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Hardness
Kinds of Hardness Terms modified by Hardness Selected AbstractsAN EVALUATION OF SURFACE HARDNESS OF NATURAL AND MODIFIED ROCKS USING SCHMIDT HAMMER: STUDY FROM NORTHWESTERN HIMALAYA, INDIAGEOGRAFISKA ANNALER SERIES A: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2009VIKRAM GUPTA ABSTRACT. Four rock types (quartz mica gneiss, schist, quartzite and calc-silicate) located in the Satluj and Alaknanda valleys were used to test whether a Schmidt hammer can be used to distinguish rock surfaces affected by various natural and man-induced processes like manual smoothing of rock surfaces by grindstone, surface weathering, deep weathering, fluvial polishing and blasting during road construction. Surfaces polished by fluvial process yielded the highest Schmidt hammer rebound (R-) values and the blast-affected surfaces yielded the lowest R-values for the same rock type. Variations in R-value also reflect the degree of weathering of the rock surfaces. It has been further observed that, for all the rock types, the strength of relationship between R-values for the treated surfaces (manual smoothing of rock surface by grindstone) and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) is higher than for the fresh natural surfaces. [source] EFFECT OF A LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE ON COMPOSITE POLYMERIZATION SHRINKAGE AND HARDNESSJOURNAL OF ESTHETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY, Issue 2 2005Kraig S. Vandewalle DDS [source] MEASUREMENT OF BITING VELOCITIES AT PREDETERMINED AND INDIVIDUAL CROSSHEAD SPEED INSTRUMENTAL IMITATIVE TESTS FOR PREDICTING SENSORY HARDNESS OF GELATIN GELSJOURNAL OF SENSORY STUDIES, Issue 2 2005M. FINNEY ABSTRACT Jaw movements during the act of biting were measured for seven subjects trained in descriptive analysis using an electrognathograph. The effectiveness of instrumental imitative tests performed at predefined and individual crosshead speeds (matching velocities measured in vivo) to predict the perception of hardness in 14 gelatin gels was assessed. For all seven subjects, the perception of hardness was adequately described by imitative instrumental tests performed with dental replicas of individual subjects (0.88 < R < 0.97). For some of the subjects, tests performed at crosshead speeds matching biting speeds improved the instrumental prediction of hardness, suggesting that biting velocity is an important aspect of the perception of hardness in food. [source] EFFECT OF PROCESSING CONDITIONS ON INSTRUMENTAL EVALUATION OF NIXTAMAL HARDNESS OF CORNJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 3 2008M.H. IBARRA-MENDÍVIL ABSTRACT Two varieties of corn (Blanco and Toluca) were cooked in water at boiling temperature (at a ratio of 1:3) for different cooking times (25 or 45 min) and concentrations of lime (0.0, 0.5 or 1.0%). The cooked corn was allowed to rest for 5 or 14 h, resulting in the nixtamal product. The nixtamal was tested for hardness utilizing the nixtamal puncture cell (NPC) connected to a texturometer. The parameters of hardness measured were the maximum force (MF) required to rupture the nixtamal and the modulus of elasticity (ME). It also were determined the moisture content of the nixtamal, pH of the nejayote and loss of solids into the nejayote. The concentration of lime, cooking time and corn variety had a highly significant effect (P < 0.01) on the MF and ME of the nixtamal. Both determinations correlated very significantly with the moisture content of the nixtamal (r = ,0.94 and r = ,0.96, respectively). The ME values correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with the loss of solids and pH of the nejayote (r = ,0.881 and r = ,0.858, respectively). The NPC was capable of detecting the difference in the hardness of nixtamal obtained under different conditions of the traditional nixtamalization process, where it could be a useful tool for further studies of this raw material in the production of corn tortillas. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Nixtamal is the alkaline cooked corn in the process to make corn tortillas. Actually, nixtamal hardness evaluation is made subjectively by the operator of the process. Depending on the nixtamal texture are the masa and the tortilla texture. Therefore, with the nixtamal punch cell, nixtamal hardness can be measured instrumentally and a better control of the corn tortilla process could be carry out. In addition, with the nixtamal puncture cell it is possible to study any factor affecting the nixtamal hardness. [source] PREDICTING SENSORY COHESIVENESS, HARDNESS AND SPRINGINESS OF SOLID FOODS FROM INSTRUMENTAL MEASUREMENTSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 2 2008R. DI MONACO ABSTRACT The sensory evaluation of cohesiveness, hardness and springiness of 15 solid food samples was performed by eight trained assessors. The rheologic response of the 15 samples was estimated by performing cyclic compression tests and stress,relaxation tests. From the force,deformation curves of the first two cycles of the compression test, texture profile analysis parameters related to cohesiveness, hardness and springiness were calculated. Young's modulus (E), strain (di) and stress (si) at peak as well as irrecoverable strain (ri) and irrecoverable work (Li) were monitored during the first five cycles. From the stress,relaxation response, Peleg's linearization model parameters, K1 and K2, were estimated by best-fit regression. These parameters were used for predicting sensory attributes. Hardness and springiness were both accurately predicted by rheologic properties, while cohesiveness prediction was less representative. