Mechanical Features (mechanical + feature)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Oxidation Resistance of Multilayer SiC for Space Vehicle Thermal Protection Systems,

ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 7 2010
Claudia Milena Vega Bolivar
The oxidation resistances of different kinds of SiC-based laminates are compared. The materials under investigation are produced by tape casting of green ceramic sheets, followed by stacking of the sheets in a multilayer structure and laminate consolidation by de-binding and sintering. Three kinds of specimens are tested: multilayer SiC with fully dense layers, multilayer SiC integrating porous layers and multilayer composites made by stacking SiC/Cf composite layers. Two kinds of chopped carbon fibres (polyamide coated and uncoated) are used for the manufacture of the composite sheets. The oxidation behaviour is investigated by simultaneous TGA,DTA,MS analysis. Specimens are also submitted to a long-term oxidation treatment (30,h at 1,600,°C in flowing air) and their microstructure and mechanical behaviour compared before and after oxidation. This assessment shows that the integration of porous or composite layers in the multilayer architecture does not worsen the oxidation resistance. In every case the formation of a surface passivating layer prevents major degradation phenomena, so that only small changes in the mechanical features are found after oxidation. [source]


Mechanical Gradient Cues for Guided Cell Motility and Control of Cell Behavior on Uniform Substrates

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 18 2009
Barbara Cortese
Abstract A novel method for the fabrication and the use of simple uniform poly(dimethylsiloxane) PDMS substrates for controlling cell motility by a mechanical gradient is reported. The substrate is fabricated in PDMS using soft lithography and consists of a soft membrane suspended on top of a patterned PDMS substrate. The difference in the gradient stiffness is related to the underlying pattern. It is shown experimentally that these uniform substrates can modulate the response of cell motility, thus enabling patterning on the surfaces with precise cell motility. Because of the uniformity of the substrate, cells can spread equally and a directional movement to stiffer regions is clearly observed. Varying the geometry underlying the membrane, cell patterning and movement can be quantitatively characterized. This procedure is capable of controlling cell motility with high fidelity over large substrate areas. The most significant advance embodied in this method is that it offers the use of mechanical features to control cell adhesion and not topographical or chemical variations, which has not been reported so far. This modulation of the response of cell motility will be useful for the design and fabrication of advanced planar and 3D biological assemblies suitable for applications in the field of biotechnology and for tissue-engineering purposes. [source]


Electrochemical and mechanical behaviour of Sn-2.5Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-48Bi-2Zn solders

MATERIALS AND CORROSION/WERKSTOFFE UND KORROSION, Issue 8 2008
G. Montesperelli
Abstract In this paper, two tin-based alloys (Sn-2.5Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-48Bi-2Zn) are proposed as new lead-free solders. Alloys have been developed by melting pure elements. Samples have been evaluated in terms of microstructure, corrosion resistance and mechanical features. Corrosion tests have been performed in 3% NaCl solution by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). SEM observations and EDS analysis were carried out on samples before and after corrosion tests. Static monotonic tensile tests have been performed on three specimens for each alloy. SEM and EDS analysis revealed the presence of Sn-Ag and Sn-Cu intermetallic compounds within the Sn-Ag-Cu alloy. As a result of corrosion test, the Sn-Ag-Cu alloy showed a better corrosion resistance with respect to Sn-Bi-Zn. Both alloys evidenced good mechanical properties higher than the traditional Sn-Pb system. Sn-Ag-Cu seems to be a suitable soldering material. [source]


Tension wood as a model for functional genomics of wood formation

NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2004
Gilles Pilate
Summary Wood is a complex and highly variable tissue, the formation of which is developmentally and environmentally regulated. In reaction to gravitropic stimuli, angiosperm trees differentiate tension wood, a wood with specific anatomical, chemical and mechanical features. In poplar the most significant of these features is an additional layer that forms in the secondary wall of tension wood fibres. This layer is mainly constituted of cellulose microfibrils oriented nearly parallel to the fibre axis. Tension wood formation can be induced easily and strongly by bending the stem of a tree. Located at the upper side of the bent stem, tension wood can be compared with the wood located on its lower side. Therefore tension wood represents an excellent model for studying the formation of xylem cell walls. This review summarizes results recently obtained in the field of genomics on tension wood. In addition, we present an example of how the application of functional genomics to tension wood can help decipher the molecular mechanisms responsible for cell wall characteristics such as the orientation of cellulose microfibrils. [source]


Regional, ontogenetic, and sex-related variations in elastic properties of cortical bone in baboon mandibles

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Qian Wang
Abstract Understanding the mechanical features of cortical bone and their changes with growth and adaptation to function plays an important role in our ability to interpret the morphology and evolution of craniofacial skeletons. We assessed the elastic properties of cortical bone of juvenile and adult baboon mandibles using ultrasonic techniques. Results showed that, overall, cortical bone from baboon mandibles could be modeled as an orthotropic elastic solid. There were significant differences in the directions of maximum stiffness, thickness, density, and elastic stiffness among different functional areas, indicating regional adaptations. After maturity, the cortical bone becomes thicker, denser, and stiffer, but less anisotropic. There were differences in elastic properties of the corpus and ramus between male and female mandibles which are not observed in human mandibles. There were correlations between cortical thicknesses and densities, between bone elastic properties and microstructural configuration, and between the directions of maximum stiffness and bone anatomical axes in some areas. The relationships between bone extrinsic and intrinsic properties bring us insights into the integration of form and function in craniofacial skeletons and suggest that we need to consider both macroscopic form, microstructural variation, and the material properties of bone matrix when studying the functional properties and adaptive nature of the craniofacial skeleton in primates. The differences between baboon and human mandibles is at variance to the pattern of differences in crania, suggesting differences in bone adaption to varying skeletal geometries and loading regimes at both phylogenetic and ontogenetic levels. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]