal orientation may reflect the orientation of the glass surface or that of anisotropic active surface nucleation sites. Therefore, we focus on orientation of surface crystals separately growing under controlled conditions.
First results on diopside (MgCaSi2O6) and walstromite (BaCa2Si3O9) crystals growing from 18BaO·22CaO·60SiO2 and MgO·CaO·2SiO2 glass surfaces, respectively, indicate that different orientation mechanisms may occur.
Neighbored walstromite crystals were found to gradually reorient themselves when they are going to impinge each other during stepwise isothermal treatments (log η = 4,5 Pa*s) of polished glass samples. Nevertheless, no preferred crystal orientation was evident for separate crystals.
For diopside crystals growing from polished glass surfaces (1 μm diamond lapping foil), strong preferred orientation was observed for 3.5 to 85 min annealing at 850 °C. Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) studies showed that the c-axis of surface crystals is oriented parallel to the glass surface and that separated diopside crystals as small as 600 nm are already oriented. Studies on glass surfaces, polished with diamond lapping foils starting from 16 μm down to 1 μm grain, revealed that crystal orientation may scatter arround this preferential orientation and that this scatter progressively decreases with decreasing polishing grain size.
During their lifetime, polymer components subjected to mechanical loads and environmental influences show a loss of their mechanical properties required for their specific applications. In this respect, the craze-crack damage mechanism slow crack growth (SCG) is relevant for PE-HD components used in high-performance applications such as pipes and containers for the storage and transport of dangerous goods. SCG is considered to be the major failure mechanism in polyolefins and it typically occurs suddenly and unexpectedly. Due to the fields of application, SCG is a safety relevant issue. To test for the resistance of PE-HD pipe and container materials against SCG, the full-notch creep test (FNCT) is widely applied in Europe. In this study, SCG phenomena in PE-HD are investigated in detail based on an improved FNCT, especially including the consideration of the influence of environmental liquids effecting the damage mechanism. Using an enhanced fracture surface and a crack propagation analysis with imaging techniques such as light microscopy (LM), laser scanning microscopy (LSM), X-ray computed tomography (CT-scan) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), detailed data concerning SCG are obtained.
The combined application of FNCT and such imaging techniques is explicitly advantageous and recommended to gain important information on damage occurring to PE-HD induced by mechanical stress and the influence of environmental liquids, which is essential within the Fourth Industry Revolution.
The full-notch creep test (FNCT) is a common method to evaluate the environmental stress cracking (ESC) behavior of high-density polyethylene (PE-HD) container materials . The test procedure as specified in ISO 16770 provides a comparative measure of the resistance against ESC using the time to failure of specimens mechanically loaded in a well-defined liquid environment. Since the craze-crack damage mechanism underlying the ESC process is associated with brittle failure, the occurrence of globally brittle fracture surfaces is a prerequisite to consider an FNCT measurement as representative for ESC . Therefore, an optical evaluation of FNCT fracture surfaces concerning their brittleness is essential. Due to the experimental setup, an inevitable increase of the true mechanical stress and the associated appearance of small ductile parts on fracture surfaces is induced in any case. Hence, an FNCT experiment is considered as 'valid', if the corresponding fracture surface is predominantly brittle . Based on laser scanning microscopy (LSM) height data of FNCT fracture surfaces , a universal and easy-to-use phenomenological criterion was developed to assess the validity of distinct FNCT experiments. This criterion is supposed to facilitate a quick evaluation of FNCT results in practical routine testing.
Charakterisierung von Hochtemperaturwerkstoffen durch Zug- und Ermüdungsversuche an Kleinproben
(2019)
Die Verwendung von miniaturisierten Probengeometrien in der mechanischen Prüfung ermöglicht die Entnahme des Probenmaterials direkt aus kritischen Bereichen wie Fügeverbindungen und ermöglicht die Prüfung von kleinen Bauteilen wie additiv gefertigten Strukturen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden exemplarisch die Ergebnisse von vergleichenden Zug- und niederzyklischen Schwing-versuchen (LCF) an dem austenitischen Stahl AISI 316L und der Nickelbasislegierung IN718 vorgestellt. Die Prüfergebnisse der Kleinproben aus AISI 316L weisen die charakteristischen Eigenschaften des Werkstoffs auf, und die Analyse der Zug- und Ermüdungsdaten führt zu Werten, die den Literaturdaten weitgehend entsprechen. Der direkte Vergleich mit Standardprobendaten zeigt jedoch systematische Abweichungen bei Zugfestigkeit, Dehngrenze und Gleichmaßdehnung, die in diesem Beitrag diskutiert werden.
Charakterisierung von Hochtemperaturwerkstoffen durch Zug- und Ermüdungsversuche an Kleinproben
(2019)
Die Verwendung von miniaturisierten Probengeometrien in der mechanischen Prüfung ermöglicht die Entnahme des Probenmaterials direkt aus kritischen Bereichen wie Fügeverbindungen und ermöglicht die Prüfung von kleinen Bauteilen wie additiv gefertigten Strukturen. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden exemplarisch die Ergebnisse von vergleichenden Zug- und niederzyklischen Schwingversuchen (LCF) an dem austenitischen Stahl AISI 316L und der Nickelbasislegierung IN718 vorgestellt. Die Prüfergebnisse der Kleinproben aus AISI 316L weisen die charakteristischen Eigenschaften des Werkstoffs auf, und die Analyse der Zug- und Ermüdungsdaten führt zu Werten, die den Literaturdaten weitgehend entsprechen. Der direkte Vergleich mit Standardprobendaten zeigt jedoch systematische Abweichungen bei Zugfestigkeit, Dehngrenze und Gleichmaßdehnung, die in diesem Beitrag diskutiert werden.