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study contributes to enhance the knowledge in the research area of sensory instrumental correlation. Also, the research allows to better understanding that no single instrument is able to measure all texture attributes adequately. In fact, the results demonstrate that both stress,relaxation and cyclic compression tests need to be performed for the correct prediction of sensory responses. [source] COMPARISON OF INSTRUMENTAL METHODS FOR MEASURING SEED HARDNESS OF FOOD-GRADE SOYBEANJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2008BO ZHANG ABSTRACT Breeding specialty soybeans for the soyfood market requires proper methodology in evaluation of seed quality attributes. In this study, efficient methods that could be potentially used for testing soybean seed hardness were developed by examining different instruments and seed parameters. Five food-grade soybean genotypes with different seed sizes were used to determine seed water-absorption capacity and hardness. Water absorption capacity was expressed by swell ratios for seed weight, seed dimension, and volume of water changes before and after soaking. Seed hardness test was conducted by a one-bite method using a food texture analyzer equipped with five different probes. The results showed that hardness testing by a 75 mm cylinder with 10 steamed seeds, single blade with five steamed seeds, and shear cell with 30 g steamed seeds produced dependable and consistent results with low coefficient of variance. However, shear cell may not be practical for early plant selection in a breeding program due to a relatively large sample requirement. Seed size can be used as indirect selection indicators for seed hardness. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Seed hardness is an important factor in determining soybean suitability for natto production. This study used two texture analyzers equipped with five different probes to test hardness of five soybean genotypes with different seed size. The methodologies for testing the seed texture of soybean have been established, which can help regulate the seed hardness testing for commercial production and provide consistent hardness references for natto breeding programs and the seed industry. [source] FOOD HARDNESS AND FRACTURABILITY ASSESSMENT BY AN ELECTRONIC SENSING SYSTEM1JOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 2 2002YANKUN PENG ABSTRACT Two texture properties of food, hardness and fracturability, were studied by an electronic sensing system (ESS) with 29 cereal-based foods that represented a range of textures. Three electrodes were used with one located on the cheekbone, one on the lower jaw bone, and the other one, a ground, on the ear lobe. Total energy, peak energy, and Fourier power of the first bite ESS signals were analyzed. The Fourier power of the muscle motion in biting was highly correlated to the muscle motion total energy. Sensory hardness and fracturability were correlated with the first bite ESS total energy and first bite ESS Fourier power (r = 0.82 and 0.74). [source] MEASUREMENT OF BITING VELOCITIES, AND PREDETERMINED AND INDIVIDUAL CROSSHEAD SPEED INSTRUMENTAL IMITATIVE TESTS FOR PREDICTING CHEESE HARDNESSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 1 2002J.-F. MEULLENET ABSTRACT Average first bite velocities of ten cheeses were measured for seven subjects trained in descriptive analysis using an electrognathograph. The effectiveness of instrumental imitative tests performed at predefined and individual crosshead speeds (matching velocities measured in vivo) to predict hardness perception of cheeses were assessed. For five of the seven subjects, the perception of hardness was adequately described by imitative instrumental tests performed with dental replicas of individual subjects. For some of the subjects (2 of 5), individual crosshead speed testing significantly improved the instrumental prediction of hardness. For other subjects, the instrumental test method did not seem to greatly influence the results. [source] ROCK SURFACE HARDNESS AS AN INDICATION OF EXPOSURE AGE: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL APPLICATION OF THE SCHMIDT HAMMER,ARCHAEOMETRY, Issue 1 2000M. W. BETTS A Schmidt Hammer was employed in evaluating the surface hardness of rocks which line ancient anthropogenic pit features, known as Pukaskwa pits, on the north shore of Lake Superior, Canada. This technique offers a possible new method of producing relative ana absolute dates for such exposed stone features Analysis of the data has provided a relative chronology for the pit features, representing two distinct construction phases. The range of absolute dates generated from the data indicates that the pits were likely constructed by Blackduck peoples c. 900 to 400 years BP. [source] Observed and predicted reproduction of Ceriodaphnia dubia exposed to chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate,ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 2 2010Peter J. Lasier Abstract Chronic toxicities of Cl,, SO, and HCO to Ceriodaphnia dubia were evaluated in low- and moderate-hardness waters using a three-brood reproduction test method. Toxicity tests of anion mixtures were used to determine interaction effects and to produce models predicting C. dubia reproduction. Effluents diluted with low- and moderate-hardness waters were tested with animals acclimated to low- and moderate-hardness conditions to evaluate the models and to assess the effects of hardness and acclimation. Sulfate was significantly less toxic than Cl, and HCO in both types of water. Chloride and HCO toxicities were similar in low-hardness water, but HCO was the most toxic in moderate-hardness water. Low acute-to-chronic ratios indicate that toxicities of these anions will decrease quickly with dilution. Hardness significantly reduced Cl, and SO toxicity but had little effect on HCO. Chloride toxicity decreased with an increase in Na+ concentration, and HCO toxicity may have been reduced by the dissolved organic carbon in effluent. Multivariate models using measured anion concentrations in effluents with low to moderate hardness levels provided fairly accurate predictions of reproduction. Determinations of toxicity for several effluents differed significantly depending on the hardness of the dilution water and the hardness of the water used to culture test animals. These results can be used to predict the contribution of elevated anion concentrations to the chronic toxicity of effluents; to identify effluents that are toxic due to contaminants other than Cl,, SO, and HCO; and to provide a basis for chemical substitutions in manufacturing processes. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:347,358. Published 2009 SETAC [source] Comparison of hardness- and chloride-regulated acute effects of sodium sulfate on two freshwater crustaceansENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2007David John Soucek Abstract Based on previous observations that hardness (and potentially chloride) influences sodium sulfate toxicity, the objective of the current study was to quantify the influence of both chloride and water hardness on acute toxicity to Hyalella azteca and Ceriodaphnia dubia. In addition, observed toxicity data from the present study were compared to toxicity predictions by the salinity/toxicity relationship (STR) model. Hardness had a strong influence on sulfate toxicity that was similar for both crustaceans, and nearly identical median lethal concentration (LC50)/hardness slopes were observed for the two species over the tested range. Chloride had a strong but variable influence on sulfate acute toxicity, depending on the species tested and the concentration range. At lower chloride concentrations, LC50s for H. azteca strongly were correlated positively with chloride concentration, although chloride did not affect the toxicity of sodium sulfate to C. dubia. The opposite trend was observed over the higher range of chloride concentrations where there was a negative correlation between chloride concentration and sulfate LC50 for both species. The widely ranging values for both species and a high correlation between LC50s in terms of sulfate and conductivity suggested that, whether based on sulfate, conductivity, or total dissolved solids (TDS), attempts at water quality standard development should incorporate the fact that water quality parameters such as hardness and chloride strongly influence the toxicity of high TDS solutions. The STR model predicted toxicity to C. dubia relatively well when chloride was variable and hardness fixed at approximately 100 mg/L; however, the model did not account for the protective effect of hardness on major ion/TDS toxicity. [source] Influence of Wet Mechanical Mixing on Microstructure and Vickers Hardness of Nanocrystalline Ceramic,Metal CompositesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF APPLIED CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Tatsuo Kumagai Nanocrystalline (nc) ceramic,metal composite bulk samples have been fabricated by consolidation of mixture of attrition-milled (AM) amorphous base ceramic ((ZrO2,3 mol% Y2O3),20 mol% Al2O3) and AM amorphous base metallic (Ti,48 mol% Al) powders using a pulse-current pressure sintering system. Microstructural observations revealed that the ceramic and metallic colonies appear blocky in morphology in the composite bulk samples, and both the ceramic and the metallic colonies consist of a large number of equiaxed fine grains with the sizes of 78,82 and 81,86 nm, respectively. Mechanical mixing treatments by wet ball milling in ethanol before consolidation process are effective for refinement of the ceramic and metallic colonies. In all the obtained composite bulk samples, the ceramic colonies consist of the dominant phase of tetragonal (t) ZrO2 solid solution (ss) together with the minor phases of monoclinic (m) ZrO2ss and ,-Al2O3. On the other hand, the dominant phase in the metallic colonies changes from Ti3Al (,2) to Tiss (,) with an increase in the t -ZrO2ss volume fraction by abrasion of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized tetragonal polycrystalline zirconia balls during wet mechanical mixing treatments. Such a phase transformation from ,2 to , is considered to be due to the decrease in the aluminum content in the metallic colonies by combination