Der Fachbereich Mechanik der Polymerwerkstoffe befasst sich mit der Charakterisierung der mechanischen Eigenschaften und der Degradation von Polymeren und Faserverbundwerkstoffen, die in hochbeanspruchten, sicherheitsrelevanten Konstruktionen wie jenen des Flugzeugbaus, des Automobilbaus und der Windenergie-Industrie eingesetzt werden. Auch die Analyse der chemischen und physikalischen Eigenschaften von Polymeren zählt zu unserem Aufgabenbereich.
Das Spektrum reicht von der statischen Festigkeit über die Betriebsfestigkeit, die Messung bruchmechanischer und viskoelastischer Parameter bis hin zur Formulierung molekularer Schädigungsmechanismen.
Even for the basic measurements of material data for design and engineering of composite structures there is a need to upgrade standards. With a new shear frame test rig more precise values can be obtained.
With advanced methods in the research on the fatigue behaviour of FRP it was found a load level of infinite life for GFRP and CFRP. This is in the range of typical strain values of airliners and rotor blades in normal operation.
Statistically the mean time between damage events on rotor blades is 6 years (Deutscher Windenergie Report 2006). Due to imperfection in the production the shell structures get cracks after a few years fare before the designed life time. A shell test rig was built at BAM for efficient research on the effects of defects in production.
Test blades of ~10m are an efficient way for SHM research and evaluation of NDT-methods and blade geometry.
Statistically the mean time between damage events on rotor blades is 6 years (Deutscher Windenergie Report 2006). Due to imperfection in the production the shell structures get cracks after a few years fare before the designed life time. A shell test rig was built at BAM for efficient research on the effects of defects in production.
In-situ and ex-situ NDT give a better understanding from degradation processes in composite materials.
With advanced methods in the research on the fatigue behaviour of FRP it was found a load level of infinite life for GFRP and CFRP. This is in the range of typical strain values of airliners and rotor blades in normal operation.
Due to the fibre-composite nature NDT techniques have to be suitable to a wide length scale to image micro cracking as well as bigger defects. Therefore different techniques have to be applied and developed.
The common fatigue life certification of aircrafts according to the certification Standards 23 and 25 follows a building block approach. Static tests at room temperature as well in humid and high temperature conditions are done on the coupon level. Additionally, a full-scale static and fatigue test must be performed on the complete airframe (minimum on the fuselage together with the wing). For each type-certificate the complete building block approach test program must be performed.
Traditionally in Germany, the certification of sailplanes (Certification Standard 22) follows rather a family concept. A shared data base was created over the last 50 years based upon a large number of material testing. In addition to static tests at room temperature and hot-humid conditions, fatigue tests are also done on the coupon level. Additional static and fatigue tests were done on complex structures such as spar-beams, fuselages and full-scale wing structures. However, for each type-certificate, only static tests should be performed in full-scale. This concept is determined by the certification memorandum CM-S-006 “Composite Lightweight Aircraft” 2017.
The presentation was given as an introduction to the discussion about the future expectations and developments of the EASA concerning the type-certification of lightweight aircrafts according to CS22 at the OSTIVE Sailplane Development Panel Meeting at the EASA in Cologne on the 11th of October 2019.
Spherical mesoporous bioactive glasses in the silicon dioxide (SiO2)-phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5)–calcium oxide (CaO) system with a high specific surface area of up to 300m2/g and a medium pore radius of 4 nm were synthesized by using a simple one-pot surfactant-assisted sol–gel synthesis method followed by calcination at 500–700°C. The authors were able to control the particle properties by varying synthesis parameters to achieve microscale powders with spherical morphology and a particle size of around 5–10 mm by employing one structure-directing agent. Due to a high Calcium oxide content of 33·6mol% and a phosphorus pentoxide content of 4·0mol%, the powder showed very good bioactivity up to 7 d of immersion in simulated Body fluid. The resulting microspheres are promising materials for a variety of life science applications, as further processing – for example, granulation – is unnecessary. Microspheres can be applied as materials for powder-based additive manufacturing or in stable suspensions for drug release, in bone cements or fillers.
The layerwise slurry deposition (LSD) has been established in the recent years as a method for the deposition of ceramic powder layers. The LSD consists in the layer-by-layer deposition of a ceramic slurry by means of a doctor blade; each layer is sequentially deposited and dried to achieve a highly packed powder layer.
The combination of binder jetting and LSD was introduced as a novel technology named LSD-print. The LSD-print takes advantage of the speed of binder jetting to print large areas, parallel to the flexibility of the LSD, which allows the deposition of highly packed powder layers with a variety of ceramic materials.
The working principle and history of the LSD technology will be shortly discussed. A theoretical background will be also discussed, highlighting advantages and drawbacks of the LSD compared to the deposition of a dry powder.
The last part of the talk will be dedicated to highlight recent results on the LSD-print of SiSiC of geometrically complex components, in collaboration between BAM and HC Starck Ceramics GmbH. Density, microstructure and mechanical properties of LSD-printed and isostatic pressed samples will be discussed and compared.