of aluminum with oxygen (i.e., the formation of ,-Al2O3), which is probably taken from ethanol (C2H5OH) into the powders during wet mechanical mixing treatments. The obtained nc composite bulk samples show good Vickers hardness values, which are considerably higher than those estimated from the rule of mixture. [source] In vitro cytotoxicity of dental composites based on new and traditional polymerization chemistries,JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2007M. Goël Brackett Abstract The biological response to dental restorative polymer composites is mediated by the release of unpolymerized residual monomers. Several new composite formulations claim to reduce unpolymerized residual mass. The current study assessed the cytotoxic responses to several of these new formations and compared them with more traditional formulations. Our hypothesis predicted that if these new polymerization chemistries reduce unpolymerized residual mass, the cytotoxicity of these materials also should be reduced relative to traditional formulations. Methods: Materials (HerculiteXRV, Premise, Filtek Supreme, CeramxDuo, Hermes, and Quixfil) were tested in vitro in direct contact with Balb mouse fibroblasts, initially, then after aging in artificial saliva for 0, 1, 3, 5, or 8 weeks. The toxicity was determined by using the MTT assay to the estimate SDH activity. Knoop hardness of the materials also was measured at 0 and 8 weeks to determine whether surface breakdown of the materials in artificial saliva contributed to cytotoxic responses. Results: Materials with traditional methacrylate chemistries (Herculite, Premise, Filtek Supreme) were severely (>50%) cytotoxic throughout the 8-week interval, but materials with newer chemistries or filling strategies (Hermes, CeramXDuo, and Quixfil) improved over time of aging in artificial saliva. Hermes showed the least cytotoxicity at 8 weeks, and was statistically equivalent to Teflon® negative controls. Hardness of the materials was unaffected by exposure to artificial saliva. Conclusions: Newer polymerization and filling strategies for dental composites show promise for reducing the release of unpolymerized components and cytotoxicity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2006 [source] Hardness of Three Resin-Modified Glass-Ionomer Restorative Materials as a Function of Depth and TimeJOURNAL OF ESTHETIC AND RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY, Issue 4 2009HOWARD W. ROBERTS DMD ABSTRACT Statement of the Problem:, The polymerization of bulk-placed resin-modified glass-ionomer (RMGI) restoratives is compromised when penetration of the curing light is limited because of the materials' thickness. It is unknown if additional post light-curing resin polymerization and/or glass-ionomer setting occurs over time to ensure adequate polymerization. Purpose:, The primary objective was to evaluate the depth of cure of various thicknesses of RMGI restorative products over 1 year using Knoop hardness (KH) testing. Materials and Methods:, The materials were placed in Delrin molds having an internal diameter of 5.0 mm and heights of 2, 3, 4, and 5 mm and were photopolymerized with a halogen light-curing unit. Five specimens of each depth were prepared for each time period evaluated. Specimens were stored in darkness at 37 ± 2°C and 98 ± 2% humidity until being tested at 24 hours, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after fabrication. Mean KH values were calculated for the bottom and top surfaces of each thickness group and used to determine bottom/top hardness ratios. Data were compared using two-way analysis of variance (factors of time, thickness) at a 0.05 significance level with Scheffé's post hoc analysis, where required. Results:, The materials had relatively stable top surface KH, which permitted valid assessment of changes in bottom surface KH over time. The bottom surface KH of some RMGIs changed significantly over time (p < 0.001), but degrees of change were material dependent. Certain RMGIs demonstrated a potential for statistically significant post light-activation hardening; however, that too was material dependent. As compared with top surface KH, deeper layers of the thicker RMGI specimens consistently failed to achieve an adequate degree of polymerization. Conclusion:, Although certain RMGI materials demonstrate a potential for post light-activation chemically initiated resin polymerization and/or polyalkenoate acid/base reaction, these reactions may not be sufficient to ensure that the material is adequately polymerized for long-term success. This is particularly true when RMGI materials are placed in thicker layers where curing light penetration may be compromised. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE RMGI materials should not be placed in bulk but photopolymerized in layers to ensure adequate light activation. The results of this study suggest that Photac-Fil Quick be placed in layers no thicker than 2 mm while Fuji II LC and Vitremer may be placed in layers up to 3 mm in thickness. [source] Influence of Extrusion-Cooking Parameters on Some Quality Aspects of Precooked Pasta-Like ProductsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009A. Wójtowicz ABSTRACT:, The present article aims to evaluate some quality parameters and texture characteristics of precooked wheat pasta-like products. Using the methods for pasta and instant noodles the tested parameters were water absorption, starch gelatinization degree, cooking losses, and hardness. The texture profile was characterized using Zwick apparatus by cutting test with the head speed of 10 mm/min and expressed as hardness and firmness of hydrated products. SEM pictures were used to illustrate the internal structure of dry and cooked pasta-like products. Dough moisture content and process conditions influenced all tested quality parameters of the pasta-like products processed on a modified single screw extrusion-cooker TS-45 with L: D,=,16: 1. Good organoleptical quality (notes higher than 4 in a 5-point scale) and firm texture were observed for common wheat flour pasta processed at 30% m.c. Hardness and firmness of hydrated products lowered with a longer hydration time in hot water. The firmest texture and low stickiness was observed for products with a highest starch gelatinization degree. [source] Effect of Water Hardness on the Taste of Alkaline Electrolyzed WaterJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2005Masamichi Koseki ABSTRACT: The effect of water hardness on the taste of alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) was examined by sensory evaluation. Sensory test 1 of commercial bottled mineral water to which calcium and/or magnesium salts had been added was performed by panelists who evaluated the effect of hardness on the taste of water using a scoring method (hedonic scaling test) and a 1-pair comparison method. The water, in which the calcium concentration and the magnesium concentration was 20 mg/L and 2 mg/L, respectively, was found to taste better than any water containing other concentrations of calcium and magnesium. Sensory test 2 of bottled mineral waters having hardnesses of 30 mg/L to 290 mg/L, of activated carbon filtration water having a hardness of 50 mg/L, and of AEWs was performed by panelists using a scoring method (hedonic scaling test) and a pair test, and their preferences for the taste of AEWs was surveyed. The taste of AEW made by electrolyzing activated carbon filtration water did not differ from that of the water before it was electrolyzed. The same was true of AEW made by electrolyzing bottled mineral water having a hardness of 80 mg/L. However, 3 kinds of AEWs made by electrolyzing bottled mineral waters having hardnesses of 30 mg/L, 170 mg/L, and 290 mg/L were found to taste less pleasant than each bottled mineral water before being electrolyzed. The results of sensory tests 1 and 2 show that good-tasting AEW could be produced by an alkaline water electrolyzed from most tap water of Japan because its hardness varies from approximately 50 mg/L to 80 mg/L. [source] Effects of 6 Months of Aging in Water on Hardness and Surface Roughness of Two Microhybrid Dental CompositesJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 4 2008Rafael Ratto De Moraes DDS Abstract Purpose: This study assessed the effect of 6 months of aging in water on surface roughness and surface/subsurface hardness of two microhybrid resin composites. Materials and Methods: Filtek Z250 and Charisma were tested. Cylindrical specimens were obtained and stored in distilled water for 24 hours or 6 months, at 37°C. For Knoop hardness evaluation, the specimens were transversely wet-flattened, and indentations were made on surface and subsurface layers. Data were submitted to three-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (,, 0.05). Surface roughness baseline measurements were made at 24 hours and repeated after 6 months of storage. Data were submitted to repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's test (,, 0.05). Results: Surface hardness (KHN, kg/mm2) means (± standard deviation) ranged from 55 ± 1 to 49 ± 4 for Z250 and from 50 ± 2 to 41 ± 3 for Charisma, at 24 hours and 6 months, respectively. Subsurface means ranged from 58 ± 2 to 61 ± 3 for Z250 and from 50 ± 1 to 54 ± 2 for Charisma, at 24 hours and 6 months. For both composites, the aged specimens presented significantly softer surfaces (p < 0.01). For the subsurface hardness, alteration after storage was detected only for Charisma, which presented a significant rise in hardness (p < 0.01). Z250 presented significantly harder surface and subsurface layers in comparison with Charisma. Surface roughness (Ra, ,m) means ranged from 0.07 ± 0.00 to 0.07 ± 0.01 for Z250 and from 0.06 ± 0.01 to 0.07 ± 0.01 for Charisma, at 24 hours and 6 months, respectively. For both composites, no significant roughness alteration was detected during the study (p= 0.386). Conclusions: The 6-month period of storage in water presented a significant softening effect on the surfaces of the composites, although no significant deleterious alteration was detected for the subsurface hardness. In addition, the storage period had no significant effect on the surface roughness of the materials. [source] Effect of Light-Curing Method and Cement Activation Mode on Resin Cement Knoop HardnessJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 6 2007Rubens Nisie Tango Purpose: To evaluate the Knoop hardness (KHN) of the resin cement Enforce activated by chemical/physical mode or physical mode solely; light-cured directly or through a 1.5 mm thick ceramic disc (HeraCeram) on shade DD2. Materials and Methods: Light-curing was carried out using a conventional quartz tungsten halogen light (QTH) (XL2500) for 40 seconds at 700 mW/cm2; light-emitting diodes (LED) (Ultrablue Is) for 40 seconds at 440 mW/cm2; and Xenon plasma arc (PAC) (Apollo 95E) for 3 seconds at 1600 mW/cm2. Bovine incisors had their buccal faces flattened and hybridized. A mold was seated on these surfaces and filled with cement. A disc of the acid-etched and silanized veneering material was seated over this set for light-curing. After dry storage (24 hours at 37°C), specimens (n= 10) were sectioned for KHN measurements performed in a microhardness tester (50 gf load for 15 seconds). Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (,= 0.05). Results: The highest KHN values were obtained with LED, for both dual-cured and light-cured cement. The lowest KHN value was obtained with light-cured PAC. Light-curing with QTH resulted in hardness values similar to PAC in dual-cured groups. Conclusions: Light-curing through HeraCeram can influence resin cement hardness. [source] PREDICTING SENSORY COHESIVENESS, HARDNESS AND SPRINGINESS OF SOLID FOODS FROM INSTRUMENTAL MEASUREMENTSJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 2 2008R. DI MONACO ABSTRACT The sensory evaluation of cohesiveness, hardness and springiness of 15 solid food samples was performed by eight trained assessors. The rheologic response of the 15 samples was estimated by performing cyclic compression tests and stress,relaxation tests. From the force,deformation curves of the first two cycles of the compression test, texture profile analysis parameters related to cohesiveness, hardness and springiness were calculated. Young's modulus (E), strain (di) and stress (si) at peak as well as irrecoverable strain (ri) and irrecoverable work (Li) were monitored during the first five cycles. From the stress,relaxation response, Peleg's linearization model parameters, K1 and K2, were estimated by best-fit regression. These parameters were used for predicting sensory attributes. Hardness and springiness were both accurately predicted by rheologic properties, while cohesiveness prediction was less representative. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study contributes to enhance the knowledge in the research area of sensory instrumental correlation. Also, the research allows to better understanding that no single instrument is able to measure all texture attributes adequately. In fact, the results demonstrate that both stress,relaxation and cyclic compression tests need to be performed for the correct prediction of sensory responses. [source] MECHANICAL,ACOUSTIC AND SENSORY EVALUATIONS OF CORNSTARCH,WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE EXTRUDATESJOURNAL OF TEXTURE STUDIES, Issue 4 2007E.M. CHENG ABSTRACT The mechanism relating sensory perception of brittle food foams to their mechanical and acoustic properties during crushing was investigated. Cornstarch was extruded with four levels of whey protein isolate (0, 6, 12 and 18%) and two levels of in-barrel moisture (23 and 27%). Hardness, fracturability and roughness of mass were three main sensory attributes that varied substantially between products. High correlations (r = 0.841,0.998) were observed between sensory attributes and instrumentally determined mechanical properties, including crushing force (11.2,57.9 N) and crispness work (4.6,75.8 N·mm). Based on acoustic data obtained during instrumental crushing, time-domain signal processing and a novel voice recognition technique utilizing frequency spectrograms were successfully employed for understanding the differences in the sensory properties of various products. Microstructure features, including average cell diameter (1.00,2.94 mm), average wall thickness (0.04,0.27 mm) and cell number density (7,193 cell/cm3), were characterized noninvasively using X-ray microtomography, and proved to be critical in relating sensory perception of the cellular extrudates to their mechanical,acoustic signatures. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The sensory perception of crispy and crunchy food products is primarily a function of their mechanical response and emission of sounds during fracture. The current study was focused on understanding these relationships in the context of brittle extruded foods. The mechanical,acoustic techniques outlined in this study have the potential of reducing the time, costs and subjectivity involved in evaluation of new foods by human panels, and can be a useful tool in the overall product development cycle. These techniques need not be limited only to food systems, as properties of any rigid, fracturable material can be characterized based on its mechanical,acoustic signature. [source] Transparent Sintered Corundum with High Hardness and StrengthJOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY, Issue 1 2003Andreas Krell Commercial corundum powder and a liquid-shaping approach are used for manufacturing complex hollow components and large flat windows of sintered and hot isostatically pressed Al2O3 ceramics having grain sizes of 0.4,0.6 ,m at relative densities of >99.9%. High macrohardness (HV10 = 20,21 GPa) and four-point bending strength (600,700 MPa; 750,900 MPa in three-point bending) are associated with a real in-line transmission of 55%,65% through polished plates. The submicrometer microstructure and the optical properties can be retained for use at >1100°C using dopants that shift the sintering temperature to high values without additional grain growth. [source] Low-salt restructured fish products using microbial transglutaminase as binding agentJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 9 2002Simón J Téllez-Luis Abstract Low-salt restructured silver carp products were obtained using mechanically deboned fish meat from filleting wastes of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). The additives used were NaCl at three levels (0 (control), 10 and 20,g,kg,1) and microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) also at three levels (0 (control), 3 and 6,g,kg,1). The fish meat was massaged with the additives at <15,°C for 1,h. The massaged fish paste was then packed into steel stainless tubes and cooked at 40,°C for 30,min followed by 90,°C for 15,min. Changes in mechanical properties (texture profile analysis and punch test), solubility, electrophoretic profile and expressible water were evaluated. Hardness was in the range from 26.3 to 52.4,N, cohesiveness varied from 0.185 to 0.318 and springiness varied from 0.418 to 0.768. Increasing the amount of both additives improved the mechanical and functional properties of the restructured silver carp products. MTGase activity was associated with a decrease in protein solubility and a decrease in the myosin band (SDS-PAGE). Increasing NaCl decreased the amount of expressible water. The results indicated that it is feasible to obtain low-salt restructured silver carp products with improved mechanical and good functional properties using 3,g,kg,1 MTGase and 10,g,kg,1 NaCl. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Effects of illumination on the response of (0001)ZnO to nanoindentationPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (A) APPLICATIONS AND MATERIALS SCIENCE, Issue 1 2003M. J. Klopfstein Abstract The near surface photoplastic effect (PPE) of single crystal etched (0001)ZnO has been investigated using nanoindentation. Illumination was found to result in an increased load at which pop-in occurred. Hardness in the near surface region, as measured at contact depths up to 100 nm, was found to be 7% to 20% greater with sample illumination than in darkness. For larger depths up to 275 nm, however, no observable difference between hardness measured with illumination and in darkness was found. [source] Improvement of Hardness and Toughness of TiAlN Coating by Nanoscale Multilayered Structurization with Si3N4PLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2007Jong-Keuk Park Abstract The Ti(Al)-Si based nitride coating material has been studied due to its excellent mechanical properties such as hardness and oxidation resistance as in the Ti(Al)N/a-Si3N4 nanocomposites with high hardness over 50 GPa. In this study, the effect of microstructure, especially layer thickness of TiAlN and Si3N4 phase, on the mechanical properties of the TiAlN/Si3N4 nanoscale multilayered coating has been investigated. By nanoscale multilayered structurization with a thin Si3N4 layer (,0.3 nm), the hardness and toughness of TiAlN coating were greatly improved. It is known that for the TiAlN/Si3N4 nanoscale multilayered coatings, thickness of the Si3N4 layer is the most important factor and should be carefully controlled to obtain coatings with high hardness and toughness. [source] Gamma-irradiation effects on polypropylene-based composites with and without an internal lubricantPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Witold Brostow Polypropylene (PP) based materials for nonreusable syringe applications have been investigated, some of them containing an internal liquid lubricant. Hardness, tensile properties, and friction measured by two distinct procedures have been determined. We report three series of results: for nonirradiated samples; for samples directly after stopping the irradiation; and also for samples after accelerated aging equivalent to 2 years of shelf life. We find that effects of irradiation and aging on Shore A and Shore D hardness are small. Tensile strength at break, elongation at yield, and elongation at break all decrease after irradiation and then decrease still more after aging; these results are quantified but expected. By contrast, results from pin-on-disk tribometry are quite varied. In some cases , irradiation and aging both increase friction, in other cases both decrease friction. We also have a case when irradiation increases friction while aging decreases it,as well as vice versa. Possible mechanisms of all these types of behavior are advanced. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Isotactic polypropylene solidification under pressure and high cooling rates.POLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 11 2000A master curve approach Solidification in industrial processes very often involves flow fields, high thermal gradients and high pressures: the development of a model able to describe the polymer behavior becomes complex. Recently a new equipment has been developed and improved to study the crystallization of polymers when quenched under pressure. An experimental apparatus based on a modified, special injection moulding machine has been employed. Polymer samples can be cooled at a known cooling rate up to 100°C/s and under a constant pressure up to 40 MPa. Density, Micro Hardness (MH), Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and annealing measurements were then used to characterize the obtained sample morphology. Results on one iPP sample display a lower density and a lower density dependence on cooling rate for increasing pressure. Micro hardness confirms the same trend. A deconvolution technique of WAXD patterns is used to evaluate the final phase content of samples and to assess a crystallization kinetics behavior. A master curve approach to explain iPP behavior under pressure and high cooling rates was successfully applied on density results. On the basis of this simple model it is possible to predict the final polymer density by superposition of the effect of cooling rate and the effect of pressure in a wide range of experimental conditions. [source] Influence of filler type and content on properties of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compound reinforced with carbon black or silicaPOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 3 2004Sung-Seen Choi Abstract Rubber compounds are filled with reinforcing fillers to improve their physical properties. Carbon black and silica have different surface chemistries to each other. Differences in properties of carbon black- and silica-reinforced styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds were studied. Variation of properties of carbon black- or silica-filled compounds with the filler content was also investigated. The silica-filled compounds without any coupling agent and dispering agent were prepared to investigate the influence of polar materials-adsorption on the silica surface. Viscosity and crosslink density increased with increase of the filler content. Hardness, modulus, tensile strength, and wear property were improved more and more by increasing the filler content. Viscosity of the silica-filled compound was higher than that of the carbon black-filled one. Cure rate of the silica-filled compound became slower as the filler content increased, while that of the carbon black-filled one became faster. Difference in properties between the carbon black- and silica-filled compounds were explained by the poor silica dispersion and the adsorption of cure accelerator on the silica surface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Textural properties of raw Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets measured by different methods in comparison to expressible moistureAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 2 2001Jonsson Textural properties of fresh Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets were measured on seven locations along the fillet by four different instrumental methods, and were correlated to expressible moisture. Two methods were based on puncturing, either by using a flat ended cylinder, measuring hardness at different distances into the fillet and the first fracture (yield point) of the muscle fibres, or by a non-destructive method using a spherical probe to measure the hardness of the fillet. The other two methods were based on Kramer shear-compression cell or Warner-Bratzler shear cell, by shearing the fillet with blades, measuring the shear force (toughness). The ability to separate textural properties in different muscle segments by using these four methods were compared. The expressible moisture, was determined by using the filter paper method by compression. Hardness and shear force of the fillets generally increased from the anterior to the posterior part of the fillet while the necessary force applied to map the yield point decreased towards the tail section. The results from the present study indicated that the puncture method with the spherical probe and the shearing device by Warner-Bratzler were better suited for measuring differences in the textural properties between different parts of raw salmon fillet, than the flat ended cylinder and Kramer shear compression cell. The expressible moisture, varying between 1.8 and 2.7%, showed a significant (P < 0.05) linear correlation with the spherical probe texture measurements (r=0.83) and the Kramer shear compression cell (r=0.77). [source] ChemInform Abstract: Li2B12Si2: The First Ternary Compound in the System Li/B/Si: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Hardness, Spectroscopic Investigations, and Electronic Structure.CHEMINFORM, Issue 46 2008Natascha Vojteer Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source] Hardness of a crystalline lens and accommodationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009A CHUPROV Purpose to estimate influence of mechanical characteristics of a crystalline lens on accommodation possibility Methods At 56 patients with a various condition of a crystalline lens we defined amplitude of accommodation by a method of finding of the nearest and far points. Mechanical properties of a crystalline lens defined by the original ultrasonic method. At the heart of a method, use of the information which formed at distribution of a mechanical wave in non-uniform environments. Results We revealed the strong inverse negative relationship between volume of accommodation and hardness of a crystalline lens nucleus - the factor of correlation was equal -0,63 (? <0,01). Conclusion One of the reasons of the accommodation worsening is the increase of a crystalline lens mechanical hardness [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||