Powder bed -based technologies are amongst the most successful Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques. "Selective laser sintering/melting" (SLS/SLM) and "binder jetting 3D printing" (3DP) especially are leading AM technologies for metals and polymers, thanks to their high productivity and scalability.
However, the flowability of the powder used in these processes is essential to achieve defect-free and densely packed powder layers. For standard powder bed AM technologies, this limits the use of many raw materials which are too fine or too cohesive.
This presentation will discuss the possibilities to either optimize the powder raw material to adapt it to the specific AM process, or to develop novel AM technologies which are able to process powders in a wider range of conditions.
In this context, the "layerwise slurry deposition" (LSD) has been developed as a layer deposition method which enables the use of very fine ceramic particles.
Quality Aspects of Additively Manufactured Medical Implants - Defect Detection in Lattice Parts
(2019)
Additive Manufacturing technologies are developing fast to enable a rapid and flexible production of parts. Tailoring products to individual needs is a big advantage of this technology, which makes it of special interest for the medical device industry and the direct manufacturing of final products. Due to the fast development, standards to assure reliability of the AM process and quality of the printed products are often lacking. The EU project Metrology for Additively Manufactured Medical Implants (MetAMMI) is aiming to fill this gap by investigating alternative and cost efficient non-destructive measurement methods.
Additive manufacturing of alkali-activated materials currently attracts a lot of attention, because of the possibility to produce customized high-performance elements for a range of applications, potentially being more resource-efficient than conventionally produced parts. Here, we describe a new additive manufacturing process for alkali-activated materials that is based on selective laser-heating of lithium aluminate/microsilica slurries. The new process-material combination allows to manufacture elements with complex geometries at high building rates and high accuracy. The process is versatile and transferrable to structures of sizes differing by orders of magnitude. The mechanical strength of the obtained materials was in the range of values reported for conventional metakaolin-based geopolymers, and superior to what has been hitherto reported for alkali-activated materials produced by additive manufacturing. This mechanical performance was obtained despite the fact that the degree of reaction of the lithium aluminate and the microsilica was low, suggesting that significant reactions took place only at the surface of the microsilica particles.
Fresnoite glass with excess SiO2 exhibits oriented surface crystallization, in contrast to the stoichiometric glass composition. Recent EBSD studies documented that the crystals in BTS (2BaO-TiO2-xSiO2, x=0-3) can occur in a distinct [101]-orientation perpendicular to the surface and claimed that this orientation is not a result of growth selection. During these previous studies, however, the effect of surface preparation and surrounding atmosphere during the crystallization experiments were not considered. As these parameters may influence crystal orientation, we studied the surface crystallization of a BTS glass (2BaO-TiO2–2.75SiO2) under controlled conditions with the help of light, electron and polarisation microscopy as well as EBSD. Heat treatments for one hour at 840°C of fractured BTS glass surfaces in air resulted in a large number of not-separable surface crystals. This large number of crystals can be caused by dust particles, which act as nucleation agents. As crystal growth velocity could further be influenced by humidity, our experiments are performed in a filtered and dried air atmosphere. The crystal morphology and orientation will be analysed in dependence of the sample preparation and a differing surrounding atmosphere.
Characterization of early crystallization stages in surface-crystallized diopside glass-ceramics
(2019)
Structure formation in glass-ceramics by means of surface crystallization is a challenging open question and remains elusive to definite answers. In several glass-ceramic systems, oriented crystal layers have been observed at the immediate surface, including diopside and some fresnoite systems. However, it is still open to debate, whether oriented surface crystallization is the result of oriented nucleation or growth selection effects. In the same vein, there is still discussion whether surface nucleation is governed by surface chemistry effects or by defects serving as active nucleation sites.
In order to help answer these questions, annealing experiments at 850°C have been performed on a MgO·CaO·2SiO2 glass, leading to the crystallization of diopside at the surface. Different annealing durations and surface treatment protocols (i.a. lapping with diamond slurries between 16 µm and 1 µm grain size) have been applied. Particular focus has been put on earliest crystallization stages, with crystal sizes down to about 200 nm. The resultant microstructure has been analyzed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and two different kinds of textures have been observed, with the a- or b-axis being perpendicular to the sample surface and the c-axis lying in the sample plane. Even at shortest annealing durations, a clear texture was present in the samples. Additionally, selected samples have been investigated with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy in the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM-EDX). The diopside crystals have been found to exhibit distinguished submicron structure variations and the glass around the crystals was shown to be depleted of Mg.
Ambient water influences sub-critical crack growth (SCCG) from microscopic surface flaws, leading to stress corrosion at the crack tip. The complex influence of humidity accelerating slow crack propagation (region I) is well studied only for dry commercial NCS glass (< 1000 ppm water). To shed light on this influence, the effect of water is mimicked by studying SCCG water-bearing glasses. For this purpose, water-bearing silicate glasses of 8 wt% total water were synthesized at 0.5 GPa and compared to dry glasses. SCCG was measured in double cantilever beam geometry. For dry glasses, 3 trends in crack velocity vs. stress intensity, KI, curve were found. The slope in region I increases in the order NCS < NBS < BaCS < NZnS < NAS glass. The velocity range of region II, reflecting the transition between corrosion affected and inert crack growth (region III), varies within one order of magnitude among these glasses. The KI region of inert crack growth strongly scatters between 0.4 and 0.9 MPam0.5. For hydrous glasses, it is found that water strongly decreases Tg, form a new sub-Tg internal friction peak caused by molecular water, and makes the glasses more prone to SCCG. The observed trends will be discussed in terms of the effects of Youngs Modulus on the strain energy release rate and energy dissipation related to mechanical glass relaxation phenomena.
Virtual-lab-based determination of a macroscopic yield function for additively manufactured parts
(2019)
This work aims for an yield function description of additively manufactured (AM) parts of S316L steel at the continuum-mechanical macro-scale by means of so-called virtual experiments using a crystal plasticity (CP) model at meso-scale. Additively manufactured parts require the consideration of the specific process-related microstructure, which prevents this material to be macroscopically treated as isotropic, because of crystallographic as well as topological textures.
EBSD/CT-Scans from in-house additively manufactured specimen extract the unique microstructural topology which is converted to a representative volume element (RVE) with grain structure and crystal orientations.
Crystal plasticity model parameters on this RVE are calibrated and validated by means of mechanical testing under different texture angles. From virtual experiments on this RVE, yield loci under various loading conditions are simulated. The scale bridging from meso- to macro-scale is realised by the identification of the simulated yield loci as a modified anisotropic Barlat-type yield model representation.
Diese DIN SPEC legt ein Verfahren für die Prüfung von unverstärkten und partikel- und kurzfaserverstärkten Kunststoffen mittels Zug-Druck-Schubprüfung fest. Dieses Verfahren findet Anwendung zur Bestimmung der Schwingfestigkeit im Bereich von 103 bis 107 Schwingspielen und der Nachgiebigkeiten unter statischer Belastung sowie der Zugfestigkeit. Alle Beanspruchungen und berechneten Größen sind nennspannungs-basiert.
Grundsätzlich besteht bei Rohrprobekörpern auch die Möglichkeit eine Beanspruchung in Längs- und in Umfangsrichtung durch Innendruck zu erzeugen. Dies wird in dieser Spezifikation nicht berücksichtigt, um die Anwendung überschaubar zu halten. Bei Rohrproben mit ausgeprägter Querschnittsverkleinerung (z. B. der Prüfkörper Typ B), entsteht eine Umfangsspannung auch aufgrund einer Zugkraft (siehe Anhang C). Die Umfangsspannung muss dann mittels FEA lokal berechnet werden.
Das Verfahren gilt für rohrförmige Prüfkörper deren spezifische Form den Anforderungen der Werkstoff-prüfung und bei Kurzfaserverstärkung einer hohen Vorzugsausrichtung in Probenlängsrichtung genügen.
Diese DIN SPEC gilt nicht für endlosfaserverstärkte Kunststoffe. Wegen der vollkommen unterschiedlichen Fertigungstechnologien und der zu erwartenden hohen Prüflasten, sind hier die Anforderungen an die Prüfkörpergeometrie gesondert zu betrachten. Es wird nicht zielführend sein, beide Werkstoffklassen in einer Norm zu behandeln.
The current competitive situation on electricity markets forces power plants into cyclic operation regimes with frequent load shifts and starts/shutdowns. In the present work, the cyclic mechanical behavior of ferritic-martensitic 9-12 % Cr steels under isothermal and thermomechanical loading was investigated for the example of grade P92 material. A continuous softening was observed under all loading conditions. The introduction of hold periods to the applied cycles reduced material lifetime, with most prominent effects at technologically relevant small strain levels. The microstructural characterization reveals a coarsening of the original “martensitic” lath-type microstructure to a structure with polygonal subgrains and reduced dislocation density. The microstructural data forms the input for a physically-based modelling approach, both of which are presented in “Part 2: Microstructural Evolution during Cyclic Loading and its Representation in a Physically-based Micromechanical Model“.
Morphologies of Fresnoite surface crystals of BT0.75S glass under different atmospheric conditions
(2019)
Fresnoite glass-ceramics are characterized by piezoelectric, pyroelectric and non-linear optical properties. These properties can be adjusted by orienting the fresnoite crystals during crystallization. Crystallization begins at the surface. The first surface crystals are not oriented perpendicular and, therfore, produce a surface layer that has not the intended properties. To overcome this issue, the formation of fresnoite surface crystals at different atmospheric conditions was studied.
Glass
(2019)
Overview about the key activities of division 5.6 glass and the diversity of the material glass. For the vacuum hot extraction method (VHE-MS) some examples are presented e. g. for the measurement of water content or the determination of diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in glasses. Finally, an outlook is shown on the robot controlled glass screening device which will be available next year.
Materialprüfung
(2019)
Die Materialprüfung dient der Analyse der Eigenschaften, der Qualität und der Sicherheit vonMaterialien undWerkstoffen. Die häufigsten Verfahren umfassen die Analyse der chemischen Zusammensetzung und der Mikrostruktur sowie die Ermittlung von Werkstoffkennwerten. Dazu zählt auch die Bestimmung des Materialverhaltens unter verschiedenen Beanspruchungen bis hin zu komplexen Beanspruchungen. Die Verwendung von Referenzmaterialien, Referenzorganismen und Referenzverfahren dient der Zuverlässigkeit und Richtigkeit von Messungen, Prüfungen und Analysen.
Glass powders are promising candidates for manufacturing a broad diversity of sintered materials like sintered ¬glass-ceramics, glass matrix composites or glass bonded ceramics with tailored mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties and complex shape. Its wide and precise adjustability makes this class of materials a key component for advanced technologies. Processing of glass or composite powders often allow even more flexibility in materials design. At the same time, however, processing can have substantial effects on the glass powder surface and sinterability. Thus, mechanical damage and surface contamination can strongly enhance surface crystallization, which may retard or even fully prevent densification. Whereas sintering and concurrent crystallization have been widely studied, partially as cooperative effort of the TC7 of the ICG, and although glass powder sintering is predominantly applied for glasses of low crystallization tendency, sintering is also limited by gas bubble formation or foaming. The latter phenomenon is much less understood and can occur even for slow crystallizing glass powders. The lecture illustrates possible consequences of glass powder processing on glass sintering, crystallization and foaming.
Das Ziel des Gesamtvorhabens bestand darin, einen neuartigen kapazitiven Sensortyp zur hochauflösenden Bestimmung von Masse- und Gravitationskraftänderungen zu entwickeln. Bisherige Technologien nutzten dafür Federn oder Biegebalken aus gehärteten metallischen Werkstoffen, deren Alterungsverhalten die Präzision der Kräftemessung begrenzen. Grundprinzip des neuen Sensortyps ist es, eine auf die keramische Feder einwirkenden Änderung der Gewichts- oder Gravitationskraft durch eine Erfassung der Kapazitätsänderung am Sensor zu bestimmen. Dazu muss die durch Stauchung oder Dehnung der Feder entstehende Kapazitätsänderung mit hoher Auflösung reproduzierbar gemessen werden. Neben einem geeigneten Sensordesign waren Lösungen für Messsignalerfassung und -auswertung (Elektronik/Software) und die Systemintegration zu entwickeln.
Die wichtigsten im Rahmen des BAM-Teilvorhabens erzielten Ergebnisse sind:
- Ausgehend von kommerziellen High-end Keramikpulvern wurden durch Optimierung der keramischen Technologie nahezu porenfreie Al2O3, ZrO2 und Si3N4-Werkstoffe hergestellt und bezüglich Gefüge und Phasenbestand sowie mechanischen, thermischen und elektrischen Eigenschaften bewertet. Insbesondere die defektfreie Herstellung von nanostrukturierten Werkstoffen erforderte umfangreiche Variationen der Prozessparameter. Geeignete Werkstoffvarianten wurden für die Federherstellung ausgewählt.
- Gemeinsam mit den Projektpartnern wurden Layoutvarianten für Schraubendruckfedern mit rechteckigem Windungsquerschnitt und für die Federeinbindung in das Sensorsystem erarbeitet.
- 4 Federvarianten wurden an der BAM durch Hartbearbeitung von gesinterten Hohlzylindern umgesetzt. Fertigungstoleranzen von < ±10 µm für Windungsbreite, Windungshöhe und Windungsabstand und dünnfilm-kompatible innere Windungsflächen (Ra < 0,2 µm) wurden erreicht. Al2O3- und ZrO2-Federn können rissfrei und mit sehr guter Kantenqualität gefertigt werden, bei Si3N4-Federn konnten Kantenschädigungen nicht vollständig verhindert werden.
- Mit der entwickelten Herstellungstechnologie können sowohl „harte“ als auch sehr „weiche“ Federn produziert werden. Federkonstanten zwischen 0,02 N/mm und 10 N/mm wurden realisiert. Die Reproduzierbarkeit der Federfertigung ist gegeben, innerhalb einer Charge unterschieden sich die Federkonstanten der gefertigten Federn nur um etwa +/- 1%.
- An einem speziell entwickelten Versuchsstand wurden die Federn unter zyklischer Druckbelastung im Temperaturbereich von -20 bis +80 °C untersucht. An den Al2O3- und ZrO2-Federn wurden keine Schädigungen beobachtet, die Federkonstante wird durch die zyklische Langzeitbelastung nicht verändert.
- Die Eignung der keramischen Federn für den Applikationsfall wurde mit zahlreichen Spannungs-Dehnungs-Experimenten, teilweise an speziell aufgebauten Versuchsapparaturen, untersucht. An Al2O3- und Si3N4-Federn wurde – wie erwartet – gefunden, dass die Federkonstante unabhängig von der Belastungsgeschwindigkeit ist und unter konstanter Last auch über lange Zeiträume keine Verformung auftritt. Überraschenderweise zeigten ZrO2 (TZP)-Federn ein zeitabhängiges Verhalten unter Last. Dieses ist besonders stark bei Y-stabilisierten Werkstoffvarianten ausgebildet, wurde aber mit Hochpräzisionsmessungen auch bei Ce-stabilsierten Werkstoffen nachgewiesen. Die Deformation ist reversibel, eine vollständige Relaxation wird erst nach Tagen erreicht. Aufgrund der zeitabhängigen Verformung können ZrO2 (TZP)-Federn, trotz ihrer hervorragenden Festigkeit und Bruchzähigkeit, nicht für die konzipierten Sensorfedern eingesetzt werden.
- Das durch die Fa. Siegert TFT entwickelte Metallisierungs-Schichtsystem, bestehend aus aufgesputterten Ti-, Pt- und Au-Schichten verstärkt durch eine galvanisch aufgebrachte Au-Schicht, wurde an der BAM umfassend bewertet. Die Schichten sind untereinander und mit der Keramik weitgehend defektfrei verbunden, die lokale Schichtdicke schwankt jedoch bedingt durch Abschattungseffekte während der Beschichtungsvorgang. Es wurden Schichtwiderstände zwischen 50 und 90 Ohm und damit die Zielvorgabe des Projektes (< 100 Ohm) erreicht. In statischen und dynamischen Belastungstests wurden keine Veränderungen der Leitungswiderstände festgestellt.
- Zur Erhöhung der Kapazität des Kondensators kann der Raum zwischen den Federwindungen statt mit Luft mit einer Flüssigkeit mit hoher Dielektrizitätskonstante gefüllt werden. Als geeignete Flüssigkeit wurde Propylencarbonat mit einer Dielektrizitätskonstante von 65, einem hohen Siedepunkt und einer geringen Viskosität identifiziert. Um eine noch höhere Dielektrizitätskonstante zwischen den Federwindungen zu erreichen. wurden Suspensionen aus Silikonöl und nanokristallinem Bariumtitanat hergestellt und bezüglich ihrer Langzeitstabiltät charakterisiert.
- Gemäß den Anforderungen des Projektpartners KOMPASS wurden maßgeschneiderte Al2O3-Federn mit einer Federkonstante < 0,1 N/mm hergestellt und für den Aufbau des finalen Demonstrator eingesetzt.
Die prinzipielle Funktionsfähigkeit des neuen Sensorkonzeptes auf Basis keramischer Federn wurde mit dem im Projekt aufgebauten Demonstrator nachgewiesen. Die Umsetzung der F+E-ergebnisse in eine industrielle Nutzung zur Herstellung von Gravimetern wird vom Projektpartner KOMPASS angestrebt und ist bereits mit detaillierten Zeitplänen untersetzt.
Fiber-reinforced-polymers (FRPs) are in current research focus in the lightweight construction industry, because of their extraordinary characteristics (stiffness and strength-to-density relation). The structure of polymer matrix and the interaction with reinforcement are crucial for optimization of the mechanical and thermal properties of FRPs. Due to the macromolecular chain structure, the mechanical properties of a polymer strongly vary with temperature: Below the glass transition, the chain segments of a polymer are “frozen”. Regarding fracture, the total changed energy during fracture if only dissipates for the generation of the new surfaces. However, in the region of the glass transition, the polymer chain segments start to get “unfrozen”, and the energy is not only required for generating new surfaces, but also for irreversibly deformation. This irreversible deformation is affected by the global temperature and the local temperature near the crack tip, which is affected by the local strain rate and crack propagation velocity.
Hence, in this research project, the irreversible deformation of neat and reinforced polymers will be controlled by changing the global temperature as well as the local temperature. With using different fracture experiments, the amount of energy required for creating new surfaces and for the irreversible deformation will be separated. In this presentation, I summarized of the first 15 months the whole project. In this period, the basic crack propagation theory for neat polymers is established and the special fracture experiment sample is prepared and tested at room temperature. In addition, the model of the specimen is first established.
Die Metal Magnetic Memory (MMM) Methode ist ein standardisiertes, zerstörungsfreies Prüfverfahren, das für die Detektion von lokal geschädigten Materialbereichen in ferromagnetischen Bauteilen oder Proben verwendet wird. Es basiert auf der Annahme lokaler magnetoelastischer Wechselwirkungen an Spannungskonzentrationsstellen, die schwache magnetische Streufelder an den geschädigten Prüfkörperoberflächen hervorrufen. Die MMM-Methode überträgt dabei die für einachsige und elastische Verformungen entwickelten magnetoelastischen Modellvorstellungen ohne weitere Anpassungen in den Schädigungskontext, der jedoch mehrachsige Beanspruchungen und elastisch-plastische Deformationsprozesse erwarten lässt. Das Ziel der Arbeit ist es daher, die gängigen MMM-Hypothesen zur Signalentstehung fach- und skalenübergreifend und unter stärkerer Berücksichtigung mechanischer und mikrostruktureller Aspekte zu überprüfen.
Zu diesem Zweck wurden zum einen gekerbte Flachzugproben aus einem unlegierten Baustahl inhomogen elastisch-plastisch verformt und die entstehenden magnetischen Streufelder an deren Oberflächen mit einem Drei-Achsen-GMR-Magnetometer detektiert. Die so ermittelten Magnetfeld-verteilungen wurden für unterschiedliche Verformungszustände ortsaufgelöst und richtungsabhängig mit gemessenen Dehnungsverteilungen (digitale Bildkorrelation) und mit simulierten Lastspannungs-verteilungen korreliert. Die eingeschnürten Probenbereiche wurden zusätzlich topographisch mittels Streifenlichtprojektion und Weißlichtinterferenzmikroskopie vermessen, um den Magnetisierungs-prozess ebenfalls vor dem Hintergrund geometrischer Effekte diskutieren zu können.
Um systematische, verformungsinduzierte Veränderungen der magnetischen Mikrostruktur (magnetischer Domänen) im polykristallinen, quasi-isotropen Material nachzuweisen, wurde zum anderen ein in dieser Arbeit entwickelter statistischer Ansatz der Domänenanalyse angewandt. Hierfür wurde das Material zunächst durch Härteeindrücke mehrachsig elastisch-plastisch verformt, und die verformten Probenbereiche wurden anschließend mit Hilfe der Bitterstreifentechnik hauptsächlich bei niedriger Vergrößerung lichtmikroskopisch untersucht. Die beobachteten makroskopischen Domänen-kontraste wurden über ein analytisches, kontaktmechanisches (ECM-) Modell und über Makro-Eigen-spannungsmessungen (energiedispersive Synchrotron-Beugungsuntersuchungen) charakteristischen Verformungszonen unter den Härteeindrücken zugeordnet.
Die Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchungen belegen, dass die Entstehung der Streufelder – entgegen bisheriger Annahmen – nicht allein auf mechanische Spannungs- und Verformungsgradienten im Material zurückzuführen, sondern auch topographisch bedingt ist. Die Vernachlässigung überlagerter geometrischer Effekte kann zu sicherheitsrelevanten Fehlinterpretationen der magnetischen Signale führen. Einachsige magnetoelastische Modellvorstellungen sollten zudem nicht ohne Anpassungen auf komplexe Beanspruchungen übertragen werden, da u. a. sowohl mechanische Größen (wie Spannungen oder Dehnungen) als auch mikrostrukturelle Parameter (wie z. B. Versetzungsdichten) bei komplexen Belastungen als ortsabhängige Variablen behandelt werden müssen. Die in dieser Arbeit beobachteten Domänenkontraste lassen sich zweifelsfrei charakteristischen Verformungszonen zuordnen, mikro-strukturell jedoch nicht allein mit anzunehmenden Gradienten der Versetzungsdichte erklären. Statt-dessen entstehen beispielsweise lokale Verformungstexturen, die zusätzliche magnetische Anisotropien bewirken könnten. Da bisher weder die makroskopischen noch die mikrostrukturellen Ursachen der Streufeldentstehung hinreichend verstanden sind, scheint die MMM-Methode für die quantitative Bewertung des Schädigungszustands derzeit ungeeignet.
Modern wind turbine rotor blades consist of sandwich shell segments made from glass fiber reinforced polymers. During manufacturing, defects can arise which could lead to failure of the whole component under dynamic mechanical and thermal loads. Hence during operation defects can arise which, if detected, can be repaired locally and in-situ by applying repair patches instead of taking the whole rotor blade down and repair it remotely. This method is much more time and cost effective, since the shut-down time of the energy converter is limited to a minimum. These repair patches can, however, also lead to new defects if not applied optimally. Therefore, it is necessary to control the quality of the repair patches to ensure the best possible restoration of structural integrity of the component. As a rotor blade is an object with a large aspect ratio, X-ray laminography is predestined to provide 3D information of the objective volume. To enhance the amount of information gained from laminographic reconstruction, we use in this study a photon counting and energy discriminating X-ray detector and apply a material decomposition algorithm to the data. By inherently separating the incident spectra within the detection process into two distinct energy bins, the basis material decomposition can provide material resolved images. Choosing glass and epoxy resin as basis materials and numerically solving the inverse dual-energy equation system, the reconstructed laminographic datasets contain highly valuable information about the distribution of the basis materials within the structure. Furthermore, cross- artifacts arising from the limited angle of the projection data can be reduced by this method which allows to investigate structures that were hidden underneath the artefacts.
Modern wind turbine rotor blades consist of sandwich shell segments made from glass fiber reinforced polymers. During manufacturing, defects can arise which could lead to failure of the whole component under dynamic mechanical and thermal loads. Hence during operation defects can arise which, if detected, can be repaired locally and in-situ by applying repair patches instead of taking the whole rotor blade down and repair it remotely. This method is much more time and cost effective, since the shut-down time of the energy converter is limited to a minimum. These repair patches can, however, also lead to new defects if not applied optimally. Therefore, it is necessary to control the quality of the repair patches to ensure the best possible restoration of structural integrity of the component. As a rotor blade is an object with a large aspect ratio, X-ray laminography is predestined to provide 3D information of the objective volume. To enhance the amount of information gained from laminographic reconstruction, we use in this study a photon counting and energy discriminating X-ray detector and apply a material decomposition algorithm to the data. By inherently separating the incident spectra within the detection process into two distinct energy bins, the basis material decomposition can provide material resolved images. Choosing glass and epoxy resin as basis materials and numerically solving the inverse dual-energy equation system, the reconstructed laminographic datasets contain highly valuable information about the distribution of the basis materials within the structure. Furthermore, cross- artifacts arising from the limited angle of the projection data can be reduced by this method which allows to investigate structures that were hidden underneath the artefacts.
The ProboStat is a multi-purpose measurement cell suitable for various electrical and physical measurements under different atmospheres and at high temperatures. Disc and bar shaped samples are sandwiched between platinum electrodes at the top of the tubular cell. The gas tight assembly can be inserted into a furnace. Different gases can be flushed through the tube. For this study, a ProboStat was adapted to measure volume resistivity of ceramic insulators at high temperatures according to standards.
The standardized measurement of volume resistivity of ceramic insulators requires the consideration of many specifications including sample diameter, thickness, electrode design, and the proportion of these characteristics. Measurements are ideally performed in a state of dielectric equilibrium. The time-related slope of resistivity of a specific sample follows a power function. Thus, care must be taken when choosing a charge time or defining the duration of a measurement. As fringing of the guarded electrode occurs under high voltage, the effective electrode area for evaluation of the results should be corrected with respect to sample thickness and electrode design. The demands of effective standards on sample geometry and electrode design are stricter for room temperature measurements than for high temperature measurements.
To perform high temperature measurements on ceramic samples that also fulfill the demands on room temperature measurements, a ProboStat was equipped with a dedicated large sample setup for discs with diameters of up to 60 mm. The volume resistivity of different alumina samples was first measured at room temperature in a standard test fixture and then compared to results obtained with the ProboStat. All measurements were performed for at least 100 min using a 26 mm guarded electrode. High temperature measurements at 500 °C were performed using the same samples. Room temperature values obtained with the standard test fixture are in the order of 10^17 Ohm·cm. The quantitative effect of electrode area correction is presented. Practical issues related to the use of the multi-purpose cell are addressed. These include electrode material selection, application of electrodes, and compensation of leakage currents. High temperature results of volume resistivity of the different alumina samples are presented. The validity is discussed with respect to the suitability of the multi-purpose cell for such measurements.
The influence of prestraining on the aging response of an Al-Cu-Li alloy is investigated by preparation of different strain states (3 %, 4 %, 6 %) of the initial aging state. The Brinell hardness of the subsequently aged samples (up to 60 h aging time) was measured and it was found that the increasing dislocation concentration in the 3 different initial states leads to faster hardness increases and slightly higher maximum hardness.
Ceramic springs offer versatile possibilities for load bearing or sensor applications in challenging environments. Although it may appear unexpected, a wide range of spring constants can be implemented by material selection and especially by the design of the spring. Based on a rectangular cross-section of the windings, it is possible to design a spring geometry that generates the desired spring constant simply by choosing appropriate diameter, height, widths, and number of windings. In a recent research project the calculation of helical compression springs made of rectangular steel (German standard DIN 2090) was applied for the design of ceramic springs. A manufacturing technology has been worked out to fabricate such springs from hollow cylinders of several highly dense technical ceramics by milling. Ceramic springs with precise rectangular section, without edge damage, and mean surface roughness smaller than 0.2 µm were produced after parameter optimization. Tolerances of less than 10 µm were achieved regarding spring diameter, height, and width of cross section. It is shown that the calculations outlined in the standard are valid for a variety of ceramic materials as well. Demonstrator springs with a wide range of spring constants have been fabricated, including zirconia springs with 0.02 N/mm, alumina springs with 1 N/mm and Si3N4 springs with 5 N/mm. A reproducibility study of six zirconia springs with a constant of 0.3 N/mm showed a relative difference in spring constants of less than +/- 1 %. This combination of a valid calculation approach for spring geometry and a reliable manufacturing technology allows for purposeful development and fabrication of ceramic springs with precise mechanical properties and superior chemical stability.
Wind turbine rotor blade shells are manufactured as sandwich structures with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) due to the material’s high specific stiffness and strength. With a growing renewable energy industry and thereby a spread of wind energy farms, especially in offshore applications, the need to fully utilize turbines through their designed lifespan is becoming increasingly essential. However, due to imperfections during manufacturing, which are then propagated by harsh environmental conditions and a variety of loads, blades often fail before their projected lifespan. Thus, the need for localized repair patch methods for the outer shell portions of the blades has become of greater interest in recent years, as it is crucial to the optimal compromise between continuation of wind energy production, cost efficiency, and restoration of structural performance. To increase the understanding of the effect on the fatigue life of the rotor blades, this study tests localized repair patch methods and compares them to each other as well as to reference, non-repaired specimens. Manufactured with the vacuum-assisted resin infusion process, the shell test specimens are produced as a curved structure with glass FRP sandwiching a polyvinyl chloride foam core to best represent a portion of a rotor blade shell. Patch repairs are then introduced with varying layup techniques, and material properties are examined with cyclic fatigue tests. The intermediate scale test specimens allow for the observation of material as well as structural variables, namely of interest being the stiffness and strength restoration due to the repair patches. Damage onset, crack development, and eventual failure are monitored with in-situ non-destructive testing methods to develop a robust understanding of the effects of repair concepts.
High conductive silver metallization pastes are key components in advanced electronics and photovoltaics. Increasing demands on efficiency, miniaturization and ever shorter time-to-market require tailored glass-silver-pastes. In these pastes, low-melting glasses act as a sintering aid achieving better sintering, adhesion and contact formation for solar cells. Yet, the related liquid phase sintering of silver-glass-composites and the underlying mechanism of silver dissolution, transport and reprecipitation are rarely investigated. In this study, systematically varied low melting alkaline zinc borate, alkaline earth borate, and Pb- and Bi-glasses are investigated. Glass transition and crystallization are studied with dilatometry, DTA and XRD. Sintering of the pure glasses, pure silver and silver-glass-composites is analyzed with Hot Stage Microscopy, optical and electron microscopy. Since oxygen dissolved in silver powders can affect the silver dissolution as silver oxide in the matrix oxide glasses, the O2-content of silver powders is determined by Vacuum Hot Extraction. The glass transition temperature of the glasses under study varies between 370 °C and 590 °C whereas the sinter onset largely ranges between 400 °C and 600 °C. On the other hand, it scattered between 200 °C and 450 °C for selected commercial Ag-powders of different particle size and morphology.